Lowes has come out with a new Kobalt Pro90 ratchet set, featuring 3 ratchets with updated 90-tooth gearing.
What’s the benefit of 90-tooth gearing? When compared to ratchets with coarser gearing, finer tooth (or position) ratchets can be swung in tighter spaces. 90 teeth means that you can turn a wrench with as little a swing arc as 4°.
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Say that you have a 36 tooth ratchet. That means that you need at least 10 degrees of swing to turn the fastener.
Have you ever work in too tight a space to turn a standard combination wrench? That’s the same idea.
The ratchets feature a forward/reverse switch, quick release button, and full polish finish.
You get 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ drive ratchets, for $30.
Price: $30
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Buy Now(via Lowes)
First Thoughts
I feel a little snooty for saying this, but you’re not going to get great ratchets for $30. However, fine tooth ratchets have gotten me out of tight situations – literally and figuratively. These look like they could be an upgrade over basic ratchets that might come in inexpensive socket sets.
It’s tough to judge ratchets from a few marketing words and some product images. If you’ve used these before, or the previous ratchets that these have been said to upgrade, please let us know what you think about them!
Also, there seems to be some big discrepancy. Looking at the product images the Kobalt Pro90 ratchets don’t look the same as Kobalt’s standard quick release ratchets.
The group of Kobalt Pro90 ratchets shows a smooth back of the ratchet head. The parts diagram and this other image that shows the swing arc, they show 2 fasteners going through the back of the head.
Kobalt’s other quick release ratchets are quite pricey. For example, the 1/2″ ratchet by itself is $30. The description for that one mentions a fine 90-tooth design.
So, there might be 2 different groups of products that look similar to each other. But one is built to be priced at $30 for the set, and the other kind – what looks to be the “standard” version of Kobalt’s quick release ratchet, are priced at $20, $25, and $30, for 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ sizes.
The different look of these Kobalt Pro90 prices probably helps explain things. You’re not getting upgraded versions of the standard ratchet for $30, you’re getting a set that was designed around the $30 price point.
Confusing things further, there is another style of Kobalt ratchets, with a smooth-faced head, but it’s slimmer than the other standard ratchet design and has 72-tooth gearing. These “mini-head” ratchets only seem to be available online and not in stores.
*Shrug*
I’ve managed to confused myself, and the nearest Lowes is too far away for me to casually drop by to see if the open stock ratchets display can clear things up.
The bottom line is this – Kobalt has come out with a new 3pc ratchet set, with 90-tooth gearing, and it’s priced at $30. There are too many unknowns for me to be able to guess much more about it. If you’re interested in the new ratchet set, you’ll probably want to check them out in-store rather than online, in case there are any “gotchas.” The price is… uncharacteristic for what I would expect from an “upgrade.”
Lowes and Kobalt describe this wrench as “new, improved, precise,” but I cannot shake “and cheap” out of my mind. If the set was priced at $50 or $60, would I have the same doubts? Would you? Maybe I’ll just have to add this to my holiday season “tools to test” shopping list.
Sco Deac
I’ve looked at these in the store and the head on these are quite a bit thicker than the head of the 72T version Kobalt. It shifts the center of gravity for these closer to the head than on the 72T version. It is a personal preference, but for me, the 72T Kobalt is a better tool and the price is better too.
Brian A
They had this set last xmas for $60, I bought after xmas on clearance for $30…. Guess I didnt get a deal. They are nice ratchets, havent used them much though.
fbmoose48
I’ve seen these on the shelves about that long as well, with similar price drop. Not sure $30 is the initial intended design price, just the clearance price. Even at that price the display at my local Lowes doesn’t seem to be moving. I got the 3/8″ 90 tooth free in an etorx set I needed for an emergency, and I can see why no one is bothering to buy them – they’re nothing special.
Toolfreak
My local store has several sets of these from last year as well, all with $30 clearance stickers too, but the packaging is getting dusty and yellowed, and no one seems to be buying.
fred
Considering that any one of my single Gearwrench 120 tooth ratchet cost about as much as this set of 3 – cheap is also what comes to my mind – but maybe these will work well. I always thought that the compromise might be strength versus number of teeth – so that a fine tooth design might require some greater attention to manufacturing precision and QC. At the $30 retail price point – I’m not sure how much QC and precision can be built in.
The yeti
Sorta surprised u like gear wrench.
Must be better built than I give them credit for .
