opinions on kobalt tools

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Loobed

you want someplace that will most likely be in business in the next 20 years, go with Craftsman.


I would not bet the bank on that. Neither Sears nor Kmart are doing that well. Sears use to be a powerhouse but no more. Its also ironic that at the end they could not make a go of it in their catalog area and home delivery, but now everyone sells on the internet and has home delivery.

Where do I get warranty replacement for my PowerCraft tools (Montgomery Wards)? (I'll bet they were made in the USA).

 

[cpayne5]

Branded Kobalt, I've got a 1/2" non ratcheting breaker bar, metric wrench set, and 3/8" 12 point socket set that is both metric and SAE. The first two are USA made, while the socket set is Taiwanese.

The only gripe I have is that the ratchet selector will pop out of gear and into neutral at times. Not fun when you've got a good bit of force on it trying to loosen a fastener. I only paid $25 for the set, so I can't complain that much.

The breaker bar has been abused like a proper breaker bar should, and the metric wrenches are my go to wrench when using my GearWrenches won't gain me anything.

 

[The_Jeff]

They are pretty good in the bread & butter stuff like sockets.

Like most others, their "341 piece ultra mechanics set" has some odd junk like 12 point 1/4" drive 14mm sockets that you'll never use. Xmas is coming and so are those cheezy kits!

I had a standard, Danahar-USA made 3/8" ratchet with a nasty coarse 36 tooth mechanism. Got it in a sealed case so I couldn't play with it in the store. After a year and a half it started auto reversing so I took it back to the store and got a Taiwan 72 tooth replacement, free under lifetime warranty. Only hassle was it didn't look exactly the same. Muuuch better.

My danahar USA sockets are fine as are an additional set of Taiwan kobalts I got for a backup when they were really cheap, $8 or $10/ set.

Pro tip, wait until the end of january, very early february for some serious clearance deals in the big box stores.

 

[2cool]

Not bad, but they went offshore about a year ago. Mostly got away from China and went to Taiwan. Unless they have a unique tool, I believe the prices are better at Harbor Freight.
If you don't mind shopping online, go to Harry Epstein for made in USA tools at reasonable prices.

 

[Merkava_4]

Their sockets seem to be good quality. I bought a 1/4 drive metric
set and they work fine. Everything else with "Kobalt" on it is junk.

 

[demarpaint]

I have a set of their combination wrenches that were given to me and they are very good. I think they're US made though.

 

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: Loobed

you want someplace that will most likely be in business in the next 20 years, go with Craftsman.


I would not bet the bank on that. Neither Sears nor Kmart are doing that well. Sears use to be a powerhouse but no more. Its also ironic that at the end they could not make a go of it in their catalog area and home delivery, but now everyone sells on the internet and has home delivery.

Where do I get warranty replacement for my PowerCraft tools (Montgomery Wards)? (I'll bet they were made in the USA).


I would think that if Sears closed it's doors, the Craftsman line of tools might continue. Dewalt has its own stores. Craftsman could also have their own stores, but they would be much smaller than Sears. Craftsman are being sold at ACE hardware stores.

 

[OVERKILL]

I have a story here that may or may not fit the theme of the thread, but it is fresh in my mind.

The other day, I went to do the exhaust crossover hangars on the M5. I took it up to the dealer I work with (I do their computer work). The Service Manager is a great guy and for something simple, he'll often just have his apprentice do it for me no charge.

This new apprentice has a collection of box store tools in a box that IIRC, was a Husky. The Service Manager tossed him a stringer of Snap-On sockets to take the nuts off, saying he didn't want him rounding off anything on my car.

Well, he couldn't get the box store ratchet up on top of the hangar plate. The head was too big for the space. He went and grabbed the 3/8ths Snap-On ratchet from the Service Manager's box, which fit no problem, but it wasn't a fine-tooth model and there wasn't enough swing area to move it.

