I really like the kobalt socket rails! I have tried kobalt, craftsman, Stanley, Carlyle, husky and a few others for sockets. They all fit great with just the right amount of retention. Kobalt stuff has a good warranty, bring the rail back if it doesn't fit right., they will give you another one. You might also bring in the offending socket to make sure it isn't just the socket, that is a really small size. Good luck!
Kobalt ratchets/sockets/etc. going to China?
- Thread starter ishiboo
- Start date
mrjaw14
Well-known member
I thought they were putting knipex tools on sale, didn't know they were closing them out and replacing them with ****. They've done the same to most of the greenlee tools.
With them cheapening the socket line I'll just have to reason to shop there for tools. Bummer for them I guess. On the flip side, sears is the only place to get knipex locally now so I guess I'll have to start going back to sears lol...
With them cheapening the socket line I'll just have to reason to shop there for tools. Bummer for them I guess. On the flip side, sears is the only place to get knipex locally now so I guess I'll have to start going back to sears lol...
matt1977
Well-known member
For what it's worth, I emailed lowes and talked to some employees in the tool section at 2 different lowes and none have heard anything about kobalt changing suppliers. This may be a case of getting taiwan confused with china. I sure hope they don't change suppliers for their hardline tools, as they are some of the best tools for the money now days.
Checked out the new wrench set today. The wrenches and new socket sets are Chinese COO and not as nice. Engravings/etc. are clearly not up to the Kobalt Taiwan standards. They do have the red/blue epoxy fill as the Taiwan tools did.
Only good thing is there is a 10mm stubby now.
Looks like Kobalt Taiwan will soon be no more.
Only good thing is there is a 10mm stubby now.
Looks like Kobalt Taiwan will soon be no more.
Looks like Kobalt Taiwan will soon be no more.
No problem. Pittsburgh Pro Taiwan sockets are excellent.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Are these just holiday tools? Because the rest of the stuff is still Taiwan. All the socket sets and regular wrench sets are still the same. Seems lowes is going backward with their tool selection. While Home Depot is ramping up the quality and selection. They both lack in the tool storage selection.
The 7 pc hex bit socket sets at my local store are Chinese now, as are the 64 pc 3-in-1 Ratchet/Socket set and the 42 pc stubby set. So far, the other sockets/wrenches are still Taiwan.
True...but their wrenches from India are bottom of the barrel.
Yes I don't doubt that. I was looking at some Pittsburgh Pro sockets today actually. Looking through the square drive end, every single detent was exactly the same and I mean EXACTLY the same. I was thoroughly impressed.
Like anything, as production is shifted existing inventory will be sold first. Seeing as they are making the same sockets/wrenches/etc. now in China, it seems this is what everything will go to. Versus the previous "holiday" Kobalt sets which were not the same as the red/blue line.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Oh well. Another reason to never go there again. In just less than a year lowes tools went to **** while Home Depot got WAY better and you can still get Klein and a better Channellock selection. I guess they were not happy with the profit margin with the Taiwan stuff. What's it coming to when now Taiwan made is too expensive.