Has anyone tried Kobalt's Gearless Wrenches?

[winlinmac]

Lowes has Gearless Wrenches on sale at $19.99. Is it a gimmick similar to last year's gearless ratchet, or are they actually good for low-torque applications?

 

[Derek420]

Man I was wandering if they made such a thing now I want it's to bad it's kobalt but for the price it's worth a shot better than spending more just to try something. I bet the heads are huge like the ratchets we're I'll have to see I'm more of a home depot guy myself but husky and kobalt have went down in quality for years but seem to be going up at least kobalt, husky needs improvement.

 

[gmillz]

Their current gearless ratchet is a lot better then I thought it would be. Besides the size its a decent ratchet. Got it on sale for like $15

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[winlinmac]

The gearless ratchet currently goes for $9.99, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-14-..._clickID=f2fc5e4a-892d-445f-9ad2-4ec81e9f3f9c

The gearless wrenches are currently going for $19.99. The majority here knows a lot about the ratchets. The gearless ratchets are available through Kobalt, Titan Tools, Snap On, Mac, and Toptul.

Interestingly, I only see the Kobalt wrenches being readily available to try for $20.

Their current gearless ratchet is a lot better then I thought it would be. Besides the size its a decent ratchet. Got it on sale for like $15

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[gmillz]

The gearless ratchet currently goes for $9.99, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-14-..._clickID=f2fc5e4a-892d-445f-9ad2-4ec81e9f3f9c

The gearless wrenches are currently going for $19.99 through tomorrow.

Damn. I should have waited.

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[winlinmac]

Get a price adjustment, or better yet, return and re-buy

The ratchet is currently made in China, I'm wondering where the gearless wrenches are made in, I'll try to get a look at it myself tomorrow.

Damn. I should have waited.

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[Chief919]

I guess I am going by in the morning to see if my local store has any.

 

[LXCam]

Best thing since sliced pumpernickel winny, you should buy three of them.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . what kind of sales on Kobalt stuff at Lowes in NY where you're at ??

 

[WWheeler]

Unavailable for free pickup at my store. Not even a ship to store option - not sure why that is - but there is a $5.99+tax shipping option.

$19.99 Was $39.98 Save 50%

Kobalt Gearless 7-Piece Standard (SAE) Ratchet Wrench Set
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Gearless-7-Piece-Standard-SAE-Ratchet-Wrench-Set/1000135599

Kobalt Gearless 7-Piece Metric Ratchet Wrench Set
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Gearless-7-Piece-Metric-Ratchet-Wrench-Set/1000135607

Just from looking at the pics and the video on their sales pages the gearless ratcheting heads don't appear to be bigger than a regular old GearWrench AFAICT. I wish they were at my store to be able to look at them firsthand.

 

[Danglerb]

When I tried a ratchet seems the advantage is very low drag and very small swing to turn, so I bought a small one in 1/4 iirc.

 

[MrGiggles]

Just grabbed the last set at my local store. Will try to pick it up within the next couple days.

The box end does look really small compared to many.

 

[stonesg]

I was just playing with these the other day. Quality looks as good as Taiwanese GearWrench (actually, the Chinese GearWrench and Craftsman wrenches are getting more difficult to tell apart. Used to be I could always feel a little rougher acting pawls in the Chinese ones but they are getting better).

The Ratcheting end doesn't look any bigger than the click type but I didn't have any side by side.

I just saw the 20 piece Taiwanese GearWrench set at Sears for 50 bucks though so I think next paychecks tool budget is allocated.

I have a gearless stubby 3/8ths in my motorcycle toolkit just in case of a swing problem and have never needed it so I'm not sure on the wrenches.

 

[MrGiggles]

Grabbed a set today.. Got the last set on the shelf.

Thickness is very close to my Gearwrenches.

Definitely can't complain for 20 bucks.

 

[WWheeler]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be the only one who would be really grateful if someone could post some pics comparing these gearless Kobalts side-by-side to another brand of ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Chief919]

I grabbed a set today, when I get tools unpacked I will post them side by side with a regular gearwrench.

 

[Chief919]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be the only one who would be really grateful if someone could post some pics comparing these gearless Kobalts side-by-side to another brand of ratcheting wrenches.

Kobalt Gearless on the bottom, Gearwrench standard on the top both in 7/16.

The Kobalt is a tiny bit wider but not enough that I see it having any impact.

 

[winlinmac]

Thanks for the comparison Chief, where is the Kobalt set made in?

Kobalt Gearless on the bottom, Gearwrench standard on the top both in 7/16.

The Kobalt is a tiny bit wider but not enough that I see it having any impact.

 

[gmillz]

Just picked up the metric set of wrenches. Defiantly worth the money.

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[MrGiggles]

Thanks for the comparison Chief, where is the Kobalt set made in?

China.

A comparison, Kobalt, GW reversible, and a HF Pittsburgh. They're all about the same.

 

[WWheeler]

Thank you Chief919 & MrGiggles. That's good to know.