SK Tools up for sale?

[anndel]

I hope they stay USA-made and owned by a USA Company and not go to Asia.

 

[woody 73]

The post made me sick just thinking about it...

SK please stick around I would hate for you to go under.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I didn't get that they are going under from anything. Ideal is a good manager, no doubt they would sell if the right offer came up, but if not I'd expect them to manage their investment at their pace, not worrying about meeting the expectations of a small, high maintenance group of tool polishers who worry about paint and "imperfections" that nobody who really uses tools would even notice.

 

[Y00PER]

In the Craftsman topic there were claims that Craftsman will use American steel, American forging, American blow molded cases, American corrugated boxes, etc. I'm left wondering how that can be be true if they also need to say "global materials". I hope it's true though.

They can add "with global materials" so something that's 100% made. I think they are going to lablel all of their stuff that is U.S. made with that to market it above Stanley branded stuff, but below Mac & Proto. Their rebranded Lang snap ring pliers say "with global materials" on it, even though the Lang ones, and the ones rebranded as Craftsman (Sears version), Gearwrench, and Channel lock all say "Made in USA".

 

[finn]

The 15 employees thing is suspect, but depending on how the company is structured, could be correct from an accounting standpoint.

It’s very possible that the 15 are executive management and marketing types, and the manufacturing headcount is under some other entity wholly owned by Ideal.

 

[Fly YX]

I didn't get that they are going under from anything. Ideal is a good manager, no doubt they would sell if the right offer came up, but if not I'd expect them to manage their investment at their pace, not worrying about meeting the expectations of a small, high maintenance group of tool polishers who worry about paint and "imperfections" that nobody who really uses tools would even notice.

I don't get it either. If it doesn't impact me using it I don't care. I will post it here but I have never exchanged a tool for cosmetic and perfections. And yes I have had them on everyone's beloved Snap On. As long as its making me money. Hopefully SK will be fine and not turn into a zombie brand

 

[nynexit]

For what it’s worth . I love my x-frames.

 

[Spacey_G]

12 point fasteners are rare enough that I’d actually rather have a ratcheting wrench in 6 point, for strength and to avoid rounding things off.

...there's a click every 1.7 degrees. The argument about wrench engagement kind of goes out the window then

I never understood these arguments for 6 point ratcheting wrenches.

1. I never really reef on a ratcheting wrench anyway, so who cares if it's a little stronger or less likely to round over a fastener?

2. Yes, you can turn the ring to many different positions to get the engagement you need, but think about it from a practical standpoint. Do you really want to have to adjust the ring to get the wrench on? Or would you rather have a 12 point wrench that engages on the first try without any fussing around?

 

[bimmer630]

I never understood these arguments for 6 point ratcheting wrenches.

1. I never really reef on a ratcheting wrench anyway, so who cares if it's a little stronger or less likely to round over a fastener?

2. Yes, you can turn the ring to many different positions to get the engagement you need, but think about it from a practical standpoint. Do you really want to have to adjust the ring to get the wrench on? Or would you rather have a 12 point wrench that engages on the first try without any fussing around?

I’ve been using 6 point ratcheting Mac “edge” wrenches for about 15 years and not once have I ever thought about the situation where the hex wouldn’t go onto the fastener. MAYBE once or twice when you’re in a really tight spot... but I’d rather have a wrench that isn’t gonna round off a rusty bolt head than a wrench that’s a few seconds faster to install onto the bolt


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[reader2580]

I didn't get that they are going under from anything. Ideal is a good manager, no doubt they would sell if the right offer came up, but if not I'd expect them to manage their investment at their pace, not worrying about meeting the expectations of a small, high maintenance group of tool polishers who worry about paint and "imperfections" that nobody who really uses tools would even notice.

Ideal bought and closed Western Forge so they could certainly shut down SK Tools too.

 

[bimmer630]

Ideal bought and closed Western Forge so they could certainly shut down SK Tools too.

