Question SK Or Craftsman?

vssjim · Aug 21, 2011

I have alot of Craftsman tools from over thirty years of use I can't complain but the NEW Craftsman has changed. The only US tools they sell now are ratchets, sockets and screwdrivers and most of the pliers. I don't know for how much longer those lines will be US made so I think if I was out to upgrade now I would lean towards SK. I beleive in what SK are doing now and yes I have alot of SK tools from over the years. Also Ideal seems to be fixing some SK problems from the last few years and you got to love that. I am sad that sears is throwing out all the years of US made quality tools for a quick quarterly profit by selling china made tools and trying to keep US prices for china tools which is going to bite them in the *** for the long run. Just another MBA killing another long time US brand.

Skin · Aug 21, 2011

slipjointed said:
Honestly, I think you're taking the best case scenario for snap-on, and the middle ground for wright prices.

I also think you're not representing the per socket cost accurately. Brand new Wright sockets average about $6-7, and Snap-on sockets average more than twice that cost. Once you get into deep sockets, the difference is substantial, with SO sockets getting into the $20-30 range each, while Wright is still hovering around $10.

I did not find "middle of the road" wright costs. If you compare my sets to what Epstein wants you'll see i was actually low. When i said lowest prices on the net i meant it. I also took the SO prices from the average auction sale price off the bay.

You'd have to be a damned ***** to purchase SO sockets individually to make a set on ebay. That is the worst way to purchase sockets in general. And you'd also be a damned ***** to pay 20-$30 per socket on ebay as well. I actually think thats impossible to do unless you're shopping brand new from SO or looking for 3/4" drive and up. I suggest you stop dilluding yourself and actually follow some auctions and check completed listings. Mind that WW auctions will fetch higher prices. Wright may be nice stuff, but they arent a super bargain even at the cheapest etailer either.

slipjointed · Aug 21, 2011

Skin said:
I did not find "middle of the road" wright costs. If you compare my sets to what Epstein wants you'll see i was actually low. When i said lowest prices on the net i meant it. I also took the SO prices from the average auction sale price off the bay.

You'd have to be a damned ***** to purchase SO sockets individually on ebay. That is the worst way to purchase sockets in general. And you'd also be a damned ***** to pay 20-$30 per socket. I actually think thats impossible to do unless you're shopping brand new from SO or looking for 3/4" drive and up. I suggest you stop dilluding yourself and actually follow some auctions and check completed listings. Mind that WW auctions will fetch higher prices. Wright may be nice stuff, but they arent a super bargain even at the cheapest etailer.

Considering that I've clearly demonstrated that Wright costs half as much as snap-on, no matter how you twist it, I think you're right... they aren't a super bargain, they're a freaking amazing bargain.

One thing you're leaving out is that some of the only times you find amazing deals on snap-on sets is when they're missing sockets... why? Because someone who buys the set has to spend a freaking fortune to replace those missing sockets. I had a couple sockets missing in the 3/8" wright set I bought from Hiball, and it cost me $10 to replace, one deep and one shallow.

Sure, sometimes Snap-on sets go for less than average on ebay, but for the most part, sets in good condition go for more than half of new retail... using anything else in a price comparison is just plain misleading. Even if you use higher Wright prices, snap-on used is still more expensive.

I spent MONTHS checking Wright and SK prices against used snap-on prices, and I'm not sure where the hell you're getting your info, but I've checked so many completed snap-on listings it makes me want to puke. The prices I put in are solid. Royal, Epstein, Toolup, HWSales, Tooldiscounter, they all have the best prices on different Wright items.

Pick any mainline Wright tool, and we'll compare the actual average ebay selling price of a like new used snap-on equivalent, and you'll see that I'm right over, and over again.

