Lowe’s just started carrying a new Craftsman 94pc mechanics tool set, CMMT45094, which ships with a custom-cut foam tray.
The Craftsman tool set comes with a 1/4″ and 3/8″ 72-tooth ratchets, an assortment of 6-point sockets, a 1/4″ driver handle, screwdriver bits, and a couple of drive accessories.
Here’s a full list of what you get:
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1/4″ shallow sockets
(9) Metric: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 mm
(10) SAE: 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 inch
3/8″ shallow sockets
(10) Metric: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm
(10) SAE: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16 inch
3/8″ deep sockets
(5) Metric: 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 mm
(5) SAE: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8 inch
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5/8-in Spark Plug Socket
Drive tools and accessories
1/4″ Drive ratchet
3/8″ Drive ratchet
3/8″ to 1/4″ adapter
1/4″ 3″ extension
3/8″ 6″ extension
3/8″ Universal joint
1/4″ hex bit driver handle
(21) Specialty sits
(16) Hex keys
The hex keys aren’t shown and are presumably included in a separate holder.
I’m always happy to see more mechanics tool sets shipping with foam drawer inserts. This set is designed to fit into Craftsman metal storage products, but there’s no reason it can’t fit it many others.
Price: $79.98
The set gives you 2 ratchets, 4 drive accessories, 50 sockets (6pt), 1 screwdriver handle, and 37 screwdriver bits and hex keys for $80.
When checking to see if this is a good value, I found:
Craftsman 83pc Set (w/ 50 sockets) – $79.98 thru Nov 8
Craftsman 71pc Set w/ VersaStack Case – $49.98 thru Nov 8
I tend to get a little excited every time I see a new mechanics tool set kitted with a foam try. Hopefully this eventually becomes a trend here.
As a reminder, many releases around this time of year are destined to be discounted for the holiday season. If you’re on the fence about the price, wait a couple of weeks and see how you feel in mid to late November.
Jared
I also love tools in foam. I doubt its that much extra cost for the manufacturer to produce them in bulk for a specific set, but it is expensive to DIY – and even more so if you want to pay someone to do it for you.
I consider it added value and it certainly makes me consider tools I wouldn’t otherwise.
Derek
I’d like to start buying tools in foam, whether its socket sets, hand tools, or even power tools in the brand’s mobile tool storage (i.e. a Dewalt multi-tool in a Dewalt Toughsystem).
Besides foam, this socket kit from Tekton looks awesome. To get everything needed and not have to buy sockets one-off when the need arises. I’ve been finding it harder and harder to find single sockets in stock locally.
https://www.tekton.com/1-4-3-8-1-2-inch-drive-6-point-socket-set-214-piece-shd99202
mikedt
nice thing is, those Tekton carriers are either made by Earnst or duplicates of Earnst’s if you need additional parts
eddie sky
These? https://www.ernstmfg.com/Socket-Organizers.aspx
Good to know…
mikedt
Yup. Bought a Tekton metric socket set and it came on a rail that slid right into my Earnst organizer
Jared
I like the Ernst organizers. As nice as it would be, I’m too lazy to be cutting foam manually (I’ve done a couple drawers before). Ernst rails are a decent alternative.
I like how you can adjust the spacing for sockets, store ratchets with your sockets, remove rails and rearrange, etc. It’s a good system and not too expensive.
BigTimeTommy
How does the foam hold up over time? Never felt the need to start using foam but curious how it holds up to use and grease/solvents.
Tony Vantrease
Xlpe is resistant to oils and dont absorb water either.
mizzourob
This kit from Craftsman is close to on the mark (like many similar kits), but why is SAE and metric always bundled together? I am trying to put together a tool kit for my (American) truck and have no use for SAE. It seems like a simple ask. This set is close to perfect, if you add a 5/8″ spark plug socket, get rid of other existing SAE sockets and replace those with a 1/2 breaker bar and a the four common lug nuts socket sizes (17, 19, 21, 22mm). Also nice would be to add in a pair of pliers, metric wrenches and a couple more extensions.
It pains me to throw away otherwise perfectly good sockets and see that space wasted in the organizer. A kit like this would probably sell really well but does the lack of SAE create some sort of mental block for the average consumer? The only readily obtainable kits that come close are several Gedore Red, but why so few choices?
mikedt
yeah at this point the only thing I touch that’s SAE is plumbing fittings.
eddie sky
I have tools, tables and non-automotive projects that still are SAE.
But I would like All Metric, All SAE option. I visually notice Red as SAE and Blue as Metric with some of my tools. And I want impact sets too. That have better numbering (chrome is hard to read, and black with laser printed gold gets smear with grease and can’t read either.)
Joe E.
It’s a good start but again with the missing and skipped sizes. That’s a deal breaker.
Chuck
I wish I could find foam for older Craftsman Kits. I have a huge socket set that I’m putting into a craftsman tray organizer, but there is a big difference in what my set has and what the organizer has room for.
Derek
There are a few different places that either already have the foam cut out, even for older Craftsman kits, or places where you arrange it all, take a picture and they cut it all out for you.
Chuck
Thanks for pointing thar out. Found foam sets for the craftsman socket set I’m using, $212 for 4 pads. Almost as much as the socket set cos.
Shaun Heller
I like the layout …..but an we please add a small selection of end wrenches both metric and std. I believe this would be a hot seller especially at a reasonable price point….you can thank me letter.
S
As pretty as it looks, I just can’t get over how much wasted space there is between the pieces.
And I’ve never had a tool box where I have loads of extra space for pretty layouts…
Extra space means there’s more tools that can be bought!
Small525
Wow having the ability to grab a rail of sockets and take it to the car, lawn mower, or what ever gets lost on “wow look at the pretty foam” I guess if you’re buying for a new home owner that didn’t have a basic set already this would be okay.
The last couple sets of extensions came in foam rust I says maybe I can reuse this for some thing. Ended up in the trash. I don’t do those stand up sucker racks either…
Oh and when are these going to be made in the USA again? The last craftsman rachet I bought had some pretty sharp edges. Not the quality of those I bought in my youth…
Stuart
It’s good to have options. This isn’t for the user that wants to “grab and go” with a portable tool kit.
A lot of users are rolling out service carts and tool carts to where their tools need to be used. Others work in a workshop-type environment where it’s a hassle to buy additional accessories to unload a portable socket set into a drawer.
I like to see reasonably priced sets with foam trays because there are so few options at the consumer level, and I want to see more choices.