New Kobalt screwdriver set

[Brownsfan]

I saw these yesterday at Lowe's and they really reminded me of the Mac macsimizer Series screwdrivers. The macs even came in a identical tray. I wonder if these are the same as the macs? The handles are virtually identical. I have a couple panel removal tools with this handle and they are the same tri lobe design. I remember the Mac set being almost 200 for this same set. I know a couple guys with the Mac drivers and they are pretty good and have held up. So for $30 it's not a bad deal
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Hi-Vis-20-Piece-Variety-Pack-Screwdriver-Set/1000135631

 

[flyingblind]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Hi-Vis-20-Piece-Variety-Pack-Screwdriver-Set/1000135631

 

[Brownsfan]

Anyone have the Mac versions in this organization tray? It looks identical to set I saw on the Mac truck. I'm thinking of getting this set for my service van. I really think these are the same as the Mac Macsimizer set they sold in red/green/ and orange.

 

[gdocktor3]

Eh I don't know....

 

[1982fxr]

I would be very surprised if they are actually the same exact set. More likely copied to look like them.

 

[Brownsfan]

Those look IDENTICAL to me. The lay out the piece count. Everything. They are on sale for 29.99 right now.

 

[pedrodagr8]

Those look IDENTICAL to me. The lay out the piece count. Everything. They are on sale for 29.99 right now.

They are definitely not identical, I can see a variety of small differences. Just look at the end caps of each handle. I think they are designed ot look similar to each other. Importantly, what is the COO for these and the MACs.

 

[Brownsfan]

Both China. There is very small differences in the handle design but the overall design is the same.

 

[WWheeler]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if they were both the same set. Sure looks like it could be. I might have to pick a set of these up. Thanks for the heads-up.

-----------------
You are the mechanic on a space shuttle voyage. You may bring one set of tools. Made in USA Snap-On, or made in China harbor freight, oh, and your budget limit is $250. Which one will it be? That's what I thought.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have held both and there are small cosmetic difference between them like I said the overall design is the same . It would not surprise me one bit of they are the same.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Macsimizer set is made in Taiwan. The Kobalt set is made in China, Peoples Republic of

Ray Charles could see the differences between the two sets. They are by no means identical. What did you guys lace your turkey with?

Maybe next year Kobalt will come out with Duratek screwdriver lookalikes you guys can debate.

 

[1982fxr]

Wwheeler nice sig or whatever it's called

 

[1982fxr]

The Macsimizer set is made in Taiwan. The Kobalt set is made in China, Peoples Republic of

Ray Charles could see the differences between the two sets. They are by no means identical. What did you guys lace your turkey with?

Maybe next year Kobalt will come out with Duratek screwdriver lookalikes you guys can debate.

For the win.

 

[KnurledNut]

Both China. There is very small differences in the handle design but the overall design is the same.

The macsimizers are Taiwan.

The foam tray looks similar, but not identical.

EDIT: you beat me to it fedwrench...

 

[WWheeler]

Wwheeler nice sig or whatever it's called

I didn't make that my sig. I just posted it on that post there just to mess with ya a bit.

After reading your sig got me thinking there's something missing. Afterall, the cost is the one factor not included in your sig that explains why HF gets any business at all.

 

[Infinia]

Even Taiwan OEMs, tool makers are moving production to PRC bigtime. PC mainboards are a perfect example of this practice. Taiwan may have different rules for declaring origin COO. Its safe to assume the China Vendors maybe using a bag-o-tricks to get around exclusive agreements with the truck brands and big box vendors like Lowes, see Snap On Vs HF lawsuit. I bet they cant sue their own offshore factories so they go after the other USA importers.
Its even becoming blurred in this country "assembled in USA using global parts" could mean they have a USA re-packaging facility box em up straight off the shipping containers. I'm afraid you'd have to be part detective and intl. lawyer to get a straight answer any more.

to answer the OP >based on all the similarities Re image in post #9, I wouldn't be surprised if they both came from the same PRC tool maker, no matter what the other importer says. I reckon its a very small tooling change on the same production line.
I'd say if the foam is the same mtrl & thickness and if circular cut-out is same diameter, In my book it's a close enough that say weve got a matching source.

