Any other Kobalt Power Tools users in here?

[UncleRed99]

Figured I'd open a thread on Kobalt Power Tools...

To those who use them or have used them with any extensive experience in the past, what was/is your opinion of the things? I've been using Kobalt Tools for my main line power tool selection for the last 5 years now, with little to no hitch in performance, except for the XTR Line batteries...

They begin to refuse charging to full capacity, and eventually dwindle themselves down one indicator bar at a time until they get to 1 out of 4 level lights, and when inserted in a charger, the charger just indicates "Fully Charged"... Could only revive one by connecting it to my Heat Gun and forcing the battery to run itself out while locking the trigger on the tool until it was drained, and left it locked 20-30 minutes after it died, then putting it on a charger. It would then fully charge to 4/4 bars, but then the battery life would be very poor either way. (Likely dead cells.. I can only return 1 of the batteries that I have with this issue. Would like to repair the other one.)

A side note question with this, anyone know what sort of Lithium Battery Cells are in the Kobalt 4.0Ah Ultimate Output Batteries, so that I could open it up, check which cells are low, and replace them as needed?

 

[Robinson1]

I fairly regularly work for/with a guy who runs all Kobalt 24v tools. Ive been pretty impressed and working side by side I’m convinced the 4-1/2” grinder might be the best on the market. It routinely out performs my Dewalt 413. The drills are torque monsters and will break timber lock screws. The 1/2” impact is pretty respectable it’s not a gen 3 Fuel or a Dewalt 900 but probably would hang with the 899. Has no trouble pulling lug nuts on 100 horse tractors.

On the flip side I don’t like the impact driver at all mostly due to the control lay out. It’s way too easy to bump the mode button while using it. The reciprocating saws are just ok about on par with a brushed Dewalt 381 which isn’t a bad saw just outdated technology.

The batteries used to be cheap which was a major selling point but now they’re about in line with everyone else.

From my experiences they’re better than Ryobi and Craftsman by a long shot.

Battery run time to me seems comparable to other brands of similar amp hour rating. Ive not personally experienced any battery failure problems.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

FWIW, there was an older Kobalt thread but it pretty much died out: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/kobalt-24v-blue-bandwagon.445558/

The issue you describe with the Ultimate Output batteries I haven't personally experienced, but it seems to be common enough.

I've had Kobalt 24v for about 6 years now. There's been some crappy tools that I've returned (power brush), but most everything else I've bought has worked great. I didn't buy any of the Kobalt power tools expecting best in class performance, but the majority of the ones that matter punch above their weight class. Some things, like the high torque XTR torque wrench may be a bit big and whatnot, but overall I'm happy with what I've purchased.

My favorite tool was an XTR impact driver that I converted to a 3/8" anvil from the regular "compact" impact wrench. The standard/OG compact impact wrenches are lackluster, but the XTR driver is at the top of the heap as far as power goes (according to TTC at least). There are "true" compact impacts that just showed up on Lowe's site. At the very least, the claimed power seems to be in line with that the XTR conversion is said to put out: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-...4781111?idProductFound=false&idExtracted=true

 

[AJHD]

Thought I was post this here... I'm in the market for a budget friendly 1/2" impact wrench. I don't want or need an 8lb high torque nor do I want to spend Milwaukee money if I can avoid it. I don't currently have any M18 tools (only M12), so I'm not married to a platform.

I was looking at Kobalt and wanted to see if any of you have one and what your experience has been like.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-volt-Max-Variable-Brushless-1-2-in-Drive-Cordless-Impact-Wrench-1-Battery-Included/5013201381

 

[kody1234]

Thought I was post this here... I'm in the market for a budget friendly 1/2" impact wrench. I don't want or need an 8lb high torque nor do I want to spend Milwaukee money if I can avoid it. I don't currently have any M18 tools (only M12), so I'm not married to a platform.

I was looking at Kobalt and wanted to see if any of you have one and what your experience has been like.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-volt-Max-Variable-Brushless-1-2-in-Drive-Cordless-Impact-Wrench-1-Battery-Included/5013201381

Harbor Freight had the Hercules 1/2 inch compact for free if you buy 5 amp battery and charger for 100 bucks.I got this deal and i like it a lot.I use it for lug nuts and removing lawn mower blades and fly wheels.

 

[AJHD]

Harbor Freight had the Hercules 1/2 inch compact for free if you buy 5 amp battery and charger for 100 bucks.I got this deal and i like it a lot.I use it for lug nuts and removing lawn mower blades and fly wheels.

Assuming I missed that deal. Not sure when this purchase will happen, so I'll watch HF for any new deals. I would be open to considering a Hercules or Bauer in the same price range.

 

[kody1234]

The Hercules Brushless tools have 5 year warranty and year on battery.
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