shoturtle
Well-known member
No receipt needed on kolbalt warranty, just bring it in. If it saids kolbalt lowes will warranty it. Friends that have them, have never had issues at lowes.
Kobalt tools worth a darn?
- Thread starter andrewsnmorgan
- Start date
No receipt needed on kolbalt warranty, just bring it in. If it saids kolbalt lowes will warranty it. Friends that have them, have never had issues at lowes.
biggsean
Well-known member
While I favor craftsman and SnapOn for home use, I think the Kobalt ratchet/socket sets make great tools to keep in mobile/emergency kits.
I keep a full 3/8" and 1/4" drive in my Land Cruiser. I have done some light maintenance and repairs with them, and haven't managed to break a ratchet or socket yet. The 3/8" drive set that I recently purchased was only $29 and came with a full set of shallow and deep standard and metric sockets that were laser engraved. Hard to beat it at that price, and it has a lifetime warranty to boot.
I keep a full 3/8" and 1/4" drive in my Land Cruiser. I have done some light maintenance and repairs with them, and haven't managed to break a ratchet or socket yet. The 3/8" drive set that I recently purchased was only $29 and came with a full set of shallow and deep standard and metric sockets that were laser engraved. Hard to beat it at that price, and it has a lifetime warranty to boot.
alpinewhite
Well-known member
The more I use my Kobalt combination wrenches, ratchets, and sockets, the more I'm starting to like them. I've changed a water pump with nothing but Kobalt wrenches and sockets. I thought I'd try without using Craftsman or Snap-Ons. I was impressed.
Their pliers, OTOH, leave much to be desired.
Their pliers, OTOH, leave much to be desired.
Last edited:
I use 1/2" impact sockets by Kobalt. Short and deeps. My 19mm has held up through a lot of impact use. I also have a set of 3/8" shallow chrome sockets metric that I use a lot. No problems with those yet. I have but don't use much a set of metric 12 point deeps that were on sale. Seems like their sockets hold up but I haven't tried much of anything else.
thatonedude
Well-known member
All craftsman socket are made in the US, and most the craftsman sets are still made in the USA. Minus the new pass through and universal tools.
nope i was in sears last night almost all sockets where chinease minus on or two us ones still floating around
nope i was in sears last night almost all sockets where chinease minus on or two us ones still floating around
shoggoth80
Well-known member
I have had good experiences with Kobalt impact sockets, 1/2" and 3/8" drive. Got a set of their 12pt 3/8" deep sockets recently. Like them. Dropped a ratchet, lost one of the face bolts, and threads went with it. Not happy about that. Up until that point, it was a really nice piece. Still use my US made 1/4" drive, and my Taiwan made 1/2" drive a LOT. They are holding up alright.
Air tools... different. I am on my 3rd... yes, 3rd 1/2" drive impact gun. I don't beat the snot out of them, and oil before use. I juuuust blew out my 3/8" drive impact gun. Warranty swaps are nice. However, staff members are getting a little more annoying, to the point that I quote "no hassle" warranty verbatim off the box. Not bad pieces, just not hard edge working grade. When these blow, and I am sure they will...I wanna go Aircat or Nitrocat for my air guns.
Wrenches are nice too. I have a mostly complete set of metric stubbies that have come in rather handy multiple times. Extensions are fine. Wouldn't hesitate on any of their sockets. I wish they made more automotive ish stuff to go along with their general hand tools.
Air tools... different. I am on my 3rd... yes, 3rd 1/2" drive impact gun. I don't beat the snot out of them, and oil before use. I juuuust blew out my 3/8" drive impact gun. Warranty swaps are nice. However, staff members are getting a little more annoying, to the point that I quote "no hassle" warranty verbatim off the box. Not bad pieces, just not hard edge working grade. When these blow, and I am sure they will...I wanna go Aircat or Nitrocat for my air guns.
Wrenches are nice too. I have a mostly complete set of metric stubbies that have come in rather handy multiple times. Extensions are fine. Wouldn't hesitate on any of their sockets. I wish they made more automotive ish stuff to go along with their general hand tools.
DrivewayDave
Well-known member
Might be challenging to find now but how can you be this deal?
