Craftsman tool set under $200

snakester14

Active Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2006
Location
Greenville
I am in college and working over the summer so I figured I'd pick up a decent starter tool set. Was cruising the craftsman website and liked the 260 piece with tool box.

Any advice would be appreciated as i'm looking to pick up a set sometime this week.

Thanks,
Jake
 
how about post a link to what you are looking at.
 
Not sure what the 260 piece has in it, but my GF's mom picked me up a 204 piece from xmas. Its pretty awesome. Got 1/4" drive 3/8" drive and 1/2" drive. Only lacking a few things like extensions for the 1/4 and 1/2, and some pliers as well as an adjustable wrench. Mine also has a multi- screwdriver, but it doesn't have alot of bits.
 
What are you working on? Think about the right tool for the right job.
 
Remember, if you are working on newer american or foreign vehicles, you need more metric stuff. If you have old american vehicles, then SAE is what you want. Think too that "they" count every bit and allen wrench as a piece. Look more at the wrench count and socket count.
 
I got one like that to start with. I don't remember exactly how many pieces it had, but it was just over 200. It came with sockets up to 1-1/4" and 32mm, so most everything you're likely to need. It didn't come with a lot of 1/2" drive deeps, so I had to buy like a 7/8", 15/16", 1", etc.... and I don't think it came with any (or many?) 18mm, so I had to buy a bunch of those.

Oh, and it didn't come with hardly any adapters, which is especially important for 1/4" drive (the cheapy 1/4" ratchets suck). So I got a 3/8 to 1/4, 3/8 to 1/2, 1/2 to 3/8, etc. Probably a few extensions, too.

I find that the biggest problem when working on stuff isn't having the right size socket, but having a socket/extension/wrench/etc that will fit where you need it to go.
 
I rarely use 1/2 drive, 1/4 is my favorite and gearwrench reversiable wrenches. Everybody is different, but with a good 1/4 ratchet you might be surprised what it will do, then go to 3/8ths if that is not enough. I've worked on several FJ40's and you learn quick not to over power non replaceable bolts!
 
I guess it depends on what Jeep you own and plan to own. My '93 Grand Cherokee is pretty much all metric.
 
You can get more tools for the same money through Home Depot or Lowes. Craftsman tools are overpriced for their quality in my opinion. I understand they have a "lifetime warranty" but they can be particular on what and how they warranty the item. For the same money you can get 1.5 times the amout of tools. If it is only minimal use check out Harbor Freight and Northern for tools. Great prices and they have an awesome warranty program (Harbor Freight from experience, Northern through word of mouth). If you were buying for a shop then I would suggest Snap-on, Mac, Cornwell, or Matco.Check out this link that has a few opinions about craftsman. Also some links to other places to get tools. Good luck and let us know what you get.

http://www.harborfreight.com
http://www.northerntool.com
http://www.homedepot.com (Husky brand?)
http://www.lowes.com/ (Kobalt brand?)

Just for camparision prices
http://www.matcotools.com/
http://www.cornwelltools.com/
http://www.mactools.com/
http://www.snapon.com/

And the thread discussing Craftsman warranty and tools
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80745&highlight=craftsman+warranty

Good Luck

Edit: I have had pretty good luck with Stanley hand tools as well. They are cheap and make a great candidate if I have to modify the tool that voids the warranty like cutting a wrench down to size lol.
 
x2 on the gear wrenches and on Harbor Freight for cheap ass impact sockets. Never used HF hand tools, though.
 
snakester14 said:
Sorry guys forgot to mention, I own a Jeep and will own future Jeeps so thats what I'm working on.
heres the kit im looking at http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...&+Equipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Tools+Sets
Click to expand...

I have the same set. I bought it to keep at my house and in the truck when I go somewhere so I don't have to go to my shop to get tools. Even has 8 point sockets to remove plugs with square heads. Just add some screwdrivers and pliers and you'll have a good basic set of tools. You'll be very pleased with it. I see it's now $159. You can't beat the price. The trays slide all the way out so you can pull out the tray you need and lay it near where you're working.
 
Possibly looking at the 154 piece kit for 99 bucks but probably gonna man up and get teh 260. Looked on harbor frieght and northern tools websites and didn't see many actual kits.

Throw up some recomendations on kits from either stores if anyone has any.
 
If youve got a harbor freight near by def check them out. Most of their pittsburg brand tools are really good quality (for the price) and have a lifetime warranty. Ive got a couple sets of wrenches and socket sets that Ive had for years. I have nothing against craftsman either but for the price comparison Id go Harbor freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html


and def pick up a set of gear wrenches......
 
mountainTJ said:
If youve got a harbor freight near by def check them out. Most of their pittsburg brand tools are really good quality (for the price) and have a lifetime warranty. Ive got a couple sets of wrenches and socket sets that Ive had for years. I have nothing against craftsman either but for the price comparison Id go Harbor freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/professional-301-piece-mechanics-tool-kit-45951.html
and def pick up a set of gear wrenches......
Click to expand...

That looks like a pretty good kit i'm gonna compare it to the craftsman one I was looking at.

Still debating between the 154 piece and 260 piece crafstman even though they can't really be compared, probably gonna stop by sears after work and take a look in person.
 
Most of my main high-use stuff is Craftsman. Things like my ratchets and sockets, along with my wrenches, are all Craftsman. Screwdrivers are whatever I find cheap. Pliers/vice grips, all the hand gripper stuff, all Harbor Freight. Extensions and stuff that isn't as high wear is all Harbor Freight.
 
For the last 4-5 years, I've been a diehard Craftsman fan, and still have nothing against the tools. I've had some break and never had an issue bringing in something broken and having it replaced. I think Craftsman is a great starter brand. That being said, as I start using my tools more and more, I do notice I'd prefer something beefier/more quality/etc. I've pretty much given up going in to Sears for Craftsman stuff though, rarely do they have what I'm looking for on the shelf and rarely do the associates know more than I do (which is pretty bad)...hell I've been told a couple times it would just be easier for me to order what I want online and to leave the store out of it. So I'm kinda parting ways with Craftsman. All that being said, starter brand for starter brand, I'd still go with Craftsman. I've never had much luck with HF stuff, seems to be 1 or 2 use tools and then they're garbage. Last thing I got from HF was a set of 1/2" deep sockets and every single one of the sockets blew out or cracked down the side. Dunno about you, but that's not necessarily a game I'm willing to play when I'm on the side of the road.



If you're not liking what you're hearing about either brand, I'd suggest surfing CL or going to yard sales...I've picked up some nice Snap On and Matco stuff that way...for really cheap, like pennies on the dollar.
 
Most of my hand tools are craftsman. I have a set of gearwrenches that I love as well. I have a 1500 peice craftsman set.

I usually pick up more as they are on sale. You can never have too many tools. Just too many on the trail. Makes the rig too heavy. I'm working on keeping my main set at home and creating a trail set. That way I don't have to keep loading and unloading my toolbox and bags.

I have never had a warranty problem with craftsman. Even after bending them with extensions on breaker bars.
 
I once cut a 13mm Craftsman wrench in half to use the box-end part for something at work. When I bought it the guy told me they'd take it back if it broke, I told him no way they'd honor their warranty after they saw what I was going to do to it. He said "try me."

I went back to work, chopped it up, and on my way home stopped by Sears with the open end side, just to see what they would say. The guy was like "what did you do, cut it in half?" And I was like "yup, sure did."

He just laughed and handed me a new 13mm wrench, still got it in my toolbox at home.
 
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