so i was at lowes today looking at tools and boxes. i was very impressed with the tools and the box. what are your unbiased opinions on these tools? i know snap-on and mac are great but are way to expensive. i cannot justify the cost or really afford it. the ratchets felt a lot like snap on as well 72 teeth . everything was just impressive for the price.
opinions on kobalt tools
- Thread starter Dakota1820
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junk
Do they warantee them forever. If so then buy them. If not try sears.
JHZR2
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They used to be US made, and I liked the feel of some of their stuff. Now that they have moved elsewhere, Im not going to send them my money.
Lowes carries less US made tools than HD IME.
Lowes carries less US made tools than HD IME.
Most of the newer stuff is made in Taiwan which is better than China. The quality appears to be good.
I did prefer the USA made products, though.
I did prefer the USA made products, though.
We have a very lax lifetime warranty. Bring in the old tool, we find the exact one or closest match, and bill it out. Most of the tools used to be made by Danaher Tool Group, now it's mostly overseas, but it is still fairly good quality.
Well are they better than Sears? That's my main concern? The ratchets felt great
Its hard to be unbiased and keep my own political feelings out the equation.
My tools are first and foremost German with some good American in the mix, no Chinese at all. The problem with this is price, they are expensive tools sometimes beyond belief.
When you pay $100 for a tiny 1/4" ratchet (Stahlwille) you have to wonder if its worth it. For me it is because its keeping my fellow countrymen working. That's the political argument that goes on inside every time i buy.
I'm sure many Americans feel the same way when they buy American made products, its a valid argument but if one looks at the tools for what they are and how they are made things get cloudy.
Taiwanese tools are a different story. Taiwan is getting more first world every day, and this is reflected in the better quality of their goods.
I have used them and found them as a whole to be decent quality, to be honest the fit, finish and steel quality on some of these tools is very good.
The Kobalt, Gearwrench, NAPA's new line, etc brands are definitely higher end Taiwan production. Junk? No its not junk but its not high end American or German either.
Realistically they are as good as or better in some cases than mid range German or American. Proxxon and Craftsman come to mind.
From what i have seen you could use most of these tools to make a living although for my main go to ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers, torque tools i would go with other brands, Snap-On, Klein, Hazet, CDI, Wera etc.
My tools are first and foremost German with some good American in the mix, no Chinese at all. The problem with this is price, they are expensive tools sometimes beyond belief.
When you pay $100 for a tiny 1/4" ratchet (Stahlwille) you have to wonder if its worth it. For me it is because its keeping my fellow countrymen working. That's the political argument that goes on inside every time i buy.
I'm sure many Americans feel the same way when they buy American made products, its a valid argument but if one looks at the tools for what they are and how they are made things get cloudy.
Taiwanese tools are a different story. Taiwan is getting more first world every day, and this is reflected in the better quality of their goods.
I have used them and found them as a whole to be decent quality, to be honest the fit, finish and steel quality on some of these tools is very good.
The Kobalt, Gearwrench, NAPA's new line, etc brands are definitely higher end Taiwan production. Junk? No its not junk but its not high end American or German either.
Realistically they are as good as or better in some cases than mid range German or American. Proxxon and Craftsman come to mind.
From what i have seen you could use most of these tools to make a living although for my main go to ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers, torque tools i would go with other brands, Snap-On, Klein, Hazet, CDI, Wera etc.
I see it like this. America cannot compete with the regulations and tax structure we have. So buying America though I would like to I Also want the most for my money.
American products don't offer the value vs cost on a lot of things. A 12 piece wrench set from snap on is 400 bucks from kobalt is 40. Are they really that much better that they cost that much more
American products don't offer the value vs cost on a lot of things. A 12 piece wrench set from snap on is 400 bucks from kobalt is 40. Are they really that much better that they cost that much more
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
I see it like this. America cannot compete with the regulations and tax structure we have. So buying America though I would like to I Also want the most for my money.
American products don't offer the value vs cost on a lot of things. A 12 piece wrench set from snap on is 400 bucks from kobalt is 40. Are they really that much better that they cost that much more
This is a ridiculous comparison because the Snap-on wrenches are a premium product aimed at a specific buyer (auto techs and industrial customers, in this case), while Kobalt hand tools are aimed at homeowners.
There are other lower-priced USA tools that you seem to just be ignoring in your example.
