The Kobalt/Husky/etc 'house brands' pass/fail thread

[cheechi]

Got really pissed off at a few things in the past and always forget when I come to search that none of these brands have a pass/fail thread similar to the HF. Well since a lot of the tools are so similar to HF ones anymore I think this is needed. Suggestions of brands that should be discussed in this thread;

Kobalt
Husky
HDX
Blue Hawk
Klutch
Ace brand

You get the idea. Any others I left out feel free if the shoe fits.

Kobalt carpenter's pencil massive fail. This one was the straw that made me bother to finally type this up.

Kobalt putty knife/scraper/joint tool (I'm not a painter or a mason not sure which these are) 4" and 3" models are nice for what they are, not too stiff but stiff enough for most things. The wire brushes are pretty decent too.

Tractor supply long reach hook & pick set in the bargain bin is great for the $3 if they still have more I'm buying another set.

I have a USA made Ace brand hand miter saw (the kind you get with a miter box, but this was just the saw) bought not too long ago, maybe 2006, and a USA made Ace coping saw that are really nice to use when I need them.

I'm sure there's more as I get to things around here I'll post them.

 

[Tenex]

Blue Hawk is getting phased out and replaced with Stanley equivalents.

 

[Coach James]

Not being a wise guy, but how did a carpenter's pencil get you worked up enough to start a new thread?

Coach

 

[pauls_workshop]

Cheechi, this is a great idea! Thanks for hosting it! - Paul

 

[gdocktor3]

Got really pissed off at a few things in the past and always forget when I come to search that none of these brands have a pass/fail thread similar to the HF. Well since a lot of the tools are so similar to HF ones anymore I think this is needed.

What does this mean?? They're the same or not the same? No comprende

Anyways, I've had a set of metric and a set of sae 0 degree offset Husky ratchet wrenches I bought when I was 17 or 18 that still work perfect to this day. Never replaced one and I'm now 29. I fixed quads, dirt bikes, trucks and even rebuilt my first Harkey with them. With that said, I didn't always use them correctly because of my ignorance at that age, yet they still survived and still work to this day. They are in my tool bag at work.

I also have two 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" Husky black chrome socket sets that I keep in my trucks and they're awesome. For the money I paid for them they can't be beat.

 

[Al Borland]

Husky 72 tooth ratchets 3/8" and 1/2" (and related sockets)
Bought them as cheap work tools. Didn't expect them to last or remain un-lost.
They really aren't bad. Ratchets are strong and smooth, sockets are six-point with nice chrome. Haven't managed to break any ratchets or sockets.
Work as well as my SK Wayne ratchets.

 

[cheechi]

the pencils came in a pack of 4 and all of them had broken leads and don't sharpen properly and don't stay sharp for more than one or two lines due to such soft lead. I was in an awkward spot that I had to get back into thrice to get the mark. hit my head on the way up. stupid lead kept falling out cause it was broken all up in the pencil.

gdoc the comparison I'm making is items that are available now. If you've had those wrenches for 10 years they could possibly be USA made, likely Taiwan probably gearwrench clones. I missed out when they cleared those out in favour of the newer oned but I would have liked to grab a spare set I agree they were nice. Nowadays there's very few Husky tools that look like they're GW equivalents they are favoring cheaper and 'fatter' but less durable tools recently. Some may still be good though, hence this thread.

I had a full set of Kobalt from the Williams era. They were seriously top tier. Today, the China made kobalt sockets aren't too terrible looking but I wouldn't have any of the wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, and never would have had their pliers anyway if I could help it.

The statement comparing them to HF was a general statement but I bet you there's a lot of the hand tools that overlap among them.

I'm glad to hear Blue Hawk is going away. There is one router table they sold under this brand a friend has had and used quite heavily and based on how much he likes it I'd give it a pass. Nice table for a jobsite def not a finish carpenter's dream by any stretch but not its intended audience.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Not being a wise guy, but how did a carpenter's pencil get you worked up enough to start a new thread?

Coach

that thing wrote dirty words all over some new lumber, and the op got blamed for it

 

[BDT/NWMN]

gdoc the comparison I'm making is items that are available now.

Sounds like a reasonable plan.. What was on the shelf of yesteryear varies from today.

 

[wttwoa]

the kobalt 34 piece combination wrench set gets a pass from me. all of them works fine and doesnt slip and the chrome is holding up pretty well. the most stress i put 1 of them under was using it to move a belt tensioner on a silverado and it done it just fine. Item # 498909 & Model # 87156 if anyone is wondering. it says discontinued on the site but my local lowes has a few sets still on the shelf so yours might also

 

[AndrewS]

Did Kobalt start making all of their stuff in China instead of Taiwan? I was reading about Sears selling Craftsman and people were saying Kobalt is the worst of the house brands and praising Husky. It used to be Husky was all made in China of questionable quality whereas Kobalt was mostly made in Taiwan and good stuff.

 

[Al Borland]

Lowes/Kobalt is transitioning to China from Taiwan. The Taiwan stuff is pretty good, but getting thin on the shelves.
The Home Depot/Husky stuff is Chinese, but a lot of it isn't bad. Ratchets are pretty good.
They have an orange handled screwdriver with the reversible tip routine that's a couple bucks and a good disposable tool. Works well and not a big deal when it disappears. Combo wrenches last pretty well for what I use them for, and are inexpensive.
Husky imitation channellocks, well those just ****.

 

[01f1502wd]

I've got an older electric corded Klutch 1/2" impact that still makes quick work on the rustiest of bolts.

 

[jfcasey]

I have 2 kobalt flex head 3/8 ratchets that came from those sparkplug socket deals they have in the spring that I love. I have been using them in a professional environment for 3+ years now without a single issue. I bent one of them to match the bend in a similar snap on ratchet anf even with having heated it to bend it, it's still going strong.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

The Lowe's 227 piece mechanics tool kit gets a solid thumbs up. I bought it for the property on Black Friday for $99, and ended up using it as my main tool set for 5 years. I've still gone to that ratchet when my snap on ratchet couldn't get the job done.

 

[Al Borland]

If Lowes still has the Taiwan Crowsfoots, those are good as well.

 

[bigjeff94]

I'll second the 227 piece mechanics sets. I got one given to me on christmas a few years back. It's a good set that I don't have to think twice about throwing in the back of the truck.

 

[Gautama]

If the standard is that it's not a big deal if it breaks because it's cheap, isn't that pretty much true for any tool? I think this thread might be more useful if you limit it to tools that are actually decent, not disposable. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Rodbuster56]

I don't know if this qualifies for this thread, so apologies in advance if this is off-topic.

I have had great luck with Channel Lock pliers. Specifically the 350s model. In my opinion, they are better than Klein's. I purchase them at Lowes.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

The mastercraft wrenches (canadian tire) are good. In particular their "maximum" line. The max wrenches are longer format with nice high polish chrome. Had my set for 14 years with no issues.

 

[gungatim]

Blue Hawk is getting phased out and replaced with Stanley equivalents.

I bought a couple sets of Blue Hawk for road tools when they were on clearance at Lowes. they are surprisingly good. in fact, they are nearly identical to Husky, which is odd because they sold them at Lowes. the 1/4' drive sets were $3 and the large set with 3/8 and 1/2 was $9. I have yet to break the 1/2" ratchet with a cheater at the junkyard. only complaint is the plastic quick release. If you can still find them they are worth the low price.

the big fail for me: Kobalt wrenches/sockets that are the universal metric/SAE all in one. Also discontinued I believe, but they really ****. not even worthy of giving away to an enemy...

Another Pass: (even though it's pretty common knowledge already) the Duralast tools at Autozone. pretty darn high quality sockets and ratchets...

 

[anavrinIV]

The majority of my hardline tools are kobalt...mostly out of convenience.

My chrome sockets are old USA made and have held up spectacularly. 2 have broken over the past 8-9 years, 10mm deep 3/8 and 17mm shallow 1/2, both my most used.

