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I worked on the Trailblazer today - easy stuff.....t-stat, upper and lower radiator hoses, cap, coolant flush......or was it easy?
I have a fair amount of tools, but some days I feel like tossing the entire bunch and going to Sears for the ultimate kit. Getting the altenator out of the way took the longest time......who designs these GM cars?
Who actually buys these tool kits?
pete240z wrote:Who actually buys these tool kits?
A pro who can't afford 30k in Snap On tools.
I dont have that one, but i did start off with a sears mechanics kit.
99% of my tools are Craftsman. I have 2 snap ons and a few randow little peices of off brands. Back on topic, Yes I would love to
I have slowly been amassing a full Craftsman mechanic set. Everytime I need a tool, I run to sears (5 miles from me) and grab one.
Some sneaky work with a quarter inch ratchet and a couple of extensions in through the wheelwell gets that thermostat out without taking the alternator off. Not that it helps you now, but just saying.
Keep in mind Craftsman doesn't have a lifetime warranty any more
That sort of set would be a good deal for someone who just won the lottery.
Over the years, I've bought/scavenged/lost/accumulated so many tools that my kit now is a true "melting pot". I can't think of a brand that I don't have at least one of. But they certainly don't match. A set like the Craftsman one sure would look good in a rollaround!
carguy123 wrote:Keep in mind Craftsman doesn't have a lifetime warranty any more
Really? That's news to thier web site:
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/nb_10155_12602_NB_Craftsman+Advantage?adCell=WH
"lifetime warranty on all hand tools reassures you that no matter what your tools will show up for each and every project you begin."
It's not news at the retail level. Just try to take a tool back and see what happens.
I've sworn off of craftsman after they refused to replace or repair 3 different ratchet handles at 3 different times.
I've dreamed about it... but then I look at it and realize I already have most of what's in that set already...
long extensions and universal-joint sockets have been saviors a few times when dealing with "how the hell do I get to THAT?" fasteners a few times...
I don't seem to break tools very often... anymore, if I do, I'll replace the broken tool with Snap-on. So far, that means I only have a couple 1/4" dr metric sockets that I pushed a bit too far...
In reply to carguy123:
I've never had a problem and I don't know anyone who's had a problem. Wasn't there another thread discussing this like last week or something?
The set looks good, but it probably has a lot of pieces I'd never use. I prefer to buy what I need individually.
And if I could afford Snap-On tools, that's the way I'd go. A previous employer (U.S. Navy) bought my shop a nice roll-away box full of Snap-On tools. The nicest I've used yet!
harbor freight ftw lol. If a tool breaks, who cares? you only paid a minimal amount for it. Saying that, I have a fair amount of craftsmen tools, use them at the shop, taken them back without a problem. Even though I use them as a mechanic which is clearly against their policy, it's still never been a problem.
oh and daylights savings time ftw over this board lol
i never had a problem taking back tools at Sears, even screwdrivers that were clearly used "improperly"
A full toolset from somewhere would be cool in the future, but I'm usually running frantically from place to place to get new tools I suddenly discover I need. Sears (Craftsman), Home Depot (Husky), Lowes (Kobalt), Stanley and Northern Tools are usually what I've got access too. I've gotta say that Northern Tools comes in handy in a pinch. They usually have what the others don't, so they've become my first stop when I need something obscure, or semi-obscure
DirtyBird222 wrote:True, but I feel one is better off with well-made tools.harbor freight ftw lol. If a tool breaks, who cares? you only paid a minimal amount for it.
carguy123 wrote:I've never had trouble with them. The closest to a hassle they have ever given me wad making me take a rebuilt ratchet, which I didn't really mind. Normally, I go grab a new one off the shelf, and carry it to the counter and then hand them the broken one. This works at all three of the nearest locations to me.It's not news at the retail level. Just try to take a tool back and see what happens.
I've sworn off of craftsman after they refused to replace or repair 3 different ratchet handles at 3 different times.
Joey
my dad has the 1978 version of that, my mom worked at sears and got the hook up on returns. someone bought the kit, took a few bits out, and returned it as coming incomplete. he still has most of it, or the warranty replacements anyway.
i built my own set as i began doing more and more auto work and now i have a 56" rolling chest with more tools than half the mechanics out there. my favorites as of late are the USA made Kobalt tools at lowes - they come straight from the same plant as snap-on. beware though as not all their tools are USA. just the ratchets, sockets, and most of the screwdrivers. the pliers and stuff are chinese.
i bit the bullet and picked up the snap-on 1/2 drive shallow and deep socket sets and do not regret it one bit. they survive and look new where i just blew up craftsman ones.
Tighe wrote:Some sneaky work with a quarter inch ratchet and a couple of extensions in through the wheelwell gets that thermostat out without taking the alternator off.
I did that for the bottom bolt (remove tire + jack stand) - since i have giant sausage fingers and meaty hands; there was no way I was getting to that top bolt.
I like the "Ship or Pick-Up" question. If you have it shipped to you, you better have a trailer-height warehouse and a forklift at your house, because it probably weighs 1000 lbs and comes on a pallet!
And regarding the talk of Craftsman not having a lifetime warranty anymore...I just took a broken 1/2" ratchet and a cracked 13mm socket and they handed me new ones off the shelf, no questions.
I've returned several craftsman tools. Never had a problem. Walk into store, find the tool I need, and walk to the counter with the broken one and the replacement. Done.
DirtyBird222 wrote:harbor freight ftw lol. If a tool breaks, who cares?
I cares when that took brakes and the now flailing extension takes out the wiring harness and I have to fix it. Or when the crappy 1/2" socket that is actually 19/32" because quality control is so crappy in China and the socket strips out my bolt. My nut splitter won't fit down there and I gotta figure out how to get to the stripped bolt to get it off. That's why most of my stuff is Snap-on.
That being said, when I started professionally wrenching more than 15 years ago I picked up a set of Crazy Benzies (similar to HF) 1/2" drive impact sockets. Never broke one and use them all the time.
But to answer the original question. I wouldn't buy that Craftsman set. I'd take that $8K and pick up a set ot Snap-On, Mac or even Matco tools from a mechanic selling his whole box full of tools for that same 8K. You're getting $20K worth of tools for 8K.
carguy123 wrote:Keep in mind Craftsman doesn't have a lifetime warranty any more
when did that happen, if that is the case, go to either home depot or Lowes. their brands do have life time warranty
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