Best VALUE flex head ratchet, Kobalt?

[Rico.]

Meanwhile back at the thread.............

 

[TwoInch]

No sales tool is as great as fear. Fear of loss is greater than the enjoyment of sucess. The extended warranty is living proof of this concept.

 

[SantaAna12]

Probably the smartest thing I have heard from Mr. Sberry. But with all due respect.....what does that have to do with value swivel head ratchets?

Reminds me of the thread where the OP wanted to discuss effective mobile tool storage and you raised the idea of "throwing everything in a drawer."

It's like the guy that can't find a hammer big enough or fast enough. And when it goes FUBAR he blames either the object he is working on, his boss, or life in general.

VALUE FLEX RATCHETS. I got a Truecraft I have in one of my boxes...I dont recommend it. I like my gearwrench tools over the Kobalt line....but I do not own either in a flex ratchet.

 

[sberry]

I think it has a lot to do with the value, in todays world many of the mifddle brands are the same as cheap with a different label. When it is "different" the middle is often where they cheap the product and extend the warranty.

 

[diesel research]

Wonder where the 200$ come from,,, well,,, if it can be found elsewhere similar for 20 it cost 200 from the truck.

you exaggerate absolutely, entirely too much with made up percentages, ratios, and raw numbers.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682323&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=JRF72-%252d-3{47}8%E2%80%9D-Drive-72-Tooth-Flex-Ratchet

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BR12FTA/3-8-DRIVE-12-FLEX-HANDLE-RATCHET/

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/...0796-38-drive-11-round-head-flex-ratchet.aspx

none of that says any of them are worth the price, nor is it a recommendation for them, BUT if you are gonna use "logical mathematical economic analysis", logic says you better start of with the right numbers. otherwise, its just rambling.

of course, its a common phenomena for some to go off on price/value tangents w/o even knowing what price they are talking about.

 

[sberry]

You are right I dont know what it cost other than the other day my bud lost an 8mm deem 1/4 drive. Happened to see the truck across the street figured wtf,,, 32$ so you are right, its just a guess but when someone has a cost concern question I generally dont recommend something make the dirst payment on vs something they could get for reasonable, especially when we here cost, dont have the money, use it occasionally and froM real experience on more than one side have some realistic picture of whats likely to happen.

As for exageration why so many push so much for others to spend for things they generally probably dont need and in some cases cant afford based on opinions that make my guesses look like close shaves.

 

[sberry]

In michigan that would be 132$, a 1/2 version has got to top 200 and you guys telling him he is a fool for spending 18. That is still 5X as one costing twice as much as the Kobalt.

Would I be making a mistake purchasing a Kobalt flex head for $20?

This was the original question , was important enough to the op to bold it.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

I personally own 84t Gearwrench flex heads, and love them. If you just want a 3/8", high tooth count, USA made, get an Armstrong. I have heard great reviews, and I believe they are 88 tooth.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

are you going to pony up the difference?

 

[diesel research]

In michigan that would be 132$, a 1/2 version has got to top 200 and you guys telling him he is a fool for spending 18. That is still 5X as one costing twice as much as the Kobalt.
This was the original question , was important enough to the op to bold it.

who told him it was foolish to try a $18 ratchet? Who bashed it? Who told him he needs a truck wrench?

About the highest anyone went is a $35 vouch, excluding the facom/armstrong mention, and one mention of a used truck tool.

that is the problem. so "anti-truck" that even when no such thing is mentioned, feel a need to go off on a tangent, bashing every chance available, then making false economy statements to justify bashing.

take a step back, and realize this thread was going in perfectly acceptable manner talking about budget tools from gearwrench/duralast/kobalt/ez red until someone started talking about imaginary "$200 ratchets" that the op didnt ask for.


i havent used the kobalt, but if i didnt have a strong dislike for non locking flexes, the price is worth trying it out for "testing purposes". if it just happens to survive and exceed expectations, awesome. please report back with detailed review.

 

[sberry]

I do not dislike truck brands, they are great. But I look at About 6 threads here on and given day, do not read 98% of them, comment on even less in most cases. But much of it speaks for itself, seems about 95% of peoples tool problems come off the truck. hahaha

 

[zkling]

Woah, I didn't intend to start a heated debate.

Thanks for all of the responses

I think right now I will try to pick up a Kobalt set this week. If I was honest I think my real issue is that it does NOT say USA on it Time to break out of my comfort zone I suppose.

After watching a few ebay sales and following some of the online stores recommended here for other USA made ratchets. It looks like $20 is going to be the absolute best, especially when shipping is added ontop. (That $35 williams linked, would have been great, but shipping alone was $8.75 on top)

If (for some reason) I find myself using a 3/8" flex head ratchet a lot I may spring for a nicer USA model in the future and gift the Kobalt to someone else.

I realize there are quite a few different threads on flex head ratchets, but most of those focus on the higher end ($60+) ratchets. I created this thread to help those, such as my self, who just wrench on their own time and can't justify >$60 for a single, secondary ratchet.

Thanks again

 

[Brownsfan]

you exaggerate absolutely, entirely too much with made up percentages, ratios, and raw numbers.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682323&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=JRF72-%252d-3{47}8%E2%80%9D-Drive-72-Tooth-Flex-Ratchet

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BR12FTA/3-8-DRIVE-12-FLEX-HANDLE-RATCHET/

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/...0796-38-drive-11-round-head-flex-ratchet.aspx

none of that says any of them are worth the price, nor is it a recommendation for them, BUT if you are gonna use "logical mathematical economic analysis", logic says you better start of with the right numbers. otherwise, its just rambling.

of course, its a common phenomena for some to go off on price/value tangents w/o even knowing what price they are talking about.

There you go backing posts up with facts. That Cornwell will dip in the monthly flyer from time to time. He just will never see the value in truck tools and almost to the point of saying if you choose to buy those over cheap throw away tool you are an idiot. I own a snap on flex head and the Kobalt one. Guest which one gets used more? The snap on is a superior tool but the Kobalt is awesome for the price. I really wish people would stop bringing up snap on in every tool discussion. We get it snap on is expensive and you will never buy it. That's just as bad as someone asking about the Kobalt and someone recommends a snap on.

 

[Hiball]

You are right I dont know what it cost other than the other day my bud lost an 8mm deem 1/4 drive. Happened to see the truck across the street figured wtf,,, 32$ so you are right, its just a guess but when someone has a cost concern question I generally dont recommend something make the dirst payment on vs something they could get for reasonable, especially when we here cost, dont have the money, use it occasionally and froM real experience on more than one side have some realistic picture of whats likely to happen.

As for exageration why so many push so much for others to spend for things they generally probably dont need and in some cases cant afford based on opinions that make my guesses look like close shaves.

You and your buddies need to learn to take care of your stuff... You admittedly repeat that "Losing tools in the future" dictates what you buy.. Ill admit when I was 12, I lost my fair share of tools.. That all changed when I had to start buying them myself.. Ill agree if your the type of person who doesn't take care of your stuff, leaves it outside overnight.. Probably shouldn't buy Nice things. That goes for everything.. Not just tools... Nobody recommended that the OP buy a $200 dollar ratchet.. As far as that goes you were the one to bring that into the equation, He asked for options at or below $35.. It appears he couldn't find one, so he is going with the kobalt.. Problem solved... Why so much rambling in between? Your entitled to your opinion.. Just don't **** on everyone else's..

 

[sberry]

Thanks for hanging on every word, its great to know I have fans.

 

[Hiball]

Thanks for hanging on every word, its great to know I have fans.

NP.. Man... Life isn't worth living if you can't laugh occasionally..

 

[TwoInch]

I... and you guys telling him he is a fool for spending 18.

who and where?

 

[zkling]

Just thought I would put a conclusion on this. Thanks everyone for their recommendation in the end I couldn't resist (thanks to this forum ) and picked up a Kobalt set for $15.86. Then got it priced matched about a week back for the new $9.**. Honestly this was a difficult purchase for me, it was a tool that I didn't really NEED, non usa made and it was new in the package. Most of my stuff is purchased well used for pennies on the dollar.