The fact that you're trying to argue that Wright and Snap-on are in the same price bracket is just freaking mind boggling. If that was true, I'd have Snap-on in my box right now, not Wright. :lol_hitti

Skin · Aug 21, 2011

you clearly dont know how to shop

SO 12pc 3/8 deep metric $105.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-p...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item1e66364b61

another for $92.20
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2a1308775c

another for $91.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-13-Pie...945?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415c223911

11pc set that went for $62.88
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-11p...341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4841a0628d

this is not uncommon all those auctions ended within 9 days of eachother [and there were others], i could post these all day for essentially any drive size. Now find me the the Wright 3/8" mm deep set of similar size for $30-$50 to back your claim up.

slipjointed · Aug 21, 2011

Skin said:
you clearly dont know how to shop

SO 12pc 3/8 deep metric $105.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-p...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item1e66364b61

another for $92.20
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2a1308775c

another for $91.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-13-Pie...945?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415c223911

11pc set that went for $62.88
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-11p...341?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4841a0628d

this is not uncommon all those auctions ended within 9 days of eachother [and there were others], i could post these all day for essentially any drive size. Now find me the the Wright 3/8" mm deep set of similar size for $30-$50 to back your claim up.

There's examples on both sides of extremes, but I'm looking at what it would cost for someone starting out to obtain a tool set. To get good pricing on snap-on, you either need to get lucky, find a desperate seller, or buy sockets that look like they've been through a nuclear war.

Some of the sets you posted are good price, but they aren't all the like new used condition I specified. Moderately used Wright can be had for almost free when you run across it, so it just wouldn't be a fair comparison. I paid $65 for like new 3/8" shallow and deep metric sets from Hiball, which included a breaker bar and extensions which I then sold, and used the money to replace a couple missing sockets. Once said and done, I paid $30 shipped each for the sets. That's above average, but it's still an example of what happens if you start comparing used Wright to used SO.

Wright 907 vs. the Snap-on OEX707B? Nearly twice the price.

Wright 312 vs. the 211FSY? At least $20-30 more.

3425 vs. the F80? Nearly three times the price.

3425 vs. the FL80? Twice the price.

If you start getting out of the smaller combo sets like the 707's, SO prices skyrocket. You can get a Wright 950 11pc. full polish for $106 from Crawford tool, The snap-on OEXM710B is $288. Even used, it easily costs double what brand new Wright costs. Brand new, it costs nearly *three times as much*. I just don't get how you could even begin to argue that Wright and Snap-on are similar in cost.

The only time I see new condition used Snap-on wrench sets going for less than 20-30% off retail is when the seller is desperate, or doesn't know what they have. People will regularly pay $200+ for second hand OEXM710B's.

I'm not trying to be a jerk about this or anything, but I did a crapload of research before making my purchase. I would say hundreds of hours. Sure, if you spend days and days of your time stalking snap-on auctions and waiting until all hours trying to snipe, you can get some good deals, but for the average tool buyer that wants to just order their tools without hassle, snap-on is just not a value option compared to Wright.

scott4 · Aug 21, 2011

Ok. I got this for $30

Wright 3/8" socket set 325 with 20 pcs. no adjustable

I like this route. Good tools, without the flashy name brand.
I'm going used hunting. Wright makes 6pt shallow in 1/2 drive as well.

SMKS · Aug 21, 2011

scott4 said:
Ok. I got this for $30

Wright 3/8" socket set 325 with 20 pcs. no adjustable

I like this route. Good tools, without the flashy name brand.
I'm going used hunting. Wright makes 6pt shallow in 1/2 drive as well.

That looks like quite an old set. It has the old Wright logo, not the newer one. I bet those are an old-school design without Wright Drive or any other off-corner engagement to avoid rounding bolts.

scott4 · Aug 21, 2011

stephen9666 said:
That looks like quite an old set. It has the old Wright logo, not the newer one. I bet those are an old-school design without Wright Drive or any other off-corner engagement to avoid rounding bolts.

I'm doing it all wrong, aren't I.

Well, I did need a 3/8 breaker bar. Ill just have to sell the rest and take a loss.

