Lowes changing house brands??

[Frank46]

Was in our local Lowes today and instead of the usual small displays of Craftsman tools they had a whole aisle of them. And their house brand Kobalt was regulated to just a couple smaller aisles. Their roll around and portable wheeled tool boxes didn't impress me all that much. Plastic,plastic and more plastic. Kobalts roll around tool boxes were at least all steel and in one case stainless steel. Think I spent more time locating the little tubes of silicone grease along with the rebuild kit for the Delta kitchen sink. Seems more and more stuff in Lowe's is being made in China. Needed 4 electrical outletts the ones I bought were labeled Pass & Seymore yep made in China.Needed a cable cutter and crimping tool, name brands also made in China. Needed 4 female plugs and yep China again. And the biggest joke around is DeWalt when they say assembled in the U.S.A. of outsourced components. I used to dabble with wood. My old table saw would have given an OSHA inspector fits. No guard for the blade and a home made fence. My Porter Cable router is made in the U.S.A. as are my sanders, drills even the lowly jig saw all U.S.A. made. With the exception of my old DeWalt 14 volt battery drill all my other power tools have electrical cords on them. And seen the prices of the replacement costs of the battery packs? Change out a few of those and there goes the price of your new drill. The only corded power tool I've bought recently is a Hitachi 3x21" belt sander with variable speed control. Frank

 

[Texas40]

Lowes and HD have become nothing more than WalMart with lumber.

ACE or your Local real hardware store (which are non existent in big city) are where to go for REAL hardware and building supplies.

Need soda dish soap and chips or jerky. Lowes or HD got ya.

Really is annoying actually however the throw it away and buy new mentality if the majority of the population spur it on.






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[BigBoy99]

Really is annoying actually however the throw it away and buy new mentality if the majority of the population spur it on.

Have you tried to find a real car mechanic lately? All they have now are "parts replacers", who just take out old parts and put new ones in until the problem is solved. Nothing is "fixed" now days.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Frank I noticed the same thing last week when I was there. BUT I did score a sweeeeeeeet deal on Kobalt deep socket sets that were almost half off.But they were on sale!!!!!!!!!!!!
For real lumber and building supplies I use Chaney Lumber. I also like that True Value on Lewis St. across from the Super One shopping center.

 

[kenjen]

when my grandson was born i checked the bottem of his feet to make sure there wasn't a made in china sticker there. We don't make anything here anymore, so sad....

 

[Texas40]

Have you tried to find a real car mechanic lately? All they have now are "parts replacers", who just take out old parts and put new ones in until the problem is solved. Nothing is "fixed" now days.

Do most of myself when possible.

But that is true.


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[doublesharp]

I am so thankful to live within 5 miles of a Menards. They can't stop the made in China products but they are far and away the mosy efficient big box home improvement store I've ever shopped in. Makes you forget all about Lowes and Home Depot.

 

[chief38]

I can give you my take on this. While I do believe this information to be accurate I would not say I am 100% positive - these Company's go to great lengths to "pull the wool over our eyes"!

I believe the Lowes House brand, Kobalt Tools, is manufactured by Williams. I believe Williams is actually owned by the Snap-on Co. and also makes tools for Snap-on's secondary line which is Bluepoint tools. Again, while not carved in stone I believe this to be the case. They are not made in USA but they are not made in China either. I believe they are made in Taiwan which has actually been building and shipping very good quality tools over the last 5 years.

I will also say that for current manufactured tools I believe Kobalt to be better quality than the Craftsman off-shore manufactured tools. Back in the day when Craftsman tools were made here in the USA, they were very good - excellent quality but fell from grace about 7 or 8 years ago when they were "Shanghaied". This is of course my own opinion and while I do not personally own any Kobalt tools I have used them multiple times helping my friends repair their motorcycles and cars so I am familiar with them.

I also own a plethora of vintage Craftsman tools that I bought 30 - 40 years ago and they are quite well made. While I do enjoy working with my Snap-on tools the most, the vintage Craftsman are my second fav's.

If all I could afford or had were Kobalt tools I would be content as I feel their quality is pretty darn good and excellent for he money. I just hope that Craftsman steps up to the plate and raises their quality back to what it use to be. While I have heard rumors that they were looking into bringing manufacturing back to America, I am a little skeptical, but would love to see that happen.

If someone has a better line on this than I do, please let me know - as tools are just another thing I am into.

 

[Faulkner]

when my grandson was born i checked the bottem of his feet to make sure there wasn't a made in china sticker there. We don't make anything here anymore, so sad....

There's a reason for that.
.

 

[oneounceload]

Lowes and HD have become nothing more than WalMart with lumber.

ACE or your Local real hardware store (which are non existent in big city) are where to go for REAL hardware and building supplies.

Need soda dish soap and chips or jerky. Lowes or HD got ya.

