Kobalt Power Cross "Twisted" Ratcheting Combination Wrenches (both standard and metric) $1.79 each Lowes clearance

Just marked down at Lowes in Parkersburg, WV, Kobalt Power Cross "Twisted" Ratcheting Combination Wrenches (both standard and metric) dropped to $1.79 each, so this may be a chainwide clearance. For some reason, the 12mm wrenches have been excluded, they remain at $5.98 each. Sizes I saw in those two stores: 10mm to 17mm (except 16mm), and 5/16" to 11/16". Of course this is the newer import stuff, apparently Lowes is discontinuing them, but for $1.79 they should perform well enough for the price.

i saw these today also, but prices were in the $6-$10 range at store i was in (DE)

I looked up these wrenches online and they are $5.98 and the 12mm wrench is available online, also 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 17mm. To bad but no $1.98.

Green for OP, Lowes.com is showing a few sizes for $1.79 at my store.
lordoffire said:   doesn't that seem like a stupid wrench design?

what was wrong with it before?
When you really have to crank on it hard, the thin edge of a wrench is uncomfortable. The twist allows you to to push on the flat, broad side instead. At $1.79 they're a hot deal regardless of twist.

The twisted design in ratcheting is a little dumb. They warn you not to apply to much force to a ratcheting wrench, then they design one for you to be able to apply more force with. Huh?

thc said:   When you really have to crank on it hard, the thin edge of a wrench is uncomfortable. The twist allows you to to push on the flat, broad side instead. At $1.79 they're a hot deal regardless of twist.
I suppose...

dwbdave said:   This wrench design would be good for light duty work on nuts that would be difficult to access with sockets, but I'm sure that they wouldn't hold up to severe torque.
I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in them either. Stick with the good old craftsman models.

Great deal! But this offer is really hit-and-miss. I ordered a set (9 wrenches) from a store. Then I thought about getting another set as a Christmas gift. Tried to go back, 5 minutes later, and the price was back at $6. Oh well, got one set. Thanks OP!

lordoffire said:   thc said:   When you really have to crank on it hard, the thin edge of a wrench is uncomfortable. The twist allows you to to push on the flat, broad side instead. At $1.79 they're a hot deal regardless of twist.
I suppose...

dwbdave said:   This wrench design would be good for light duty work on nuts that would be difficult to access with sockets, but I'm sure that they wouldn't hold up to severe torque.
I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in them either. Stick with the good old craftsman models.

Speak of the devil, I also checked out my nearest Sears and found some of their ratcheting combination wrenches on clearance... most were around the $5 mark, give or take a few bucks. It looks like they are clearing out the last of their USA made stuff, the same way Lowes did last year. Check out the newest Craftsman wrenches and you'll see that they are likely made overseas. These guys might learn the hard way that if all their tools are Harbor Freight quality, everyone might as well go to Harbor Freight to buy them (if you don't have a flea market nearby).

Deal for the 7 standard and 7 metric individuals is still good (& in stock) in Detroit Area.

daddyloveswini said:   lordoffire said:   I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in them either. Stick with the good old craftsman models.

I could be wrong, but my guess is that they are re-badged Gear Wrench products, as GW has this exact same product. I love my GW's, and know they have their limits. I would never put 90 pounds of torque on the boxed end, but the open ends are fair game. I've never needed to return a GW, but I'm sure it's not as easy as returning Craftsman.
In my experience, cranking that hard on an open end is a quick, surefire way to round the fastener.

I've shoved a lot of torque through Gear Wrench brand ratcheting box-ends and never had the ratchet slip or fail. Obviously, YMMV. The only failure I've ever had was the little handle that you flip to reverse ratchet direction, had one of those get stuck and break off when I tried to force it.

robotprom said:   Well, I learned something about Lowes today. Their online inventory does not accurately reflect the store's inventory, so when I went to pick up my order I got everything but one size..

I noticed that, too, Gobs of them left on the racks. I also noticed that the 12mm still scans at $5.98. Odd.

Yup, price and availability are totally random and not accurately reflected by the site. Order online (with Cash Back!) for in-store pickup, then when you go to the store walk over to the wrenches and grab anything there that you couldn't get online. If it's not marked down on the shelf go and scan it anyway.