Which finsh and material yopu prefer in your tools Shiny chrome or dim nickle

Autoguy · Apr 20, 2009

I always liked to have my sockets and wrenches fully polished and in shiny bright chrome. Old tools used to come with matt finish and with rough surfaces and may be with some light polishing on some areas like the box end or open end sides and even though looked great. Recently many manfactrers use nickle plating which is dimmer and to me looks ugly compared to the chrome. Even SO new dual 80 ratchet has nickle finsh that looked like titanum socket sets made by koken japan. I hate it soooo much that somtimes I avoid buing the tool for this reason .

RRmech · Apr 20, 2009

I've always preferred the matte finish myself.
Shiny chrome tools remind me of a pimp carrying a chrome plated revolver.

Steve

Vulturej · Apr 20, 2009

RRmech said:
I've always preferred the matte finish myself.
Shiny chrome tools remind me of a pimp carrying a chrome plated revolver.

Steve

I guess I’m the pimp with a lot of chrome plated revolvers. :bounce:

I always preferred the chrome because it is easier to clean.

Bo Heck · Apr 20, 2009

although I have none currently, I'm really digging the industrial black oxide finish, second to that is the satin, and then chrome.

krusty the clown · Apr 20, 2009

my chrome plated revolvers have pearl handles.............

give me chrome and a can of snap on polish :spit:

RRmech · Apr 20, 2009

Seriously.....the problem I have with chrome plating is.....eventually......if you use them long enough.....they start flaking-n'-peeling.

Steve

steelespeed · Apr 20, 2009

most of my meager set is shiny chrome. it is very easy to clean up after use, but it also shows wear and tear much quicker. i am looking to purchase a new set of combo wrenches soon, and i am seriously considering satin finish.

Vulturej · Apr 20, 2009

RRmech said:
Seriously.....the problem I have with chrome plating is.....eventually......if you use them long enough.....they start flaking-n'-peeling.

Steve

My SO combo wrenches are over 20 years old, with no chrome flaking.

Art From De Leon · Apr 20, 2009

CHROME!

The only problem I have had with the chrome finish on my Snap On tools is some have lost their lustre over the years, and some of my early wrenches and sockets (from the 1970's) have some pitting frome when I carried my toolbox in the trunk of the car with a dead battery.

sk farmer · Apr 20, 2009

no so bashing but i don't consider 20 years to be old for a good tool. i beleive there are many tools being used by people on here that are 50 plus years old, and on a regular basis. with "proper" use and care good tools can last longer than you or i. i can also relate to art on the battery problem. although my pits came from a "live" battery.

Rickster · Apr 20, 2009

I really don't care about the finsh so much but I like the wrench size to readily visible and by that I mean large and in plain sight.

billymade · Apr 20, 2009

I have found on the older chrome tools that have lost their lustre; a little going over with superfine steel wool will bring back some of the shine! Worth a try, what do you have to lose? Then, I apply some wax at the end....

r0meyrome · Apr 20, 2009

i honestly like the satin and european finish on the Toptul items.

petty4243 · Apr 20, 2009

Rickster said:
I really don't care about the finsh so much but I like the wrench size to readily visible and by that I mean large and in plain sight.

I agree with rickster... most important to me is usability and ability to identify, but, if I had 2 side by side, one chrome and one satin, i usually grab the satin.... feel better in the hand a bit of texture helps to insure that it is less likely to slip from my hand... not to mention it does not show the finite scratches the polished ones do

rsanter · Apr 20, 2009

I like the chrome because its easy to clean and it keeps the rust away (most of the time)
if they are shiny that is nice if they are scratched a bit from use I am ok with that too.

bob

-B- · Apr 20, 2009

I like the feel of nickle the best but chrome is easier to clean. Using gloves more and more it is kind of a moot point now. ( except races)

mkdive · Apr 20, 2009

I like the looks of matte finish....but chrome is much easier to keep clean. My .02

theWORLDSaNAIL · Apr 20, 2009

I prefer phosphate oxide coating tough as hell and doesn't blind you when light bounces of the tools. The reason modern chrome doesn't stand up is the thickness of the deposit is thinner than the old chrome plating processes used to
generate. The change has been brought about because the whining enviro people. For durability oxide coating can be the toughest if done in a tempering furnace with the added benefit of rust protection

The Muffin Man · Apr 20, 2009

Vulturej said:
I guess I’m the pimp with a lot of chrome plated revolvers.

And a whole lot of @&^#$ES!!! :thumbup:

Personally I hate the finish on the Craftsman sockets now days.

I equally like satin and polished chrome though.

Vulturej · Apr 20, 2009

sk farmer said:
no so bashing but i don't consider 20 years to be old for a good tool. i beleive there are many tools being used by people on here that are 50 plus years old, and on a regular basis. with "proper" use and care good tools can last longer than you or i. i can also relate to art on the battery problem. although my pits came from a "live" battery.

I agree with you 100%. I was referring to the wrench set I purchased new and has been in my care for over 20 years. I have a lot of tools that were made before I was born that are still in excellent condition. I have seen tools less than 2 years old rusted, if you don't take care of your tools they can't take care of you.

Garage_Mahal · Apr 20, 2009

In the garage, chrome for SAE, satin for metric. Black chrome for the race trailer tool set. Makes for easy identification from a distance and quick cleanup.

Which finsh and material yopu prefer in your tools Shiny chrome or dim nickle

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