SK vs Proto combination wrench set help me decide

[imom]

Hi I'm thinking of buying either SK long combination wrench set or Proto. I have some of the ratchet box wrench Taiwan SK, but no SK nor Proto combination wrenches to compare. If they are both the chrome finish, is Proto better or both the same quality? Appreciate if you comment and help me decide. I'm not concerned about warranty for the moment, only interested in the fit, function and reliability of it.


BTW, for all the people say search...I did last night and didn't come up with anything to help me decide one brand over the other.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mooman]

Yes, the search function is not the best.
I'd go with Proto. I have a set that I bought from a member here that i really like.
If you can still find one of the made in USA Craftsman set, you can't go wrong there for alot less cash.

 

[lipadj46]

I would say proto just due to the situation with SK at the moment. If you want a suggestion maybe look at wright, they are matte chrome with polished ends and edges but they are some really nice wrenches.

 

[cheap bastard]

I'll say Proto because they have been very good tools for me for 30 years. i really don't know about the warranty because I have never needed to use it. No broken anything. I rebuilt one ratchet years ago, but that was due to my neglect, not quality.

 

[steelespeed]

i am in a similar situation and still undecided on any brand. here's why:

proto. available in both satin and full polish, tend to be a bit more money than craftsman or sk. they are very nice, but i have seen some where the box end isn't close to the supposed 15 degree angle offset. similar problem can be seen on raised panel craftsman wrenches.

craftsman pro (usa). nice for the money, but almost every larger size i have seen is terribly warped along the length of the beam. lay one flat on the table and you'll see what i mean. does it make the wrench unusable? no, but it looks like ****.

sk. nice chrome and quality, but i can't seem to find a full set of the long length in metric. the standard pattern is a bit short (i think the same length as the raised panel craftsman). kinda hoping to see what sk ends up doing with them once they are back up and running.

wright is nice, i don't mind their "longer than standard, shorter than long patter" length like many others do. they are also available either full polish or satin. wright is slow in getting metric items to market. the wright grip has been available for a long time on the SAE versions, but still no metric. plus, the box end angle seems very, very shallow to me, has to be between 5 and 10 degrees. could be limiting in certain situations.

 

[imom]

I got the proto J1200RM-T500 set. I wanted SK long wrench, but seems to be discounted...so Proto was easier choice since I could get warranty through Grainger and I know it's brand new. The SK set I thought of getting through harry epstein got sold out. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[truc-ker]

Yall would be better off with the proto in the long run.

 

[Rickster]

I like the slightly thicker beam of the Proto's over the newer SK. Also, I've got a used set of Long Snap-on's in SAE available if anyones interested.

 

[Fedwrench]

Go with Proto. I don't care for SK wrenches as they are wide in the hips to me. The area around the boxed end seems thick and fat.
Have you considered Wright? Armstrong? Used truck brand?

 

[wreckercologist]

In liked the set of SK's I used to have but they did seem a little fat on the box end. Proto's are great too.

 

[dirtrider]

I personally like Proto a lot my grandpa has a ton of old Proto tools that were used when he worked on jet engines in the Air National Guard, he said they used mostly a combination of Snap On and Proto although a lot of it was second hand or tools with minor blemishes on them, he still has them and they work great, I don't know if Proto tools are quite as top notch as Snap On or not but the Government seems to use them in many different fields, So I would go Proto over SK but thats just my opinion.

 

[imom]

Thanks guys... I'll find out soon enough when my amazon order gets delivered. I didn't want Snap On as it's too costly for non pro. I was tempted with Nepros, but think the Proto should last me and I don't wrench everyday. I just didn't want cheap stuff like craftsman

 

[kams1973]

Most definately go w/ Proto if SK and Proto are your options. The box end on the Proto set I have have a nice thin profile.

 

[littlekillertoad]

If it's between sk and proto, I'd go proto.

 

[mrholeshot]

I didn't want Snap On as it's too costly for non pro. I was tempted with Nepros, but think the Proto should last me and I don't wrench everyday. I just didn't want cheap stuff like craftsman

Proto is every bit as good for the pro as a Snap-On. Despite all the hype lots of cars are repaired in professional shops everyday without a single Snap-On tool. I'm a Fan of Snap-On but will tell you flat out that they arn't the only game in town. A wrench only loosens and tightens bolts. You are the superstar in the game.

