What's the word on Kobalt?

[Fightgar]

I'm not new to power tools, but as I rarely go into Lowe's (nothing against them, just isn't one where I work) I know absolutely nothing about Kobalt tools - they seem to make a wide variety of power tools, compressors, mechanic tools and such, and I'm wondering what the general consensus on them is.
From what little I've read, they've been making tools for a while, but recently signed up Lowe's to be their exclusive supplier. And it's no use going to www.kobalttools.com, as the only thing left is a sign saying 'Hi, you won't find what you're looking for here, go to Lowes.com.'
I'm wondering what the quality, endurance and reputation are on these tools - anyone have experience with them? Are they a Black&Decker, or a Ridgid, or a Dewalt, or a (fat chance) Milwaukee or Makita?

EDIT: Ok, I've looked into it a bit more, it looks like they barely make any power tools, but I'm still interested regarding the compressors and air tools.

[Polar Sparky 1224]

Kolbalt is pretty much the same as husky. On the back of husky hand tools you will read "made in Taiwan for home depot" and the Kolbalt will read "made in Taiwan for Lowe's" They are made in the same country from what i can remember. With most of the tools today they may even come from the same factory!

[swoosh81]

That's real funny, my Kobalt tools just say made in the USA. They must be knockoffs!! ;)

[Theycallmetak]

Kobalt is made by Snap-On for Lowes (hand tools) on another board someone claiming to work for Lowes said the compressors were Colemans.... Hope this helps. Aloha!

[Polar Sparky 1224]

Of all the kobalt tools at LOWE'S only 7 types of tools are made entirely in the USAThe rest are either made with parts from other country's or made in china.
The air compressors are made in the USA with the motors coming from Mexico.
Two screwdriver sets are made entirely in the us
The 3rd set labeled "professional" is made in china.
all their power tools are made in china (except the air compressor)
all the mechanic associated tools like jack stands, ATV lifts, bottle jacks and the 3 ton jack combo.
rolling tool chests are made in USA. as are the mechanics tools like the socket sets and wrenches.
the "locking pliers and all other kinds of pliers are made in china.

With kolbalt is is possible to get tools that are made completely in America and what i liked was the Klein like screwdrivers made in the USA. (the contractor set)I have never been sore using a screw driver with the rubber grip on a clear plastic handle. Over all it really makes little different with the hand tools and the Air compressors but i wouldn't bother with the impact wrench 3.6v screwdriver or the grinder. Unless you are getting tools for you wife.

Some of the tools are made by "great neck saw" manufactured in china

[Lefty Lucy]

I got one of the folding utility knifes from Lowes that says Kobalt on it. It is exactly like the ones at Home Depot that say Husky on them except it's a LOT nicer.

[xSTARKISTx]

i got the same knife from menards, but its a sheffield.

nick

[Lefty Lucy]

i got the same knife from menards, but its a sheffield.

nick


You win.:o

[Theycallmetak]

You can pretty much find anywhere. I see them on the counter display at the Ace stores around here. I think they're all made by the same company then rebranded. The Kobalt hand tools are made by Snap-On though, just not as nice. Probably something with the type of steel they use.

BTW, what difference does it make where the tool was made? They're all gonna be made in China in a few years anyway.

[Polar Sparky 1224]

In a few years more of our American jobs will go to china as well. They bought the steel plant in Utah and a few thousand jobs vanished. How long will it take before we as a nation go from wealth to poverty. It's already hard to get affordable housing even with the cheap labor from Mexico and other country's but the whole problem it there are people that don't care how they make their money. even if a few jobs are lost they still have their large house and sports cars they never drive.

Unfortunately it is true that in a few years they only things still made in America will be our children. Hopefully that doesn't change too.....:eek:

[PhilG.]

Kobalt is made by Snap-On for Lowes (hand tools)... Aloha!


Uhmmm,
no, not even close! If you believe this, I have some Arizona swamp land to sell you.
Most of the Kobalt stuff I've looked into says China on it.

Snap-on has no Chinese tools!

While they do have a Lifetime Warranty, that's the only thing they have in common.

[ohiohead]

All,

When Kobalt "Mechanics Tools" (wrenches & sockets) were first introduced in Lowes they were made by J.H Williams of Columbus, GA a division of Snap On.

I own Kobalt/Snap On socket set that I purhased on clearance in early 2003. Once the Snap On made stuff was clearanced out, the Allen wrench "sourced" stuff showed up.

