Kobalt Tools Change Manufacture.

[RangerDaleXp]

Well we all know that Lowes has sold kobalt mechanics tools for a while and were made by the same company "Danaher" that owns Matco tools and OEMs tools for the Sears Craftsman line as well as Easco along with others.

Well for the last month my Local lowes has been running the Kobalt mechanics tool line clearance sale. They were also doing the same with the Gearwrench line as well to clear all there stock. Today I noticed that they set up a new isle for the New Kobalt line of toolsTools.

This is the sad thing. They are no longer made by Danaher and they are made now in Taiwan by K & Design Inc. They still look like a well made tool but it is sad that they are no longer related to Matco and Craftsman which were made in the USA. It also will cause problems If you have collected some of the older Kobalt tool sets and need a exact replacement if one socket or wrench gets broken or lost from a set.

 

[Altec]

This has been going on for a while.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97905&highlight=kobalt

We should start a "I need" thread for the clearances... I'm looking for a few pieces. After 4 different Lowe's hunts, I've come up short...

 

[SCscoutguy]

I hate to be "that guy" but this is probably the 20th one of these threads in the past 6 months. It does **** though that they have gone from selling USA made tools to PRC ones. Even if the Danaher made tools that they had were not that great at least they were made here and helped to provide American workers with jobs.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

The guy at my store when I confronted him said it was all about repackaging. He never said they were going to come from another manufacture now. I just read the other thread and I was a little shocked that so many people disliked the Old kobalt line. Personally the stuff I have was as good as craftsman and the Matco stuff I have. Yes most of it is at least 6 years or so older except for some of the clearance Items purchased recently.

I did buy there 3/8 air impact that so fare has worked well. The one thing I did not like was there 3/8 air ratchet that replaced a I.R. Air ratchet that broke in half. I ended up picking up a Florida Pneumatic Air ratchet to replace both of them....

 

[harvero]

K & Design Inc, almost sounds like KD tools.

 

[SMKS]

I was a little shocked that so many people disliked the Old kobalt line. Personally the stuff I have was as good as craftsman

I think a lot of people just thought it was overpriced. Unless they were on super sale, the Kobalt tools always seemed way too much $$ for what they were - which was the same Danaher tools as Allen, K-D and Craftsman.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I hate to be "that guy" but this is probably the 20th one of these threads in the past 6 months. It does **** though that they have gone from selling USA made tools to PRC ones. Even if the Danaher made tools that they had were not that great at least they were made here and helped to provide American workers with jobs.

Unfortunately this looks like 21. Sorry about that.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

K & Design Inc, almost sounds like KD tools.

I thought the same too. Remember the japanese named a town called usa in the 50s so they could put made in USA on there stuff back then to sell here...

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

guess HerbertFairlane is the place to go

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

No **** sherlock

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Well, Not sure what the herbert comment is and why the no **** comment?. I guess this forum is not that friendly and I made a mistake comeing here.....

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I did buy there 3/8 air impact that so fare has worked well.

Is that the recent one they have in stores now?
This one?
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

I was thinking of trying it out, You say it has worked pretty well?
I like the looks of it, according to the picture at least.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[fourtythree]

My thoughts on the old Kobalt was that it was a decent, mid-level line of tools at a premium price. You could go to Sears and essentially buy the same thing for 2/3 the price. I also noticed some QC issues with the stuff I bought. Now, they're mid-level, asian made tools, still at a premium price.

 

[Carl B]

Well, Not sure what the herbert comment is and why the no **** comment?. .

Harbor Freight

If your going to buy tools from China and SEA might as well get the best price on them.

 

[t100]

I'm sure Snap On won't have QC problems with chinese tools.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?tool=&item_ID=12665&group_ID=1748&store=snapon-store

 

[Pro-Painter]

Well, Not sure what the herbert comment is and why the no **** comment?. I guess this forum is not that friendly and I made a mistake comeing here.....

This is a friendly forum as long as you don't break the cardinal rules.
(1):Never re-post A topic. If ever a doubt, use the search feature to confirm.
(2): Never question or put down snap-on tools, where they're made, or the price they cost. GJ Motto = "Snap-on is god"
(3): Never compare a USA made tool with one from another country, unless the USA tool is clearly the better of the two. This includes quality to price ratios. Quality non USA tools is an oxymoron.


Seriously tho, this is a good forum. Many friendly, helpful and knowledgeable people here. However, like all forms GJ does it it's share of trolls that come here just to stir the pot.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

This is a friendly forum as long as you don't break the cardinal rules.
(1):Never re-post A topic. If ever a doubt, use the search feature to confirm.
(2): Never question or put down snap-on tools, where they're made, or the price they cost. GJ Motto = "Snap-on is god"
(3): Never compare a USA made tool with one from another country, unless the USA tool is clearly the better of the two. This includes quality to price ratios. Quality non USA tools is an oxymoron.


Seriously tho, this is a good forum. Many friendly, helpful and knowledgeable people here. However, like all forms GJ does it it's share of trolls that come here just to stir the pot.

