I'm an ASE certified mechanic and have been using Craftsman power tools for pretty much two years now. I have a 1/2" impact, 3/8" impact, 3/8" ratchet and also an under-hood light bar. All four are still doing great. The 1/2" impact has been beat the hardest of them all. The battery life (4.0 Ah, 20v) is pretty impressive. Got the ratchet and big impact for $90/tool with battery at Lowes due to deals they had. 3/8" impact was from Amazon.
Original line is getting fazed out for 2nd gen and xtr variants from what i understand. Kobalt is here to stay although unfortunately lowes doesnt seem to be pushing it as much as they did years ago
They were trying extra hard back then to get everyone on the platform. Now they have their loyal users they don’t have to push quite as hard which I’m sure is why you’re seeing more craftsman there.
I bought a craftsman tool set from Lowe’s seven or eight years ago still rocking it today I’ve not seen any kobalt tools on sale I hope I do find them on sale even though I am a Dewalt guy.
I have M12 fuel, Ridgid 18 volt and Ryobi 18 volt. Just by feel in the hand I would have to pick the Milwaukee. For the price I would go with Ryobi. Unfortunately I live over an hour from the nearest Lowes so I don't have any Kobalt. I use the M12s the most because they fit in more places than anything else I have. Keep up the good work on the videos.
I've been in the Ridgid line for a couple of years. If I could change now, I'd go Harbor Freight Hercules now that they're brushless. Cheap, powerful, bring it back to store when it breaks and walk out with a new one.
Lowe's didn't buy Craftsman. They carry Craftsman. Stanley Black&Decker bought Craftsman. And the sale was a giant cluster-fooc. $900 Million for Craftsman (no, not a typo). But bizarrely, what was left of Sears at the time of the sale, Sears was still legally allowed to come up with their own line of new tools with the Craftsman name on those tools. Also, a 3rd party through some legal nonsense was able to use the Craftsman name too. And, _they_ came up with their own line of Craftsman tools. So yeah, shortly after the sale; you literally had 3 different Craftsman cordless power-tool lines from 3 separate entities. Oh and BTW, each Craftsman line had their own proprietary battery packs that didn't work with the other two Craftsman lines. You can easily buy Craftsman tools at Ace Hardware. Not sure if it's the same line sold at Lowe's. Just best to stick with one major hardware store chain if you want to get a bunch of Craftsman cordless power-tools. Also, highly doubt Kobalt is going anywhere since that brand is a Lowe's exclusive but ironically also isn't owned by Lowe's. But has a different parent company than Stanley Black&Decker.
It's on sale too. Right now buy a starter kit. Comes with a 2 amp and a 4 amp battery with a fast charger and a case for their case system and a free tool of your choice. So I pick the 1/2-in stubby impact. That's a no-brainer all for $99
@@evansautomotive307 I have two lows in my city, the first Lowe's I went to had to advertise for $130 for the starter kit and a free tool but the starter kit was all out so I went to the second Lowe's, they had it advertised for $150. $150 I'm like what's going on, but then there's a clearance sticker under the $150 for $99 for the kit. Plus the tool like whatever I ain't complaining it's still cheaper than advertise so out the door a hundred bucks
I bought into the Kobalt 24V line last year. I bought a used 1/2 impact driver on Ebay that's rated at 200lbs vs the 3/8 that's rated at 150lbs. I paid more like $55 then $39 for it. It does work on my car lug nuts. Not so much on my truck lug nuts that are torqued 130lbs . Overall,I'm satisfied with my Kobalt cordless tools as a DIY guy. But there are times I wished I had Milwaukee cordless for tight spaces and higher torque. Breaker bars are some times still a necessity for me.
I wish I had the long neck Kobalt power ratchet. Unfortunately,there all sold out. My standard Kobalt power ratchet allot of times is to big. And to short to reach bolts I need to loosen and tighten.
Kobalt just came out a new finish nailer and grease gun in the XTR line and they're coming out with a bunch of new 40v OPE this year. The 24v line with white packaging are the old generation tools and all they're doing is getting rid of them for all the next gen stuff in the newer blue packaging. Everybody needs to take a chill pill cause this shit always comes up every couple of years.