I have probably ~30 hrs of work on the ratchet as of now. Mostly misc car stuff, a few brake jobs, oil changes. Then a mix of standard DIY home guy stuff. Lawn mower, misc bolts here and there. Until now I have only had one 3/8" ratchet. The hated on here craftsman RP. I never really had a problem with the craftsman. For years it has given me flawless service and honestly I haven't been the easiest on that poor craftsman ratchet. Yet it has held up and not missed a tick.

Benefits of the Kobalt Ratchet "Kit":

-Price, for <$10 now you get a 3/8" flex head ratchet AND a 6" 3/8" extension plus two spark plug sockets. One can never seem to have too many extensions and 6" seems to be a good useable length.

-Leverage, It is quite long, especially if you are use to a craftsman RP ratchet. At ~10" of useable leverage you are getting 3"+ or ~1.4x the torque of the shorter ratchet. This really helped when breaking loose brake caliper bolts, which I usually use a 3/8" breaker bar for in the past.

-Overall build quality To me it feels very solid in the hand. All metal construction including the direction selector and quick release button. Has quite a bit of the solid heft one should expect in a good tool. In use the ratchet action is very smooth, especially once properly lubed.

-Ergonomics Compared to the craftsman RP ratchet, I am really starting to like the round, very smooth polished handle. I kinda wish the handle end was knurled just to get that extra grip when hands are super greasy. As it is works fine and have a very smooth feel to it.

-High tooth count The ratchet has 72(?) teeth, which allows engagement for minimal arc swings. This is really beneficial, especially with the longer handle as it has quite a bit of arc length for every tooth jump (5°). In comparison to the (32or 36?) tooth count craftsman I can get a fastener turned in a more confined space much quicker. I know some folks despise low tooth count ratchets. The craftsman really hasn't bothered me in the past, and I doubt it will in the future, but I can see where the higher tooth could of the Kobalt would be beneficial in certain applications.

-Minimal drive stud slop The 3/8" drive stud is very solid inside the ratchet had. My craftsman has always had quite a bit of wiggle room. Doesn't really affect function, but add to the overall impression of build quality or lack there of.

-Price O did I mention it was <$10, brand new with an extension

-Warranty Kobalt guarantees this ratchet for life. Should it break, hopefully I can run down to Lowe's and get it replaced without any trouble.

Drawbacks of the Kobalt Ratchet "Kit":

-It's made in Taiwan Among my tool box which consists of 98% old USA made tools. The made in Taiwan stamp stands out. It is my only non USA drive tool and only non USA made extension. I try not to let COO bother me, but honestly it is at the back of my mind.

-Legnth At times I feel the overall length can be a detriment. I tend to palm my ratchets when the fastener is broken loose. With this kobalt the added length and thus weight --> interita of the handle can make it a bit tedious to palm just the head of the ratchet. I got around this by turning the handle 90° and then palming the ratchet. However this can be a bit space limiting.

-Length/leverage Although the length is nice when breaking fasteners loose, I could see where one could get in trouble tightening small fasteners. For me it is a bit difficult to feel the torque I am putting into a fastener compared to the shorter craftsman RP I am use to.

-Some lube required Like many other have reported, out of the package the ratchet sounds very dry and makes quite an audible tick-tick-tick as you work the drive stud. I carefully took it apart and applied a med weight oil that made it much smoother and quieter. One tip if you do take it apart for lubing. Support the head in a way so it is not resting on the quick release button, otherwise the guts will want to shoot out as you remove the closure plate.

-Made in Taiwan


Overall conclusions

For $10 I think it is a great, no fantastic deal. Especially for those, like me, that can't justify spending $80+ for a Snap On or $40 for a USA made SK, Williams or the like just for one 3/8" ratchet. Is it as good as a snap on or other high end ratchet? Probably not, but it is also ~1/8 the price, comes with an extension and has a lifetime warranty. I have really put some torque into it breaking loose caliper hanger bolts and it shows no adverse signs from this use. However I do no use it 5 days a week, 6+ hrs a day so long term abuse cannot be evaluated at this time. I do wish it said USA instead of Taiwan, but for the price and performance I will be able to live with it.

Just thought I would put this out there for any folks that may be on the fence about these. I realize that a $10 ratchet isn't much to some of you.


In the pic top to bottom....

