New sk socket seems.. different.

[Cgw1984]

Hey all, im a bit obsessive about completeness, so ive been piecing my sets together to finish em. Ive been buying williams usa sockets, but for what i cant find im using sk. Im working on 1/4" drive stuff currently. My williams set (snap on as well) didnt have 4.5mm, and williams didnt have 15mm deep. So i bought sk. The 4.5s seem normal (very nice, actually), but the 15mm deep came today, and it seems.. different. First, the inside isnt chromed, which is no big deal, and i know is common for sk. The second thing i note is that the socket doesnt have the hole drilled through like all my other sockets. Silly question, im sure, but will this be an issue at all? I know it wont fit on my hansen trays :/

 

[PureLeaf]

Are you buying your SK stuff direct from their website? Could be sockets from one of the many previous iterations of SK.

 

[Cgw1984]

Are you buying your SK stuff direct from their website? Could be sockets from one of the many previous iterations of SK.

It came from zoro. Im not really "up" on sk, i just know they are quality (im replacing some well used cman stuff, i ise snap on and proto at work) so im not sure the age, etc of the socket. Im irritatednit wont fit on the peg, but its not a deal breaker, im just curious if this is normal or a problem at all! And yes, probably a stupid question, im sorry, im just trying to learn is all.

 

[1982fxr]

They currently paint the inside with silver anti corrosion paint. Is that what it's got?

Do current stock photos show quarter inch drive with holes? Could be a factory error...

 

[ChevyEFI]

A 15mm nut will be on a stud too big to go through the 1/4" drive opening anyway.

 

[Skin]

On 1/4" drive occasionally there is some flash left in the broach. You can knock it out with a punch if it bothers you that much.

 

[Cgw1984]

They currently paint the inside with silver anti corrosion paint. Is that what it's got?

Do current stock photos show quarter inch drive with holes? Could be a factory error...

Ya its got the paint, thats not a huge deal i spose, just odd! The much smaller sks i have received do have the holes, but they could very well be a different run.

 

[Cgw1984]

A 15mm nut will be on a stud too big to go through the 1/4" drive opening anyway.

Yes. By far. But i use the socket pegs. Its a storage issue (and yes, a small, nitpicky **** one!)

 

[ChevyEFI]

Make the hole bigger or the peg smaller.
I went decades with SK sockets without thinking of such ****.

 

[Cgw1984]

Make the hole bigger or the peg smaller.
I went decades with SK sockets without thinking of such ****.

Good for you. There is no hole. If your tool box is a disorganized mess, or you use another form of organization it may not be an issue for you. Use what works for you, but a snarky ******** internet post helps nothing.

 

[VolvoRyan]

That's odd. My 4.5mm does indeed have the hole in it. A slightly larger hole now. I had to use it as a drill guide for a broken exhaust manifold stud a week ago.

SK can be a little quirky, but their customer service has proven excellent. Worth pinging them.

-Ryan

 

[TuxThePenguin]

buy other brand sockets. There is no reason to have to work around poor manufacturing from SK when other brands don't have the same problems. Maybe request a refund if it's an option and then buy Wright or something instead. I think the people who suggest using a punch, or stick up for the fact that SK doesn't chrome the inside [properly in that it's known to not fully cover the inside], are exhibiting the sunk cost fallacy, where they feel they've put too much money into SK stuff to stop buying SK stuff. Buy another brand and you will never need to even think about having to use a punch to fix your sockets.

(I know this will piss some people off, but I'm not trolling)

 

[1982fxr]

Aren't the SK chromed under the paint? How can they not be?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Aren't the SK chromed under the paint? How can they not be?

Yeah, brake cleaner will take it off. Theres chrome underneath.

Pics of the OPs socket?

 

[Wrench97]

Good for you. There is no hole. If your tool box is a disorganized mess, or you use another form of organization it may not be an issue for you. Use what works for you, but a snarky ******** internet post helps nothing.

Are you referring to the hole for a detent ball on the ratchet to lock on to or?

 

[thugline]

This isn't a new issue. There are many instances of SK quality problems, you may be able to dig up some old threads. A lot of people take offense to any criticism of their favorite tool brand on this forum. Proto, Williams, Gear wrench, and even Tekton do not have the same quality issues on their sockets like SK does. I really wanted to like SK and continue supporting a US tool manufacturer but I've moved on.

 

[JP Chestnut]

Even on sale SK is expensive for what you get, then add on the QC issues (real functional issues) - I don’t get buying from them. Proto or Wright are more consistent and don’t do the BS jacked up prices and constant sales routine.

 

[Skin]

Even on sale SK is expensive for what you get, then add on the QC issues (real functional issues) - I don’t get buying from them. Proto or Wright are more consistent and don’t do the BS jacked up prices and constant sales routine.

Comparatively speaking they arent expensive. If you're referring to their sales direct every manufacturer has a high MSRP otherwise it undermines their distribution network.

 

[bob15]

Even on sale SK is expensive for what you get, then add on the QC issues (real functional issues) - I don’t get buying from them. Proto or Wright are more consistent and don’t do the BS jacked up prices and constant sales routine.