SMKS · Aug 21, 2011

scott4 said:
I'm doing it all wrong, aren't I.

Well, I did need a 3/8 breaker bar. Ill just have to sell the rest and take a loss.

Well, I could be wrong. Just wait and see.

Hiball · Aug 21, 2011

Its Silly to Argue which can be had cheaper Snap on or Wright, IF you put a 3/8" New Wright socket set up on Ebay and a Equal Snap on set and start them both at .99 Cents. The Wright is gonna bring a lower percentage of Retail 9 out of 10 times. As i said earlier Snap on Auctions out number Wright ones 100 to 1 on the bAy. Its no Secret if you live on ebay, refreshing the BIN, Newly Listed Items every 10 seconds you can find some deals.. on just about every Tool brand out there. My 2 cents.. :thumbup:

Hiball · Aug 21, 2011

scott4 said:
I'm doing it all wrong, aren't I.

Well, I did need a 3/8 breaker bar. Ill just have to sell the rest and take a loss.

At that Price.. Absolutely Not..

scott4 · Aug 21, 2011

Hiball said:
At that Price.. Absolutely Not..

Hope so. This whole experience is leaving me with a familiar pain in the posterior.

Skin · Aug 21, 2011

slipjointed said:
Some of the sets you posted are good price, but they aren't all the like new used condition I specified.

Did you not click on any of them? The first set was NEW. :wtf:

The next set was like new and the last two look like they're in decent shape to me.

Basically you made a statement. That statement was that used Snap-On sockets cost twice as much as new Wright. I posted some prices, you continued to say the same thing. I posted the auctions and now you're pretending like you made no such claim and even go so far as to lie, or at the very least completely ignore, the condition of the sets. I think i made my point. Anyone shopping for new Wright sockets for any etailer can spend similar or just a bit more and buy new/like new Snap-On sockets by watching ebay.

I'm done with this argument. Reading your posts is like listening to a politican talking. Push agenda push agenda ignore facts ignore facts.

Hiball · Aug 21, 2011

Another Great place for Wright tools is Toolup.com

http://www.toolup.com/wright-tool_304_9-piece-6-point-deep-tray-set.aspx

http://www.toolup.com/wright-tool_300_38-drive-8-piece-12-point-deep-socket-set-38-78-on-bar.aspx

FastKat · Aug 21, 2011

Agreed - I have ones of these sets I love it. That case makes it easy to bring on the road, too.

sk farmer said:
i maybe biased but those sk sets are hard to beat. nice cases, nice finish, everything you really need yet no fluff.

scott4 · Aug 22, 2011

SK Update:

Just talked to Lauren at SK. She assured me it was an "old" batch. She wants me to mail it back so they can sort it all out.

slipjointed · Aug 22, 2011

Skin said:
Did you not click on any of them? The first set was NEW.

The next set was like new and the last two look like they're in decent shape to me.

Basically you made a statement. That statement was that used Snap-On sockets cost twice as much as new Wright. I posted some prices, you continued to say the same thing. I posted the auctions and now you're pretending like you made no such claim and even go so far as to lie, or at the very least completely ignore, the condition of the sets. I think i made my point. Anyone shopping for new Wright sockets for any etailer can spend similar or just a bit more and buy new/like new Snap-On sockets by watching ebay.

I'm done with this argument. Reading your posts is like listening to a politican talking. Push agenda push agenda ignore facts ignore facts.

edit: I had a bunch of nasty comebacks posted, but I'm not even going to engage with you any more. I'm done with this as well... people that read this can compare prices of the items I've mentioned on their own, and make their own decisions on who is spinning things here.