1.) Kobalt 3/8" drive flex head ratchet discussed above
2.) Craftsman 3/8" breaker bar. Longer than the craftsman ratchet, but shorter than the Kobalt
3.) Craftsman standard 3/8" RP ratchet. ~10 years old and has heavy use but still going strong.
4.) Wright 3/8" breaker bar. Sorry I don't recall the model # off the top of my head. I received this as a package purchase from a member on here. I freaking love it. If you are looking for a 3/8" breaker bar I highly recommend it. It has some really solid detents. Actually I use it majority of the time as a spinner handle. Recently I have been reaching for it over my Craftsman ratchet. The detent is strong enough to keep it straight, and the handle is a good size and knurled for use like a screwdriver handle. 90° to break the fastener loose and a quick snap to 180° to remove the fastener quickly like a screw driver. Again, I love this thing. Thanks again WP

 

[Rico.]

That is an amazing epilogue to this thread.... ^^^

Just to get my facts straight... You got a well made 72 tooth long flex head ratchet
with extesions and spark plug sockets for less than $10...

If I did read it right... I would say you made out like a Bandit... Nice one...

 

[Canoe50]

That is an amazing epilogue to this thread.... ^^^

Just to get my facts straight... You got a well made 72 tooth long flex head ratchet
with extesions and spark plug sockets for less than $10...

If I did read it right... I would say you made out like a Bandit... Nice one...

I bought that same set, but paid a whopping $12.98. Guess I got screwed........not. I too prefer USA made, but after looking at the Kobalt ratchets, (thanks to threads here) I was definitely impressed. Taiwan or not, it's a very nice ratchet & meets my needs just fine. A lot of value in that purchase.

 

[nine4gmc]

I haven't tried the flex head ratchets yet but I have the HF swivel heads and they are my favorite ratchets for all around use. Back in the 90's, I had the Snap On version of the 1/4" for car stereo work and loved it but it was stolen and I could not justify the price of a set Snap On for junkyard work so when I found a thread here showing great reviews, I went out and got them. I have 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" in my junkyard tool bag and have not broke one yet. If you want a good swivel ratchet, I recommend them highly.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

As the Owner of an FLF80 and as of earlier this week a $9.88 Kobalt Flex Head (Spark Plug Kit) I will say there are undoubtedly differences between the two, but for a ratchet that costs less then the tax on the FLF80, its an EXCELLENT Rat. I took it apart and lubed it up with super lube and I am actually pretty impressed. I would easily recommend it to anybody, and also recommend everybody lube the rat up.

IMO, as the topic title says..."Best Value" Flex Head...yes without a doubt the Kobalt is the one to beat...even at full MSRP. $9.88 for the spark plug kit puts it in the "Stupid NOT to buy one" pricing....I didn't need one, but glad I got one.

 

[zkling]

As the Owner of an FLF80 and as of earlier this week a $9.88 Kobalt Flex Head (Spark Plug Kit) I will say there are undoubtedly differences between the two,

Out of curosity, for someone that has never handled the SO version. What would you say are the biggest differences between the two? What certain aspects really put the SO ahead of the Kobalt?

 

[byoungblood]

I remember someone on the forum saying that if the Kobalt ratchet was made in the USA it would be the talk of the town in GarageJournal, but the guys that are so bent up about COO completely pass it over. I'm one of those guys that's a bit hung up on COO but I have to admit whoever said that was right.

I was in lowes and was looking at those and their action feels really nice, especially for the price. Just think at how much more market share Craftsman would have, and how many fewer people would bash craftsman if they had adopted a design like the Kobalt ratchet years aog?? It is so superior in feel to the Cman ratchets its not even funny. ( I am certain its more durable too). The duralast ratchet also has a metal direction selector. I havn't had a chance to play with gearwrench so I can't help you there but the Kobalts do seem nice, especially for the price.

I just don't see the point in rewarding a company's decision to offshore absolutely everything they sell, particularly when I can find a good used US ratchet that if not abused, will last a lifetime, for the same price.

