Kobalt Tools

JCC · Nov 19, 2018

Chrome vanadium is what Kobalt makes their sockets out of. I have a broken 1/2" socket that I need to return. It was part of a set that is 1/2" and a metric close equivalent. Split up the side. When I had called Kobalt, they told me to talk to the store. When I went to the store to return it, they said they do not have the set anymore and do not sell the individual parts separately. The part does have a part number on it which I found online. I am stuck in a loop. They should just give me a standard and metric of whatever piece that is if they cannot replace the multi.

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grasshopperglock · Nov 19, 2018

I've always enjoyed when folks say Craftsman is the thing. If it ever breaks, you just take it back.

The thing is. When you're laying on your back underneath something heavy and greasy. You're hot and sweaty and all you want is to get it done.

Then a F'ing socket or wrench breaks on you. It's an emotional moment. One that explores your inner rage of all things cheaply made.

Stuff like that you don't take back. You throw it's busted a$$ in the garbage and you don't go back to exchange it for the same breakable garbage.

TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

grasshopperglock said:
Craftsman was sold to Stanley. Craftsman is no longer a Sears brand. Neither is Kenmore. They sold that too.

The Lowe's here is loaded up with Craftsman.

Craftsman split. It is a Sears & Stanley brand.

https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care

WILL SEARS CONTINUE TO SELL CRAFTSMAN PRODUCTS? 

Yes, Sears will continue sourcing, marketing and selling CRAFTSMAN-branded products in their stores, independent from Stanley Black & Decker.

grasshopperglock · Nov 19, 2018

TX OMFS said:
Craftsman split. It is a Sears & Stanley brand.

https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care

WILL SEARS CONTINUE TO SELL CRAFTSMAN PRODUCTS? 

Yes, Sears will continue sourcing, marketing and selling CRAFTSMAN-branded products in their stores, independent from Stanley Black & Decker.

Wouldn't that mean Sears is buying the tools from Stanley?

TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

vmax said:
Has anyone see anything officially saying the Lowes is ditching Kobalt for Craftsman or is this just OPs guess?

https://toolguyd.com/kobalt-tools-store-on-amazon/

https://toolguyd.com/will-lowes-replace-kobalt-tools-with-craftsman-products/

Best I've come up with besides comments & rumors around the web. These are just blogs so don't mean much.

TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

grasshopperglock said:
I have some craftsman. Smaller wrenches like 8mm. Then big wrenches like 13/16, 7/8, 15/16. 1/2" drive ratchet.

And some 1/4" sockets.

Other then that. The only Kobalt I have are the ones made by Williams Tool Company. They were American made. The first production stuff. Now kobalt is China made. The American wrenches are still floating around.

Other then that. It's Snap-On as the majority of tools. With Proto and S-K mixed in those. Ratchets are Snap-On, S-K and Proto.

Sears was lying about where some of their stuff was made. It said USA but it wasn't. It was China. I'd only deal with Craftsman that's at least 15-20 years old.

Then again. Stanley doesn't mess around. They own lots of tool companies. I wouldn't doubt if the quality went up.

When Stanley first made the deal I read a bunch of stuff trying to guess at what level Stanley would peg the Craftsman line. I hope it's a higher end, high quality line.

TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

grasshopperglock said:
Wouldn't that mean Sears is buying the tools from Stanley?

It says sourcing them independent of Stanley. The real question is who is willing to do business w/ Sears? No one.

rusty tweezers · Nov 19, 2018

grasshopperglock said:
I've always enjoyed when folks say Craftsman is the thing. If it ever breaks, you just take it back.

The thing is. When you're laying on your back underneath something heavy and greasy. You're hot and sweaty and all you want is to get it done.

Then a F'ing socket or wrench breaks on you. It's an emotional moment. One that explores your inner rage of all things cheaply made.

Stuff like that you don't take back. You throw it's busted a$$ in the garbage and you don't go back to exchange it for the same breakable garbage.

That’s funny shat right there

just got me thinking how many wrenches screwdrivers and sockets I’ve literally thrown one/two maybe even three blocks to the north of my house didn’t really give a rats patootie where or if they came down as long as they were out of my life lol. Nothing and I mean nothing pisses you off more than a broken tool when your using it and it breaks! Nothing

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TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

Are Snap-On, S-K, and Proto made in the USA?

Another question is does it matter. Made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality.

vmax · Nov 19, 2018

TX OMFS said:
Are Snap-On, S-K, and Proto made in the USA?

Another question is does it matter. ,,.

Yes it does to me on most things..some things.. not so much.

grasshopperglock · Nov 19, 2018

TX OMFS said:
Are Snap-On, S-K, and Proto made in the USA?

Another question is does it matter. Made in the USA doesn't guarantee quality.

The Proto and S-K I source are government tools. Proto is claimed to have more quality control then Snap-On. It's suppose to be the top best. S-K is another military supplier. Another Old-school American company. It's gotta be American to work on American military stuff.

With Snap On. Snap On brand is American. BluePoint is the overseas (Japan and China). Unless something has changed. This only applies to hand tools. Sockets, ratchets, wrenches, extensions...

TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

vmax said:
Yes it does to me on most things..some things.. not so much.

I like buying American but not if it's inferior.

TX OMFS · Nov 19, 2018

I wasn't familiar w/ proto tools. Wow. I just though SK was expensive...

Mowingmaniac 24/7 · Nov 19, 2018

Proto's are high quality..

I bought a Kobalt pipe wrench.

It slips and slides, but never grips.

Sigh......

grasshopperglock · Nov 19, 2018

TX OMFS said:
I wasn't familiar w/ proto tools. Wow. I just though SK was expensive...

They're cheaper then Snap-On by a huge margin on the used market. I routinely find loose Proto sockets. To find a Proto ratchet is a score. S-K ratchets are also.

I buy the sockets at the Pawn from anywhere between .50 cents to $2.00. Depends on the lady at the counter.

Complete sets can be had but it'll run bigger money.

I have a huge 2 1/8" Proto combination wrench. It's about 2 1/2 feet long and 20 pounds heavy. Man cave decoration. Brand new it runs over $300. I bought it for $40.

Shotgun Jeremy · Nov 19, 2018

I've got a GORGEOUS set of S-K ratchet wrenches in the garage. They shine like white gold. I'm afraid to use em.

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Lonesome Dove · Nov 19, 2018

I have three generations of Craftsman, SK, Proto and they all work fine and admittedly I own a couple Harbor Freight hand tools.

TxStetson · Nov 19, 2018

Lonesome Dove said:
I have three generations of Craftsman, SK, Proto and they all work fine and admittedly I own a couple Harbor Freight hand tools.

Usually, all my wrenches above 1-5/8” are from Harbor Freight. They’re lighter, easier to use, and a helluva lot cheaper. And if I haven’t broken them with a 10# hammer, they’ll do OK.

grasshopperglock · Nov 19, 2018

Harbor freight has some decent stuff. The stuff you'll only use a few times. I have a vacuum pump and AC gauges. A 3/8" Palm ratchet.

That's about it. Last time I was there I bought some nitril gloves. I need to swing by there again and buy a tube of Super Lube.

I can't think of any other place that has it. Or seen it at. Harbor freight always has it.

TxStetson · Nov 19, 2018

Harbor Freight also has the foam mat for the bottom of your tool drawers for $3 per roll instead of $50 per roll at some other places.

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