Ohiohead

[PhilG.]

All,

When Kobalt "Mechanics Tools" (wrenches & sockets) were first introduced in Lowes they were made by J.H Williams of Columbus, GA a division of Snap On.

I own Kobalt/Snap On socket set that I purhased on clearance in early 2003. Once the Snap On made stuff was clearanced out, the Allen wrench "sourced" stuff showed up.

Ohiohead

The whole point of these odd brand tools are - they are "sourced" from all over the world. One lot may be from BlackHawk Tools, and the next lot may be from "the Red Rooster" in Shangxai; but the tools will almost be identical.

Years ago, I gave one poor salesman at Sears a big hassle because I wanted warranty on a broken pair electronic needlenose pliers. The one I had was Craftman (according to the code was sourced by Xcelite, USA) and what he wanted to give me was from France (yuk, I don't think so). I finally broke down and took the Frenchie, but they earned their pay that day.
Yes, Williams is a division of Snap-on. But, don't think that the Allen brand has flies on it.
Allen is from the Danaher (http://www.danaher.com/) conglomerate - and this stuff is top-drawer quality stuff.

A while back I did a Are You a Tool Snob? (http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8292) thread to discuss this very thing. Most of us have no problem with the quality of most of the Chinese tools, but, once in a while a tool is a key tool (ratchets, for example as opposed to extensions), it is worth buying the best available.

[Coach James]

Kobalt wrenches, sockets and ratchets are made by Danaher. Several years ago, Lowes switched from JH Williams to Danaher for these items. Check out the Danaher website. They make hand tools for several top quality lines. I've got a few Allen brand wrenches and ratchets and they have been fine for me.

Back when JH Williams made the Kobalt mechanics tools, Lowes got into some hot water due to some of their sales people telling customers that Kobalt WAS Snap On with a different name. The Snap On company did not look kindly upon that.

[Kevin G]

Hello All,
I've been reading a lot here about the Kobalt Brand of tools sold though Lowes and just want to clear up some misconceptions that have been posted here about them. KOBALT wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are STILL made in the USA and clearly stamped to indicate this.

I'm not too sure where people get the idea that the older original Kobalt wrenches, ratchets, and sockets were made by Snap-On. They were actually made by a secondary subsidiary of Snap-On. The original KOBALT tools made up until early 2003 were made by JH Williams in Midland, Georgia. Williams is an industrial tool maker that has been making it's own tools under it's own name here in the USA since the late 1800's. JH Williams as of 1999 became a subsidiary of the North America division of BAHCO, a Swedish saw blade manufacturer that is owned by Snap-On. Actually BAHCO had more control over JH Williams and how they made the older KOBALT tools than Snap-On did. Make no mistake that Williams makes some tough industrial excellent tools.

The newer KOBALT wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are still made in the USA. Lowes has now contracted the brand to be made by foundries owned and operated by Danaher Tool Group. Yes it's the same company that makes post 1994 Craftsman tools. In fact since Danaher Tool Group owns Allen, MATCO, and Armstrong too. I wouldn't be suprised if the KOBALT wrenches, ratchets, and sockets are made in factories by Armstrong, MATCO, and Allen.

While I do agree that the older Williams made KOBALT stuff was smoother looking and had a better feel to them than the newer satin finished Danaher stuff. KOBALT tools old and new are very good wrenches. I own some socket sets, ratchets, and wrench sets, a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar, and have never broken a tool. Of course I use each tool as it was intended and designed for:D In other words if I need a hammer, I use a hammer, I don't suppliment my ratchet for it, you get the idea. Well and they just only see regular moderate use, not industrial use.

It's true that KOBALT still has a web page, but it only direct you to Lowes. Must be a left over defunked website from the Williams days.

Oh by the way, was in Home Depot the other day and looked at their line of Husky tools made by Standly. Could not find one Husky tool that was still made in the USA. Sadly it was all Taiwan made stuff.

[plumbdog10]

You said you have never broken a Kobalt tool, but how much does a "space cowboy" use those tools?

[PT USER]

I was told the husky sockets, ratchets... are made by stanley. If you look at the address to return a tool under the lifetime warranty the address is stanley.

[swoosh81]

If I recall correctly didn't Lowes start phasing out all the Kobalt tools, and started selling Task Force. At least here in central pa.

