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Nov 25, 2009 · by Clint DeBoer. Tools. Everybody needs a good set, and Kobalt Tools is aiming squarely at the consumer market with their new line of sockets. This 154-Piece Socket Set includes all of the basic and extended sockets you could want for basic automotive and household uses.
- Kobalt 27-Piece Xtreme Access Socket Set Review
by Clint DeBoer. The new trend in sockets, which Kobalt has...
- Kobalt 63 Piece Mechanics Tool Set Review - Pro Tool Reviews
by Thomas Gaige. With the recent reintroduction of the...
- Kobalt 27-Piece Xtreme Access Socket Set Review
- Overview: Socket Sets Under $80
- Reviewing The Ratchets: Tooth Count
- Ratchets: Quick Release Mechanism
- Ratchet: Tool Finish
- Ratchet: Reverse Mechanisms
- Reviewing The Sockets
- Case Construction
- Socket Accessories You Should Own
- Brand Review: Kobalt Socket Set Kit #85179
- Brand Review: Craftsman Kit #39094
Every DIYer needs a socket set, but sorting through the myriad of different sets can be confusing. At first glance, they all look alike, with the only difference being the total number of pieces. Then, when you take a closer look, you find that there are differences in ratchet, socket and case features. So we examined the contents, quality and perf...
All the ratchets we tried worked well and should give you a lifetime of service. But some have features that make the job easier. Here are the key considerations. The gear mechanism inside the ratchet head is invisible and easy to ignore. But in terms of convenience, the tooth count on those inner gears is critical. A higher number of teeth is bett...
Four of the five brands have a “quick release” such that you press a button and the socket falls off. The quick release also locks the socket in place so it doesn’t stick on a bolt head and become a permanent part of the engine. Without that feature, you have to yank the socket off the ratchet—not so fun with greasy hands.
Four of the five ratchets had a fully polished finish with rounded edges in the palm area. The Craftsman ratchet has a textured finish and a more squared-off profile. We prefer the fully polished versions because they’re easier to clean. All it took was a simple wipe with a cloth. The textured ratchet caught crud in the sharper edges.
Most of the ratchets had a lever-activated reversing mechanism as opposed to a dial design. If you’re working in an open area, either design works fine. But in tight spaces, the lever is much easier to use.
We expected that some of the sockets would be better manufactured than others, forming a more precise fit over nuts and bolts. So we randomly checked the sockets in all five sets with test nuts and a feeler gauge. To our surprise, we found all brands to be nearly identical and all within an acceptable tolerance. So spending more doesn’t get you a m...
The cases for all five sets are made of plastic. But some are better constructed than others. For example, the Husky and Stanley brands have hinges and snap latches made from flexible plastic. The other cases use draw-bolt latches, and snaps and hinges with pins that stand up better under heavy use. We also found that Husky socket set and Stanley s...
A standard socket set is fine for most jobs, but sooner or later (most likely sooner) you’ll need to work in tight spaces. To save yourself some cursing, consider buying some accessories when you buy a socket set. These three accessories shown in this photo series can get the socket into the right spot and turn a bear of a job into a piece of cake.
The Kobalt (Lowe’s brand) 93-piece set has 39 sockets and a 3/8-in. drive, 3-in.-long extension bar. Each socket is laser-etched and color-coded to differentiate between fractional and metric. The ratchets are fully polished and include quick-release and lever-reverse features. The ratchet has the largest tooth count (72 teeth), requiring only 5 de...
This 94-piece Craftsman (Sears brand) set has 52 sockets and a 3/8-in.-drive, 6-in.-long extension bar arranged in a generously sized and well-constructed case that can accommodate extra accessories. The laser-etched sockets are well marked, and each one rests face up in the case so you can see the socket opening. That helps when you’re selecting s...
Mar 24, 2023 · Kobalt Hand Tools. As mentioned before, one of the most popular Kobalt tool categories is hand tools. Here you can expect to find a variety of mechanic tools sets, such as wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, and various household tools. In terms of selection, Kobalt has more hand tools than everything else put together, or pretty close to it.
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Jan 18, 2022 · Kobalt 118-piece mechanics socket set review. Jan 18. Written By Indiana Lang. I always love grabbing deals on tools and I found this socket set on sale for $32 at a local Lowes about a year ago. I ended up buying two (and so did zach) to keep in my truck and in my garage.
Nov 17, 2015 · Pros: The sockets are thin-walled, which means easier access in tight areas. The sockets are combo metric and SAE, eliminating the need to have separate sets. The sockets are “universal,” meaning they fit hex, square, spline, and external-Torx fasteners. The set comes with adapters to switch back and forth with traditional bits. Cons:
