Wright VS SK Combination Wrenches

[Hiball]

I don't have SK combination wrenches, but I love my SK flare nut wrenches.



As for previous QC issues, I bought a set of deep well sockets during their implosion and bankruptcy sometime around 2009. They're great sockets and I've been very happy with them. The only issue I had was out of a (I think 15? piece) set of 6pt sockets I had one 12 pt. Ordered a replacement 6pt to keep the set consistent (I'm a bit OCD here) and I have no complaints. I will deffinilty continue to buy SK products!

You can't go wrong with Sk or wright or really any of the major tool brands, its all about personal preference. I own a 1/4 and 3/8 master set, 3 wrench sets and multiple ratchets and outside of some light stamping in areas, I have noticed No issues in regards to use/getting the job done.

 

[Hiball]

SK is not a company, it belongs to Ideal and it is one of their brands and a division of theirs. And there is no way to spin it.

And yes SK did send **** out their loading docks for a while, that was a result of a poorly ran company.

Like I said Ideal is righting the ship. But sk is no where as popular or has any where the market shear they once had.

As for the second part, their are tools for every budget, and you can expect a fair amount of quality in each grade.

Wow... You completely spun your argument out of control.. Now we are talking about company divisions? Gm? Ford? Geez... And what does budget and quality or grade have to do with our discussion?

Sk hasn't been strong since the days prior to the facom spinoff, mainly due to Sk crapping on there retailers in regards to warranty reimbursement. Ideal will have a tough road ahead of them but yes I agree they are well on there way, a solid retailer would be a start.

 

[shoturtle]

I have been saying the same thing, get what you want. But do not buy base on a reputation of a 80+ year old company.

And the fact still stands, SK is not a company. It belongs to Ideal as a brand. Ideal is the company. Just like Williams is a brand of Snap On.

 

[Hiball]

I have been saying the same thing, get what you want. But do not buy base on a reputation of a 80+ year old company.

And the fact still stands, SK is not a company. It belongs to Ideal as a brand. Ideal is the company. Just like Williams is a brand of Snap On.

Your entitled to your opinion.. I don't get the whole brand assignment argument.. Sk tools have there own factory, only sell under the Sk brand, unlike your above referenced Williams/Snap on where they share forging (not stamping) on certain products.

 

[shoturtle]

No Ideal owns the factory not SK.

 

[Hiball]

No Ideal owns the factory not SK.

Lmao... Your still either missing or ignoring the fact that Yes, while Sk is a subsidiary of Ideal, they only produce the core of Sk hard line For.. That's right SK. The exception to the rule would be screwdrivers and probably anything that shares parts with the Pratt read/western forge which is also a subsidiary's of Ideal.

 

[shoturtle]

It is true, let say there is a major accident at the factory, all the law suites and compensations will be coming for Ideal.

 

[Hiball]

It is true, let say there is a major accident at the factory, all the law suites and compensations will be coming for Ideal.

Nobody is disputing that Sk is a subsidiary of Ideal.. Its the details that are falling off the table.

 

[shoturtle]

At the end of the day who is the owner at "SK" ? Answer Ideal!

Caddy, they are a division and brand of GM.

 

[Hiball]

At the end of the day who is the owner at "SK" ? Answer Ideal!

Caddy, they are a division and brand of GM.

I've agreed about 5 times in this thread alone that Sk is a subsidiary of Ideal....obviously you have issues with that. Me.. Not so much, because the core tools themselves represent what was previously built by SK previous to Ideals acquistion.

 

[shoturtle]

Yeah, and prior to the Ideal acquisition in the nearly going out of business time, they are no where near as good as they were. There were a good amount of poor quality tools with the existing design. There was piss poor QC.

Then Ideal brought them, and reorganized the division and their tools are much better then prior acquisition. But all money that was injected into sk to fix it and the management leadership are all from Ideal. So I disagree with you that sk built the new tools. Ideal built the newer tools to the old standard. Better yet, Ideal made their sk division produce tools to the Ideal standard.

 

[Hiball]

Yeah, and prior to the Ideal acquisition in the nearly going out of business time, they are no where near as good as they were. There were a good amount of poor quality tools with the existing design. There was piss poor QC.

Then Ideal brought them, and reorganized the division and their tools are much better then prior acquisition. But all money that was injected into sk to fix it and the management leadership are all from Ideal. So I disagree with you that sk built the new tools. Ideal built the newer tools to the old standard.