I value your opinions Fred. Toolguyd would be smart to give u a regular column.
fred
To be fair – I’m not much of an auto mechanic so my opinion about ratchets is not worth much. As such, while I did say that I have Gearwrench 120XP ratchets, I opined on their cost (not cheap compared to a $30 Kobalt set) rather than their quality. I have 40 year old Williams and Blackhawk ratchets – and I bought the Gearwrench set to have something with a finer tooth design. Having used them infrequently – they seem OK.
jet_tech
I used the 120xp set for a couple years working line maintenance for a regional airline and never encountered any problems.
Jesse
I’ve used the 3/8 ratchet from this set. It was decent but the mechanism felt a little cheap. Is it worth $30 for the set. Yes. Is as good as a more expensive ratchet. No.
RD Ward
Sounds like a good ‘cheap’ set of ratchets to me, I have had good luck with Lowe’s so far
John
These could come in handy working in the tight confines of my motorcycle engine. I worry about the durability of the ratchet mechanism, but for 30 bucks, might be worth it.
Tony
Ratchets are the one tool I refuse to skimp on. My ‘cheap’ vehicle tool kits ratchets are the Gearwrench 120 tooth set which cost around $90 if I remember correctly. I just don’t like the idea of putting some weight into breaking a nut loose and having a cheap ratchet fail and you end up needing stitches because of the cheap POS ratchet you had to skimp and go cheap on. If you’re needing ratchets go hit up your local pawn shops, awhile back I scored a 1/4″ and a 3/8″ Proto ratchets for $10/each which was a helluva deal. IMO, it’s too dangerous to skimp on ratchets and combo wrenches, you can get by just fine using middle of the road brand sockets, but you don’t want the ratchet or wrench your putting 120ft lbs of torque into to end up eating shit. Using cheap, junk tools not only makes the job suck but it’s also a big safety hazard.
T
Absolutely. I cracked a collar bone because of a cheap ratchet, many years ago…it’s been all down hill from then on. Good tools are an investment that will likely pay-off for generations.
John
Those are valid points.
Mike
I think the socket would most likely fail before a ratchet. It could split, slip, or round off. Second, If you put yourself in a position to get hurt if a tool fails, it is your own fault.
Chad
Considering cheap (like 8 dollar) hf 1/2″ ratchets have repeatedly been tested to almost 800ft lb of tq, i would disagree about needing some ridiculously expensive ratchet. The socket will fail first, in my experience.. that said, buying better tools is never a “bad” idea.
Wayne
With “more teeth” I would presume “less bite” on the pawl that applies torque; how do wrenches like these avoid early wearing of these smaller teeth? More teeth on the pawl? Longer/higher teeth?
Toolfreak
More teeth, more engagement area on the pawl and ratchet mechanism.
Often times, the finer teeth ratchets have more “bite” than coarse tooth versions, up to a point. 60-90T seems to be about the limit.
Stuart
That can be true.
But you can increase the size of the pawl to engage more teeth and greater surface area.
As Toolfreak mentioned, there’s a limit above which you definitely do lose strength. That’s what I assume led to Gearwrench’s 120XP ratchet tech.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/gearwrench-120xp-dual-pawl-ratchet-disassembled/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
With that Gearwrench ratchet, there are alternating pawls and a 60-tooth wheel, for 120 total ratchet positions.
The pawls are specially designed so that one is engaged and one is floating between teeth.
Steve
I have one of their individual ratchets and have been pleased with it for basic use. The selector switch broke off and I replaced it at Lowe’s with zero hassle. These are the kind of tools you keep in secondary kits, like in your car or to loan out. The good stuff stays home!
Coach James
I wanted to look at these on my last Lowes visit as I sometimes do work in small spaces and liked the 4 degree of arc. The heads were so large, I thought it would negate too much of the benefit of the extra teeth. I looked at them and moved on.
Coach
maitai
Wonder how that compares to the new LP90 ratchet from SK.
Blythe
AvE has been doing a cool series testing ratchets and has brought up an interesting parameter of “effective swing”. Not only does the degree of swing until the next tooth matter, but you will get lots of variability ratchet to ratchet in how much slop there is on the backswing until force is applied. That slop may mean you barely turn the fastener in a tight space, even with a high tooth ratchet. Nothing to do with the kobalt ratchets per se, because I haven’t used them, but an interesting point that is rarely discussed
Allen
I’m sorry but we as a people have to quit encouraging this behavior by buying this stuff.
There’s no way on god’s green earth you can use quality materials, pay more than slave wages and respect the environment while selling three ratchets for thirty bucks.
If you can’t afford more then fine, but if you’re a working person who could then you should look inward.
