Here are the best mechanics tool set deals for Black Friday 2021 that I’ve found so far. Please let me know if you have any tips or recommendations!
As for which is the best Black Friday deal for 2021, that really depends on what your needs are and how much you are looking to spend. $99 tends to be a popular price point, and there are also good deals above and below this amount.
Spending more than $99 will usually get you upgraded ratchets or less “fillers” (such as screwdriver bits or hex keys) and more sockets or wrenches.
Advertisement
Mechanics tool sets are most often used as portable tool kits, or as the center of a beginner’s tool collection. Some people might instead prefer the piecemeal approach to building up a mechanics tool set, where they buy individual components or smaller socket sets. There might be some deals on these items as well – let me know what you’d like me to be on the lookout for.
I own or have tested most of these mechanics tool sets, and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Husky 94pc Mechanics Tool Set
Price: $49.97
When building up my own tool kit, I started with a ~94pc mechanics tool set for $50, not unlike this Husky. This set gives you a good starting point, and you can add to it as needed.
Gearwrench Flex-Head Bit Ratchet Tool Set
Price: $49.97
The stars of the show here are the two flex-head bit ratchets, designed to access or fit fasteners in tough spots.
Advertisement
Wera Zyklop Ratchet and Socket Sets
Price: varies
While not on sale right now, Amazon has had excellent Black Friday specials on Wera Zyklop tool kits and other mechanics tool sets for the past several years without fail. Check back to see what’s featured in this year’s promo.
Milwaukee 56pc 3/8″ SAE & Metric Socket Set
Price: $99
I upgraded part of my kit to Milwaukee ratchet and socket sets last year, and have had zero regrets. These are great tools, and the sockets’ anti-roll design definitely comes in handy.
One of the great parts about this kit is that it comes with a compact case (and a good one at that), and also a removable tray that can be placed inside a tool box drawer.
Husky 270pc Mechanics Tool Set
Price: $99
If you want a lot of bang for the buck, this Husky set is hard to beat.
Gearwrench 232pc Mechanics Tool Set
Price: $199
This set features a whopping number of 22 ratcheting wrenches (90T) and also comes with 90T ratchets for a smaller minimum swing arc.
Gearwrench 94pc 120XP Socket Set with EVA Tray
Price: $199
If you’re more of a tool chest or mobile cabinet type of user, here’s a convenient set that’s designed for drawers.
Dewalt 142 Mechanics Tool Set
Price: $87
Dewalt’s mechanics tool sets are always a great value this time of year.
Craftsman 216pc Set with Versastack Tool Box
Price: $99
Craftsman’s mechanics tool set offers a good starter assortment and comes in a Versastack tool box that connects to compatible tool boxes and organizers.
Dewalt 226pc Mechanics Tool Set with ToughSystem Tool Box
Price: $129
While many larger tool sets come with blowmolded cases or plastic tool boxes with slide-out drawers, this one comes with custom trays and a ToughSystem-compatible tool box. If your needs change, you can move the trays to a tool chest and reuse the tool box for something else.
Additional Black Friday Deals on Mechanics Tool Sets
Home Depot
Husky 46pc Stubby Tool Set – $20
Husky 270pc Mechanics Tool Set – $99
Husky 290pc Mechanics Tool Set – $149
Dewalt 23pc Metric Impact Socket Set w/ Ratchet – $39.97
Gearwrench 55pc Mechanics Tool Set – $50
Gearwrench 106pc Mechanics Tool Set – $99
Dewalt 226pc Mechanics Tool Set with ToughSystem – $129
Gearwrench 94pc Tool Set w/ Foam Tray – $199
Gearwrench 232pc Mechanics Tool Set – $199
Lowe’s
Craftsman 10pc Mechanics Tool Set – $13 – Inch | Metric
Craftsman 11pc Mechanics Tool Set – $13 – Inch | Metric
Craftsman 24pc Mechanics Tool Set – $25 – Inch | Metric
Craftsman 71pc Mechanics Tool Set – $50
Craftsman 120T 51pc Mechanics Tool Set – $50
Craftsman 83pc Mechanics Tool Set – $60
Craftsman 81pc Mechanics Tool Set – $70
Craftsman 135pc Mechanics Tool Set – $80
Craftsman 239pc Mechanics Tool Set – $99
Craftsman 216pc Mechanics Tool Set – $99 – w/ Versastack Tool Box
Craftsman 121pc Mechanics Tool Set – $100
Steve L
Stuart, really appreciate the ways you are categorizing the deals. You must be putting in tons of hours; but, from my side it is easy to focus on what interests me
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
It’s pretty much the same every year, but this year I’m trying to organize things a little more efficiently.
In earlier years, most of these deals wouldn’t be mentioned outside of regular standalone posts, but there’s a limit as to how many I can publish without things getting lost or quickly pushed down the front page.