I made a small mistake and forgot to do a proper search and I apologized for that up front. I assume the herbert thing is about harbor freight? If that is the case, I am also sorry for not knowing the forum code words?

I do administrate a forum involved In UTVs and as for the trolls, If they do not like to play nice on our forum, They get removed if they are a constant problem.

Anyways, I did not start this thread to talk about harbor freight or snap on. It was about kobalt tools and as stated before, I understand now it has been beaten into the ground.

I do thank you for letting me know and replying back.....

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Is that the recent one they have in stores now?
This one?
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

I was thinking of trying it out, You say it has worked pretty well?
I like the looks of it, according to the picture at least.
Thanks,
Tony

That would be the one. So Far it has worked well and has good torque. I have not checked it and would not say it has the rated 200ft lbs, but it does hit hard....

 

[SMKS]

I made a small mistake and forgot to do a proper search and I apologized for that up front. I assume the herbert thing is about harbor freight? If that is the case, I am also sorry for not knowing the forum code words?

This forum has a much lower percentage d-bags and a-holes than some other forums, but there are still plenty here.


You may still be able to delete this thread, since it's pretty new. I'm pretty sure you can delete recent threads, but I don't know if you can if there are other posts.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

This forum has a much lower percentage d-bags and a-holes than some other forums, but there are still plenty here.


You may still be able to delete this thread, since it's pretty new. I'm pretty sure you can delete recent threads, but I don't know if you can if there are other posts.

On the one I do, entire threads can be removed regardless of the amount of post. We also give the user a little more ability as well. This forum does use a different forum software though....

 

[Buckgnarly]

Well, Not sure what the herbert comment is and why the no **** comment?. I guess this forum is not that friendly and I made a mistake comeing here.....

As with any other forum, post numbers mean nothing about post quality....

 

[therealwormey]

Well, Not sure what the herbert comment is and why the no **** comment?. I guess this forum is not that friendly and I made a mistake comeing here.....

i think since everybody thats been around already knew that,,the" no **** sherlock" is the first thing that comes to mind, not realizing someone new to the group might not be as enlightened.

yes there are a few smartasses and know it alls and a few other types but you'll find that everywhere,just ignore em , some days theres good stuff,,,some days theres just stuff

 

[toyotadriver]

I like the new Kobalt tools. Think they are pretty well made. And, they are made in Taiwan.

 

[Fedwrench]

This is a friendly forum as long as you don't break the cardinal rules.
(1):Never re-post A topic. If ever a doubt, use the search feature to confirm.
(2): Never question or put down snap-on tools, where they're made, or the price they cost. GJ Motto = "Snap-on is god"
(3): Never compare a USA made tool with one from another country, unless the USA tool is clearly the better of the two. This includes quality to price ratios. Quality non USA tools is an oxymoron.


Seriously tho, this is a good forum. Many friendly, helpful and knowledgeable people here. However, like all forms GJ does it it's share of trolls that come here just to stir the pot.

I find these rules quite funny because:
1. The best tool doesn't always come off of a tool truck.
2. I have posted about issues with Snap on tools.
3. I don't believe that US tools are superior by birth.
4. The only people more fanatic than the Snap on types are the SK worshipers. I think ideal could stamp a turd with SK and some people here would praise its merits.

However, back to the topic at hand. It's nothing personal Ranger, there have just been a lot of Kobalt tools and the sky is falling threads for awhile. To me, someone can skip a thread if they're not interested in the subject title. I'm confused about this whole love affair with the demise of the Danaher produced Kobalt line though. They just weren't anything special.
Now the first generation Williams made stuff was something to cry about when they vanished but, that's just me. I'm also baffled by the variety of Kobalt branded tools cripe distributing has as closeouts that I never saw in a Lowes. Roll with the punches Ranger, this is a nice place to visit.

 

[psychoclaw84]

KOBALT tools were awesome when they were first introduced.

• The sockets looked very similar to Snap On sockets.
• The combo wrenches are very nice design, similar to the Bonney design.
• The Flare Nut wrenches are better than SK, Craftsman and rivals Snap On.
• Ratchets were not on the same level as the wrenches & sockets.
• The first generation was manufactured by Williams, but the sockets & flare nut wrenches look like Snap On.

Then danaher took over and the quality changed for the worst, buying craftsman tools labeled as Kobalt.

Hopefully the new tool line will have some BLING.

 

[Ritter4.0]

I think the new Taiwan made tools are better than the old USA Danaher made ones, sad but probably true. Even their ratchet wrenches look good.

I bought the long ball end USA hex bits when they were on clearance. The 3MM and the 3/16" were both very poorly made, as was a 3/16" socket I have, and the other 3/16" open stock sockets that I looked at. I haven't had a chance to use all the sizes of the hex bits, but I wouldn't be surprised if others are just as bad. Even the chrome socket part of all of them is poorly made, non are squarely formed on the ends, and some bits sit crooked. The same goes for the Torx sockets I got. For the price I paid though, I will just keep them, warranty them as needed and see how the Taiwan replacements are.

 

[rock mafia]

Hopefully the new tool line will have some BLING.

The ratchets look very similar to the "titan" stuff that Northern tool sells.