They're updating to a new generation, old style and stock clearance. Next generation is sticking around. Kobalt is made by the same company as EGO, Flex, and Skil. Craftsman is Dewalt and Black and Decker
Good to see Eric getting some yard time. After you kept him in the basement for so long. But as for battery power tools. I use to use Black & Decker. But now I don't lie to myself that there's USA made tools anymore and go to the source Harbor Freight Hercules tools
Not fair for the Kobalt 3/8 impact because the battery is only 2Ah whereas the Milwaukee is at least 4Ah (2 in parallel so it has twice the current output). Put a 4Ah or 6Ah battery in the Kobalt and you'll see a marked difference in output.
I'm curious what y'all think of Ryobi tools? They're the first company I can remember doing the universal battery thing. Kind of got me stuck in them that way because I've got a grip of Ryobi batteries now. I don't have any Ryobi impact tools, but I used to have a Ryobi reciprocating saw and that thing would run through a fully charged battery in like 3 minutes if I was cutting steel. So it was kind of useless if you wanted to use it for a whole project.
I don't even have the lowes in my state . But I do have home depot and I use ryobi tools every day with no issues . And when I say I have Ryobi Tools about sixty
They definitely are not, but they are clearing out 1st Gen stuff. I have 75% of all the tools they make and they are outstanding. I work in the trades and beat the crap out of them. Best tool Line for the money. I do have to say they take their sweet time getting new products and next GEN stuff to the stores. It can be very frustrated.
Any idiot would know a 3/8 it’s not strong enough to do heavy loads. That’s why the 1/2 is there four. Craftsman is such a shitty quality tool brand. I’d rather buy a kabolt any day.
Kobalt is not going anywhere. Yes, they constantly clearance their tools and yes, they release new tools slow as hell. Most of the time, as in this exact case, Lowes clearances out the Kobalt becuase they have changed the packaging. The new packaging is all blue not the old style like you see in this video. They also clearance out their Kobalt when a newer version is released like the 24v ratchets. Just today Kobalt released the 24v Grease gun, 24v Paint sprayer, and 24v cut off tool.
I’m a cheap ass sob…my impacts have all come from pawn shops. I have a Bosch 12v impact which I love. Two dewalt 12v (the 1/4 and the 1/2) and they are also fantastic.. I have a HF 1/2 inch big boy and that will snap grade 8 bolts….. Ask me how I know… yeah that was a bad day… I have a bunch of 20v hart stuff including a gen1 impact and it’s weak sauce I almost never use it. I have been told the gen2 is much better.
My Lowes carries Dewalt and Craftsman as their main sellers. They started pushing Flex pretty good and I'd imagine that may be pushing Kobalt out. They already dropped Porter Cable a few years back but still holding on to a small assortment of Skil though
You guys waaaay over paid and are late to the party!! Last spring I saw these, the 1/2” and 3/8” on shelf for $29 each!!! The deal was so good that I bought 4 total. (2) of the 1/2” and (2) of the 3/8”. I put a couple in my truck and the other I am playing around with and comparing to my Dewalt, Ryobi and Milwaukee impacts. Another fun experiment is to take a Kobalt 4am HO battery and get an adaptor for Ryobi and check out the difference vs Ryobi batteries on same tool. In other deals. I got the XTR 5 piece kit with 2 batteries, hard rolling pack out box, charger, blades for all saws for $139!!!! Clearence. There was a right angle Kobalt drill on table above it for $14 so I grabbed that too. There were also some really good deals on Dewalt and Metabo as well. I also always look at their back row sale section. Got an Ego misting fan that is normally around $300, for $117 amoung other things
Lol people always saying Kobalt is going out of business. Lowes always clearances overstock and Kobalt is releasing their gen 3 lineup.
I'm an ASE certified mechanic and have been using Craftsman power tools for pretty much two years now. I have a 1/2" impact, 3/8" impact, 3/8" ratchet and also an under-hood light bar. All four are still doing great. The 1/2" impact has been beat the hardest of them all. The battery life (4.0 Ah, 20v) is pretty impressive. Got the ratchet and big impact for $90/tool with battery at Lowes due to deals they had. 3/8" impact was from Amazon.
Original line is getting fazed out for 2nd gen and xtr variants from what i understand. Kobalt is here to stay although unfortunately lowes doesnt seem to be pushing it as much as they did years ago
They were trying extra hard back then to get everyone on the platform. Now they have their loyal users they don’t have to push quite as hard which I’m sure is why you’re seeing more craftsman there.
Lowes owns kobalt
I paid $79 for 3/8" Kobalt impact wrench, bare tool.
