Kobalt combination ratchet

[KEH]

I Lowes and saw this ratchet, part number 498921. Sort of gimmicky. It has on the usual drive side a 1/4 drive made into the end of a 1/2 drive end. On the other side is the selector and the 3/8 drive end above it. All this is made on a 3/8 drive size frame. Interesting, but I can't see a use for one. Made in Taiwan, price $29.

They are prouder of their 1/2 drive flex head ratchet. 36 teeth, price $69, nice long handle.

KEH

 

[Brian_B_]

I saw that one..kind of weird. The 1/4" drive sticks out into a 1/2" socket if you use it for 1/2". LOL

 

[G_P]

So you always have to use deepwells if using the 1/2" Otherwise wouldnt the 1/4" drive stick deep into the socket and hit the fastener?

 

[Brian_B_]

So you always have to use deepwells if using the 1/2" Otherwise wouldnt the 1/4" drive stick deep into the socket and hit the fastener?

Looks like it to me...

 

[AndrewV]

Goofy as all hell. But i bet it's usefull once in a while.

 

[bobbycos]

so a 3 in 1 ratchet, bet something like that will be at the 99cent store soon

 

[jayrush13]

Similar to a vogal double duty but they didn't have the 1/4 drive sticking out

 

[Loscaldazar]

You can make an argument on how the double duty ratchets (only 2 drive ends) can be used, but 3? Sorry. No way anyone could justify it. Way too large to fit even in many homes and furniture assembly that the lay tool owner would use it for.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I Lowes and saw this ratchet, part number 498921. Sort of gimmicky. It has on the usual drive side a 1/4 drive made into the end of a 1/2 drive end. On the other side is the selector and the 3/8 drive end above it. All this is made on a 3/8 drive size frame. Interesting, but I can't see a use for one. Made in Taiwan, price $29.

They are prouder of their 1/2 drive flex head ratchet. 36 teeth, price $69, nice long handle.

KEH

That's pretty crazy. I could see 3/8 & 1/2 easily (I do impact 1/2 (manually or impact) and chrome 3/8 but there isn't complete overlap in sizes) but not on that sized ratchet. This would be good if you've got a dedicated lug socket (in 1/2) and a 3/8 set for everything else that you carry in your car but not 30 bucks good.

Other companies rebrand these kinds of ratchets, not sure how reliable they are. If you need a 1/4 it probably don't weigh enough not to just carry a dedicated 1/4 ratchet or just a reducer for a 3/8.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

They should've just added a breaker bar, chainsaw, and a 12 pack to it. At least then it'd be fun.

 

[4x4gearhead]

They should've just added a breaker bar, chainsaw, and a 12 pack to it. At least then it'd be fun.

Dont forget how nice it might be if it would wipe your *** too!

I honestly am like "meh" about kobalt tools. I find that they have ok quality at a price point that isnt really ok. Why would I spend $60 on a long handled flex head 3/8" ratchet from lowes when you can get the ez-red version which has a better grip in my opinion for around $30...I think they are gimmicky and the money spent vs what you get is too offset.

 

[Thephranc]

Kobalt use to be a good buy but in the last year or so they changed to less quality and more price. Discontinued some of their better tools also.

 

[diggerrick]

Imagine that - a new gimmick tool released right before Father's Day...