Today only. Sears has the Craftsman 260 pc. Mechanic Tool Set with 3 Drawer Flip Top Blow Mold Chest (36260) for $200 - 15% off with coupon code IRISH = $170 with free in-store pickup or $18 shipping to home. Includes 149 sockets in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/8 in. drive sizes, 22 screwdriver & nutdriver bits, 40 hex keys, 3 quick release ratchets and 20 wrenches.
The problem with Craftsman socket sets is they give you a million sockets, but it's really just the same 20 small sockets in 50,000 styles; deep, 6-pt, 12-pt, 1/4", 3/8"...
Perhaps #1, but especially from working on automobiles over the years I have come to appreciate having both deep and shallow sockets, both 6 and 12pt. Having overlapping sizes in both 1/4" and 3/8" not so much except that it's quite common to have a bolt and nut that need the same size so you could instead use a wrench for one of them but that means needing to have another set and/or larger set with you too if you prefer the smaller briefcase style set I mention below, and yet this set at least comes with a few wrenches but definitely results in its higher cost.
However, working on an automobile I prefer the briefcase style sets where once it is open you have everything within reach, not having to fiddle with opening drawers or the top while your hands are greasy.
Guess it comes down to personal preference, I would find this set too small for benchtop use and too big for drag-under-car-with-you use but for someone else it might be just right, especially if their bench has limited space for tools and no pegboard to hang any.
The problem with Craftsman socket sets is they give you a million sockets, but it's really just the same 20 small sockets in 50,000 styles; deep, 6-pt, 12-pt, 1/4", 3/8"...
Perhaps #1, but especially from working on automobiles over the years I have come to appreciate having both deep and shallow sockets, both 6 and 12pt. Having overlapping sizes in both 1/4" and 3/8" not so much except that it's quite common to have a bolt and nut that need the same size so you could instead use a wrench for one of them but that means needing to have another set and/or larger set with you too if you prefer the smaller briefcase style set I mention below, and yet this set at least comes with a few wrenches but definitely results in its higher cost.
However, working on an automobile I prefer the briefcase style sets where once it is open you have everything within reach, not having to fiddle with opening drawers or the top while your hands are greasy.
Guess it comes down to personal preference, I would find this set too small for benchtop use and too big for drag-under-car-with-you use but for someone else it might be just right, especially if their bench has limited space for tools and no pegboard to hang any.