I couldn’t help myself, I purchased a Kobalt Multi Drive Wrench for review (more info about the new tool here). The full hands-on review of the universal wrench is in the works, but I wanted to share these photos about how well (or poorly) the wrench’s sockets fit fasteners.
Last year, all of the dog bone wrenches on the market had 6-point sockets. Even Black & Decker’s new ratcheting ReadyWrench still features 6pt sockets. Kobalt’s Multi Drive Wrench, on the other hand, features universal spline sockets that are also designed for both SAE and metric compatibility.
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Visualize a 12pt combination wrench or socket. Now imagine that the tolerances were loosened up and the wrench or socket widened so that it fit both SAE and comparably sized metric fasteners. Then change the drive pattern from 12pt to spline, and you have a universal socket. I’ll let the photos do most of the talking.
Note: each pair of images consists of two photos, with the second being a cropped/zoomed-in version of the first.
I started off by testing a 5/16″ bolt (1/2″ wrench size) with a common 6-point hexagonal socket. As you can see in the above images, the fit is fairly tight, without much wiggle-room. This is why 6pt sockets are less likely to round-off fasteners than 12pt sockets that offer a less substantial fit.
I then took the 5/16″ bolt and fit it into the Multi Drive Wrench’s 1/2″/13mm socket, as shown below. There is a LOT of wiggle room. This makes the wrench a bit unsteady to use, something that will be covered in our upcoming hands-on review. Scroll back up to take another look at the same bolt in the 6pt socket.
The above photos show how much wiggle-room there is in the Multi Drive socket. I then reoriented and straightened the bolt in the Kobalt wrench and took another photo (below). Without a doubt the Multi Drive’s socket-fastener fit is quite poor compared to a 6pt socket and even a 12pt wrench (not photographed)!
Just looking at the above images, it is clear that the Multi Drive socket design greatly reduces socket-fastener contact area compared to conventional 6pt sockets. This makes it much easier to round-off and damage fasteners in higher torque applications.
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I then took an M6 (10mm wrench size) bolt and tested its fit with an ordinary 6pt socket. Again, the fit appears to be pretty good.
The same M6 bolt was then placed in the corresponding 10mm Multi Drive socket.
The final test was to take an M8 bolt (13mm wrench size), and to test it in the 1/2″/13mm socket that also fits the 5/16″ bolt. The socket’s fit of the 5/16″ bolt was disappointing, so I figured that maybe it was closer in size to 13mm than 1/2″. After all, 13mm is equivalent to 0.512 inches.
It appears that the universal socket actually fit the M8 fastener a bit better than it did the 5/16″, but was not nearly tight enough to guarantee against potential fastener damage.
Needless to say, I am disappointed about the fit of the Multi Drive’s sockets in regard to standard 6pt hex fasteners. Yes, they can also fit a variety of other fastener styles – spline, square, spline, etc, but I very rarely come across these types. The Multi Drive is being marketed towards consumers. How many non-hex fasteners do consumers often come across?
Maybe these examples are over-emphasizing fastener fit and exaggerate the gaps of surface contact. Maybe the wrench will fit fasteners better in real-life tests and applications. Maybe the wrench is better suited for just-in-case or general purpose applications. Or maybe it will round off a fastener at the worst possible time.
What I do know for certain is that, speaking as a consumer, I don’t trust the fit of these sockets on 6pt fasteners. Sure, I’ll probably keep it around in case I ever come across a spline fastener or 12pt one that my combination wrenches and 6pt sockets cannot handle. Or not, maybe I will give it away.
The Multi Wrench won’t easily round-off grade 5 or class 8.8 bolts, but it will likely do a number on softer lower quality bolts found in consumer goods and RTA (ready to assemble) equipment.
I cannot offer any recommendations based on these photos alone. As mentioned, a full hands-on review is in the works, and it will take a look at the Kobalt Multi Wrench as a whole.
What I can say is that separate SAE and metric spline/universal wrenches and sockets will fit fasteners better than than this tool can, 12pt tools will fit better than “universal” ones, and 6pt tools will fit even better.
