Kobalt roto ratchet... i have proof it's real
- Thread starter terabyte
- Start date
That's awesome. Thanks for the proof.
Like you said, those MUST be danaher/kobalt/gearwrench.
What is strange to me, is that the other thread was 9/2008. I remember that ebay auction well. So why is the ratchet only on the shelves now?? 4 months later?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22263
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Definitely a Gearwrench rotoratchet with a fat Kobalt handle. Good discovery. They're even a little cheaper than what Sears wants for the two piece set. If anyone want a thick handled rotoratchet, there ya go.
That's awesome. Thanks for the proof.
Like you said, those MUST be danaher/kobalt/gearwrench.
What is strange to me, is that the other thread was 9/2008. I remember that ebay auction well. So why is the ratchet only on the shelves now?? 4 months later?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22263
dude I'm guessing that was really was a prototype...
or one that someone in the factory walked out the back door with...
yet another reason why south florida rules!
Dunno, Lowes is headquartered in NC, I would think we would get new **** first.....guess not
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I tend to agree with you on this. That seller shows up once in awhile with the odd size Armstrong, Gearwrench, or other Danaher produced tools in limited quanities.
I tend to agree with you on this. That seller shows up once in awhile with the odd size Armstrong, Gearwrench, or other Danaher produced tools in limited quanities.
damn dude you notice sellers trends? no wonder you guys have such cool stuff you find on ebay all the time
well about 1 mile out of the 11 that make up the tail of the dragon belong to NC, you got that going for ya
True, insane ride...right there! Sorry for the Derail there.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
there there are hard handled williams variants too
Are you selling those now? I think there might be some laws concerning nature that are being violated mixing Stanley and Danaher produced ratchets with Williams' handles.
Dude I am king of the thread jacking on another board. It's all good.
Tail of the Dragon is badass. Nothing like dragging a knee on public roads I tell ya.
Are you selling those now? I think there might be some laws concerning nature that are being violated mixing Stanley and Danaher produced ratchets with Williams' handles.
Nope but if someone wants some bad enough I'll be more than happy to put whatever handle they want on whatever they pay for.
Stuey
Well-known member
Whoa, so they DO exist! I agree with the "that's definitely Danaher" mentality.
I don't get it though... why wouldn't Lowes just offer up the Gearwrench branded ones? Do they think that their Kobalt name has greater potential?
I don't get it though... why wouldn't Lowes just offer up the Gearwrench branded ones? Do they think that their Kobalt name has greater potential?
eschoendorff
Well-known member
https://www.kobalttools.com/
Obviously they think that the Kobalt name means something. Marketing hype for mediocre tools...
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The Mac one in the current flyer has a push button quick release and the head looks alot like the imported Cornwell rotoratchet.
Rigmaster
Well-known member
(except for the handle) Looks EXACTLY like the Genius tool roto I have, also made in Taiwan, maybe in the same factory that makes Gearwrench brand rotos...........????
T56 Impala
Well-known member
Okay, there was a question about if these existed? I saw them in our local Lowes before Christmas. My thought was "Great, another cheap knock off." My second thought was "Why would some one want one like this? I can see no use for it. I have tools that bend and swivel already."
They were on sale during Christmas too. I still don't see what the big deal is with this style. Some one clue me in. What job do they make easier?
They were on sale during Christmas too. I still don't see what the big deal is with this style. Some one clue me in. What job do they make easier?
Nova72
Well-known member
so not to derail too much, but mike wren has the TopTul ones for cheaper.
Rigmaster
Well-known member
I can't give you a specific job, but I can tell you that I LOVE mine. I have a SO 1/4 and a Genius 1/4 + 3/8 drive as well as an SK 3/8 version. I use them all the time, they are alot more useful IMHO than a fixed ratchet in alot of tight situations (engine bay, under car, etc) and I just like them more than the flex head type where the whole head pivots.
If you don't like it, fine- but there are ALOT of folks who do.
zuspiel
Well-known member
I have an 3/8" SK rotohead and really like it to loosen stuff and then spin it off with the handle in-line with the socket. That's where they really shine. Also, it's sometimes easier to get to stuff since it hinges in the middle of the socket instead of an inch further back. OTHO, the head is wider. I think both flex and roto head styles have their uses...
