Kobalt’s Double Drive screwdriver, which we previewed and reviewed last year, was hugely popular with DIYers. It featured unique internal gearing that allowed for rapid insertion and removal of fasteners at double the normal speed. This year Kobalt has taken that same gearing technology and put it into the new 3/8″ Double Drive ratchet.
If you’re looking for details about the new 32pc Double Drive screwdriver set, check out our separate hands-on preview, which includes information about an online-exclusive bonus set with free accessories.
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I just got my hands on the Double Drive ratchet set, and will be putting it to the test in upcoming weeks. In the meantime, here’s an early review and video demo to help you decide if the ratchet is right for your needs.
Buy the Double Drive Ratchet with free bonus 50-piece bit set. (This online-only offer is for a limited time only.)
Double Drive Ratchet with Extendable Handle
Kobalt designed the Double Drive ratchet to work in the same way as their Double Drive screwdriver, but it can also be used as a regular ratchet. Using it as a regular ratchet is quick and intuitive, with the Double Drive mechanism coming in handy when you cannot swing the ratchet in a wide enough arc.
The Double Drive gearing is used by twisting the handle as you would a screwdriver. Turn the switch to set the desired rotation direction, extend the handle if you need the extra reach, and twist the handle back and forth. As you can see in the above video, twisting the handle in opposite directions turns an attached socket or screwdriver bit in the same direction, doubling the speed and efficiency of your efforts.
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If you don’t care for the Kobalt’s Double Drive action, Stanley’s Rotator ratchet (check price via Amazon) can also be operated by twisting the handle.
The 3/8″ square drive ratchet feels good in-hand, although due to the mass of the complex Double Drive gearing it is a bit front-heavy. Kobalt describes the pear head as being low-profile, but it’s not; the ratchet head is quite a bit larger than those on common ratchets,
One thing we’re quite pleased about is the ratchet’s fairly comfortable handle. It’s grippy where it needs to be and smooth everywhere else.
You can use the ratchet with the shaft collapsed down, or you can extend it a couple of inches for additional reach and torque delivery. Doing so does make the weight imbalance slightly more noticeable.
Kobalt Universal Spline Sockets
The ratchet comes bundled with 6 sockets, a 1/4″ hex bit adapter, and 12 standard insert screwdriver bits.
These are universal spline sockets that are designed to fit different shapes of inch and metric fasteners. Most DIYers will use these sockets on standard 6pt hex nuts and bolts, and they work alright for such applications. Personally I’m much more a fan of regular 6pt sockets. You can use this ratchet with any 3/8″ sockets, Kobalt-branded or otherwise.
If you’re a fan of universal-type sockets, be sure to check out our Kobalt’s Xtreme Access review. But please note that Xtreme Access pass-thru ratchets and sockets are not compatible with the Double Drive ratchet and the square-drive sockets it comes with.
Included Accessories
Bit holder with 12 screwdriver bits and 6 universal/dual-size sockets: 5/16″ 8mm, 3/8″ 10mm, 7/16″ 11mm, 1/2″ 13mm, 9/16″ 14mm, 5/8″ 16mm. The sockets work on the following fasteners: 6pt inch and metric, 12pt inch and metric, spline, star, square (4pt), rounded/damaged.
Where to Buy?
Buy Now(20pc Set via Lowes)
Buy Now(20pc Plus Bonus Bit Set via Lowes)
The 20-piece set is available at Lowes for $25-30. For a limited time, there’s an online-only special set (link above) that includes an extra 50 screwdriver bits for free.
Patrick Lucado
I was hoping that it would “double drive” the socket in both directions of handle arc, not via twisting the grip. I’d have to try it to see how it feels, but I have fears of excess lash and that extend-o-matic handle not locking positively. I’ll reserve final judgement until your full review!
Stuart
If you notice, there’s a hole in the handle, presumably to allow the ratchet to be hung on a pegboard hook. The weight of the head can cause the handle to extend when upside down if I’m not eggshell-careful about placing it on the hook.
Overall it feels alright, definitely not a $5 ratchet, but the head is large and the gears coarse. There are few instances where I would use this over a traditional ratchet. But then again, with more ratchets than fingers I’m not the type of user the ratchet is primarily designed for.
Lowes does have a “no hassle guarantee” so if you buy one an don’t like it, you can return it easily.
Allen
Could a fellow put a screwdriver through the hole, get a little more torque ?
I can’t imagine a hole for hanging on a wall.
jeff_williams
I’m interested in seeing what kind of torque you can generate by twisting the handle. It has 0 degree usefulness in low torque settings.
Stuart
The handle is quite comfortable to use, but you’re not going to break super-tight large fasteners free with just a twist of the handle. Or maybe you can. I’ll create a few mock-up scenarios as part of the test process to check.
marcus gold
i tried to break a bold loose with just a twist of the handle and now it is back in the package because it is broken.
so all in all i would not recommend using it on anything that is tighter then finger tight..