Western forge wasn’t a brand name that most people knew about. The brand “SK” is much different


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B_Bimmer]

Western forge was purchased strategically for SK. Not even kind of the same situation.

 

[bonneyman]

Being an American tool manufacturer is tough. People just don't want to pay for good tools. Smartphones, vapes, and tattoo's - yeah. But tools? Cheap is the game for most consumers.

I hope S-K survives. I want to buy American, but I can't justify the cost now that I'm out of the field. I'd love a set of X-wrenches in SAE and metric. But at $800 for those sets it's out of my range.

 

[Fedwrench]

I hope S-K survives. I want to buy American, but I can't justify the cost now that I'm out of the field. I'd love a set of X-wrenches in SAE and metric. But at $800 for those sets it's out of my range.

$800? Where are you shopping?

To my knowledge, there are only two SK X Frame ratcheting wrench sets available. 80019 metric 8-19mm, and 80049 SAE 3/8 to 3//4.
On Epsteins, the metric set runs $234.95 and the SAE set is $139.95 for a total of $374.90 plus shipping. Still might not be cheap but, they're half of your $800.

 

[ive]

Sounds like SK is looking for some capitol to expand. It’s too bad we were not more of a tech savvy bunch like the bunch that led GameStop. Could take manufacturing a different way.

Here in Canada it’s almost impossible to find SK. Wish we could, we have a gap between our version of harbour freight and Snap On.

 

[Rinspeed]

Western forge was purchased strategically for SK. Not even kind of the same situation.

The people running Ideal don't give a **** about quality.

 

[Skin]

SK has had several owners over the years Ideal saved them from bankruptcy in 2010.

Not really true. They bought the name/IP for chump change (around $3 million). They let the original factory and equipment get auctioned off. Its only the same company in name and tool aesthetics otherwise its all new.

 

[bonneyman]

$800? Where are you shopping?

To my knowledge, there are only two SK X Frame ratcheting wrench sets available. 80019 metric 8-19mm, and 80049 SAE 3/8 to 3//4.
On Epsteins, the metric set runs $234.95 and the SAE set is $139.95 for a total of $374.90 plus shipping. Still might not be cheap but, they're half of your $800.

As I recall it was like $380 and change for a set when I was looking at them. It was right after they first came out, and it wasn't Epsteins. That really scared me off and I haven't looked back since.

 

[nynexit]

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”.
-to buy yourself some tools [emoji28]

 

[1982fxr]

Ideal bought and closed Western Forge so they could certainly shut down SK Tools too.

It's not like they wanted to close Western Forge.

 

[SK-Mike]

Probably not... I think the corona virus is at fault for most of the delays, as stated in the video by HJE.
Sounds like SK isn’t looking for a buyer because they’re in trouble, (if you read through the previous comments).. they’re just looking for an owner that will allow them to expand


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Got my 3/8 set 7-24 mm. In yesterday, it was well worth the wait and the $.

 

[Steve_P]

There is NO way SK has only 15 employees.

The X-frame quality issue pics are superficial. Get some mildly abrasive metal polish and clean it off. You're buying tools, not mirrors or jewelry.

I have a lot of SK that I've bought in the last 15 yrs. They need to get their act together. I love the round head ratchets: proven design, but head height is tall for today. I bought an LP90 and it was horrible. I took it apart and worked with it and gave up and returned it. And regardless of price, Tekton can make a great "LP" ratchet . But SK can't.

The SK pricing has gotten crazy in the last 5 years. No one is going to spend $300 on a set of SK impact sockets when you can get Sunex for $60. And I have plenty of SK impact sockets. But they need a reality check

 

[M635_Guy]

The X-frame quality issue pics are superficial. Get some mildly abrasive metal polish and clean it off. You're buying tools, not mirrors or jewelry.

Fair. It's just not what I expected to see in a set of tools that list for $300.