Hiball said:
Its Silly to Argue which can be had cheaper Snap on or Wright, IF you put a 3/8" New Wright socket set up on Ebay and a Equal Snap on set and start them both at .99 Cents. The Wright is gonna bring a lower percentage of Retail 9 out of 10 times. As i said earlier Snap on Auctions out number Wright ones 100 to 1 on the bAy. Its no Secret if you live on ebay, refreshing the BIN, Newly Listed Items every 10 seconds you can find some deals.. on just about every Tool brand out there. My 2 cents..

Precisely. Going on ebay and cherry picking a bunch of below average selling prices doesn't prove a damn thing.

I can get a snap-on master set for $1... if I spend a few thousand years F5'ing ebay.

The only accurate comparison you can get is New price vs. New price, and then take percentage deductions on those prices for average used discount. Anything else means absolutely nothing.

Hiball · Aug 22, 2011

scott4 said:
SK Update:

Just talked to Lauren at SK. She assured me it was an "old" batch. She wants me to mail it back so they can sort it all out.

So the advance auto stuff is old stock? I have 3 ratchets being delivered this afternoon, 1 order coming in 3 separate packages. I'll post up later this evening when I get home. I'm curious to where they are coming from..

slipjointed · Aug 22, 2011

Hiball said:
So the advance auto stuff is old stock? I have 3 ratchets being delivered this afternoon, 1 order coming in 3 separate packages. I'll post up later this evening when I get home. I'm curious to where they are coming from..

Yeah, I'm not sure I buy that 100%. Advance auto didn't have this stuff in stock before, so either they bought out old stock from someone else, found this hiding in an old stairwell, or were sent old stock by SK.

We know for absolute fact that the SK at Epstein is new stock, so maybe Jori or someone could take a peek at those sets and see if they find the same issues.

I'm a little bummed on this too, because although I LOVE my Wright stuff, I probably would have stuck with the SK I bought, budget wise... close to $100 for what comes in that set is an absolute bargain IMO. I just can't have flaking chrome in my line of work.

scott4 · Aug 22, 2011

Hiball said:
So the advance auto stuff is old stock? I have 3 ratchets being delivered this afternoon, 1 order coming in 3 separate packages. I'll post up later this evening when I get home. I'm curious to where they are coming from..

I don't know about all advance auto sets. Are they sitting in an advance warehouse? I do know my set that I got from Advance was FUBAR.

slipjointed said:
We know for absolute fact that the SK at Epstein is new stock, so maybe Jori or someone could take a peek at those sets and see if they find the same issues.

That would be nice. I'd like that. Although, I'll have one at my house in an indeterminate amount of time.

north · Aug 22, 2011

slipjointed said:
*snip*.
We know for absolute fact that the SK at Epstein is new stock, so maybe Jori or someone could take a peek at those sets and see if they find the same issues.
*snip*

I bought the 94547 3/8" set from Epstein a few weeks ago and it is still listed at Epstein but not at SK. SK has a 49 pc set now, 94549. So the 94547 should be old stock no?

Hiball · Aug 22, 2011

north said:
I bought the 94547 3/8" set from Epstein a few weeks ago and it is still listed at Epstein but not at SK. SK has a 49 pc set now, 94549. So the 94547 should be old stock no?

Hmm... That's Interesting. I wonder if all these supposed new ideal produced tools are in fact old stock that ideal is pushing out the door to suppliers. I wish there was a way to tell the difference, old or new I'm not really worried unless the tools show up with poor QC issues.

SMKS · Aug 22, 2011

north said:
I bought the 94547 3/8" set from Epstein a few weeks ago and it is still listed at Epstein but not at SK. SK has a 49 pc set now, 94549. So the 94547 should be old stock no?

Epstein used to carry SK before Ideal bought them out. Epstein has the new sets from Ideal, but they also have old sets from the pre-Ideal days.

I know this because I was at the store recently and saw an SK socket set. I asked if it was new production and they said it was old from the pre-ideal days.

So, if you bought a set from Epstein that the new SK no longer offers, you probably got old stock.

north · Aug 22, 2011

Yeah, I 'knew' I got old stock but the remark from slipjointed threw me off a bit.

