Lowe’s launched a new Kobalt mechanics tool set that looks to copy – sorry, be closely inspired by – Wera’s hugely popular Tool Check portable tool kit format.
The new Kobalt tool kit features 41 pieces including screwdriver bits, sockets, a driver handle, and adapters.
Lowe’s doesn’t show much in the product photos, but it looks like there could also be a bit ratchet here. If you look at the top, there’s what looks like a direction selection level poking out from the same spot where Wera places the bit ratchet in their own portable tool kits.
Bicycle tire levers? That’s an unexpected surprise.
This is multi-functional mechanics tool set with some robust-looking Kobalt tire levels for bike repair tasks.
Price: $30
Discussion
The price seems great.
From what I can see, Lowe’s did pretty good with this kit. Don’t feel bad that it looks a lot like Wera’s unique styling, as they’ve also been… heavily inspired by others’ innovations, as Allwrencher can likely attest to about Wera’s Joker adjustable wrenches.
My Wera bit ratchet and screwdriver bit Tool Check tool sets are among my favorite, most reliable, and highly convenient portable tools. This new Kobalt offering is just $30, compared to $90 for the Wera metric set.
You do get more pieces and I’m sure a quality difference with the Wera, but not everyone can justify spending 3X the money.
I might pick up a tool set for review consideration, but it’s got to be at least 1/3 as nice as the Wera tools, right?
I started off with a small Wera bit ratchet set, then went with a Tool Check, and then their upgraded Tool Check Plus. $90 for all that can be hard to justify right out of the gate. $30 for the Kobalt? Pretty smart move by Lowe’s.
I’m not sure this set needs the bike tire levers. Maybe they can serve some kind of double purpose.
