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Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
No amount of technical skill or mechanical expertise can make up for the liability of using subpar tools. That goes for everyone from DIY tuners to professional repair technicians. Tools can shatter, threads strip, fasteners break, and the resulting damage poses a grave safety risk.
But especially when you’re starting out, a sturdy toolbox doesn’t have to mean shelling out for the most expensive gear. One respectable option is the Craftsman Versastack 230-Piece Mechanics Tool Set that’s on sale for $99 — a considerable 50% discount from its full price of $199.
Craftsman Versastack 230-Piece Mechanics Tool Set, $99 (was $199) at Amazon
Inside the rugged triple-drawer toolbox are three 72-tooth ratchets, each with a 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, or 1/2-inch drive. A five-degree arc swing makes it easier to reach tighter spaces, ideal for servicing the complex powertrains, electronics, and interior components found in modern vehicles. The toolbox also houses various-sized sockets, assorted hex keys, and a spattering of specialty bits, among other analog essentials.
Here’s the full list of everything you can expect in the shipment:
- Low-profile 72-tooth ratchets (x3)
- Standard sockets (x47)
- Deep sockets (x28)
- Long-arm hex keys (x28)
- Short-arm hex keys (x16)
- Combination wrenches (x21)
- Bit sockets (x16)
- Extension bars (x3)
- Socket-to-bit adapter (x1)
- Bit driver (x1)
- Specialty bits (x66)
Made from hardy steel alloy, a corrosion-resistant powder coating reinforces the longevity of this bargain-buy Craftsman set. The toolbox itself is both compact and portable, complete with a handle grip for on-the-go technicians. A spring-loaded dial allows you to lock the box with one hand, ideal for those times when the other hand is occupied carrying parts and equipment or covered in grease.
“I couldn’t be happier with this kit,” said one reviewer. “And it should well-serve any weekend warrior mechanic for years to come.”
“It’s reasonably light, organized, sturdy, stackable with two different systems,” another shopper added. A third called it an “amazing socket set.”
That’s right, unlike many sets you’ll find from less reputable brands, most Craftsman tools come with a full lifetime warranty. This 230-piece mechanics tool set is no exception. Those interested should act fast, however, as Amazon tends to run out of stock quickly whenever it goes on sale, a testament to its popularity.
