Kobalt Crossform Wrench Sets - 80% off

[Stuey]

Kobalt Crossform Wrench preview (via TG)

Just a heads-up, these wrenches are $15 online and in-store. That's 80%-off.

In my honest opinion, the design is NOT as good as Craftsman's CrossForce or Gearwrench's X-Beam wrenches. But these wrenches are a heck of a lot cheaper and still decent for the money.

I bought a SAE set at $25. Now that they're $15, I'm tempted to buy a metric set as well.

Sale ends on...???

 

[skamp]

Kobalt Crossform Wrench preview (via TG)

Just a heads-up, these wrenches are $15 online and in-store. That's 80%-off.

In my honest opinion, the design is NOT as good as Craftsman's CrossForce or Gearwrench's X-Beam wrenches. But these wrenches are a heck of a lot cheaper and still decent for the money.

I bought a SAE set at $25. Now that they're $15, I'm tempted to buy a metric set as well.

Sale ends on...???

I have the SAE and Metric set waiting for pickup at my local Lowes. For $15 a set I could not pass. Over the past few weeks I have picked up way too many tools!

Steve

 

[Stuey]

I started doing the "buy online, pickup for free in-store" route as well. Found that waiting at the customer service area is a LOT quicker than the checkout lines.

After the price adjustment I walked around and saw that the universal wrenches were also on sale for $10. And they have a decent socket set deal as well.

 

[Chrislols]

Why'd you get SAE over Metric?

Thinking about picking up the metric set at work today.

 

[Stuey]

Why'd you get SAE over Metric?

Thinking about picking up the metric set at work today.

That's easy - because I use SAE much more often than I use metric. =)

 

[-Brent-]

So, have any of you used them yet? I'm considering these for my family's white elephant gift.

 

[The Lazy Destroyer]

Sale ends on...???

Website for me states "Save 81% thru 12/31/2011" so I assume it's good through the end of the year.

I'll probably pick up a set for myself, just for the heck of it.

 

[Stuey]

So, have any of you used them yet? I'm considering these for my family's white elephant gift.

I used 3 of them, and they felt pretty good, with no obvious issues. Still, I get the feeling that they're not meant for pro use as the CrossForce and X-Beams are. They're shorter, and the geometries are a little different.

Website for me states "Save 81% thru 12/31/2011" so I assume it's good through the end of the year.

I'll probably pick up a set for myself, just for the heck of it.

Thanks, I now see the 12/31 expiry date as well. Supplies aren't running thin at my local store, but that might change if the deals go viral.

 

[The Lazy Destroyer]

Thanks, I now see the 12/31 expiry date as well. Supplies aren't running thin at my local store, but that might change if the deals go viral.

I just got back from Lowes, they had quite a few at our store, they were set up at the main walkway away from the other tools. Both are priced at $15.

It does appear that there is another Kobalt wrench of that same design, shaped a bit differently, priced around $60 or so, in the main wrenches section. Can't remember what they were called but it was not Crossform. So maybe they have changed the design a little bit and flushing away the older style from the stores? Not sure.

For $15 I couldn't resist, good deal I thought. That's like a single Crossforce wrench at Sears at normal price.

 

[pipsters]

Just a cautionary tale guys. My wife works in Marketing. The retailers guide to the universe states that you overprice and heavily discount making it look like a super duper sale. People (me included) tend to jump all over that sort of stuff because it's perceived as a "deal". You can bet these are not a loss leader and Lowes is still making money on them. I guess my point is don't get suckered into buying stuff just cause it's on massive "discount".

When companies go bankrupt they mark up their prices then "discount" from there. It's pretty well known throughout the industry. Same kinda idea. Anyhow enjoy the tools just stop and think first - I know I've caught myself getting stuff I really didn't need. I'm actually in the process of thinning out my stuff now.

 

[Jim85IROC]

that depends on how often they are at their "regular" price. If this is indeed a holiday sale and their regular price is and will continue to be $80, then they're a steal. If their "new" regular price after this sale is $25, then I agree with you that maybe it's not the best deal.