Don’t tell me they are good enough for the job, I don’t care.
My opinion.
UncleBadger
I enjoy the fact that you wrote this…check this page almost everyday…never comment
T
Valid in all aspects. Gross over consumption has not yielded the social results promised.
Chad
Whats wrong with low cost chinese labor? Do you feel like they force them to work there? Newsflash: they signed up to do it. They knew the terms. Are you the same kinda guy that thinks “usa made union employees” are a GOOD thing??
MikeIt
I came here also to mention that AvE has been testing ratchets and I would like to see some sort of “industry standard” test for tools. However, let me first comment on the idea that “the more you pay for something, the better it must be”. I think that ad guy who got us to think that way earned every penny of his paycheck. We turn up our nose at low priced goods because those must be inferior and cannot touch the quality of my favorite brand X. It is possible this set is a loss leader meant to draw in buyers to get the accessories, the sockets, the extensions, the toolboxes, and so on that have a larger margin (profit) built in to them. Without some Lowes insider we may not be aware how much money they are losing (or making!) on this set. I already planned on going to Lowes this weekend and I am going to check out this set while I’m there. I don’t have any fine toothed ratchets and if the action and tool feel good in my hand, appear solidly built, look halfway decent, then I am going to get them. Lowes offers a lifetime warranty and for me, the price and ease of the warranty replacement (walk in to store vs mail it in) is what makes it appealing to me. Now, back to the testing. I wish there was some way to quantify the quality of a tool. All to often I hear how cheap import tools don’t stand up to USA made tools and someone will eventually say how a cheap tool broke on them and their USA made tool never has, therefore USA made tools are superior. Now this isn’t true for everyone, but I see plenty of people abusing their tools, using cheater bars, hammers or bouncing on ratchets and wrenches and using screwdrivers as chisels, regular sockets on impact tools… I’m sure you’ve seen it too. To me that is abuse of the tool and eventually they will all break. I am not aware of a minimum that tools such as ratchets must pass. It would be great if my ratchet said something like “300 ft lbs MAX” so that I know not to bounce on it like an ape. They should also have a test for cycles so I know I can use it 10,000 times before wearing out and then come up with a star rating for example. 1 star means its good for X cycles, 2 stars means X+ cycles and 3 stars is X++ cycles. I think a rating like this could help us compare tools better rather than relying on subjective experiences as proof of quality. AvE’s tests are interesting because you can see the different ways the tools fail and that given enough force, they all fail. I hope he puts up a chart of all the tests for our reference. Anyway, this post got longer than I expected. I think the bottom line is that I would prefer objective evidence so I can make an educated purchase. Thanks!
firefly
AvE video are pretty awesome to watch. You brought up some interesting point about pricing. I totally agree that more expensive doesn’t always equate to be better. Cheap tool are almost guaranteed to be cheap because thing can only be made so cheap up to a point. While your hypothesis that this might be a loss leader might be true I see little motivation for Lowes to do so in this case. Kobalt hand tool is an established entry level hand tool so I don’t think they’ll benefit anything from secretively selling one item as a loss leader without some campaign behind it.
AvE testing is interesting because not only that it show that the tool will fail but also how. Heck anything will fail up to a point but it also interesting to show the failure mode in some of the better engineered tool. It’s clear that some of them has done enough internal testing to engineer a safer failure mode. As far as coming up with a useful rating to test the tool that’s a tough call. The test rig itself are also subjective. Even if the test rig is well designed I am not certain if a single test will tell much of a story. If a single test doesn’t tell the story then how often should a tool be tested? Who will manage all those testing? Who will fund the testing?
Stuart
There are standards for testing tools, and all kinds of instrumentation.
But I’ve seen more than one example of people using equipment improperly, drawing the wrong conclusions from flawed data, or using good data to support the story they wanted to tell all along.
Nathan
Thank you – I was about to post something similar.
harry
I’ve seen these in Lowes and as others have pointed out, the heads are really huge. If you’re craving fine tooth action then you probably want a thin head to go with it. The handle also seems clunky and unbalanced. I know most of you guys don’t care for foreign made tools but, my Carlyle 90 tooth ratchets have performed quite well and have pretty thin heads.
