Who's making Kobalt?

[Conductor562]

Still haven't heard a definite answer as to who holds the current contract for the 3rd generation Kobalt line. I loved the 1st generation (Williams), wasn't real high on the 2nd (Danaher), and I'm not at all enthused with the 3rd generation stuff being made in Taiwan, though as bad as I hate to say it, it may actually be an improvement over the later **** Danaher put out. Irregardless, I'm still curious as to who's making it. The closest I've come to an answer was someone speculating it was an unnamed company based in Colorado. Anyone know anything beyond that?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Been wondering the same thing myself for a bit now.

For all the years I've stayed away from foreign tools, the 3rd gen Kobalt is miles beyond what the 2nd gen Danaher junk was, but is honestly only worth the buying on sale prince.

 

[Ironhorse]

Still haven't heard a definite answer as to who holds the current contract for the 3rd generation Kobalt line. I loved the 1st generation (Williams), wasn't real high on the 2nd (Danaher), and I'm not at all enthused with the 3rd generation stuff being made in Taiwan, though as bad as I hate to say it, it may actually be an improvement over the later **** Danaher put out. Irregardless, I'm still curious as to who's making it. The closest I've come to an answer was someone speculating it was an unnamed company based in Colorado. Anyone know anything beyond that?

Fisher Price got the new contract..lol

 

[Stuey]

I think someone said it could be Great Neck.

 

[John316]

Ratchets obviously Titan or whoever makes Titan

 

[Armed Bear]

10 year old kids in a Taiwan sweat shop make Kobalt tools.

 

[dankicksass]

Kobalt is fulfilled by LG Sourcing now, Lowes own import rebrander. The chrome hardline is Titan/EZ-Red, the new power tools are Chevron, the clear handle screwdrivers are Ideal, anything past that I have no idea.

 

[Conductor562]

I didn't notice before, but now that you mention it I do see the Titan similarities in the ratchets.

 

[Bull]

I am a USA-kind of guy. But I am going to come right out and say I like the few Titan tools that I have.

 

[shanker]

I just cant stand the ergonomics of the new Kobalt tools. I want slim, low profile, all chrome (for easy cleanup), and no-nonsense tools.

 

[Conductor562]

I have one of those Titan ⅜" - ¼" stubby, flex ratchets. I didn't take it to serious at first but I've been surprised by the quality of it. Super smooth gear too.

 

[Conductor562]

Surely someone will come along with some answers. I believe Dankickass is right though, they're obviously contracting different tools from different sources.

 

[Armed Bear]

To be honest I think Kobalt sockets kick ***

 

[Conductor562]

To be honest I think Kobalt sockets kick ***

I bought all mine during the 1st generation run and they do in fact kick ***. I can't attest to the 2nd or 3rd gen sockets, but the 2nd gen ratchets left a bit to be desired. I got 12 years of hard use out of the 1st gen ratchets, I got 2 out of the 2nd. Just swapped the crapped out ⅜" and ½" Danaher's for the 3rd gens about 2 months ago. We'll see how the hold up, but the initial quality appears to be an improvement.

 

[Robbie Tussin]

I know at least some of the screwdrivers are made by Great Neck. A couple sets I looked at said they were manufactured by great neck on the back of the package.

I'm pretty sure most of their ratchets and sockets are made by Rotar because they are almost identical to some of the Toptul ratchets. They do a lot of OEM manufacturing for a lot of different companies including Titan, EZ Red, Pittsburg Pro, Pro Grade, Teng, Sealey, Neiko, KT, and probably dozens of others that I can't remember at the moment. The Rotar stuff is usually pretty easy to spot because it all looks pretty much the same.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Kobalt is fulfilled by LG Sourcing now, Lowes own import rebrander. The chrome hardline is Titan/EZ-Red, the new power tools are Chevron, the clear handle screwdrivers are Ideal, anything past that I have no idea.

Interesting... I almost bought a set of the Kobalt clear-handled screwdrivers (couldn't find a set of Crafstman drivers in stock at the time), and I thought they looked to be good quality. Would be good to confirm that Kobalt drivers are mfg'ed by Ideal. IMHO though, Great Neck stuff is disposable ****.

 

[btbsandman]

I know at least some of the screwdrivers are made by Great Neck. A couple sets I looked at said they were manufactured by great neck on the back of the package.

I'm pretty sure most of their ratchets and sockets are made by Rotar because they are almost identical to some of the Toptul ratchets. They do a lot of OEM manufacturing for a lot of different companies including Titan, EZ Red, Pittsburg Pro, Pro Grade, Teng, Sealey, Neiko, KT, and probably dozens of others that I can't remember at the moment. The Rotar stuff is usually pretty easy to spot because it all looks pretty much the same.

All of the Kobalt items that I have looked at and bought state LG Sourcing with no reference to manufacturer. It only says LG Sourcing.

 

[Stuey]

All of the Kobalt items that I have looked at and bought state LG Sourcing with no reference to manufacturer. It only says LG Sourcing.

LG Sourcing stands for Lowes Global Sourcing, or something like that.

 

[Conductor562]

I think the Rotar/Greatneck hypothesis makes the most sense, although after several months I'd have figured someone would have had it figured out for sure.

 

[plinker]

I would bet Rotar makes some of the stuff if it looks like Titan. Some Toptul looked like an exact match for Titan & even the Blue point ratcheting wrenches look like Toptuls.

 

[kippieland]

I have a quite a bit of Kobalt stuff. Hate their pliers and most things that are made in China. The Taiwan stuff is the exact same as the brands stated above....even Harbor Freights 72 tooth ratchets are the same. Their sockets are on par with Craftsman. I do think its smart to go with Titan stuff most of the time because its a bit cheaper....depends how fast you need it. I have had zero problems with my stuff.

 

[Conductor562]

I held the Kobalt 3/8" flex head up to the equivalent Titan and they are identical in every detail.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you think EZ Red makes their stuff, think Kabo. EZ Red gets many of their tools (ratcheting wrenches, ratchets) from Kabo. I still find the current Kobalt tools to be overpriced unless on sale or closeout.

 

[strutaeng]

Been wondering the same thing myself for a bit now.

For all the years I've stayed away from foreign tools, the 3rd gen Kobalt is miles beyond what the 2nd gen Danaher junk was, but is honestly only worth the buying on sale prince.

I worked at Lowes in my college year between 2003-2005. I always remember the USA mechanics tools were so refined. They had good balance. I don't know if this was 1st gen. or 2nd gen, but it was far superior that what they have now sitting in their shelves.

Actually, I kick myself for not buy mechanics tools then; I was too busy buying cordless tools only to find they only last two years, LOL. The only Kobalt I bought was a 1/4" small hand set. My young brother "borrowed" it and never gave it back, and every time I go there and try to buy a similar set I walk away....the finish is just so crude...

Sure they can run "Clearance" price day and night...

 

[Mickey O]

I have no idea, nor do I care but they must not be too good because they've had tons of the stuff on clearance for dirt cheap and no one is buying it. If the prices dip below the cost of sling shot ammo I might pick up a few pieces.

 

[Conductor562]

The 2nd generation (Danaher) came along late 2002 or early 2003.

 

[RedFordTruck]

The acetate handle screwdrivers say in tiny print on the front of the packaging

"Great-Neck Saw Manufacturing Co"