Crescent vs Kobalt Tools from Taiwan?

[sparc]

Crescent vs Kobalt Tool Sets from Taiwan?

I noticed our local Menards started carrying Crescent tools that are Made in Taiwan. They look awfully similar to Kobalt tools from Taiwan. Menards tends to discount better than Lowe's so I might keep an eye out for a good set.

Anyone know if there's a big difference between the two in terms of quality?

Here's some examples of the Menards sets:

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2425686-c-13917.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2347564-c-9159.htm

 

[Parrothead]

Might want to double check that Kobalt Taiwan thing as most of their stuff is being switched over to China.

 

[DennisH2014]

Like Parrot said, Kobalt has gone largely chinese is appears, which is a shame. Crescent tools are quite nice in my experience, and I would place them with the taiwanese Kobalt certainly! I was very impressed with the finish of my Crescent tools in particular!

If you're interested, ATG Stores (aka Lowe's), has a 128-pc Crescent set for only $42.99 (free shipping always)! Here's the link: http://www.atgstores.com/hand-tool-sets/crescent-ctk128mp2-mechanics-tool-set-128-piece_g2363989.html?ProductSlot=1

 

[sberry]

I bought a pair of 8 inch Kobalt dykes for giggles and for a particular job. They are sharper than the 30 yr old Kliens I use. They were half cost.

 

[sparc]

I stopped in today at Lowe's. Everything in hard plastic that's labeled "Mechanic's Tool Set" were from Taiwan. That's the majority of their proper sets. Nothing at Lowe's indicated any sort of switch.

I did notice some of the smaller and more gimmicky sets like the Direct Drive and the "Household Tool Sets" were from China.

Just out of curiosity, I did stop at Home Depot to take a look at the Husky and a lot of that seemed to be of lower quality and made in china. The finish and machining on the Husky stuff made them look cheap.

I did find a Kobalt set on clearance in the Hot Deals forum so that's probably what i'm going to go with. The Crescent at Menards looked nice but not enough of a discount yet to jump in.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Kirbot]

I stopped in today at Lowe's. Everything in hard plastic that's labeled "Mechanic's Tool Set" were from Taiwan. That's the majority of their proper sets. Nothing at Lowe's indicated any sort of switch.

I did notice some of the smaller and more gimmicky sets like the Direct Drive and the "Household Tool Sets" were from China.

Just out of curiosity, I did stop at Home Depot to take a look at the Husky and a lot of that seemed to be of lower quality and made in china. The finish and machining on the Husky stuff made them look cheap.

I did find a Kobalt set on clearance in the Hot Deals forum so that's probably what i'm going to go with. The Crescent at Menards looked nice but not enough of a discount yet to jump in.

Thanks for all the replies!

The hex and torx bit sets are all Chinese in my local store now.
I would assume the rest of the sockets will follow.

The trick with Husky is to find the Gearwrench/Apex re-brands.
Some of the ratcheting wrenches, and the flare nut wrenches are clearly Gearwrench, and really good deals.

The regular combination wrenches are nice too IMO. Not top of the line certainly, but nicer than harborfreight, and when the 28 piece set was on sale for $13, that was a crazy good deal.

 

[1950mercury]

I bought a pair of 8 inch Kobalt dykes for giggles and for a particular job. They are sharper than the 30 yr old Kliens I use. They were half cost.

How do you think the kobalts are going to be in 30 years?

 

[Cope]

I stopped in today at Lowe's. Everything in hard plastic that's labeled "Mechanic's Tool Set" were from Taiwan. That's the majority of their proper sets. Nothing at Lowe's indicated any sort of switch.

I did notice some of the smaller and more gimmicky sets like the Direct Drive and the "Household Tool Sets" were from China.

About the only China Kobalt I have seen is the adjustable wrenches.

 

[Parrothead]

About the only China Kobalt I have seen is the adjustable wrenches.

In my store all the combination wrench sets are China as are the individual combination wrenches. Higher volume stores will make the change more quickly. The slip joint, groove joint, and things of that nature have been made in China for years.

 

[sberry]

I did find a Kobalt set on clearance in the Hot Deals forum so that's probably what i'm going to go with. The Crescent at Menards looked nice but not enough of a discount yet to jump in.

I believe that Menards adjustable is sold all over the world under different labels, its about as good a wrench of its type as you can make and preferable in some cases as the 8 and 12 have a wider jaw than Proto or Diamond. I got about 50 wrenches, the 1 I carry in my pickup is the import where 1 must do it all.

How do you think the kobalts are going to be in 30 years?

I don't know but only paid 9 for them and they are sharper than the 30 something which are now not any good and havnt been for a while. The use is generally so intermittent that it isn't much of an issue but on this one job it was worth it to get an extra pair and they are sharp and still are one my job is done and to tell the truth,,, its irrelevant or leaning towards I like the Kobalt as good or better when in use. The old with the well worn grips are great for sliding in and out of pockets though.
So for 9 in todays dollars I am not worried what they will be like in 30.

 

[jim1987]

I bought a pair of 8 inch Kobalt dykes for giggles and for a particular job. They are sharper than the 30 yr old Kliens I use. They were half cost.

no kidding!?! How ODD!!



ALSO FYI GJ, crescent is gearwearwrench. They're sister brands. Exact same tools.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I have the compound tools from Crescent and they are rock solid. Just used the double x and diagonal cutters yesterday.

Kobalt pliers are garbage, sockets and ratchets are great

 

[cheechi]

Having Kobalt Taiwan combo wrenches, sockets in all sizes, and a few ratchets, I can tell you I have confidence you have to abuse them to break them. You won't break them in normal use even 40-60 hrs a week work load. There is almost no wear on any of mine and they are as old as Kobalt Taiwan. No idea about 30 years from now but based on what I have seen you will definitely get your money's worth by the time it's time to replace if it ever comes to that.

Couldn't compare them to Crescent but if they look similar they probably are. I would go for wherever is more convenient for you to warranty and hope for the best 30 years down the road.

 

[sparc]

One other thing i noticed about the Crescent Sockets from Taiwan at Menards is they advertise the same Surface Drive that I think is on the Gearwrench Socket sets.

I wonder if Crescent and Gearwrench socket sets are all the same tools just rebadged via Apex.

 

[jim1987]

One other thing i noticed about the Crescent Sockets from Taiwan at Menards is they advertise the same Surface Drive that I think is on the Gearwrench Socket sets.

I wonder if Crescent and Gearwrench socket sets are all the same tools just rebadged via Apex.

.... Already said..

 

[sparc]

.... Already said..

that flashing smiley is really distracting... didn't see the sentence down below... heh

(thanks for confirming)

 

[NC-Shaun]

The Crescent brand adjustable wrenches are China now, and they are sloppy....

 

[Kirbot]

The Crescent brand adjustable wrenches are China now, and they are sloppy....

Actually they seem to be USA again.

 

[sberry]

Originally Posted by sberry View Post
I bought a pair of 8 inch Kobalt dykes for giggles and for a particular job. They are sharper than the 30 yr old Kliens I use. They were half cost.

no kidding!?! How ODD!!

That was kind of my point, what kind of comparison is it? So they wont be the same in 30,,, who cares? And,,, the Kleins are worn out too, it would be different if they last forever then I can see some difference.