Listen.. It wasn't a issue with the "design" it was Soley a issue with the workforce/management which caused issues throughout the manufacturing process. When ideal bought SK, they didnt change the (core) design from the previous regime...Yes.. They improved the "Product" by increasing QC but that's it (Ive never disputed that) I'm tired off talking, obviously we have different opinions, that's fine.. We've discussed it enough to either irritate the readers or allow them to make there own decision.

 

[shoturtle]

Not really, I just do not believe in that argument that the design is the core of SK, I just believe in giving the credit to the people at deserve the credit for the SK turn around. I give SK no credit. I give all the credit to Ideal for what they did with a broken company. If Ideal did not do what they did, sk would have gone the way of the dodo a and bonney and other out of business tool companies.

 

[shoturtle]

SK fans dont seem to be able to accept any criticism of their tools. And while other try to push a point that is not valid about sk but sounds good to the sk fans, sk fans believe that we should all accept it.

Remember it takes two to tango.

 

[Hiball]

Not really, I just do not believe in that argument that the design is the core of SK, I just believe in giving the credit to the people at deserve the credit for the SK turn around. I give SK no credit. I give all the credit to Ideal for what they did with a broken company. If Ideal did not do what they did, sk would have gone the way of the dodo a and bonney and other out of business tool companies.

Nobody is taking any Credit away from Ideal... How you can justify your arguement of "Design" not being the Core of the SK Heritage is beyond me. Essentially your saying that even though SK had been in business for Over "90 years" <--- Even Ideal uses that heritage line in there Catalog, your basing there entire argument on the last couple years of SK, Talk about what have you done for me lately... There is No doubt in my mind that some mega power would have swooped in and bought SK. Im Glad it was Ideal, They took a chance on a Proven Tool "Design", Built a NEW Manufacturing plant "Solely" for SK and made dedications to keep the tool line Made in the USA. Thats Awesome IMO.... No Qualms with Ideal.

 

[shoturtle]

Members Stephen9666 just wants to tango also

 

[shoturtle]

Nobody is taking any Credit away from Ideal... How you can justify your arguement of "Design" not being the Core of the SK Heritage is beyond me. Essentially your saying that even though SK had been in business for Over "90 years" <--- Even Ideal uses that heritage line in there Catalog, your basing there entire argument on the last couple years of SK, Talk about what have you done for me lately... There is No doubt in my mind that some mega power would have swooped in and bought SK. Im Glad it was Ideal, They took a chance on a Proven Tool "Design", Built a NEW Manufacturing plant "Solely" for SK and made dedications to keep the tool line Made in the USA. Thats Awesome IMO.... No Qualms with Ideal.

Ok if you give Ideal credit, then you need to accept SK is a brand of Ideal. And Ideal runs the show.

And on design it is not really a big issue. The socket has not changed much in over 100 year. The wrench has been pretty much unchanged as well. Others have come out with some sort of flank drive open end in their tool line up.

Ratchet. Other companies have come out with much new designs. Just look at the matco 88 and the snap on dual 80. They are fantastic ratchets. Given the option between the round head SK vs one of those 2, I would not be surprise 2/3 or great would pick the other two brands over the sk.

So the design aspect is more a moot point. That is not something to base the company on.

 

[Hiball]

Ok if you give Ideal credit, they you need to accept SK is a brand of Ideal. And Ideal runs the show.

And on design it is not really a big issue. The socket has not changed much in over 100 year. The wrench has been pretty not change to much as well. Others have come out with some sort of flank drive open end in their tool line up.

Ratchet. Other companies have come out with much new designs. Just look at the matco 88 and the snap on dual 80. They are fantastic ratchets. Given the option between the round head SK vs one of those 2, I would not be surprise 2/3 or great would pick the other two brands over the sk.

So the design aspect is more a moot point. The something to base the company on.

Are you pretending to be Ignorant to me claiming that "Yes I Agree and fully understand that SK is now a subsidiary of IDEAL Ive only stated it a half a dozen times now.

I wouldnt go back a 100 years on the Socket not changing.. Lots of changes in regards to flank drive, or SK's Sure Grip technology.. All the same essentially different brands.

