Kobalt, in General.

[shoggoth80]

I know, not much of a title. I apologize for that. It is late for me.
Today, I picked up a Kobalt 1/2" drive impact. It is a twin hammer, 500 ft lbs torque. I got 20% knocked off because it was the display model. Full warranty and everything. I picked it up because it was affordable. I was told I could bring it back if it didn't meet expectations. This replaced my Craftsman single hammer unit, which supposedly made 400 ft lbs of torque... but struggled to get lug nuts off often enough to be frustrating, and cost me time at work. I am thinking this should work pretty well though.

I also picked up a 17mm and 22mm to fill gaps in my 1/2" impact sockets. I see enough trucks and big vehicles that a 22mm is needed. I borrowed about half a dozen times... I need the thing. Lol. The 17mm is gravy... while I have it in a 3/8...I gotta use an adapter...which usually ends in me chasing a socket. Also not good, and wasted time.

The tools look pretty nice. Even if they are imported. the impacts are clean and nicely formed, and the warranty on them is supposed to be very good. The fit and finish on the impact gun itself seems to be very good. It's a bit heavy, but feels good in the hand. 3 year warranty, beats out the C-man by a whole year, and I didn't have to pay extra.

I already own three older Kobalt ratchets and like them (USA made). Nosing around the shelves, a lot of the offerings looked pretty nicely done on a whole. Kinda liking what I have seen so far. Thread searching has not yielded a whole lot. Maybe my search strings aren't worded quite right. Seems to be well received and liked by most? I'm not overly picky about COO, a solid tool is a solid tool. If it gets the job done and doesn't let you down, does anything else matter?

What does the hive mind of Garage Journal say?

 

[ATC]

I haven't used or even handled a Kobalt air tool. I'm curious of how it does. All I use are IR's.

Their sockets/ratchets are well above Craftsman, and on par with Gearwrench and Craftsman Premium. I haven't used their wrenches yet either...

 

[mech-tech]

Wrenching daily, my experience is...the sockets are good, ratchets are good, pliers are worthless, adjustable wrenches slip, and the cheaper 1/2" impact gets weaker the more ya use it.

 

[doan]

The wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are all very good quality, impeccable finish. Nothing else there stands out. I bought air die-grinder, angle grinder, and 3" cutoff tool only because they were on sale, local, and have a decent warranty. They have served my needs well, but the angle grinder is about used up. Time to test their warranty process.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Warranty with Lowes was really smooth for me. Traded in old USA ratchets to try their new Taiwan ones, just walked up with both and they rang me up a receipt and sent me on my way. The new ratchets are 100x better than the old Danaher era Kobalt stuff (Craftsman head with an Armstrong handle) and have done great with daily shop use. Sockets are also really nice, the chrome swivels were a steal at the sale price (I think $15 a set).

 

[jeffk14]

I haven't used or even handled a Kobalt air tool. I'm curious of how it does. All I use are IR's.

Their sockets/ratchets are well above Craftsman, and on par with Gearwrench and Craftsman Premium. I haven't used their wrenches yet either...

Yep, the newer Made-in-Taiwan handtool line is actually nicer than the most recently discontinued batch of USA stuff. The wrenches are really good too.

If you find 'em on sale, they're a great value. Regular price, not so much.

The only thing I don't like about the ratchets though is that the heads are too thick or "tall". Same as the Titan ratchets from Northern. I'm sure they're probably from the same factory.

 

[Leadberry]

I really really like Kobalt's sockets and 72-tooth ratchets. I was able to get USA Craftsman RP wrench sets for significantly less than the Kobalts (although I do have some Kobalt full-polish wrenches which work nicely). For every other tool out there I think better can be had for the same or less money from other brands.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Basically like others have said, I like the sockets/ratchets/wrenches. I carry a kobalt 3/8'' set in my truck box and it works great. No complaints.

Stay away from the other junk though. Pliers, hammers, etc.

And Make sure the mechanics tools you get are the Taiwan ones. They have a few gimmicky sets that are chinese.

 

[zkling]

Put me in the "I like the hand tools" crowd. A friend of mine has primarily Kobalt hand tools and I have no complaints using them. His are a mix of new Taiwan and older USA. My primary set is older Craftsman USA, with a bunch of random fillers from garage sales (Snap on, SK, Proto, Mac, etc. ). I don't notice a huge difference.

When all the Craftsman stuff goes overseas and I can't find any more USA I will probably be going to Kobalt.

We have a sears and lowes right across the street from one another over here. Kobalt has some nice ratchets.

Only thing that I broke from kobalt was a 1/2" long (12"?) extension. I was trying to remove a honda crank bolt and had a 6' pipe on the end of a breaker bar. The socket held up find though.