Expensive....not really.

And what QC issues are you referring to?

 

[JP Chestnut]

Expensive....not really.

And what QC issues are you referring to?

Off center broaching and issues with their new ratchet, both of which has been extensively documented on here.

As far as being expensive, just compare the cost of their metric wrench set against wright, MSRP to MSRP. Wright is more consistent, has a better anti slip design, and is cheaper. SK charges a premium price for a not premium product. You’re better off spending less for wright or more for snap on.

 

[JP Chestnut]

Comparatively speaking they arent expensive. If you're referring to their sales direct every manufacturer has a high MSRP otherwise it undermines their distribution network.

When was the last time wright or snap on had a 25% off sale? How many days since the last SK sale? Their msrp is totally nonsensical and the fact that most people here won’t touch them at full price isn’t coincidental.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Even on sale SK is expensive for what you get, then add on the QC issues (real functional issues) - I don’t get buying from them. Proto or Wright are more consistent and don’t do the BS jacked up prices and constant sales routine.

Fitment on a Hansen rack and silver paint used on the inner broached female side per the OP are real functional issues. Good to know.

Picking up 4.5mm to complete a set isn't one either.

Wright never had the distribution in the states I've lived in, or brick and mortar vendors I bought from that SK did.

You're bringing unrelated online buying preference issues into the mix, which introduces logical fallacies.

Quantitative analysis has shown time and again people will buy a "deal" in patterns that drive volume / profits vs. static sales pricing. Further, SK has had an MSRP exceeding street pricing as far back as I remember, which is over 25 years. SK has been owned and managed a little differently over the years, but business is business and they're interested in being profitable at it. No harm, no foul; it's economics. A topic misunderstood with great frequency on this forum.

 

[Cgw1984]

Yeah, brake cleaner will take it off. Theres chrome underneath.

Pics of the OPs socket?

https://ibb.co/Snh72FG
https://ibb.co/qgBYMMw

Are you referring to the hole for a detent ball on the ratchet to lock on to or?

No, the hole that generally goes through the socket all the way (id assume to make it easier for qr ratchets?) Also required to use a hansen style tray. I admitted its a small issue, i was more curious if this was correct or not.

 

[Cgw1984]

Fitment on a Hansen rack and silver paint used on the inner broached female side per the OP are real functional issues. Good to know.

Picking up 4.5mm to complete a set isn't one either.

Wright never had the distribution in the states I've lived in, or brick and mortar vendors I bought from that SK did.

You're bringing unrelated online buying preference issues into the mix, which introduces logical fallacies.

Quantitative analysis has shown time and again people will buy a "deal" in patterns that drive volume / profits vs. static sales pricing. Further, SK has had an MSRP exceeding street pricing as far back as I remember, which is over 25 years. SK has been owned and managed a little differently over the years, but business is business and they're interested in being profitable at it. No harm, no foul; it's economics. A topic misunderstood with great frequency on this forum.

Im sorry this seems to have affected you and a favorite brand of yours (apparently). Your input is certainly noted. Now, do you actually have an answer to my question? Is this normal lr no? Not "is this ok", not "will this still work". Is this normal, and as it should be? If you arent sure, id respectfully ask you to move on.

 

[VolvoRyan]

When was the last time wright or snap on had a 25% off sale? How many days since the last SK sale? Their msrp is totally nonsensical and the fact that most people here won’t touch them at full price isn’t coincidental.

Zero days since the last SK sale. Several sales going on right now.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

https://ibb.co/Snh72FG
https://ibb.co/qgBYMMw


No, the hole that generally goes through the socket all the way (id assume to make it easier for qr ratchets?) Also required to use a hansen style tray. I admitted its a small issue, i was more curious if this was correct or not.

I think that's clearly a defect. Just contact SK through email. They should take care of that quick. They "unexpectedly" warrantied an SK-Wayne era 1/4" ratchet for me this spring. I asked if a rebuild kit was available, and they just asked what my address was.

This is all this thread needed. I don't know why some other folks need to turn a problem into a referendum on a tool brand or that your storage solution is wrong.

-Ryan

 

[TuxThePenguin]

Buy another brand and you most likely won't have to deal with any defects in your entire lifetime. Yet plenty of people get problems from SK. It's not like this is a one-off. It's a known, recurring issue with SK sockets. I literally cannot name a single other brand that has the same problem.

Why stick up for them?

"Just contact SK through email" - people don't want to spend their time emailing SK to get replacements for products that should not have been defective (or "poorly manufactured but not technically defective" if you so prefer). That means your SK sockets then cost you the monetary cost PLUS whatever time spent having them fixed. Why are you OK with that?

Best solution is to stop buying SK because there is honestly no reason to keep buying it.

 

[Cgw1984]

I think that's clearly a defect. Just contact SK through email. They should take care of that quick. They "unexpectedly" warrantied an SK-Wayne era 1/4" ratchet for me this spring. I asked if a rebuild kit was available, and they just asked what my address was.

This is all this thread needed. I don't know why some other folks need to turn a problem into a referendum on a tool brand or that your storage solution is wrong.