 

[Fedwrench]

Proto is every bit as good for the pro as a Snap-On. Despite all the hype lots of cars are repaired in professional shops everyday without a single Snap-On tool. I'm a Fan of Snap-On but will tell you flat out that they arn't the only game in town. A wrench only loosens and tightens bolts. You are the superstar in the game.

This is true. I'm doing an experiment with one of my service carts at work. I removed all of my Snap on tools and replaced them with everything from SK, Gearwrench, Proto, Armstrong, Knipex, Wera, and Mayhew. It's a non truck brand tool cart project. I just wanted to see if I could go a year without using tool truck tools and see how online sourced tools held up. No problems yet except for missing my Matco proswing wrenches.

 

[lbgradwell]

It's a non truck brand tool cart project. I just wanted to see if I could go a year without using tool truck tools and see how online sourced tools held up.

Interesting experiment...

I will be very surprised if you find your abilities compromised in any way. Likewise as to the durability of the tools...

 

[mrholeshot]

This is true. I'm doing an experiment with one of my service carts at work. I removed all of my Snap on tools and replaced them with everything from SK, Gearwrench, Proto, Armstrong, Knipex, Wera, and Mayhew. It's a non truck brand tool cart project. I just wanted to see if I could go a year without using tool truck tools and see how online sourced tools held up. No problems yet except for missing my Matco proswing wrenches.

I would go as far as to say you could fill the cart with all Non USA tools and not encounter any problems.

 

[littletoes]

I've broken a few wrenches over the years, some even surprised me.

Craftsman, Armstrong, Williams, Wright.....and I would have to say the two I've used the most are Proto and Snap-On and I haven't broken any from these two brands.

The broken stuff was usually the 1 1/16" box end or 15/16" box end. Two of the most common sizes for flanges. When the boss finally bought some proto wrenches, I stopped breaking them. Just couldn't.....

 

[chevy302dz]

If you were asking about sockets I'd say go with SK but for combo wrenches PROTO not that the SK's are bad just that the PROTO's are a more refinied wrench.

 

[cruiser808]

My Proto 500's have served me well for over twenty-five years.

 

[cherrybomb]

Good Morning! I decided to do my own little test of some combo wrench tests,I purchased Wright,Proto and Williams.Excellent value,features and I liked all three brands.They were all made in the U.S.A.It was easy to find a distributor,and just hard to wait for the brown truck.You will be happy no matter what choice of brand you choose.Spend your money on quality products and take pride in the ownership.

 

[cherrybomb]

Good Morning! I decided to do my own little test of some combo wrench tests,I purchased Wright,Proto and Williams.Excellent value,features and I liked all three brands.They were all made in the U.S.A.It was easy to find a distributor,and just hard to wait for the brown truck.You will be happy no matter what choice of brand you choose.Spend your money on quality products and take pride in the ownership.

 

[mrjaw14]

Wow, resurrected a 7 year old thread with your first post. Genius

 

[cherrybomb]

Thanks for the compliment on a nicely wrote post I did,mrjaw14

 

[Infinia]

Wow, .. Genius

sheesh, give the man a break!
If he started a brand new thread you'd harp on em for not searching threads before post. BTW the info isn't time sensitive and does NOT have a use by date code. LOL
I cherish my S-K long pattern combo set of 13. "wide in the hips" never been an issue but makes them look extra strong where they need it.

 

[T45]

BTW the info isn't time sensitive and does NOT have a use by date code.

ugh...

maybe read the thread titles

"help me decide...." thread from 2010

 

[Infinia]

ugh...maybe read the thread titles

Really read thread titles? Forum thread titles almost NEVER encapsulate ALL the information in the threads, ideas evolve. That IS the whole purpose of Puplic forums otherwise we'd all just PM you for your insights. LOL Besides that, it's not a big stretch that other folks benefit from OP question/s.
I maybe new around here, but I can spot a bully whose comments rarely add useful content to a thread discussion! edit to T45, as usual you've missed the point and arrived to cherry pick statements and nitpick them to death. Ask yourself are you defending a bully or adding useful content?

