Kobalt, in collaboration with Team 48, has revamped its mechanics tools line, originally launched in 1998, to cater to both professional mechanics and weekend DIY enthusiasts. This relaunch, available at Lowe’s stores nationwide starting in June, introduces enhanced quality and expands the product range by 344 items. The No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team, including five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, played a crucial role in the redesign process, ensuring the new line meets the rigorous demands of automotive experts and hobbyists alike.
The updated Kobalt mechanics tools boast several key improvements designed for optimal performance and user convenience. Among the notable upgrades are ratchets now featuring a 72-tooth mechanism with a 5-degree arc swing. This enhancement, directly recommended by Team 48, allows for easier operation in confined engine spaces and tight spots under a vehicle. Each socket in the line is laser-etched with its size for quick identification and further distinguished by color-coded bands – red for SAE (Standard) and blue for Metric sizes, simplifying tool selection and organization for any car project, big or small.
Further enhancing usability, the ratchets incorporate a new quick-release function. This feature enables swift socket and accessory changes, boosting efficiency when tackling complex automotive repairs. The entire product line is engineered to exceed industry standards, surpassing the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) specifications by 150 percent. This commitment to superior quality ensures that whether you are performing routine maintenance or undertaking a major overhaul, Kobalt tools from Lowe’s are built to handle the job.
The expanded Kobalt mechanics tools line offers a greater variety of open-stock sockets and mechanics tool sets, providing mechanics with the flexibility to customize their toolkits. The assortment of ratchets, impact sockets, combination wrenches, and ratcheting wrenches has also been broadened to address a wider spectrum of automotive repair needs. For those working with larger machinery, particularly in agricultural and farming sectors, the 3/4 drive product offering has been significantly expanded. All tools feature a full polish chrome finish for corrosion resistance and easy cleaning, maintaining their professional appearance even with regular use. Moreover, the upgraded cases are designed with improved tool retention and increased durability, ensuring your investment remains organized and protected.
David Vaughn, Lowe’s tools merchandising vice president, emphasized the brand’s commitment to its roots: “Kobalt started as a mechanics tools brand, and as we have expanded our offering over the years we saw an opportunity to return to our core to provide our customers with more mechanics tools at a quality that is appreciated by both mechanic professionals and avid automotive DIYers. We leaned on our friends and ultimate car experts over at Team 48 to tell us what we could improve, and we made changes that will help take the Next Generation of Tough Tools(TM) to the next level of quality and greatness. We’re very proud of the new line.”
Ron Malec, car chief of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, attested to the tools’ reliability: “I think it shows how committed Lowe’s is to making Kobalt Tools a brand that everyone associates with quality and reliability. We work on cars that go nearly 200 miles per hour, and sometimes we need to make repairs in a matter of seconds. We need to know that the tool we pick up is going to get the job done. The upgrades to the Kobalt Tools line should make anyone feel comfortable, whether they are working on a highly specialized race car or doing a job around the house.” This endorsement from professional racing mechanics underscores the confidence anyone can have when using Kobalt tools for their automotive needs.
Adding further value, Kobalt mechanics tools come with a Lifetime Hassle-Free Guarantee, covering any damage or breakage to sockets, ratchets, or wrenches. Kobalt also introduces the Sockets for Life program, addressing the common issue of misplaced sockets. Customers who register their socket sets at www.socketsforlife.com or 1-888-3Kobalt after purchase can receive replacement sockets (customer pays shipping and handling) to maintain complete sets.
For those looking to “open up” their car repair capabilities, the new and improved Kobalt Mechanics Tools line at Lowe’s provides a comprehensive, high-quality, and reliable solution. Visit any Lowe’s store nationwide or www.KobaltTools.com to explore the full range and equip yourself with the tools needed to tackle any automotive project with confidence.
