SK or Armstrong?

[rockinacummins]

That is not true sk will not warranty anything that was abused!!!! If you try to warranty a chrome socket that looks like it was used on an impact. They have pics on there web sight of what they call abuse. I just mailed stuff in and she made it clear that they won't warranty abused tools. It's not like craftsman were its no questions asked. Keep that in mind if you use chrome on impacts etc.

I stand corrected. I should have stated that I meant legitimate warranty claims - excluding abuse. Gotta keep me in line

 

[rigid1]

I have a bit of everything and everything has its place depending on price and use . If I used them everyday to make a living it may be a different story .
I work in an area that sells tools and I can tell you that Craftsman , gearwrench , armstrong , Allen , and matco are all owned by the same company ( Danaher Tool ) . I have also sold some Wright with good results . If you are looking for a decent tool for a lower cost as far a wrenches and sockets you may look at Jonesway . Very good quality , but not made in the USA . SK speaks for itself very good and has been proven for many years . Warranty is almost the same ( lifetime ) for all of them . One more thing to consider is if your supplier keeps stock in house . Warranty is not enjoyable for the seller . They more than likely do a better job if you have purchased from them . One thing that pisses me off is a guy that buys a cardboard flat of old broken tools from an auction and then comes in and wants warranty on them ! Hope some of this helps .

 

[cliftonbros89]

On hex/allen sockets does any one always go with ball end sockets over the standard straight?

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I have and love both. Armstrong tools both when danaher owned them and apex tool group currently, have quality control issues. ive experienced a lot of this with armstrong, from missing sockets in a said set, to hex bit sockets (impact) having the wrong size laser etched on the socket, but the correct size stamped. off center broaching on box end of wrenches as well as drive on sockets. however, they have ALWAYS politely insisted that i keep the bad tool and wait for a new one in the mail, no questions asked, and, in my eyes makes up for the screw up 2 fold. as you get more and more inot tools and the specific brands you realize none are extremely consistantly great, but rather consitantly good or really good. any USA made brand: proto, sk, armstrong, wright, williams...are great tools in my eyes and love having them. use what you like and what you can afford..and if it helps to drive the US economy in the process, then all the better.

 

[Hiball]

Our warranty policy is largely the same as any of the top quality hand tool manufacturers. Because SK was defunct and lost it's sales and warranty channels before Ideal acquired them, there has been confusion about the warranty. As we re-establish our channels and get completely up to speed, this narrative will go away.

Blah... Don't cave into the crybabies, there is definitely a learning curve that comes with wrenching, but if you run chrome sockets up and down with a impact, cheater bars on 3/8 ratchets versus upsizing/breaker bar you deserve what you get.

 

[hangfirew8]

I work in an area that sells tools and I can tell you that Craftsman , gearwrench , armstrong , Allen , and matco are all owned by the same company ( Danaher Tool )

Not any more.

http://americanmachinist.com/news/danaher-cooper-sell-tool-venture-16-billion

Danaher and Apex/Bain Capital have split up a bunch of these brands between them.

 

[sonvolt]

I have both and my vote goes for SK. Bulletproof design on their rats and sockets are top notch. SK long pattern combo wrenches will definitely get the job done.

 

[dkop1]

Just got the rebuild kit into my sk45170 (diamond logo, so, old) , feels better than a new craftsman. The old internals I had for the ratchet functioned fine, but i ll use the rebuild kit and if I ever retire the ratchet or want to make a display piece, I'll put the original back in. [emoji3]

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[ihateminimumwage]

On hex/allen sockets does any one always go with ball end sockets over the standard straight?

I've only ever used L-Keys with the ball end when it's a weird angle or I just need to spin it out fast. My sockets are all straight standard ends, and for some of the times I've had to put some force into them, I wouldn't want a ball end on them.

Buying some 1/4" drive and long 3/8" hex bit sockets coming up, and so far I'm leaning towards a mix of Williams USA and Williams Taiwan (Blue Point), but still shopping around.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I've only ever used L-Keys with the ball end when it's a weird angle or I just need to spin it out fast. My sockets are all straight standard ends, and for some of the times I've had to put some force into them, I wouldn't want a ball end on them.



Buying some 1/4" drive and long 3/8" hex bit sockets coming up, and so far I'm leaning towards a mix of Williams USA and Williams Taiwan (Blue Point), but still shopping around.

I asked my Snap On guy about the Blue Point set awhile back. He said they're junk. I know he wasn't just telling me that to get me to buy the more expensive Snap On set. He said he's sold a few sets and he's constantly warrantying them. He basically said he refused to sell me a set. He said if I was looking for a set less expensive than Snap On to avoid the Blue Point set and to look elsewhere.

 

[dkop1]

I've got old Allen brand sets from my dad, love them. Can't speak to any other maker's quality though, but I was checking out the SK bit sockets and I'd be curious to see if anybody has any experience with them

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[dkop1]

I've got old Allen brand sets from my dad, love them. Can't speak to any other maker's quality though, but I was checking out the SK bit sockets and I'd be curious to see if anybody has any experience with them

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Sets of L hex keys, I mean. Forgot to clarify


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[cliftonbros89]

I'm more interested in the socket quality than the L keys

 

[defektes]

I have Snap On for my shop box. But I was curious about the SK & Armstrong sets. Anything good or bad

I do not own Armstrong bit sockets, but I have both SK metric and SAE sets, I use them frequently to disassemble axial pumps, and mixers that are submerged in water. I have broken some but they are about as good as snap on. My sets have roll pins for the larger sizes and the smaller ones are pressed. IIRC SK has improved the design recently. I'd see no reason not to go SK.

I do abuse them however.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I do not own Armstrong bit sockets, but I have both SK metric and SAE sets, I use them frequently to disassemble axial pumps, and mixers that are submerged in water. I have broken some but they are about as good as snap on. My sets have roll pins for the larger sizes and the smaller ones are pressed. IIRC SK has improved the design recently. I'd see no reason not to go SK.



I do abuse them however.

Good to hear of some one who's used them. I'm really looking in to an SK set. I'm hoping they'd be good. I know I'm bound to bust one at some point. I just want a good set that I could really depend on

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

I've got old Allen brand sets from my dad, love them. Can't speak to any other maker's quality though, but I was checking out the SK bit sockets and I'd be curious to see if anybody has any experience with them

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I have the SK in 3/8 and 1/2 drive, select sizes. My 1/2 ones use roll pin and there is no play between the socket and the hex like some proto hex bit sockets. I have the half inch drives in 3/8, 1/2, 9/16, and 5/8...chrome hand sockets. I also have an Armstrong 3/8 Dr impact set that I drive w an impact driver. They hold up well and what I ike is they use the same sized sockets for the whole set.