I saw this on sears today and I am thinking about getting it. I need a set of sockets and wrench's but noticed this kit has ratcheting wenches are those good? Should I look for a kit with just standard wrenches?
For $200 seems like a good deal plus there a promo coupon for another $15 off.
I personally wouldn't buy new Craftsman tools. When I bought my Craftsman tool set 20+ years ago they were made very well. I've broken a few things since then from the original set and every replacement has been crap.
No lie, Harbor Freight's "Pro" line is all pretty good, it's all rebranded CR-V. It's good stuff, I've been using it when I need to add to my collection.
And of course, find it on sale and use one of their 20% off coupons.
I'd recommend buying a more comfortable 3/8th ratchet, but I don't find the entry-level Craftsman ratchets comfortable either (though my Thin Profile Craftsman is fantastic).
If Sears is close to you (for warranty) and the people seem decent , go for it. Find out what tools you need to add and supplement your collection at HF
I've been using the Kobalt stuff from Lowes with pretty good success.
Now if someone would make a set that automatically puts itself away. 
If going for HF the Heavy Duty Composite Ratchet http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-composite-ratchet-66313.html is pretty good to go with that toolset. I prefer it over my older craftsman ratchets most of the time.
You need to acquire a basic set just to get the usual and necessary sockets and wrenches. You will find very quickly that you will need to add some very specialized stuff for your own needs and preferences. I like the speed wrenches, short socket wrenches for speed and a few larger socket wrenches for strength and leverage. Each car you work on will have its own requirements too. You cant have enough 10mm wrenches and sockets. From there you may need 12mm, 13mm 14mm and 17mm stuff depending on whether you are working on European or Japanese cars. Keep all your tools organized and well-labeled. I prefer trees but other people have their own systems. Get good basic stuff and realize that some of the other stuff is one or two use stuff that will collect dust most of the time. Plan accordingly.
i started my tool collection with a 120-something piece set from Craftsman that came with a decent assortment of sockets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drives, as well as a few SAE and metric wrenches and a screwdriver with interchangeable bits.. i added tools to it as i needed them or had extra money and happened to be at Sears.. then i bought their 500 piece mechanics specialty tool set and got all sorts of neat tools.. as i went along, my tool box got bigger to accomodate my needs- first it was the plastic case the first set came in, then a 16" plastic tool box, then a bigger plastic box with trays in the lid, then the upper/lower cabinet i've got now.. i really do need more tool box space- it's past time for a real professional style workbench style tool box- but i'll hold off until i get a place with a garage again..
as far as ratcheting wrenches go: they are awesome. And you can't beat gear wrench.
I got a 200something piece craftsman set and am now supplementing it from HF and the snap on truck (because I'm a sucker for convenience)
You could probably put together an HF setup for relatively little money, just a full 1/4 set, 3/8 set, a 1/2 set, a two foot long ish breaker bar (1/2) open/closed wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, stubby wrenches, nut drivers, and something that will help you get a lot more done: an electric driver with the standard screwdriver bits AND a set of socket driver adaptors (HF has a set with a 1/4, 3/8, and a 1/2 for like $3)
I recommend makita for this
Osterkraut wrote: No lie, Harbor Freight's "Pro" line is all pretty good, it's all rebranded CR-V. It's good stuff, I've been using it when I need to add to my collection.
The CR-V on tools isn't a brand. It is to denote that they are made from Chrome Vanadium.
I too would eschew the Craftsman but I would get Toptul sets piecemeal like these
I really like the look and feel of the satin finish but full polish is available too.
jonnyd330 wrote: I saw this on sears today and I am thinking about getting it. I need a set of sockets and wrench's but noticed this kit has ratcheting wenches are those good? Should I look for a kit with just standard wrenches? For $200 seems like a good deal plus there a promo coupon for another $15 off. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-00941309000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8
D'oh!
You're two days late. That was on sale for $171, and could stack the $15 promo on it. Free shipping, too. 