I'll probably smack the worst spots a bit with some polish and see what happens. I mainly want to make sure the finish isn't compromised, and I'm slightly miffed at the finish. I'm sure they'll be fantastic tools though.

 

[Kscardsfan]

There is NO way SK has only 15 employees.

The X-frame quality issue pics are superficial. Get some mildly abrasive metal polish and clean it off. You're buying tools, not mirrors or jewelry.

I have a lot of SK that I've bought in the last 15 yrs. They need to get their act together. I love the round head ratchets: proven design, but head height is tall for today. I bought an LP90 and it was horrible. I took it apart and worked with it and gave up and returned it. And regardless of price, Tekton can make a great "LP" ratchet . But SK can't.

The SK pricing has gotten crazy in the last 5 years. No one is going to spend $300 on a set of SK impact sockets when you can get Sunex for $60. And I have plenty of SK impact sockets. But they need a reality check

Part of me wonders if they’re not deliberately pricing it like that to keep their retailers happy. Another part of me wonders if they think they’re going to seriously compete with the tool truck brands. Because they’re going the wrong way with that plan.

 

[Rinspeed]

Fair. It's just not what I expected to see in a set of tools that list for $300.

I don't blame you one bit and think those should have been sold at a discount as blems.

 

[bimmer630]

There is NO way SK has only 15 employees.

The X-frame quality issue pics are superficial. Get some mildly abrasive metal polish and clean it off. You're buying tools, not mirrors or jewelry.

I have a lot of SK that I've bought in the last 15 yrs. They need to get their act together. I love the round head ratchets: proven design, but head height is tall for today. I bought an LP90 and it was horrible. I took it apart and worked with it and gave up and returned it. And regardless of price, Tekton can make a great "LP" ratchet . But SK can't.

The SK pricing has gotten crazy in the last 5 years. No one is going to spend $300 on a set of SK impact sockets when you can get Sunex for $60. And I have plenty of SK impact sockets. But they need a reality check

It ***** for the guys who have had trouble with lp90s. I have two 1/4” ones and one 3/8” and they all work great.

I do agree that sk needs to get their act together.. I rally for them to succeed but they are overpriced for a brand that most techs (that I know) still to this day either think is a dead brand, or a junk brand “that my grandpa used to use” etc etc.
I have a lot of sk in my box because one of my first jobs had a former Mac salesman with a truck full of sk and proto and other “non truck” brands. Never had a problem with most of it, but many times noticed people scoffing at the sight of low end tools in my collection. (Meanwhile the same guys have no problem with gear wrench or HF stuff, which is odd)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mikebaker1129]

For all the talking this forum of wanting USA produced hand tools, very few follow up and actually purchase them, aside from a couple of boutique manufacturers like SO.

Power tools are the same. Dewalt has invested heavily in US assembly, but Milwaukee, which is almost all imported, gets a pass from the “I want USA” cloud.

Could not agree more with this comment!

 

[Davefr]

I do agree that sk needs to get their act together.. I rally for them to succeed but they are overpriced for a brand that most techs (that I know) still to this day either think is a dead brand, or a junk brand “that my grandpa used to use” etc etc.

I agree 100%. Outside of a sprinkling of GJ enthusiasts, SK has negligible brand equity. What little they did have has been frittered away over the years.

 

[GForceJunky]

Never realized SK had such a small following. Always thought they were a small but very well-respected manufacturer held in the same regard as SO/etc. I guess this thread has opened my eyes to the fact that fewer people see them that way than I'd have thought, or so it would seem.

Personally, I won't buy anything made in PRC nor Taiwan, India, or the like if I can at all avoid it. For tools I can easily avoid it and do - and enjoy buying brands like SK, Proto, Wright, Wera, Bondhus, Bessey, Metabo, Bosch, etc. (though with a lot of these brands you now have to be cautious as COO is item-dependent). The only real exception are my M18 tools as I have invested too much in the line to just stop buying when I need something.

