SK compared to the big 3's 2nd tier tools?
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well have about 50-60 new sockets, and the chrome on the outside is fine, and I understand the paint idea, however none of my older s-k sockets had it, and still look fine, the paint is not the problem, its the inconsistency's, some have paint, some do not, some half painted, some with just splatters, that is what I do not like, had about 3 out of my last purchase with broching tear out issues, need to send them back. paint or no paint, I do not care, just be constant with what ever you choose....S.K needs to step up QC there.
all my new SK wrenches I am very pleased with, and chrome is as good as older SK stuff,
this is said in hopes that SK corrects these issues,and would be good for one of the few USA brands we have left,
there still overall great sockets, for the most part, no excuses to send out sockets with above issues, even HF sockets lack these issues.
have to agree to disagree there, my older S_dask_K do not have broach tear out issues or half hearted paint inside them...
no paint at all inside my older S-K sockets, and yes the chrome not as thick inside,yet there is no rust at all inside of them, with 20 or so years use on the gulf coast.
time will tell with the new ones.
still say QC needs to step up.
1950mercury
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I agree I just bought 6 different sets 4 were old stock all perfect 2 set are new and 3 items had defects and where sent back
Why bother? There are so many other great tool makers out there. SK's manufacturing defects are well documented here. How does SK compare? Some GJ owners love love LOVE it. Others have complained bitterly. Flaking chrome, paint, blah blah blah, nobody is complaining about their Williams sockets. Even the Taiwan sockets seem to have better QA. I think Koken is similarly priced. I'd like to try them. We used to have a neutral trade relationship with Germany. How about Stahlwille? Not sure where they are on pricing, but their boxes and handles are also green.
The difference is in price. SK offers very nice 49 piece sets of 3/8" with mm/sae deep and shallow, extensions, swivel and ratchet for much less than Williams 29 piece set of just metric with ratchet, swivel, extensions and breaker bar. Plus they're made in the USA. They're very appealing and a perfect beginner set. Today was the first time I heard anything about the broach failing. Other than the chrome, they are still very well made sockets with a legendary ratchet design.
bmwpowere36m3
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I recently ordered two full sets (1/4" & 3/8") not a single issue... other than a little "sloppy" paint application around the top rim of the socket and out the drive end.
I don't know if I'd call the paint application a manufacturing defect....? Maybe, for those that spend more time looking at their tools than using them.... Granted it could be done more carefully, but as its probably hand painted with a brush, it'd be easy to get a little run here and there. Also given any usage and the paint will wear off anyway (exposing the chrome).
Chrome shouldn't peel, flake or blister... so that's a separate matter.
I don't understand people's obsession with some of this stuff... they're tools and meant to be used. Our 20+ yr Snap-On set sure doesn't look pretty anymore, but still works great. Basically no chrome left where its broached... more dirt, oil, rust.
From my limited use of SK sockets at home, I'm impressed and happy. SO would likely cost near $1k for a standard/deep set in SAE and METRIC. SK set cost me $150 (all the same sizes, plus 2 extensions and a crappy ratchet
I don't know if I'd call the paint application a manufacturing defect....? Maybe, for those that spend more time looking at their tools than using them.... Granted it could be done more carefully, but as its probably hand painted with a brush, it'd be easy to get a little run here and there. Also given any usage and the paint will wear off anyway (exposing the chrome).
Chrome shouldn't peel, flake or blister... so that's a separate matter.
I don't understand people's obsession with some of this stuff... they're tools and meant to be used. Our 20+ yr Snap-On set sure doesn't look pretty anymore, but still works great. Basically no chrome left where its broached... more dirt, oil, rust.
From my limited use of SK sockets at home, I'm impressed and happy. SO would likely cost near $1k for a standard/deep set in SAE and METRIC. SK set cost me $150 (all the same sizes, plus 2 extensions and a crappy ratchet
Mainly because Williams USA does not have the 1/4" drive socket set in the range of sizes that I need in 12pt... and also price. I am also considering Proto.
I have used and owned multiple brands of tools made in China and Taiwan, when I was in China. Now that I am in the US, I would like to try to support brands that are made locally, if possible...