I see it like this. America cannot compete with the regulations and tax structure we have. So buying America though I would like to I Also want the most for my money.
American products don't offer the value vs cost on a lot of things. A 12 piece wrench set from snap on is 400 bucks from kobalt is 40. Are they really that much better that they cost that much more
This is a ridiculous comparison because the Snap-on wrenches are a premium product aimed at a specific buyer (auto techs and industrial customers, in this case), while Kobalt hand tools are aimed at homeowners.
There are other lower-priced USA tools that you seem to just be ignoring in your example.
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I understand all that but what actually makes snap on better? And so much so to justify the cost. We can say they are better but why? And what are some other American tools and where can they be found
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
I understand all that but what actually makes snap on better? And so much so to justify the cost. We can say they are better but why? And what are some other American tools and where can they be found
I'm not arguing the virtues of Snap-on. It was just a very poor example to choose for your argument.
The obvious choice for wrenches would be Craftsman. They are aimed at homeowners and similarly priced to Kobalt.
Other brands to consider would be Wright, SK and Armstrong. More expensive than Kobalt, but they're premium quality and cost less than Snap-on.
I understand all that but what actually makes snap on better? And so much so to justify the cost. We can say they are better but why? And what are some other American tools and where can they be found
I'm not arguing the virtues of Snap-on. It was just a very poor example to choose for your argument.
The obvious choice for wrenches would be Craftsman. They are aimed at homeowners and similarly priced to Kobalt.
Other brands to consider would be Wright, SK and Armstrong. More expensive than Kobalt, but they're premium quality and cost less than Snap-on.
Getting people to "Buy American" is not the solution. It will not matter to the general population. Countries like the USA and German, etc will need to compete with China on quality and functionality (basically value). The USA will never be able to compete on price. Many people will be concerned only with price and they buy the cheap Chinese stuff, others want better quality or functionality and only the American made will have it. But one cannot stand on your laurels and thus China will keep making progress towards copying and the USA will need to innovate. Innovation is what this country is great at.
Italy learned this with clothes & fashion. They cannot make clothes cheaper than China but they can out-fashion China any day of the week.
Italy learned this with clothes & fashion. They cannot make clothes cheaper than China but they can out-fashion China any day of the week.
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Are they really that much better that they cost that much more
Yes they are better but are they $360 better? Too many things to consider to give a absolute yes or no answer.
A heavy line mechanic making a living with his tools and will have them his whole working life yes.
The oil change, brake job guy or weekend warrior probably not.
Are they really that much better that they cost that much more
Yes they are better but are they $360 better? Too many things to consider to give a absolute yes or no answer.
A heavy line mechanic making a living with his tools and will have them his whole working life yes.
The oil change, brake job guy or weekend warrior probably not.
(For Lifetime replacement tools)
There are more Lowes stores than Harbor freight, and there are more Sears, Kmart, and Ace hardware stores that sell Craftsman than Lowes stores. If you want lifetime replacement, and you want someplace that will most likely be in business in the next 20 years, go with Craftsman.
I have a Kobalt ratchet set, but I would not have bought it if it wasn't on sale and I didn't have the $10 coupon that was posted here last month. The Kobalt is better quality than Harbor Freight, but not as good as Craftsman. Be careful with Craftsman: Some of their tools are made in China.
There are more Lowes stores than Harbor freight, and there are more Sears, Kmart, and Ace hardware stores that sell Craftsman than Lowes stores. If you want lifetime replacement, and you want someplace that will most likely be in business in the next 20 years, go with Craftsman.
I have a Kobalt ratchet set, but I would not have bought it if it wasn't on sale and I didn't have the $10 coupon that was posted here last month. The Kobalt is better quality than Harbor Freight, but not as good as Craftsman. Be careful with Craftsman: Some of their tools are made in China.
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
so i was at lowes today looking at tools and boxes. i was very impressed with the tools and the box.
Last I read, Lowe's "Kobalt" brand and Sears' "Craftsman" brand were both made by Danaher, which is apparently now part of the Apex Tool Group. Whether both were made to the same standard, I cannot say.
so i was at lowes today looking at tools and boxes. i was very impressed with the tools and the box.
Last I read, Lowe's "Kobalt" brand and Sears' "Craftsman" brand were both made by Danaher, which is apparently now part of the Apex Tool Group. Whether both were made to the same standard, I cannot say.
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