-Ryan

Thank you. Ya i didnt think it was a big deal, but i guess i stepped on some toes. Im sorry for that.

Buy another brand and you most likely won't have to deal with any defects in your entire lifetime. Yet plenty of people get problems from SK. It's not like this is a one-off. It's a known, recurring issue with SK sockets. I literally cannot name a single other brand that has the same problem.

Why stick up for them?

"Just contact SK through email" - people don't want to spend their time emailing SK to get replacements for products that should not have been defective (or "poorly manufactured but not technically defective" if you so prefer). That means your SK sockets then cost you the monetary cost PLUS whatever time spent having them fixed. Why are you OK with that?

Best solution is to stop buying SK because there is honestly no reason to keep buying it.

I did use it today, it performed flawlessly, as i guessed it would. I just wanted some guidance as to whether it was normal. And ya, it is a pain in the *** storage wise.

Gotta say, if this was a hf socket i feel like id get a lot of "dont buy cheap tools" but since it is a good quality brand it must be not a problem. I do sincerely appreciate all the answers ive gotten

 

[2ndGearRubber]

https://ibb.co/Snh72FG
https://ibb.co/qgBYMMw


No, the hole that generally goes through the socket all the way (id assume to make it easier for qr ratchets?) Also required to use a hansen style tray. I admitted its a small issue, i was more curious if this was correct or not.

Wow - interesting defect. It must have missed a machine/step. The solid area in the center is 100% secure? I've seen the centers of smaller sockets folded in like flow petals, but that is a very weird socket.


Call 'em and they'll make it right.

 

[kythri]

That looks pretty thin - gotta wonder if a punch would pop right through it?

 

[Fedwrench]

Chuck it up in a drill press and and drill through it

SK has great customer service, just send your socket photos to them and they'll send you a better one.

All tool companies have a tool that slips through quality control once in a while regardless of the brand name.

 

[Cgw1984]

That looks pretty thin - gotta wonder if a punch would pop right through it?

Ill try tonight, when i get home.

 

[dkroth]

Snap On.

.

 

[Cgw1984]

Snap On.

.

My williams usa 15mm was flawless.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Gotta say, if this was a hf socket i feel like id get a lot of "dont buy cheap tools" but since it is a good quality brand it must be not a problem. I do sincerely appreciate all the answers ive gotten

That's not how this forum works. At all times, a defect must be turned into a referendum on an entire corporation or when possible an entire continent. A defective cheap tool gets "don't buy cheap tools". A defective expensive tool gets "don't buy expensive tools". Regardless, the underlying message is "You shoulda been smart like me".

I hate to say it, but anyone who claims they haven't gotten or seen a defective tool simply is just admitting that they haven't bought enough tools.

-Ryan

 

[Cgw1984]

That's not how this forum works. At all times, a defect must be turned into a referendum on an entire corporation or when possible an entire continent. A defective cheap tool gets "don't buy cheap tools". A defective expensive tool gets "don't buy expensive tools". Regardless, the underlying message is "You shoulda been smart like me".

I hate to say it, but anyone who claims they haven't gotten or seen a defective tool simply is just admitting that they haven't bought enough tools.

-Ryan

Oh i do agree completely with that.

 

[anndel]

I have SK sockets from 1/2" down to 1/4 in drive and didn't even bother looking down the hex end. I just use 'em and wipe 'em down at the end of the day/project ready for the next job. Had them for over 5 years and no issues.

 

[American Locomotive]

SK's manufacturing can be divided into "Old SK" and "New SK". Newer products like the the LP90T ratchets and X-Frame wrenches tend to be much more consistent, very high quality and very nice. The LP90 ratchets are a new design with some teething issues, but I rarely see one with an egregious manufacturing defect.

The sockets seem to be made on SK's "old" equipment, and seem to have many more quality issues than their other tools. I know Ideal will eventually make it right, but it takes a while to basically completely overhaul equipment that hadn't been maintained for decades.

 

[Fly YX]

I've had bad luck with snap on recently. But I've had a problem with all the brands I normally buy at one point or another. Snap On SK Wright Tekton Mac Matco and Knipex But I have never had an issue with their customer service they've always taken care of the problem. Except for Knipex.

 

[VolvoRyan]

SK's manufacturing can be divided into "Old SK" and "New SK". Newer products like the the LP90T ratchets and X-Frame wrenches tend to be much more consistent, very high quality and very nice. The LP90 ratchets are a new design with some teething issues, but I rarely see one with an egregious manufacturing defect.

The sockets seem to be made on SK's "old" equipment, and seem to have many more quality issues than their other tools. I know Ideal will eventually make it right, but it takes a while to basically completely overhaul equipment that hadn't been maintained for decades.

No matter how you slice it, a ginormous stampy machine is going to occasionally mess up on the tiniest of sockets. You'll find more defects in sockets just because they're harder to spot and they make so many more of them compared to other tools.

I do have a soft spot for SK, as they've done right by me. I also like that the round head ratchets were patented a billion years ago, and we're still very competitive for decades after. If you follow SK, you can pick up a lot of their tools for peanuts on the SK site.

-Ryan