Here, I tried to focus on the major differentiating factors, and I can add more info or opinions if there are any specific questions. If this format works, I can see it working for other types of contents besides deals.
Jerry
Yes the organization is much appreciated.
Dustin
I just want to make people aware that the Gearwrench bit ratchet set is ultra low quality. I picked one up and they are the crunchiest ratchets I have ever used. The direction levers get stuck in position, the pawls slip. Just super disappointing quality from GW. And for the record I am not putting monster torque on them. I used the one to switch a refrigerator door from a left to right hinge and it made the whole job way harder than it had to be.
Stuart
Is it possible they only need a little lube?
These ratchets have decent reviews on Amazon in various set configurations. I’ve had great experiences with their smaller non-flex bit ratchet and assumed the experience would be similar across different models.
Has anyone else tried these?
Dustin
I was planning on disassembling them this weekend and taking some macro photos of the pawls to see what the quality looks like, I would lubricate at the same time and try again. I want to love them, They just don’t have me feeling enthused out of the box
Greg
I think quality control on this unit sucks. The first set I bought was awesome, none of the mentioned problems above. The second set I bought was exactly as described above. I was able to remedy it somewhat but the internals on the bad set has really poor machining of the parts.
Not really up to Gear Wrench qc honestly but if you get a good set it’s decent. They were invaluable recently on a job on a BMW that would have required removing A TON of extra parts without the small size of the longer ratchet of the two.
Mc703
You got me thinking about a starter replacement on an Accord I did a few years ago. Took forever because I had to take off the head gasket and a bunch of other stuff. Wish I had one of these.
Given the feedback here, I’m gonna pick up one of these from HF for $30 since I already have multiple 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets
https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-drive-long-reach-dual-flex-head-ratchet-67994.html
bwh
The Milwaukee set is great, but I’m not in love with the ratchet. Just got it a week ago and haven’t really put it to the test, but the gearing feels small and thin. Each step doesn’t feel as positive as tekton or old craftsman that I have in my toolbox
MM
I have not tried this exact set but I have noticed that GW’s quality has been slipping recently as well.
I have a ~15 year old metric set of Flex-head ratcheting wrenches and I just recently started looking for an SAE set and the oddball sizes to fill holes in my metric set. The newer wrenches have a smaller ratchet engagement angle than my older ones, which is a nice upgrade, but the ratcheting doesn’t feel as smooth on the newer models. Likewise I used to own a few GW ratchets that were bought at the same time and they were trouble-free. I recently used some newly purchased ones belonging to a friend of mine and the direction control lever for the ratchet felt sloppy on all of them, one of them got stuck easily, and a different one had an issue with slipping. I purchased a GW extension and universal joint pack a few months ago and all three of the universal joints got sloppy after their first use with hand tools only, while I have 20+ year old USA-made Craftsmans and Snap-Ons which are not sloppy, and those have seen power tool use now and then over their lifetime.
Now I still think Gearwrench offers good value for money, and you can always warranty a tool if you get a lemon, but I do think that their QC has been slipping a bit in recent years.
Mat
FYI: Northern Tool is matching that Milwaukee 3/8 socket set for $99
https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200791734_200791734
And they’re also running a $20 off $100 deal, though you need to pad to get to $100 (Promo 277845 worked for me.)
schill
I’ve been watching to see if the 1/4″ version of the Milwaukee set goes on sale anywhere this year but I haven’t seen anything yet. I have the 3/8″ set and am pretty happy with it.
I don’t really need the 1/4″ set (I have most bases covered already with older Gearwrench, older Craftsman, and Wera) so maybe I should hope it doesn’t go on sale and save some money.
I am looking for a good set of combination wrenches, but I don’t need anything too good or fancy so I’ll probably just end up getting the $25 Husky set.
I am liking the new format for the posts. It’s been pretty easy to keep track of things.
Stuart
There are were a lot of surprise Milwaukee socket set deals last year for Black Friday. There’s no guarantee it will happen again this year, but I’m watching for it.
Thanks! The goal with the new formats has been to make comparisons and crucial details (what/where/how much?) easier to see at a glance, although I’m still not happy that it sacrifices comprehensiveness a little. But when I’m more comprehensive, details tend to get lost, and so hopefully this is a useful balance.
Plain grainy
I suggest looking at the new Milwaukee impact socket sets. The ones with the vivid Red & White size markings.
