Lowes - lighted ratchets

[kythri]

Am I the only one amused at where the current discussion has turned, only to see a sigline of "If it isn't broken, then you're not trying hard enough." ???

 

[Hootbro]

Where do you all buy horses that tall?

You either get it or you do not. I am far from being on the path to Sainthood but the difference of those with higher moral character, realize their faults and move forward and do not defend or perpetuate a losing proposition.

The moral high ground to stand on is that it is wrong regardless of the rationalizations some give. No matter what people try to explain this away, it is immovable to say that deception for later gain is right regardless of how petty the cost may be.

I get it, some people and their developmental primal "lizard brain" see such things as business as usual and it rocks them off their center when people like me point out such things.

No one wants to debate the message, but just kill the messenger as that is easier to make one sleep better at night.

With that, I am done here. My apologies if it derailed the thread too far, was not my intent. Made my points and anything more is just talking in a circle like a snake trying to eat it's tail.

 

[kythri]

Look, purposely breaking something to get something better? That's BS.

But you're once again chastising people for getting a warranty replacement on a broken tool - THAT WAS SOLD WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY. It doesn't matter if they bought it new, used, broken or otherwise. Your thoughts on the matter are increasingly irrelevant when company executives have sided with a reading of the warranty that expressly allows one to buy a used/broken tool and warranty it.

It's old, man. REAL old.

Now then, back to deals - I want a deal on a high horse. Where did you get yours?

 

[Harrison2]

if I give $2 to charity the day after I warranty it will that even out my ethics and stop me going to hell?

p.s. my name is Earl.

 

[cheechi]

If you have to ask someone else about your ethics, or justify them to someone else, you should be concerned.

I do not 'abuse' anyone's warranty in that I stay within the terms of the warranty, but I have returned items to HF until I got one that stayed working. I have never 'rented' a tool but I have returned ones that I bought thinking I would need them and never opened them. I have opened boxes in stores until I got the one that had the thing or was made the way that I was looking for.

 

[thoraudio]

Alright. Works like a ratchet should. Decent action. Light is gimmicky, but I can see how it could be handy in certain circumstances.

HOWEVER, the plastic battery cover/switch sticks out WAY too far, and I guarantee that those cramped dark spaces where you may could use a light will eventually break it off.

 

[nicksnothereman]

You either get it or you do not. I am far from being on the path to Sainthood but the difference of those with higher moral character, realize their faults and move forward and do not defend or perpetuate a losing proposition.

The moral high ground to stand on is that it is wrong regardless of the rationalizations some give. No matter what people try to explain this away, it is immovable to say that deception for later gain is right regardless of how petty the cost may be.

I get it, some people and their developmental primal "lizard brain" see such things as business as usual and it rocks them off their center when people like me point out such things.

No one wants to debate the message, but just kill the messenger as that is easier to make one sleep better at night.

With that, I am done here. My apologies if it derailed the thread too far, was not my intent. Made my points and anything more is just talking in a circle like a snake trying to eat it's tail.

He's right (don't know about the lizard brain part though). If you abuse the warranty then you shouldn't be surprised when it's not there anymore, denied even for valid replacement, or replaced with incredibly disposable tools.

That doesn't just go for retail tools that goes for truck tools as well. You (really) should only use warranties when you feel cheated. On cheap(er) tools that probably means if they last less than 6 months of use. Yeah sure it says lifetime on the package but if you abuse stuff you pretty much know what's going to happen and you should know it's not really the tool's fault because it wasn't designed to endure that type of use.

 

[tweedlestan]

It's hilarious seeing the phony outrage over a hypothetical case of "warranty abuse".

I get sick of these bogus intellectuals bitching about such things, and trying to make someone feel morally inferior if they actually use a tool's warranty.

 

[kunkernator]

I am not siding with anyone on the above conversation, but I would like to get more on topic, as I am gaining more interest in these.

I know sme people were saying the "switch" sticks out above the ratchet head. Does this switch contain the battery? Or is it just merely a switch? If it is just a switch, I may see room for modification.....

 

[Harrison2]

I believe the switch houses the battery, a small one similar to the ones used in laser pointers

 

[metaldad]

I believe the switch houses the battery, a small one similar to the ones used in laser pointers

yep. i'll look later, to see if it can be easily modified (removed).
although, it's really not a big deal.
i'm sure you have more than 1 rat.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

Is it ethical to make crappy tools in China and then give them a lifetime warranty to deceive people into thinking that they could possibly last a lifetime? Is it ethical to give a lifetime warranty and then file bankruptcy and quit warranting tools that are already sold? Is it ethical for a quality tool company to charge 200.00 for a set of 1/4" sockets?