As far as what ratchet a consumer would pick, whether its Brand, Pear head, Round head.. has nothing to do with this discussion... Thats all Personal Preference. Now back to the Design aspect.. How long has SK and Wright been using the current Round head design? Do you think they would have used the same design for 50+ years if it didnt sell or was junk?

Im Not a Fanboy of any particular brand, I own or have owned all of them in one shape or form.. I also have no issues calling a spade a spade, SK under the Frenchy put out some Poor Products that suffered from QC, In particular Round head ratchets that where uniformly stamped, Poor stamping on the Sockets, Over stamping on Wrenches etc... On top of that, there was tons of OLD stock that was sitting around and sold at closeout prices. Id be willing to bet that there still is some Warehouses that are hording Old SK stock and definitely tool dealers.

 

[shoturtle]

The point is you made it seem the design is what made SK, and it is nothing really special. Flank drive was the last major change that Snap on came out with in the socket. But at the end of the day, it is still a round piece of metal where the inside circle is cast a certain way to fit a fastener.

sockets and wrenches have not changed much in that aspect.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

if I was the op I would respond sorry I asked at this point in the thread.

They are just wrenches either set will be fine.

 

[Hiball]

The point is you made it seem the design is what made SK, and it is nothing really special. Flank drive was the last major change that Snap on came out with in the socket. But at the end of the day, it is still a round piece of metal where the inside circle is cast a certain way to fit a fastener.

sockets and wrenches have not changed much in that aspect.

My Point was 80+ years of Trial and Error, Bad Designs along with Good designs that have stood the test of time is what made SK. As a Tool Manufacturer you dont go from Bad to Good overnight, It Used to take Years of Research and Development to fine tune a product. Sure.. In todays market with all the high tech equipment and the Ability to Copy designs and Manufacturing processes its much easier to create a Quality Tool overnight. I wasnt there but i suspect it wasnt that way 80 years ago....

If Design, Nor Heritage is not that important then why is Ideal using there patents? Obviously its just a round piece of metal with a circle cast into it..

 

[shoturtle]

Well once ideal came in, they went form bad to good pretty damed fast. QC went up form where they were. Think they turn it around in less then 2 years.

 

[Hiball]

Well once ideal came in, they went form bad to good pretty damed fast. QC went up form where they were. Think they turn it around in less then 2 years.

Absolutely!!! All New Equipment, New Building, New Workers that cared about the product they where churning out.. But guess what... Same old SK patents, whether its the "Sure Grip" or "SuperKrome" Amazing how that works...

 

[shoturtle]

Really nothing special about the design. SO, Proto, and all the other tool makes have similar designs.

 

[Hiball]

Really nothing special about the design. SO, Proto, and all the other tool makes have similar designs.

Ugh.. Yes, Nobody here is disputing that, Thanks for chiming in though.

LOL..

 

[Hiball]

Continuing to post the same thing over and over doesn't mean you win an argument. Making more posts than another member doesn't make you right. It actually makes me think less of your opinion.

This thread has officially turned into this:

If you really want to get him fired up, Say something bad about Proto.. Watch Out Carpal tunnel syndromes on the Horizon.

 

[shoturtle]

Because someone keeps saying that there is some special about the design.

I go back to my advice to the op, if length is a concern get the williams or proto. And dont waste time on debating what to get. They are longer then the wright.

 

[SMKS]

Because someone keeps saying that there is some special about the design.

You started this whole thing over the whole QC and "SK is a subsidiary of Ideal" argument. Now you're trying to turn it into something else.

I'm done with this thread. I think you should be, too. You've already done enough to make anyone reading this thread discount your opinion.

 

[shoturtle]

tired of dancing?

And no I did not say ideal is a subsidiary of sk.

 

[Exceller8]

I have both and I love both. I only have three WrightGrips and I really want to get a complete set. If I had to choose it would be the WrightGrips but not by much.

 

[bob15]

I deal with buying tools form all brands on an industrial scale at work. And I have seen issues with sk besides the chip chrome. That it was a concern that my company totally drop the sk tool line, and only deal with williams, proto and wright. When you put in massive orders and more then 5% of the tools had issues. It will cost you time on the work site. A .5% fail rate is acceptable a 5% is no where near acceptable in the industrial grade world. Maybe in a consumer grade.

