Over at Lowes, there are a couple of great deals on inexpensive hand tools for home or hobby use.
Kobalt Pliers & Wrench Sets $10 Each
Included in the promo is the Kobalt 4-piece locking pliers set, 3-piece adjustable wrench set, 5-piece pliers set, and 3-piece groove joint pliers set. Each set is on sale for 50%-off, making them all $10 each.
We’ve tried some of these pliers, and while they’re not our favorites, they’re not bad, and we usually keep a couple around as spares. Every year we usually pick up a set or two of the pliers to give to friends and family to help build their tool sets.
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Buy online via Lowes, with free in-store pickup (deal ends Oct 31st)
Kobalt 22pc Tool Set with Bag
This 22pc tool set makes a great starter kit for homeowners and anyone else without many tools. It includes most of the tools needed for basic DIY and maintenance tasks around the home or apartment.
From the product description and photo, we count 16 individual tools plus an organizer and tool bag. Not bad for $30. We’re told that the sale price ends Oct 31st, but we’re not sure about that – this looks to be the everyday price.
Buy online via Lowes, with free in-store pickup
Kobalt 10pc Pliers Set for $30
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These aren’t the best pliers we’ve used, but for $3 each there’s not much to complain about. This set includes all the styles and sizes one needs to start off with. If we could change one thing, we would drop the needlenose locking pliers in favor of a wire stripper.
Buy online via Lowes, with free in-store pickup (sale ends Oct. 31st)
With all these deals, you can buy the tools online with free in-store pickup at your local Lowes, or you can have them shipped. You should be able to find the items in-store as well.
And in case you’re interested, here is a link to recent tools that dropped in price at Lowes.
E_Baker
I purchased a couple years ago the 10 piece pliers set that you have shown, and like you mentioned, it’s not the greatest, but it’s definitely gotten me out of a jam or two. Of course, when I purchased my 10 piece set at the time, it was only 19.xx, but even at 30 dollars, it’s a steal for spares/beaters. Since then, I’ve upgraded to NWS pliers but still keep these around to “abuse” if necessary and loan out.
E_Baker
As an “edit” to above, I went from Kobalt to Knipex to NWS, the NWS being my favorite by far.
Stuart
NWS pliers are also my current favorite (NWS pliers video review), but my upgrade path wasn’t as linear. I still use a mix of Channellock (also a favorite), Craftsman, Stanley, Irwin, and Knipex pliers. I’m sure I left a brand or two out of the mix, but that’s okay, you get the point.
For light duty applications I sometimes prefer my cheaper pliers since they save unnecessary wear and tear from the more premium ones. I will also abuse the cheaper ones more by using them to grip abrasive materials and cut harder wires.
E_Baker
I too own a decent assortment of Channellock, but that goes back to my time working as a Leak Technician / Irrigation Maintenance Technician on a golf course, and honestly don’t find much use from them now in my DIY automotive pursuits or other similar work. And yeah, that’s basically how I “abuse” my cheaper sets, exposing them to abrasive chemicals, holding items that are taken to a grinding wheel, etc.
Kevin
these are nice cheapies to have out on the pegboard, keep the good stuff hidden.
One thing Lowes needs to work on is their website, 1 out of 10 times it works for me, the other times I either end up giving up or having to place the order by phone.
Bob A.
I picked up the mini set of these pliers last year in the clearance bin. I still think I paid too much. I keep some cheap tools around too but I would get the next level up from these unless you want a steady stream of profanity.
And I am bored today so let’s digress. I see this common advice to buy “tool kits” for new homeowners and DIY newbies pretty often on the blogs. The thinking is that you don’t waste too much money on cheap tools for someone who might not like to work with their hands. But on the other hand you might frustrate them enough to turn them off tools forever.
I can remember my first cordless drill that I bought at KMart when I was a very young lad. It was a cheap household screwdriver that used AA batteries for hanging pictures and when I used it to screw into wood I thought to myself, “How do people ever get stuff done with tools like this?” Nobody in my family really got me into tools so it was years until I held my first DeWalt 18v drill that could put a screw straight through a 2×4. I feel like if I started off better I might have started DIY sooner.
Instead if buying someone a 100-piece tool kit that will satisfy their every need, and actually none of them, I would rather get them one good pair of Klein pliers and say, “This pair of pliers will do anything you ask and it will last you 20 years. Let me know what you want next year.” And give them something even better than tools – your time and advice.
Stuart
I have to admit, you make a very strong point, that buying individual tools is often better than buying a kit. But it also depends on the type of tool and who will be buying and using the tools.
One example dealing with the type of tool – combination wrenches. Two Craftsman raised panel wrenches may cost $12-13 or so. On sale, a 9-piece set will be as cheap as $15. Most beginners won’t look at the professional wrenches in the same section and will likely turn away due to price.
In regard to these pliers sets, they’re put together with incredible value – $10 for 3 pliers vs. $6-8 for one. Besides that, pliers styles and functions can differ enough that it really is recommended to have a couple of types on hand.
The realities are also that most beginners and DIYers that do not own many tools will not spend a lot of money on what they may need. Someone that needs wire cutters and wire strippers to setup their home theater speaker wiring is not going to spring for Channellock or Klein, let alone brands like Knipex and NWS. They’re going to go and buy a combination wire stripper. Or, if they do head to the pliers section, they will see that a 3pc set with pliers and diagonal cutters costs only a few dollars more than just buying the cutters.
I’m not saying that a beginner needs 10 styles of pliers, because they don’t, but should they advanced their DIY activities, the additional styles will come in handy.
I started off with a 3-piece pair of Stanley pliers, and upgraded and expanded as necessary. I still have those pliers and use them occasionally on certain tasks I won’t risk damaging my better pliers on.
Quality often IS often better than quantity, but when talking about tools there needs to be a reasonable balance.
Now, in terms of the tool kit above, it’s relatively inexpensive and contains many of the most common tools a homeowner may need. Junior’s new toy has 20 tire wraps holding it inside its box. Out comes the wire cutters. His sister’s new pedometer has a screwed-down battery compartment. Out comes a precision screwdriver. The family’s new photo came with a free frame that needs to be hung on the wall. Out comes the hammer. If a tool is used often or heavily enough, then it will be replaced.
Piecing together a home tool kit with better quality tools, $30 would only pay for a 16oz claw hammer and an adjustable wrench.
The fact is, the $30 kit is all that many homeowners will ever need. It anticipates needs they may not even be aware of, and is reasonably cheap enough that it’s worth the cost even if only half the tools are used more than once or twice.
I don’t recommend kits lightly, and when I do, it’s because of both value and functionality considerations..
Bob A.
You make a very good point Stuart and I think this set would be great for under many people’s Christmas tree. The other set of very small pliers specifically are not very good but just from looking at these bigger ones in store they seem to have better fit and finish. These two sets are a good middle ground and also the new Kobalt cordless drill look very promising.
I guess my hope is that middle-grade tools like this will draw people into working with their hands instead of calling a pro for every electrical outlet. Maybe there are those who think they can’t do stuff because they need expensive tools that only the pros can afford. That is sometimes true, but perhaps if we get more affordable tools into places like Lowes people will get off the couch and DIY instead of call-the-man.
Also thanks for posting – I check this blog every week and I am never disappointed.