Black finnish Husky tools, how does the finnish hold up?

[chad s]

I have a set of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" black Husky sockets, and a few ratchets, and they seem pretty nice for the price. I owned all craftsman in the past, and didnt care for their ratchets untill the new slimline series came out, which I like a lot. I plan on slowly replacing most of my hand tools with snap on as I can afford to buy them used off ebay, and have aquired a 1/4" and 3/8" ratcher, and love them.

Anyway, I saw a large set of the black husky tools at home depot, and liked the feel of the ratchets, and I liked the black finnish with high contrast etched markings on the sockets. My dads friend is a Matco truck guy, and he sells the exact same 3/8 drive racthet (or so it feels and appears) with a matco logo on it for $90.

Anyway, my question is, what is this black coating? It doesnt seem like powder coat, as I think it would chip too easily. Will it hold up over years of use?

[kartracer55]

Powder Coat is very resistent to chipping, but I dont think that is what the coating is.

They consider it "black Chrome" and to be honest, it is pretty damn cool looking, but I dont know anybody who has a full set of these.

Also, are you thinking of a MAC dealer? Stanley makes husky and MAC tools. And yes, the husky micro toughs use the same guts as the MAc tools. Compared them side by side.

Jim

[chad s]

Im gonna see tomorrow if the black surface is conductive. I doubt that it is. I dont think its an actual plating. i dont know of any metal that is shiny black. There is a "black chrome" that chrome shops do, but its sort of a silver with a black tint to it.

The guy is definately a Matco truck. The ratchet was identical to the Husky.

[kartracer55]

You must be mistaken, StanleyWorks Owns the Mac, Proto and Blackhawk lines and manufactures Husky tools.

Matco is a Danaher company. Danaher and Stanley are two LARGE competitors

Jim

[chad s]

You must be mistaken, StanleyWorks Owns the Mac, Proto and Blackhawk lines and manufactures Husky tools.

Matco is a Danaher company. Danaher and Stanley are two LARGE competitors

Jim
I know it sounds crazy, but next time I see him, I'll see if I can take a picture of this ratchet.

[eschoendorff]

I know it sounds crazy, but next time I see him, I'll see if I can take a picture of this ratchet.
Please do... I would be interested to see this ratchet too.

[wantedabiggergarage]

I am thinking your talking about the "Microtough" ratchets. Sold under multiple names, Husky being one of the cheaper, for exactly the same ratchet.

A former mechanic we had at the shop, had "black chrome" Jesse James tools, It started flaking off and scuffing really quickly. Looked as good as someones new car, with a black interior, if they threw in a dead, muddy pig.