So, the flaking of the chrome off the Williams has never been seen? The spreading of the open end on the Williams Supercombos don't happen? I won't buy Williams wrenches because of these issues....and i haven't had any of these issues with my Snappy, Bonney, Armstrong, Mac or SK chrome wrenches, just the "new" Williams wrenches, not even the old JH Williams Company had these problems.

If chipping of chrome is an issue, why not go with industrial finish or satin? And can you please explain where or the chrome chipping costs time on the work site......I'm not seeing it

To the OP, buy both.......you should always have doubles of wrenches.

 

[dirtydogintex]

To the OP, buy both.......you should always have doubles of wrenches.

or at least a coupla good sized, tuff 'black' adjustable wrenches....

 

[shoturtle]

So, the flaking of the chrome off the Williams has never been seen? The spreading of the open end on the Williams Supercombos don't happen? I won't buy Williams wrenches because of these issues....and i haven't had any of these issues with my Snappy, Bonney, Armstrong, Mac or SK chrome wrenches, just the "new" Williams wrenches, not even the old JH Williams Company had these problems.

If chipping of chrome is an issue, why not go with industrial finish or satin? And can you please explain where or the chrome chipping costs time on the work site......I'm not seeing it

To the OP, buy both.......you should always have doubles of wrenches.

Did I said that they are free of defect. No I dont think I say anything to that extent. I've seen defect on every major brands. But at one point prior to Ideal, SK was way above the normal. I am also one of the few here that said williams and snap on are not exactly the same, which allot like to believe.

I also think the Asian made williams are a bit softer and do spread a bit faster. But having seen guys on the job site put a 5 ft cheater bar on a proto or a williams or a wright. I know that at some point every wrench will spread. I also think flank drive open ends spread a lot less then smooth jars.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

If chipping of chrome is an issue, why not go with industrial finish or satin? And can you please explain where or the chrome chipping costs time on the work site......I'm not seeing it

Foreign Object Damage.

 

[Gotmayhem]

if I was the op I would respond sorry I asked at this point in the thread.

They are just wrenches either set will be fine.

I was just curious because I don't have local dealers for either so I'm buying in the dark. All my local dealers are MAC, Matco, and SO and their prices won't work for me. Maybe I'll just buy some satin Williams...

 

[shoturtle]

The satin finish are nice. I prefer them over high polish chrome.

 

[bob15]

I was just curious because I don't have local dealers for either so I'm buying in the dark. All my local dealers are MAC, Matco, and SO and their prices won't work for me. Maybe I'll just buy some satin Williams...

Who in CT is a dealer for SK or Wright or Williams?

As for the prices of SK, Wright, Mac, Snap On, etc, why buy new? The classifieds on this site, ebay, swap meets, pawn shops are but a few of the places you can find these wrenches at lower than new prices.

Where are you located in CT?

bob

 

[Gotmayhem]

Who in CT is a dealer for SK or Wright or Williams?

As for the prices of SK, Wright, Mac, Snap On, etc, why buy new? The classifieds on this site, ebay, swap meets, pawn shops are but a few of the places you can find these wrenches at lower than new prices.

Where are you located in CT?

bob

I have been looking around pawn shops here and there, nothing of interest yet though. I'm not in a rush, if I have to wait for a deal to show up I will. I'm not aware of any CT dealers other than the Big 3 trucks. I'm located around the Danbury area, western CT.

I was mainly interested in the SK/Wright/Williams because <$150 for a set of 15 or so wrenches was really tempting. I like my Truck Tools but the $400-500 price tags on some of these sets isn't worth it to me. I do appreciate the replies though...I certainly wasn't expecting to see a 5 page thread when I got off from work

 

[Hiball]

Who in CT is a dealer for SK or Wright or Williams?

As for the prices of SK, Wright, Mac, Snap On, etc, why buy new? The classifieds on this site, ebay, swap meets, pawn shops are but a few of the places you can find these wrenches at lower than new prices.

Where are you located in CT?

bob

For the Op... You can find retailers in you Area by utilizing the "find retailers" link on both the Sk and Wright website, With that said Harry epsteins is hard to beat on prices outside of ebay/classifieds.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I was just curious because I don't have local dealers for either so I'm buying in the dark. All my local dealers are MAC, Matco, and SO and their prices won't work for me. Maybe I'll just buy some satin Williams...

its a legitimate question I am just saying the arguing that was going on was not helpful.