Strolling through the Holiday 2015 tool promo display at Lowes, here are all the Kobalt hand tools you’d find. We did the legwork for you, visiting 3 Lowes stores to scout things out. A lot of the deals are also available online, but some aren’t.
While some of these tools are regularly stocked items, others are “special buys” put together just for Lowes’ holiday sales.
Keep this in mind (but don’t fixate on it), especially if warranty is very important to you. Even though Kobalt has a great hand tool warranty, you might not be able to find a replacement a couple of months down the road.
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A 3-pack of Kobalt folding hex key sets for $15 $10 (this is the “new low price”).
This is your basic trio of fold-ups, including SAE, metric, and star (Torx) drivers.
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Kobalt Flip-Jaw pliers, for $25.
They’re a little bulky, and I wouldn’t use them in place of separate pliers and cutters, but they do offer a lot of functionality in a very small package.
Kobalt compound leverage self-adjusting parallel jaw pliers, for $25.
They seem to be alright, although some readers have reported seeing issues with the “try me” display models.
In contrast to the awesome Knipex Pliers Wrench, these have grooved jaws.
Ooh, a menagerie of Kobalt hand tool sets!
Here you’ll find a Kobalt Double Drive stubby screwdriver set, a Kobalt Double Drive screwdriver, Kobalt precision screwdrivers, and some hex key sets.
I’ve bought some of these tools in the last, and find the precision screwdriver bit holder sets to be a great value. Inexpensive, but more than half decent.
This Kobalt 11pc multi-bit flexible screwdriver looks interesting. It comes with a standard (straight) screwdriver attachment too.
The set was $20 at the first Lowes I stopped by, and $15 the next day at a different location with “new lower pricing” signage.
There’s a 24pc Kobalt bit ratchet set for $20…
and a 35pc set, also for $20. I have a feeling that it’ll soon be priced at $10.
The smaller set looks to have larger screwdriver bits, the bigger set has sockets.
Ah, the Kobalt Multi-Drive Wrench, for $20. By ah, I mean uch, although it might be okay if you’re looking for a dogbone-style wrench.
This package comes with the full-size Kobalt Multi-Drive wrench, and also a new mini one that looks a little like the Craftsman one that came and went.
There are several Kobalt ratcheting and combination wrench sets.
I’ve got my eye on the stubby set. 12 pieces for $20 sounds good for tools that wouldn’t see anywhere as much use as my better everyday wrenches.
There are a couple of new Kobalt Xtreme Access tool sets. I’m not usually a fan of universal-style sockets, but I do like pass-thru-style sockets for certain things.
There are a couple of universal socket sets as well, which I guess do make for great gifts to homeowners and anyone who doesn’t want to manage too many tools.
On the bright side, these don’t look to have dual-sized inch and metric sockets that I really loath.
This “tri-fold” tool kit has a lot of the basics a homeowner might need.
I believe that you can put together a similar kit, potentially even with better tools, for less than $100. We’ll probably see this on sale for $50 or $65, or something like that, later this month.
I also spotted a 175pc Kobalt tool kit, packaged in a huge “I love you THIS MUCH” box. I anticipate seeing this at a much lower price as well.
119pc Kobalt mechanics tool sets, for $119.
This set comes with what look to be double-ended ball hex drivers that are used with a socket.
This 22pc Kobalt hand tool set caught my attention because it comes with a decent-looking tool bag.
Other Lowes Brands
Blue Hawk hex key sets, for $15.
If you ask me, I think everyone should spend just a few dollars more and get a Bondhus set.
100 Workpro screwdrivers, for $20.
How are these even possible to manufacture at such low cost?
Kobalt Tool Storage
There was just a line Kobalt ball bearing tool storage combo in the promo section. It’s kind of pricey too, at $319 for the top, and $499 for the bottom.
The design of the bottom cabinet is different from other Kobalt tool storage roller cabinets I have seen, drooled over, and manhandled in the past. And ooh – a built-in power supply with USB ports? That’s something that might warranty this setup a closer look.
I could do without the plastic bumper guard (workstation accessory?) and somewhat high price, but I’ll definitely take a closer look at these in the future.