At this point I really wished I had both of my fine tooth ratchets from my travel box with me (they are in the Expedition), a standard handle 3/8ths and a flex handle 1/4". The 1/4" would have been perfect for this job. I asked him if he had a 1/4" flex head and he did not. He screwed around with a universal for a while but couldn't get things to move.

The one mechanic I'm buddies with then came over with an air hacksaw, cut the bushing off and tapped the remainder of the stud/nut assembly back through the bracket to get it out. He sent the apprentice off to check the front end on another car and I put the new hangars in myself and put it back together.

Moral of this story: Good tools come in handy more often than you think, even for little jobs like this one. It was probably 20 minutes start to finish. Even the basic tools I have in my travel box are better than what this guy, who, like yourself, is just starting out, has.

A good compromise is to buy your sockets and the like from Lowes, Sears...etc and buy a collection of GOOD ratchets from the tool truck. That's what my travel box is. Two Snap-On ratchets with a complete set of Stanley sockets. The Stanley ratchets were junk (broke both of those) but the sockets are holding up quite well.

 

[Dakota1820]

Went to sears today holycrap I was so upset the tools are [censored] and the boxes are to. The old man working there even talked Me out of craftsman. I am confused now. I cannot believe how much stuff has changed

 

[OVERKILL]

Pick up a used box maybe?

My lower section is Craftsman, top section is like a 30 year old Snap-On one.

 

[67lemans]

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 have a few of the older US made Kobalts. They work just fine. They are made by Danaher which also made Craftsman. (funny huh?) I feel that they are a little over priced for an off shore tool. I feel the same way about Craftsman too.

Now to answer your question about other American tools,
you said you have heard about MAC and Snap On. Some other "truck" brands are Cronwell and Matco. All of these brands can be found used for a decent price

You have your industrial tools these are usually cheaper than your truck brands.
Proto
Armstrong
Williams
Wright
Not sure what you would classify SK as.
I love the new Armstrong Maxx ratchets.
I have a few Proto ratchets too.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

I have some Kobalts: a set of the multi-fit wrenches and a set of the twisted combination wrenches. They seem to be just fine so far.
Most of my other tools are Craftsman, Allen, and Blackhawk.

 

[Tdbo]

Kobalt, in my opinion is better than Craftsman anymore. I have a number of wrenches, pliers, etc and they work well. About a year ago, I bought a 1/4" metric set of Kobalt that I keep in the house (< than $10 on clearance.) It is strictly homeowner grade stuff but the Kobalt ratchet is much better than the 1/4" metric Craftsman set that I have in the truck (cost me $.67 tax, $9.99 minus $10 Sears coupon on any purchase.) The Craftsman ratchet is just PURE JUNK. IMO, Craftsman standard ratchets have never been great, but the current generation is horrendous. I have never seen such slop in a ratchet in my life. The sets are fine, the ratchets stink. When my wife asks for my Christmas list, It will have on it an Armstrong Maxx 3/8" locking Flex ratchet. If I like it, for my birthday, I'll ask for a 1/4" Armstrong ratchet and perhaps have decent ratchet(s) finally.

For the OP, what I would do is trot on down to the nearest Sears outlet, where they presently have Craftsman Industrial sets 60% off. The industrial stuff appears to be a good value for the $$. Buy the set that fits your needs. I would then buy a good set of ratchets, either industrial or truck brand and start from there regarding hand tools. From there, if your career takes off, upgrade as necessary. If you find that you do not like wrenching for a living, then you have a really awesome set of tools for your home shop without spending a fortune.

 

[The_Jeff]

As far as what box you get, used is the way to go. Sometimes you'll find a gaggle of old but useable tools that go with. If your back is against a wall and you have a job starting tomorrow truck over to harbor freight for their ball bearing slider special.

IMO Lowes is blatantly loss leading their sockets which are extremely nice for the price trying to have their patina wear off on the rest of the line.

Are you wasting much time over on garagejournal yet? They have a bunch more tool nerds with good input.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

i have both kobalt torque wrenches. lifetime warranty and seem to be well made. my brother bought them too. i bought them before I realized the importance (to me) in buying tools made in the USA.