A couple of months ago, a strange thing happened at my local Lowes – most of their Kobalt mechanics hand tools were on clearance. What was happening at every Lowes in my area was in fact happening all around the country. Lowes had discontinued their current line of Kobalt mechanics hand tools.
I started seeing new wrenches and socket sets pop up sometime in late May, early June. Whereas the previous line was USA-made for Kobalt by Danaher, the new tools are imported from an unnamed OEM.
It is worth noting that, although I cannot comment much from person experience, I have heard quite a few user complaints about the previous Danaher-made Kobalt wrenches and sockets.
During a routine visit to the local Lowes (here’s why I do so), I noticed that the pegs were finally restocked with a near-complete tool lineup.
Sometime last month I purchased a new Kobalt socket set and wrench set for review, but I haven’t actually gotten around to using them yet. Compared to my personally-owned wrenches and sockets, I’m not a fan of the Kobalts’ brighter chrome. It’s hard to put my finger on why, but the tools’ bright chrome just gives off a sense of chintziness.
To be fair, who cares what the tools look like, as long as they function properly, are of high tolerance, and are strong enough for the job. I’ll be putting them to the test later this month to see if my prejudice is substantiated or not.
There appears to be one or two Danaher-made tools still on the pegs, such as this palm-ratchet set. The Kobalt Multi Drive Wrench that I really, really did not like, is there as well.
I worked with someone who bought the SAE and metric sets this summer. he liked them up until we had to use them on a deck project. we only used the SAE set and had issues with them not fitting properly over the bolt’s (yes we used the right so called size). the 12pt box ends were loose and rounded parts of the bolts. so after that i broke out my craftsmen professional set (USA made SK built witch I got maybe 5 years ago) and the worked 100x better. i dont think he ever used the metric set yet. in my opinion even the $20 raised panel satin finish set of craftsmen wrenches from sears are better investment than these (and they are USA approved!
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I don’t have a lot of use for automotive tools – but have seen a cheapening of the Kobalt line over the last few years. In the past I think Lowes sourced some of the mechanics tools from Danaher – Easco and the Kobalt metal toolboxes were from Waterloo. We liked their metal boxes asnd bought quite a few – when they were from Waterloo – but the newer boxes have nicer blue-greay handles but awful flimsy catches that bend and break in use.
I used to buy Kobalt tools every so often, until I had multiple screwdrivers and phillips-head tips break on me. Since then I’ve given up buying anything Kobalt-branded.
I did a quick walk-through this weekend. Most, if not all of the socket/ratchet stuff seemed to be Taiwan-sourced. I don’t view this as a total sell-out and I’m OK with Taiwan-sourced stuff in general. The problem I had is some of the prices are still too expensive to warrant consideration. But, any sales or promos deserve a look if and when they happen.
I also saw some references to Great Neck but I’m not sure if they’ve taken over as the principal OEM supplier from Danaher.
I believe I saw the same Great Neck references, but have not been able to confirm this (yet). I don’t think that Danaher is supplying any of the new Kobalt mechanics tools.
I’m not sure if it still stands, but there were promos on the wrench sets and a socket set (63pc?) that dropped the prices to too good too pass up levels a month or two ago.
I picked up a too-good-to-pass-up set of metric (USA-sourced) combination wrenches when they were blowing them out. Very nice, full range (missing one size but that was available as a onesies on blow-out, too) so I have the complete set for something like 2/3 off. Don’t really need them but I couldn’t pass it up. Still sitting on the counter in the original packaging. Darn addiction is too strong to avoid.
I remember the clearance of the USA-made Kobalt small socket sets, but recall that at the time (May 2010 for the socket sets) a few people were complaining about their finish quality. I almost bought a set of the satin-finish wrenches, but if I recall correctly they were a bit short for my liking, and felt akin to the raised-panel Craftsman wrenches that I have plenty of. I may come to regret not picking up a set or two, but at the moment I’m not really in short supply of non-ratcheting wrenches to choose from anyways.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of details about the shift from Danaher to the new OEM that nobody outside of Kobalt/Lowes will ever really know. I read that the new tools are supposed to be better quality, but I cannot help but think that manufacturing costs may have been a factor. We may never know the reasoning, but in a few weeks I should at least be able to determine if the new tools are good or not.
I have both the older and newer style sets of the SAE non-ratcheting Kobalt wrenches. The older style is shorter, but the dimensions feel better during use. The fastener fit seems better on the old style.