[davard74]

Hey all-

I bought a Kobalt paint sprayer and I need a new needle. I've looked all over and of course Lowes ( the store and online ) and Kobalt.com were zero help. Any one know where I can get replacement parts for Kobalt tools? Maybe it's just me, but making tools, but not selling parts is bad business.

[Frankiarmz]

In a few years more of our American jobs will go to china as well. They bought the steel plant in Utah and a few thousand jobs vanished. How long will it take before we as a nation go from wealth to poverty. It's already hard to get affordable housing even with the cheap labor from Mexico and other country's but the whole problem it there are people that don't care how they make their money. even if a few jobs are lost they still have their large house and sports cars they never drive.

Unfortunately it is true that in a few years they only things still made in America will be our children. Hopefully that doesn't change too.....:eek:

I agree with you. The only way we can compete with the third world is to become like the third world. I'd like to know who will buy all the SUV's trucks, cars, electronics and other big ticket items when we can't afford them? I'm already there myself, no more new vehicles or toys unless I hit LOTTO. All those factory jobs we lost enabled Americans to get a house, car and maybe send their kids to school. You can't afford the same things on the lower wage jobs that replaced them.:mad:

[Disaster]

Kobalt wrenches, sockets and ratchets are made by Danaher. Several years ago, Lowes switched from JH Williams to Danaher for these items. Check out the Danaher website. They make hand tools for several top quality lines. I've got a few Allen brand wrenches and ratchets and they have been fine for me.

Like Craftsman. Danaher got the contract, from Sears, over Stanley, quite a few years ago.

[Wild Weasel]

I agree with you. The only way we can compete with the third world is to become like the third world. I'd like to know who will buy all the SUV's trucks, cars, electronics and other big ticket items when we can't afford them? I'm already there myself, no more new vehicles or toys unless I hit LOTTO. All those factory jobs we lost enabled Americans to get a house, car and maybe send their kids to school. You can't afford the same things on the lower wage jobs that replaced them.:mad:


It's actually the opposite that needs to happen. Those in the third world need to come up to our standards and make the same demands for wages and what not that we do in order for things to equal out.

It's beginning. They're starting to want things like new clothes and fancy cars, and they're beginning to be able to afford them in small quantities.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to happen fast enough to have much positive impact in our lifetimes. :(

And if it does, manufacturing will just move on from China and India to Africa and South America.

[LONGHAIR]

Maybe it's just me, but making tools, but not selling parts is bad business.

In today's society that is becoming more the norm. Things are being made cheaper, making them "disposable" reather than repaired. Many times people would have no idea how to repair things even if the parts were available, so they buy a new one anyway. The store stocking, wasting space for, and making minimal profit from, these parts...plus a person that can actually be of some help to you?
The bad thing is that making them "cheaper" in cost makes them "cheap" in quality too. So breakdowns are more frequent. Then we get the idea that all of the "cheap" stuff is about the same, so we buy the one that costs the least....Or we take the bite and step-up to the "expensive" stuff made for pros. Then you can get parts.

These big volume stores just don't have the time to spend. That is why I try to buy what I can from my local privately owned hardware store. They don't have the selection of the big guys, but they do have many of the odd things that the volume places don't bother to carry. They actually have hardware.

With all of the mergers/partners and "groups" out there trying to make nothing more than a profit...many products are just rebranded.
I had heard the "Snap-On" thing years ago, but I would expect it to change or at least "go up for bid" every few years. I also heard that the "Kobalt" tool boxes were made by Kennedy, but that has probably changed too.


If I recall correctly didn't Lowes start phasing out all the Kobalt tools, and started selling Task Force. At least here in central pa.


While I realize that this quote is from a post that is over a year old, I see just the opposite here. There are more and more things all of the time. I was just in a Lowe's last night and it seems that the Kobalt tool boxes have changed. They have the look of the "professional" line of Craftsman stuff. They have taller lids with angled front corners rather than the older rounded profile.

[scsmith]

The post 2003 Kobalt wrenchs do not have the same feel or length, I had one wrench go missing after a flight out of the U.S. and now can not get a replacement for the set. The socket sets are now 12 point, and I don't see many 12 point fasteners. (I try not to use 12 point due to slipage)

Scott

[lenhud]

I got a Kobalt HVLP sprayer about a year and a half ago. I lost the gasket on the lid of the aluminum paint container. I called the 800 no. for parts and they told me they no longer stock parts for this tool. It's only 18 months old! Any body know where I can get this gasket? Thanks.