Here's what i would do:
3/8 drive set: http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-62-pc-3-8-socket-set-deep-shallow-nht90928-ro.html
1/4 drive set: http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-56-pc-1-4-socket-set-deep-shallow-90927-ro.html
1/2 drive metric set: http://cripedistributingstore.com/gearwrench-80709-28pc-1-2dr-mtr-sck-set-std-dp.html
Figure on spending another $30-$40 for the remaining SAE sockets if you need them.
Then add wrenches and screwdrivers of your choice.
Screwdriver suggestion: http://cripedistributingstore.com/gearwrench-19-pc-comb-solid-handle-screwdriver-set-82730.html
Why go this route? Because you end up with better quality tools, and no filler that you have no use for. And really, for not much more money if any at all.
ditchdigger wrote:Osterkraut wrote: No lie, Harbor Freight's "Pro" line is all pretty good, it's all rebranded CR-V. It's good stuff, I've been using it when I need to add to my collection.The CR-V on tools isn't a brand. It is to denote that they are made from Chrome Vanadium.
Well E36 M3, I'm an idiot!
I own this:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=645026&group_ID=682194&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
plus a lot more that are stored in one of these:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=storage&item_ID=645724&group_ID=681876&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
John Brown wrote: I own this: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=645026&group_ID=682194&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
someone likes to spend money...
novaderrik wrote:John Brown wrote: I own this: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=hand&item_ID=645026&group_ID=682194&store=snapon-store&dir=catalogsomeone likes to spend money...
Much less than you would think. I don't buy new and I have less invested in all of my tools (including the Snap On scanner I just got friday) for less than the original selling price of the toolbox. The trick is to either find the guy upgrading (all of the Blue Point stuff), find the guy getting out (the box) or the guy with the meth problem (almost everything else) and you too can rock out with your cock out like il Duce Mofo ;)
Fwiw, that Blue Point set can be found for under $200 on Ebay fairly often. (used) At that price, it's good value.
I like this kit for $200. Much less filler than the CM set, and higher quality.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-216-Piece-Multi-Drive-SAE-Metric-6-12pt-Mechanic-Tool-Set-80933-/230694733313?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item35b67a4601&vxp=mtr
Cripe Distributing looks cool. Is it worth paying shipping from them vs going to your local Harbor Freight?
PHeller wrote: Cripe Distributing looks cool. Is it worth paying shipping from them vs going to your local Harbor Freight?
Definitely, mostly because it's not that much more expensive, and you're getting WAY better tools in most cases.
The best you'll get from HF is Pittsburgh Pro. (Which really, isn't bad at all.)
Cripe carries a lot of high quality tools at ridiculously low prices. The fact that you can get the Napa Pro 1/4" and 3/8" master sets for $61 + shipping combined is incredible.
Use coupon code "RDKBS" to save 5%. 
Also check their Ebay store. Sometimes they have additional inventory on there that's not on their site.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Here's what i would do: 3/8 drive set: http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-62-pc-3-8-socket-set-deep-shallow-nht90928-ro.html 1/4 drive set: http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-56-pc-1-4-socket-set-deep-shallow-90927-ro.html 1/2 drive metric set: http://cripedistributingstore.com/gearwrench-80709-28pc-1-2dr-mtr-sck-set-std-dp.html Figure on spending another $30-$40 for the remaining SAE sockets if you need them. Then add wrenches and screwdrivers of your choice. Screwdriver suggestion: http://cripedistributingstore.com/gearwrench-19-pc-comb-solid-handle-screwdriver-set-82730.html Why go this route? Because you end up with better quality tools, and no filler that you have no use for. And really, for not much more money if any at all.
The first two sets i linked are 10% off right now with coupon code "pintrest."
$54.90 + shipping for good quality master 1/4" and 3/8" sets is a hell of a deal.
Could also go this route for 1/2" stuff:
http://www.cripedistributing.com/napa-26pc-metric-sae-sockets-6221101-1-2-drive-usa.html
+
http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-model-81309-1-2-drive-quick-release-ratchet.html
You'll need to log in to post.