They get my vote. I must mention though, it seems that craftsman stuff can be had at a cheaper price, especially if you keep an eye on sears sales.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Not to hijack the thread, but I was at the pawn shop yesterday.

They had a complete "made in USA" 1/4" drive Kobalt set. Ratchet, short extension, shallow English and metric, deep English and metric, all in the original (too big for what it is) plastic storage box. I passed at $25, did I screw up? I'm not familiar with the retail price of these sets.

 

[allinon72]

I don't have a problem with Kobalt hand tools. I have a few wrenches. I can't help but think if they could somehow make them in this country. If they were USA they'd be flying off the shelves.

 

[strutaeng]

I'm opposite of everyone here. I worked at Lowes in college and always drooled about their Kobalt mechanics tools. This was in 2003-2006, so I don't know if it was the Danaher that everyone here hates (I have nothing against them) or Williams stuff. In any case, I have not convinced myself to purchase the new Asian stuff even when marked half off!

To me it is crude and has a poor finish. But then, I'm not that guy that rates a ratchet simply by the number of teeth.

I really don't see a difference between Kobalt or any other Asian-made tool. Save yourself the money and get HF stuff; it is probably made in the same factory...

That's my two Lincolns worth...

good luck!

 

[Bouchard93]

I just recently bought there 1/2" drive kit (ratchet,extensions,breaker bar, & both standard and metric socket) for 79.99 or something like that it has been a great kit that i have used prolly 30 jobs ....... I would rated it a easy 4 out 5 .... also recently bought some older usa wrenches industrial finish they been great also .... like said above ratchets,wrenches,& sockets is a no brainer, as for the other stuff I do not have much experience with considering I do not own any.

 

[Bouchard93]

I don't have a problem with Kobalt hand tools. I have a few wrenches. I can't help but think if they could somehow make them in this country. If they were USA they'd be flying off the shelves.

the problems is there is not enough american's to work for 4$ a hour or whatever.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have all the slim ratchets and the flex head ratchets as well as a bunch of sockets and as mentioned above the chrome swivels. I made the mistake of buying some pliers and they were the biggest pos ever. They twisted and bent. Returned them all. The shallow sockets are deeper than my Craftsmans. All my Kobalt are 12pt and my Craftsmans are 6pt so I have a pretty complete socket set. I have never broke one of either brand. So the ratchets,sockets and wrenches are great the pliers and screwdrivers are ****. I buy channellock and knipex from them instead. I have a good friend who is a GM at Lowes so I get pretty good deals most of the time.

 

[shoggoth80]

Well, I can say a little something regarding the impact wrench I bought. It surprised me.
I am working on a Mercury Mountaineer in class currently ( wheel bearings/hubs), and the air gun was able to rattle off the axle nuts (30mm and 35mm) without difficulty. The threads on the axle shafts were rusted up really gnarly too. Also knocked all the other rusty and crusty fasteners off around the knuckles/spindles. My C-man would struggle with lugs...so this was a nice change, at only a marginal increase in price.

 

[strutaeng]

I will reiterate that that they are probably good tools - the sockets, ratchets, and wrenches. Aside from that, Kobalt is garbage. I had a "premium" hacksaw that became useless when I tried to tighten the tension on the blade and the screw broke off - what a POS.

Granted, I will take a USA-made Craftsman tool over a Taiwanese Kobalt any day, especially considering the similar price.

I'm sorry to flow against the current, but Kobalt sockets and wrenches look like they were made by 12 year olds - plain and simple. I will recognize the fact the their ratchets are nice....

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I buy Kobalt sockets individually to fill the various empty spots on my Kobalt socket racks. They are Taiwan made and VERY nice--at least for my non-professional needs.

 

[Jeff95TA]

I'm sorry to flow against the current, but Kobalt sockets and wrenches look like they were made by 12 year olds - plain and simple.

Could you give some more detail on that? Do you mean the tolerances, finish, etc.?

 

[SCscoutguy]

I will reiterate that that they are probably good tools - the sockets, ratchets, and wrenches. Aside from that, Kobalt is garbage. I had a "premium" hacksaw that became useless when I tried to tighten the tension on the blade and the screw broke off - what a POS.

Granted, I will take a USA-made Craftsman tool over a Taiwanese Kobalt any day, especially considering the similar price.

I'm sorry to flow against the current, but Kobalt sockets and wrenches look like they were made by 12 year olds - plain and simple. I will recognize the fact the their ratchets are nice....

Where are you going to find a USA made craftsman tool these days?

 

[allinon72]

Where are you going to find a USA made craftsman tool these days?

There's still quite a bit out there.

 

[crackerman]

Where are you going to find a USA made craftsman tool these days?

