SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoMatic

"The Old School Method"
Investing in your first set of tools.
Special to XJBikes.com
by: Rick Massey
All rights reserved.

(Editors Note: After this column was submitted, yesterday ... the Complete line of SEARS Craftsman "Mechanics Tool Sets" went ON SALE -- TODAY!!!)

Here's the LINK:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes

Here's the fun I poked at it in yesterday's column:
____________________________________________________________

Listen to the radio and look for a Craftsman Tool sale at Sears. They'll be marked-down for Christmas, this year, before the Halloween Pumpkin's rot.

They're usually touting a "Mechanic's Basic Start Set." In the background you see a guy in a white shirt and tie rebuilding the tranny of his wife's Miata.

They also tell you you're getting a zillion tools with the fabulous set! A NASA engineer, wearing an experimental rocket-pack, will show you the tools from the set and how they always use them on the Space Shuttle and you get CRAFTSMAN's, legendary, easy-drop, Ratchet Handle, preferred by all serious wrench's World-wide, come's right with all the rest of the zillion tools! Wow!

But, they don't tell you the set includes a guarter-of-a-zillion Allen wrenches. They count ViceGrips as two tools. Vice ... and; grips!

They're absolutely right about the Ratchet Handles; though!

You'll also receive a complete set of Standard sizes; because you never know when you'll need them.

The copy for that part of the spot should have been:

You'll also receive a complete set of Standard sizes; because "You know when you'll ever need them; never!

Not really. They do come in handy when you want to hold-down the rain cover on the the lawn mower; or let your neighbor borrow them to fix his New Yamaha Golf Cart!

All in all, there's enough of what you'll be needing. Add-in another set of Metric combo's, a couple extra Phillip's screwdriver's and the real nice Hand-Impact Tool -- and, "You'll be good to ... start breaking-off manifold Cap Screws in the cylinder head ...

... just like the rest of us did! : )

And a LARGE Oil Change Drain Pan.

Don't forget to stop-off for a bar of Lava Soap!

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes

 

A couple year back my stepdad gave me for xmas a 144 piece craftsman mechanics toolset and it has been the best gift ever..For instance one day I was out and about in my 5.0 mustang and was getting on the highway when I shifted to third no power shifting or speed shifting just a normal slow up and over into third and bam clunk clunk, killed her and coasted to a stop on the side of the highway..
Well turns out I broke teeth off the upper gear cluster along with a few on the bottom, tranny was shot I was broke and my car was on the side of the highway..So I called a friend who had a truck tied a tow strap to my front swaybar towed her home, found another tranny that a buddy had for $150 because the syncro's were goin out..
That day I was on my back out in the street me and my toolset..Dropped the driveshaft removed the exhaust dropped the crossmember yanked the blown up tranny reversed the process and there you go I was rollin again in my 5.0 which would not have been possible if I didn't have that toolset..

 

If you bought all the tools they give you in the "Mechanic's Specials" off the SnapOn Truck or from The Mac Guy ... your first payment of 24 to 36 payments would be more than the Sale Kit is selling for ... right now.

I'll bet the SnapOn Guy, himself, even has a Craftsman ratchet in HIS home toolbox.

 

Payments are no bueno the way to go is definitely to catch the tools on sale like you said..And by the way some people think snap on is the only way to go but my set of Cratfsman tools are plenty to get the job done..

 

I'm finding the same to be true about my cheapy Harbor Freight tools. Sure I've got the requisite Snap-On and Craftsman socket wrenches, but the HF just keeps up with them as far as abuse is concerned. Not bad for knock-offs and at $8 for a wrench, I can more than easily swallow someone helping themselves to my tools should I be careless enough to allow it. Had a buddy get wiped out for over $800 in Craftsman goodies with a smashed window to boot. Replaced everything for under $200 (including the toolbox) at HF and hasn't had a lick of trouble. HF also has a lifetime warranty but only if you keep the reciept (which I am not so fond of, Craftsman or SN, you just show them the broken tool). Good way to get into tools cheap.