Lowe’s did not buy Craftsman, SBD did.
Kobalt isn’t going anywhere. They’re constantly launching new tools.
Lowes bought kobalt
@ Lmao. Kobalt is Lowe’s house brand and has been since its inception. Where are you getting this from?
@@drunkonunleaded From lowes website....lmao
I have a variety of manufacturers mostly based on my intended usage.
Kolbalt white box tools is the old model…. New versions are in blue boxes
Nice job Douglas, getting Big E back..😁👊👍👍
I bought a craftsman tool set from Lowe’s seven or eight years ago still rocking it today I’ve not seen any kobalt tools on sale I hope I do find them on sale even though I am a Dewalt guy.
I have M12 fuel, Ridgid 18 volt and Ryobi 18 volt. Just by feel in the hand I would have to pick the Milwaukee. For the price I would go with Ryobi. Unfortunately I live over an hour from the nearest Lowes so I don't have any Kobalt. I use the M12s the most because they fit in more places than anything else I have. Keep up the good work on the videos.
I've been in the Ridgid line for a couple of years. If I could change now, I'd go Harbor Freight Hercules now that they're brushless. Cheap, powerful, bring it back to store when it breaks and walk out with a new one.
Lowe's didn't buy Craftsman. They carry Craftsman. Stanley Black&Decker bought Craftsman. And the sale was a giant cluster-fooc. $900 Million for Craftsman (no, not a typo). But bizarrely, what was left of Sears at the time of the sale, Sears was still legally allowed to come up with their own line of new tools with the Craftsman name on those tools. Also, a 3rd party through some legal nonsense was able to use the Craftsman name too. And, _they_ came up with their own line of Craftsman tools. So yeah, shortly after the sale; you literally had 3 different Craftsman cordless power-tool lines from 3 separate entities. Oh and BTW, each Craftsman line had their own proprietary battery packs that didn't work with the other two Craftsman lines.
You can easily buy Craftsman tools at Ace Hardware. Not sure if it's the same line sold at Lowe's. Just best to stick with one major hardware store chain if you want to get a bunch of Craftsman cordless power-tools. Also, highly doubt Kobalt is going anywhere since that brand is a Lowe's exclusive but ironically also isn't owned by Lowe's. But has a different parent company than Stanley Black&Decker.
They just came out with a stubby compact gen 2 🎉
It's on sale too. Right now buy a starter kit. Comes with a 2 amp and a 4 amp battery with a fast charger and a case for their case system and a free tool of your choice. So I pick the 1/2-in stubby impact. That's a no-brainer all for $99
@MrRandomshiznitz have a link to that? Or is it just in store
@@MrRandomshiznitz shit i found it. Helllll of a deal. Thats why i love kobalt
@@evansautomotive307 I have two lows in my city, the first Lowe's I went to had to advertise for $130 for the starter kit and a free tool but the starter kit was all out so I went to the second Lowe's, they had it advertised for $150. $150 I'm like what's going on, but then there's a clearance sticker under the $150 for $99 for the kit. Plus the tool like whatever I ain't complaining it's still cheaper than advertise so out the door a hundred bucks
I bought into the Kobalt 24V line last year. I bought a used 1/2 impact driver on Ebay that's rated at 200lbs vs the 3/8 that's rated at 150lbs. I paid more like $55 then $39 for it.
It does work on my car lug nuts. Not so much on my truck lug nuts that are torqued 130lbs .
Overall,I'm satisfied with my Kobalt cordless tools as a DIY guy. But there are times I wished I had Milwaukee cordless for tight spaces and higher torque. Breaker bars are some times still a necessity for me.
I wish I had the long neck Kobalt power ratchet. Unfortunately,there all sold out. My standard Kobalt power ratchet allot of times is to big. And to short to reach bolts I need to loosen and tighten.
Kobalt just came out a new finish nailer and grease gun in the XTR line and they're coming out with a bunch of new 40v OPE this year. The 24v line with white packaging are the old generation tools and all they're doing is getting rid of them for all the next gen stuff in the newer blue packaging. Everybody needs to take a chill pill cause this shit always comes up every couple of years.
What new 40v OPE?
They have the Universal Connect system now, so you can just buy attachments and connect to your 40v power head.
