Are Kobalt Tools made by Snap-On?
Lowes now (as of earlier this year) is selling a line of Mechanics Tools called Kobalt which is made by Snap-On. They are good tools. Home Depot's Husky brand is made by Stanley Mechanics Tools, a division of the Stanley Works.
History. Lowe's and manufacturing partner J.H. Williams launched Kobalt in 1998, with the intention of competing against rival retailers Sears and The Home Depot and their respective Craftsman and Husky tool brands. In 2003, the Danaher Corporation began producing the majority of Kobalt hand tools.
There have been lawsuits between the two companies, and Harbor Freight often “compares” their tools to Snap-on's higher-priced offerings in marketing language. Unless anyone can come form with concrete information, it's safe to say that NO, Harbor Freight does NOT own Snap-on Tools.
Is Kobalt a Good Brand? Yes, we would say that Kobalt is definitely a good tool brand. No, it's not the best in the world, but absolutely above average. If you want a decent selection of tools that come in at great prices, and you don't plan on being too rough with them, it's a perfect brand to consider.
Kobalt power tools are made by Chervon, one of the 10 largest OEMs of power tools in the world. Chervon has been in business since 1993.
So, contrary to earlier widespread reports, Lowes is in fact abandoning Kobalt hand tools for Craftsman. Now, I have boxes full of generations of REAL Craftsman tools, but I stopped even looking at them after Stanley Black & Decker bought the brand because they further cheapened their design.
Snap-on Inc. operates plants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Elizabethton, Tennessee, and Elkmont, Alabama. Pneumatic and cordless tools are manufactured under the "Ingersoll Rand" name in Murphy, North Carolina.
Overall Winner: Kobalt
Yes, Craftsman is more widely available, but Kobalt offers excellent quality, which is most evident in their tool kit line. Kobalt also offers a better lifetime warranty, because it's available for most of their products rather than just hand tools.
Kobalt Miter saws and accessories have been produced in Taiwan since 2020 by the business Rexon Industrial Corporation, while other power tools are manufactured in China. Many of Kobalt's hand tools, on the other hand, are still built in the United States by various Lowe's suppliers.
According to BizTimes, back in 2016, Snap-On sued Harbor Freight for selling the Daytona FJ3000 alleging that Harbor Freight copied a patented design of their popular floor jack. Snap-On sought an injunction from a California Court to stop the sales of the alleged copied design.
Is Snap-On Made in China?
Snap-on - MADE IN CHINA? - YouTube
Blue Point is a lower-end tool brand of Snap-On. They are made with the Snap-On specifications but different finish. Though Snap-On owns Blue Point, manufactures are contracted to make Blue Point tools.

Kobalt Tools. This brand is a more recent one compared to Husky, as it was incorporated in 1998 by Lowe's American home improvement chain. This line grew significantly in 2011, and they also manufacture a full range of li-ion battery-powered tools as well as their popular hand tools.
Ridgid holds the advantage on paper with 1300 in-lbs to Kobalt's 1200 in-lbs. Both are impressive numbers, even against premium professional brands. Despite the difference on paper, Kobalt's average of 10.83 seconds was enough to beat Ridgid (11.42 seconds) by a little more than half a second.
Kobalt hand tools are good tools for the money, and I've certainly seen professionals use them. I know for a fact that professional construction workers will recommend Kobalt to their apprentices, and they don't do that for just any brand.
Kobalt Tools - A lifetime hasslefree guarantee. That's the promise with Kobalt's hand tools🔧.
Yes, Craftsman and DeWalt are Owned by Stanley Black & Decker. Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) turned heads when it bought Craftsman Tools in 2017 after Sears closed 235 stores in 2015. The company owns many brands, however.
Please see store or call 1-888-3KOBALT for details. You should never have a problem with your Kobalt tools. However, if you do, return the item to the place of purchase for a free replacement. No questions asked.
File a Kobalt Lifetime Warranty Claim Over the Phone
If you want to handle your Kobalt warranty claim via phone, you can call Lowe's at 1-888-775-6937. Their working hours are 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. (ET), 7 days a week.
One year 100% risk-free money-back guarantee. Tool and receipt required.
Is Lowes getting rid of Craftsman?
Lowe's plans to begin selling Craftsman tools next year, the home improvement retailer said Tuesday, marking a significant departure of the brand from its Sears home base.
The tools are made by various OEMs including Stanley Black & Decker, Western Forge and Apex Tool Group. Who owns DeWalt tools brand? DeWALT is owned and made by Stanley Black & Decker.
Snap-On tools are expensive because they're made of high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Most of their tools are made in the USA, which adds significantly to the labor costs. Moreover, they offer a lifetime warranty on most of their tools with free repairs and replacements.
16 pc GearWrench® Metric Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set | KDT9416 | Snap-on Store.
- Milwaukee. Established in Wisconsin in 1924, Milwaukee has been owned by many different companies, but the quality has remained consistent. ...
- Makita. ...
- DeWalt. ...
- Festool. ...
- Bosch Tools. ...
- Hilti. ...
- Ridgid.
DeWalt, Craftsman, Stanley Black & Decker
Most are familiar with the DeWalt, Craftsman, Stanley, Black + Decker, Bostitch, Irwin, Porter-Cable, Mac Tools, Proto, and Lenox brands—to name just a handful.
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Husky (tools)
Product type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Owner | The Home Depot |
Country | United States |
Introduced | 1924 |
Snap-on Industrial Brands, historically the J.H. Williams Tool Group, is a division of American hand tool manufacturer Snap-on that makes and distributes tools to industrial markets. In addition to the Williams brand from which it originated, the group includes Bahco and CDI Torque Products.
Most Blue Point Tools are manufactured in the United States. Blue Point Tools do not have the Snap-On brand on them, but they are second in quality from Snap-On.
Who owns the majority of Snap-On Tools?
After 90 years of outstanding brand-building, Snap-On has decided to sell cheap Chinese wares. If you have visited your local Costco, you will find a $19 Snap-On flashlight and multi-wrench tool set. The set looks to be an excellent value with 3 pieces for only $19 retail. In addition, the set bears the Snap-On name.
In 2013, Snap-on engaged a third-party, VIS, LLC, to help it design the new jacks. The jacks that Snap-on eventually developed are known are the FJ200 2-ton jack and the FJ300 3-ton jack.
CRAFTSMAN TOOLS? Select CRAFTSMAN power tools, hand tools, lawn and garden equipment, and storage are being made with pride in the USA with global materials–and it's here to stay.
real steel.
By making them from a steel alloy that's become the gold standard, that's how. This special blend of steel allows for a higher heat treat than average steel - meaning each tool gets a specified hardness for the right toughness and strength you need in each application.
Mac Tools manufactured tools are produced in various Stanley Black & Decker facilities around the world. Mac Tools USA hardline tools are manufactured in their partner plant of Proto Dallas. Their primary distribution center is located in Hilliard, Ohio, United States.
Snap-on Inc. operates plants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Elizabethton, Tennessee, and Elkmont, Alabama. Pneumatic and cordless tools are manufactured under the "Ingersoll Rand" name in Murphy, North Carolina.
You should never have a problem with your Kobalt product, however, this product is warranted for the original purchaser to be free from defects in material and workmanship.
...
Husky (tools)
Product type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Owner | The Home Depot |
Country | United States |
Introduced | 1924 |
Snap-on Industrial Brands, historically the J.H. Williams Tool Group, is a division of American hand tool manufacturer Snap-on that makes and distributes tools to industrial markets. In addition to the Williams brand from which it originated, the group includes Bahco and CDI Torque Products.