kobalt or gearwrench?

[monster1]

I'm completely done with my horrible Cman rp ratchets. I found a set of the premium kobalt 72t ratchets for about 50 bucks. Should I jump on those or buy the gw full polished set on amazon for about 25 bucks more?

 

[zkling]

I think most would say Gearwrench, between the two.
Now if you can find some NOS USA made Kobalt that would be a different story. Although there is currently a deal at Lowes for a 3/8" flex head ratchet for $10, it includes a 6" extension and 2 spark plug sockets. It is by far the best deal for the money, very smooth (once lubed) 72 tooth IIRC.

Gearwrench is one of the few respected off shores (Asian) made tools on this forum. Lots of pros use them without any hickups.

I will add though, SK, Armstrong and Wright (Snap On sister) all make very nice USA made ratchets for reasonable prices. Something to look at.

 

[cburnscrx]

I really like the Kobalt ratchets, and I like my Gearwrench wrenches too. I guess it would come down to warranty, though I don't think you'll need it. My vote would be Kobalt since you could go down to Lowes and swap it out if need be. That said, I am looking into the Gearwrench 120XP...

I don't think I'd go NOS for the Kobalt, as they're not 72T, and certain versions are the RP Craftsman ratchets. I think you can get that set for 30 shipped on eBay from Cripe.

 

[biscuit141]

I would actually pick the new/current Kobalt ratchets over the old USA ones, I had them and they were nothing special. If I were you and if you don't mind mixing and matching, as mentioned above, pick up the 3/8 Kobalt flex head "spark plug kit". Check the Lowes lawn and garden section first. Then go to cripedistributing.com and pick up the GW 1/4" flex head ratchet with soft grip for like $14. Then keep an eye out here or at Garage sales for a good used 1/2" ratchet. Unless you work on big stuf you won't use it near as much as the other 2 sizes. Be sure to open the ratchets up and lube them, especially the Koblat, that one ships dry.

 

[TwoInch]

agreed. the old USA made kobalts are not worth buying. they will be either polished "craftsman RP" mechanism ratchets, or the old williams versions. neither were better than the current taiwan ratchet.

that said, i would 100% go for the gearwrench ratchets over any of the kobalts.

 

[RedFordTruck]

I would go Kobalt. Wait for them to go on sale and you can get some great deals. Easy warranty too. Their mechanics tools are great. As much as I like US craftsman, ive become a big fan of the kobalt ratchets.

You can get a 24 piece 3/8'' set for $19.97. Comes with the ratchet that sells for $25 alone

An even better deal is when this set goes on sale for $25 or $30

Ive seen the $40 1/2'' drive sets go on sale for $20 too. Ratchet, extension, 14 sockets.

Right now you can get a 72t flex head ratchet set for $9.88 clearance too.

 

[cheechi]

I would buy this from hf before I bought any Kobalt except the $10 3/8 in the hot deals thread.

Its a good ratchet and just like with kobalt at lowes, lifetime warranty at hf. Yes I know how everyone will react to this suggestion, but its at least better than rp, kobalt, etc.

They don't cost a lot, you still have plenty to spend on 120xp later or also. I actually have 120xp, that kobalt, and these. These are the most comfortable, but all are good for my uses.

 

[air]

I'd hit the classifieds here and find a truck brand at a discount. I'm really loving the Cornwell ratchets I picked up on here about a year ago for a really good price. They aren't the fine toothed jobbers, but they are smooth and comfortable to use.

 

[Hiball]

I really dont Care for the feel of the Kobalt Ratchets, I own EZRed version with the same mechanism. I find the Drag to be annoying on the Back end, I would probably go with GW, But why limit yourself on 2 brands.. There are Tons of Quality tools out there, But if i had to choose.

Gearwrench and i would prefer 60 tooth.

 

[monster1]

I bought the kobalt 3pc shipped for 50 bucks. I just coukdnt pass them up for that. Hell, Lowe's would probably give me a store credit back for what the cost separate which is about 90 bucks.

 

[djcslice]

There is a group buy for the 120xp gearwrench ratchets in hot deals which I would opt for over kobalts.

 

[toolaholic]

Gearwrench all the way. The head of the ratchet is thinner. And that makes a big differance in real world conditions. Modern cars are tight under the hood.

 

[DirtRoad]

If you have the luck that i have......
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200257

I still prefer the GW though because of the really low profile of the head plus the longer handles, longer than most other ratchets. Really the only thing i dont care for with the Kobalt ratchets is they have a HUGE head, suckers are thick, but i never had a problem with them not working out of the box though either.

 

[monster1]

I'm sure that the gearwrenches are super nice. The kobalts may be a littler bigger but I've never really had any tight space issues with the craftsmans so I guess I'm used to bigger ratchets.

 

[DirtRoad]

It's something I didn't think much of either until I decided to get the GW 84t 3 piece set. After getting a set that actually worked like they should did I realize how much I've actually been struggling with the CF RP and the kobalt ratchets. The longer handles alone where worth it. So far I've used them to replace two ball joints, a tie rod end link, power steering pump, water pump and a thermostat. They where so awesome to use.

Gave away two of my kobalts already.

 

[Exceller8]

Another vote for Kobalt. I really love the quality for the $$$.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Gearwrench 120XP. Probably one of the best (if not the best) ratchet on the market for performance/price. 180% of ASME torque spec for 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 (which works out to something like 270 ft-lbs for a 3/8 drive ratchet before it slips). Snap On Dual 80's are somewhere around 190%-195% of ASME torque. Slightly better strength, but that is almost double the price of the 120XP set for one 1/2 drive dual 80.