They're updating to a new generation, old style and stock clearance. Next generation is sticking around. Kobalt is made by the same company as EGO, Flex, and Skil. Craftsman is Dewalt and Black and Decker
Good to see Eric getting some yard time. After you kept him in the basement for so long. But as for battery power tools. I use to use Black & Decker. But now I don't lie to myself that there's USA made tools anymore and go to the source Harbor Freight Hercules tools
Not fair for the Kobalt 3/8 impact because the battery is only 2Ah whereas the Milwaukee is at least 4Ah (2 in parallel so it has twice the current output). Put a 4Ah or 6Ah battery in the Kobalt and you'll see a marked difference in output.
Hell that’s a 1.5ah, they don’t even make those anymore lol
I hope Kobalt doesn’t go anywhere. I’m on the cordless platform and love the tools I have. Chose it for the price. Plus blue is my favorite color.
I'm curious what y'all think of Ryobi tools? They're the first company I can remember doing the universal battery thing. Kind of got me stuck in them that way because I've got a grip of Ryobi batteries now. I don't have any Ryobi impact tools, but I used to have a Ryobi reciprocating saw and that thing would run through a fully charged battery in like 3 minutes if I was cutting steel. So it was kind of useless if you wanted to use it for a whole project.
I don't even have the lowes in my state . But I do have home depot and I use ryobi tools every day with no issues . And when I say I have Ryobi Tools about sixty
I love the m12 line
If your going to take lug nuts off all day the xtr 1/2 inch impact gets the job done hasn’t let me down
They definitely are not, but they are clearing out 1st Gen stuff. I have 75% of all the tools they make and they are outstanding. I work in the trades and beat the crap out of them. Best tool
Line for the money. I do have to say they take their sweet time getting new products and next GEN stuff to the stores. It can be very frustrated.
They're on sale because there's a new compact 24v impact lineup
Any idiot would know a 3/8 it’s not strong enough to do heavy loads. That’s why the 1/2 is there four.
Craftsman is such a shitty quality tool brand. I’d rather buy a kabolt any day.
Kobalt is not going anywhere. Yes, they constantly clearance their tools and yes, they release new tools slow as hell. Most of the time, as in this exact case, Lowes clearances out the Kobalt becuase they have changed the packaging. The new packaging is all blue not the old style like you see in this video. They also clearance out their Kobalt when a newer version is released like the 24v ratchets.
Just today Kobalt released the 24v Grease gun, 24v Paint sprayer, and 24v cut off tool.
Get the xtr kit, big difference. You chose to use the baby out of the lineup instead of the real 💪🏻
DeWalt always FTW! 🤘🏼😎
Dewalt 20v gets destroyed by kobalt 24v. Not even close.
Get the XTR 1/4” and swap the impact head on it. 10x better.
I’m a cheap ass sob…my impacts have all come from pawn shops. I have a Bosch 12v impact which I love. Two dewalt 12v (the 1/4 and the 1/2) and they are also fantastic.. I have a HF 1/2 inch big boy and that will snap grade 8 bolts….. Ask me how I know… yeah that was a bad day… I have a bunch of 20v hart stuff including a gen1 impact and it’s weak sauce I almost never use it. I have been told the gen2 is much better.
Man I hope Kobalt stays. Their tools are usually my go to
My Lowes carries Dewalt and Craftsman as their main sellers. They started pushing Flex pretty good and I'd imagine that may be pushing Kobalt out. They already dropped Porter Cable a few years back but still holding on to a small assortment of Skil though
Try impact sockets more mass more power
Brand Warfare!
literally every tool brand replaces their old gen with a new gen😂 it would be a damn shame because craftsmen is shit now
You guys waaaay over paid and are late to the party!! Last spring I saw these, the 1/2” and 3/8” on shelf for $29 each!!! The deal was so good that I bought 4 total. (2) of the 1/2” and (2) of the 3/8”. I put a couple in my truck and the other I am playing around with and comparing to my Dewalt, Ryobi and Milwaukee impacts. Another fun experiment is to take a Kobalt 4am HO battery and get an adaptor for Ryobi and check out the difference vs Ryobi batteries on same tool.
In other deals. I got the XTR 5 piece kit with 2 batteries, hard rolling pack out box, charger, blades for all saws for $139!!!! Clearence. There was a right angle Kobalt drill on table above it for $14 so I grabbed that too. There were also some really good deals on Dewalt and Metabo as well. I also always look at their back row sale section. Got an Ego misting fan that is normally around $300, for $117 amoung other things
craftsman is the right brand fight against Ryobi. Flex, Kobalt are not those lines