As for 3/8" drive, I might consider Williams or Proto.
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I know this is an older post, but what is an upgraded SK ratchet? I'm unaware of SK offering anything other than the round head ratchet they always have.
I recently ordered two full sets (1/4" & 3/8") not a single issue... other than a little "sloppy" paint application around the top rim of the socket and out the drive end.
I don't know if I'd call the paint application a manufacturing defect....? Maybe, for those that spend more time looking at their tools than using them.... Granted it could be done more carefully, but as its probably hand painted with a brush, it'd be easy to get a little run here and there. Also given any usage and the paint will wear off anyway (exposing the chrome).
Chrome shouldn't peel, flake or blister... so that's a separate matter.
I don't understand people's obsession with some of this stuff... they're tools and meant to be used. Our 20+ yr Snap-On set sure doesn't look pretty anymore, but still works great. Basically no chrome left where its broached... more dirt, oil, rust.
From my limited use of SK sockets at home, I'm impressed and happy. SO would likely cost near $1k for a standard/deep set in SAE and METRIC. SK set cost me $150 (all the same sizes, plus 2 extensions and a crappy ratchet
My only concern is that I don't wanna get something that looks 2nd hand, when I'm paying brand new for it.
bmwpowere36m3
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They don't look second hand... but if looks are your primary concern, then I don't know what to say. Their good US made tools.
Exactly. A 20 year old Snap On set should look beat up and worn out. A brand new set should look, well, brand new. My analogy I used last time - I go to car dealer to buy brand new work truck. Dealer brings truck around and the paint is faded and chipping. I still pay top dollar, but since its a work truck and its going to get beat up anyways, that makes it ok??
"But that's different" they'll say, but its not.
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Looks are not my primary concern, quality and warranty are what I'm more worried about. After reading through the forum, especially in the SK day thread, it made me think that maybe their tools are not of good quality.
But I guess it was more a specific time period. Perhaps they were trying to make up for the demand. I'll take your word for it then. Thanks for your input.
All of SK's tools are excellent quality. Don't worry about that. There warranty service is very good also. I have sent in a few items and they replaced every one no questions asked. I posted a picture above that shows the blemish in the chrome. It was only on a few sockets in a set of 49. I then bought some individual wrenches and larger sockets, none of which had any problems with the chrome.
I've used older sk stuff. But i can say the new blue point stuff is all Taiwan. It is about on par with gearwrench sockets while the ratchets are just course toothed which i don't like especially in 1/4 drive. I would say go sk all the way and upgrade the ratchets. They are fine but i find them quite thick headed and short handled compared to my favorite gearwrench 84 and 120xp ratchets.
bmwpowere36m3
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Exactly. A 20 year old Snap On set should look beat up and worn out. A brand new set should look, well, brand new. My analogy I used last time - I go to car dealer to buy brand new work truck. Dealer brings truck around and the paint is faded and chipping. I still pay top dollar, but since its a work truck and its going to get beat up anyways, that makes it ok??
If we're talking chipped, flaking, blistered chrome... that's one thing and I agree a defect. However, some splotchy paint in the broached/drive area is another. Personally I can live with the paint, that'll wear with time or can be scrubbed off where it goes over to the outside/visible portion of the socket.
As to the other poster, "top dollar"? You want top dollar, then get Snap-On or similar and spend 8x as much... for what i spent on two new sets of SKs I'm very pleased. Snap-On isn't perfect either... "missing USA stamp, striations in broachng, crooked blades, over priced, etc..." nature of this forum dedicated to "tools". More people complain than praise usually on internet/forums.
so one is to assume I only obsess about my tools and not use them because I have an issue with inconsistent finish of new sk sockets????
again lets blame the customer? pretty short sighted and lacking critical thinking skills.
you have no idea how much I use my tools, or anyone else here. have YOU ran a car down the dragstrip in the last week?
and yet again I will say and make this clear. SK needs to step up there game with QC on sockets.....
again lets blame the customer? pretty short sighted and lacking critical thinking skills.
you have no idea how much I use my tools, or anyone else here. have YOU ran a car down the dragstrip in the last week?
and yet again I will say and make this clear. SK needs to step up there game with QC on sockets.....
buckwheat_la
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Going to chime in here but to be perfectly clear, I don't have a dog in this fight. For the ******** guys who are defending sk on things like weak chrome and sloppy paint. So what makes this socket better than off shore brands then? I mean you don't see a thread on here bastardizing Gearwrench. I just got a whole bunch of new Gearwrench stuff and went through it with a fine tooth comb, beautiful stamping, nice chrome, nothing bad to report at all. I guess what I am saying is that at what point do all those small negatives add up for you?
espyking83
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I wouldnt say they're top tier. I'd put them right under Proto in terms of overall quality.
