SK Tool 3/8" LP90 Ratchet... Horrible?

[PartsGuy27]

I just sent an email to HJE where I purchased my ratchet to see if I can either have mine repaired or replaced.

I purchased this ratchet from HJE about 5 months ago and haven't really used it until recently.

It's absolutely horrendous. The teeth jam and don't let the unit ratchet. The selector switch moves back and forth while you're trying to use the ratchet. It's unusable.

This is my first SK tool after being a lifetime Snap-On user. I'm hoping I just got a bad one. Even my crappy harbor freight ratchet feels 100x better.

Anyone else have these problems?

 

[jrbpit1]

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I have been wanting to order one of those for sometime. I have one of the flex head SK's and I love it. It has been my go-to for the last 3 years.

I'm not a pro, just a weekend warrior, but I've been slowly upgrading my stuff to SK over the last few years. So far I've been really happy with their stuff.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Why didn't you contact SK?

 

[tym]

Why didn't you contact SK?

+1. They have great customer service and are even on the forum. I'm sure they'll take care of the OP's ratchet, if that's what he wants.

 

[finn]

It’s easier to complain to a bunch of anonymous people on the web than to take control of the situation and contact the manufacturer.

 

[Fedwrench]

After five months, I'm thinking Epstein's would be out of the picture and you need to contact SK customer service at 1-800-822-5575 or fill out the online form linked below.
https://sktools.com/content/sktools/en_US/contact.html

It sounds like you got a bad one. There have been a few issues reported here but, overall people seem happy with them. Goos luck!!

 

[WittHay]

Totally disagree with these comments. SK sold the ratchet to HJE. The dealer should be responsible for warranty.

I was considering buying some SK tools either from HJE or the Canadian distributer G2S Equipment

I would like to know how the OP gets his ratchet warrantied and the procedures involved.

 

[PartsGuy27]

The reason I contacted HJE was because that is who I purchased it from.

I know if I were a supplier and I had a customer with an issue, I would rather hear it from the customer rather than the supplier.

If HJE instructs me to contact SK Tools then I will gladly do so.

This is not me whining on the internet to random strangers as finn plainly put it. I am genuinely curious to see if others have had a similar experience. Note I did not ask for help or advice on how to go about warrantying my ratchet.

 

[ken w.]

I would just mail it back to SK. I sent a ratchet to them because of chrome peel and got a new ratchet in a week and a half. I put in my note that I was not in a hurry for it and that the could re-chrome my ratchet. That's pretty good service.

 

[Wamsutta]

This is my first SK tool after being a lifetime Snap-On user.

That's your problem right there; you got spoiled on snap-on.

 

[vssjim]

I have two of them and they are great I would just put in the mail to SK and they will send you a brand new one right away as they ship same day when sent in to them. They have good customer service as far as i'm concerned.

 

[PartsGuy27]

That's your problem right there; you got spoiled on snap-on.

I'm not giving up on SK Tools yet. I understand that every manufacturer has issues. Hopefully I get the ratchet replaced or rebuilt.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm not giving up on SK Tools yet. I understand that every manufacturer has issues. Hopefully I get the ratchet replaced or rebuilt.

But the lever is still going to jump around on the replacement when it ratchets; it's in the design; snap-on don't do that.

 

[PartsGuy27]

But the lever is still going to jump around on the replacement when it ratchets; it's in the design; snap-on don't do that.

But hopefully it won't jump over to the other direction!

I'm not asking for perfection but if it was as good as my GearWrench ratchets I won't complain.

 

[Wamsutta]

But hopefully it won't jump over to the other direction!

I'm not asking for perfection but if it was as good as my GearWrench ratchets I won't complain.

Yes, hopefully it won't jump over to the other direction.

 

[Jimithing616]

But hopefully it won't jump over to the other direction!

I'm not asking for perfection but if it was as good as my GearWrench ratchets I won't complain.

I would hope for the price and all the hoopla SK seems to receive on GJ it would be way nicer than gearwrench and maybe even in line with SO.... at least MAC lol

This is interesting and a bit worrying to hear as I was also considering purchasing this very same ratchet.... I really want to like SK, I have some SK tools of my dads, who died when I was little, and so I assume he liked them (he was a chevy & Porsche mechanic) and a lot of his SAE wrenches were SK

Anyway, I have been researching what tool brand to start buying into, want to go US made, and after hearing all the good things on GJ I was going to go mainly SK and maybe some Proto with a few bits of Snap On when I could find used deals....

I will watch this thread to find out how they fix the issue, I can't comment on where OP should get warranty from but I'm interested to find out for my own knowledge.

