While browsing around the Kobalt tools holiday display at a local Lowes, I came across a new 64pc mechanics tool set. The set comes with a screwdriver-handled driver, an assortment of 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ drive sockets, screwdriver bits, a bit socket adapter, 3 extensions, and a single 3-in-1 ratchet.
I can understand how an all-in-one ratchet might seem convenient for some users, but I can’t say I find this ratchet to be appealing.
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First, this is among the shortest 1/2″ ratchets I have ever seen. It’s not quite a stubby ratchet, but it looks quite short, probably to avoid situations where you could potentially over-torque a fastener with a 1/4″ socket. There is a good chance you will run into insufficient leverage and torque issues when working on larger fasteners.
Second, this ratchet is anything but low-profile.
Thirdly, many people use 3/8″ sockets and accessories more than the other two sizes. With this tool, using the 3/8″ drive end puts the direction selector switch would be on the underside of the ratchet. That could make it difficult to toggle during use.
Multi-Size dual-head ratchets are already on the market, but this is the first time I have seen a 3-in-1 combination like this. With the 64pc tool set, the socket sizes go up to 1″ and 24mm, which is a little beyond 3/8″ drive territory, which explains the need to include a 1/2″ drive tool.
But wouldn’t a 3/8″ to 1/2″ adapter have sufficed? If I could have only one ratchet to use on three drive sizes, I would rather it be a 3/8″ ratchet with step-down and step-up adapters.
But, in case all-in-one convenience is your thing, the Kobalt 64pc mechanics tool set that comes with the 3-in-1 ratchet is priced at $40 at Lowes.
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Yadda
If I interpret the photo correctly, it appears the 1/4 inch drive is at the top of the 1/2 inch drive. Does this means the sockets are even deeper to ensure the 1/4 drive adapter doesn’t interfere with bolt heads when using the 1/2 in drive?
Yadda
My point being that it isn’t low profile to begin with and it appears to get the three adapters on one ratchet they gave up low profile in more than one way.
Stuart
The set comes with what look to be standard-sized sockets.
jeff
this is so horrible.
When designing this they thought “how can we design a tool for a non tool user to buy for a tool user, and that tool user will never use the tool.”
Steven B
I gotta agree with Jeff. It’s not like 3 sockets are that expensive or difficult to carry around. I won’t be buying one and I don’t anticipate this being a hit or a classic tool. However, I can’t fault Kobalt too much for trying something new, even if I don’t see the value, personally.
John
This appears to have been dreamt up by a non tool user in marketing that had to meet a deadline for the annual Christmas gimmicky tool sales season.
Eliminates the chances of using it in any tight access applications. Handle is oversized for 1/4″ work but likely undersized for 1/2″ work.
Agree that an adapter or two in the set would have better for most people if they wanted to keep the cost down by including only one ratchet.
Brian14
Seeing that end with the 1/4″ drive square on the end of the 1/2″ square reminds me of something I saw in one of my dad’s car magazines – and ad for something called a Dakota socket adapter, or something like that. It looked like a pyramid of sorts, it had a 1/4 square on a 3/8 square on a 1/2 square (all with a retention ball in them). Must have never sold well b/c I couldn’t find any info on them on the internet.
As the reviewer pointed out, the selector switch is on the wrong side for the 3/8 side – who knows, in a tight spot, something could hit the switch.
Mike U.
These X-Mas Kobalt tool “innovations” are all long on gimmicks and short on usability. Saw Stuarts reviews of the other new releases and have found this to be my experience as well. I received both the Double Drive ratchet and the Magnum Grip last year as gifts. The ratchet was ok but very course and the magnum grips were not reliable in any way.
I have some odds and ends Kobalt tools and have been generally OK with them, but these XMas items are definite “stay away” items.
This just looks like a bad idea…if this type of ratchet was really feasible don’t you think every tool co. would have made one by now?
george
I saw it a few weeks ago. I also thought it a terrible idea.
but then I started to think about it. there are many men and women out there
just starting out in life and a new home. this is not a bad idea for those
folks not sure of tools yet. later on as they gain experience they can go out and get
what they like from those experiences. when I first started out I got a 1/2 drive setup. I quickly learned od my mistake. and I still have that set !
not everything lowes sells is for all us “experts”. some is geared for the beginers.
so if you don’t like t, walk away. it just might be perfect for others.
jeff
this tool will cause frustration and headache to the tool noobs, and will lead to them to be non tool users.
jeff
Just to add Id rather send someone to Harbor Freight for a complete socket set than recommend this as a first.
But I always recommend Craftsman because of the unlimited lifetime warranty.
firefly
George, you just help everyone else drive their home that this is a gimmick at best. All we can learn from tool like those are they are crappy and there are better options out there (pretty much what you said).
There are beginner set and there are crappy tools, this clearly fall into the later category.
Stan
Honestly, this tool looks to be absolute junk, as this appears to be just another Kobalt gimmick aimed at people who don’t really know how tools work and don’t use them that often either.
This handle looks vastly oversized for any work that a 1/4 inch socket might do, but as for doing work with 1/2 inch drive work, I can’t imagine this working that well.
Wright, Armstrong SK, Proto and other manufactures produce exceptional 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch ratchets, among other sizes and built to handle real work. In the long run, this is also cheaper to buy a real ratchets as well.
Bill K
In simplistic terms, companies use product differentation and product quality to attract business. This product and most other Kobalt products seem to be high in differentation and moderate on quality. Anybody else see this any differently?
Caleb
It seems like it is the dogbone wrench of the ratchet world . . . .
“Second” on the value set from HF for someone starting out if they are not able to invest in something better initially – as long as it is one that has good reviews. Then it can be a car set when they upgrade (I hate keeping good tools in the car – I would rather be out $100 than $500 if the car is destroyed/stolen).
Paul
I like the extendable 1/4 and 3/8 inch ratchet in the Craftsman CM 30PC SWS SET.
It has a wobble to get into tight spaces The handle is about the same length as a 1/4 inch ratchet and extends for leverage on 3/8 fasteners.
Stuart
A post about that ratchet is scheduled for later today. I wasn’t terribly impressed when I saw it in person. The dual-head design didn’t bother me too much, but I didn’t like that you cannot lock the wobble mechanism in a straight position.
Pencil Neck
Jack of all trades……
It would be better than not having a ratchet, but not by much.
Matthew Sumner
Awful. I miss the USA made original Kobalt.
Stan
Hardly any Kobalt products are American made anymore and seemingly some of of what they re-brand are absolute gimmicks.
But what I miss most is going to any hardware store and having to really look hard for any products that are American made though. Finding American made tools, real tools at that at Lowes is quite challenging.
Rick C
What’s a “pulg”?
Stuart
A type of dog? Specialty hardware? A computer part? I give up. So what’s a pulg?
Natasha
“pulg” is the spanish abbreviation for “inch”!
Stuart
Thanks, makes sense. Only now do I realize he was seeing pulg in the product display photo.