I probably own more automotive hand tools than three or four line mechanics combined. I traveled for work for over twenty five years and was an avid pawn shopper. I mostly bought Mac, but also have some nice Snap On, Matco, Proto (just a few pieces) and a couple of sets of Wright wrenches. I started with a basic Craftsman set, so I still have those too. I also have a whole lot of specialty tools, like caliper tools, block testers, Fluke meters, quality gear pullers and like that. I'm not bragging, it was really stupid to spend that much money on tools, most of which are duplicates and as yet unused but I am compulsive about car stuff. I am just tying to get across that I take my tools seriously.
Anyway, about 8 years ago, plus or minus, Lowes came out with the Kobalt line of tools and I fell in love!! They were made by one of the premium tool manufacturers (I forget who) and they were way affordable, even compared to Craftsman. What was even better, for the first couple of years, Lowes put a bunch of Kobalt tools on sale every weekend. I was in broke heaven. I got at least two of almost everything Kobalt in the store. It took several years but I did it.
So anyway, I'm reading on the net one day that Lowe's is going to start selling Craftsman tools. Instantly, alarms go off in my head. My next time at Lowe's I ask about it and they confirm that Craftsman is coming and Kobalt is going. Down here in Louisiana, the change came last weekend. All of the Kobalt stuff came off the shelves and just disappeared from site. No sales, no discounts, no nothin. The shelves are now jam packed with Craftsman tools. Nice but in my opinion, a step down. If you are looking for Craftsman tools, at least in some areas, you can go to Lowes and find them.
Anyway, about 8 years ago, plus or minus, Lowes came out with the Kobalt line of tools and I fell in love!! They were made by one of the premium tool manufacturers (I forget who) and they were way affordable, even compared to Craftsman. What was even better, for the first couple of years, Lowes put a bunch of Kobalt tools on sale every weekend. I was in broke heaven. I got at least two of almost everything Kobalt in the store. It took several years but I did it.
So anyway, I'm reading on the net one day that Lowe's is going to start selling Craftsman tools. Instantly, alarms go off in my head. My next time at Lowe's I ask about it and they confirm that Craftsman is coming and Kobalt is going. Down here in Louisiana, the change came last weekend. All of the Kobalt stuff came off the shelves and just disappeared from site. No sales, no discounts, no nothin. The shelves are now jam packed with Craftsman tools. Nice but in my opinion, a step down. If you are looking for Craftsman tools, at least in some areas, you can go to Lowes and find them.
