alpinewhite
Well-known member
I don't know why, but I picked up all 14 they had left in one of the stores here. Online price went back up to $17.97. I guess all the guys are getting these as gifts on Christmas.
Kobalt 3/8 Flex head ratchet
- Thread starter doan
- Start date
toolstools
Banned
I can show you one tomorrow. Idk if many be else has done it.
cole_CT
Well-known member
I would also like to see what a welded Kobalt looks like.
toolstools
Banned
Its not pretty by any means. Probably could have gotten by with a few tac welds but I had.him weld both sides good just to make sure. I'll post a pic tomorrow
Oh ok I get it now thanks for clarifying.
toolstools
Banned
That's my own bent handle mid. Acetylene torch till it was orange, then used a pipe to bend to desired angle
Welded to a fixed head. Just a hair longer then a mac xr11. Finer tooth too. Like I said probably too much weld, but its definitely not going anywhere and I'll probably pick up at least one more tomorrow.
toolstools
Banned
The third pic is from me trying to clean up a drop of slag that got on it but the forth pic there isn't any damage. If you do either one of these mods douse it in cold water right away. For reference, the heat from the weld didn't effect the ratchet mechanism in any way. Cheap enough deal where I felt great doing both mods. Especially the torch handle. Now I have a "real" spark plug ratchet
alxdgr8
Well-known member
All gone at 3 local Lowe's
Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
I've had it with this thing
toolstools
Banned
Got another one today. Lol
carolinatech
New member
just bought this set for $9.88 at local Lowes. They look like they are selling fast. It's well worth the price I paid.
I've had it with this thing
That is truly wonderful.
toddacimer
Well-known member
I've had it with this thing
Looks like you need to tighten the reverse lever screw
alpinewhite
Well-known member
I don't feel as excited anymore about the welded units.
toolstools
Banned
Lol why's that? Works great lol
No offense...but it looks like hell! Having it re-chromed would be awesome...
toolstools
Banned
Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
i was in a bind and my hands were bleeding because the wrench kept moving around and the hex bit lost the grip outta the bolts.
It got the job done and my knuckles appreciate it.
I had to bold these plates in a gap of 4"
at 2:00 am going on the 20th hour of my work day, looks were the last of my worries.
Last edited:
alpinewhite
Well-known member
I think welding the ball/spring assembly in place to prevent movement would be a prettier mod. I'm just not a fan of ugly tools (no offense). It's kinda like having a dirty engine. Dirty engines don't make me want to work on them.
Here's another thought. Fill it all in with welds, grind it, then, powder-coat it. All this for a $9.88 ratchet. lol.
Here's another thought. Fill it all in with welds, grind it, then, powder-coat it. All this for a $9.88 ratchet. lol.
volpster31
Well-known member
i grabbed one today for $9.88...the delran n.j store has about a dozen left if anyones in the area...........
Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
OK, here's a cleaner/prettier solution. Some one here suggested to put a set screw and that's what I did. It's pretty ******* awesome now. Too bad the kobalts are sold out near me or I'd buy them all and do this to all of them.
AmericanPreferred
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 8, 2013
- Messages
- 159
OK, here's a cleaner/prettier solution. Some one here suggested to put a set screw and that's what I did. It's pretty ******* awesome now. Too bad the kobalts are sold out near me or I'd buy them all and do this to all of them.
Thanks for posting that picture. I put mine in the top side, but I like yours better. IMO it makes it a much more versatile tool.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Couldn't find em at the local Lowes...was on the road and had to hit Lowes anyways, found the display and there was only a single kit out of it...grabbed myself one at 9.88 and hit the cash register...First non tool-truck purchase in 6+ months..
Overall impression is "Sweet!", she's no dual 80, but she also cost less then just the tax on a Dual 80 Ratchet.
Overall impression is "Sweet!", she's no dual 80, but she also cost less then just the tax on a Dual 80 Ratchet.
Last edited:
Can you not remove the pivot screw and flip your head and the screw is now at the bottom?
With this mod, do you still have the spring and ball inside or could you explain in detail what you did with the spring and ball?
I assume the newly added screw kinda lock the ball in place so the head no longer move, is that a correct assumption?
TIA.
Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
Yes, Kobalt and HF are nice ratchets, (for the price) but being able to lock it it makes them a whole lot better.
AmericanPreferred
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 8, 2013
- Messages
- 159
I suppose I could flip the handle, and put taiwan to the top. Mine still has the spring and ball in it. I am using something like a thumb tack so I am tool free to lock the head. Out mine is as purchased, with it in it is locked in the detent position selected. When I was using the screw it was not kinda locked, it was rock solid locked.
Last edited:
Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
yes, when you turn in the set screw it will be pressed against the grooves of the ratchet head. when loosen the screw the ball moves back allowing it you to move the head to a different position
Here's a cut view if the ball spring loaded and pressed with the screw
cole_CT
Well-known member
Picked up a set today for $9.88. Was dry when I opened her up so I put about 5 drops of 3-in-1 lube oil. So far, so good; it's now a smooth ratchet.
AmericanPreferred
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 8, 2013
- Messages
- 159
yes, when you turn in the set screw it will be pressed against the grooves of the ratchet head. when loosen the screw the ball moves back allowing it you to move the head to a different position
Here's a cut view if the ball spring loaded and pressed with the screw
Mine is a little different from either drawing. I left the spring in place, and used a pointed screw (first), now I am using a teflon headed nail like thing that was intended to be a leg pad for furniture. The point finds the area between the spring and ball, and can only be put in when the head is in a detented position. Once pushed in the spring holds the nail in place, and the nail holds the ball in place.
Last edited:
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Maybe a stiffer spring should be tried.
Harrison2
Well-known member
picking up another one this week to do the fixed head mod and bend the handle 
alpinewhite
Well-known member
Or a cylindrical piece of solid material (e.g. steel rod). That would prevent the head from flexing.
- It's not a permanent mod.
- It's pretty.
- It can be put back to stock (for warranty) if something ever breaks.
soloz2
Well-known member
Just ordered one for store pickup for 9.88
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
skinner1790
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2013
- Messages
- 61
picked mine up for 9.88 such a good deal
Last edited:
PassnThru
Well-known member
OK - after walking past them on numerous trips the herd mentality finally got the best of me. Picked one up tonight. At least I didn't actually even own a flex head ratchet until now so it was probably for the best. Of course, I picked up another Nicholson file while I was there - I had picked up 3 previously but the 12 inch files were only a few dollars off at my store. This time it was half price so I added a 12 inch to my collection. Of course, I picked up a few more handles (the wooden ones this time) for 2 bucks a piece.
Naturally, while I was there I hit the electrical section for some Knipex and Channellock deals but it was pretty much wiped out. Surprising really because on my previous trips they were only marked down a few dollars.
I've never really figured out if this place is saving me money or costing me money.
I refuse to do the math.
Naturally, while I was there I hit the electrical section for some Knipex and Channellock deals but it was pretty much wiped out. Surprising really because on my previous trips they were only marked down a few dollars.
I've never really figured out if this place is saving me money or costing me money.
I refuse to do the math.