 

[monster1]

It's something I didn't think much of either until I decided to get the GW 84t 3 piece set. After getting a set that actually worked like they should did I realize how much I've actually been struggling with the CF RP and the kobalt ratchets. The longer handles alone where worth it. So far I've used them to replace two ball joints, a tie rod end link, power steering pump, water pump and a thermostat. They where so awesome to use.

Gave away two of my kobalts already.

Wow. Those are some awesome looking ratchets. I think ill be happy with the kobalts. If not, ill just have to get some gear wrench ALSO!

 

[Nanashi]

Snap on. If I couldnt get that id get the gearwrench. My gearwrench flex head ratchet wrenches have taken one heck of a beating in the last few years and they still click and work smooth every time. Most of my box is snap on or blue point but when I was first starting out I got that set of gearwrench for christmas. I love them so much they stay in my box and are used regularly.

 

[kippieland]

My vote is for GW. I have both a ratchets and I really like the Kobalt (have them in my bike box...like the 1/4 over the 3/8.) and if you can't afford the GW then that's what I would get.

 

[DirtRoad]

Prices are about the same if you buy the GW in the sets and not individualy.

 

[pfctblu]

I would recommend Gearwrench but not the standard issue ones. Instead, I would suggest you pick up the roto ratchets first -these. The idea being that eventually, should you become fully infected with the GJ ratchet syndrome, you pickup a set of Dual 80s from Snap on, the 88t Armstrong from Epsteins, perhaps a 120xp stubby flex from Trident, maybe a Wright 3/8 in a 1/4 body from Epsteins, followed by a 3/8 Proto Big Dawg - because they are just awesome.....ahem. Most folks around here know full well that this listing could go on and on but Ill stop here.

Another very rarely listed ratchet that deserves your consideration on the value (even compared to Kobalt and Gearwrench) is the Blackhawk 72t series BP-1412, BP-1338, BP-1214 (check Zoro Tools). These are VERY nice ratchets.

 

[DirtRoad]

After the ratchet bug bites you go ahead and buy yourself a full set of hansen trays bwahaha

 

[ajchien]

To me, the differences between them would be that the kobalts have a quick release mechanism, while the gearwrenches have a thinner profile head.

 

[DirtRoad]

Took a pic of the thickness difference, Kobalt on right, GW on left.

 

[toolstools]

Id pic gear wrench hands down. I like kobalt and all. But some of the prices are a little off. Not saying either one is better in quality for a home user. Just a brand preference.

 

[monster1]

Got the kobalts in the mail today. I compared them to the Cman raised panels and they are very close in size. The kobalts are slightly longer. The smoothness is night and day though.

 

[DirtRoad]

Oh for sure, once you go fine tooth there is no going back.

I will never get rid of my craftsman RP ratchets though, we have a history

 

[cole_CT]

You really can't go wrong with Kobalt if you aren't a proffesional. But GearWrench is better, and more pricey. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DirtRoad]

They are only more pricey if you buy GW individually.

Got my 84t 3 piece set for $72 shipped, that's $24 per ratchet.

84t 4 piece flex head set was $108 shipped.

 

[monster1]

They are only more pricey if you buy GW individually.

Got my 84t 3 piece set for $72 shipped, that's $24 per ratchet.

84t 4 piece flex head set was $108 shipped.

I was getting ready to go gw until I saw a brand new 3pc set of kobalt ratchets on eBay for 50 bucks to the door. I don't think I'd pay the 90 bucks they'd cost separately at lowes. They sure are pretty though!

 

[dirtmister16]

if i was looking at new and starting out. id look at gearwrench, id say 84 teeth vs the 120. my reasoning is simplier the mechinism the better. the 120s i understand are more complex then most others out there and in my mind more prone to failure.(never had a chance to test one though)

that being said i also have a new armstrong and that thing is just about as smooth as my dual 80 snap ons.

lots of options out there. depends on how much you want to spend, but i think gearwrench is a great option out there today.

 

[CWP1616L]

id look at gearwrench, id say 84 teeth vs the 120.

I agree. That 120 is more complex and some guys on here have had trouble with them. Simple is always better.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I agree. That 120 is more complex and some guys on here have had trouble with them. Simple is always better.

????

The problems have been with the 84T not the 120T ratchets (and a quick search via google brings up no failures of the 120's yet). There are quite a few 84T ratchets that lock up, self reverse, etc. Little bit more painful to get together (the 120's with the dual pawl), but once you practice a few times, you get the hang of it.

 

[TwoInch]

i have not heard of a single problem with the 120xp ratchets.

the 60t and 84t models are common to have small issues though, along with the other makes armstrong, matco, and craftsman of the same design.

 

[DS_03]

Aren't they the same? Gear Wrench is APEX and isn't that who makes Kobalt's as well now?

 

[cheechi]

Still not a definite who makes kobalt's current line.

 

[TwoInch]

Aren't they the same? Gear Wrench is APEX and isn't that who makes Kobalt's as well now?

i see no similarities between anything apex and anything Kobalt. fwiw

 

[wittycow]

I can tell you from real world experience working in an Import Shop, that the Kobalt stuff is a good value and holds up very well. The 1/4" Thin Profile is my main ratchet in that size and works great. It may not be made in the USA, but you can't beat the price vs. quality vs. warranty.

Lots of my sockets are Kobalt and they are more than just O.K, they rival more expensive sockets. Again, if you can get over not being made in the USA, you will be happy.