This past weekend I gave away my Craftsman 256pc mechanics tool set, which I purchased last year during the holiday season.
It’s not that I was disappointed in the tools in the least bit, but that I knew someone that needed it more.
Craftsman launched this mechanics tool set last year, featuring their then-new low profile ratchets and a whole lot of other tools.
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As usual, I’m cleaning up for the holiday season. I’ve run out of space for personal projects – which tends to happen – and I expect this holiday season to be as chaotic as the ones that came before it.
My cleanup process typically involve donation runs to the high school and local public works department. My main contact at the public works has a kid that just got married, and they’re starting off without many tools.
I’ve been pleased with this Craftsman tool set, but I haven’t used it as much as my others. So, I tossed it into the car before loading up tool boxes I was no longer using.
I feel that this Craftsman set is a greater starter package, especially for the $99 price I paid during last year’s holiday promos. It’s come in handy for me as well, even though I probably have 5 of everything it comes with in different places by various brands.
But a new couple starting out with nothing? I’m betting they’ll get more use and value out of it.
So, off it went to a new home.
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The drawers come out. One comes with a screwdriver handle, 1/4″ ratchet, sockets, and an extension, screwdriver bits, nut driver bits, and hex keys.
The other drawer comes with 3/8″ and 1/2″ ratchets, 6pt and 12pt sockets, and a couple of smaller size combination wrenches.
It’s a good set.
Someone asked the other day why I don’t buy all of ToolGuyd’s review samples. Well, this is one of the reasons why – I get too attached to them and tend to self-justify keeping them.
Next, I’ve got to think about what to do with the Craftsman Overdrive tools the company sent me last year. The low-profile ratchets and tool sets are a great value, but the Overdrive tools are special, and I’ve been extremely hesitant to part with them.
You’re going to see more tool “goodbyes” as I continue to optimize my workspaces. For example, I recently parted with my Pelican 0450 drawered tool box. That giveaway/donation hurt a lot, but the tool box just hasn’t been working out well for me.
This Craftsman tool kit is different. It has been working out for me, but I think it’ll work better for the younger newlyweds.
This set was purchased at retail when Craftsman was a sponsor. Its regular price is $169, I bought it for $99 during the holiday season when scouting out the deals at my local Lowe’s.
ken
Your friends and family are lucky! And you are very generous to donate things not only gifted to you by tool brands, but also things you purchased personally.
Stuart
I like to give away to readers too, but that tends to get very complicated and expensive.
I’ve been debating how to handle hand tool giveaways. In the past I’ve sent boxes to STEM teachers and similar.
The high school just got 15 hammers, and local guys are going to get around the same. I bought them all because I wanted to compare every brand and style to see how they differed. I also have a bag of linemans pliers.
Sometimes I don’t think about what I’m going to do with all of the tools I purchase purely for ToolGuyd exploration-related purposes, and I find myself with a box of hammers, bag of pliers, and similar, on top of my personal tools or whatever I have in for testing and review.
Rog
Oh, I don’t think it has to be complicated, Stuart. I give you my address, you send me tools. End of sequence! 😛
Stuart
Only if you need something specific.
eddiesky
And all the 10mm sockets are there!!
Question: Stuart, if this was in the back of an SUV or Truck, would the sockets rattle or are they snug (sorry, not a Lowes to verify…)
Recommend not giving away to us (readers). Schools, family. All good.
Stuart
I haven’t found a blow molded set that doesn’t rattle between a little and a lot. This one is a lot better in that regard. But rattle-free really requires foam trays.
Even when you don’t get tool-tool clanging, which is the worst, a lot of cases will have rattling against the hard plastic.
Briefcase-style cases that open in half tend to be the worst, even with a layer of cardboard or foam in the middle. Trays work better.
I don’t mind giving away to readers, it just turns into a more complicated and expensive process and things tend to pile up.
Sometimes opportunities for the perfect fit come up, such as here.
Farkleberry
So I’ve had a Husky set for several years and it’s been great. It has a bunch of filler multiple small sockets and bits, etc., but is pretty complete.
It came in a flat, compact, briefcase style blow molded case that often fit under car seats. It, of course course, would scramble itself up if I forgot to put a piece of foam in the middle before closing. But it was quite space efficient, and, when open, everything was easy to find and notice missing pieces.
Unfortunately, I dropped it and the integral hinges broke.
I’ve seen these tool box style with drawers, but they’re so much bulkier.
I’ve put the sockets on rails, and end up throwing everything in an ill fitting tall box, which is bulky and hard to see everything.
I don’t need incredible protection, though some water and dust resistance would be nice.
The pack out trays/box just seem so bulky for what they hold, and I don’t think I’d use the stacking feature, which uses space top and bottom. I’ll sacrifice security for space efficiency.
Any recommendations?
Farkleberry
Storing wrenches with the socket sets or separately, would be ok either way.
Any thoughts?
Jared
The Craftsman V-series wrenches (e.g. CMMT87325V) are great for mobile use and won’t rattle in their storage case.
MFC
My DeWalt 247 piece set (DWMT81535) doesn’t jostle around and I keep it in my truck. Best set I’ve ever had. Has most of what I need for regular mechanic use and when I broke an adapter they sent me out a whole new tool box. It’s not a drawer set, but I find it nicer to pull out and set on the ground and have it all laid out before me.
Scottie
I like these current 72 tooth ratchets in this set.These are the ones that Stanley-Black&Decker should’ve came out with when they acquired Craftsman from Sears instead of using the generic 72 tooth guts that they used in their DeWalt and Stanley ratchet lineup…..Now the question is will they become as iconic as some of the older original Craftsman ratchets from yesteryear?🤭🤭🤭
Bill
Unfortunately, I would say they won’t. The no questions asked guarantee, the abundance of sears stores, and the craftsman reputation are all long gone. Being that I’m from the Chicagoland area, I have had a few relatives who worked for Sears corporate. One of my uncles actually worked in the r&d department for craftsman. I have seen firsthand the Pride they took in their products.
JoelLikestools
We have a larger but similar Craftsman set at work. Pretty decent. Nicer than the Husky and Stanley stuff it replaced.
Joe E.
That’s a fantastic set for the price! Craftsman did a great job with this one. My only wish is that it came with more combination wrenches. Most mechanics tool sets today lack a comprehensive set of wrenches, in both metric and SAE. 8-19mm and 1/4 – 3/4 (no skips) should be the standard.
youthere
I know you probably thought of this, but are there any local high school vocational centers near you? I bet a needy student and/or class would love those.
Stuart
A lot of organizations are quick to say yes to tool donations, and specifics get complicated. I’ve found it’s easiest to pass misc assortments of stuff to the high school woodworking or STEM teachers, or public works department.
I’ve had too many “yes, we’ll take tools, oh… but not that…” interactions over the years.
Brandon Stoddard
I’d be crazy to not accept any tool donations to my high school wood or metal shop. My hand tool selection is a hodgepodge of various brands, in varying states of condition. I’m not picky, I’m grateful, and would never turn down a donation.
Walt Bordett
This is a nice set, but as with all the fitted sets, what do you do with any additional tools you also have or need?
This is a great homeowners starter set, but it needs a few other things to make it more complete. IMHO a homeowner kit needs slip joint pliers, longnose pliers, a carpenter’s hammer, flexible putty knife, adjustable wrench, water pump pliers, torpedo level, utility knife, compact hack saw, tape rule or carpenters folding rule, pry bar, non-contact voltage tester, outlet/GFCI tester, car wash sponge, drain plunger, and a basin wrench. I would keep the additions in a fabric tool bag and/or a 5-gallon bucket.