After I bought my 3/8" SK set I wanted a 1/4" set. Instead of being disappointed again, I went with the 51 piece GW set with 120xp. I said same thing when I got it. Great chrome, nice stampings, I was/am very pleased. There are threads bastardizing gw, as there are every other brand. I'm not sure I'd trust larger gw sockets and I don't like their open ended wrenches, but SK's I do. Both companies have their benefits. I can't speak for everyone, but myself and some others I've seen, buy SK to help support our fellow American brothers & sisters and a small American company that has been around for almost 100 years. Just remember, we already lost craftsman to China and now everyone complains. But no one cared at the time when they were buying the cheaper Husky tools from HD over the USA Cman. Now people are paying 3x the price online just to get the USA Cman stuff.
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buckwheat_la
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I hear what you are saying but keep in mind I am Canadian. Only branded tool made here is Gray
espyking83
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Gray makes quality tools for sure.
buckwheat_la
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I bought both. The Gray would have cost me 10x what the GW did but I got a killer deal on a tool company close out so it was only about 3x. I bought the GW because the deal was great and $350 for metric and SAE deep and shallow sockets in 1/4, 3/8' 1/2 in cases with 120xp ratchets.
ttpete
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I think it boils down to the fact that there are tool collectors and there are tool users. I'm one of the latter, and when I retired, I brought my tools and boxes home from work. Most of the tools and boxes have over 30 years of use on them, and are far from pristine. Cosmetics mean nothing to me as long as a tool is functional.
bmwpowere36m3
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Look at the picture. It's not paint or chipped chrome. It's a thin inconsistent coating. It's hard to see in picture, but it looks like a piece of plastic after it gets bent and it turns white.
How many sockets are like that? Why not just warranty them? Unless I missed something, they'll send out replacements without issue.
bmwpowere36m3
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I can see the "poor" paint job from here, but if that's all.... then I think you're doing okay.
taken from New Tool Thread:
taken from New Tool Thread:
My first SK socket purchase and I'm real impressed with the quality. I've been using craftsman for years but was unable to get a 1-5/16" 6 point socket from them. While I was at it got my a bearing greaser. Not sure how good it will work but figured since I was rebuilding my trucks front end it would be a good time to try it.
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I did warranty them. I exchanged the entire set. Both extensions and a few sockets were blemished in the first one. They sent me a new set and this one was better, but there were still a couple.
Its not paint. I don't know why people keep saying that to me. If it were paint I would have wiped it off and not cared.
I use the sockets all the time and they work great no matter what they look like. I'm tired off talking about it and consider this matter closed.
Again this is complete rubbish, I have SK sockets that are at least 30 years old and are clearly in much better shape than all the rest rust wise, pisses me off guys like you trying to say shoddy workmanships is just because I collect tools and don't use them, your thinking is dead wrong sir.
You have no idea who works on what here.
And flaws are flaws.
Its just that simple.
Its not a defect with me as a person or anyone else, its the socket, I must ask you why are you defending shoddy workmanship , making incorrect assumptions about others? And what is you modavation for doing so?
This kind of thinking will run SK into the ground.
Fix a few QC issues SK, its just that simple.
I do love my SK tools , and want the company to excell.
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I have 30 year old tools and about 60 brand new SK socket's and that is what I am comparing.
So know your not talking to me????
And the 30 year old sockets lead me to a new SK perchase, after looking at how all I owned faired over that time in salty air I live in, even the protos looked bad, and yep they used silver paint...
out of all of them SK looked best.
I shall overlook you misguided personal attacks.
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