 

[Vantastic]

Haha. Mac calls them star drive.

 

[avmaine]

Is there anyone who has both the Macs and these who could compare them in quality and feel? For the mid level user, are they any good?

 

[Infinia]

For the mid level user, are they any good?

on sale for 29? id say its a very low risk this a bad set even for "high level" user.
dude take a chance just get one, ( report back if its made from old swiss cheese haha).
dollars to donuts its the same Q as the Truck set.

 

[bigarmzz]

Just ordered a set of these for ship to home. Thanks guys!

 

[Infinia]

yes these and the MAC handles are different than the blue standard ones with holes , also sold as pros at HF. some may like that feel IDK. I like old school hard handles so none of these appeal that much.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Macsimizers were a tri-lobular handle shape if I remember correctly.

 

[stage20]

The Macsimizers were a tri-lobular handle shape if I remember correctly.

the kobalts are too but they arent the same. i have a half set of the blue colored macs. i havent touched the kobalts, but i can tell by the pics the handles are not identical. maybe the same shafts, or similar design. handle is different

 

[dodge610]

Anybody get a set of these Kobalt drivers I am real close to ordering a set for the shop.These will not be used on a daily basis just used around my shop.

 

[chevy302dz]

Anybody get a set of these Kobalt drivers I am real close to ordering a set for the shop.These will not be used on a daily basis just used around my shop.

I have a set though I haven't had the chance to put them to use. It looks to me like the MAC set at least heavily influenced the design (pictures for comparison can be found in the MAC thread), even if it turns out there are no actual shared components. The reviews on Lowes site appear to agree with that conclusion as well as many compare the drivers favorably to truck versions. From my perspective the drivers look to be quality pieces that are well finished and i look forward to putting them to work. Hope this helps

 

[Brownsfan]

Here is some reviews. Even a guy there says they are VERY similar if not the same just different production run. Maybe they are and production shifted from Taiwan to China. For $29.99 I think they would be a good road tool set or home set. Hell maybe even if you are a pro if they are that similar to Mac.
https://m.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Hi-Vis-20-Piece-Variety-Pack-Screwdriver-Set/1000135631

 

[Brownsfan]

Anybody get a set of these Kobalt drivers I am real close to ordering a set for the shop.These will not be used on a daily basis just used around my shop.

For $30 you can't go wrong. I have a couple Mac panel removal tools with this handle and they are very comfortable to use.

 

[555]

On sale now, $19 and change. I just ordered a set. I can always use more screwdrivers.
Regards,
John

 

[exmaxima1]

On sale now, $19 and change. I just ordered a set. I can always use more screwdrivers.
Regards,
John

+1

 

[gungatim]

just ordered a set for $19.99. thanks for the heads up. needed a gift for a guy at work, these should fit the bill.

 

[bigarmzz]

Got these in today from Lowe's, shame they didn't fit the harbor freight drawers just right, so I Used a really sharp utility knife, and cut the torx bit screwdrivers section out for another drawer, now these kobalt screwdrivers fit perfect in the drawer of my harbor freight toolbox

I don't think these are bad at all, they have oversized handles, and for the money, I don't think you can go wrong. I actually just ordered another set since they dropped these down to $21 tax and all with free shipping....

 

[Brownsfan]

For 19.99 seems like a pretty good value. I have to hurry up and get there to buy them.

 

[gungatim]

Got these in today from Lowe's, shame they didn't fit the harbor freight drawers just right, so I Used a really sharp utility knife, and cut the torx bit screwdrivers section out for another drawer, now these kobalt screwdrivers fit perfect in the drawer of my harbor freight toolbox

I don't think these are bad at all, they have oversized handles, and for the money, I don't think you can go wrong. I actually just ordered another set since they dropped these down to $21 tax and all with free shipping....

