Lowes Kobalt brand; another customer

[kunkernator]

Let me start by saying I have NEVER owned or used any Kobalt products.

Sunday night I ordered some 1/2" drive deep socket sets + some fillers, for a little over $50 (free shipping at $50). I was expecting them to be here next week because it was free shipping, but they shipped yesterday and got here today. First thing I noticed whe I opened the package is the return label. I love it when companies include a return label, so if I don't like it, I just pack it up and ship it out; no annoying phone calls.

Now to the sockets. I have to say, all the critisim of Craftsman's Chinese **** is what led me to this purchase. I would like to describe these sockets as "Gearwrench quality"; made in Taiwan. They have a nice heavy feel, excellent chrome, and the dual-marked laser etch. The etch is the perfect size in my opinion, not overpowering like the Craftsman ones. The etch also lines up consistently on every socket with the square drive! For socket rails, that is amazing! The blue and red lines on the bottom are a great touch, I have never been a fan of color coding, but this is not overbearing and it looks professional.

All in all, I think Lowes will have another customer, between the ease of return, speedy service, and quality products, I will definitely be buying from there again.

Only time will tell for these sockets, but I have high hopes.

 

[Mastermind]

have some kobalt stuff in the truck set, no problems so far.

 

[matt1977]

agreed, I just bought a bunch of kobalt sockets and wrenches and it is incredible quality. I also just bought a 26 in kobalt top chest from them for $180 after trying both waterloo and international and it is alot sturdier.

 

[kippieland]

I have quite a few Kobalt sockets. Zero problems and on par with my craftsman USA made. Can't touch my SK though

 

[cheechi]

I have some 1/2 from the last style, and all my 3/8 are from the current style. I got them pretty much right at the introduction when they accidentally had the new ones at clearance price. They've held up pretty well though I don't use them for anything but my own cars.

 

[85camaro]

I'm really impressed with the Kobalt hard line tools. I saw the 18" flex head ratchet for 70 bucks and it looks just as sturdy and seems just as smooth as my Mac that I paid well over a hundred for.

BTW, I'm not much of a fan of the color coding either. It cheapens the look, that's just my petty opinion.

 

[kunkernator]

.
BTW, I'm not much of a fan of the color coding either. It cheapens the look, that's just my petty opinion.

Agreed, it definitely cheapens the look, that was my biggest hesitation. I hope it doesn't wear off easy on these, for that will make it look worse. But overall it is not TOO bad, considering it is one thin line at the bottom of the socket.

 

[RCL]

I purchased the 1/4" and 3/8" socket sets on sale and they have held up well.
Really nice products at a very reasonable price.

 

[96snma]

I went to kobalt for the price and location of store. They've held up really really well and in a year not one of the blue rings have worn off.

 

[Armed Bear]

I have some Kobalt sockets and they are real good.....I don't own any of their ratchets but I was at Lowes today lookin at em and the teeth sound and feel really smooth, I think they just got a new batch of ratchets that are a step better than before.

 

[bcradio]

I've had the opposite experience with my kobalt sockets... The ones I have fit much looser than my craftsman sockets.... I don't use them at all now.


Chrome is nice on them though.

 

[96snma]

I have some Kobalt sockets and they are real good.....I don't own any of their ratchets but I was at Lowes today lookin at em and the teeth sound and feel really smooth, I think they just got a new batch of ratchets that are a step better than before.

Ive got one that came in a kit. Its good and smooth. 72 tooth. only complaint is that head is a bit thick. It would be great if it was about half the size. Its my go to for the ratchet that gets abused and has held up with no problems.

 

[03protege]

I only have 1 Kobalt socket, a 32mm that I used to take on my CV axle nut.

I only used it that one time and the outside of the sockets looks beat to hell. I have no idea what I did to it but it looks like I threw it into the cement a few times.

My only guess is it is from being on the breaker bar while being set onto the cement, but I am pretty gentle and it is nothing that I wouldn't do with any of my other tools/sockets.

 

[Armed Bear]

Ive got one that came in a kit. Its good and smooth. 72 tooth. only complaint is that head is a bit thick. It would be great if it was about half the size. Its my go to for the ratchet that gets abused and has held up with no problems.

yeah, I was impressed with their ratchets today when I was at Lowes. I'm definitely gonna get some and use them as beaters.

with these big box brands it's hit & miss, sometimes they have different batches of tools that are crappy and then they get a real good batch like the ones they currently have.

 

[thejudges69]

I don't really like the kobalt ratchets I have, the fine tooth action is good but the selector reverses' on its own, also the selector is opposite of all my other ratchets, most ratchets say off towards the same side of the ratchet and on to the opposite, the kobalt one is opposite from that. I'm really considering selling mine and getting the gearwrench 120xp

 

[pfarber]

"Kobalt sockets and wrenches are now made in Taiwan, while pliers and other tools are made in China."

The koblattools web site is a ****-tastic experience.... zooming noises, everything is a flash menu.... I couldn't stand it.

And if Kobalt is made in the USA, the web site sure isn't yelling about it.

 

[oldtools]

I don't really like the kobalt ratchets I have, the fine tooth action is good but the selector reverses' on its own, also the selector is opposite of all my other ratchets, most ratchets say off towards the same side of the ratchet and on to the opposite, the kobalt one is opposite from that. I'm really considering selling mine and getting the gearwrench 120xp

American and Chinese do thing differently. American read from left to right then top to bottom. Chinese read from top to bottom then right to left. Both get the same result.