Hiball · Aug 22, 2011

north said:
Yeah, I 'knew' I got old stock but the remark from slipjointed threw me off a bit.

Most importantly, any issues with your set?

north · Aug 22, 2011

A few sockets don't have an even silver finish deep inside but rather an uneven darkish finish with what may be rust spots or part of an underlying layer shining through. Other than that there are no 'issues'.
They are all nice and even on the outside and on the grip area and compare well to my Snap-on sockets.

Hiball · Aug 22, 2011

Todays Delivery's..

SK 40972 6" Long 1/4" Flex
SK 40971 6" Long 1/4" Drive
SK 45173 3/8" in 1/4" body
SK 40170 15" long 1/2" drive Ratchet

I checked all the Ratchets over for Defects, I didnt notice any chroming issues, No Off centered Drives etc.. Crazy thing was that i placed 1 order and they came in 3 different boxes, All from Advance Auto in Georgia. The box for the 15" 1/2" drive was about 8" x 8" x 42" Long. :headscrat

WTF.. They must have taken shipping lessons from Snap on.

scott4 · Aug 22, 2011

Hiball said:
Todays Delivery's..

SK 40972 6" Long 1/4" Flex
SK 40971 6" Long 1/4" Drive
SK 45173 3/8" in 1/4" body
SK 40170 15" long 1/2" drive Ratchet

I checked all the Ratchets over for Defects, I didnt notice any chroming issues, No Off centered Drives etc.. Crazy thing was that i placed 1 order and they came in 3 different boxes, All from Advance Auto in Georgia. The box for the 15" 1/2" drive was about 8" x 8" x 42" Long. WTF.. They must have taken shipping lessons from Snap on.

So..

Is there a coupon stack? or are you sticking with the p20 visa codes?

Hiball · Aug 22, 2011

scott4 said:
So..

Is there a coupon stack?

I bought the 1/2" drive, 1/4" Flex and 1/4" Long at Advance Auto utilizing the "VISA" code (-$50 off $150 and Free Shipping) and i believe it cost $106 Total shipped for all 3. I purchased the 3/8" in 1/4" body off ebay for $20 shipped. Ive not had any luck stacking coupons at Advance auto, It always gives you the biggest discount it seems.

There is a New discount that gives you 15% off $100 bucks and also a $50 gift voucher that will be delivered Mid September. You are only allowed 1 per Customer and must log in to be eligible.

Jeeper · Aug 22, 2011

Hiball said:
I bought the 1/2" drive, 1/4" Flex and 1/4" Long at Advance Auto utilizing the "VISA" code (-$50 off $150 and Free Shipping) and i believe it cost $106 Total shipped for all 3. I purchased the 3/8" in 1/4" body off ebay for $20 shipped. Ive not had any luck stacking coupons at Advance auto, It always gives you the biggest discount it seems.

There is a New discount that gives you 15% off $100 bucks and also a $50 gift voucher that will be delivered Mid September. You are only allowed 1 per Customer and must log in to be eligible.

Nice SKs. How do they feel as far as quality? Reason I ask, I purchased a 3/8 bent handle ratchet about 3 years ago and it always felt sloppy and junky. The other night i took it a part and lubed it with Permatex Ultraslick and it's a completly different ratchet. Very nice now.

Hiball · Aug 22, 2011

Jeeper said:
Nice SKs. How do they feel as far as quality? Reason I ask, I purchased a 3/8 bent handle ratchet about 3 years ago and it always felt sloppy and junky. The other night i took it a part and lubed it with Permatex Ultraslick and it's a completly different ratchet. Very nice now.

I wouldnt consider them sloppy in anyway, In fact its the opposite which is because the Ratchets are New. The tooth engagement is very loud from the Box.. I run 3-1 oil in all my Round heads including Wright. This quiets them down considerably. I have a Bent handle coming tomorrow or Wed... :thumbup:

pipsters · Aug 23, 2011

scott4 said:
I'm doing it all wrong, aren't I.