Read up on the Kobalt Multi Drive Wrench via ToolGuyd
Update: Here’s Part 2 of Our Review
Dan Richards
That looks absolutely terrible, which is about what I expected from the HD and Kobalt new spline dogbones. Do you have a B&D 6PT dogbone to compare to?
Stuart
I do. The ratcheting ReadyWrench does offer some wiggle room and off-axis wobble as expected due to the SAE-metric single-socket compatibility, but straight-on it offers much greater socket-fastener contact.
For use on 6pt fasteners, the ratcheting ReadyWrench would be a better choice. An ordinary 6pt socket would be far better, but I’m not as opposed to the ReadyWrench as I used to be.
teicher
I was initially excited about these universal fit/spline tools, but after looking at them closely they appear to be nothing more than a nice way to strip a perfectly good 6pt fastener. Rarely do I run into anything other than a 6pt, and I bet a 12pt combo wrench or socket would do just as good of a job as one of these spline tools.
JeffD
I’m always on the lookout for small multi-tasking tools for my motorcycle and this Kobalt tool caught my eye. But after seeing how large it is and your review I’ll leave it on the shelf. Stu, thanks for taking one for the team. Hey…this would make a good giveaway. People love a good giveaway.
Stuart
To be fair, I wouldn’t have bought it if I didn’t have a $10 off $50 coupon to use. At the time I picked up a few reasonable quality Kobalt tools for my sister and her fiance, and a Kobalt/Gearwrench palm ratchet for myself.
If I didn’t have the coupon, I likely would have passed on picking one of these up.
wantedabiggergarage
I stated before, Kobalt does a disservice selling these. If they believed in these, or decided to go a worse route, they would market these, drop their sockets and wrench sizes these “cover” and only sell this tool.
Then they could “increase” sales of replacement fasteners, easy outs, drill bits, taps etc.
Stuart
That would never be a valid strategy. It would be like a steakhouse removing prime rib from their menu because they were coming out with a new chicken dish. Or something to that effect.
Tod Sorensen
I’m new to your site but found the information on the Kobalt multi-wrench very informative. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Stuart
Thanks, Tod, glad to help!
CAROL
THANKS, YOU JUST SAVED ME THE TIME AND MONEY,I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS,AS SEEN ON TV,BUT AFTER YOUR REVIEW,I’LL PASS. THANKS CAROL….
Paul
Thanks for this review. I just discovered your site recently and have already saved some money due to your reviews (both the positive ones and the negative ones).
Stuart
I’m glad that you found this and our other reviews to be helpful!
BillyD
Stuart, I was heading out today to buy one of these, thanks for the review. Saved me some time and money…I’ll check out the ReadyWrench instead. Glad I found your site.
Carrie Seals
Excellent review, thank you so much. As my father’s gopher, I thought this would save me a few trips to the garage, “Honey, get me the 5/8ths. Nope, too big. Try the 1/2″.” Is there a tool out there, only for SAE (thinking a lot is lost when a manufacturer tries to accomodate metric and SAE fits at once) , one handle, no attachments, maybe that similarily flips heads, and fits perfectly, or am I asking too much?
Stuart
Carrie,
Craftsman makes something along the lines of what you’re looking for.
Carmella Bradley
I too was excited about this tool and I am so glad that I came across your website. I looked too good to be true and evidently, it is! Thank you for saving me some money!
Brian
Excellent review Stuart! The Photos show very good examples of the good and bad. Looking at this review I think I would pass on this tool.
Thanks for the info. and review!
Trish
For xmas, my dad wanted a craftmen socket set. I priced it to be about $70-$80. I saw the Kobalt Multi Drive Wrench on TV for $24.99 and fit anything. But after reading these reviews Im just going to get him what he actually asked for. Sometimes it “is” better just to get the right thing for more money instead of trying to get a subsitute to try to save as buck. Best of all I wont need to play the “what if” game . This site was extremely helpful! Gonna leave the Kobalt Multi Drive Wrench on the shelf.
Dan
Nice review! Thanks… I was just about to put this on the shopping list for Christmas. Drive a semi truck and though it would be handy. Way too much leeway for play for my liking.
Bookmarking this site for future needs too! Thanks!
