Lowes tools?

[Handyandy23]

I think something like those little air compressors are even more hit or miss than hand tools. I know everything Craftsman is "sourced" from somewhere else, but I've seen those little compressors all over big box stores with different badging on them. I have a pancake compressor I use with my nail guns that's orange and Bostitch branded. It gets the job done, but it's a cheap little machine that I didn't pay much for. I've seen the exact same one in red with Craftsman on it. I think they all come out of one factory and everyone slaps their name on it for consumer-grade sales.

I guess what I'm saying is I wouldn't judge Bostitch based on the cheap little rebranded compressor I have, since I know they make some very nice tools (magnesium body framing nailer I have is a tank). I'm very unimpressed with any of the Craftsman hard line tools as well, so the conclusion is kind of the same, but I also wouldn't say it's completely representative of a brand for a tool like that where everything in the lower price range is essentially the same junk, different paint.

 

[Jtels85]

Too bad, you don't live in northern Kentucky or southern Ohio. You can buy Tekton off a tool truck if you live there.

Hey, that’s my neck of the woods. Where are you located? I’m on the west side of Hamilton County, Ohio.

 

[Ton ton]

Hey, that’s my neck of the woods. Where are you located? I’m on the west side of Hamilton County, Ohio.

Quality craft tools is the name of his business. I met him at the Virginia farm show. Qualitycrafttools.com is the website.

 

[carmantl]

If there is a Rural King store near you, they have a decent selection of Tekton.

 

[dstblj52]

The inherent problem though with Craftsman V-series is I don't see how it's competitive with some of the other similar quality offerings, aside from someone who is drawn to the Craftsman name specifically. Take these ratchet sets for example:

Craftsman V Series 4 pc Ratchet Set - $199.98

Tekton 4 pc Ratchet Set - $95

These sets are virtually identical. I won't comment on the quality of the V Series because I don't have any, but I have those Tekton's, and they are great. Very small heads, nice crisp mechanisms, and quality feel. Both you have to order online. Tekton has a very good warranty system that's been well documented here on GJ.

So aside from name value and nostalgia, I'm just not sure what you gain by paying double for the Craftsman. However it seems like SB&D has decided that's the price people will have to pay to get a decent quality tool with that name on it.

those V series ratchets are rebadged facom and usag designs and honestly are being sold at lower prices then what you see those tools sell for and honestly if you want cheaper options their are plenty of craftsman options that make a more realistic comparison though your right they seem to like kits more then selling single tools outside of v series

 

[Bubba Fett]

Kobalt ain't going anywhere. It's their house brand. The Kobalt mechanic's tools section is smaller, but they have changed the packaging to take up less space, which is a good thing, IMO. That allowed them to shrink down the display area. No doubt this is because of Craftsman, which has taken over much of their tool section. I'd rather Kobalt focus on basic tools and forget the gimmicky junk.

 

[Jtels85]

Kobalt ain't going anywhere. It's their house brand. The Kobalt mechanic's tools section is smaller, but they have changed the packaging to take up less space, which is a good thing, IMO. That allowed them to shrink down the display area. No doubt this is because of Craftsman, which has taken over much of their tool section. I'd rather Kobalt focus on basic tools and forget the gimmicky junk.

I looked at the new Kobalt Diamond tipped screwdriver set at Lowe’s and was incredibly confused by the handle design. They were… Diamond shaped notches? I don’t know what you would call them but they were silly looking and uncomfortable to hold. Why couldn’t they just make a normal, comfortable handle design? Needless to say, I put them right back.

I agree with you, they need to knock off the gimmicky ****.

 

[Robinson1]

I totally agree but that gimmick **** is what sells tools. Average homeowner doesn't know a good screwdriver from a junker. Flashy packaging and advertising will draw them in.

I can do 95% of my screwdrivering with a Lenox 6 in 1. They cost $10 at local supply house. I have never once seen a homeowner with one. But I've seen tons of gimmick **** that cost more.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I looked at the new Kobalt Diamond tipped screwdriver set at Lowe’s and was incredibly confused by the handle design. They were… Diamond shaped notches? I don’t know what you would call them but they were silly looking and uncomfortable to hold. Why couldn’t they just make a normal, comfortable handle design? Needless to say, I put them right back.

I agree with you, they need to knock off the gimmicky ****.

I just took a look at those of at their website. Holy ****, those look horrible. I can't imagine them being comfortable to use. Side note: They do have good screwdrivers over in the electrical selection (Ideal cushion grip) though the tip selection is limited.

I do think their sockets and ratchets are quite good. I just got a 1/4" socket set with a 90-tooth ratchet. I'd bet money it's made by Crescent/Apex. I've never been super impressed with their pliers, though.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Lowe's hand tools are junk. Especially Kobalt brand. Lowe's won't stand behind the Kobalt warranty for me locally. I have tried multiple times. Losing Kobalt is no great loss. Home Depot doesn't have many stores locally for me. Just my 2 cents.

I have brought 2 Kobalt tools in for warranty exchange thus far. One was a screwdriver with a handle that had started to melt (for lack of a better word). That was quite a few years ago. They told me to just get another one and that was that. Earlier this year I brought a ratchet in that had failed. They asked for a receipt and by some miracle, I still had it my email (from 2016). Aside from that, no issues. They let me exchange it. As for their tools in general, I'm more than satisfied for the money. I'm a serious deal hunter though and I get virtually everything at a deep discount. I paid about $75 for my 304-piece Kobalt socket set.

 

[Sneezer]

Overall I have been happy with the Kobalt stuff in my garage. However, nothing I have bought was anywhere near full price - all clearance deals. Their ratchets are OK - at the time it was the most affordable option for 90 tooth heads, but they are bigger, and the switches are reversed. Now that I have bought many more ratchets I don't use them as often. I do have their thin head ones which were nice, along with the roto heads.

I too have some gunmetal Craftsman stuff and have been quite happy with it, although the clearance prices I paid may have something to do with it as well.

I do have some Kobalt 24V power tools and I have been happy with them. They keep coming out with new stuff although nothing near the rate that Ryobi does. I suspect they will keep the brand around, but the wide variety of branded tools will not be there as we have seen in the past. I have noticed that most of the sockets/ratchets were Taiwan, and most other hand tools were a mix of Taiwan and China.