Lowe's Kobalt Air Tools? Any good???

[Melensdad]

I'm not a really heavy user of air tools at my home and while I prefer not to buy the Harbor Freight stuff, I don't want to spend a lot of money for the Ingersoll Rand stuff when I may only need the tool a few times a year.

I ran across some fairly nice looking stuff, but low priced, while shopping at Lowe's this evening. Its their "Kobalt" brand. Has a lot of plastic, but very nice ergonomics.

Will this stuff hold up for home use? Or did I just waste a few bucks?

I picked up a mini-die grinder ($49) and an orbital sander ($59). Ingersoll Rand's mini-die grinder was $99, but included a bunch of accessories that did not come with the Kobalt grinder. I bought the I-R accessories seperately for about $20.

 

[MadReferee]

Lowes "Kobalt" brand of tools are made in the USA by Danaher.

Since 2000, Danaher has been gobbling up contracts to make branded tools for several companies. MatCo, Kobalt, and Craftsman (since 1994) are just a few of their well known brands. They also own several import tool companies (Chinese and Taiwanese) that produce lesser brands for the el-cheapo places like Wal-Mart. The biggest competition for Danaher in the tool business is Stanley. As of a few years ago, both were about the same size, hand tool sales revenue wise.

 

[Melensdad]

Well I got to play with the Kobalt air grinder today. It is CHINESE made and I am disappointed it in. The grip is very comfortable, it is rubber and absorbs some of the vibration. That I liked a lot. What I did not like was the control lever. It is poorly designed and takes too fingers to operate. It is not supposed to, but it does. I suppose I should say it take 2 fingers to start, and then only your thumb to operate.

In theory your thumb pushes forward on the lock and releases it, then continued pressure will actuate the tool. In reality the pivot point is not in the correct place, pushing forward on the lock does not release it. Other than that, it is a nice little tool. I can get used to it, and I do very much appreciate the anti-vibration properties of the rubber grip.

 

[Cityboy]

My air tools are Chicago Pnumatic. I have had them many years and I'm not sure if they are still made in the U.S. today. Good quality tools. I made my decision by talking to auto mechanics in my company and they all use CP.

 

[Dargo]

Lowes "Kobalt" brand of tools are made in the USA by Danaher.

Oops, I see Bob already beat me to the reply; they are Chinese made. However, I do own any of the Kobalt pneumatic tools, only hand tools, I have found them to be of reasonable quality. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised with them for the price. Someone "borrowed" my Klein lineman pliers and side cuts and I needed them to wire up the 2 post car lift I installed a couple of months ago. I was at Lowes and thought I'd pick up a replacement set there since I was in a hurry. They were all labeled as "China" on them, but felt good in the hand. So far, so good with them. I'd definitely rate them well above the "Pittsburgh" crap from Hardley Freight.

 

[OhioTC18]

Someone "borrowed" my Klein lineman pliers and side cuts ........

thought I'd pick up a replacement set

There is no replacement for Klein, except for another pair of Klein's

 

[Dargo]

There is no replacement for Klein, except for another pair of Klein's

Amen!

I was only implying that the Kobalt tools were not completely "crap" as I sort of expected them to be. But you are right in correcting me, they are certainly not "replacements" for Klein. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Big Dog]

"Pittsburgh" crap

Here, here ................... sic him Brian for I'm over limit on the ban list! It's tough at the top, people always trying to drag you down!





......inside joke at Brent's expense...........

 

[MadReferee]

I should have been more specific in my statement that "Kobalt tools are made in the USA".

Kobalt hand tools like sockets, wrenches, screw drivers, etc are made in the USA by DANAHER, the same company that makes Craftsman. there are several plants in the south that make them. They were made in a plant in Springfied Mass prior to a 2005 move to more modern facilities.

I have no idea where Kobalt branded electric and air tools are made. As Bob found out it must be off shore.

 

[bczoom]

Here, here ................... sic him Brian

Pittsburgh brand (to my knowledge) aren't made in Pittsburgh.

I'm with Dargo. I won't buy stuff from Harbor Freight if it has more than 1 moving part...