John
Great review. Thanks for your insights. You saved me some bucks and some future frustrations as I would have discovered what your review indicated. I’ve stripped bolt heads in the past, and really hate doing that!
Keep up the good work!
John
Andrew Garcia
How does the Kobalt Multi-Drive compare with the Craftsman SAE and Metric Dogbone Wrenches?
trish
I saw this online and was searching for the website but I am glad I clicked on your link first..thanks for the info
Stuart
Andrew, I haven’t tried out the Craftsman dogbones, but they should offer a much better fastener fit. The tools are still going to be quite large, so they won’t be very suitable for work in tight spaces.
Trish and everyone else, glad to have helped!
Laurie
My husband wants one for xmas. From your review and reader comments I understand that REAL mechanics have no use for this tool. But would it be useful to have around the house for minor repairs for the man who loses/misplaces single wrenches?
robb
While not actually a multitool, the “Metrinch” tool set is the best compact tool set for both metric, and standard size fasteners. To this day, there has not been one nut or bolt I could not remove, no matter how rounded or rusted. These sets, and additional sizes can still be sourced online, since they are no longer mass marketed, and are worth every penny.
Rick
I thought this might be a decent gift for my father, you know, the guy who already has everything. But after your’s and other reviews it looks like this might be more of a “marketing” success rather than a unique useful tool. Maybe one of the new rechargeable LED spotlights? Thanks for the info and helping me to make my mind up.
john brown
I have not used or seen the tool, but interested in buying one. You have a lot of numbers and good pictures in your review, but you forgot the most important test. Will it loosen tight bolts without stripping. Get two soft grade bolts and tighten with a torque wrench and then loosen with this tool and a 6pt socket. Keep increasing torque until the bolt head strips or breaks. That is a fare way to judge what the tool can do.
patrick
i used this kobalt multi drive set 1 time then i took this ripoff tool set and throw it in the trash can . i cant believe blachk& decker would imbaries them self by selling these worthless tool if u dont welieve me buy 1 then i bet in the trash can it goes. [email protected]
patrick
i bought 3 sets 4 xmas gifts bought it on tv add as seen on tv i usewd it once when i was done swearing at this junk ntool i through it in the trash can i bet if your dum enough 2 buy this t6ool u will do the same .
lunch lady
Thank you for the reviews and comments. I almost made a mistake and bought 2 for Fathers day gifts. Glad I came a cross the reviews before I purchased.
Don’t know much about tools outside the kitchen!
Rich Scordino
Bought a set this morning to get to a couple of hard to reach spline head bolts in a bellhousing. I’s actually asked if they carried combo wrenches to match a #12 head. Tool guy at Lowes said that the 10mm would fit. Seemed to, till I pulled on it and tore half the splines off. Well, the concept sounded good, hated to buy an entire set for one wrench. don’t think they even carry a 9mm. So, back to doing it the old way. Definitely will return them. Wonder if they ever actually tested the design???
jimmy
The 6 point socket, while it fits tighter, it puts pressure on the corner points of the nut or bolt. This makes it easier to round off the corners.
The spline socket puts pressure on the flat side before the corner point, which means it has more metal to push against and less likely to round off the corners.
T. Dowling
I just found (and bought) two original Williams multi-socket dog bone wrenches from the 1950s or so. I got lucky and found new old stock. They are 12 point USA made, fit inch sizes including the elusive 19/32. So, they don’t have the magnets, they don’t have spline sockets, but they have serious quality! Look for the originals at a flea market. They were also sold under the Craftsman name. The new Craftsman models aren’t the same, they are imports, too. Check out the Alloy Artifacts website for info on the real original ones.
Paul Pedrazza
Been through Mechanics shool 20 years ago. One thing I learned, is that for serious nut and bolt removal, you need the right tool, even have to put serious money into the right tools for the job. I’ve gone through various types of tools, even some that come out on TV. These are meant for light work. I just bought the kobalt set from lowes as a backup, like to drain the oil or something light on the vehicle.
I’d be carefull on which type of job youre using certaing sockets. Allways keep a good serious Tool set in the garage for emergencies, and use a lower class tool set in which youre not going to put a lot of torque in tightening the nuts and bolts, resulting in rounding em off.