 

My experience with the "starter kits" are they are of lesser quality. In the instance of Craftsman (Sears brand), you end up with no-name tools in the kit so they don't fall under the lifetime warranty. So, I'll add this to Ricks writing above - depending on how much you use the tool in question should determine what quality of tool you get.

Example: On my Xj, my 12mm deep socket and 3/8" ratchet are out all of the time. Therefore, I have a lifetime warrantly 12mm socket and the craftsman professional series 3/8" ratchet. Now, I rarely use my grinder - so I have a $19.99 Grindomatic (or some other stupid name) grinder. For what I use it for and how often - I don't need a dewalt grinder for $200.00.

So, if you are the occasional backyard mechanic doing simple things - the starter set is for you. It is usually a good price with lots of variety. If you are more serious, get more serious tools.

Some of the more experienced guys can relate to the cheap 1/4" ratchet with cheapo sockets, slipping gears, knuckles and pavement - I did it twice before I smartened up!

Cheers.

 

I have never given HF a chance but do beleive I will now that I know they can hold their own...

 

Hot Rod did a comparison last year between a Snap-On, Husky and a Harbor Freight 3/8" driver, putting them through abrasion tests, saltwater emersion, and a measurement of minimum travel. They declared after it all that the HF cheapy held it's own along with the high dollar toys. I've made the investment in tools I don't use often just as you have. Anything that I think I will break regularly, I buy from Sears (there is always one around the corner!).

 

I just happened into Home Depot (okay, I worked there!) when they had a '25% off all hand tools' sale, so I sprung for the 256 piece, laser-etched whoopdedoo set. Silliest thing I've ever done. Got all these tools, half of which are SAE and never get used. But you know what? It sure is nice havin' em!

As far as Harbor Freight, I would never have such gowdawful tools in my tool box. No! Don't look in that drawer!! Sigh...okay, maybe a few of them...

 

There's 903 folks, in here, at the last counting.

How many do you think have a set of those "Only if you call right-now, with your credit-card handy" ... "Only tools you'll ever need for everything" ... "Need to tighten-up the fence?" ... "What about that swing set?"

METRINCH ... "Fits both metric and standard everything's"

 

For home and limited use i think these starter sets are great, but only if bought at sale price. Up here i'd reccomend the Canadian Tire brand tools over the Craftsman simply by personal preference.. and the fact that they come on sale more often . Same lifetme warranty and comparable build quality. Just last week they have their professional 32 peice wrench set on sale for $50. I picked up a set and threw it in my took box. Never know when your going to need to cut or bend a wrench, and im sure as heck not going to do it to my Snap On set

For heavy or serious use though, nothing beats a good set of high quality tools. I've had cheaper tools that have lasted a long long time but their not made to the same tolerences or quality as the more expesive counterparts. For example, a Craftsman open ended wrench might spread when you put some force on it whereas the Mac or Snap On will not. There's some spots you can't get a line wrenchon and these are the times your glad you spent the extra money

Don't even get me started about toolboxes

 

I've already sent my letter up to the North Pole asking for the 10, 12, 14 and 17 mm Craftsman combination wrenches with the ratcheting box-ends.

I wrote that I had been faultlessly and outstandingly good.
( Buzzer )

That I'd keep the garage clean and neat.
( Buzzer )

Not make noise, in there, after 9:00PM.
( Buzzer )

But I'm pretty sure Santa knows that those were fibs and maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up too high.
( Ding, ding, ding, ding-ding )

 

I'm on my second Craftsmen (Canadian Tire) toolset - the big set that does from tiny to ~1" in both metric and SAE. The first set was stolen, and the current set is in mint condition. I've had no problems with it.

Now that I'm doing more with it I find that I've needed some larger sockets - so I brought those individually and better quality. I have also brought a 1/2 long bar and a 1/2-3/8 deflection bar torque wrench to complement that set. It's covered most of what I've needed to date.

