new Kobolt 90 tooth ratchets

[a52-830]

anyone used one? i was at a lowes tonight, and saw a set. the printed 90 on the quick release looked pretty cheesy.

but how do they work? any comments?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-Piece-Ratchet-Set/1000223633

 

[Wamsutta]

I wouldn't want to be out in the middle of nowhere having to depend on Kobalt. My 936 ratchet might be loud with the signature blood grooves in the handle, but I highly doubt the thing would ever break. Those guts fit inside very precisely with no room to spare.

 

[Thedave1164]

I was wondering as well

 

[Tallpilot]

One thread referred to these 'new Taiwan 90 tooth designs' as junk. I don't have one but would stick with Taiwan 72 teeth, Snap On dual 80 or Gearwrench 120 which I think is actually dual 60.

 

[rmsg0040]

Carlyle/ultrapro have 90 tooth designs and are made in Taiwan, they are nice

 

[Hotrod426]

No but I bought this husky ratchet at home depot there are no gears inside it is totally silent its a little odd because i'm so used to hearing and feeling gears in the action. Other than that its working good.

 

[Stevenn1]

I thought Kobalt had a gearless ratchet, which if it works right should have less degree of engagement swing then the 90. Plus no back drag.

 

[dodge610]

Yep they have them and for the price I am going to take a gamble on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jonesg]

No but I bought this husky ratchet at home depot there are no gears inside it is totally silent its a little odd because i'm so used to hearing and feeling gears in the action. Other than that its working good.

I wondered why no-one used a one way clutch bushing, I guess reverse would be a problem.

 

[ngonerogwu]

Ive got one of the older 72 kobalt ones that I purchased for work to use as something disposable. Stupid thing is still working. I had to open it up last year and grease it, as being used in the rain had taken a toll, but still works great.

These kobalt ones fit in a certain spot on my toolpouch, otherwise i'd buy the snappy copies from HF, as I use them at home and like them a lot better.

 

[jumbojak]

The qr button on those looks huge.

 

[Rarified27]

I played with one in the store and noticed two things, which even for the good price, turned me off.

1. Yes, the QR button is very proud; defeats the thin head purpose.

2. They had an almost plastic-on-metal sound when operated.

I have 72 tooth Taiwan Kobalt sets in the cars/truck and they feel much better than these.

 

[Coach James]

I have a few Kobalt ratchets, not 90 tooth, that I have pushed pretty hard and they are still working fine. The 90 may be different of course.

Some people will never try them, but call them junk simply because they are Kobalt. If you had Lowes put the Kobalt name on Snap On ratchets, some people would call them junk as soon as they saw Kobalt.

At $10 a ratchet, I may take a chance on them.

Coach

 

[Coach James]

I played with one in the store and noticed two things, which even for the good price, turned me off.

1. Yes, the QR button is very proud; defeats the thin head purpose.

2. They had an almost plastic-on-metal sound when operated.

I have 72 tooth Taiwan Kobalt sets in the cars/turck and they feel much better than these.

Darn. That may be a deal breaker for me.

Coach

 

[Rarified27]

Darn. That may be a deal breaker for me.

Coach

I definitely recommend checking one out for yourself.

My 72 tooth Kobalt ratchets have an elevated QR button, but notably lower compared to the 90 tooth ones in the store.

A 1/4" Husky ratchet I bought years ago has a QR button so recessed, with a kind of indent, it's actually difficult to operate with gloves on or if you have big fingers.

You're the only one who knows what works for you!

 

[JohnDeere1]

I have tried them and took them back a couple weeks ago I warrantied a 3/8 and they offered me the epic set for $5 more as they were out of 3/8 singles. Needless to say I was very unhappy with them as they felt cheap compared to the 72t. So I took them back and threw a fit and got my $5 back and the only 3/8 ratchet in the store a 18" flex which I do like quite well so it worked out great.

I would not buy the 90t but for $25 or $30for the set it is cheap enough to try. But... I think Kobalt is on a endless downward spiral the old Williams made that I have is excellent and they have been **** ever since.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Carlyle/ultrapro have 90 tooth designs and are made in Taiwan, they are nice

Yes Carlyle 90t are awesome but pricey but the guts are made by the same people who make the Cornwell 72t and they are strong. Compare the guts for yourself by looking at the repair kits on Carlyle and Cornwells site you will see instantly , I own both.