 

[Gregg33]

Very sad that Kobalt has gone to Taiwan production. Now in Canada no major retailer carries a hardline that is made domestically.

Also, I'm not sure why people are complaining about the price of the Danaher Kobalt. I found the regular prices cheaper than offshore Mastercrap (Cdn Tire) and about equal to U.S. Craftsman. Although Crappy Tire and Sears have much better sales than Lowe's (or any home improvement store for that matter).

 

[treasureseeker]

I find these rules quite funny because:
1. The best tool doesn't always come off of a tool truck.
2. I have posted about issues with Snap on tools.
3. I don't believe that US tools are superior by birth.
4. The only people more fanatic than the Snap on types are the SK worshipers. I think ideal could stamp a turd with SK and some people here would praise its merits.

However, back to the topic at hand. It's nothing personal Ranger, there have just been a lot of Kobalt tools and the sky is falling threads for awhile. To me, someone can skip a thread if they're not interested in the subject title. I'm confused about this whole love affair with the demise of the Danaher produced Kobalt line though. They just weren't anything special.
Now the first generation Williams made stuff was something to cry about when they vanished but, that's just me. I'm also baffled by the variety of Kobalt branded tools cripe distributing has as closeouts that I never saw in a Lowes. Roll with the punches Ranger, this is a nice place to visit.

It is hard to compare tool companies and know the quality of a new tool supplier. I am not impressed with Sk and wonder why they earn so much praise but don’t sell on this forum unless severely discounted. I have had Williams made Kobalt and wasn’t impressed with them either. Will the Asian Kobalt be better or worse than the USA made ones who knows, but not a high bar to reach. I do know that Kobalt will change suppliers again and the set of tools you buy today won’t match the replacements if an item needs to be replaced when that happens.

 

[Plombob]

This has been going on for a while.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97905&highlight=kobalt

We should start a "I need" thread for the clearances... I'm looking for a few pieces. After 4 different Lowe's hunts, I've come up short...

Cripe Distributing has some of the old Kobalt stuff.

 

[steelespeed]

i am going to get roasted for this but i think the new kobalt line actually looks pretty decent.

the laser engraving is easier to read than craftsman and i think the color bands denoting sae or metric should be integrated by more manufacturers. it is much easier to see at a quick glance than some tiny hash mark engravings around the bottom of the socket.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

i am going to get roasted for this but i think the new kobalt line actually looks pretty decent.

the laser engraving is easier to read than craftsman and i think the color bands denoting sae or metric should be integrated by more manufacturers. it is much easier to see at a quick glance than some tiny hash mark engravings around the bottom of the socket.

The problem with the color bands unlike the duralast ones remove with break cleaner. I found this out yesterday when I used the breakcleaner to remove the label glue off two ratchet wrenches purchased yesterday. I was OK with that because now they match up closer to the gearwrench set that I was adding the missing sizes to that do not have color bands on them....

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I find these rules quite funny because:
1. The best tool doesn't always come off of a tool truck.
2. I have posted about issues with Snap on tools.
3. I don't believe that US tools are superior by birth.
4. The only people more fanatic than the Snap on types are the SK worshipers. I think ideal could stamp a turd with SK and some people here would praise its merits.

.

X2 on this statement.......

 

[lbgradwell]

Remember the japanese named a town called usa in the 50s so they could put made in USA on there stuff back then to sell here...

This is simply not true. It's merely an oft-repeated urban legend...

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

YUASA batteries
that is not an urban legend

 

[treasureseeker]

Usa (宇佐市, Usa-shi?) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan

 

[lbgradwell]

YUASA batteries
that is not an urban legend

I'm afraid I don't follow...

If there's a "USA" in YUASA, I don't see it. But even if there was, it wouldn't mean anything since the company was founded in 1666 & as such would clearly not be an attempt to make an end-run around import policies.

 

[lbgradwell]

Usa (宇佐市, Usa-shi?) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan

While Usa really is the name of a Japanese town, it was named after the Usa Shrine located there. Usa, Japan has been so-named since the 8th century!

The Japanese are indisputably clever, but I refuse to believe they had the foresight to name a village "Usa" 1000 years before the existence of a country on a then-unknown continent on the other side of the globe that would eventually become known as the USA in anticipation of running an import dodge.

Seems a bit silly when you think about it, no?

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Usa (宇佐市, Usa-shi?) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture, Japan

Thank you for adding the information. But You are correct when the city was made, According to the TV show I seen, It was used for exported goods in the 50s. I seen it on a show on either the discovery channel or the learning channel a few years ago. They showed some radios that were made in japan but stamped "Made In USA" on them.

You are also correct that on wikipedia they show the USA thing to be a myth though....

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I'm afraid I don't follow...

If there's a "USA" in YUASA, I don't see it. But even if there was, it wouldn't mean anything since the company was founded in 1666 & as such would clearly not be an attempt to make an end-run around import policies.

As for SpiderGearsMan, He has not added one good post that made any sense on this thread since it started. He is just one of those trolls that try to start trouble and has nothing good to say. I have been told to ignore him.