Btw, love GJ and owe u guys a lot for all the good info/recommendations so far

 

[PartsGuy27]

I would hope for the price and all the hoopla SK seems to receive on GJ it would be way nicer than gearwrench and maybe even in line with SO.... at least MAC lol

This is interesting and a bit worrying to hear as I was also considering purchasing this very same ratchet.... I really want to like SK, I have some SK tools of my dads, who died when I was little, and so I assume he liked them (he was a chevy & Porsche mechanic) and a lot of his SAE wrenches were SK

Anyway, I have been researching what tool brand to start buying into, want to go US made, and after hearing all the good things on GJ I was going to go mainly SK and maybe some Proto with a few bits of Snap On when I could find used deals....

I will watch this thread to find out how they fix the issue, I can't comment on where OP should get warranty from but I'm interested to find out for my own knowledge.

Btw, love GJ and owe u guys a lot for all the good info/recommendations so far

I find myself in a similar situation to you. I also wanted to like SK Tools and when I found out they came out with a teardrop style ratchet I figured i'd give it a shot.

I realize all companies make mistakes.

How they handle it will make all the difference to me.

 

[American Locomotive]

They've apparently had some issues with the early-run 90T ratchets - especially the ones with the green selectors. Most of them are perfect and work fine, but a few of them had some issues you described. As far as I'm aware, the early production problems have been sorted out. I ordered another 90T as a present for someone recently, and it was flawless.

I would hope for the price and all the hoopla SK seems to receive on GJ it would be way nicer than gearwrench and maybe even in line with SO.... at least MAC lol

The ratchet is nicer than my friend's Snap-On Dual 80 3/8.

 

[tym]

I would hope for the price and all the hoopla SK seems to receive on GJ it would be way nicer than gearwrench and maybe even in line with SO.... at least MAC lol

This is interesting and a bit worrying to hear as I was also considering purchasing this very same ratchet.... I really want to like SK, I have some SK tools of my dads, who died when I was little, and so I assume he liked them (he was a chevy & Porsche mechanic) and a lot of his SAE wrenches were SK

Anyway, I have been researching what tool brand to start buying into, want to go US made, and after hearing all the good things on GJ I was going to go mainly SK and maybe some Proto with a few bits of Snap On when I could find used deals....

I will watch this thread to find out how they fix the issue, I can't comment on where OP should get warranty from but I'm interested to find out for my own knowledge.

Btw, love GJ and owe u guys a lot for all the good info/recommendations so far

N=1 is a very small sample.

 

[crf450x]

I got one of the early ones and it was junk. It locked up every time I tried to use it. Sometimes I even had to bang the head on the floor to get it to free up. Sent it back and the replacement has been flawless. I prefer it over an f80.

 

[PartsGuy27]

They've apparently had some issues with the early-run 90T ratchets - especially the ones with the green selectors. Most of them are perfect and work fine, but a few of them had some issues you described. As far as I'm aware, the early production problems have been sorted out. I ordered another 90T as a present for someone recently, and it was flawless.

The ratchet is nicer than my friend's Snap-On Dual 80 3/8.

I got one of the early ones and it was junk. It locked up every time I tried to use it. Sometimes I even had to bang the head on the floor to get it to free up. Sent it back and the replacement has been flawless. I prefer it over an f80.

Glad to see it's a well-documented issue. I should have no problem getting mine replaced then.

 

[MaverickDMD]

I agree - the new SK 3/8 ratchet has been excellent and the very few on here that have had growing pain-type issues have had them solved quickly through SK itself - myself included. Nothing was left up to the varying opinions of a sponsored dealer's mood that day or what he felt was the issue at hand. SK made it right at the source. People ought to stop defending Snap On's very often abusive tactics, and that type of relationship should be abandoned and replaced with a healthier one of a well-intentioned company's like SK.

 

[Nigelhirst]

I had HJE send one to the UK specially - it's a very expensive way of buying tools, especially with import duties etc.
I too was disappointed to find it was seized up right out of the bag - wouldn't turn right or left. The (green) selector switch just moved and the head was stuck.
Sending it back wasn't really feasible - whilst SK's warranty is no doubt good, it costs $33 just to post it back.
So I followed Garnett Tools video. Stripped it (looked fine, well oiled) and relubed it with Boelube. Seems to be OK now, but it begs the question are these are tested at all before leaving the factory.....
Incidentally I've just bought a Stahlwille 435 QRN and those are amazing....

 

[Fly YX]

DI know the one that I had I was going to return but I ended up taking it apart instead. Whatever oil they used in it was really sticky I cleaned it all out and used Super Lube. That did the trick. I know it's a brand new ratchet and you shouldn't have to do that. All the dealings I've had with SK have been great so far. Wish I could say the same thing with a lot of other companies.

 

[dutchgray]

I had HJE send one to the UK specially - it's a very expensive way of buying tools, especially with import duties etc.
I too was disappointed to find it was seized up right out of the bag - wouldn't turn right or left. The (green) selector switch just moved and the head was stuck.
Sending it back wasn't really feasible - whilst SK's warranty is no doubt good, it costs $33 just to post it back.
So I followed Garnett Tools video. Stripped it (looked fine, well oiled) and relubed it with Boelube. Seems to be OK now, but it begs the question are these are tested at all before leaving the factory.....
Incidentally I've just bought a Stahlwille 435 QRN and those are amazing....

I got mine the same way, from HJE, but its been absolutely perfect, there must have been something a little variable in the manufacturing that made some just not work.
Cant go wrong with Stahlwille ratchets, very nice to use.

 

[north]

I had HJE send one to the UK specially - it's a very expensive way of buying tools, especially with import duties etc.
I too was disappointed to find it was seized up right out of the bag - wouldn't turn right or left. The (green) selector switch just moved and the head was stuck.
Sending it back wasn't really feasible - whilst SK's warranty is no doubt good, it costs $33 just to post it back.
*snip*

I received a lockable flex-handle Armstrong ratchet with a broken selector lever for the flex joint, from HJE some years ago. There was no question of sending it back. They simply sent me a new ratchet since Armstrong didn't carry the selector lever as a spare part.

 

[Empty Pockets]

SK customer service is as good as any. I have one of the 90 tooth ratchets, and it has been flawless. OP will have no problems getting warranty exchange either through HJE or SK

 

[Ruahrc]

Kind of a dumb question but did SK stop putting the green selector switch on the LP ratchet? What was the reason I thought it looked neat with the green switch... a little distinctive

 

[SuperXero]

Yeah, no more green selector. Now it's an unfinished gray selector.

 

[yjWrangler]

Kind of a dumb question but did SK stop putting the green selector switch on the LP ratchet? What was the reason I thought it looked neat with the green switch... a little distinctive

Straight from their Facebook page

 

[MWEric]

Mine locked up also. So I swapped the spring from an Armstrong88t, and it worked perfectly after that. Wonderful machining inside by the way. A large boss is machined into the housing to center the “gear” of the ratchet.

 

[Wamsutta]

Seems to be OK now, but it begs the question are these are tested at all before leaving the factory.....

I have the same question. Makes me wonder how long it would take to pop a socket on the ratchet and test it. When I check mine at home, it only takes me a few seconds.

 

[Nigelhirst]

Straight from their Facebook page

So...the green-switched ones are now collectable/more valuable?

 

[Nigelhirst]

I have the same question. Makes me wonder how long it would take to pop a socket on the ratchet and test it. When I check mine at home, it only takes me a few seconds.

When I pick up a ratchet, my first instinct is to hold the drive in between my fingers and ratchet it....
Is this just my fetish??

 

[bimmer630]

I just got one as a Christmas gift from my wife. It doesnt have the green selector switch and it seems to work just fine. Nice ratchet

 

[tonyciambrone]

Oops you broke GJ's number one rule: never criticize SK.

Next time just say it was your HF ratchet and there will be 8 pages of HF flaming

 

[isuhunter]

I just sent an email to HJE where I purchased my ratchet to see if I can either have mine repaired or replaced.

I purchased this ratchet from HJE about 5 months ago and haven't really used it until recently.

It's absolutely horrendous. The teeth jam and don't let the unit ratchet. The selector switch moves back and forth while you're trying to use the ratchet. It's unusable.

This is my first SK tool after being a lifetime Snap-On user. I'm hoping I just got a bad one. Even my crappy harbor freight ratchet feels 100x better.

Anyone else have these problems?

Mine did the same thing and i'm a DIY er. I couldn't believe a 50$ ratchet would do this. To my surprise HJE and SK sent me a new ratchet right away and this new one is flawless! My favorite. So excited to hear there may be coming with a 1/4 & 1/2 version too.

 

[M_George]

Reading this, mine works great, but their not getting it back even if it does fail, I'll fix it myself since it has the green selector.

 

[jakemac]

Mine locked up when I first got it last summer. I took it apart, cleaned the parts with acetone to de-grease, and relubed it with a LIGHT synthetic oil. Works like a champ now.

 

[M_George]

I had a similar problem with the 80 tooth upgrade. It seems like the springs they are using are not strong enough.