It seems that Lowe’s is in the middle of some kind of mechanics tool refresh or liquidation process, with reports of individual tools and sets being on clearance at stores.
As seen in the photo above – thank you, Adam! – select Kobalt mechanics tool sets are on clearance at an unknown number of Lowe’s stores.
Lowe’s website is also reporting clearance pricing on select Kobalt socket sets, with notices saying you can only buy them in stores.
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Another reader – thank you, Jeffrey – wrote in this week that their Lowe’s store has put Kobalt ratcheting wrenches and open stock sockets on clearance, with the wrenches at $4.99 each and the sockets at $0.99 each.
Looking online, I see the same – a lot of sockets priced at 99 cents each, and some individual ratcheting wrenches at $4.99 each.
It’s not clear why Lowe’s put a ton of Kobalt tools and sets on clearance.
Is another brand coming in? Are they just refreshing everything? Did they switch suppliers again?
Some of the clearance-priced tools are available for purchase online, but you might want to stop by your local Lowe’s store if it’s on your way.
If you’ve been to a Lowe’s store recently, did you see anything new with their Kobalt tools or other mechanics tools sections?
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D3t
Meanwhile, this set went from $29 to $45???
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-50-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-1-4-inch-Drive-Polished-Chrome-Mechanics-Tool-Set-with-Injected-Molded-Case/5015276017
AP
I own a lot of various hand and power tools from a ton of different companies but not a one is Kobalt. No clue what I’m missing.
MM
Kobalt is all over the place. Some of their hand tools used to be made by Williams, those were excellent. And then there is the infamous “triple cut”.
Stuart
The Triple Cut was definitely… memorable https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/kobalt-triple-cut-review/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Wayne R.
A YouTube guy had shown the Craftsman Handi-Cut to be pretty useful with rope & tubing, and when I found one recently, I replaced the blade & anvil and put it in the tool box.
He was right, it’s great on those things! Clean square cuts.
I would not want to replace it with a Triple Cut.
Mike S
I used the Triple Cut for rough cutting cedar strips when I made a small boat. I worked pretty well.
Frank D
Yeah … I bought that, way back. The only thing it works on is small diameter pex tubing … sigh
CJ
I went to my local Lowes on Sunday and filled out the missing pieces in sets. All chrome sockets were $. 99 and all impacts were $ 2.99 regarless of size. The wrenches were not marked down at that point but there some smaller socket sets tagged as well.
CJ
Meant to add, per the sales folks. They are changing suppliers and manufacture country due to potential upcoming tarrifs.
Scott F
Why does this manifest as clearance on existing stock – because they have to change SKU? Seems bizarre to cut your margins to clear out inventory that is changing in a somewhat trivial fashion.
I do understand that being a large corp there is some expectation of product consistency and so offering two products with differences, even if relatively menial differences, can tarnish that – but is it so important that it means cutting losses and selling existing stock at 30-50% off?
Johnathon
Packaging updates or SKU changing often results in crazy clearance prices on such basic products as fasteners. I’ve bought giant boxes of R4 screws at 75% off because they changed sku codes. Giant companies are wasteful/volumetric to the point that they don’t care.
Mike
Thanks for the heads-up.
Went to the local Lowes and they had table with Kobalt chrome sockets, impact sockets, and assorted wrenches (some ratchets). Employee said they were clearing out all of the loose pieces.
Picked up assortment of 1/2″ drive chrome sockets from 22-32 mm, deep sockets from 20-27 mm and a 1 inch deep. Sockets made in Taiwan.
13 sockets @ .99 cents each plus 5% discount with my Lowes card.
Dave
In wv Lowe’s only found one wrench on clearance…
Mike J
Picked up wrenches 1 1/4, 1 3/16 and 1 1/18 for 4.99 each. Bargain.
frank slade
Those similar big Harbor Freight wrench set is like $69 for 5 or 6 SAE. I remember paying around $22 EACH for USA made Craftsman a dozen years ago. You scored big time. Thanks for posting. Larry in PA.
Cameron Kelley
Definitely seems to be duplication right now with their in store Craftsman offerings. And Craftsman seems like the stronger brand, in my opinion.
Jason
Work for Lowe’s as their MST lead which is just Merchandising associate long story short various Lowe’s are now doing whats known as a “reset” newer models are being stocked next week. Craftsman will also be getting a refresh within a few weeks as well.
Mark S
Several stores in upstate and Albany area have the same deals on the same 6 or 8 SKUs. Nothing compelling. If any had 3/8 deep sockets then maybe, but none that I’ve seen.
I’m guessing some of this stuff will still be around in the yellow clearance section in a few months, and probably for not much cheaper.
Archer
They seem to be superseding these with newer models. My local Lowe’s has had these on clearance for about a month, and if you go to the regular Kobalt hand tool section you’ll see that the full-price ratchets there are a noticeably different design, the ones in these clearance sets are the classic chrome round handle Snap-On style while the ones that I assume are newer have a flatter, more stylized grip and a satin or matte finish. I assume that we’ll start seeing sets with the new ratchets and possibly different sockets soon.
Incidentally, I bought a couple of these sets – a 1/4 drive and 3/8 drive – and they’re pretty nice for what I paid. The ratchets feel quite high quality and have a very nice 90 tooth mechanism. I can’t say how well they’ll hold up but they definitely feel nicer than equivalent Craftsman stuff does these days.
Rachel Wilkerson
I got some sockets myself. I also wanted to pick up a $2 nail apron for something and found out they’re now $5.99. Those kolbolt loose bins were always good when you just needed a certain size since the apprentice is really good at losing your 9/16 deep well. I hope the new ones don’t go up too much more.