Kobalt Tools -- Worth it?

[camardelle]

I've have a hodge podge of tools. Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Stanley, Kobalt, etc. I am considering a purchase of all matching sockets and wrenches and have of course started looking at Sears. But I started thinking that my Kobalt stuff has been pretty efficient and cost effective, and some of the reviews on the Sears website has been less than flattering for them.

Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of tools from Lowe's? Good or bad I'd like to hear it so feel free to chime in. Thanks!

 

[metaldad]

bought a few sets of sockets.
the sizes are laser etched on them.
wears off too easily.
the pliers that i have used, dikes, long nose, simply ****

 

[SilverSS1969]

My bother in law bought me a Kobalt tool set (1/4. 1/2 and 3/4 drives) for Christmas about three years ago. I've been very happy with it. Only that I've had an issue with was the 1/2 ratchet. Broke it last fall but I had a breaker pipe on it so it was my fault.

Unlike the post about, the lazer etching has held up on mine. The Craftman set I bought before this one had/has the lazer etching. The chrome has peaked off half of those so hard to see what size those are, the kobalts are my first chose because of that.

 

[Mavawreck]

I bought standard and metric 3/8 deep well sockets a few years ago because I needed some and they were on clearance. They work fine but I wouldn't make the investment to switch everything over. If I was in the mindset to do such a thing, Kobalt's tool line doesn't offer enough options to make it a consideration. They will go in my truck kit and I'll replace them with SK when I break a few or it otherwise becomes a priority.

 

[Wizzard]

The Kobalt impacts sockets appear to be the exact same as as the HF Pro versions...but the Kobalt's are 2X the price, same coo (Taiwan). From what I've seen the equivalent Kobalt tools can mostly be had for much less, so I say not worth it.

 

[Whitworth]

I'm attracted to the pricing Lowes has on Kobalt tools, which is discounts (often deep) on a small selection of the tool line, varying from week to week, month to month. I peruse the tool section every time I'm there looking if there's something on sale that I don't already have. Example might be <$10 for a set of stubby wrenches.

Now, I'm not a pro wrench turner and my tools get light use. But I think that describes a lot of us.

Gary

 

[woody 73]

Funny what one remembers from so long ago but in lowes early years I can recall all the hoopla around their tools being made along with snap on; the red white & blue flag on the literature...so I bought a lot of their early tools and they were the best bang for the buck super good quality.

As the years went by they changed suppliers at the drop of a hat; and I do not feel as strongly as I did years ago about all their new tools. I guess as a price point they must have not sold as many, so they now have to make a cheaper line of tools to sell to the general public.

Sad someone on the GJ pointed out a long time ago that lowes wanted to break into the tool world and they started out with top notch tools and as soon as they got a foothold they dropped the line.

 

[sparc]

Best bang for the buck when they have sales on their Kobalt socket sets made in Taiwan. Then add a coupon in the Hot Deals forum.

I compared to HF and a few other stores and couldn't find anything near the price. Also, Taiwanese Kobalt seemed better made than the smaller Craftsman USA set i bought a few years ago. Plus Lowe's has a nearby store for warranty purposes.

There have been some recent deals on gearwrench sets that are considered pretty solid as well. A little more expensive though. Here are some example links to old deals:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284858
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285243

 

[justanengineer]

Kobalt Taiwanese tools are pretty similar to the Japanese tools of old - ****, utter ****. When they were still made in this country by folks who care they were decent, but that all stopped a few years ago. I was given a socket set a year or two ago now that shows their quality well - the internal hex is closer to a pentagon than a hexagon in shape.

 

[toddoky]

You can still get quite a bit NOS of the early USA Williams made Kobalt tools off of ebay dirt cheap.

 

[lat905]

I have a 3/8" Kobalt ratchet from Lowes about 7 years ago or so. Its one of my favorites, has been flawless. I went back 2 years ago and got a 1/4" to match it when my Craftsman broke and they wouldn't replace it. The 1/4" is garbage.

Somebody got me a set of pliers from Lowes, had wire cutters, regular pliers, and need nose. They all ****.

I do have a few Kobalt sockets, and they seem ok, but they are not in sizes I use a lot.

I have actually found the HF stuff to be about equal. I have a couple small socket sets from Home Depot (Husky) that I keep in vehicles, and those are better than Kobalt.

 

[RedRabbit]

I believe they are inferior to hf. If i was gonna buy lower priced tools, i would go with hf instead.

 

[tbaggz]

Husky is better than kobalt.not saying much.

 

[MaineGuide]

I've been picking up some of their cheaper socket sets as my wallet allows. They are cheap enough to not worry about being in my portable box, but work just fine.