Does anybody know what these were priced at last month?

 

[pipsters]

I would guess if truly they were ever $80, that was the Danaher US ones.

Also think about Harbor Freight, that 2-ton engine hoist is $250 or whatever "regular price" but I walked out of there with it for <$150 including tax, and it wasn't Christmas. They do the exact same thing.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I see it all the time at places like Harbor Freight. Generally I don't see that sort of nonsense at places like Lowes/Home Depot/Sears, etc. They don't play the "MSRP" game, they play the "regular price" vs. "sale price" angle, which is a little less deceptive.

 

[ishiboo]

that depends on how often they are at their "regular" price. If this is indeed a holiday sale and their regular price is and will continue to be $80, then they're a steal. If their "new" regular price after this sale is $25, then I agree with you that maybe it's not the best deal.

Does anybody know what these were priced at last month?

True, they seem to go both ways. Some of the things get jacked way up once the sale is over, others they must see enough volume at the lower prices to keep them close to there.

I can't see the cross-forms being $80 again, but I can see them being $30. The 227-piece set could easily be $150-200. Etc.

 

[gnx547]

Are those Kobalt wrenches made in USA?

 

[Stuey]

I just got back from Lowes, they had quite a few at our store, they were set up at the main walkway away from the other tools. Both are priced at $15.

It does appear that there is another Kobalt wrench of that same design, shaped a bit differently, priced around $60 or so, in the main wrenches section. Can't remember what they were called but it was not Crossform. So maybe they have changed the design a little bit and flushing away the older style from the stores? Not sure.

For $15 I couldn't resist, good deal I thought. That's like a single Crossforce wrench at Sears at normal price.

The $60 set is likely leftover from the Danaher/Gearwrench stock. You should have price-checked it as it might have been on clearance!

Just a cautionary tale guys. My wife works in Marketing. The retailers guide to the universe states that you overprice and heavily discount making it look like a super duper sale. People (me included) tend to jump all over that sort of stuff because it's perceived as a "deal". You can bet these are not a loss leader and Lowes is still making money on them. I guess my point is don't get suckered into buying stuff just cause it's on massive "discount".

When companies go bankrupt they mark up their prices then "discount" from there. It's pretty well known throughout the industry. Same kinda idea. Anyhow enjoy the tools just stop and think first - I know I've caught myself getting stuff I really didn't need. I'm actually in the process of thinning out my stuff now.

Very, very true. But, I usually consider myself a good judge of pricing. In this case, I think that these are true valid sales prices meant to draw last-minute shoppers running to the door.

But I have seen Lowes play with pricing. Their holiday season flagship tool, the Double Drive, came out at $20, but has a list price of $30. I have only ever seen it at the "new lower price" of $20, and have never, ever seen it at $30. imho, they didn't even need to resort to that type of manipulation, the tool practically sells itself to homeowners.

 

[ImportTuner]

Wow, great price. I went online, looked and almost bought some but I have a set of Crescent crossforce which I bought about 3 years ago and have not used yet..

 

[Chrislols]

Before November they WERE $79 and I saw people buy them at that price, throughout November we had them for $25 and they sold, now they're $15 but nobodies buying them more frequently because we haven't changed the price label on them.

I want to try the multi fit ones, seems like a gimmick though.

 

[MC1983]

Do they make this wrench in 19mm? I'm really considering picking up a metric set but I wish it had an 19mm instead of the 18mm.

 

[Chrislols]

I keep staring at the cross beam ones though kn my lunch, after I get paid i know I'll end up with it

 

[WRX/Z28]

I'm curious what you like better about the other brands versions. Can you be more specific?

 

[robertwhite]

I need more wrenches, like I need another hole in my head, but at $15 I picked up a set of each for my house tool box. (OK, a rather large house box)

 

[RodneyPierce]

I also went and picked up a set of SAE and Metric. Thanks for the heads up! They are honestly rather heavy feeling wrenchs. I wouldnt think twice about buying them at this price.