Well, I did need a 3/8 breaker bar. Ill just have to sell the rest and take a loss.

Your original goal was to possibly buy sockets that fit better. I think it's pretty clear that pretty much any new socket bought these days, from Chinese Harbor Freight to Craftsman to Snap-On will fit just about the same, and all have the cutouts to hit the sides and not the corners.

Maybe you need to re-evaluate what you want to accomplish by buying these socket sets? Is it because your current sockets are breaking? Flaking chrome? Anything wrong with them? If not why are you replacing them?

Here are Snap-On sockets (one new) that have chrome peeling:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22682
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1686464
http://www.*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$/index.php?topic=2674.0

If snap-on produces sockets that peel, I wouldn't hold it against Craftsman doing it either. It's not like the sockets just peel, go over them when you buy them and you can see if the chrome is loose or not in areas. If so, get another, if not use them until they get worn and exchange for another. SK will peel too, and you have the mail them in the warranty and pay $5. Honestly it seems like more trouble than its worth but that's just me.

With the EPA these days, it's no surprise that China can chrome sockets in high quality chrome better than the US.

Also, keep in mind you can use impacts with regular hand ratchets, Craftsman has excellent 6 point impacts that are US made and extremely tight fitting. A bit thicker than chrome but you most likely won't have any issues, and they are just bare steel with a coating on them so no chrome to flake what so ever. The 52 pc set can be bought on sale for around $160.

Hiball · Aug 23, 2011

pipsters said:
Your original goal was to possibly buy sockets that fit better. I think it's pretty clear that pretty much any new socket bought these days, from Chinese Harbor Freight to Craftsman to Snap-On will fit just about the same, and all have the cutouts to hit the sides and not the corners.

Maybe you need to re-evaluate what you want to accomplish by buying these socket sets? Is it because your current sockets are breaking? Flaking chrome? Anything wrong with them? If not why are you replacing them?

Here are Snap-On sockets (one new) that have chrome peeling:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22682
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1686464
http://www.*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$*@#$/index.php?topic=2674.0

If snap-on produces sockets that peel, I wouldn't hold it against Craftsman doing it either. It's not like the sockets just peel, go over them when you buy them and you can see if the chrome is loose or not in areas. If so, get another, if not use them until they get worn and exchange for another. SK will peel too, and you have the mail them in the warranty and pay $5. Honestly it seems like more trouble than its worth but that's just me.

With the EPA these days, it's no surprise that China can chrome sockets in high quality chrome better than the US.

Also, keep in mind you can use impacts with regular hand ratchets, Craftsman has excellent 6 point impacts that are US made and extremely tight fitting. A bit thicker than chrome but you most likely won't have any issues, and they are just bare steel with a coating on them so no chrome to flake what so ever. The 52 pc set can be bought on sale for around $160.

That info is Dated, According to SK website you can warranty SK tools at any Authorized Warranty Station, Even under the Previous SK regime you could warranty tools at Authorized Retailers without paying the $5 bucks. (Unfortunately they pissed all of them off) The charge only came into play when you sent items in "Previously"... No mention of that policy under Ideal.

slipjointed · Aug 23, 2011

Hiball, I saw that SK 1/4" flexhead in a Sears a long time ago... they had the same lone ratchet on the shelf for several visits. I always thought it was a neat little ratchet, but couldn't stomach $50 for it.

How do you think it compares to your Wright 1/4" flex? IIRC, the SK didn't have detents in the flex joint, which I like and don't like.

stephen9666 said:
Epstein used to carry SK before Ideal bought them out. Epstein has the new sets from Ideal, but they also have old sets from the pre-Ideal days.

I know this because I was at the store recently and saw an SK socket set. I asked if it was new production and they said it was old from the pre-ideal days.