T56 Impala
Well-known member
Now that I didn't think of! I could see how that is a benefit. I wasn't dogging anyone, I was sincerely interested in why these are becoming so popular.
Yup, it's main advantage seems to be spinning stuff on and off quickly. I think they are great, although I'm new to this style as well so I haven't used them much.
zuspiel
Well-known member
It helps if the handle is smaller than half a county, though
I like round, knurled metal handles on roto ratchets.
I don't thing the one above would be that great for spinning stuff off...
I like round, knurled metal handles on roto ratchets.
I don't thing the one above would be that great for spinning stuff off...
rsanter
Well-known member
I will offer some answers to previous questions in this thread.
I will warn you though, these answers are based on my opinion and not on pure fact
yes, they see an advantage to pushing the lowes/kobalt brand. I see the advantage of their no hassle warranty verses having to mail it off to gearwrench.
at the rate things are going with sears I think that Kobalt and gearwrench have the potential to crush the craftsman brand. what they lack to date is the large variety of tools and the local warranty support.
lowes has the local warranty support and gearwrench has a good variety
unfortunatly neither has both to the point of bieng able to really threaten Cman, but the future potential is there
I think Gearwrench should team up with a store that has good local locations and offer a wider product offering and local warranty exchange. if they did thatI would buy more of their stuff based on my experience I have had with their stuff (which is limited).
I too do not see the benifit of the rotohead over the flex head. I think its a matter of what you get used to when you get into it.
I see the advantage of bieng able to spin the fastener off ( and have seen guys do it) however I do that with the flex head ratchet as well. I will bend the handle back and use it kind of like a speeder and I think I can get the fastener off quicker that way. that is actually one of the things I like so much better about the SO ratchet over the Cman. the SO has the smooth round handle that will spin nicly in your hand
bob
I will warn you though, these answers are based on my opinion and not on pure fact
yes, they see an advantage to pushing the lowes/kobalt brand. I see the advantage of their no hassle warranty verses having to mail it off to gearwrench.
at the rate things are going with sears I think that Kobalt and gearwrench have the potential to crush the craftsman brand. what they lack to date is the large variety of tools and the local warranty support.
lowes has the local warranty support and gearwrench has a good variety
unfortunatly neither has both to the point of bieng able to really threaten Cman, but the future potential is there
I think Gearwrench should team up with a store that has good local locations and offer a wider product offering and local warranty exchange. if they did thatI would buy more of their stuff based on my experience I have had with their stuff (which is limited).
I too do not see the benifit of the rotohead over the flex head. I think its a matter of what you get used to when you get into it.
I see the advantage of bieng able to spin the fastener off ( and have seen guys do it) however I do that with the flex head ratchet as well. I will bend the handle back and use it kind of like a speeder and I think I can get the fastener off quicker that way. that is actually one of the things I like so much better about the SO ratchet over the Cman. the SO has the smooth round handle that will spin nicly in your hand
bob
wrenhandtools
Well-known member
Nova.........................I like you man!
I have the toptul and the snap on and genius, and I would buy the toptul because they seem to be built well for the money and they are greased from the factory. If I could always buy snap on and money was no object that would be my choice, but in the real world, I would go with toptul over gear wrench for now. Look at the pictures on the site I posted if you want to see what they all look like taken apart, most of them are the same...
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Stuey
Well-known member
Dang. Now if only I had a $10 off $25 Lowes coupon laying around...
another thing I like about the roto over the flex head is that if you're under the car and the fastener is above you, you can maintain force along the axis of the nut (to keep the socket on the fastener) without having the head flex on you.
my favorite think about a roto and i really need a nice big handle to do this as well.
brake the screw with the ratchet perpendicular to the fastener.
rotate the sucker up so it's parallel and then use it like a ratcheting screw\nut driver.
if space permits of course.
I also have the toptul and I love them
brake the screw with the ratchet perpendicular to the fastener.
rotate the sucker up so it's parallel and then use it like a ratcheting screw\nut driver.
if space permits of course.
I also have the toptul and I love them
theamcaddict
Well-known member
there there are hard handled williams variants too
Do they still make the 1/4" swivel ratchet in that picture?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Williams never made those ratchets, they are home made handled ratchets. The two on the left are Husky while the two on the right, are Snap on. If I remember the handles came from an Ebay set of Williams screwdrivers.