Kobalt USA made ratchets

[cgv69]

I see Cripes has some NOS Kobolt USA ratchets for cheap which is perfect as I'm looking for some inexpensive (but not garbage) ratchets for my trunk tool kit. I cleaned up on Kobolt sockets a few weeks back so I figured some Kobolt ratchets would match nicely

Who made their older USA made ratchets? Are they any good? Seems like they have 2 different styles.

This one...

And this one...

Is either one better then the other? Based on the pics I like the shape of the top one better.

 

[Notwerk]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

Danaher, not much different than CMan raised-panels. 36-teeth, nothing special.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

I tried to order some a week or so ago but my cripe order wouldnt go through. YMMV though

 

[TwoInch]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

correct, those particular ratchets are danaher made, there are also williams made ratchets out there, i believe i saw some on cripes a few months ago IIRC...

they are the same mechanism as the craftsman RP, but they are more comparable to the polished craftsman/Allen etc... 36t ratchets, which are machined much better in my opinion. the non chromed RPs are machined so rough the last number of years, its amazing. i wouldnt hesitate to grab a couple from cripes, they are not bad ratchets. just watch the shipping charges as they can be kinda high with cripes

 

[TinKnocker]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

i bought two from them just last month (the upper picture.) it was $24 shipped. they only sent one, so i emailed them that they had made a mistake, and they shipped another one with out any issues. i know they are nothing special, but i love them. i also have the lower one pictured and it works great (with a craftsman rebuild kit in it.)

the selector on the two i just bought are plastic.

 

[heavydutyOEX]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

Dumb question. What is cripes?

 

[zakmartin]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

cripedistributing dot com

It's like a candy store for tool junkies.

 

[03protege]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

Cripedistributing.com

They sell tools

 

[goodspeed]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

I own several of the lower ones. I like them a bit better than the craftsman RP's due to the chape of the handle.

 

[03protege]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

Well thanks for showing me that site my wallet is not $70 lighter...

Highlights are the snap on made Kobalt impacts $17 for a 11pc metric set.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

I have a set of the lower ones I picked up on Ebay from Cripe. They are the ultimate Danaher mutant: The head of a Craftsman with the handle of an Armstrong...

 

[RedFordTruck]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

I have a set of the lower ones I picked up on Ebay from Cripe. They are the ultimate Danaher mutant: The head of a Craftsman with the handle of an Armstrong...

Lol Danaher Mutant

 

[Conductor562]

I've never had any of the lower models but I had a full set of the top model. Those are Danaher era and while they're ok, the Williams era ratchets from the late 1990's were pretty nice ratchets. I liked all the Williams era Kobalt stuff.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

After using them on a regular basis at school, I think at least my 1/2 drive is going to 'lose' it's detent ball so I can warranty it and see how well the new fine tooth Kobalt Taiwan stuff works. I've always been a stickler for USA tools, but being spoiled by my Snap-On ratchets, the slack in the 36 tooth Danaher stuff makes it almost unusable for real work. As much as I want to stick with the USA stuff, they are **** ratchets...

 

[smallengineguy90]

I got some from the cripes ebay store. shipping is cheaper on the ebay store.

 

[toolstools]

Sadly, the newer tawain rats are better. By a long shot.

 

[cheechi]

The williams kobalts were some of my favorite ratchets. You got me excited.

 

[SignalZero]

Sadly, the newer tawain rats are better. By a long shot.

Got my dad this kit for father's day.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_338526-2232...rentURL=?Ntt=kobalt+3%2F8+mechanic&facetInfo=

Around $1 per piece, including the $25 ratchet. Seemed like a decent ratchet. Nicer than my older C-man raised panel, and beats the hell out of the cheap Chinese stuff he has. And even if it fails, the Lowes is less than a mile from my parents' house.

The only Kobalt tool I currently own is a USA-made 3/8 breaker, which has never failed, even with a Jack Handle Cheater Bar on it multiple times.

 

[mofo62]

Re: Kobolt USA made ratchets

+1

The same 36 tooth mechanism used in the NAPA, Allen, K-D, Matco, etc. versions. But the Kobalts may have the metal selector, if I'm remembering correctly.

V!

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Sadly, the newer tawain rats are better. By a long shot.

I agree

Both better than the williams and danaher models

 

[hurstmuscle]

Thanks for the opinions. I need another 1/4" ratchet and almost pulled the trigger on ebay for $6 plus s/h.

"Kobalt 22315 1/4" Drive Teardrop Ratchet USA" on the Cripedistributing ebay store.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

garbage
1/4 one I had from kobalt was trash, taiwanese one I got on warranty is infinitely better
if you want a cheap ratchet (cost, not quality wise) go to HF and buy one of the 1/4 composites and never look back at these. Conveniently enough I am 99% sure the older style composites and the taiwanese kobalt I got are from the same factory, drive covers on them are the same.

 

[potato]

nice 5year old thread resurrection!

 

[BMack37]

Thanks for the opinions. I need another 1/4" ratchet and almost pulled the trigger on ebay for $6 plus s/h.

"Kobalt 22315 1/4" Drive Teardrop Ratchet USA" on the Cripedistributing ebay store.

That's too much for that ratchet, it's garbage.

If you want something comparable to the old USA Kobalt that were good, look at the Williams/Blue Point ratchets in lower tooth count that are made in Taiwan. Then buy some Super Lube, once lubed it's about as smooth as you can get for anywhere near the price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YRBX2G/

 

[FuzzyHobbit]

I purchased one of those Williams 30001 ratchets you linked to above, and they are extremely smooth!!! Obviosly with the low tooth count theres a larger swing before reset, but that's to be expected. I did notice that it seemed a little sloppy though. You have to turn them close to ~19° degrees before they click and then you have to go back ~9° before it engages the pawl again. It's an ok ratchet for the price, but no good for tight spaces.