[reConx]

A few months ago, I noticed the local Lowes stores in my area began to clearance price the "old" Kobalt tool chests & cabinets (made in USA). I picked up some ball-bearing cabinets & chests for under a $100 each. They introduced a new line of Kobalt tool chests & cabinets that have a nice style & finish but the overall quality seems to be a bit lower in my opinion. The new Kobalt tool chests & cabinets are made in China.
Lowes has also introduced a Kobalt branded ten inch sliding miter saw. The quality of the sliding mechanism appears to be inferior to the Makita, Ridgid and Hitachi. It reminds me of some of the saws offered at Harbor Freight that are made in China.
Are the brands & quality that we expect from our favorite power tools going to become harder to find? Will we have to accept these lower quality disposable tools and replace them regularly because they cost less? I guess I will need to take extra time to maintain and protect my Bosch-Dewalt-Makita-Ridgid-Milwaukee power tools.......:confused:

[Fightgar]

I've seen that slider...it is one of the cheapest-looking $200 miter saws I've seen.

[reConx]

The Kobalt branded hand tools were introduced and marketed to compete with Craftsman and Husky. They were made in the USA for the most part and were very similar in design and quality as the Craftsman & Husky tools. Is the new Kobalt branded sliding miter saw the clue that the end is near for Kobalt tools? Lowes has clearance priced many of the "old" non-made-in-China hand tools which I snapped up whenever Lowes prices them for pennies on the dollar. I would gamble that the bright blue finish of the new miter saw flakes off before the motor begins to smoke.

[Stampy]

Man you hit it right on the head. I haven't heard one word from any of the candidates that think it's bad that everything is made in China but we're just shipping them boatloads of money which they are putting into their military. Go in ANY big box store and 90% of the inventory is from China. Better teach your kids to speak Chinese so they can communicate with their future masters. :eek:

[Master Engineer]

Lenhud, the part you are seeking can be picked up at and air tool repair store. That particular gun is the same variant of Ingersoll Rand and Campbell Hausfeld. The part is not that expensive either.
Campbell Hausfeld makes all of the Husky and Kobalt compressors. They are very good and the 60 gallon units use either an Emerson or Century motor.(2 excellent motors). The crankshaft bearings are also rated for 5,000 hours.;)

[John C.]

I purchased a Kobalt digital air compressor a year and a half ago. It has never functioned in a predictable way. Now, the motor burned out. I'm just a home owner, very infrequent use. I have been on the phone for over 1.5 hours waiting for a representative to pick up the line to tell me about where to take it for repair. The recorded message keeps telling me my wait time is 5 miutes. I called the 1-866-307-4104 number listed in the operator manual. I will never buy another Lowes/Kobalt product again. This product and thier company is terrible.

[dalejr1]

My Kobalt toolbox is made in Isreal.

(The one Jimmie Johnson totes around on the commercial where he is fixing everything in the neighborhood.)

:confused:

[riderjohn]

I purchased a Kobalt digital air compressor a year and a half ago. It has never functioned in a predictable way. Now, the motor burned out. I'm just a home owner, very infrequent use. I have been on the phone for over 1.5 hours waiting for a representative to pick up the line to tell me about where to take it for repair. The recorded message keeps telling me my wait time is 5 miutes. I called the 1-866-307-4104 number listed in the operator manual. I will never buy another Lowes/Kobalt product again. This product and thier company is terrible.

Tell me about it, i just purchased a Kobalt compressor and the manual says not to return but call the toll free number. 3 days later and 6 different hours of hold time I have never reached a rep, for the past 2 hours the phone message says a 1 minute hold time. Going to hang up and call Kobalt corporate....I've had it!!!

[Service Guy]

Kobalt sucks. Stanley and Ridgid are still my handtool companies of choice.

[razerback]

HI ALL IM NEW TO THIS WEBSITE

I BOUGHT A KOBALT AIR COMPRESSOR FROM LOWES I COULD NOT MAKE IT WORK RIGHT,I CALLED THE KOBALT COMPANY THAT IS IN THE MANUAL
AS THE MANUAL SAI'S NOT TO BRING IT TO THE STORE TO CALL 1-866-307-4104 i called two week's in a row and got nothing but a busy signal
yesterday i called 8/28/08 and the phones were shut off i called lowes and the manager told me they went out of business but he was told to let them bring it back for another machine or a store credit. so i dont know what kobalt is doing but lowes is standing behind it at least