We’ve received a number of questions about the new Kobalt Xtreme Access wrenches and sockets that we previewed earlier this month. Hopefully the following helps clears things up.
Check out the complete product selection via Lowes.
Kobalt Xtreme Access Sockets-Only Sets
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There are two sockets-only sets currently available – an 11-piece 1/4″-drive set and a 10-piece 3/8″-drive set. Both sets of sockets have universal spline-type designs, and fit both metric and inch sizes.
Although the sockets have a pass-through design, they can NOT be used in such a manner with regular ratchets. Furthermore, they cannot be used with regular ratchets at all without an adapter.
As far as we can tell, the only point in buying these sockets is if you want to expand the capabilities of the 27-piece socket set.
Kobalt Xtreme Access Socket Sets
There are currently five sets available – a 14pc complete 3/8″ set, 16pc complete 1/4″ set, a compact and low-priced 27-piece 1/4″ and 3/8″ set, a 38pc 1/4″ and 3/8″ set with an added ratchet and wrenches, and a 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ 49-piece set. At the moment all sets are available online and in stores.
14-Piece Socket Set
Think of this as an Xtreme Access starter set. The 3/8″ socket set comes with a single cushion-gripped ratchet, two adapters, an extension and range of 3/8″ sockets. It’s currently on sale for $15.
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If you’re not sure whether or not you even need a pass-thru socket set, this is the set to buy. The low price and compact size also makes the lot suitable for an inexpensive portable tool kits.
14pc set via Lowes, regularly priced at $40
16-Piece Socket Set
The 16pc set is a complete 1/4″ socket set, complete with cushion-grip ratchet, extension, several adapters, and a full complement of sockets. It’s priced at $11 for the holidays, making it a great pairing with the 14pc 3/8″ set.
16pc set via Lowes, regularly priced at $30
27-Piece Socket Set
The 27-piece set includes a 3/8″ ratchet, a number of 1/4″ and 3/8″ socket sizes, several useful adapters and accessories, and 8 screwdriver bits. A storage case and affordable price ($25 on sale) makes this is a good set for casual use or a portable tool kit. The adapters allow for easy integration with standard ratchet and socket designs.
27pc set via Lowes, regularly priced at $50
38-Piece Socket and Wrench Set
This 1/4″ and 3/8″ set comes with a complete 22pc socket assortment, several extensions and adapters, 1/4″ and 3/8″ cushion-grip ratchets, and 7 non-ratcheting wrenches. It’s currently on sale for $75.
38pc set via Lowes, regularly priced at $100
49-Piece Socket Set
This is Kobalt’s complete socket set, featuring 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ ratchets with cushion-grip handles, a complete range of socket sizes, extensions, adapters, and a couple of screwdriver bits. It’s priced at $100, which does seem a little steep, and many of the components are exclusive to the set and cannot be purchased separately.
49pc set via Lowes, regularly priced at $100
Pass-Thru/Go-Through?
What this means is that long bolts and threaded rod can pass straight through the center of compatible sockets and ratchets. That way you can more easily reach fasteners without the need for deep sockets or other specialty tools. The idea is that the go-through design provides extreme access.
If you don’t know whether you need pass-thru sockets or not, don’t worry about it.
Universal Spline?
This simply means that one socket fits most fastener shapes. Normally, 6pt (hex) sockets only fit one type of fasteners. These universal spline sockets fit hex, square, spline, and external-Torx fasteners.
If you don’t know whether you need spline, E-Torx, or square-fastener compatibility, chances are that it’s not something you will need anytime soon.
Inch + Metric?
As you may know, inch and metric sizes are usually pretty dimensionally close to each other. These sockets are designed such that one size can fit both inch and metric fasteners sizes. The trade-off is that they don’t fit either fastener sizes perfectly.
What to Buy?
The 27-piece set offers the most bang for the buck, and the 49-piece set may become more attractively priced if Lowes features it as part of a Father’s Day sales.
Buy Now(via Lowes)
If you prefer separate inch and metric sizes, Craftsman offers a similar universal pass-thru set. If, like us, you don’t care for universal-type socket designs, then Craftsman’s standard Max Axess set is a better choice, with 6pt sockets and a slew of adapters. The Craftsman sets are both priced between Kobalt’s 27 and 49-piece sets. There are also a number of Gearwrench Pass-Thru sets available.
It is important to note that the Xtreme Access sets are NOT compatible with Gearwrench, Craftsman, or older Kobalt pass-thru ratchets, sockets, adapters, or other such attachments and accessories.
susano
I’ve been very happy with my Gearwrench Vortex line. Haven’t tried the Kobalt equivalent yet. At this pricepoint, I don’t see why you would want to go with Kobalt I’d stick to Gearwrench or Craftsman as they have more accessories and sets available.
t1r2u3s4t
boo, the 27pcs set doesn’t have 12mm socket.
jesse
What is the range of sizes the 49 pc. set can handle?
Steve R.
Jesse–I saw your question and wondered why you didn’t just go to lowes.com for the answer. I went there myself and, lo and behold, they are silent on that subject. Maybe it didn’t occur to the ad writer to include it, or perhaps it would have used up space for other details they wanted to highlight. You’ll probably have to go to Lowes and check it out for the answer.
Incidentally, the price has been dropped to $84.98 (at least temporarily), possibly for the run-up to Father’s Day.
Stuart
I tried to check on this early this morning at a nearby Lowes, but they don’t have any Xtreme Access sets out on display at all yet. I’ll keep working on it.