Yadda
Twenty years ago this was a category where Sears/Craftsman had a lot of impact and lots of tool sets at varied price points above and below the $99 price point. It is good to see all the variety that has filled the vacuum.
skfarmer
i went through this struggle last year. i needed a relatively complete set of tools and storage to keep in our camper at the lake. i wanted it in that approx. 100 range.
i really wanted the husky set as i like the danaher style ratchets but there was jsut too much fluff, too much size overlap and the range of sockets on the 1/2 stopped at 7/8. ( the plug on the water heater is 1 1/8) the storage wasn’t that great either . a spot for everything but nothing more. somewhat lacking on wrenches but most sets of this size are
i ended up with the craftsman, not as much fluff of bits and allen wrenches and a very broad range of socket sizes especially on the large side. the storage is also versatile. some room ofor other parts and secure storage for every piece.. the removable trays allow use in place yet allow a specific tray to be taken to the worksite. the compartmentalized top and the ability to be used with other dewalt and cman boxes and trays is a bonus as well. i have a t stak with a drill and impact driver that sit on top of it. as usual the assortment of wrenches is lacking, i am of the thought that a minimum set should go up to 3/4 – 19mm. the ratchets are not super but adequate.
i think the dewalt would be a strong contender but for me the size of the box and the fact that it needs to be completely emptied to use is a deal breaker. a bonus would be that it has a whole tray for extra tools and is fairly weatherproof when closed
Nathan
so that gearwrench bit ratchet set I would look also at the EZ-RED set that they are mimicing. Not sure which is cheaper but what I like about the ez red version is the 1/4 square drive on the opposite end.
It’s not the most ergronomic but it’s very useful. Especially the smaller size – not even sure you need the longer one.
but this way you can use sockets on one side and still have your screw bit on the other side.
Josh H
When are they going to stop including SAE stuff?
No one needs them, no cars are made with sae, no bikes, no atv, no motorcycles. I have some old tools in the shop my combo disc/ belt is dewalt/craftsman circa mid 80’s and its all metric except 2 9/16 bolts… unless you are an airplane mechanic Its time to let it go, metric won.
fred
Yep – but the carpenter or homeowner dealing with lags and still somewhat ubiquitous 1/4-20 etc nut and bolt pairs will still have a need – as will anyone work in vintage cars.
Meanwhile – for nostalgia’s sake – I still have my Whitworth standard sockets and wrenches even though I have owned an old British car or motorcycle in decades
jsbson
I have a number of caliper bolts that claim to be metric but SAE fits much better(It’s not my sockets). Other bolts on the same car are definitely metric. Similar thing with my snowblowers.
Josh H
Is it a mid to late 90’s GM? They were notorious for mixing.
Ill have to check my snowblower, its been pretty maintenance free other than slides but i think they were 14mm
Ive been wrenching professionally for 15 years. Got my ASE master cert about 6 years ago and can turn out some pretty hours. In my work box i had 1 set of double ended sae wrenches and a 1/4 set of sockets. Never needed more in at least 10 years! When a customer brought in something from the 60’s or 70’s I would grab a few things from home.
MM
I can second the bizzare mix of SAE and metric on early and mid 90’s GMs. I’ve also seen some bizzare stuff on CAT equipment including metric threaded bolts with SAE heads, complete with SAE grade markings.
Davethetool
I have the Dewalt Tool box set but when I
Purchased it a couple of Years ago during Holiday season it has removable
Drawers instead of the stacking trays. The side tabs holding the drawers closed are kind of cheesy but since I only use this set occasionally, the tabs haven’t broke. I assume that’s why Dewalt went with the stacking trays now? They also have slots in the trays for the wrenches where they didn’t in the draw tool box. As far as quality of Dewalt mechanics tools, I am happy and only wish I could find a local outlet to purchase them individually or even a bigger selection. I have seen a store a couple of years ago with a whole Dewalt lineup of mechanics tools but sadly it wasn’t in my town.
Dennis Thurman
Stuart , did you ever find the Gearwrench tool set.
Big Richard
Farm & Fleet has the DeWalt DWMT75049 192pc on sale for $139, with an additional 10% available this Sunday for their after hours member sale (in store only).
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/969560-dewalt-192-piece-mechanics-tools-set.html
Nathan
ON the SAE sizing comment. Yes common house needs and general construction is still SAE. Plumbing is often SAE too.
While Cars have moved to Metric only some still keep in place metric equavalents for common bolts. I know a number of people that swear the GM LS engine accessors are 5/8 – but I know on the drawing they are actually 15mm. but they are purposely that size becasue SAE works too. (typical socket and wrench engagement tollerance is 3-5%)
anyway while not often also some furniture still uses SAE standards – which I admit is surprising when you get a flat pack item from china or europe.
So for a home owner kit I do recommend some SAE but you don’t need a master kit. I’ve yet to come across a 11/32 around the house
But for automotive DIY work I always recommend a full metric set without SAE unless working on a pre 95 car.
SO yes kits still need them – but it’s less common. and who knows when you’re take a wild hare and buy a Cessna 172 or a 72 boattail Rivera
O
When Milwaukee stops skipping sizes, I’ll buy them.
O
Are there multiple manufacturers that make “Off Corner Loading” sockets, or is that proprietary to Gearwrench?
Stuart
A lot of brands offer similar technology.
For instance, Snap-on has “Flank Drive.”