Sears' Black Friday Sale-- What's on your list?

[The Critic]

The Sears Black Friday advertisement has been posted online.

So far, these items are on my shopping list:

$16.49 Lisle 12 pc. Torx Bit Set
$39.99 Craftsman 3/8 in Microtork Wrench, 10-75 ft. lbs
$39.99 Craftsman 3/8 in Microtork Wrench, 25-250 in. lbs
$39.99 Craftsman 3/8 in Microtork Wrench, 20-150 ft. lbs
$119.99 Craftsman 4 ton Floor Jack
$99.99 Craftsman 204 pc. Mechanics Tool Set
$14.99 Craftsman Professional 26 in. Hand box

Craftsman quality isn't much better than Harbor Freight these days, but the Mechanics Tool Set is a steal at that price; I think it's actually cheaper than Harbor Freight. The torque wrenches are probably junk, but I don't plan to use the two 3/8 ones more than a few times a year, so I think I'll be fine. Does anyone have any experience with their jacks? I really need a floor jack, but I've heard very mixed reviews about Craftsman ones.

 

[demarpaint]

I've got a 3 ton Craftsman floor Jack, for well over 20 years, that's used often. Good quality jack never had any issues with it at all. OTOH I have one of their SUV Jacks that I keep in my van to use in the event of a flat instead of the bottle jack. The one time I go to use it, (rear tire blowout in the rain on the L.I.E), it failed to lift the van. I was able to get it off the ground, but it would quicky lower back down. I ended up using the bottle jack. After a little spirited arguing with Sears customer service they replaced the jack. It was probably 3 years old at the time and still in the box never used until that day of the blowout.

Frank D

 

[premedhead]

Is there a decent floor jack under $100? I have a list of things to get started on doing my oil changes, so I also need two stands and an oil recycling container. Looking to go synthetic, but my '99 Nissan Altima has 37K miles ... would I need to get a flush before switching?

Not in hurry, so are there good places (Sears, Autozone, ... I'll even stoop as low as Wal-Mart) to look for sales for these things?

 

[JHZR2]

hat is the basis and data that indicated that craftsman USA made is as bad as HF?

It may not be snapon, but most don't use it that way. I've had nothing but luck even when I've misused their ratchets as breaker bars.

 

[VWFox74]

Not auto related but a tool non the less. I am considering getting the sliding compound miter saw for $89.99. I don't really need it, so I am still undecided if I want to spend the money to get it. I already have a super cheap Kmart branded compound miter saw that has worked fine for the 8 years I've owned it.

 

[Steve S]

I am saving my hard earned money instead of giving it to some one else.

 

[TurboLuver]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Does anyone have any experience with their jacks? I really need a floor jack, but I've heard very mixed reviews about Craftsman ones.


I have the craftsman 4 ton, but I bought mine about 7 years ago. No problems lifting my Ram 2500 which weighs 7220 lbs.

 

[Buffman]

Don't know what craftsman tools you have in the neck of your woods, but I have purchased from Harbor Freight, and a place called B&G discount that sells MIT (Michigan Industrial Tech), and similiar labeled tools. Craftsmans tools are way better than anything I can buy at those two places.

Anywho, stay away from their [sears] Aluminum "RACE" Jacks. Many bad reviews including one from me. The first one I had leaked all over the place for some reason. Got tired of it, and they gave me a free replacement. That ones been fine since, but I still don't trust it.


Matt

 

[kkreit01]

Yeah -- I would never rate the actual "Craftsman" brand with China Freight.

 

[ffracer]

I'm not sure what you bought, but I have had excellent results with Craftsman hand tools made in USA. Much better than China stuff, especially Harbor Freight.

They tend to be buy once items. Not many times.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
So far, these items are on my shopping list:

$16.49 Lisle 12 pc. Torx Bit Set
$39.99 Craftsman 3/8 in Microtork Wrench, 10-75 ft. lbs
$39.99 Craftsman 3/8 in Microtork Wrench, 25-250 in. lbs
$39.99 Craftsman 3/8 in Microtork Wrench, 20-150 ft. lbs
$119.99 Craftsman 4 ton Floor Jack
$99.99 Craftsman 204 pc. Mechanics Tool Set
$14.99 Craftsman Professional 26 in. Hand box


Boring boring boring and bland; like a soup that's in desperate need of some spices. I wouldn't want any of that stuff; I'd rather have one Rolls Royce than have twenty Chevy Cavaliers.

 

[94supraonchrome]

That 204 pc. set is a good deal...

 

[Buffman]

I'm almost in no need of any more tools except maybe speciality tools. I bought a 43 piece combo wrench set the one year. Unless I need something bigger than 36mm I'm set. This last year I waited 6 months for it to come out of back order, but I ended up getting the 299 piece socket set. Good i got it on sale, as after I bought it price went up $50.. Again unless I need bigger than 36 mm I'm set.

Most of what I've been buying lately has all been speciality tools. Need more tool boxes

 

[HondaMan]

Mike,

No way Craftsman is near HF in quality. Sometimes use will warrant an HF type purchase, just depends on the use. I have Craftsman box end up to 23mm x 2 sets! I used to use the heck out of the larger sizes.
If you have no need for 19mm or above, perhaps a HF purchase will do the trick.
My last HF purchase was the biggest bolt cutter they had. It worked and cut the bolt like butter. Only have used it once.

For all of my tools, honestly, if I can make it, I have my eye on that 204 pc set.

 

[The Critic]

Alright, I bought the $99.99 Craftsman 204 pc. Mechanics Tool Set and the $14.99 Craftsman Professional 26 in. Hand box.

The box was total junk. The plastic would flex if you looked at it from the wrong angle. The tool set was OK, but the Craftsman ratchets were awfully cheap, my Pittsburg Professional ratchet from HF is much better. Some of the sockets felt a bit "rough" as well. Overall, I'm disappointed with the quality of the Craftsman products, but for the price they were hard to beat.

 

[HondaMan]

Craftsman has many ratchet offerings. Some 3/8" versions are getting smaller and smaller, or shorter and shorter I should say. None the less, a lifetime product I feel that can't be beat unless you are a pro.

FWISW, the US made Kobalt's are very nice tools I have noticed. It is funny because they offer many non US made version, but the US versions are very nice looking tools. I was at Lowes sorting between what was US made and what was not... very confusing in the Kobalt offering.

Back to the Craftsman set you bought, each piece was 50 cents. If all the set does is ride in your truck, it is worth it!!!