New SK Socket Set Chrome Peeling. Normal Use?

[ReJam]

Hey Folks,

I've been reading up on tools and what not and I keep coming back to this forum. I'm beginning to work on my car myself (already replaced the rotors and calipers) and I decided I needed a good set of sockets and a ratchet set when my starter died. I ordered a metric SK Hand Tools socket set from Toolbarn.com. Literally... the first bolt I went at with a 12mm socket from SK and what do I see when I switch the sockets for the next task? The side of the socket I just used has a missing piece of chrome. I know it wasn't there already because I was really trying to take in the pieces since it's my first real set of what I consider (or was led to believe) quality tools. I used a few more sockets to get the job done and lo and behold a few more of them had some chips. So a few questions...

Is this normal or should the chrome stand up to wear and tear? I've read on these and other forums that people have sets of tools they used for 50 years and they still hold their chrome. And I've also been reading about how SK is getting pickier and pickier about their lifetime warranty and, as a new home-mechanic, I'm not sure what "normal use" and what a defect due to "workmanship" constitutes.

So I guess what I am asking is:

1. How long should I be expecting my chrome on my shiny new tools to stay intact? I feel like I should be handling them more delicately but then I'm saying to myself... wait these are made for serious jobs.

2. What is "normal use" of a tool? I the outside of a socket comes into contact with a piece of metal under my hood should I expect the chrome to chip off immediately or should I expect it stand up to a decent amount of abuse?

3. Does it really matter if I'm not working in a shop and these tools are just for home use? I put some serious pressure on these sockets and the ratchet and as far as that goes I have to say I'm really impressed. I kept thinking I was going to break them but they stood up to a lot of intense pressure.

Anything else you might want to add, I appreciate. And I apologize if I'm repeating things that I might have found somewhere else in the forum. A lot of those posts about SK tools are years old and I want some current info about the quality of the brand now.

Thanks folks!

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Pictures would be a helpful resource if you can get them. It is not acceptable for chrome to be peeling on new sockets, send them back to sk. I have Taiwanese sockets from the early 90's that the chrome has not peeled, it is unacceptable for new USA sockets to have peeling chrome.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Please post a picture. Sometimes these things can be very subjective.

1. For an occasional DIY user, I would fully expect the chrome of a quality tool to last a lifetime. Not eternally shiny, but protecting the metal--and your fingers.
2. That is normal use in my opinion. These are tools, not Ferraris. They're going to get dropped, banged, and rubbed against metal. This should not cause quality chrome to flake off. Maybe if you're hammering on it...
3. Not working in a shop should cause "professional" tools to last at least one or two lifetimes.

 

[ReJam]

Pictures would be a helpful resource if you can get them. It is not acceptable for chrome to be peeling on new sockets, send them back to sk. I have Taiwanese sockets from the early 90's that the chrome has not peeled, it is unacceptable for new USA sockets to have peeling chrome.

Do you have any experience with SK tools? Or what is your preference?

 

[ReJam]

Please post a picture. Sometimes these things can be very subjective.

1. For an occasional DIY user, I would fully expect the chrome of a quality tool to last a lifetime. Not eternally shiny, but protecting the metal--and your fingers.
2. That is normal use in my opinion. These are tools, not Ferraris. They're going to get dropped, banged, and rubbed against metal. This should not cause quality chrome to flake off. Maybe if you're hammering on it...
3. Not working in a shop should cause "professional" tools to last at least one or two lifetimes.

Do you consider SK a quality tool? It seems that besides personal preference everyone has different experiences of quality with SK. But then again some of those posts are years old, as I said.

 

[Sanny81]

Post pics. It seems every month this topic gets posted regarding SK. Some are legit complaints. If people can see exactly what you mean it will help this topic not get dismissed as trolling.

 

[Hiball]

Chrome peel isn't normal regardless of the brand, Now do I have sockets that are missing some chrome, absolutely... It's normally oddball sized stuff I've picked up 2nd hand. IF you have a New set, and chrome is peeling, doesn't show signs of being used on a impact, it's a defect, End of discussion. Simply Call SK and get it taken care of, Regardless of what you read abroad the Internet, ALL brands will shed some skin on occasion. The majority of the SK discussions has been pertinent to the corrosion method (paint) on the interior of sockets, whether it was too much, not applied evenly, some on the outside or not enough/any.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Beating dead horse… post pictures. I have a few SK sockets sets (bought fairly recently) and none of the chrome is peeling. The sockets are painted silver inside (over the chrome plating), so that "wear" might be what you're seeing… unless its on the outside.

Either way, SK has a great warranty and will replace with no issues. Many happy SK users on the forum, just search.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Chrome peel isn't normal regardless of the brand, Now do I have sockets that are missing some chrome, absolutely... It's normally oddball sized stuff I've picked up 2nd hand. IF you have a New set, and chrome is peeling, doesn't show signs of being used on a impact, it's a defect, End of discussion. Simply Call SK and get it taken care of, Regardless of what you read abroad the Internet, ALL brands will shed some skin on occasion. The majority of the SK discussions has been pertinent to the corrosion method (paint) on the interior of sockets, whether it was too much, not applied evenly, some on the outside or not enough/any.

Agreed, use them long enough and any brand will show signs of wear… our SOs have almost no chrome left inside, but their 20+ years old. That or their just dirty

 

[ReJam]

Post pics. It seems every month this topic gets posted regarding SK. Some are legit complaints. If people can see exactly what you mean it will help this topic not get dismissed as trolling.

