Not sure where to post on good tool bargain

[Chuck K.]

This is not a "plug" for Sears but I have this same set and let me tell you anytime I have a small project I pick this up first because it has such a good variety of tools. There is also enough room left in the bottom drawer to put any personal favorite such as 16" cresent, 440 channel locks, lrg vise grips etc. I then go to my big Snap-0n cabinet if I need anything else..

Craftsman 34245 245 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Easy-To-Read Sockets in 3-Drawer Chest at Sears.com

 

[BTDT]

Welcome to TBN. Tools sound ok, but I haven't been fond of plastic tool boxes in the past. Is this small enough to mount on a tractor somewhere, or is it like a regular sized top box?

 

[AndyMA]

I have the same chest except for 4 drawers. Same overall outside dimension. I think it is way too big to mount on tractor. I like mine much better than a metal box when I want to grab a specific socket with the box in the bed of my Utility Vehicle.

Andy

 

[Farwell]

Chuck,
Something I found out years ago about Sears/Craftsman tool sets. The amount of metal used in the wrenches, sockets and socket extensions is not the same as the ones you buy when you buy the individual tools. In many cases this does not make a difference and because of a weight factor may even be a plus. If you plan on heavy use of the tools you may want to take a very good look at the the sets verses the individual tools or compare with another supplier. The price is good for the number of tools.

 

[Chuck K.]

Welcome to TBN. Tools sound ok, but I haven't been fond of plastic tool boxes in the past. Is this small enough to mount on a tractor somewhere, or is it like a regular sized top box?

Thanks for the welcome... IMHO its too large for a CUT but for a full size tractor you might find a place to secure it. I have not been a fan of plastic tool boxes either but the way the trays are molded to fit each socket, extension, ratchet, etc. keeps it organized, makes it easy to find what you are looking for and helps account for each tool at the end of job.

I am not suggesting this box or tools would be adequate for an engine rebuild rather something very hand to keep in the pick up truck or just to grab for a small job that would only require basic tools. To me it has a good variety of basic tools metric and standard ¼”, 3/8” and ½” drives. I know mine has saved me hundreds of trips back to the garage to my big tool box..

 

[MadDogDriver]

This is not a "plug" for Sears but I have this same set and let me tell you anytime I have a small project I pick this up first because it has such a good variety of tools. There is also enough room left in the bottom drawer to put any personal favorite such as 16" cresent, 440 channel locks, lrg vise grips etc. I then go to my big Snap-0n cabinet if I need anything else..

Craftsman 34245 245 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Easy-To-Read Sockets in 3-Drawer Chest at Sears.com

I have the very same tool set you're talking about and it is very convient for the small mobile projects and keeping track of each tool. After 50+ years of living, I get real cranky when my tools are not put away where they belong. (Cranky at myself too). Tool boxes like these and "shadow" boxes/boards are about the only way to ensure you haven't left a tool where it doesn't belong.

Still love the cabinet and the 3/4 drive set for bigger work.

 

[schmism]

id perfer this set for the same price....

i hate the laser etched sockets and dont think they will hold up for the long run.

Craftsman 34242 241 pc. Mechanics Tool Set at Sears.com

 

[WhyNot]

I was at the Homer today waiting to get a lock set rekeyed to match the rest of my doors and I came across a 215 piece drill set made by Ryobi for $40.00. I bought the set. They look ok and there is a lot of different bits in it. It may not be good for some one who uses them to make a living but, will work me. Just thought I would let you all know.

 

[bx24]

I used to be an installer type mechanic at an auto center. Everything from shocks and exhaust sytems to alternaters and starters. I have a complete set of what I would call basic hand and air tools. 80% Craftsman, 15% Snap-On and a mix of the rest. When I stopped one day to add it all up, it priced out at over $5K worth of tools.

My point is that I have been around a lot of good tools in my careers. Even with my big "set", I still like to have smaller set-ups handy and in recent times, I am hooked on Harbor Freight stuff. I have a store near by and they have the same style guarantee as Craftsman. I would say the quality is 80%-90% and when you can get 6 ball peen hammers for $7 bucks, or a whole rail of sockets for $12 bucks ... how can you go wrong. I love my Craftsman tools, but I really like the HF stuff as well (at least for hand tools)

 

[40Kchicks]

I must admit that I am buying more tools at Harbor Freight these days. When I was using the tools in my shop they would last a long time and I could justify buying mid to high quality tools but now I have employees and lots of buildings that the tools get lost in and scattered around or taken home in pockets and then not returned. Actually I can’t get to mad because I do the same thing. Once a month or so I have to gather all the tools that have migrated up to the house in my pockets and bring them back to the shop. Employees don’t do this but I bet if I went to their house I would find little piles of sockets and allen wrenches from my farm. The truth is very few of my small tools last long enough to justify buying quality. On my poultry farm if I lay down a tool while changing out a motor to something I have to be careful where I lay it down because the chickens are curious and grab stuff and run off with it. HF for small hand tools is the way to go for me.

Eric