Kobalt $99 277 piece tool kit
I just picked up this kit at half off ($99 vs $199)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-227-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-Mechanic-s-Tool-Set-with-Hard-Case/50200795
I got it because I like the 90 tooth rachets and having a bunch of extra
sockets is always a good idea.
This kit has it's good and bad bits:
Good:
- 90 tooth ratches are really nice
- ratchet handles are smooth and comfortable
- ratchet heads are relatively thin
- sockets are shiney
- the hollow corners on the sockets (at least the 6 point ones) looks good
- color coding on the wrenches and sockets is nice
Meh...
- bizarre selection of socket sizes
- some socket walls are weirdly thick
- driver handles don't have a 1/4" pass through
- color coding paint is unevenly applied
- the "case" is nearly useless unless you literally have no other box
- some sockets have super thick walls, like the exterior mold was the same as the next size up.
- The 3/8" and 1/4" drive wrenches are too long to be "stubby", but not as long as my older Craftsman ones.
- ratchet internals are probably strong, but they're somewhat imprecise.
Not good
- the "laser etched" size markings are really hard to read
- the combination wrenches are kind of clumsy, thick walls.
- the "mini wrenches" are basically garbage.
- The direction selector switch screw's shoulder is too shallow, so it can't be tightened
all the way without binding on the cover plate; it has to be held on with thread locker.
- the "case" smells icky and should be thrown away
Some pictures:
combo wrenches
everything
quarter inch bits
socket diameter
socket shape
wrench guts
wrench lengths
wrench thickness
What's in the kit:
3/8" drive
shallow
12 point
9-17mm inclusive 19&18, 16&15, 12&13 are the same O.D.
5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8
6 point
8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15: 12&13 are the same O.D.
1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16
deep
12 point
9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18: 15&16, 12&13 are the same O.D.
7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4
1/4" drive
shallow
6 point
4, 5, 5.5, 6-14
5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16
12 point
7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2
deep
6 point
5-14
3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2
1/2" drive
shallow
12 point
14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21
3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 1
combination wrenches:
8, 9, 10, 12, 13
1/4, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16
1/4" drive nut drivers:
5, 6, 8, 10, 11
7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16
Allen wrenches
long:
1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6
5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4
short
1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8
0.05, 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32
3/8" drive sparkplug wrenches: 5/8, 13/16
1/4" hex driver
1/4" square driver
1/4" extension 2.5"
3/8" extensions: 2.5", 5.5"
1/2" extension: 2.5"