In no uncertain terms, this year’s Amazon deals were pretty lame. The regular deals have been pretty good, but although last year’s daily deals and Lighting Deals were so-so, this year’s were pretty sparse. It seems that Amazon focused more on no-name giftable garbage than tools I’d be willing to buy.
I combed through their deal listings and found a couple that were definitely still mentioning. I’d come across these deals a number of times in the past few weeks, and while they weren’t worth their own posts, maybe the group will interest you.
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Reminder: Amazon Holiday Promos are Ending Soon!
Deal of the Day (12/16/2016): Save on Select Kershaw LEEK Knives
I discussed today’s deal of the day in its own post, but figured a reminder here couldn’t hurt.
$10 off $50+ Kershaw Knives
Spend $50 or more on Kershaw knives, get $10 off at checkout. Sadly, it does not stack on top of today’s Leek deal of the day.
Shown here is a version of the Knockout.
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Deal ends 12/21/16.
Save on Select CRKT Knives
I’m a fan of CRKT knives too, but unfortunately I don’t think they make many (any?) knives in the USA. They’re still nicely designed, well built, and typically inexpensive without being garbage.
Here are 2 of my reviews:
General Tools Cordless Power Precision Screwdriver for $15.12
I’ve never tried it, but General Tools’ powered mini screwdriver seems to be well regarded by some Amazon reviewers. Others rate it as garbage.
It runs slow and doesn’t have a lot of power? I think some of those critics are expecting too much from a powered precision screwdriver that looks to be regularly priced at $20 or less.
Bosch Router Table for $159
Bosch’s RA1181 benchtop router table is said to be a special buy at $159. If it is, other dealers are offering the same sale pricing.
Too bad the “promotional price” disallows the use of Amazon’s $25 off $100+ Bosch promo.
Irwin Holiday Deals
I’d say that there’s nothing to see here, but there are some tools I’d use at priced I’d pay.
These Max Leverage diagonal cutters with “Powerslot” are amazing, and the price is really good – $26.61. These are the made-in-Germany NWS-made cutters – as far as I am aware. Freakin’ awesome cutters that can handle some abuse.
Some of the other Irwin NWS-made pliers and cutters are also on sale.
The listings are all grouped together now, making it a little harder to link to individual products. Sorry.
Porter Cable Discounts
There are apparently new lower prices on select Porter Cable tools.
Here’s the best deal of the bunch: Porter Cable’s 20V Max drill/driver kit for $70, AND it’s said to be eligible for their $20 off $100+ promo.
It’s a good drill, and their premium model, other than the new brushless drill.
Too bad the 2-battery kit (this is the 1-battery kit) isn’t eligible for the $20 extra savings. The 2-battery kit is $129. 2 of these 1-battery kits comes out to be $140 – $20 = $120 at checkout.
Lenox Tool Deals
This hacksaw isn’t on sale, but another one is – a better one.
The Lenox deals feature utility knife blades, multi-bit screwdrivers for really cheap, a high tension hacksaw, hole saw kits, and tubing cutters.
Lower Prices on Dewalt Tools
There are a couple of Dewalt corded tools that are said to be at new lower prices. They all look to be eligible for Amazon’s $25 off $100+ promo too.
Hitachi 18V Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit for $129
I’m not sure what to think of this combo kit, but hey – it’s on sale, so I included it.
Dewalt Gyro Screwdriver
This neato Dewalt 8V Max gyroscopic screwdriver (reviewed here) is said to be discounted, and both versions are eligible for Amazon’s $25 off $100+ promo.
It’s not very powerful compared to 12V Max or 20V Max cordless drills or screwdrivers, but it’s suitable for lighter duty type stuff.
The inline driver also looks to be discounted a little, and is also eligible for $25 off $100 savings. I prefer the pivoting handle version, but the inline one is much more compact.
The 8V Max lineup also includes a compact 80 lumen flashlight.
Save on Random Durham Tool Organizers
Durham tool storage products range from good to great. There are only 4 items on sale, but they’re worth a look.
Bosch Oscillating Multi-Tool Discounts
There’s a Bosch MX30EC oscillating multi-tool kit on sale for $129.
But if you ask me, their GOP40-30B StarlockPlus kit is a better buy. It’s $179, and after $25 discount it comes out to be $154 at checkout.
The Starlock blade interface is awesome!
Buy a Makita 18V Combo Kit, Get a Free Bare Tool
Buy a Makita 18V combo kit, of which there are several drill and impact driver options to choose from, and you can pick a free bonus tool or accessory.
Save up to 33% on Select Tekton Tools
Tekton has a whole bunch of tools on sale for “up to 33% off.” These punches are made in the USA. A lot of the other tools are not, but might still be good values.
Tekton has been building its reputation in recent years, and is standing by all their tools with great customer service. Or so I’m told, I hadn’t had any problems with their tools yet.
Amazon drew me in with a n image of these Tekton USA-made screwdrivers, but they didn’t look to be on sale.
But when I checked, the prices are a lot lower than when I first posted about the new screwdrivers.
These are good screwdrivers at very good prices. And as mentioned, made in the USA. Woo!
Update: Some tools are up to 50% off. Oh, so maybe that’s why the screwdrivers aren’t included in the other sale?
Yost 3.5″ Multi-Angle Vise for $38.40
The Yost Mav-3.5 is a small Multi-Angle Vise that can be used in different configurations. They say it swivels a full 360°, locks in place, and can be used in vertical or horizontal positions (the product page shows another example image).
It has 3.5″ wide jaws, 4-3/4″ capacity, and weighs 18 pounds.
Yost says it was designed with luthiers, woodcarvers, and gunsmiths in mind.
Yost is a good name when it comes to vises.
Trucker’s Friend Multi-Purpose Survival Tool
The Trucker’s friend is a USA-made multi-tool that can be used for various things. It’s an outdoors tool, but can be used for… I don’t know – other stuff?
Save on Select Chicago Latrobe Drill Bit Sets
There are 3 Chicago Latrobe drill bit sets on sale – a black oxide jobber length bit set, a jobber length drill bit and hand tap set, and a cobalt steel drill bit set.
Some or all of these sets were made in the USA in the past, I can’t find easy confirmation of where they’re made now. I’d assume they’re still made in the USA.
I’ve used Chicago Latrobe drill bits before, and they’re good quality industrial-grade bits. They cost more than what you’ll find at the home center, but they’re several grades better.
Save on Bosch 12V Max Tool Bundles
I’m not impressed with what I see, but maybe your take will be different. There are 5 12V Max bundles, featuring their PS31 brushed motor drill, compact reciprocating saw, and impact driver. The bundle involves a bare tool plus a charger, 4.0Ah battery pack, and tool bag.
After looking a little more closely, and forgive my bluntness, but the Bosch bundles are TERRIBLE deals. I’m just looking at the drill deals, maybe things are different with the other tool options.
A PS31 bare tool with 4.0Ah battery, charger, and tool bag, for $174? Wow, it’s $32.20 less than buying them separately? But $174 is still terrible.
Nope, it looks to be the same with the PS60 kit.
I’d buy this:
- Bosch PS31 drill kit for $99
Don’t like the 1.5Ah batteries?
- 4.0Ah battery for $69
- 2.5Ah battery for $49
- 2.0Ah x 2 with charger and L-Boxx for $69
- 2.0Ah battery for $39
Also See: Bosch $25 off $100+ Round 2 Promo Doesn’t Suck!
Just looking at batteries, you could get the Bosch kit for $99, and then a 4.0Ah battery and 2.0Ah battery for $83. So that’s a total of $182 for a drill, charger, 2x 1.5Ah batteries, 1x 2.0 battery, and 1x 4.0Ah battery, for $8 more. The kit should include a tool bag too.
Or get the 4.0Ah battery and carefully select $31 in other accessories, or slightly more to push that second part of the order over $100, and you could end up with a $75 order total. Combine with the drill kit, and you end up with the same $174 total price, but also 2x 1.5Ah batteries and whatever else you ordered to push the 4.0Ah battery over $100.
Hmm… Oh, what a mess!!
A lot of the tools in these bundles are eligible for $25 off $100+ savings, but you don’t get it if you buy the bundle. So add them to your cart separately, skip the tool bag, and you pay less.
Take their combo bundle option. You save $50.85 off the $316.97 “if bought separately” price. Their price: $266.12.
Here’s what I can do:
- Reciprocating Saw + Blades for $77.06
- Bare Drill + 2.0Ah battery for $94
- 12V Max L-Boxx Starter Set with 2x 2.0Ah batteries + LED flashlight for $93
Total: $264 and a few cents.
Their kit includes a 13″ tool bag, my configured kit includes an extra L-Boxx tool box, reciprocating saw blades, and 1 extra 2.0Ah battery pack, plus $2 savings from their bundle price.
There’s a bundle with 2x 4.0Ah battery packs, for $224.
I’d instead buy the drill/driver kit and 2x 4.0Ah battery packs. Or a Starter Kit plus 4.0Ah battery pack at the same price.
Total price: $99 plus $69 plus $69 minus $25 for $212. So you get a different tool bag, which probably won’t fit all the batteries, and more batteries, for $10 less. The batteries will be 2x 1.5Ah plus 2x 4,0Ah, or 1x 4.0Ah plus 2x 2.0Ah, or 4x 2.0Ah. And you get 1 or 2 L-Boxxes too, although you don’t get the fitted tray as with the bare tool.
But since you have the charger anyways…
- Bare Drill plus 4.0Ah battery for $124
- 2.0Ah x 2 with charger and L-Boxx plus 2.0Ah battery for $83
Total: $207. You get the drill, 2x 2.0Ah batteries, a charger, 1x 4.0Ah batteries, and an L-Boxx, compared to the drill, 2x 4.0Ah batteries, a charger, and tool bag, for $224.
Amazon’s Bosch 12V Max bundle savings suck.
Bostitch Deals
There are supposed to be some Bostitch discounts. Some tools look to be discounted, others I’m not sure of.
