Who makes the kobalt torque wrenches?

[ssentt]

Anyone know who makes kobalt torque wrenches for Lowes?

 

[bcradio]

Good question... I'd also like to know as I own 2. Perhaps similar to Gearwrench?

 

[CWP1616L]

That's just it, when you buy something made in Taiwan, there's no telling where it's made. But if you buy a torque wrench from Precision Instruments, they give you a street address in case you'd like to come by and visit them sometime:

Precision Instruments, Inc.
1846 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016

 

[-Brent-]

I think CDI makes them, if I remember correctly.

 

[SMKS]

Good question... I'd also like to know as I own 2. Perhaps similar to Gearwrench?

The Gearwrench torque wrenches are actually made in the USA. I think they're the only US made Gearwrench tools.

 

[SMKS]

I think CDI makes them, if I remember correctly.

Where'd you get this info? I haven't heard that, but I'd be interested in reading more about it.

 

[ssentt]

I thought they looked like possible CDI too. I tried to dig up something from internet but no luck.

 

[bobcatdan]

I think CDI makes them, if I remember correctly.

This may have been true in the past since CDI is part of SO industrial as is Williams who was the first gen supplier of kobalt tools. I do not know enough about CDI if they manufacture over seas as I'm guess that is were the kobalts are made now. If I am wrong about the kobalts being imports, I'm sorry as I do not shop at lowes.

 

[cburnscrx]

That's just it, when you buy something made in Taiwan, there's no telling where it's made. But if you buy a torque wrench from Precision Instruments, they give you a street address in case you'd like to come by and visit them sometime:

Precision Instruments, Inc.
1846 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016

That's good, because for the price difference they can take me to dinner.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

The Kobalt torque wrenches originate from Taiwan. Well at least the ones in my tool boxes did.

They seem to be a clone or vice versa of my cornwell.

Either way they are fine torque wrenches and according to the literature on the box they are covered under the no hassle warranty

 

[Bull]

The Kobalt torque wrenches originate from Taiwan. Well at least the ones in my tool boxes did.

They seem to be a clone or vice versa of my cornwell.

Either way they are fine torque wrenches and according to the literature on the box they are covered under the no hassle warranty

All of which make them seem pretty attractive when compounded with their current high-discount pricing. I've been searching the forum here trying to see if anyone has used them much, but most threads seem to be exploratory or mention only recently picking one up.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

All of which make them seem pretty attractive when compounded with their current high-discount pricing. I've been searching the forum here trying to see if anyone has used them much, but most threads seem to be exploratory or mention only recently picking one up.

No problems with mine. I've had it a couple of years now.

I've done 12-15 regears, mercury marine engine overhaul and countless torquing lug nuts

 

[Bull]

No problems with mine. I've had it a couple of years now.

I've done 12-15 regears, mercury marine engine overhaul and countless torquing lug nuts

That's good to hear; the $60 price tag is calling to me pretty loudly.

 

[ssentt]

I picked up a 3/8" for me and the 1/2" and 3/8" also for my son. He has been using his daily as a tech at a dealership for about the last 3 months....so far they have held up. He tells me the 3/8" gets passed around to a few guys who don't have the smaller 3/8" and reports same durability.

When I purchased these three I did open 5 different boxes to examine though. Couple of them didn't seem to have as good positive lockring engagement at the lower settings....just felt slightly different, not damaged. They seem to be very good quality. The outside of the box states liftime replacement which is great IMO.

 

[Bull]

The outside of the box states liftime replacement which is great IMO.

I read one review that stated that the internal paperwork states a 1-year warranty. Is this true?

 

[Fast LT1]

I picked up the 1/2 model today. At 100 ft lbs it torqued to 105. Not incredibly accurate. This was using a snap on torque comparator. But I'm happy, I'm going to use it at work for lugs so I don't mess up my tech angle.... Again

 

[Fast LT1]

I read one review that stated that the internal paperwork states a 1-year warranty. Is this true?

I'll read mine tomorrow and post it

 

[ssentt]

I read one review that stated that the internal paperwork states a 1-year warranty. Is this true?

Yes, I believe so. I will have to look tomorrow. So if I need replacement I will take in original box.

 

[toolstools]

I picked up the 1/2 model today. At 100 ft lbs it torqued to 105. Not incredibly accurate. This was using a snap on torque comparator. But I'm happy, I'm going to use it at work for lugs so I don't mess up my tech angle.... Again

You're going to complain over 5%? Or just upset its no more accurate then HF?

 

[senor fozz]

I picked up the 1/2 model today. At 100 ft lbs it torqued to 105. Not incredibly accurate. This was using a snap on torque comparator. But I'm happy, I'm going to use it at work for lugs so I don't mess up my tech angle.... Again

Please elaborate how using a torque wrench to do what it was designed for failed. Not trying to troll just curious. How many cycles did it last approx.?

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I picked up the 1/2 model today. At 100 ft lbs it torqued to 105. Not incredibly accurate. This was using a snap on torque comparator. But I'm happy, I'm going to use it at work for lugs so I don't mess up my tech angle.... Again

I've found new torque wrenches need some cycles on them to become more accurate.

Torque a couple dozen fasteners (lug nuts perhaps) at different settings

 

[woody 73]

Both the 3/8 model and the 1/2 model are on sale now at 50% off. I bought the 3/8 Kobalt model and indeed the outside of the box reads something like if any kobalt goes bad we will take make good...etc. The inside papers say to return it with your proof of purchase for a good one year warranty deal, so I am clueless is it lifetime or one year???

But for a tank full of gas I have a torque wrench so I can live without knowing if it is one year or forever, results may vary with other GJ members on this subject at hand!

Mine comes from Taiwan so again I am not sure of the company name.

Wish that helped the op but it leaves more questions then answers.

 

[Robbie Tussin]

I'm pretty sure they're made by Rotar, like most of the other Kobalt sockets and Ratchets. It looks just like all of the rest of the Rotar OEM stuff. It also looks a lot like the pittsburgh ones from Harbor Freight, but with a different handle and five times the price.

I think the old ones from the Williams era were made by CDI

 

[Bull]

Again, I'd pay the 5x less for a HF version if it went to 250 ft lbs and not just 150.

 

[allinon72]

If they were made by CDI, one would already be in my tool box.

 

[Fast LT1]

The paper work does say one year hassle free replacement. Box says lifetime....

 

[Bull]

The paper work does say one year hassle free replacement. Box says lifetime....

I wonder how this plays out at the service desk?

 

[bcradio]

I'm pretty sure they're made by Rotar, like most of the other Kobalt sockets and Ratchets. It looks just like all of the rest of the Rotar OEM stuff. It also looks a lot like the pittsburgh ones from Harbor Freight, but with a different handle and five times the price.

I think the old ones from the Williams era were made by CDI

They don't look even remotely similar to the Harbor Freight wrench... unless by your logic all click-type torque wrenches look like the HF just with different handles.

 

[toolstools]

They don't look even remotely similar to the Harbor Freight wrench... unless by your logic all click-type torque wrenches look like the HF just with different handles.

Sure they do. Just like duralast, evercraft, and husky (old). They all look like old proto.

 

[rednotch]

I wonder how this plays out at the service desk?

They will take them. I even had to go to two stores since the local one had none in stock but was more then willing to take it. Like a dumb *** I took my Williams sourced usa one in when the selector handle backed out and got lost looking for parts, wrench had to be 5yrs old at least and I didn't know where to get parts for it. They gave me a Danaher sourced replacement so it was a few years before every thing went over seas. No clue who made them either but would like to find one of the old Williams one's that one was dead nuts on.