I like the chrome finish of the new style because they are easier to clean up. Not sure how it will hold up, as I’ve only used them for a week now. The open end dimensions really bug me compared to the older style. The quality of the older style feels superior to these.
Bottom line: I like the old style, I just wish they were chrome and a tad bit longer.
I work for Lowe’s and I saw the whole trasition between the two first hand. I wish I could say I had more XP actually using these but I really don’t have that much. One thing that should be noted here is that the old Danaher production ratchets sounded and felt flimsy vs the new line. If you “click” a new ratcheting wrench, you will hear so many more teeth. And one more thing is the selection, the selection has increased vastly, though I think it still may be sleighlty less than Craftsman’s. But yeah I agree the new chrome seems a little… iffy. I like the lazer etched sizes but the stamped “tiwan” simply screams tiwan. We had to use a few sockets off the shelf to build the new displays in the store, and the chrome came off on one of them. But we were using them in an impact wrench (should have used the impact sockets.)
Oh and yeah Danaher no longer supplys this new “taiwan” line, Id really like to know who does…
The manufacturer of thes tools is JS products out of Las Vegas, NV. I believe they also make Steelman Tools. We lost all of the pass through sockets but gained a much larger selection of sockets in general. I was just happy to see a good selection of 6 point sockets this time around. Ultimately it doesn’t matter where are tools are made because they will always have a lifetime warranty. It’s like I tell my customers I’m either going to give you the same thing, the closest thing I have to it, or your money back. Most people also don’t understand that they probably couldn’t afford these tools if they were made in the US.
Yeah good point kevin, however they are still rediculously expensive… but I guess still cheaper than Snap-On. And I do miss the thru-sockets.
Thanks for the info, Kevin! Overall would you agree with Kobalt’s claims that the new generation of tools is better made than the previous lineup?
Scott, which product(s) did you find to be ridiculously expensive?
I was able to snag the largest set ( 110 piece w/ plastic case) of Kobalt thru-drive sockets over a year ago. They were normally $150.00, but I got them on sale for $120.00. They were made by Danaher. What a fantastic purchase they turned out to be!
Of course, they won’t replace regular socket sets. The lack of a swivel system is a hindrance. I bought the Kobalt locking flex pass-thru handles in the 1/4″ and 3/8″ sizes, which helps with that issue dramatically. Although, it doesn’t mitigate it entirely.
I am still looking to purchase the 1/2″ drive Gearwrench locking flex drive handle when I can find a smoking deal on one.
Also, It would benefit me to source more of the thru-extensions. My kit didn’t include all the lengths of the differing sizes.
That socket kit is great. I also own a couple different models of the Gearwrench ratcheting tap and die sets. There are times when I use the ratchet handles in conjunction with the tap holders to tap holes in tight spots.
To have acquired the similar set of Gearwrench brand sockets in that particular style, it would have easily cost three times what I ended up paying for them. I am definitely glad I decided to purchase them.
I can say that they are better made all day long but that may also have something to do with the fact that I am a Department Manager in Tools. Yes I do believe they are a higher quality tool than what we had before and a much larger selection to go with it. The new sockets and wrenches are at approximately the same price point as the previous generation. They are not cheap in today’s economy but if you wan cheap you can always buy Task Force. I tell people that Kobalt tools are a little more expensive because you are only going to buy it once. Most people don’t realize that all Task Force tools come with the same warranty as Kobalt tool but I wouldn’t be caught dead with them.
Good point. Still, a tool manager saying they’re good carries much more weight than a marketing guy saying so.
Well, rediculoulsy expensive for my budget anyway. Although there are some really good sales here and there.
I’d like to know what is going to happen when I break one of my pass-through sockets and try to return it to the store where I was promised in-store replacement. I am extremely unhappy with this change only for this reason. I love the pass-through socket set but fear that Lowes is going to offer me a standard socket as a replacement, which will be of zero value to me.
Former lowe’s employee here, I had this happen and I called gearwrench and they sent me one, given its not Kobalt, its the exact same gig.
You might be able to request a replacement by mail. Actually, I don’t think Lowes ever carried individual pass-thru sockets in-stores. If you ever need a replacement and Kobalt cannot fulfill your request, you should be able to get one from Gearwrench/Danaher. It might not say “Kobalt,” but it will be functionally identical.