Even if not, the $20 off $100+ promo discount applies to a lot of these tools, nails, and accessories.
More Bosch Deals
There are a bunch of other Bosch tool deals, some looking quite good.
Oh, “new lower prices all holiday season long?” Translation: tools we’ll fix in price and make ineligible for the $25 off $100+ promo.
The prices are pretty good though.
$5 off Rockwell Versacut Mini Circular Saw
Save $5 off the $99 price.
Not bad for a tool that’s normally strictly price controlled during holiday seasons. Not very good either, but worth the mention.
Don’t forget to “clip” the coupon!
Save $5 on Channellock 5-Tool Pliers Set
Save $5 off the $60 price for this Channellock 5-tool rollup kit.
Good tools, I don’t know about the price, but it’d make a nice gift.
Don’t forget to “clip” the coupon!
Hitachi Miter Saw Stand for $109
This Hitachi miter saw stand has been on my deal radar for maybe 2 weeks now, but I didn’t have enough to say for its own post.
It seems to be a popular choice, as it’s temporarily sold out. Maybe the deal was posted to deal forums for sites?
Reviews seem okay, but there are some negative ones about its durability to definitely read and consider.
Adam
The Lenox high-tension hacksaw is excellent. Really straight and clean cutting, and storage for extra blades inside the top bar.
firefly
I am in for one.
Adam g
I bought a dewalts newest hammer drill on the 25 off 100 promo but the inner box was highly damaged. There were multiple spots it had worn through over 1 inch long. Was going to get a replacement but it was going to take till the 30th. Called in and got a 25 dollar credit. The only visible damage was a scuff on the auxiliary handle. Their customer service is top notch. And i got an awesome new hammer drill for 90 bucks.
Jason
Wow that’s weird Amazon is usually really picky about how the packaging looks on an item.
Adam g
Yeah i went from never having any issues with the plethora of items I’ve bought on amazon to having 2 damaged items this month. Maybe it’s due to high holiday volume.
Stuart
That happens.
I’ve found that Amazon associates will offer a credit if an item is usable, as that’s usually cheaper than back and forth shipping.
I recently ordered a workshop mat that was advertised as being 50″ x 60″. It wasn’t, the shorter dimension was around 48.5″, and I needed it to be at least 49″.
It was usable, but I wasn’t happy. They gave me a few return options and a partial refund option, which I took.
Mark
Just snagged three of the Irwin NWS pliers: one for me and two for the techs at work. Very good price for this quality of tool. Thanks!
Blythe M
That’s seems like a good deal on the Bosch starlock. My Harbor freight VS oscillating tool has noisily vibrated me to death for 3 years of contractor abuse, but held up fine admittedly.
Debating between the m18 for cordless convenience ($99 right now) or keep dealing with a cord to get the power and refinement of the Bosch.
Also if anyone is tempted by the miter stand, Menards has one that looks almost identical for $59
fred
I had bought the Bosch GOP40-30C StarlockPlus kit as a Gift – at International Tool it was $174 and I avoided sales tax amounting to $15. I would have otherwise have had to have it shipped to my daughter’s from Amazon.
dandlyons64
Bosch’s RA1181 benchtop router table is a special buy at $159 at Home Depot and they allow the $25 off $100+ Bosch promotion. So $134 before taxes and free shipping.
Pete
The “sale price” of the 8v dewalt driver on amazon that you linked to is the same price as Lowes…. not saying you messed up but amazons stupid “deals” or “savings”… i get those stupid emails all the time from amazon for “50% off dewalt items” and its all just up 20% down 10% Bull Crap. I doubt i’ll ever buy power tools from amazon just because of their convoluted sales tactics that try to spur rash purchases by the uninformed buying thinking theyre saving money with a deal that just popped up.
Id rather pay full price and not deal with their crap. BUT i do still love amazon lol.
Stuart
That’s a tool I don’t follow the price of regularly, so I can’t tell. I thought the regular price was higher, but could be mistaken.
If a tool is a holiday season “special” at one retailer, it’ll often be discounted elsewhere too.
Oh yea, “up to 50% off”? BS. But sometimes those deals are somewhat decent. It’s all marketing. The all important lure.
Amazon had some very strong deals this holiday season, but overall their tool deals seemed lazy and haphazard.
I know where to find the kinds of deals I’ve posted about and taken advantage of in the past, but they just weren’t there this year.
There was only one Lightning Deal that would have been worth mentioning today – a Swanson speed square. But I couldn’t frame a post around a single Lightning Deal timed for 8:40pm ET and featuring a tool that would have been discounted by $1 or $2 at most.
fred
I took a quick look at the Yost “parrot-style” vise.
It gets some bi-polar reviews on Amazon – but at $250 less than the gunsmithing vise that is sold at Brownells it might be worth a try.
I’m guessing the issues with it might be the cast iron construction and QA/QC at the factory in China.
If you really need a machinist’s vise – other Yost or Wilton styles would be better – and it won’t replace my old Starrett-Athol