Kobalt Tools refreshes their product lineup every so often, but major releases are generally planned for Christmas and Father’s Day holiday shopping seasons. This year there were quite a few new Kobalt tools. Some were good, some were not so good, and some were a little gimmicky but practical.
This new 30pc mechanics tool set looks quite gimmicky at first. The centerpiece of the set is a combination adjustable wrench, socket ratchet, and bit ratchet. It’s a sort of all-in-one kind of tool.
Advertisement
I can appreciate the versatility of the all-in-one ratchet wrench. The rest of the parts of the set are standard components. You get a regular socket extension, a range of inch and metric sockets (1/4″ drive), and an assortment of 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits.
You don’t need any adapters with the wrench, since everything is built in. There’s an adjustable wrench on one end, and on the other end there’s a 1/4″ ratchet with a bit driver socket on the back end.
What I like is that the set doesn’t really have any proprietary components. In other words, swap the all-in-one ratchet wrench for an adjustable wrench, a 1/4″ ratchet, and a 1/4″ hex bit holding socket, and you’ve got a traditional 1/4″ socket set.
While I cannot ignore the gimmicky nature of the all-in-one wrench, I think that this set would be great for minimalist and casual-use portable tool kits.
Price: $20
Buy Now(via Lowes)
Advertisement
Allen
Keep innovating folks, something is going to hit the mark.
I keep thinking of how often a person needs two wrenches, one on the nut and one on the bolt. Don’t think putting the adjustable wrench on the ratchet helps much. Maybe if it was somehow detachable.
Destry
Allen hit it right on the head: the whole point of packing an adjustable wrench with your minimalist socket set is to to handle the opposite end of the nut/bolt combo.
This concept negates that. Although you could cut the thing in half…
One more criticism: in 2014, we don’t need 3 of the precious few spaces in the minimalist driver bit kit devoted to slot drivers. Give me the 8/10 bit, and two more torx. Or a couple hex. Please.
joe
Lol now build a ratchet with two sides, 1/4 and 3/8…
I bought their 227 piece mechanic’s set and what I don’t like is the color of the socket numbers…for me they are kind of hard to read.
Stuart
There’s a Craftsman dual size ratchet, and a Kobalt triple size version. Those were last year’s holiday tools.
joe
The craftsman looks more appealing since for ½ inch I need a bigger handle for loosening stubborn nuts like when replacing a bumper. In their website it shows for $14.99…not bad.
Thanks.
Hang Fire
There’s a HF socket wrench like you describe, the #67994 “1/4 in. and 3/8 in. Drive x 14-3/8 in. Double Head Flex Ratchet Wrench”. I have it and it can be a real problem solver, it is built thin for tight access.
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-and-38-in-drive-x-14-38-in-double-head-flex-ratchet-wrench-67994.html
matt
one of the dumber gimmicks I have seen..
SteveR
I’m okay with this having a “home mechanic’s” set designation, but not as a”mechanic’s” set. Mechanic connotes larger bolts and screws (to me, anyway), requiring at least a 3/8″-drive capability, so this set falls short in that respect. One-quarter-inch drive is a tad small for automotive repairs, but it would work fine for a bicycle or a Moped. Overall, it’s not bad as a beginner set for an apartment dweller, or someone just starting to acquire tools. This set, plus a hammer, a tape measure, a hacksaw and a flashlight should be most everything needed for small jobs around the house. That, and a roll of duct tape.
You could argue that you need a set of wrenches and four to six handled screwdrivers. However, this would get you through some rough spots until you could afford (or just wanted) a fuller complement of tools.
mikeh
I think we need to keep in mind that these type of tools are not for readers of TG – they are very well suited for the greater majority of homeowners/apartment dwellers/college students who need occasional tools for tightening things up or putting furniture together – they don’t need high torque or extreme use. This kind of tool is a perfect fit for that group that don’t want a garage full of tools and don’t like spending money on tools. We tend to build out our tool sets with the unique (more expensive) high quality equipment that serves our more intense purposes. Then these folks hire us to help with hard stuff.
Stuart – it would interesting to see sales figures for these tools nationwide – not sure if they share them (or would share them) but i’ll bet we’d be surprised by the volume…plus i’m guessing their margins on these type of tools are significant.
Stuart
Everyone starts somewhere, and not all ToolGuyd readers are looking for premium tools.
As far as sales go, it seems Lowes had a lot of trouble selling their winter holiday Kobalt tools. Now, those tools are still widely available and plentiful in-stores, and they’re still not moving very well even with huge clearance discounts.
With this set, the combination ratchet and wrench tool looks to be the only non-standard part. That should have simplified production and lowered costs. The combination tool could have been produced using existing tooling to further reduce costs.
I don’t think these sets flew off sales floors, but I don’t think they wouldn’t have sold well either.
Joshua Latham
This is one of those buy it and leave it in the trunk type sets. And if it gets stolen oh well. Its probably enough to make a quick repair in a auto parts parking lot just to get you home.
Yadda
I wanted to like this set. The gimmicky nature of the handle appeals to me, but when I saw it I wasn’t impressed. The pebbled grain on the handle looks….. cheap. Granted for $20 I shouldn’t expect premium quality, but I was expecting more. If it drops to under $10 I will probably buy one just because…. but only if it drops to under $10.
Jerry
I like the idea of being able to use the ratchet as a bit driver without an adapter, but don’t care for the wrench built into the ratchet handle. The last thing I want when trying to bust loose a rusted bolt is a handle with extra sharp edges at the part you grab when you want to apply the most torque.
miss franciene
just a while before harborfreight does a knock off