Kobalt ratchet driver anyone have one?

[deadguy]

I have been stopping at all the Lowes close to me over the last few days if I end up by one. I have been looking for a ratcheting screwdriver and was looking at the Gearwrench version.

The Kobalt one looks to be the same as the gearwrench and manufactured in Taiwan the same as the Gearwrench version. I was curious if it's just re-badged for Kobalt...which is my guess.

If someone has one is it worth it?

here is the info, it's not on the Lowes website anymore but you can google it.

Kobalt 33-Piece Ratchet Driver Set
Item #: 68702 | Model #:22339

 

[Stuey]

I'm fairly certain that the Kobalt set is also made by Danaher, and as such it *should* be compatible with Gearwrench's modular screwdriver components as well.

As for whether it's worth it, I bought one of the Gearwrench kits from Sears when it was 1/2-off, and I very rarely use it. I'd say it's worth the price, but it's not as handy as they make it out to be.

 

[ChrisF250]

Not sure if this helps or not but I had a ratchet driver I got about a year ago and within weeks the quick release was jammed up and would not lock bits in place. Granted the tool still functioned just kinda frustrating when bits fall out.

This was the one i had: http://www.lowes.com/pd_170991-8658...d_nbr|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&facetInfo=

 

[rebelram]

I have this one
http://www.lowes.com/pd_239377-1687...ntURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=kobalt+ratchet&facetInfo=

I have had no problems with mine and it works great. Bought one for my brother and he loves his too!

 

[Stuey]

He's talking about this one: http://www.lowes.com/pd_68702-1074-...e&catalogId=10051&productId=1097675&Ntt=68702

 

[Lomotil]

I have this one
http://www.lowes.com/pd_239377-1687...ntURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=kobalt+ratchet&facetInfo=

I have had no problems with mine and it works great. Bought one for my brother and he loves his too!

They had this one for half price ($4.98 - just like the website now) last week and I picked one up. I like it, but I'm really nervous about dropping it - the handle and screw on cap are made out of aluminum, and I saw one on the shelf that had been dropped, small dent on the cap, but it wouldn't screw back on at all.

 

[jjjrmx5]

He's talking about this one: http://www.lowes.com/pd_68702-1074-...e&catalogId=10051&productId=1097675&Ntt=68702

It appears that it is the same as the Gearwrench unit, at lest as far as the ratcheing body is concerned from what I have seen from some of the shop guys, but each has been tweaking designs as they go. Some sets are screwdrive only and some include nutdrivers as well. The internals just seem sloppy with more slack twist then I like to the point I feel it's ready to fail if used with a heavy hand, and that's using as a screwdriver only. Upping the torque to use as a nut-driver would be pushing its limits IMHO.

Some of our our shop floor guys that are too cheap to buy the Snap-On units have been opting for the GW units. The older Kobalt ratcheting screwdrivers were complete **** and often lasted less than 3 months if used daily or in light industrial application. The craftsman unit were/are not a lot better.

They are are still not up to Snap-On standards but the Williams are acceptably close. The Gearwrench I find fine for occasional use. The BluePoint unit is somewhere in between SO and GW and adequate but just not there for the price.

Aside from several SO units, I also have the metal hardbody unit that rebelram lists. Great for around the house but body is hard to grip if working around fluids, grease/oil of if sweating. Not what I care to use as a day in day out unit tho.