I still love my Carlyle 60t long flex the head is so tiny compared to a dual80 and handle feels great.

 

[Infinia]

I have a few Kobalt ratchets, not 90 tooth, that I have pushed pretty hard and they are still working fine. The 90 may be different of course.

At $10 a ratchet, I may take a chance on them.

Coach

Why get the 90T if you have the 72 tooth Kobalts already??, 4 Vs 5 degrees difference is negligible! I doubt any of the other dimensions have changed. I expect the durability not to change significantly either. Chunky size and heavy are the watch words for these Kobalts, on both ratchets and sockets. None of these Kobalt made in Taiwan ratchets are thin profile by any measure. They feel and look better than CM raised panel but that's about it. I simply value the lower weight & profile of basic CM sockets & ratchets. IMO Kobalts shininess and heaviness give the false illusion of "quality", time will tell if I'm correct or not.
They might be worth 10 bucks, but i'd consider it very worthwhile spending at least double on something else!

 

[kkroger]

Why get the 90T if you have the 72 tooth Kobalts already??, 4 Vs 5 degrees difference is negligible! I doubt any of the other dimensions have changed. I expect the durability not to change significantly either. Chunky size and heavy are the watch words for these Kobalts, on both ratchets and sockets. None of these Kobalt made in Taiwan ratchets are thin profile by any measure. They feel and look better than CM raised panel but that's about it. I simply value the lower weight & profile of basic CM sockets & ratchets. IMO Kobalts shininess and heaviness give the false illusion of "quality", time will tell if I'm correct or not.
They might be worth 10 bucks, but i'd consider it very worthwhile spending at least double on something else!

Um... Why not? I mean I have a LOT of ratchets, Many Sockets, Wrenches... After you have TWO Half inch wrenches do you NEED anymore? LOL!

 

[Empty Pockets]

If I was in need of new ratchets, I might look at them. Presently, no need

 

[visionguru]

I played with one in the store and noticed two things, which even for the good price, turned me off.

1. Yes, the QR button is very proud; defeats the thin head purpose.

2. They had an almost plastic-on-metal sound when operated.

I have 72 tooth Taiwan Kobalt sets in the cars/truck and they feel much better than these.

From 72 teeth to 90 teeth, only 18 teeth were added. All they need to do is making the teeth smaller, while the design remain similar (if not the same as 72 teeth version). How come you can feel obvious differences?

 

[JohnDeere1]

They look identical to the 72t but have a cheaper feel and home is not as nice and durability won't be any better red my posts above. They are the worst ratchet ever pur our by kobalt with a quality feel the 72t Taiwan's are not that great but still better and smoother. I didn't keep the 90t for 2 hours before I took it back he selectors have alot of travel and play , just think $25 for 1 72t 3/8 or $30 for set of 3 that says it all, I didn't check out the single 90ts but they may be better but the set was made to be sold cheap so you get the idea. Go with the Carlyle 90t for more $45 just for a 1/4 ratchet they are very nice pro quality.

 

[Citation]

The ones I tried in the store had a nice plus over the older 72t. The direction lever is no longer backwards. It's a small thing but some really like flipping the tab in the direction I want to drive the handle.

 

[Infinia]

Um... Why not? I mean I have a LOT of ratchets, Many Sockets, Wrenches... After you have TWO Half inch wrenches do you NEED anymore? LOL!

Wrong question! Sure If you have no use of utility over quantity then go ahead. If you want something cool and unique visit an Auto Parts store. For example I found this at O'Reilly's GM-6146 shown with a 17mm socket side view against a Kobalt ratchet and socket see attached. 3/8" QR 72T http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/large/ptt/gm6146-n.jpg

 

[a52-830]

After you have TWO Half inch wrenches do you NEED anymore? LOL!

for a minute i thought you meant "when you have a 2 1/2" wrench", and i thought, man, mine only go up to 2". am i failing some test?

