Kobalt Power Cross "Twisted" Ratcheting Combination Wrench $6 (reg $12~$18), or all 7 for $30 + Store pickup @ Lowes

not a bad deal.

How do they compare to the craftsman?

I can't add to cart for the sets

Quote from tylerinutah : I can't add to cart for the sets

It might have to do with your local store availability. Try clicking on "change store".
Hope it helps.

Also, if you're getting both sets, you qualify for free shipping over $49.

In for a metric set.. Thanks OP!

Edit: couldn't check out. The 2 stores near me Burbank (1) & mid city (0). Added metric set to cart for store pickup at Burbank, then it says the quantity you selected (1) is unavailable. I only have Japanese & German cars so no need for the standard set. Wonder if I can order both & get free shipping, then return the sae set in store.

Edit2: weird, it wouldn't let me check out on my phone for Burbank which had 1, but it let me check out online on my computer. Let's see if it's actually ready for pick up tomorrow (it's 1:38am now/store is closed), or if I get a cancellation due to OOS.

I can not check out and always have a problem checking out. I get a Data Error and am told to call a number and they can never figure it out. Oh well.

Quote from sinners : How do they compare to the craftsman?

Seeing that craftsman hasn't been all that good for a decade or two, they're about the same. It's basically all about the warranty, which is lifetime.

What's the benefit of the twist?

Quote from of_the_troops : What's the benefit of the twist?

The benefit is that if you have something that you really have to press hard against, (or, even though it's not recommended, strike it with a heavy object), you have a "flat" surface. If you've ever "wrenched" something with your bare hands and you are fighting against the narrow edge of a wrench, you realize it's not ideal -- plus you're more likely to push it side-to-side which might make the wrench end disengage from the fastener.

So overall I like the idea of the "twist" sets. As far as "quality," I can't really say. Almost all the "self-ratcheting" wrenches have been move overseas for a while (most GearWrench is made in Taiwan, Kobalt is Taiwan or China). I would say that the packaging of this implies it might be one of the newer (and possibly lower-quality) Kobalt "China" sets.

Basically the jury is still out on the recent Kobalt move to China, though many of us on these forums don't view it enthusiastically. Same for Craftsman's move which is in progress now. For the best slick-deals, stock up on the last of the made-in-US tools while you can. I bought a bunch of Kobalt made-in-US stuff 1-2 years ago as they were changing their product line to all-Asian.

And keep in mind a "lifetime" warranty won't help you if your good-quality tool is replaced by a piece of crap from China.

great price for individual pieces, so so price for the set. picked up two 13mm because i just lost one at work and now i have one and a backup.

now to see if how they stack up against gearwrenches which is the benchmark of all ratcheting wrenches

From the one review available, on the metric set:

Changed out an alternator using nothing but this set. Twist design allows you to get more torque due to putting pressure on a flat surface instead of the edge. The only reason for 4 stars is the price(a little high by 10 to 15 dollars) although I would like to be able to remove the smaller wrenches out of the holder without having to remove the larger ones first.
Pros High quality, Durable
Cons price

Not sure if the price comment was based on the was $59.97 or on the current $29.98.

Quote from sinners : How do they compare to the craftsman?

The Craftsman Cross Force ratcheting wrenches are probably the best ones of the "cross" design, followed by the very similar GearWrench X-beams.

However, the Craftsman Cross Force is discontinued, and what is left is probably the Chinese versions. You can get the GearWrench X-beams for 50% off or better at Sears, making this not much of a deal

I've seen these in stores, and they are a joke. It's flat, twisted metal, like something you'd see a home-made wrench made out of. It's not going to stand up to the force a wrench is supposed to take, hence why these are so dang short.

They might be worth a buck or something as very cheap ratcheting wrenches, but that's about it. I'd say the GearWrenches are the ones to get, as far as quality, price, availabily, and warranty. The Craftsman would be better, but when you bust one, all you're going to get as a replacement from Sears or Danaher is a GearWrench.

Can't say for sure, but the web pages for these tools indicate that these are now a "new lower price". If that's true and this is a permanent pricing structure then there is no time constraint on when to buy these.

Active Duty and Retired Military will save an additional 10% ANYTIME they buy these "in store" and Military Veterans would save that same 10% on purchases made on Memorial Day Weekend and the upcoming Veterans Day Weekend (in Nov).