 

[kctyphoon]

i like kobalt - but id still go craftsman if going with a complete set, unless your looking for one of those "sets in a box"..

if i were you, and money allows - this is what i would get now- the set i bought 20 years was huge like this, but came with wrenches and other tools - this is just sockets, all you could need. on sale now too..

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-308-...00010000100600&aff=Y&PID=6147012&AID=11042411

 

[stage20]

Most kobalt kits are littered with 12pt. Beware

 

[stage20]

bought a few sets of sockets.
the sizes are laser etched on them.
wears off too easily.
the pliers that i have used, dikes, long nose, simply ****

Anything with the thick rubber grey/blue handles have been garbage for me. He tongue and groove pliers are the worst. Dikes are ok, but they re in my road box

 

[Parrothead]

Just an FYI, most of the socket and wrenches have shifted production to China. I have no idea if there's any difference in quality, but there is a noticeable difference in finish.

 

[justanengineer]

Taiwanese broaching at its best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ernie pepsi]

All my pliers are kobalt. Dikes, needle nose, etc. have had no problem with them.

 

[dowmace]

Most kobalt kits are littered with 12pt. Beware

Nothing wrong with that. I use 12 point all day long. Although anyone that works on Detroit diesels and the like need 12 point.

 

[jethro29]

the kobalts ****.

 

[97fordsuper]

Taiwanese broaching at its best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That looks like one of those sockets thats supposed to hold all your bits.

 

[Coach James]

I have a metric set of the JH Williams made Kobalt combo wrenches and they have been well worth their cost.

I have 3 or 4 sets of the current Kobalt sockets and a couple ratchets. I have used them doing brakes and suspension work plus maintenance at my building. No problems with any of them.

I keep several pairs of Kobalt pliers in my filing cabinet at school. For the things I do in my classroom and lab, they are fine, but that's not a real high stress environment for tools.

Coach

 

[mrvm]

IMO current Kobalt hand tools are similar to other good starter Taiwan-made wrenches/sockets/ratchets offered by Husky, HF Pro and GearWrench. Unfortunately they are all evolving into made-in-china varieties that remain to be seen whether they up to the task. The only good thing Lowes has done in the past is big markdowns to sell off current stock as they introduce the new tool versions from another vender with unknown quality.

 

[97nismo]

I prefer either gearwrench or duralast if I don't buy snap on....

 

[Kirbot]

That looks like one of those sockets thats supposed to hold all your bits.

I'm sure I've seen sockets shaped like that before, without really thinking about what they were for.
It certainly doesn't look like it was supposed to be a normal socket to me.

If it was... Just get it replaced already?

 

[Loscaldazar]

Taiwanese broaching at its best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a bit socket, I have one at home just like that.

 

[rednotch]

That looks like one of those sockets thats supposed to hold all your bits.

that's because it is, I have a few of them from those bit driver sets they clearance out awhile ago. The newest ones have a spring tang inside them.

 

[Scimmia]

Taiwanese broaching at its best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Um, yeah, it's SUPPOSED to look like that.

 

[1950mercury]

Pass like others have said they are go I.g cheap China....hf pro are better tools

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I would compare them to Harbor Freights Pittsburgh tools now. While back they were good and few are still good and made by JH Williams which is a Snap-On owned company. Warranty wise Lowes give you the run around and want a receipt while Sears Craftsman will replace with no questions asked. So I rather buy Craftsman which has a better warranty and selection then Kobalt.
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I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the ToolMan wont give me no credit

 

[Trans1998am]

If you find something you like and it works for you who cares what everyone else thinks.

 

[justanengineer]

That looks like one of those sockets thats supposed to hold all your bits.

If it is then someone screwed up in the packaging dept. This was in the middle of a 1/4" drive socket set, nothing fancy, no bits.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Pittsburgh Pro from HF is far superior than current Craftsman, that being said I cant offer input on Kobalt. My buddy bought some Dewalt socket sets that were nice, and in a case. They were sold in 1/4 in ratchet/socket sets, 3/8 and 1/2

Anybody care to provide the OP input on the Dewalt?

 

[Conductor562]

You can get USA made Blackhawk sockets and wrenches for not much more than Kobalt in most cases

http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/05/blackhawk-tools-a-well-kept-secret/

 

[Tim37]

I would keep my old tools I haven't been happy with many kobalt tool.

If that's the rout you want to take save some money, go to HF and get Pittsburgh

 

[Jason280]

I've had pretty good luck with Kobalt ratchet and socket sets, keep a few in the different vehicles just in case. Picked them up pretty cheap from Lowes, and the sets have held up pretty well. I also like their cross beam desired combo wrenches, with the deep box end...come in very handy sometimes on stubborn 12pt fasteners (especially Ford 8.8 pinion bolts).

 

[NC-Shaun]

The Blackhawk prices do look affordable, as Conductor posted.