 

[Loscaldazar]

From 72 teeth to 90 teeth, only 18 teeth were added. All they need to do is making the teeth smaller, while the design remain similar (if not the same as 72 teeth version). How come you can feel obvious differences?

The 72T and 90T are two completely different designs. The 72T design is a pretty smooth and well proven design with two separate pawls that is often called a "proto" style ratchet mechanism, while the 90T I believe is a single large pawl. That different style would certainly result in different feels.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=358279

 

[openwheelracing88]

no longer made in Taiwan. These 90 are made in China. They don't feel nearly as good. I just saw these 90 tooth ratchets last night. Not impressed.

 

[Wamsutta]

I made the mistake of buying one Snap-on FHF80. Now I'm spoiled. I'm addicted to the feel of the mechanism and the sound that it makes.

 

[Al Borland]

Well, actually, the 72 tooth Taiwan ratchet was replaced by a 90 tooth Chinese ratchet. The new ratchet is a 90 tooth Taiwan ratchet. two separate pawls, and yep, they do feel cheap. Not as solid feeling as the old 72 tooth. Clunky and thick. The Home Depot Husky 72 tooth Apex Chinese ratchet is way better. Slimmer and smoother.

 

[openwheelracing88]

There is a Kobalt Taiwan 90 tooth ratchet? Or is this a typo?

This thread is specific to the currently on sale China 90 tooth ratchet, right?

 

[kkroger]

Wrong question! Sure If you have no use of utility over quantity then go ahead. If you want something cool and unique visit an Auto Parts store. For example I found this at O'Reilly's GM-6146 shown with a 17mm socket side view against a Kobalt ratchet and socket see attached. 3/8" QR 72T http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/large/ptt/gm6146-n.jpg

Yeah so? again it is BAD to have another ratchet? I have plenty of other ratchets I likely won't buy this one but I won't buy the POS from O'Reilly either. I WILL buy the SK 90 Tooth since I can't get the Armstrong 88s anymore. I don't berate people for buying something if they WANT to. If he had NO ratchet and was buying this as his ONLY ratchet I might suggest getting better quality, I might suggest that anyway, but to suggest not buying it because you already have a different ratchet... I own several sets of Combination wrenches, Wright, Craftsman, Snap-On, Even Gear Wrench, and S-K, so meh.... I'll buy more. I have sets in every tool box, as well as vehicles and such... I have sets of sockets from Snap-On, Wright, S-K, Craftsman (USA) among others. I'll buy more...

 

[Infinia]

Sure If you have no use of utility over quantity then go ahead... get moar Kobalt ratchets

The Kobalt is a very basic ratchet! the fact that this new one is approaching 100 teeth is not really an upgrade than what comes in any halfway decent tool kit. If you already have a normal sized ratchet/s rather than getting dupes in functionality or utility, why not get another style that expands your capabilities. E.g long handle flex, low profile, stubby etc...there's other stores besides Lowes and HD that have alternate ratchet selections, most same price or cheaper.

 

[Al Borland]

There is a Kobalt Taiwan 90 tooth ratchet? Or is this a typo?

This thread is specific to the currently on sale China 90 tooth ratchet, right?

The new ones out that have "90 tooth" printed in gold on the quick-release are a Taiwan ratchet that replaces the older Chinese 90 tooth.

 

[dede2897234]

I visited Lowe's a couple days ago. I compared a clearanced Kobalt 3/8" drive, offset handle, 72 tooth ratchet (made in Taiwan; slightly under $18) with the Kobalt 3/8" drive, 90 tooth ratchet (made in Taiwan.

The 72 tooth ratchet has a slimmer profile than the 90 tooth. As "Infinia" mentioned, the 90 tooth model is definitely chunky looking from the side. Even though the 90 tooth model is slightly smoother in ratcheting action than the 72 tooth, I bought the later due to the offset handle (with nice finger indentations towards the bottom of the handle) and price. The 72 teeth are plenty smooth and will work in confined auto repair situations. Here are some pictures:






Dave

 

[Ign]

Can the QR button be removed, chucked up in a 5C collet and faced down?????????