Here is a picture of the 12mm socket.

Top center of the socket.

 

[T45]

that's no bueno

 

[T45]

If tha is one socket, just get it replaced

if you have 2-3 sockets do that out of the box, I'd be much more concerned. Every brand will have statistical errors in manufacturing. That is why warranty exists. To operate wit zero defects is more costly than replacing a couple problem units that make it to the public.

Multiple errors shows a somewhat different problem. Like a bad lot/batch, and is the reason some companies use serial numbers to trace production lots.

It really is a waste of good steel and good forgings to cut corners on chrome.

But environmental regulations toughened around '07, and the financial crisis in '08-'09, and SK had all kinds of problems in this time with corporate drama/M&A. And in those tough times you can't really rule anything out so who knows.

Hopefully buying SK doesn't mean rolling the dice, and this is an isolated single socket type issue. I've seen peeling chrome on new stuff before from other highe end brands, so the existence of a defect is nt really the problem.

Again, its how widespread is the problem and if you get a new one are you really confident it will stand up to the test of time?

 

[ReJam]

Hopefully buying SK doesn't mean rolling the dice, and this is an isolated single socket type issue. I've seen peeling chrome on new stuff before from other highe end brands, so the existence of a defect is nt really the problem.

Again, its how widespread is the problem and if you get a new one are you really confident it will stand up to the test of time?

Honestly, that is what I'm worried about. I don't want to keep having to pay shipping and handling if this starts to happen more and more. Would you suggest doing more projects and seeing how many of the sockets end up chipping and then sending in the back or just send in the entire kit and ask them to check them all for defects? I've never done this before so any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[1950mercury]

I just bought 4 sk sets and 3 of the four had a defective tool....waiting to hear back from sk to get a prepaid shipping envelope sent to me...the worst one was a 1/4 inch ext. That is to big on the male end to fit in any sockets...I've been dealing with this issue for over 2 weeks between hje and sk and still haven't got a final answer. I guess I'll have to make a 5th phone call monday, since I haven't heard back from my email on monday

 

[bob15]

Honestly, that is what I'm worried about. I don't want to keep having to pay shipping and handling if this starts to happen more and more. Would you suggest doing more projects and seeing how many of the sockets end up chipping and then sending in the back or just send in the entire kit and ask them to check them all for defects? I've never done this before so any suggestions are appreciated!

Have you called SK about the socket? Have you e-mailed them and offered them a picture of the issued socket?

I would have done both first before posting all your questions on a internet forum. Speculating that it will cost you money to ship the socket(s) back for replacement without contacting them first makes zero sense.

 

[augustus]

I've contacted sk a few times, and they've been very easy to deal with, I'd be surprised if they even want the old socket, I'll bet they'll ship a new one pronto. I have a few sk sets, all older and used, and I have only come across one socket with bad, peeling chrome.let's hope this is just a rare bad socket you got.

 

[ReJam]

Have you called SK about the socket? Have you e-mailed them and offered them a picture of the issued socket?

I would have done both first before posting all your questions on a internet forum. Speculating that it will cost you money to ship the socket(s) back for replacement without contacting them first makes zero sense.

Read a few posts about how difficult their customer service can be. Also it was like 11 PM at night so I figured I'd just give a shout out here and see where it led me. Thanks for sharing your process though.

 

[ReJam]

I've contacted sk a few times, and they've been very easy to deal with, I'd be surprised if they even want the old socket, I'll bet they'll ship a new one pronto. I have a few sk sets, all older and used, and I have only come across one socket with bad, peeling chrome.let's hope this is just a rare bad socket you got.

Yeah upon further inspection and cleaning the other sockets I used I realized that it wasn't as many as I thought. But the one pictured above did chip and another one has a manufacturing defect.

How did you contact them? E-mail or phone? Looks like others have had trouble getting in touch.

I do however have a set of Wright combination wrenches that just look stunning. You can clearly see the difference just by looking at them. I think I would like to get a ratchet set from Wright Tools someday.

 

[Fedwrench]

No, that's not normal wear from use. the bad spot doesn't look like it's that close to the edge where it could rub through. It might have been like a blister where for some reason the chrome didn't stick to that spot and when you used the socket, it popped. I would call and email SK customer service. They'll probably just send you a replacement socket.

Let us know how the issue is resolved.

 

[bob15]

http://www.skhandtool.com/support.aspx

 

[radrush]

Here is a picture of the 12mm socket.

that's no bueno

That's defects of material and workmanship right there.

The only way to teach these people a lesson is send the whole lot back.

 

[ReJam]

I'm gonna get in touch with them and see what the deal is. I really appreciate all your feedback, folks.

Thanks for the support link, Bob.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

That's defects of material and workmanship right there.

The only way to teach these people a lesson is send the whole lot back.

I don't know if I'd go that far… might get another bad one for the good ones he already has. I would just warranty the bad ones, which hopefully is only a couple. I've been told they just send you another tool under warranty at no charge and rarely ever want the old one back.

 

[SK Eric]

Call S·K Customer Service at (800) 822-5575. We'll take care of you.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Call S·K Customer Service at (800) 822-5575. We'll take care of you.

SK Eric speaks the truth. Nicest support in the industry.