 

[Loscaldazar]

Look, purposely breaking something to get something better? That's BS.

But you're once again chastising people for getting a warranty replacement on a broken tool - THAT WAS SOLD WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY. It doesn't matter if they bought it new, used, broken or otherwise. Your thoughts on the matter are increasingly irrelevant when company executives have sided with a reading of the warranty that expressly allows one to buy a used/broken tool and warranty it.

Many companies that manufacture in the US have clauses that state only the original owner can warranty tools. SK, Matco, Mac and Snap On (even channellock) believe that you need to be the original owner to warranty (if you go by what the official warranty is). Sure, sometimes they will warranty them, but they officially aren't supposed to. I don't believe that means many execs think second hand tools can be warrantied. In fact, those clauses are recent additions to fight against people buying $1 40 year old snap on sockets and getting new ones.

Now if you manufacture in china, that is a different story... Those companies don't have clauses against that FOR THE MOST PART.

Also, the whole debate started over someone saying they were going to purposely break the ratchets to get a non lighted one. That falls under abuse so, no, they shouldn't get a warranty replacement and it is unethical!

 

[thoraudio]

Pictures, for those so inclined to discuss the tool.

Battery pack/switch assembly sticking off the back.

COO is Taiwan for those concerned with such things.

WAY too big battery pack/switch sticking off the back.

why it's WAY too big. Maybe the empty space is for extra sockets.

The light does work, although be aware it's along the lines of a single LED keychain flashlight. Don't expect a 3 watt Cree.

 

[kunkernator]

Thoraudio, thanks for the pics. Do you think you could take a picture of the ratchet from the side with the battery cover off? I am trying to get an idea of how thick it is.

 

[thoraudio]

Thoraudio, thanks for the pics. Do you think you could take a picture of the ratchet from the side with the battery cover off? I am trying to get an idea of how thick it is.

Also, something I noticed. You can use the battery cover as a 'thumbwheel' to spin the ratchet.... but only in one direction. If you go left, it unscrews

 

[kunkernator]

That was quick! Thanks.

 

[thoraudio]

no problem.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Thanks for the pics!

I might pick one up just to mess around with it and see how I can mod it.

 

[shocksandstrutz]

i think im going to pick up a set of the 3 also, just to have, why not, if nothing else, my kids would love to have them and play around. they are cheap too, about $25 for all three.

 

[zeekh]

i think im going to pick up a set of the 3 also, just to have, why not, if nothing else, my kids would love to have them and play around. they are cheap too, about $25 for all three.

I agree. There are times such a wrench might come in handy

 

[ChevyEFI]

Is the square drive piece simply the one from a quick-release?

I guess not, since an effort would have to be made to set up the ball retention differently than a QR.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Pictures, for those so inclined to discuss the tool.

Battery pack/switch assembly sticking off the back.

COO is Taiwan for those concerned with such things.

Looks like decent quality to me. I might pick one of these up in 1/4". I don't recall ever running into a clearance issue for the head of the ratchet. I'd have to ponder one where it might come up that there wouldn't be a work around.

 

[WRX/Z28]

It's hilarious seeing the phony outrage over a hypothetical case of "warranty abuse".

I get sick of these bogus intellectuals bitching about such things, and trying to make someone feel morally inferior if they actually use a tool's warranty.

Let me ask what you do for a living, and how you would react if someone intentionally took advantage of any guarantee on the quality of your work.

IE: how would you feel if you completed your task at work only to have your boss come over, undo your work, and force you to clock out and do it again?

I'm with Hootbro. Ethics = doing the right thing, even when nobody's watching.

 

[JasonCAT]

Only $30 on Ebay!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOBALT-LED-...d=100019&prg=1187&rk=3&rkt=4&sd=321234394858&

 

[retDAC]

Let me ask what you do for a living, and how you would react if someone intentionally took advantage of any guarantee on the quality of your work.

IE: how would you feel if you completed your task at work only to have your boss come over, undo your work, and force you to clock out and do it again?

I'm with Hootbro. Ethics = doing the right thing, even when nobody's watching.

+1 Am reminded of an old saying: "Treat others the way you want them to treat you."

This is wise for everybody; atheists, agnostics, independents, as well as religionists. It is not religion or only such, it is a major part of ethical living. I.e. getting along, working together as needed, being able to trust others, as well as others being able to trust you.