I hope SK sticks around. Have stuff from them ranging in age from 40-50+ years old to brand new. Love it all.

 

[lardy1]

I don't think the following is as small as some would lead us to believe.

 

[csp]

I thought everything from the Western Forge plant in Colorado Springs that wasn't moved to the SK factory was auctioned off

It was, the old WF plant sits empty now, or at least the last time I drove by it. The auction was about this time last year IIRC. I was able to go one of the three days.

 

[1982fxr]

I don't think the following is as small as some would lead us to believe.

Half the dudes posting in this thread are qualified to be in charge of SK.

How do we know? They told us so.

 

[M6erfan]

I've been around here long enough to see a fair amount of these SK "quality" posts. I always wonder why SK hasn't seemed to be able to get its act together. They really don't innovate, are sloooow to release new products, and their marketing and distribution is pretty lame.

I'd like to know what they're thinking inside the walls at SK corp.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

On the Canadian prairies, MacLeod's , a hardware ? chain sold SK . There were Macleod's in every small town . So SK is common amongst the farmers. The well off ones anyway.

 

[dutchgray]

I've been around here long enough to see a fair amount of these SK "quality" posts. I always wonder why SK hasn't seemed to be able to get its act together. They really don't innovate, are sloooow to release new products, and their marketing and distribution is pretty lame.

I'd like to know what they're thinking inside the walls at SK corp.

I wouldn't think they can do things much different than they have been, if Ideal haven't been willing to dump money into SK then 20 million a year revenue doesn't buy much innovation, product development or marketing.

SK can pretty much forget getting better distribution, where else could they sell their tools, they have industrial supply/ small independent store distribution chains and direct online sales.
They aren't getting into the truck sales market, its saturated already, techs use the big known brands or cheap but decent imported tools.
Big box stores well you have no chance with them.
International markets, hardly anyone outside the USA has heard of SK and at the price level there is so much choice already, plus nobody who isn't American cares about "made in USA"

I am actually quite surprised they have managed to stay in business this long since the last time they went bust.

There isn't enough customers for made in USA tools at the SK price point considering there is also Wright and Proto (I know not all USA nowadays) who pretty much sell the same range of tools for similar prices, for SK to grow.
Its not like they make much of a range anyway, sockets, ratchets, wrenches, I guess they have brought the WF stuff in house so screwdrivers, pliers, adjustables. Much of their tools are sourced from elsewhere and you can buy the same tools with lots of different names on.

 

[measuredtwice]

There's a MAP policy from 2017 (updated in 2019) --> https://ideal64-prod1-s3.adobecqms.net/content/sktools/en_US/map-pricing-policy0.html

"SK has unilaterally implemented this Minimum Advertised Price Policy (the "Policy") to encourage authorized resellers ...to invest... ...to protect SK’s image..."

SK's own "SK STEALS & DEALS" seems to be at odds with this policy.

"Looking for great deals on SK Tools? This is your one-stop shop for clearance, overstock and closeout deals on SK Tools. "

The SK deals have been popular on the forum. Preventing resellers from similar sales puts them at a disadvantage rather than encouraging them to invest.

 

[Rinspeed]

I've been around here long enough to see a fair amount of these SK "quality" posts. I always wonder why SK hasn't seemed to be able to get its act together. They really don't innovate, are sloooow to release new products, and their marketing and distribution is pretty lame.

I'd like to know what they're thinking inside the walls at SK corp.

What the hell do you expect out of 15 people.

 

[ive]

Double post

 

[ive]

For all the talking this forum of wanting USA produced hand tools, very few follow up and actually purchase them, aside from a couple of boutique manufacturers like SO.

Power tools are the same. Dewalt has invested heavily in US assembly, but Milwaukee, which is almost all imported, gets a pass from the “I want USA” cloud.

Agreed.

 

[1982fxr]

I think they do a lot of government contracts.