So, contrary to earlier widespread reports, Lowes is in fact abandoning Kobalt hand tools for Craftsman. Now, I have boxes full of generations of REAL Craftsman tools, but I stopped even looking at them after Stanley Black & Decker bought the brand because they further cheapened their design...
The kobalt socket set made it really hard over time to determine what socket size you had because it was a Chrome Vandium type socket With laser etched sizes on it. Overtime the laser etching would fill-in or polish off when you’re using your hands and I just made it really hard to determine the socket size.
Its a tight fit to get this gun in there and remove the bolts (they are blue lock-tighted) but the Kobalt 1/2 zipped them right off with no effort. I've since bought a smaller Milwaukee Tool 2960-20 impact gun that has the same 600 ft-lbs of torque but half the size.
The reason for the Milwaukee is that it is 1/2 the size of the Kobalt 1/2" gun and gets into the space between the drive shaft and the muffler much easier and can use a shorter extension because its far smaller than the big gun. You can do this with a 1/2 hand tools but you will need a big ratchet, those bolts are on there.
Re: What's the word on Kobalt? The Kobalt branded hand tools were introduced and marketed to compete with Craftsman and Husky. They were made in the USA for the most part and were very similar in design and quality as the Craftsman & Husky tools. Is the new Kobalt branded sliding miter saw the clue that the end is near for Kobalt tools?
220 voltage 175 psi 2 stage pump Kobalt Air Compressor (Augusta) $1,000 Author: Sale 9760899956 Subject: Air pod max ** GOOD DEAL ** (Waynesboro) $250 Posted: Mon Dec 08 2025 9:35 pm (GMT -4)
Looking for insight here before taking the new truck on the beach. Either way, I’m taking it out there but looking for insight on what to expect. For background. The truck I drove on the beaches for years was a 2013 F150 standard cab long bed 4x4 with 5.0 V8 equipped with 17” rims and 35”...