I have full sets of SAE and metric combination wrenches, taiwan made. They've been generally good but the 12 point ends don't always fit tight enough and can slip on bolts that have started to round a bit. Also the 13/16 box end is too tight.

Taiwan set of flex head ratcheting metric combination wrenches has been fantastic.

Ratchets...the best I can say is they work. I've put my 1/2 (Taiwan) through hell and back (36 tooth) and while it's not in great shape anymore it has never once slipped, locked, or failed on me.

 

[555]

I've got a bunch of Kobalt tools that I use on the farm. I started buying them in 2009 because Lowes was the closest place to buy tools. I'm not sure how many are USA made and but all of them have held up very well. I'd give a pass to the following:
Pliers
Screwdrivers
Socket/ratchet sets
Open/box end wrench sets
Box cutter
Multi tip screwdriver

I also have some Home Depot tools that have held up well. Most notable is the multi tip 4n1 screwdriver that is sold at the check out stands. I have one that is at least 10 years old and has held up as well as my Klein model. My wife uses it regularly and trust me, she can bend a crowbar and break an anvil, so if it holds up to her, it's a great product.

 

[Al Borland]

If the standard is that it's not a big deal if it breaks because it's cheap, isn't that pretty much true for any tool? I think this thread might be more useful if you limit it to tools that are actually decent, not disposable. Just thinking out loud.

For me, it's not usually broken, it's lost/dropped into debris. Of course, screwdrivers die from abuse frequently, but a cheap tool that is going to break easily is wasted time. Equally, buying snap-on, Williams, or S/K tools to have my crew lose them is also a waste.

 

[cheechi]

I'd give a pass to the following:
Pliers
Screwdrivers

I'd like to know what ones you have. I've had a few different sets of Kobalt drivers and there is one gem. The square hard handle US made with the striking caps, probably all dried up now but for one or two at some random store. Anyway, pliers & screwdrivers are somewhat notoriously Kobalt's worst offerings from the start.

I have a set of Kobalt mini pliers that while they are frustrating as all hell they are functional and deserve a pass. I also have a set of full sized, I think it's a needle, bent needle, channellock, slip joint, and I think they came with an adjustable wrench. You can't really grab something too hard with the channellocks they will criss cross on you. The rest are ok but not anything to write home about.

I remember at one point they were giving away that set of pliers with a tool box. They have outlasted the tool box at least.

Every Husky tool bag/tote/case I have used has been very good. The cheaper simpler bags do wear down over time but the ones that are more rigid have held up very well.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Pass for the Menard's Masterforce long handled stubby and regular stubby screwdrivers. Maybe not quite as good as a Snap On or Wera screwdrivers. But they work well enough.


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[anavrinIV]

I'd like to know what ones you have. I've had a few different sets of Kobalt drivers and there is one gem. The square hard handle US made with the striking caps, probably all dried up now but for one or two at some random store.

I bought a set of those a couple years ago and have been very happy with them. I don't have the experience to compare them with tool truck brands or wera/pb swiss etc... but they're damn sure a step up from your normal "homeowner" grade screwdrivers

 

[stonesg]

Not being a wise guy, but how did a carpenter's pencil get you worked up enough to start a new thread?

Coach

It could... I thought it was just me in that I cannot for the life of me get one to sharpen correctly even using an actual Carpenter Pencil sharpener.

They are literally to "flaky" and the lead breaks before it actually gets exposed properly.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Pass - husky line wrenches, kobalt wrench rack & 4 row socket tray
Fail - Kobalt 3 pc vise grips they got loose really fast, husky 10 drawer 40" tool box (& their sorry excuse for handling a warranty claim)


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[Greg85mcss]

Pass for all the random duralast & powerbuilt stuff I've picked up mid job


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[geartow]

I use duralast 1/4 drive sockets as my only 1/4 set in a repair shop setting . Holding up well so a pass for them. One of the guys is using a set of nicely chromed stanley metric wrenches , was helping him today and I was impressed with them as nice as my sk superchromes.