Kobalt double drive... this thing has saved be more than once...

[danman78]

Has anyone else used this... I love it.. it has saved me so much time in those hard to reach areas that sometime require special tools... well worth the $20 I paid for it..!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHIR9N6K8kY

let me know what you think?

 

[94SRUNNER]

Sorry...but this is not 80's Series tech...needs to move to chit-chat or the Tools and Fabrication section.

 

[danman78]

sorry.. a newbie...!! thanks for the warning... do you move it or do i?

 

[94SRUNNER]

I am not a moderator. You will need to contact Romer or nuclearlemon.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I have the original Blackhawk Rotator Ratchet from Proto

Been using it for years and yes, it's worth its weight in gold

I picked up a few of the Kobalt Double Drive ratchets from Lowes as stocking stuffers and although the design is nearly identical (except for the extending handle), the Kobalt version doesn't feel nearly as solid

Still worth the money though

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I usually don't buy the gimmick tools but got one for Christmas. Plan on keeping it in the house tool "junk" drawer so the girlfriend doesn't have to steal my regular tools from the garage.

 

[Joe_E]

That bogus Kobalt R&D lab in the commercials is enough to make me not buy them.
Everybody in the backround is steady double driving and maybe even triple driving various tools. Lol

 

[LINUS]

I like it. I have a motor swapped car that has zero room for some bolts, so once you break them loose, this is better to me than those dang gearwrenches always slipping off when just getting the bolts run in or out.

Commercial is fakey, but this is one I bought - between it and the Griot garage gearless rachet, it handles most everything. The Griot one is a killer rachet too, no teeth so no need to get to "that next tooth" so any travel is progress.

 

[e9999]

i gotta ask: if there is no room to swing a ratchet, how do you tighten to torque with the rotating handle only?

 

[PAToyota]

Really wish that I had one of these a year ago when I was tearing apart my excavator. I seem to recall that Kobalt had a similar tool a number of years ago that was discontinued. The handle didn't extend, though.

I do wish that you could just get the ratchet. I really don't need another set of sockets.

 

[danman78]

e999 - it also works like a regular ratchet in addition to the handle twisting.... but; shouldn't you be using a torque wrench to tighten it anyway...???

 

[Joe_E]

I have the original Blackhawk Rotator Ratchet from Proto



Been using it for years and yes, it's worth its weight in gold

I picked up a few of the Kobalt Double Drive ratchets from Lowes as stocking stuffers and although the design is nearly identical (except for the extending handle), the Kobalt version doesn't feel nearly as solid

Still worth the money though

Does the Blackhawk operate the same way?

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Commercial is fakey, but this is one I bought - between it and the Griot garage gearless rachet, it handles most everything. The Griot one is a killer rachet too, no teeth so no need to get to "that next tooth" so any travel is progress.

Got a link to the gearless ratchet? Looked on the Griot garage site and didn't see it.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Does the Blackhawk operate the same way?

Yes, the Proto version lets you twist both ways to turn the bolt/nut in the same direction, however, it feels much more like a high end tool with a tighter tolerance and better locking knob built into the head than the Kobalt version IMHO.

That being said, the Proto version does not have the extending handle for leverage, so it's give and take

Proto also made a Stanley version that is practically identical and easier to find at big chain stores

Got a link to the gearless ratchet? Looked on the Griot garage site and didn't see it.

Thanks,
Nick

Not sure which one Griots had, but here are the Titan versions I picked up at Northern Tools on sale about 5 years back

They work great in tight spaces

 

[PAToyota]

e999 - it also works like a regular ratchet in addition to the handle twisting.... but; shouldn't you be using a torque wrench to tighten it anyway...???

I think his point was that if the only way to access a bolt is with by using the "handle twist" feature that you'd have a hard time torquing that bolt down.

 

[KLF]

I was in Lowes this morning so I checked out the Kobalt one. They have the "kit" of one handle and a bunch of sockets on sale for $20. I already have too many sockets, if I could buy just the handle I might go for it. But yeah... it felt kinda flimsy, I'd prefer something a little more durable-feeling. Maybe I can find a Proto version on eBay.

 

[Joe_E]

I was in Lowes this morning so I checked out the Kobalt one. They have the "kit" of one handle and a bunch of sockets on sale for $20. I already have too many sockets, if I could buy just the handle I might go for it. But yeah... it felt kinda flimsy, I'd prefer something a little more durable-feeling. Maybe I can find a Proto version on eBay.

yes, i saw them this morning on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380492895834?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

http://www.sears.com/blackhawk-rota...877S4554454001?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

Usual price for the Blackhawk version is about $37-$40 bucks for the 3/8" drive and $28-$32 for the 1/4" drive.

 

[danman78]

I love this tool.... as I stated when starting this thread.... but..... YA... it broke! About 4 days in.. I am going to exchange it, I hope it is just a flaw in the one I got.. but I will definatly put it thru its paces. If it breaks again.. I WILL be looking for a different type - this has been a huge help - I called Lowes and it said they are sold out everywhere. ?? I hope they get them back in before I need to put my intake back together.

 

[jeffsclan]

Is the Blackhawk stuff any good?