Really is annoying actually however the throw it away and buy new mentality if the majority of the population spur it on.

I'll disagree. In order for Ace, TV and the local guys to compete, they need to sell the same imported stuff. Don't blame Lowe's or the others, place the blame on those US "name brands" that shifted everything offshore. I can find more US-made stuff in Walmart these days. Try and buy a US-made circular saw. Even the "commercial grade" worm gear, now all made in China. You might as well buy one at harbor Freight and plan on throwing it away after a while; still be $$$ ahead.

 

[Donn]

I believe the Lowes House brand, Kobalt Tools, is manufactured by Williams. I believe Williams is actually owned by the Snap-on Co. and also makes tools for Snap-on's secondary line which is Bluepoint tools. Again, while not carved in stone I believe this to be the case.

Initially yes, Kobalt was made by Williams. However, they were replaced by the lowest bidder, Danaher Tool, ironically, the same outfit that made Craftsman and several other tool brands. Don't know who's running the show since both went off-shore. I read that Stanley bought the Craftsman brand and is supposed to bring manufacturing back here. Haven't seen any evidence of that yet.

 

[chief38]

Initially yes, Kobalt was made by Williams. However, they were replaced by the lowest bidder, Danaher Tool, ironically, the same outfit that made Craftsman and several other tool brands. Don't know who's running the show since both went off-shore. I read that Stanley bought the Craftsman brand and is supposed to bring manufacturing back here. Haven't seen any evidence of that yet.

Donn,
Thank you for the update. Tools and manufacturer's change all the time and it's hard to keep tract of. I was pretty sure Williams did make the Kobalt line - but was unaware they had switched to Danaher. Well now I am up to date - thanks!

I would urge anyone who is looking for a serious quality tool or set of tools to look on ebay. I have bought brand new in box Snap-on tools, hardly used Snap-on tools and vintage Craftsman tools for half of what their list prices are. Jsut last year I bought a Snap-on MG725 Impact gun for just over $130 bucks delivered. This tool normally lists for over $500 I do believe. The tool looks barely used!

Since I am not a Professional Mechanic it should last me the rest of my life.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I have a lot of hand and power tools of all different brands. From what I've seen, Kobalt is way better than the new Craftsman. I would (and did) take Kobalt over new Craftsman every time. I'm sad to see Kobalt leaving Lowe's. I hope I can find someplace that still carries them. I think Lowe's is just chasing a higher profit margin at our expense.

 

[inspcalahan]

I was onboard with Kobalt for a bit. The past few years however, their hand tools seemed to slide down in durability. The latest crescent wrenches, pliers, channel locks, etc seem to be made of pot metal and bend, strip, round out very easily. I'm back to Craftsman again. They aren't back to the quality from many years past but, they seem to be improving. I also got a super deal on floor model Craftsman tool chests yesterday! I went in looking for options with my new gun room remodel and they had exactly what I was looking for size wise at about 50% the price I expected. Happy with that at least.

 

[pharmer]

Lowes and HD have become nothing more than WalMart with lumber. ACE or your Local real hardware store (which are non existent in big city) are where to go for REAL hardware and building supplies.

They opened an Ace about 3 miles east of here. Family business, seems like. In and out, had exactly what I needed. Hope they do well, the location is not the best. Joe

 

[Texas40]

I'll disagree. In order for Ace, TV and the local guys to compete, they need to sell the same imported stuff. Don't blame Lowe's or the others, place the blame on those US "name brands" that shifted everything offshore. I can find more US-made stuff in Walmart these days. Try and buy a US-made circular saw. Even the "commercial grade" worm gear, now all made in China. You might as well buy one at harbor Freight and plan on throwing it away after a while; still be $$$ ahead.

Talking about building supplies ie lumber etc.
I buy my imported cheap **** at walmart harbor frt etc. no need for a lumber store to be in the household supplies like laundry soap. Sell building supplies dam it.


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[Texas40]

They opened an Ace about 3 miles east of here. Family business, seems like. In and out, had exactly what I needed. Hope they do well, the location is not the best. Joe

Fortunately here TX they are holding strong in small towns like the one close to my property.


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[Protocall_Design]

ACE hardware has the best selection of fasteners of anyone local. To find more, we have to order off the internet. Fastenal is pretty good as well.

 

[Rustyt1953]

ACE hardware has the best selection of fasteners of anyone local. To find more, we have to order off the internet. Fastenal is pretty good as well.

I agree. I have both within howitzer range and every nut turner I know frequents them. They are always busy.

 

[kenjen]

remenber not all that long ago that the U.S.A. fought tooth & nail to abolish communism, how we support it with "corporate greed". I find it so dishearting to believe that we can ship the raw product over seas and they can produce it and ship it back here cheaper than we can make it here.