Craftsman  200 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Molded Carry Case.

I recently bought this set as a starter set (as so many have already called it) for my youngest son, Jacob.  A few months back, my wife called and told me that there was a 1976 Pontiac Firebird for sale from a private seller about 65 miles from the house.  We called and learned that the seller was very anxious to sell the car and had actually started his listing at $2,800 only to lower it to $1,150 (including towing) in only a week?s time, so, we bought it.  It does run and we purchased it simply to turn around and sell it again for the price it should have gotten in the first place but, Jake saw the car and fell in love with the thing!

After a lot of deliberation the wife and I decided that since Jake will be 15 very soon and will be attaining his learner?s permit, then we would go ahead and keep the car for him with the understanding that Jake would do a lot of the wrenching on the car himself with guidance from yours truly.  He jumped at the idea!

So, here we are, Jake will be 15 in less than two weeks and we were wondering what to get him for his birthday and, for me, anyways, the answer was simple, new tools of his own just like my father got for me when I got my first car at 15 years of age.  A trip to Sears and I was faced with a very large selection of tool sets many of which contained a lot of tools Jake won?t need right off and that I already have in my tool chest.

After some poking around I spotted a sale sign for the Craftsman 200 pc. Mechanics Tool Set with Molded Carry Case (39115) for $129.99, a savings of $70 off the regular price of $199.99.  Now, at a dollar per tool it was already a pretty good deal despite the few Allen wrenches and driver bits but at $0.65 per tool it was a great deal so I walked up to the register and asked the nice lady if she had any left.  She sold all three sets that day but she did order one up for me and had it shipped free to my house!  Can?t ask for anything better than that!

This set contains a lot of sockets and, for us, that?s a good thing!  We seem to need them more often than not when we are working on the Firebird.  Removing the engine accessories (e.g. the alternator, power steering pump and brackets), removing the engine mount bolts and the bell housing bolts all need the use of sockets more so than wrenches so, like I said, the more the merrier!  That doesn?t mean we can?t or won?t use the wrenches, by no means!  What do you think we need to hold those nuts when loosening the accessory mounting hardware?  Unfortunately there are only six smaller common sized combination wrenches included (3/8th 7/16th and ½? along with an 11, 12 and 13mm).  It?s a good thing I have those as well.  Later a companion wrench set, maybe for Christmas (yes, I said Christmas!).

Despite the wrench thing the whole set is a great set to build on but I guarantee you that the very first thing he?ll need even before wrenches is a better tool storage box!  I?m not sure who it is that designs Craftsman plastic cases and tool boxes but they need to be fired!  The case this set came in is great for shipping but stinks for storage!  A metal three drawer Craftsman box will probably accompany this set if I have anything to say about it!

Still, for sixty five cents per tool?think about that for a second, sixty five cents for a ½ inch drive ratchet?how can we go wrong?!?  Jake will have a great set to build on and the thing has a lifetime warranty!  There is no downside to this deal, not for me or for Jake!

Thanks again Sears, you really came through for us yet again!