Ace hardware? The flat head screw driver I just bought last week to replace my lost one says made in the USA on it, that is why I bought it.

As far as Kobalt tools, I have the 227 peice set (1/4 and 1/2 metric/sae sockets and open end wrenches/allens, etc) that my brother got me for Christmas a couple of years ago and they are all nice wuality and work. Better then the cheapy auto zone stuff I bought when I had motorcycles and wrenched my own. I replaced **** tools with craftsman along the way but once I got that set I pretty much was set for life with the home tasks/basic car stuff I do. Unless I get into racing again or my son into racing down the line they work great for me and last forever.

I also have a 18v cordless drill and small circular saw set that I got for a birthday and the work reliably so far (light duty use but still)

 

[TJx]

Where are you going to find a USA made craftsman tool these days?

I still see mechanics tool sets at Sears that USA made.
Last week I found a US made SAE 8 piece combination set that with the sale price and yet another Shop Your Way "here's more money in your account" credit ended up being $4.88 for the set.
Ace has the 9 piece US made combination wrench sets on sale for $19.99
Kobalt screwdriver are US made by I'm guessing Western Forge.

 

[Brownsfan]

Ace Hardware is a good place for USA Craftsman. Any slow product moving Sears store. If they are in more of wealthy area the tools seem to move slower. I have one 35 min away from me that still has multiple sets of Craftsman pro USA full polish wrench sets. If the store in your area is busy and in a more middle clas area tools turn over faster. This may not be the same everywhere but it seems to hold true here

 

[alxdgr8]

I've got a (8pc I think) Kobalt plier set and they are great tools. Feel great and very well made. I've had them a few years so I don't know which era they are from, I'll have to check and see.

 

[Brownsfan]

Post a pic if you can. Because the current offerings are complete and utter trash. I am curious to see some older pliers from them. I cant seem to find any info or pics of older pliers. Some say they were pretty good

 

[Brownsfan]

Does anyone know who made the early Kobalt pliers? Like from mid to early 2000's

 

[Steinmetz]

the problems is there is not enough american's to work for 4$ a hour or whatever.

Not enough SKILLED people that will work for $4 per hour. Nor should they.

 

[RedFordTruck]

I still see mechanics tool sets at Sears that USA made.
Last week I found a US made SAE 8 piece combination set that with the sale price and yet another Shop Your Way "here's more money in your account" credit ended up being $4.88 for the set.
Ace has the 9 piece US made combination wrench sets on sale for $19.99
Kobalt screwdriver are US made by I'm guessing Western Forge.

From what Ive seen the Kobalt screwdrivers are "US Assembled" by Great Neck. My guess is Chinese shaft, US plastic handle, and they stick them together over here.

 

[alxdgr8]

Forgot I had a set of pliers in my motorcycle tank bag, so I just snapped a pic of them. Made in China. I got them on clearance in 2008/2009 IIRC. Not sure how they compare to the new ones, but they feel like quality tools to me.

 

[zer0cell]

I picked up some Kobalt hand tools a while back when they were at an extreme discount. I got a set of various pliers and a locking pliers set. The locking pliers set had the chrome flaking off without even barely being used, or even at all! Other than that they were okay I guess... considering the price I paid which came out to $1 or $2 each. Supposedly they have a lifetime warranty which I have made no effort to take advantage of as of yet. The other set of pliers I got are decent - again, for the price. I usually buy a better brand but I use these for times when I need to loan out a tool or if I leave them in a small box on the jobsite as spares. Sure, I'd be annoyed if they were stolen or lost but no where near as pissed as if my high end hand tools were taken, which I keep with me whenever I am working on something.

 

[cgv69]

I'm sorry to flow against the current, but Kobalt sockets and wrenches look like they were made by 12 year olds - plain and simple. I will recognize the fact the their ratchets are nice....

It's one thing to state an opinion but it's another thing to state something that is flat out wrong. I know some here have there hangups about foreign made tools and that bias clouds their judgements sometimes but the implication of the comment above simply not true.

I can only really speak to their sockets but I bought a few of their socket sets last year and they just don't just look good, they look amazing especially considering the price. IMO they look better then a lot of the American made sockets I own and paid 3-4x as much for. I have no way to test the metal and obviously haven't had them long enough to speak to their long term durability but from a manufacturing quality standpoint, they are about as nice as it gets IMO and I don't know how anybody could look at them and claim they look poorly made?

I don't have a problem with Kobalt hand tools. I have a few wrenches. I can't help but think if they could somehow make them in this country. If they were USA they'd be flying off the shelves.

the problems is there is not enough american's to work for 4$ a hour or whatever.