Steve, thanks for the update on the price! The 2 smaller sets haven’t appeared online yet either. And I have no idea why the Lowes 10-miles away isn’t displaying the tools yet but the one 2-miles away is. Even heading in-store isn’t guaranteed to provide answers.
Stuart
Note: the post has been updated with additional set info.
And to answer Jesse’s question, the 49pc set covers 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, and 6mm-25mm in 1mm increments, and 3/16″, 7/32″, 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 15/32″, 9/16″, 19/32″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 23/32″, 3/4″, 25/32″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 29/32″, 15/16″, and 1-inch sizes.
Brian
Made in China. ‘Nuff said…
Red
Actually Kobalt tools are made in Taiwan. It’s at least a step up from Chinese made tools and they have the same lifetime warranty found in Craftsman tools.
diehardazm
You get tools to use as you need them. If you are looking into getting this type of go thru socket set is probably because the many sockets and rachets you already own don’t do everything, just as these won’t do everything. But It’s very nice to finally have another tool with an option that never existed before. You can never have enough tools…
diehardazm
Don’t worry, more options for this new design will be coming out in time…
jose suarez
I purchased the 14 pcs 3/8 set while on vacation in Orlando (Lowes store at Sand Lake Road). When I got back home to Puerto Rico I realized that the ratchet is missing a small pin that holds the socket in place. There is no Lowes store down here. How should I proceed?
Stuart
Your best bet is to contact Lowe’s customer service to see what they can do for you. I can’t find an email address on their website, but here’s the number that’s on the “contact us” page – 1-800-445-6937.
joel Sampson
No, they are made in Taiwan, not China. Big difference!
They are very unique and seem to be well made and smooth operating. The chrome is well finished. The case is nice too. I got the 1/4″ drive set for electronics and small work.
Maksim
I love to work using 14 pc set.)))) Is anybody know where can I get longer extension for that set?
Rad
I just bought the 11pc, 1/4″ set from Lowe’s because I needed to remove an E-Torx stud from an engine block. The packaging stated “1/4 in DRIVE”. I thought, “I’t’s a little small but should work okay for my needs.” When I arrived home I opened the anti-tamper supports from the sockets’ storage rack and what’s this? An external hex that a 1/2″ socket or box-end wrench could fit. Nice! Good for close-in work in tight spaces. I fetched a 1/4″ socket rail for convenient storage in my tool box, removed one socket from the plastic shipping rail and, HUH? Where’s the 1/4″ drive this socket is supposed to have? The pass-through hole is maybe 3/8″ on the larger sockets and the smaller ones have the same 3/8′ bore opening but not all the way through to the driving splines. You MUST use the external 1/2″ hex to drive this set, there’s ZERO option to drive these with a 1/4″ ANYTHING! Where does the 1/4″ or 3/8″ drive designation apply? Where I ask you?
Until the packaging was cracked open there was no indication these sockets needed an external hex driver to spin them. The portion having the ext hex was totally hidden by the anti-tamper plastic parts. I’ll still keep the set as it will be of great utility to me but I still want to know how I’m supposed to interpret the fractional drive size listed on the packaging and in the advertising. Really…
Oh, and I still can’t use my nice socket rails for keeping this set organized in my tool box. The plastic rail supplied with them is ugly and bulky. Where’s that bandsaw…?
Nate B
Compatibility list:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209810
Anthony
What size is the hex on the back of the sockets for the 1/2″ drive version? Is it 7/8″?
Idahoser
The Kobalt/Bostitch/Pittsburgh design for these sockets has a 3/4″ drive rather than the proprietary spline drive found on Craftsman/Gearwrench/whatever that was I saw at Home Depot.
This means that ANY 3/4″ wrench (including a swivel ratcheting wrench, HINT HINT) can be used as the ratchet to drive these sockets.
Idahoser
And by the way, I just ordered the 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ 49-piece set with the nicer wavy-handled ratchets online, they do still sell it.
Idahoser
Well, I’ve received my set and realized I hadn’t noticed that the sockets were all universal design. I hate this. The pass-through design is good, doesn’t completely replace a deep socket and square-drive ratchet but there’s a lot of places where this works well. I won’t be putting universal sockets on any more of my bolt heads, though. I’ve bought a Pittsburgh set with 6-point sockets that are compatible with this nice wavy ratchet, I’ll make up my own set. The Pittsburgh do have the detent to hold the socket in a standard box wrench, unlike the Kobalt. But the Kobalt ratchets have the nice wavy handle. Looks like there used to be a Pittsburgh set that would have been just right for me, but it’s not available any more.
John Hawbecker
I have a pass through socket set but no driver. Where can I purchase a ratchet for these 3/8 sockets at a reasonable price.
Stuart
The ratchets might only be currently available in sets, if they’re still available at all.
Idahoser
Harbor freight has a $20 set with ratchet that uses the same drive style.
John Hawbecker
Since I already have the sockets don’t need a dupe set. The ratchets alone that I have found are outrageously expensive.
James Whitehead
I have 38 pc kobalt extreme access kit that is lifetime warranty, now 1/4 inch ratchet is broke lowes can’t seem to be able to get one.I think this is crap that they sell lifetime warranty & now you can’t get a replacement
Steven King
I have a set of pass-thru 1/2 drive socket set. However not included is a 17 mm socket which I need. Went to my local Lowes in Goodyear, AZ, and I got the look of six heads. How do I obtain a 17mm socket from Lowes since this is my only option to get these sockets?
Stuart
Unfortunately I have no idea. You could try to find a 17mm from a compatible brand, but I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen pass-thru sockets sold individually.