So, if you bought a set from Epstein that the new SK no longer offers, you probably got old stock.

Jori from Epstein came onto the forum when the very first 1/4" sets arrived, and made an official announcement that the first new SK had arrived. Pictures were shared to show specifically what the "new" SK looked like.

Then several weeks later, I called to ask about the 3/8 set, and they said, no, the new 3/8 has not arrived yet, but it will be soon.

About a week later, I called and they said, yes, in fact the new SK 3/8 set just came in.

So, according to Jori's announcement here on the forum, as well as what I was told on the phone each time, any stock of this set that Epstein is currently selling is "new" SK, unless they found an old set on a shelf somewhere.

Now, whether the sockets placed in the set by SK are indeed new... that's a whole different matter.

edit: FYI the sets I am referring to are the ones that don't come with thumbwheel ratchets, the 3/8 is 94547 IIRC but I can't remember the 1/4. That exact set is the one that was not in stock and then came in to stock, and which I was informed was new SK.

(just so you know I'm not confusing with the one that includes the thumbwheel)

Hiball · Aug 23, 2011

slipjointed said:
Jori from Epstein came onto the forum when the very first 1/4" sets arrived, and made an official announcement that the first new SK had arrived. Pictures were shared to show specifically what the "new" SK looked like.

Then several weeks later, I called to ask about the 3/8 set, and they said, no, the new 3/8 has not arrived yet, but it will be soon.

About a week later, I called and they said, yes, in fact the new SK 3/8 set just came in.

So, according to Jori's announcement here on the forum, as well as what I was told on the phone each time, any stock of this set that Epstein is currently selling is "new" SK, unless they found an old set on a shelf somewhere.

Now, whether the sockets placed in the set by SK are indeed new... that's a whole different matter.

I was looking at my New SK stuff that i got from Advance Auto and i noticed on the Cardboard cover that it had 1600 South Prairie Dr., Sycamore, Illinois 60178. After i googled that Addy it appears its the New SK Plant that Ideal built. Now.. Did they take Old stock and slip a new cover over the package? I guess they could have but highly unlikely.

Just another piece of the Puzzle.

pipsters · Aug 23, 2011

Hiball said:
That info is Dated, According to SK website you can warranty SK tools at any Authorized Warranty Station, Even under the Previous SK regime you could warranty tools at Authorized Retailers without paying the $5 bucks. (Unfortunately they pissed all of them off) The charge only came into play when you sent items in "Previously"... No mention of that policy under Ideal.

Fair enough. Does Advance actually stock any SK sockets though? If no, you'd have to go to one to order or mail it back in. Again just more trouble than its worth IMO.

Supposedly when Ideal bought SK they dumped all old stock. It was destroyed. Read a post somewhere about it, where someone witnessed it going on first hand. So I highly doubt these sets contain old product.

Also, from SK's warranty page:

This warranty does not cover wear from normal use, or any problems caused by misuse, abuse, modification or improper maintenance of the tool.

Wear from use would be chrome wear at the top of the socket, which is where my one and only Craftsman socket started flaking. With Sears I take it in and swap it out, SK won't even warranty it. I dunno I just don't see the advantage you are getting with paying 200% - 400% more.

Hiball · Aug 23, 2011

pipsters said:
Fair enough. Does Advance actually stock any SK sockets though? If no, you'd have to go to one to order or mail it back in. Again just more trouble than its worth IMO.

I dont believe Advance is stocking SK but i also dont think AA is gonna be the "Only" Retailer of the brand. You have to remember they have only recently started releasing Products back into the System. As far as warranty's go.. They are great when you need them but i honestly dont warrant alot of tools. If i can get Half the use out of my current stuff as my grandfather got out of his SK-Wayne stuff ill be estatic. I think people get too gaga over warranty here.. Yes, Tools are gonna break, Sockets are gonna occasionally flake etc.. But as a Whole if you buy Quality tools your gonna be Ok. IMO.

pipsters said:
Wear from use would be chrome wear at the top of the socket, which is where my one and only Craftsman socket started flaking. With Sears I take it in and swap it out, SK won't even warranty it. I dunno I just don't see the advantage you are getting with paying 200% - 400% more.