Nobody is going to be perfect about it 100% of the time and there will be instances where others practically won't let you treat them in a routinely ethical manner.

I simply live this way as best I can. If I get one or more of these lighted ratchets, it will be to try it/use it. Should it break and there are no more, then I'll probably get regular rat as a replacement, but am not desiring to before I even get one of the lighted ones.

 

[Loscaldazar]

The problem I have with these are that the regular Kobalt ratchets are so thick already. With this light thing on top, now they are massively thick. Decided to walk by them yesterday.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I bought the 1/4". Yeah the light housing is a bit thick but alternatively that was done to stack two button cells (brighter led). Ultimately, that was a good design choice, the led is super bright. Well made taiwanese ratchet. 7 bucks you can't even buy a stanley chinese ****-chet from walmart for 10 bucks.

 

[JasonCAT]

I planned on never getting one after walking by them countless times in the past, but I finally picked up a 1/2" today. The hump to hold the batteries is truly huge; it's like a skyscraper. The LED on this one is pretty dim, making the whole deal even more useless.

Other than the stupid LED thingy, it's a pretty decent little ratchet. I'm going to go ahead and use the **** out of it when I have plenty of clearance to work with. If it does break, I'm going to hold on to it until the store sells out of them so I can just get a normal one under the warranty. I will definitely not break it intentionally, as that is a real scumbag thing to do.

I figure for ten bucks, I can beat on this thing through school and then have it as a loaner after I finally get the ratchet I really want.

 

[alpinewhite]

I bought a set and threw it in the RV. Space is not a premium and one use during an emergency and it's paid for. Cheap insurance.

 

[djb2]

Is this the same internal quality as their standard ratchet? Is it a 72 tooth ratchet, or something else?

 

[nicksnothereman]

Is this the same internal quality as their standard ratchet? Is it a 72 tooth ratchet, or something else?

It's a 72 tooth.

 

[monomach]

If you take one of these apart and then take apart a HF composite ratchet, you're going to have a little laugh. I'm pretty sure they're coming out of the same building...and whatever building it is, they're turning out some good ratchet mechanisms. 72t versions of the Proto pear head, I guess?

The Kobalt I took apart today was a 1/2" and the HF composite was a 1/4". Otherwise, I'd have tried to make a lighted composite ratchet to prove my theory.

 

[thoraudio]

Finally had a use for the thing over the weekend. I was bolting a vise to my workbench. Three bolts isn't enough to go to the effort of a drop light, and the light was handy for working under the bench.

HOWEVER, I did find something to be aware of. I, like a lot of y'all I'm assuming, move my hand up over the head of the ratchet during low torque applications. Doing so meant my meaty palm was touching the battery housing, and I almost spun the cover off without realizing it. I caught it before it fell off, but chasing the cover and the little batteries under the dark recesses of my work bench would not have been fun.

 

[zip95864]

Just got the 3/8 for $5.69. Needed a 3/8 anyway.


Signature: Check out my Circa 1951 garage: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=113002

 

[Rickedstyles]

I bought one but the light wouldn't ever come on using my hex bit sockets so had to return it....

 

[nicksnothereman]

I bought one but the light wouldn't ever come on using my hex bit sockets so had to return it....

You have to fiddle with the thin metal pin connection on top of the batteries. The 1/4" one worked fine out the box, but the 1/2" I was f-ing around with it for a while. PITA and I didn't even plan on using the light but figured might as well get it working.

 

[treblarefils]

Saw these at the store even at these prices I wasn't interested. big and bulky gimmick

 

[Hpozzuoli]

This might be something novel to keep in the glove box. I don't see it as being a functional everyday tool. That one time you are in the dark somewhere and can't hold the light or whatever the situation this may work. I expect it to be one of those things my mom gets me because she thinks it cool.

I can't stand people that buy broken tools so they can warranty them, then turn around and sell them on ebay or wherever. If you find something special or a must have and it's broken I can see that. To use a warranty to make money off of is wrong. It reminds me of the people that hoard all the HF free items then sell them as a bundle on Craigslist or ebay. It will never end and eventually hurt the people that need the warranty the most. I don't want to call these people cheap, but that's what comes to mind.

 

[ATate028]

I almost got one of these when I was looking for a 1/4 in ratchet for my truck toolbox. I'm glad I didn't get it. If I'd have gotten the lighted one it wouldn't have fit where I needed it to when I broke down in a parking lot one night. The switch is just too bulky.
-Allen