Other tools I couldn't live without - C-clamp, brake line kit (thread and press), brake line benders and lots of rubber test hosing.

For electronics - I brought a Motormaster multifuntion meter, a fist full of gator clipped test lines, a packet of leds, and second voltometer.

Certainly the starter kit has most of everything, just be careful not to damage the bolts, the tool or your knuckles. I lost a big chunk of knuckle one day when I took the side out of a socket... too much torque and it popped - my knuckle went over the broken socket and into the pavement.

 

You need to pickup an impact wrench to make it easy getting those stuck fasteners loose and save your knuckles.

 

Talk about tools, my other half knew I'd gone over the edge when I showed up with the 26 gallon air compressor, impact wrench, paint sprayer, etc. I just said "but it was on sale"; revenge is sweet...

 

sometimes even with the right tools onhand people will use the wrong tool

 

Re: SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoM

Hmm, you havn't been paying too much attention. The proper response is "but I saved $xxx.xx."

It's not about how much you spend, it's about what you saved. Remember, the entire retail sector is counting on you! 8O

 

I really hope that somebody who recently bought a XJ-Bike and needs to have a few magic wrenches waved over it; took advantage of the Big Sale at Sears.

Maybe now, they'll be able to take a look at their Spark Plugs; using a top quality ratchet and a real plug socket.

I know that I said, "It was possible to do all the little checks and adjustments using the tools supplied with the bike's own little tool kit."

Possible? Yes!
Enjoyably? Not exactly!

The spark plug tool, that comes in the bike's tool kit, will get a plug out of the head. But, it takes the Half-life of a stable element, to get the plug half-way out ... using THAT damn thing ... fer cryin' out loud!

So, with the heads-up that this thread supplied ... somebody might have invested in some nice tools ... and will save a third ... or, half ... of what they laid-out for the tools ... the very next time they need to have something fixed on their bike ... have the stuff they need when we tell him how easy it is to do ... they can do it themself!

 

Now there is logic you can't argue with!!! I gotta try that one on the missus, bet I get creamed!

 

This is a great thread. I recently picked up some cheapo air tools (one of those 5 air tools in one kit) for $80.00 CAN. Well, I'm regretting it now. Every tool is crap. The impact wrench won't loosen lug nuts without exhausting half my 20 gallon air compressor! This is typical of all the tools - air hammer, drill, grinder, die grinder and impact.

Now I know what it is $80.00 just for an impact! Lesson learned - maybe some of you here don't have to learn it too.

My two cents.
Rob

 

Re: SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoM

i know I'm bumping an old thread here, but I wanted to mention that a couple of years ago my wife bought me a really nice Channel Lock tool set from Sams Club. Cost about $50 and has 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 in drive socket wrenches with extentions and a good vareity of both SAE and Metric sockets, box/open end wrenches, an interchangeable tip screwdriver with a lot of bits. Its been the best basic set of tools I have had and its nice and portable. I liked them so much I had her get me another set.

And yes, i actually do find uses for the SAE wrenches..lol

 

Re: SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoM

I found that since I've owned my Seca, the 1/4" drive rachet and metric socket set (and three extentions) has been priceless for working on both of my bikes. I also purchased metric allen sockets which were a big plus too. One thing nice about the small rachet set is that you don't over tighten bolts/screws because it's only about 5" long.
A torch wrench is a good idea also because your dealing with soft aluminum and bolts strip out the threads real easy over time.

 

Re: SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoM

I found that since I've owned my Seca, the 1/4" drive rachet and metric socket set (and three extentions) has been priceless for working on both of my bikes. I also purchased metric allen sockets which were a big plus too. One thing nice about the small rachet set is that you don't over tighten bolts/screws because it's only about 5" long.
A torch wrench is a good idea also because your dealing with soft aluminum and bolts strip out the threads real easy over time.