 

[TwoInch]

Out of curosity, for someone that has never handled the SO version. What would you say are the biggest differences between the two? What certain aspects really put the SO ahead of the Kobalt?

i know you are asking him specifically, but ill chime in anyway.

the kobalt is a "decent" ratchet. but the snap on has it beat in pretty much every single aspect. smoothness, durability, finish, ergonomics, overall size and shape, etc...

i am not a snap on fanboy in anyway, i own very little snap on, but i have handled and used both ratchets quite a bit. i own more kobalt than snap on. i do not own the kobalt ratchet though.

the kobalt is okay, its useable. but it does not shine in any aspect really in my eyes other than price. and even that is debatable, with all the options out there. the head is just to fat and clunky to be considered a great tool to me. the gearwrench is all around better.

if you have a chance to open up the kobalt and look at the mechanism design, i would bet you would be less than impressed. i know i was.

 

[zkling]

i know you are asking him specifically, but ill chime in anyway.

No please do, all experienced input is welcome. I was just curious what I would be getting for ~$70+ more ontop of my Kobalt.

I did open it up to lube it. Eh, I mean my expectations weren't extremely high for a brand new $10 off shore ratchet. So far it hasn't failed yet and I have put some pretty good torque on it. Maybe my standard are just low thanks to my years of using the craftsman RP.

Who knows, maybe in 10+ years we will start to see the SO flex heads pop up at garage sales and the like super cheap. O well, here's to hoping.

 

[TwoInch]

im not saying its bad. it is what it is. if you keep it in perspective, and look at it as a $10 ratchet, then it would be proper to be totally impressed with it.

i dont look at it that way. i look at what it is compared to what its not, and base off that. i open the gearwrench, i am fully impressed, and even more so when the price comes into play. matco can charge oodles of money for the exact same mechanism.

i like the dual 80 ratchets, they are great. but i bet i will never own one, or at least wont buy one unless it dirt cheap. there are too many great options out there.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Out of curosity, for someone that has never handled the SO version. What would you say are the biggest differences between the two? What certain aspects really put the SO ahead of the Kobalt?

I really don't know how to answer that question...Its like asking me why my Brothers BMW 3 series handles better, drives better, rides better, and is quieter then my wifes old Honda Accord....both are mid-sized sedans, one is an "ultimate driving machine" the other is "just a car".
I'd like to thank TwoInch for his response, I echo those...like I said, and its quite funny or sad, especially when you factor in the kit price, but even here in ME where theres 5% sales tax, assuming you paid MSRP, you would pay more in tax on the FLF80 then you would for the Kobalt...Head profile is thinner on the SO, has a nice detent on the On/Off selector, SEALED head, etc.. In the context of price, the Kobalt is a hell of a ratchet...its really unfair to compare it to the SO.
Put it this way, if you don't have a Dual80, put it on your Christmas or birthday list...once you actually own one and use it, you'll know what we are trying to say.
Even then, I don't have a flex head 936, but I know the overall feel and build of the 936's I have is still more ratchet then the Kobalt, even if it has 72T.

I remember someone on the forum saying that if the Kobalt ratchet was made in the USA it would be the talk of the town in GarageJournal, but the guys that are so bent up about COO completely pass it over. I'm one of those guys that's a bit hung up on COO but I have to admit whoever said that was right.

I seem to recall saying something to that effect ...http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2882302&postcount=73

Who knows, maybe in 10+ years we will start to see the SO flex heads pop up at garage sales and the like super cheap. O well, here's to hoping.

Doubtful...even old 830's and 936's still go for pretty good money, I paid more then 10 bucks for a GTM830 I needed to complete the family set (standard T-F-S rat's in industrial finish).

**EDIT**Added pics

 

[byoungblood]

i like the dual 80 ratchets, they are great. but i bet i will never own one, or at least wont buy one unless it dirt cheap. there are too many great options out there.

I have a Dual 80, and honestly I use my Williams B-52 far more often. It actually feels like it has less drag than the SO.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Air Ratchet !

 

[TwoInch]

I have a Dual 80, and honestly I use my Williams B-52 far more often. It actually feels like it has less drag than the SO.

the williams B-52 is my all time favorite ratchet. it has less back drag than any ratchet i have ever used or handled. i use the B-52 and S-52 more than any of my newer gearwrench 84ts in both 3/8 and 1/2 drives.