I decided to keep the set I bought and did the exact same as you. same drawer even...was surprised the did not fit a standard drawer, after cutting I put the torx in the side box. have not used them yet but I liked them enough to put the HF ones to rest and make these my main (non-snap-on) set.

pretty good deal for $20...

 

[gdocktor3]

From another post of mine - Well, my sets going back and I will not be getting another. I own a lot of screwdrivers, mostly truck brands, with the exception of Mac. I can't say for sure, but I highly doubt Mac would sell screwdrivers like this. All the long blade screwdrivers were crooked in their handles. For all I know, the shorter ones are as well, it's just easier to notice on the long ones. Other than that, they're mediocre at best. IN MY EXPERIENCES, cheap Chinese made tools like this from Lowes, HF, etc are always inferior to the worse USA brand i.e. Craftsman and I should have stuck with my usual mind set of "don't even bother." I wish everyone else better luck with them though.

Another member also had similar experiences with his set, so it's not a fluke.

 

[dirt_dobber]

I brought a set yesterday and I like them. Fit and finish on mine are fine and the price is great.

 

[gungatim]

From another post of mine - Well, my sets going back and I will not be getting another. I own a lot of screwdrivers, mostly truck brands, with the exception of Mac. I can't say for sure, but I highly doubt Mac would sell screwdrivers like this. All the long blade screwdrivers were crooked in their handles. For all I know, the shorter ones are as well, it's just easier to notice on the long ones. Other than that, they're mediocre at best. IN MY EXPERIENCES, cheap Chinese made tools like this from Lowes, HF, etc are always inferior to the worse USA brand i.e. Craftsman and I should have stuck with my usual mind set of "don't even bother." I wish everyone else better luck with them though.

Another member also had similar experiences with his set, so it's not a fluke.

QUOTE]

mine were straight, but I only looked at a couple.

but worse than craftsman?, I totally disagree, craftsman hasn't made a decent screwdriver since the 80's (excluding pro). I HATE the standard craftsman screwdrivers. stinky outdated acetate handles with crappy finish and stamped tips that snap off. if china can make decent screwdrivers I don't understand why usa made are such ****. even the freebie HF drivers are better than std. craftsman.

 

[gdocktor3]

SK screwdrivers are made by Western Forge, just like the current Craftsman USA stuff, but nobody ever complains about SK's quality...

 

[lightning02]

SK screwdrivers are made by Western Forge, just like the current Craftsman USA stuff, but nobody ever complains about SK's quality...

i bought some USA made Craftsman couple years ago and they had bent shafts and the tips didnt last for ****. 2 or 3 uses and the tips where shot. didnt even bother being them in for replacement bc in sure the replacements would be just as ******. the $8 HF pros have last longer and held up way better. not saying there the best but just comparing them to the USA Craftsman.

 

[Sco Deac]

If cheap screwdrivers are the goal, especially if you needed a ton of regular, this is a good price for some quality Proto. $25 for 15 screwdrivers. Granted there are only a couple philips in the bunch and no torx if you need those.

http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/15-pc-proto-screwdriver-set.html

 

[JMLangford]

Got these in today from Lowe's, shame they didn't fit the harbor freight drawers just right, so I Used a really sharp utility knife, and cut the torx bit screwdrivers section out for another drawer, now these kobalt screwdrivers fit perfect in the drawer of my harbor freight toolbox

I don't think these are bad at all, they have oversized handles, and for the money, I don't think you can go wrong. I actually just ordered another set since they dropped these down to $21 tax and all with free shipping....

I had the same idea as you and gungatim ......didn't realize the amount of real estate these would require!! guess I got carried away with all that green goodness.......

I could have put the whole set in one of the drawers of my Matco box but it was already loaded down with my other drivers with trays......I can probably rearrange a little to fit the torx in.

Speaking of the torx.....I'm going to have to make a trip back to Lowes because I got two (2) T10's in my set (no T15)

I paid $28.60 after tax and my military discount which works out to $1.43 per screwdriver.....not bad!
I guess the $19.99 price is a online purchase deal only???.....I'll ax when I return the T10



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