 

Re: SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoM

I bought that tool set that was origanaly stated on this post. I love it, you cant beat it. I even was working on my truck once and left one of the rachets under it. About a week later I found it in the mud and it was rusted solid, the insides. I took it back and they gave me a new one no questions asked. I love craftsman tools.

Even K-Mart sells them now

 

Re: SEARS "Mechanic's Beginner's Tool Set" SALE By: RickCoM

Wow a tools thread, now that's something I know about. In 2003 my wife and I were stupid enough to go spend $140,000. in tools, it also came with a big truck and the name Matco on the side.

Yes I tried the mobile tool business for awhile and they totally screwed us good. Anyway my time in the tools business I learned alot.

Firstly, the old addage "Made in America" is a thing of the past now. So believing Snapoff, matco, mac or any of the supreme tool makers are actually made here, aren't anymore. They call it global sourcing, but what they mean is taking our "yes much better purification strength steel" made in america, and hauling it oversea's to global source cheap labor. Nearly all our biggest company's in the country are following this bad trend for our country that Wallymart started years ago.

As for my experience with tools, I've had cheapo "made in china or taiwan" sockets made in the 80's I bought at Pace warehouse, (later bought by Sam's Club) and they were soft junk sockets.
I've had craftsmen tools and wrenches my Dad bought me when I was 15 I still have.
Danaher Corporation is who makes or owns, KD tools, Matco, craftman, Armstrong, and a slew of a few other tool names. Same goes for Stanley owns Mac, Husky, blackhawk etc etc.

The bad of all this is obvious, the good is that "certain" tools saying made in Taiwan are much better tools nowadays, as they are basically the same.
I have Bin's full of tools still sitting in a corner of my house I can't get ride of, but I love KD ratchet wrenches, same wrench as Matco, 1 10th the price. So this is where you kind of have to learn what tools are great tools that you can get without paying the way over blown price for the Snapoff, Mac, or Matco name scribing.

I have never ruined a craftsman wrench, I have all brands mixed as for as some wrenches and sockets, and my 104pc ATD socket set has lasted as good as KD, snapon, Mac, you name it. I sold and have bought a lot of these much cheaper brands, but quality tools a lot for myself and they work great.

I think you have to be very careful on Harbor Freight tools and many brands you'll see at warehouse places like Costco or Sam's. If you can get a known name like Channelock, they are good quality, but "performance tool" & "Cresent" they are junk like many of the air tools.

Plier sets from Harbor Freight are plenty fine, but I still know those orange or yellow cheapo screwdrivers from HF are really crap, as well as their sockets and wrenches, sure they are good for very light work, but that's it.
Electric tools from HF are a draw, first off an electric drill is something you want of a brand name, any of those cheapo ones are junk, I have a coleman 18V drill set left that is garbage, not even as strong as my 12v Ryobi, so if you want quality drill at least buy good electric drill sets like Ryobi, Makita, Milwalkee, Ingersoll Rand, Hitachi, Dewalt.
But cheap electric grinders from HF seem fine for most duty.

If you guys ever need a tool you can't find, like ratchet wrenches or if your a far drive from any good tool sources, let me know. I still have distributors and accounts with them, and can get about anything, you pay for shipping. Some of my sources will ship directly to you for heavy stuff like compressors etc. so I can get stuff send to your door.

 

I've bought Ryobi 18V tools at a tool auction that was junk on the inside. It looked all rusted and corroded. (looked like it was flood damaged goods)
But the outside was like brand new!
So, watch out for Ryobi tools at tool auctions..

Also if you send a tool to Ryobi for warranty repair, dont hold your breath waiting.
Took me 6 months to get my tool back!

 

Russ said that Crescent tools were not the best, and I agree.

I do have a set of wrenches, sockets, drivers, pliers, screwdrivers, and other assorted tools that came in a kit for about 50.00 from Sams.

They have been real good tools for the money and to go in the trunk for an emergency.

wish I had a set for the truck too