Lowes has just come out with a new Kobalt stack and lock screwdriver set, just in time for Father’s Day 2014. It was advertised in a recent Lowes sales flyer as a freebie when you purchase a larger Kobalt mechanics tool set, but is also available separately.
The Kobalt stacking screwdriver set comes with 9 different stubby-sized drivers that can connect and interlock.
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Although the image above shows the same sizes merely copied and pasted to new locations via Photoshop, the 9pc set comes with a number of useful screwdriver tip sizes and styles: Phillips #0, #1, #2, slotted 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″, Torx T15, T25, and square 1/4″.
The set is priced at $13.
Buy Now(via Lowes)
First Thoughts
The product page on Lowes says that these Kobalt drivers can be used individually and can “stack together to provide extra length for added reach.” However, with such short shafts and wide “ergonomically designed” handles, I cannot see how these drivers can be used to access fasteners in “hard-to-reach places.”
While it’s a stretch to see how stacking these drivers will improve access when just one driver won’t do, I think that the set does has good potential as a modular stubby screwdriver set for portable tool kits. Stack 3 or 4 together, and you have a full-size driver. If you need a different tip size, simply swap the order of the screwdrivers. If you need a stubby driver, simply grab the one you need from the stack.
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Kobalt has come out with some ridiculously ineffective tools in the past year, most notably their Magnum Grip locking pliers and Triple Cut cutters. At first glance I thought this screwdriver set would be the newest edition to that group, but after giving it fair consideration it seems to be a practical portable screwdriver set worthy of closer consideration.
Jerry
I think this tool might fall into what I call the ‘useful gimmick’ category. While it is kind of gimmicky, likely for Fathers day impulse buys, and it really doesn’t do anything a normal small screwdriver set would do, it doesn’t seem that the gimmickiness of it would make it impractical.
Allen
Somebody was thinking.
jesse
When they are all stacked together, can you find the one you want without taking the string apart one at a time? If not, doesn’t seem too practical. Interesting concept though.
Stuart
My local Lowes still doesn’t have these on display, so I couldn’t check.
Having size markings on the side of the handles would make sense, but it would also increase production costs. I don’t think they have side markings, but it would great if they did.
Pete
I thought the same thing. I doubt the sides are marked. they would have to have a different mold for each driver. Takes up too much room for my taste.
Phil
As individual stubby drivers they make more sense than trying to use a pile of them stacked together. Stacking them for storage makes more sense, and is actually a neat idea.