You know, I've been wondering about that? Again, I specifically talking about sockets here but I have to tell you, I find it disappointing that an inexpensive set of Taiwanese sockets can look so much better and more consistent then some of the American brands I own such as Craftsman, SK and Wright.

I know the argument\excuse is always labor costs but really, how much labor, specifically "skilled" labor is required to make a socket? Isn't most (if not damn near all) of the process automated machine work?

My question isn't even so much about price because even forgetting price, it's part amazing and part disheartening that the Taiwanese can produce tools that at least visually look so much better then many of US competitors. The fact that they can do that at such a lower price point is crazy but I really wonder how much labor costs plays into that as opposed to them simply employing better processes and more modern tooling and machinery?

 

[TwoInch]

cgv, the main reason they look so nice, and many US counterparts dont is generally the chroming. they have no or little restriction when it comes to chrome and the nasty byproducts caused by the chroming process.

chroming something in the US raises the cost to manufacture considerably.

 

[cgv69]

cgv, the main reason they look so nice, and many US counterparts dont is generally the chroming. they have no or little restriction when it comes to chrome and the nasty byproducts caused by the chroming process.

chroming something in the US raises the cost to manufacture considerably.

My comments really have nothing to do with the chroming. I know that means a lot to some here but that's not a big deal to me. The only chroming I have any issue with is the newer Craftsman\Armstrong sockets and only because it doesn't look like chrome. It looks like they stopped short at the Nickle phase and that only bothers me because it seems CM sockets tend to rust easier then others.

Here are some Kobolt sockets next to some recent SK's...

(Kobolt top, SK bottom) I guess from the pic one could opine that the Kobolts look a little better but in person, I don't see any major difference in the chroming.

Where I start having issues is with the broaching...

Here are a 3/8" standard set of metric sockets from both Kobolt (top) and SK (bottom). Admittedly there is not a huge difference here but the broaching on the Kobolts are clearly both deeper and a little more consistent.

Where it gets really apparent is when you start looking at the deep sockets. Here are some 12pt Kobolt 3/8" metric...

The broaching is deep and consistent from 9mm-19mm.

(As a side note, notice they are all the same length which is another OCD\pet peeve of mine. If you buy a 1/4" set of socket (standard or deep) or a 1/2" set (standard or deep) or even a 3/8" standard set of sockets from almost any manufacturer, the sockets will all be the same OAL or at least gradually increase with socket size but for some unknown reason all American made 3/8 deep socket sets have 2-3 different OAL lengths depending on size?)

Anyway, now here are just (3) of my 3/8" deep metric sockets from my SK set...

Size 20mm, 19mm, 18mm (L-R). 1 is full length broached and 2 are not. Of the 2 that are not, one is smooth and somewhat polished/shiny the other one is dull and almost looks painted.

Just to show this is not a fluke, here are some 1/2" deep metrics (also from SK)...

These are 27mm, 25mm-22mm, L-R). Talk about amateur looking work. I was so disappointed with these that I sent the 24mm, 25mm and 27mm back to SK with this picture and asked that they be replaced. After over a month they sent them back basically saying there was nothing wrong with them. Now I'm sure they will work just fine but this shows me that SK does not use the same machinery or processes on all of their sockets. I have run into the exact same issues with Wright sockets.

Now does any of this effect usability or long term reliability? I guess you could argue that broaching depth does to a certain extent but overall I'd say no. What it does indicate to me though is overall quality of the product IMO.

So what I'm saying is, I understand that American manufacturers have much higher operating costs then the typical Asian company which in turn makes American made products more expensive. I'm OK with that and supporting American manufacturing but ONLY when the quality of the American made product is at least equal (if not superior) to the cheaper competition. What I do have an issue with is paying more for an American made product that is actually inferior to a less expensive alternative.

 

[cburnscrx]

Forgot I had a set of pliers in my motorcycle tank bag, so I just snapped a pic of them. Made in China. I got them on clearance in 2008/2009 IIRC. Not sure how they compare to the new ones, but they feel like quality tools to me.

I personally have an "original" set of Kobalts, before they went with grips they use now. The old blue and yellow handles. I have absolutely no problems with them at all. They've help up well and been used pretty hard and they still work well today. They are made in China, but I have no complaints. They're now my travel tools, but I'd have no problem using them on a regular basis. I have some of the newer handles too, and they work just fine as well.

I've picked up quite a few sets at half off the usual $19.99 or $24.99 price point. Hard to beat a set of anything for $9.99.

 

[shoggoth80]

Hmmm... at this rate, I may have to get a set of metrics from them.
Looking for an excuse to upgrade my chromies. I've been running deep and shallow impacts as double duty for a while now, only using my cheapo chromies to fill in the off sizes (a 15mm).