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213112
Aug 20, 2013 - 20 posts - 11 authors
Craftsman 260 piece tool set 74.98 YMMV Hot Deals. ... Looks like the box says MADE IN
U.S.A. http://www.searsoutlet.com/260-pc...ode=seeAll
You can check availabilty and price by using the outlet link. On the right side of the screen there is an orange button to check availability. Click that and enter your zip code. This will bring you back to the item and there will be an orange button that says "select from available items. This will bring up a list of stores that have it and their price. When I did it, it listed regular Sears stores also.
Good luck finding them. The closest store to me that had it is 229 miles away.
Last edited by auferret; 08-28-2013 at 11:40 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213112
Aug 20, 2013 - 20 posts - 11 authors
Craftsman 260 piece tool set 74.98 YMMV Hot Deals. ... Looks like the box says MADE IN
U.S.A. http://www.searsoutlet.com/260-pc...ode=seeAll
You can check availabilty and price by using the outlet link. On the right side of the screen there is an orange button to check availability. Click that and enter your zip code. This will bring you back to the item and there will be an orange button that says "select from available items. This will bring up a list of stores that have it and their price. When I did it, it listed regular Sears stores also.
Good luck finding them. The closest store to me that had it is 229 miles away.
Last edited by auferret; 08-28-2013 at 11:40 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Last edited:
shoggoth80
Well-known member
"No receipt needed on kolbalt warranty, just bring it in. If it saids kolbalt lowes will warranty it. Friends that have them, have never had issues at lowes. "
-I've been hassled about receipts on more than one occasion trying to warranty stuff. Was given a "No" regarding warrantying a Torx driver that deformed when tightening a cross bolt on a flex head ratchet. Wasn't much, but it was enough to make me leery.
-I've been hassled about receipts on more than one occasion trying to warranty stuff. Was given a "No" regarding warrantying a Torx driver that deformed when tightening a cross bolt on a flex head ratchet. Wasn't much, but it was enough to make me leery.
I just bought my first kobalt tool the other day! Never owned one before.
A 1/2 roto head ratchet and a 1/4 extension. Have not gotten a chance to use them
But they do feel nice! Heavy and feel very solid. Comparable with my other two SO rotos.
But the ratchet kinda has a funny male drive on it.. it has a flare to it that looks like it
Should be a thumb wheel but it isn't.
A 1/2 roto head ratchet and a 1/4 extension. Have not gotten a chance to use them
But they do feel nice! Heavy and feel very solid. Comparable with my other two SO rotos.
But the ratchet kinda has a funny male drive on it.. it has a flare to it that looks like it
Should be a thumb wheel but it isn't.
I think their mechanics tools are nice (Taiwan made). Their common tools like screwdrivers and pliers that are made in china leave a lot to be desired. A friend of mine has primarily kobalt sockets and drive tools. Once we broke a 1/2" breaker bar and ~10" long extension trying to get a honda crank pulley off. Went to Lowes and they replaced them no problem.
A while back I picked up the 3/8" flex head ratchet, for $10 in the spark plug tune up kit. Thanks to this forum.
I'm very happy with it. It is Taiwan made, but a nice piece for the price. Now that sears/craftsman has gone to china, I'm starting to look at kobalt for a local source of misc sockets and the like. 
Funny, but more sad. Kobalt use to be a USA made tool, now Taiwan and China, Craftsman use to be a USA made tool now China, Husky use to be a USA made tool now China...... 
Sign of the times?
A while back I picked up the 3/8" flex head ratchet, for $10 in the spark plug tune up kit. Thanks to this forum.
I'm very happy with it. It is Taiwan made, but a nice piece for the price. Now that sears/craftsman has gone to china, I'm starting to look at kobalt for a local source of misc sockets and the like. Funny, but more sad. Kobalt use to be a USA made tool, now Taiwan and China, Craftsman use to be a USA made tool now China, Husky use to be a USA made tool now China...... Sign of the times? Makoto
Well-known member
I've broken one 1/4" ratchet and a half inch breaker bar from craftsman. I try to buy all crafstman but some duralast sockets have found their way into my box for cost reasons.
theamcaddict
Well-known member
Last edited:
Brownsfan
Well-known member
All the ratchets, wrenches and sockets USA. As well as the screwdrivers. All the pliers are china. Very similar looking to the Kobalt pliers. Not the best but not the worst. They do sell some channellock and knipex as well. I don't know why they dot have western forge or even channellock making their pliers but oh well. I just bought some flare nut(line) wrenches and a small torx screwdriver set. If I need to replace a wrench or socket in my craftsman set I will be buying Masterforce. The boxes are good as well b