Sears - Craftsman 309 pc Mechanics tool set over 50% off - $185 plus free shipping

Sears has 309-piece Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set for $200 - $15 off promo code APRILSAVINGS = $185 with free shipping or free store pickup. Thanks Anime

Sears also has 200-Piece Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set with Molded Carry Case + $0.89 Filler Item for $100.88 - $15 off promo code APRILSAVINGS = $85.88 with free store pickup.

I bought the 200 piece set some time ago. The extra pieces (ie the racheting wrenches) make the 300 piece set a great buy but only if you're really a shade tree mechanic who is pretty much into doing all your own repairs ( ie stuff like replacing a head gasket). Other then that the 300 piece is probably overkill and the extra $100 could be better spent on other tools. Even the 200 piece set is way more than the home oil change type will ever need - but for $85 it a deal - enough 6 pts to make it useful.

Tools are the kind of thing where it's nice to have a complete set for anything you may need them for, rather than just buying what you think you can use at the moment and having to go out and get something every time you need it.

The 309 pc set is an excellent starter set for the price, espcially since it has the USA ratcheting wrenches (at least the original 309 pc sets do), and the USA ratchets. The 200 pc set is a great portable set, and would be useful either as a backup set or something to keep in a vehicle, if not a smaller, less expensive starter set.

No case for 309 pc set? Pass

There are no cases for the much larger sets, they expect you'll be putting them in a tool chest due to the weight. The larger sets would be impractial to use as a portable set, but you could put just some of the sockets and ratchets into a portable case.

Option 1:

• Craftsman 309 pc. Mechanic's Tool Set [sears.com]

Product Description
Includes 15 hex bit, inch and metric sockets; 36 wrenches, including 16 flat full-polish ratcheting wrenches.

15 hex bit, inch and metric sockets; 36 wrenches, including 16 flat full-polish ratcheting wrenches
1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-in. drives. 201 sockets, 3 quick-release ratchets, 6 extension bars, and 63 specialty tools
Separate pieces total $1,039.07
Lifetime warranty
Weight: 32 lbs.

Option 2: (you need to add a filler to be able to qualify for $15 off $100)

• Craftsman 200 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Molded Carry Case. [sears.com]
  
  Product Description
  Includes 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2-inch drives with 128 sockets, 3 quick-release ratchets, and one extension bar. 6 wrenches, 62 specialty tools, and case. Guaranteed forever! Wt. 20.38 lbs.
  
  
• Filler - Craftsman 4 Way Screwdriver [sears.com]

twelve point sockets suck.

Quote from Anime : There are no cases for the much larger sets, they expect you'll be putting them in a tool chest due to the weight. The larger sets would be impractial to use as a portable set, but you could put just some of the sockets and ratchets into a portable case.

My friend bought a case of this size or similar and it came with a case with drawers. Not very portable as it's very heavy, but I don't need a big tool chest so a case like that would be nice. I'm not looking for portable one.

That would be the 255pc tool set with case. You can sometimes get it for 50% off as well at $150, either during Black Friday or once or twice a year otherwise, but it's not as good a deal price-wise as the 309 pc set for what you get. You can buy the molded three drawer tool chest seperately if you want it, but a metal 3-drawer box at $30 when they go on sale would be even better.

minus allen wrenchs its 125 pcs

Nicely formatted repost

Quote from PedroR : minus allen wrenchs its 125 pcs

That would mean that this set has 184 allen wrenches, which is simply not true. What'd the deal?

I have the 255 piece set in the molded chest... you should NEVER use the handle on top unless you put a strap around the chest so that it can't open, because the weight of the tools is too much for the plastic. So think of it as a moveable storage chest, not a daily carry set. The 154 piece mechanics set is more ideal for keeping in the car with you... granted, I wish I could just buy metric sets since I have a pure metric bolt car.