On the US made 90 tooth ratchet front, MAC and PROTO offer basically the same ratchet with cosmetic differences such as handle shape but, the PROTO precision 90 series is priced slightly high than the MAC version. Neither ratchets are anywhere close to being inexpensive though.
dcustar
The thicker head may allow for wider pawls which could mean more overall tooth engagement than in a thinner head with the same tooth count. Points made above are right in that there are a lot of variables, and those would include the hardness of the metals actually used as well as total overall tooth surface engagement. Until they give me a reason to do otherwise, I will stick with my pre-war Plombs.
skfarmer
how is it so cheap? it is one of the oldest designs out there. it is copy of an old proto style ratcheting mechanism with more teeth on the anvil and pawls. only 6 important pieces, head, anvil, two springs and two pawls. much cheaper and easier and to build than most other styles.
then throw in the fact that there are piles of them made in a multitude of brands. sure there may be a slightly different handle and there may be a few more or less clicks but still the same stuff coming from the same part of the world and the same type of factory.
Hang Fire
What irks me is “passes ANSI standards”. Or, ASME. Which ones? That could be as little as, the size markings are conformant.
Stuart
I would hope/assume strength.
Brian
There are several different Kobalt ratchets, the made in Taiwan nice ratchets are made by Toptul. I’m not sure about the Chinese ones, they have the same issue the Husky’s do with the release button, sometimes they protrude sometimes they’re flat and other times they sit below the housing…Husky ratchets are made by Apex.
The Chinese ratchets Kobalt has…some feel terrible, some feel nicer. I’m thinking there is at least three OEMs they were using, but the Toptul ratchets have been on closeout.
I’d never buy one of the current Kobalts, all of their ratchets(I haven’t checked this model out as they’re boxed) have the switch reversed from the usual left to tighten, right to loosen orientation.
Toolfreak
Some people actually prefer the reversed lever, using the “righty tighty, lefty loosey” saying to go along with the position of the lever rather than the motion of the ratchet.
I agree that the more common left for clockwise, right for counterclockwise motion is more intuitive since you’re flipping the lever in the direction you will be moving the handle, but I suppose it depends what you’re used to. If you’ve spent a lifetime using the cheap ratchets that reverse the lever, it’s going to be a hard habit to change.
Brian
Yeah, it’s a habit thing for me and it would be annoying to mix them (in your tool box) with ratchets that do it the usual way. If you get all your ratchets from HF or Kobalt, then you can get used to it…Kobalt and HF ratchets are decent but not enough for me to sell my Gearwrench 120xp, SO Dual-80s and USA Williams.
If you want to save a little get the GW 84 tooth or Bluepoint/Williams Taiwan ratchets. Those BP/Williams ratchets aren’t super fine tooth but they’re super smooth when you put some Super Lube in them.
Victor Serpa
Hi Stuart — I am looking for a list which shows all the “brands” companies and who they own including recent “BY-OUTS”. The very informative list which you provided in the past {I cannot find} was greatly appreciated…………..THX………….victor serpa.
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I try to keep it up to date.
fred
I guess that the list could show the Apex Tool Group under Bain Capital.
I’m not sure if Bain owns any other tool related companies – but they did buy the healthcare division of Devilbiss.
PatrickD
I have the previous 72T. While they are priced a bit more expensively each, in sets they were quite cheap. They are completely fine ratchets… same internals as the well-liked Harbor Freight composites, and same basic feel/performance as my GearWrench ratchets.
Nathan
just out of curiosity – anyone notice the SK LP90 ratchet. I hadn’t seen this and don’t know how old it is – but their new LP90 ratchet comes in 3/8’s is more a pear head – has a selector lever vs their normal twist bar. Just throwing it out there.
If it’s as smooth as my other SK I might well buy one.
Mr Lee
About 10 years ago, I went on a quest to upgrade all my ratchets/sockets. I bought quite a few Craftsmen “Pro” (they were still good then), and then I stumbled across what Lowes had to offer. When I was examining them, I noticed what amazing quality they were. I was really impressed. When I looked at the back of the packaging-guess who they were made by: SNAP-ON! Needless to say I filled out the rest of my line with these “kobalts”. And I mean I have every socket-long, short, sae,metric 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, every possible ratchet, etc. Unfortunately, a couple years after that, they were no longer made by Snap On. I figure the guy’s that sold Snap On were pissed they they were supplying Lowes and selling for 1/0th the price so they had to stop it. Now they didn’t look exactly the same as Snap On’s but same quality-just a little different design. I saved and still have a lot of the packaging to show my buddies. The prices were quite reasonable as I recall.
