Kobalt 24 volt tools

Has anyone here bought/tried any of the new Lowe's Kobalt 24 volt tools? They don't look/feel too
bad in the hands at the store. I read some of the reviews and the early presentations to PM
magazine and other tool critics. They sound good. Anybody got something first hand to add.

Wow! Guess they're not an item yet as opposed to the other brands!

Hello Phil9N3667,

No first hand experience on 24volts. Some on 18 and 20 volts though. I would be looking for the amp hour rating more then the voltage. Bosh has a 24 Volts @4ah. drill kit. That would be a good choice if you want tbe 24volts,

Guido.

No first hand with 24 kobalt.

A friend bought a dewalt tool that used higher voltage battery, not sure of the voltage. It wasn't a popular and common battery. Now, the replacement battery is over $150. He said there wasn't really that big of difference in the bigger battery, except it weighed more. Now he's debating should he repair the reciprocating saw and buy two expensive batteries or just buying new tools that use a popular size battery that has been used for years. It would cost him less to just buy new everything.

I've been with 18v dewalt tools for 20 years. They still sell the same battery. I have about every 18v dewalt cordless tool. My favorite is the grease gun and shop radio that is also a charger and will work 18v battery too.

Any tool is only as good as it's battery. I love dewalt tools, but hate dewalt batteries.

If I were younger, I would consider buying Rigid from Home depot. BIL bought some and claims HD guarantees them for life, including the battery.

My advice is consider buying a tool with a life time battery with the largest amp-hour rating. I would also look at how many tools are available that uses the same battery.

BTW, all batteries don't like the cold. I need to move the batteries in my truck to the cab where they can warm up when driving and I can charge them too. Having a 12v charger in truck is handy too if you have to make repairs away form shop.

geo.

I am like Geo and well set up with 18V Dewalt. I have no issues with them including batteries thus no reason to check out anything else, sorry. However the other Kobalt tools I have used are upper end homeowner quality, far above the low end but certainly not professional grade. I would guess that the battery operated tools would be in the same catagory.

The problem with store brand tools is that they tend to buy from the cheapest supplier, so you can't count on new tools you buy two years down the road being compatible with the batteries you have now, or that you will be able to get replacement batteries that fit two years down the road.

Sears has been doing that for decades. Every couple of years they come out with a new design for the battery. All your old, perfectly good, tools become garbage because you can't get batteries.

That's why I like the Ryobi stuff from Home Depot. Their battery design hasn't changed in 15 years, and they've added Lithium technology so the packs don't discharge just sitting there, last longer in use, and provide more power.

I got the Kobalt 24 Volt 1/2, 3/8 impacts, impact driver and 1/2 drill. They have to be a knock off of Milwaukee. The Milwaukee batteries will slide in, but of coarse the contacts are different. The 3/8 and 1/2 impacts work great. The drill will twist your arm off. I ran a 3/4" reamer in steel with no problems other than hanging onto the drill. Batteries live a long time. I use these tools as mechanic with no regrets. The handle for the drill is the same as a Milwaukee. With the 5/3 year warranties how can you go wrong? I'm very please with my purchase. I think the 1/2 impact is a little overrated but other than that I'm pleased.