 

[shoturtle]

Just don't by their extreme wrenches and pass throughs. The universal size system does not fit metric and SAE that well. And you can round of a fastener. Their other mechanic tools are great. Their pliers are a bit lacking. But overall they carry pretty good tools.

 

[nyrapscalion]

Not quite my cup of tea. A little cheap for my taste.
I remember when they stopped selling Klein stuff. I picked up a bunch of stuff on clearance. Not too sure why they moved away from Klein ..HD still sells it. Of course, that's going to mexico.

 

[Snapped-off]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but Kobalt ratchets are shipped dry, so one might want to lube them up after purchasing.

 

[fred d]

I am a tool manager at Lowes. The new sockets and wrenches are all made in Tawain.

Back when the made the switch from the American made to the Tawain made we were able to buy the American made stuff, including the Gearwrenches for 90% off.

I bought $1,000.00 dollars worth of sockets,gearwrench sets and ratchets for $100
I even got the gearwrench's with the twist for 90% off
That was a great day

 

[RedFordTruck]

I am a tool manager at Lowes. The new sockets and wrenches are all made in Tawain.

Back when the made the switch from the American made to the Tawain made we were able to buy the American made stuff, including the Gearwrenches for 90% off.

I bought $1,000.00 dollars worth of sockets,gearwrench sets and ratchets for $100
I even got the gearwrench's with the twist for 90% off
That was a great day

You ****...

 

[sberry]

I got no problem buying that stuff. Bought some single wrenches recntly, 13 and 15 I think. Nice finish, seems on ws 3$ and one 5 or 6.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Ive got some cheapo Kobalt kits I keep in my truck box. They are just as nice as my craftsman at home.

Made in Taiwan, but paying $10, $10, and $25 for sets that originally price $40, $40, and $60, they make great tools to keep with me.

If I lose them or theyre stolen im not out much.

 

[JMcFly]

I will say Kobalt has a decent quality and price compared to other non USA stuff.

I only have 1 Kobalt socket, a 32mm that I used to take on my CV axle nut.

I only used it that one time and the outside of the sockets looks beat to hell. I have no idea what I did to it but it looks like I threw it into the cement a few times.

My only guess is it is from being on the breaker bar while being set onto the cement, but I am pretty gentle and it is nothing that I wouldn't do with any of my other tools/sockets.

I bought a 36mm socket from Lowes one day to use to drive a bearing race into a hub for one of my cars. Worked perfectly and didn't get a scratch on it.

 

[shoturtle]

well their ratchets are quit a bit more then other asian brands. But it is also put together better as well. The HF stuff does not even compare to the Lowes in quality. The gearwrench are the only other asian ratchet that is as nice and in the same price range.

 

[RedFordTruck]

well their ratchets are quit a bit more then other asian brands. But it is also put together better as well. The HF stuff does not even compare to the Lowes in quality. The gearwrench are the only other asian ratchet that is as nice and in the same price range.

their single stock ratchet pricing is ridiculous compared to their set pricing.

$25 for a 3/8'' drive ratchet and you can look over and see a 20 piece set with that ratchet, 16 sockets, 2 extensions and a u-joint on sale for $20.

 

[shoturtle]

look at the Gearwrench stuff when not on sale, same price range. But look at the GW sets and the kolbalt sets, they are a lot better value then loose stock. But the kolbalt set does not come with their ergo slim profile. That is a really nice ratchet.

 

[87FoRunner]

I have a set of 3/8 for my trail box in my rock crawler. Can't complain about em, very good quality for price paid.

 

[Brownsfan]

Yes sets are the way to go with Kobalt. For example the 1/2in drive ratchet is 29.99. A set with 14 sockets 1 extension and ratchet 24.99. I bought a 40 peice 3/8in drive set for 25 not to long ago. The 3/8 ratchet was 25 by itself. For the money the quality of this stuff is great. I will say the pliers are GARBAGE to put it nice. I bought a bunch of sockets when they went on sale. The chrome is great and they are tough as nails.

 

[wellpoison]

the sockets are excellent never had a problem same with the ratcheting wrenches i have. the wrenches were the ones on the hot deals a while back, got them for around 2 bucks each. i like the ratcheting action better on those then on the the gearwrench ones. i dont like the ratchets that much though like another poster said the selector switches way to easy and on its own sometimes. but for the price point its great.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I regularly check in at Lowes to see what's on sale. So far loving all the new socket stuff; Bought the 1/4 drive metric set and 1/2 drive deep metric on sale to beat on at diesel school. Also swivel socket sets, which are excellent quality, and their socket trays are great.
I traded out my garbage Danaher era ratchets for the a regular 1/2 and the slim profile 3/8 & 1/4 (they were out of the regular ones). I use and abuse them every day with no complaints or issues. The slims are my favorite ratchets besides my SO Dual 80s.
I've still been kicking myself for not getting the stubby wrench sets when they were on sale for $10 a set. Just spotted them at $15 a set the other day, so going to try and make the budget work with them.

 

[FlatBlackBlaze]

Kobalt is my first choice when i need a tool for the house.