Where are you coming up with these Assumptions? Have you tried to warranty a SK socket thru Ideal? And the 200-400% figure is Way...... out there. I realize you like your Craftsman tools but do you have any proof to back up any of these Warranty Claims against SK? There are tons of companies that have that exact statement in there warranty and ive yet to ever get a flaking chrome tool Not warranted.

slipjointed · Aug 23, 2011

Hiball said:
I was looking at my New SK stuff that i got from Advance Auto and i noticed on the Cardboard cover that it had 1600 South Prairie Dr., Sycamore, Illinois 60178. After i googled that Addy it appears its the New SK Plant that Ideal built. Now.. Did they take Old stock and slip a new cover over the package? I guess they could have but highly unlikely.

Just another piece of the Puzzle.

I also remember that when the pictures were posted of the new stuff from Epstein, a member said that the extensions were definitely old stock due to having knurling or lack thereof (I can't remember which).

I suppose perhaps they have started running the more popular sizes of sockets, but some of the less common sizes are old stock? Maybe once they had run enough of the popular sizes to fill in sets, they threw them together and shipped.

One thing that throws me off is that usually chrome adhesion issues are encountered when first setting up a new plating process... and it's very likely that the peeling occured after inspection on the sockets pictured. Sometimes poor adhesion in plating doesn't show itself for some time after the process. The chrome can look 100% perfect during inspection, but one hard temperature cycle, and all of a sudden it's falling off.

pipsters · Aug 23, 2011

Hiball said:
Where are you coming up with these Assumptions? Have you tried to warranty a SK socket thru Ideal? And the 200-400% figure is Way...... out there. I realize you like your Craftsman tools but do you have any proof to back up any of these Warranty Claims against SK? There are tons of companies that have that exact statement in there warranty and ive yet to ever get a flaking chrome tool Not warranted.

2x-4x on a per socket basis is not "out there", that is what the cost premium is depending on the set.

No, I haven't tried to warranty an SK socket. It's possible they will be great. But like you said warranty really doesn't mean much, the best warranty is never having to use it. But looking at your sockets and others on here, with their issues, I just think it's hypocritical, that's all.

SK is only related to the "old" versions of SK in name only, they have been bought/sold/bankrupt several times over throughout the years.

I wish nothing but the best for the "new" SK, if they can produce a higher quality product then I will sell off my Craftsman stuff and buy SK. That isn't my issue. It's that the product they are producing doesn't seem to be any different...

Hiball · Aug 23, 2011

pipsters said:
2x-4x on a per socket basis is not "out there", that is what the cost premium is depending on the set.

No, I haven't tried to warranty an SK socket. It's possible they will be great. But like you said warranty really doesn't mean much, the best warranty is never having to use it. But looking at your sockets and others on here, with their issues, I just think it's hypocritical, that's all.
.

My Sk stuff was nearly perfect, I I had 2 issues out of both sets and neither involved anything that made them unusuable. Hypocritical? I've been honest from the get go, only stating facts about my purchases and experiences. Every one knows it's hard to beat craftsman sets especially when on sale but $200 bucks for a 1/4 and 3/8 in both sae and metric shipped is hardly 4x's the craftsman set if in fact we are comparing sales to sales. Throw in another $200 buck and get the 1/2 set and that $400 dollars is looking real good compared to the craftsman even with all the fluff. And don't take this the wrong way.. I still own the 200+ craftsman kit I bought in 1994. It's served me well but I honestly think craftsman is headed in the wrong direction and it's probaly due to them trying to compete with the imports. Hopefully the new Sk stuff will be better, that's what I'm banking on. Only time will tell..

Question SK Or Craftsman?

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