MikeIt
So I bought this set over the weekend. I haven’t used them yet, they’re still in the package. However I did compare them to the individual versions at Lowes. Here are the differences on the 3/8 ratchet from the set compared to the single one. 1- The polish is not as nice. There seems to be gunk on it maybe from sitting around too long. It seems like it will need hand polishing to make it look just as nice as the single one. 2- The handle seems slight longer and thicker towards the end. 3- The head thickness appears the same but it is definitely wider and longer. 4- The direction levers work the opposite from each one. 5- Looking at the the anvil side there are 3 torx screws on the cover coming opposite sides compared to 2 on one side for the non-set ratchet. 6- The cover on the anvil side does not appear to fit as nice. 7- The center screw on the anvil side appears off center compared to the cover plate. There is no center screw on the non-set ratchet. 8- The quick release sticks up where it is flush on the non-set ratchet. They are both stamped 337309 but there is a smaller sub number that is different. The non-set ratchet full number is 337309 0217 which differs from the set ratchet ( I don’t have it handy and its outside in the garage and I am too lazy to get it sorry!). When I brought it home I was curious as to how many teeth my other ratchets have and I found that I have a few lying around that already have a higher tooth count. I have a Pittsburg, Craftsman and Husky ratchets with 72-100 position but I guess I never paid attention to the tooth count until now. So I was mistaken when I said earlier that I didn’t have any fine tooth ratchets, I guess I did. When I realized this, I first thought I should take them back, but then I figured I was not going to find decent lifetime warranty ratchets for $10 each so I’m going to keep them and shift some tools around and maybe put them in the toolkit for each car. I’d hate to have to make a repair on the road and find I need a ratchet with less slop in it. If anyone has any questions about the ratchets I’d be happy to answer them.
fred
I’ve seen appended numbers like 0217, 0916, 1015 etc. on some Lowes products. I suspect that they refer to the date of manufacture.
The handle length is a thing to think about when buying a ratchet. Naturally a longer handle has the potential for applying greater torque. It may also mean that benefit of a smaller arc swing will be offset a bit – because the arc does translate into a larger (for a longer handle) deflection at the back tip of the handle.
Adam Gillen
The Kobalt 72T “low profile” ratchets with the offset handle that they’ve just discontinued were OUTSTANDING. They were never offered as part of a set and ran between $30 and $40 each (depending on drive size). I’ve abused them severely for the last 4 years with nary a hiccup. It thoroughly pisses me off that if I do ever manage to break one, there is no chance of a store having a replacement now.
Brian
Now they have these as singles on the rack. The label on the singles said “Made in Taiwan,,” the set (I thought) said “Made in China.” They do have the normal switch orientation unlike the other current Kobalt ratchets. I would NOT buy these, they’re gigantic! BUT, HUGE BUT, these ratchets have a sister ratchet; the “Mini head” (72 tooth) those are “Made in Taiwan” really nicely sized, priced the same as the Pro90 and again, switch is in the correct orientation. If I was buying ratchets from HD or Lowe’s, the “Mini heads” would be my choice. I didn’t have a Snap-On ratchet with me but the size seemed really close. The lever on the mini heads are also really nice, nearly flat but easy to switch over. They have a recessed locking button but it’s chamfered so your finger fits inside the head and easily pushes the button.
JJ
TERRIBLE experience!!! Bought ratchet 14 months, stripped head with very little force. Brought back to Lowe’s in Beaumont, TX for their “lifetime warranty” and they wouldn’t exchange even though they had the replacement in stock. Gave me a number to customer service to call. Called them and they said I have to call Kobalt. Called them, which after multiple keyed in responses, turned into a dead end…no answer.
They do not stand behind what is printed on their website.
Sadly, I’m done with Lowe’s as I can’t stand this type of dishonesty.
Ira Rabinowitz
On the product website https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-Piece-90-Teeth-1-2-in-3-8-in-1-4-in-Drive-Quick-Release-Ratchet-Set/1000223633
In in the Q&A section this question is asked.
Question asked June 25, 2019
Is this a bundle of the individual ratchets 85850, 85860 and 85873? Because if you buy these individually, it will cost $76.42. Thank you
Answer: Kobalt Team on July 25, 2019:
Yes, item 840023 is a 3pc set containing the part numbers you referenced.
Stuart
The last time I checked out these ratchets, the 3pc set ratchets were indeed slightly different compared to the individual ratchet SKUs.
Art Pham
Any thoughts on the new ratchets that appeared a few months ago? I can’t find too much info on them but they look a lot better now.
Stuart
I haven’t seen them yet.
Unfortunately, with how Lowe’s and Kobalt does things, their designs can change year to year.
Kobalt tools are usually decent though, and if not Lowe’s has an easy return policy.