Shaun
I ventured away from my craftsman tools to save a few pennies and purchased the double drive ratchet. I used it all of 2 times. I was removing the brake caliper from my car useing the normal ratchet feature after I broke the bolts loose, I attempted to used the double drive feature, that worked all about 3 seconds. It seems the gears stripped out and the tool does not ratchet anymore. The bolt was not tight when attempting the double drive feature either. Very disapointed. You know what they say, you get what you pay for; very true in this instance.
Jerry
I have a similar ratchet by another maker, and it is very handy in situations where you can only ger enough swing for a couple ‘clicks’ at a time. Break it loose, one or two clicks at a time, and once a little loose, run the bolt out by twisting the handle. Replace the fastener by twisting the handle until snug, then tighten the rest of the way, using the ratchet as usual. Saves a lot of time in the right situation.
The ‘universal’ sockets, I don’t generally like at all. They just don’t grip as well as a regular 6 point, or even a well fitting 12 point socket.
Fred
Played with it in the store today. Let me say I have the screwdriver and it’s great, and there are definitely situations where a professional (electrician, maintenance person, electronics tech) would use it in a situation where it is appropriate, not too light duty for the job.
I don’t feel the same about the ratchet handle though, or the sockets. Sure it would be great for little/no clearance situations but you would find a ratchet in those situations primarily in engine bays, and the kind of quality this handle has doesn’t feel like it will live long enough for a mechanic to get good use out of it.
There is nothing specifically wrong with the sockets, they just don’t look or feel as high quality as other Kobalt sockets (I have several). Hard to describe exactly but the ‘universal’ part of it has rounded insides and they just aren’t as precise looking machined compared to the Craftsman universal they have on display. I am comparing one store display to another and not side by side, so take that for what you will.
jesse
I am pretty sure there are already ratchets that operate this way without the extension.
daniel bradley sr
I PURCHASED THIS ITEM FOR WORK SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA BUT:
WAS PUTTING A BIYCLE TOGETHER FOR MY GRAND SON AND THE RACTHET STOPPED WORKING INSTANTLY I LIVE ONLY 3 MILES FROM LOWES SO I EXCHANGED IT FOR ANOTHER AND RIGHT OUT OF THE PACK THE SECOND DIDNT WORK..SO I EXCHANGED THAT ONE AND THE 3RD WORKED ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION…REFUND TIME!!
IF YOU LIVE CLOSE TO LOWES ITS A GREAT TOOL FOR 5 MINUTES,
THE SOCKETS ARE GREAT BUT THE RATCHETS ARE JUNK…OHH GO TO ANY LOWES THE PRICE ARE YELLOW TAGGED BECAUSE THEY WILL STOP SELLING THEM..I CANT MAKE THIS UP..I LOVE NEW TOOLS BUT NOT THIS ONE
Colin
You guys have watched the video for how these work right? If you pull the handle out, the normal ratchet stops, and you have to spin the handle. Push the handle back towards the head of the ratchet, and it operates like a normal ratchet again. I haven’t seen any of these not working… maybe it’s just me.
Chris
I won the ratchet with the sockets and driver bits in a Christmas party raffle.Used it once to remove some diff cover bolts on my Jeep. They were torqued to 25 ft/lbs, which isn’t much at all. The ratchet seized up so I took it back to Lowes. The lady told me thst only “some” Kobalt tools are lifetime warranty…even though the package has right on it (no hassles, no questions asked). They don’t sell the ratchet alone so I brought the whole replacement kit to the counter. The lady figured out how to hook me up with just the ratchet. I was literally 3 steps outside the front door of the store, messing with the ratchet…and the replacement seized up again. I promptly went back in and the counter lady thought I was trying pull a fast one. I got another off the peg and the lady and I both tried it out before I left…I refuse to use this ratchet EVER again…
Carl Faul
This double ratchet design is definitely not new, yet they advertise it as new and revolutionary. I’ve got a better designed and finer geared double ratchet wrench that I bought in 2002 in Calgary. Our Mac Tool jobber has been selling one for three years. Too much slack and play in the system as well as a courser gear than the others. I’ll pass.
lance
i have now returned from the USA and am intrested in your d/rachet set for the SAUTH AFRICAN market.
have you got other products and iff so , what is your web site adres
MGeorge
This was on the clearance shelf at my Lowe’s. Hopefully it works out, if not I will return it…Hopefully, if they discontinue it, they will offer a similar ratchet as a replacement. That is one thing I loved about Craftsmen and Sears. I remember returning a 20 year old level that finally had one of the bubble crack and the kind sears folks told me to go get a level that looks similar and they would take care of it. With hand tools, I never buy unless they have a lifetime “you kill it, we replace it warranty.”
Mike McCoy
I purchased a Kobalt socket set. For the life of me, I can’t get the socket to release from the extension. Is there a trick to it?
Stuart
Unless it’s a locking extension, sometimes it just takes a bit of force to overcome the ball detent tension.