 

[PeterT]

Are those Kobalt wrenches made in USA?

No, if they were - I would have bought a set or two - they are made in Taiwan

 

[Stuey]

I'm curious what you like better about the other brands versions. Can you be more specific?

Right now my observations are mostly subjective.

Gearwrench - I like the overall shape, end to handle taper, thin sides, and finish.

Craftsman (USA) - these are thicker and heavier, but the shape is good. Finish is not as good as on the Gearwrench. I have a few separates. I bought a set once and the finish was flawed on a few of the wrenches. Tried to exchange, bit all the sets in-store had random flaws.

Kobalt - I have the nagging feeling these are a "me too" design. Box-end doesn't have large enough flat spot, but the flat of the open end side is HUUUUUUGE (a good thing). Head angles are weird, possibly intentional, box is too thick for my liking.

The designs are different enough that, while the Cman and GW versions are closely related, the Kobalt has different plus and minuses.

Ultimately, the Kobalts might actually be an improved design, but I need time to tell. Am also interested in second opinions.

 

[Lomotil]

I stopped by Lowes on my way home to look at them. There were quite a few sets that had a wrench or two that didn't look like they were finished properly before being chromed. That, and they skip a few sizes made me leave empty-handed to think about it.

They did have complete 10pc 1/4" drive shallow sockets on sale for $6 (w/holder, reg price $20.) Meant to pick up a couple but forgot all about them while I was walking around looking for more yellow tags.

 

[ishiboo]

I stopped by Lowes on my way home to look at them. There were quite a few sets that had a wrench or two that didn't look like they were finished properly before being chromed. That, and they skip a few sizes made me leave empty-handed to think about it.

They did have complete 10pc 1/4" drive shallow sockets on sale for $6 (w/holder, reg price $20.) Meant to pick up a couple but forgot all about them while I was walking around looking for more yellow tags.

Check out this set on sale for $19.98 before you buy those 10pc 1/4" sockets:

It has 10 SAE 6-point, 13 metric 6-point, 3 SAE 8-point, plus torn, hex and screwdriver bits, extensions, a universal, nice 1/4" ratchet and a spinner. I bought 3 and I'm going to return those 10pc sockets I bought.

 

[JMcFly]

I don't need them, but for $15 I can't pass up a metric set

 

[68-camaro]

I bought a set of metric and standard for 25.00 a piece and didn,t think that was a bad deal. For 15.00 a piece I dont think you can go wrong. Thier very interesting if nothing else.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Do they sell the individual sizes that are missing from the set?

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

Gonna run by and pick up a metric and sae set tomorrow. Thanks guys!

 

[ishiboo]

Do they sell the individual sizes that are missing from the set?

Not as far as I can find.

 

[Lomotil]

Check out this set on sale for $19.98 before you buy those 10pc 1/4" sockets:

It has 10 SAE 6-point, 13 metric 6-point, 3 SAE 8-point, plus torn, hex and screwdriver bits, extensions, a universal, nice 1/4" ratchet and a spinner. I bought 3 and I'm going to return those 10pc sockets I bought.

Thanks for the heads-up! I walked right past those. Don't know how I missed a yellow tag like that.

 

[Hank McMauser]

Just a cautionary tale guys. My wife works in Marketing. The retailers guide to the universe states that you overprice and heavily discount making it look like a super duper sale. People (me included) tend to jump all over that sort of stuff because it's perceived as a "deal". You can bet these are not a loss leader and Lowes is still making money on them. I guess my point is don't get suckered into buying stuff just cause it's on massive "discount".



When companies go bankrupt they mark up their prices then "discount" from there. It's pretty well known throughout the industry. Same kinda idea. Anyhow enjoy the tools just stop and think first - I know I've caught myself getting stuff I really didn't need. I'm actually in the process of thinning out my stuff now.

gotta go and take all the fun out of it dontcha lol