Max
I have the “WprkPro” set that my brother got me last year from a chain in Missouri for like $5-15 in different packaging with a zippered nylon case. I can’t recall how much exactly, but he is a quite cheap so I would guess about $10. I keep them in the truck. They get some use when I don’t want to dig out the real tools. So far nothing has broken, but I have not put them to heavy use yet.
Max
“WorkPro.” Can’t type.
jesse
I’m a little disappointed that the 3-piece hex key set didn’t follow the informal color-coding standard of red for inch, blue for metric, and green for Torx. Many tool companies use this scheme. I like it because It allows me to find instantly the set I want. Otherwise from even a modest distance the sets all look the same.
Jason
Holy crap that Kobalt tool chest is stupidly expensive!! Yes its stainless steel, but you can get the The Husky or Milwaukee chest at Home Depot are much better deals. Lowes needs to get a better vendor for tool chests or have a cheaper line the stainless ones are not a good value.
Scott
The kobalt auto adjust pleirs have very little thread engagement. And also the new extreme access sets are 6 point sockets
John
Kind of strange the Kobalt Xtreme Access and the Kobalt Universal Socket Set (19 piece 3/4) sets are already on sale because they only *just* got released:
http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/hand/drivers-wrenches/kobalt-pass-through-socket-set/19728/
I think the Kobalt Xreme Access is a 72 tooth ratchet, but I haven’t seen any note as to the Kobalt Universal Socket Set’s ratchet.
They both seem to be a fairly good update to thr line. It be interesting to see a more in depth review on both. As you state these are universal in the “6-point, 12-point, spline, star, square, and most rounded fasteners” compatibility (which is okay to me) and not the crappy metric/sae universal (which like you I hate). Generally a mechanic is going to want 6 sides for maximum contact and less chance for round off. But I’d like to see more info on these two sets as they do appear to have a lifetime guarantee, we’re just updated, and could be a worth starter set.
Brian
The 24 piece right angle bit set was $9.99 here…I bought it and returned it the next day, the little ratchet is a POS. The backdrag is waaaay too much for a tool that small, I have used 50 year old ratchets that have 50 year old grease that have a smoother and easier backdrag. In fact, my cheap Neiko from Amazon is a lot better. Pretty much all of this stuff is junk, might as well go to Harbor Freight. The only actual good sale Lowe’s has is on their Taiwan ratchet sets that are at about 50% off…Minus the stupid ratcheting 1/4″ right angle bit set you posted.
Lukas
100 screw drivers for $20. No way that’s not junk. “Dang screw stripped out my screwdriver! Throw it away I have 99 more.”
Sean
The picture of the 24pc Kobalt bit ratchet set makes those bits look huge! Kind of like some of those T60 and T70 hex sockets I own.. It’s creating some weird optical illusion on my brain. Then below, you said it comes with “larger screwdriver bits”, which confused me even more. Are these normal 1/4″ bits…?
Also, everyone who needs a comprehensive socket set should keep an eye out for the 227 piece (I think) socket set that is normally $199 but marked down to $99 for the holidays. INSANELY good buy. You will not regret it. The storage container is great, especially if you keep it at your bench. It even has an extra drawer to allow you to store extra odds and ends you might need. You’d be surprised at how much you can fit in there. The drawer with the ratchets also contains a large empty spot – I managed to fit all the size up through 1″ (that aren’t included) as well as 2 breaker bars, some adapters, extensions, etc.
Stuart
I think that some of those bits are huge… probably 5/16″ drive.
I think that my first and only exposure to 5/16″ hex bits was with my Gearwrench micro bit ratchet tool set – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/gearwrench-microdriver-review/%3C/a%3E .
Sean
Also, did anyone notice that the Kobalt pass-through sockets are extremely expensive. They have a pretty comprehensive selection compared to most and even several different kit options, but the couple times I priced them and went “wow…” I’ve seen other makers sell the basic ratchet and ~20 socket sets for $20, and that would be about the extent of my pass-through socket purchases. Anything Kobalt sold was higher-priced.