Kobalt Hand Tool Quality?

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BHopkins

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How is the quality of Kobalt sockets, ratchet wrenches, and combination wrenches?

I am expecting Lowes to put a large mechanic's set of sockets and wrenches on sale for Black Friday, and am considering grabbing a set. My use is just occasional, just in the garage at home. They look like they are nicely formed, and have what appears to be a very high quality chrome plating.

I have been using an older set of Craftsman sockets and wrenches, and while they have held up very well, it is not as complete of a set as the Kobalt set that I am considering. And honestly, I have become a little disappointed in Craftsman tools in recent years. So, I wanted to know what experience others have had with Kobalt hand tools.

How is Lowes for warranty on hand tools? I have always had great service from Sears, whenever I have broken a socket or a ratchet. Essentially walk in with old tool and walk out with a replacement. Can I expect the same from Lowes?

Any experiences?
 
They will serve your purpose well, I use snap on, mac, matco, cornwell etc at work. At home I have kobalt and they do the job.
 
If you already have some and you're just a basic home user, why buy a whole other set? What are you missing, or wishing you had that you don't?
 
Lowes sales have been down lately while Home Depot is up....they will probably start cheapening Kobalt quality eventually...and cut back on handing Jimmy Johnson and Rick Hendrick so much money.
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Lowes sales have been down lately while Home Depot is up....they will probably start cheapening Kobalt quality eventually...and cut back on handing Jimmy Johnson and Rick Hendrick so much money.


I personally have been boycotting them as more tools and other things are Chinesium compared to HD, but I haven't seen HFT- like pricing despite COO.

HD, while filled with lots of quota making hires, still does have some knowledgable folks if I seek them out. No such thing in Lowes. While trying to be helpful, they just don't know much of anything.
 
If we're gonna start comparing the 2, I'll take Lowes hands-down every time. I'm buying all of the building materials for my shed there tomorrow.
 
The Lowes Taiwan stuff rocks. The patent ran out on "flank drive" which grips fasteners better than tech from a generation ago, and everyone has it.

Regrettably, enviro regs mean anything chrome is expensive or shoddy made in USA.
frown.gif


If you're sure you like the Lowes set, go for it. I've been disappointed by the BF offerings in the past as they throw in a lot of screwdriver bits, allen wrenches, and ignition wrenches to make a "166 piece set" or whatever.

On the flip side, the big box stores are great for mid-to-late January tool clearance shopping. Scored some great deals on Kobalt and Husky stuff the previous couple winters.
 
Look in the promotions/discount section. There's a craftsman 165-pc set. Fairly complete set for onlly $70 with free shipping.

Avalible now. No need to wait for thanksgiving
wink.gif
Good deal for such a large set.
 
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
They will serve your purpose well, I use snap on, mac, matco, cornwell etc at work. At home I have kobalt and they do the job.


I'm curious, the Kobalts you use at home, are they the older American made ones or these newer Chinese made ones. I do see that some are Taiwanese too. My Kobalt at home are the older USA ones.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Lowes sales have been down lately while Home Depot is up....they will probably start cheapening Kobalt quality eventually...and cut back on handing Jimmy Johnson and Rick Hendrick so much money.


I personally have been boycotting them as more tools and other things are Chinesium compared to HD, but I haven't seen HFT- like pricing despite COO.

HD, while filled with lots of quota making hires, still does have some knowledgable folks if I seek them out. No such thing in Lowes. While trying to be helpful, they just don't know much of anything.


While my question had nothing to do with Lowes vs Home Depot, I do have to say that for me, at least, I have never found HD to be better than Lowes. My experience has been that Lowes employees are knowledgeable, and have experience in the products in their department.

Many a time I have went to Home Depot in hopes of finding just the right item. And many a time I have came out empty handed, because I could not find what I was looking for. My wife asks me why I even waste my time going into Home Depot.

Enough said. Back to the topic at hand.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: KenO
If you already have some and you're just a basic home user, why buy a whole other set? What are you missing, or wishing you had that you don't?


Buying the set is a real value. The entire set will be less expensive than what it would cost to fill in the old set.
 
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
They will serve your purpose well, I use snap on, mac, matco, cornwell etc at work. At home I have kobalt and they do the job.


Thanks. I appreciate you addressing my question. I think I am going to go for it. $100 for a 227 piece set, and the only items that are filler, are the hex wrenches.
 
Originally Posted By: BHopkins
How is the quality of Kobalt sockets, ratchet wrenches, and combination wrenches?


Their sockets are good, everything else is garbage.

Their sockets are made by a different manufacturer than the other Kobalt tools.
 
Are you going to use everything in the set? I ask because it may be cheaper to buy what you need from Harbor Freight. I truthfully really like their sockets and ratchets, especially the plastic handle ratchets.
 
Originally Posted By: KenO
Are you going to use everything in the set? I ask because it may be cheaper to buy what you need from Harbor Freight. I truthfully really like their sockets and ratchets, especially the plastic handle ratchets.


How does one know what you are going to need, and what you will not? The last thing I want, is to be in the middle of a job and realize that I need a particular wrench or socket, and not have it. Sure, it is impractical to have every tool that you will ever need. But a good set with both metric and standard, deep well and regular sockets, is handy to have. And for the price, it isn't worth going without. My gas and time is worth more than that.

Have you ever bought individual sockets, ratchets, and combination wrenches? It doesn't take more than a handful of tools, and the price has exceeded how much a good set can be bought for, especially when they are bought on sale. Rarely is a specific tool on sale when you need it.
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: BHopkins
How is the quality of Kobalt sockets, ratchet wrenches, and combination wrenches?


Their sockets are good, everything else is garbage.

Their sockets are made by a different manufacturer than the other Kobalt tools.


Link explaining this?

I've never heard this claim before.
 
Originally Posted By: stephen9666


Link explaining this?

I've never heard this claim before.


I have no link because I am the link.
grin2.gif
 
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