 

[chopper1]

Really read thread titles? Forum thread titles almost NEVER encapsulate ALL the information in the threads, ideas evolve. That IS the whole purpose of Puplic forums otherwise we'd all just PM you for your insights. LOL Besides that, it's not a big stretch that other folks benefit from OP question/s.
I maybe new around here, but I can spot a bully whose comments rarely add useful content to a thread discussion! edit to T45, as usual you've missed the point and arrived to cherry pick statements and nitpick them to death. Ask yourself are you defending a bully or adding useful content?

 

[ecotec]

Wright.

 

[SignalZero]

sheesh, give the man a break!
If he started a brand new thread you'd harp on em for not searching threads before post. BTW the info isn't time sensitive and does NOT have a use by date code. LOL
I cherish my S-K long pattern combo set of 13. "wide in the hips" never been an issue but makes them look extra strong where they need it.

^This.
I found this thread last week when I was deciding on some wrenches to replace my C-man raised panels. I was mainly looking at Proto anti-slips, so this thread popped up in my searches.

I picked up this SAE set off eBay. The 1/4" is missing, but they were never used and look brand new. Im very happy with the deal.

 

[doogdoog]

Aloha,
When I made 14 years old, my dad bought me a starter set of a Proto socket set. It was well made but in the later years, one of my long extensions lost the ball that holds the socket. It had a lifetime warranty so I took it in to exchange it for a new one. I think at that time, Proto was bought out by Stanley (not Sure) and the replacement did not look like my original. The replacement was 1/2" in diameter and my original Proto was 3/8" in diameter. This tells me that the metal that used for the replacement was not as good as the original Proto. I will try to post a picture of both extensions so you all can see the difference. The one on the left should be the original Proto and the one on the right is the replacement. Oops, the second picture was accidentally added in. LOL.

Mahalo,
doogdoog

 

[tweedlestan]

Aloha,
When I made 14 years old, my dad bought me a starter set of a Proto socket set. It was well made but in the later years, one of my long extensions lost the ball that holds the socket. It had a lifetime warranty so I took it in to exchange it for a new one. I think at that time, Proto was bought out by Stanley (not Sure) and the replacement did not look like my original. The replacement was 1/2" in diameter and my original Proto was 3/8" in diameter. This tells me that the metal that used for the replacement was not as good as the original Proto. I will try to post a picture of both extensions so you all can see the difference. The one on the left should be the original Proto and the one on the right is the replacement. Oops, the second picture was accidentally added in. LOL.

Mahalo,
doogdoog

Prime rib?

 

[doogdoog]

Yep, this was my lunch.

 

[anndel]

I love my Snap Ons, 35 years and still going strong.

 

[PJNJ]

Aloha,
When I made 14 years old, my dad bought me a starter set of a Proto socket set. It was well made but in the later years, one of my long extensions lost the ball that holds the socket. It had a lifetime warranty so I took it in to exchange it for a new one. I think at that time, Proto was bought out by Stanley (not Sure) and the replacement did not look like my original. The replacement was 1/2" in diameter and my original Proto was 3/8" in diameter. This tells me that the metal that used for the replacement was not as good as the original Proto. I will try to post a picture of both extensions so you all can see the difference. The one on the left should be the original Proto and the one on the right is the replacement. Oops, the second picture was accidentally added in. LOL.

Mahalo,
doogdoog

The thickness of the extension doesn't tell you or I anything about the quality of the steel used to make the original or replacement extension. It is just conjecture on your part without testing.

 

[T45]

The thickness of the extension doesn't tell you or I anything about the quality of the steel used to make the original or replacement extension. It is just conjecture on your part without testing.

meh. usually it does.

even high quality brands have dumbed down some features in the past 30 years.

sometimes the purpose of engineering improvements is cost cutting...

a/k/a/ profit max

 

[Wamsutta]

I actually like Proto wrenches but can't stand SK wrenches. Easy decision if it were me.

 

[JoJoSnap]

my craftsman industrial black oxide set the best!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Infinia]

Stanley Proto sure looks bright-n-shiny. I'm used to old school Proto E.g. satin finish on the shanks and polished heads, I wouldn't throw either of em out of the box. As soon as you hold on to a S-K long pattern the decision is over in that instant. IMO you can tell a lot about a tool when you pick it up, sadly the internet cant help you there.
bids ending today http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-15-Pi...777598e&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=252897038754