It seems that Lowe’s has quietly introduced new tool “collections” on their website, featuring brands such as Craftsman, Dewalt, Kobalt, and Skil. There are likely others that I have not come across yet.
You might be thinking “big deal, Amazon has been offering tool ‘bundles’ for a long time now.” Yes, that is true, and we’ve posted about Amazon’s tool bundles before.
Many of Amazon’s bundles seem to be derived from customers’ purchase behaviors. For instance, there might be a bundle that includes an entry-level miter saw from one brand, and an entry-level jig saw from another. Or, a different bundle might feature a pro-grade corded rotary hammer with another brand’s SDS drill bit set.
Advertisement
Lowe’s “collections,” on the other hand, seem to be deliberately curated, at least based on the selections. I am hoping this is actually what’s going on, but that remains to be seen.
This Dewalt “20-Volt Max Cordless Bare Tools & Accessories” collection includes unexpected pairings. As these are product collections, rather than true single-SKU bundles, you can add or subtract the suggested tools as you wish.
Lowe’s Craftsman “Automotive Tool Set Collection” includes a socket set, pliers, work gloves, and both SAE and metric impact sockets.
A Craftsman “Electrician Set” collection comes with tin snips, work gloves, a stud finder, and magnetic measuring tape. The theme confuses me a bit, but I do like the general idea.
Lowe’s has a Kobalt 24V Max “Automotive Kit” collection, where they include a cordless ratchet, impact wrench, right angle impact wrench, polisher, and worklight, plus a starter set.
At the time of this posting, there don’t seem to be any bundle discounts or incentives, other than shopping convenience.
Advertisement
The way the “collection” pages are presented, you can check off the items you wish to buy, and change their quantities before adding everything to your cart with one button.
There are several Craftsman tool sets that aim to help homeowners and DIYers remove some of the guesswork.
A “5pc lawn & garden essential tool set” collection, includes a couple of hand tool basics, plus a wheelbarrow.
Obviously, these types of tool collections won’t work for everyone. These bundles will help “just tell me what I need” types of users, while many other tool users prefer to research and purchase everything separately.
If this is indeed a new Lowe’s initiative, I hope that they stay on top of things. Tool collections can be very useful to customers if they are both expertly curated and easy to navigate.
It will be interesting to see where Lowe’s goes with this. Do you think this is something you might find useful when shopping for tools or related supplies?
Steve
Neat, somebody is putting some thought into this over there at Lowes. I’d still like a build your own combo kit, at combo kit prices per tool (sometimes that’s like $40 per tool), open to just about everything, but I understand why they can’t do that. The holiday promos where you pick your free tools with the purchase of certain kits or battery bundles is as close as you can get.
Plain grainy
I definitely would opt for build your own bundle. A good way to gain more batteries if your entering a new platform. As some bundles include multiple batteries at a great price. Off Topic; Amazon has the Seville Classics work bench(UHD20247B) on sale. Regular price($269.99), Sale price ($150.00), (44% off). 48”x 24” , has many good reviews. One caution always wear gloves when assembling, as metal pieces can have sharp edges.
Plain grainy
Includes free shipping, stainless steel drawers, drawer liners, pegboard w/ hooks, light, power strip.
Stuart
The top listing says it ships from and sold by a 3rd party with few ratings.
Plain grainy
Ok, thanks.
DanB
This is likely someone reselling off Sam’s Club online. I bought one the same way last year before discovering they were cheaper in the local warehouse. It arrived with Sams’ labels on it is the only way I found out.
Ball_bearing
So,
Milwaukee, Ridgid, Dewalt, Ryobi, Metabo, Makita, Hercules, Kobalt, bosch, Hitachi & MakitaJP.
There, we got the rainbow.
AlexK
What Lowes is doing seems good, but if you don’t know what you need, you will probably buy things that you aren’t ready for.
It surprises me how many people don’t do basic research. It’s not like when I was a kid and you had
to look up things in the Encyclopedia, Dictionary or ask someone for help. I don’t know why people I know that are intelligent in other areas, don’t even think to do something as simple as type in a search engine ” what are the basic tools needed for a new homeowner”, “what tools are needed for basic car maintainance”, “what tools to start a garden” etc. Then look at a few postings and see what everyone says that is in common with them all, and then you have some information to work with.
On The Honest Carpenter, he says the first two tools are a battery powered drill and a circular saw. All your most basic needs will be to cut and join wood. As you learn more, you find out what more specialized tools you need. And a newbie needs someone to show them the safe use of a saw, grinder or other tools, or be able to learn by watching a video or reading a book. People can get hurt with tools that they aren’t ready for.
josh
I think the tool trucks and napa were ever the only ones to do mechanic bundles. Nice to see lowes did one with kobalt
Jeremiah Ducate
I like the yardwork one. The basic homeowner one seems alright, depending on price. They should include fastener assortment boxes- wood screws, machine screws(nuts and washers), nails and wire, putty knife or painters multi tool and a 6 in 1 screwdriver. Also a decent container to keep it all in.
Seems like this strategy pairs best with delivery or pick up at curb shopping.
bob
any word where porter cable winds up?
Tigercat
They are now being pushed by tractor supply stores.
DanB
Okay, I’m gonna go on board and agree someone over there is really thinking and this is a great idea.
I got curious and decided to filter by brand names – scrolled down and SharkBite jumped out. Picked them and really like what was curated. Some folks might not know they need the deburr tool along with the disconnects for each size. Their collection included both along with a pex cutter. Nice!
Fyrfytr998
Was a Lowes the other day. Chervon shared a lot of DNA between the Kobalt tools and the Skil 20v tools.