To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Am I being a girly man???

Need more space

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
253
Location
Michigan
I missed out on SK day so I choose to put in a order from one of my local tool store. They came in 10-22, put them to work at the shop the following week 10-31. Notice over the last few days the chrome chipping off, by no means am I a tool polisher but this seems unacceptable.... I still have a mismatches crescent/craftsman 3/8 set that's 12-15years old that has yet to chip/flake

order







UPDATE post 52, contacted sk thru their website still no reply. Plan to try one more time then let it go
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Herod

Banned
Joined
Sep 27, 2014
Messages
294
Location
My mother's basement
OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!.........UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!

Sk should be ashamed of themselves.

Agreed....send them back. They should buy you a jumbo size big mac meal for the trouble.
 
OP
N

Need more space

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
253
Location
Michigan
I'm not sure where sk is made or why a premium is paid for them over hf pro tools.
Do they have a better/easier warranty? Are they less expensive?

What made you buy them?
so many sk tools are swapmeet available that I have never considered buying a new set.

Years ago I started buying them because they were made in the USA, also a few of my family member worked for the them at their Ohio factory. Before their bankruptcy I was able to warranty stuff at a local tool store that stocked their items. As far as pricing i wouldn't say they are cheap but still less then snap on. With this order I assumed the same quality and was happy to see they were still made in the USA. Ill update what their customer services tells me
 

Bull

Super Moderator
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
16,189
Location
MA
I'm not sure where sk is made or why a premium is paid for them over hf pro tools.

USA, and that's why.

OP: I wonder if that set is from the pre-Ideal buyout, when the whole operation was coming apart at the seams?
 
OP
N

Need more space

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
253
Location
Michigan
OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!.........UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!

Sk should be ashamed of themselves.

Agreed....send them back. They should buy you a jumbo size big mac meal for the trouble.

I finally kicked the fast food, hope they don't offer that because ill relapse for sure!!
 

Loscaldazar

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Messages
2,385
Send it back. I've got hundreds of new SK sockets, and haven't had a problem with the chrome chipping like that. Somethings wrong!
 
OP
N

Need more space

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
253
Location
Michigan
Send it back. I've got hundreds of new SK sockets, and haven't had a problem with the chrome chipping like that. Somethings wrong!

All the chrome ones I ordered came in one 33pc set, They are so new in my box that most of them have not been used. I wonder if they will exchange the whole set because clearly somethings wrong. I E-mailed SK the other day still waiting to hear back
 

Heavymetalmechanic

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
625
Location
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The cuts from flaking chrome are nasty, got a few bad ones from wrenches that got beat up in my service van's tool box. (Shared tools that none of the other techs could be bothered to properly secure during transport.)

Try and get them exchanged, but make sure you write down some serial numbers, could just be a bad batch but if it happens again it's nice to be able to compare lot #'s.
 

wild cowboy

Banned
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Messages
1,650
Location
Birmingham
The cuts from flaking chrome are nasty, got a few bad ones from wrenches that got beat up in my service van's tool box. (Shared tools that none of the other techs could be bothered to properly secure during transport.)
Chrome tools should never chip or flake, regardless of whether they are secured in transport or not, regardless if they are 70 years old or brand new - could you share with us who made these defective wrenches?
 

DennisH2014

Well-known member
Joined
May 29, 2014
Messages
120
I like SK's tools a lot, and the finish is top-notch, but I feel that the durability of their chrome definitely doesn't seem to hold up as well as other brands. I wonder if it's just me that feels this way?
 

Toyota mechanic

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 18, 2014
Messages
219
Send them back, heck......... I bought some cheap Craftsman, China sets, to save my older USA stuff from some wear, and they have been fine! I would say unacceptable for SK USA sockets...

I have had this sort of thing happen before with 'higher end' tool brands. My older Cman USA and GearWrench work fine for me..... Never disappointed for the money.....

Hope your next set is better. I had some Cornwell sockets that did that righht out of the gate, the ones that replaced them were better. Maybe just a bad lot...
 

rusty65

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
2,279
Location
Pekin,IL
I like SK's tools a lot, and the finish is top-notch, but I feel that the durability of their chrome definitely doesn't seem to hold up as well as other brands. I wonder if it's just me that feels this way?


Yeah I agree I've seen three of there ratchets in the local pawn shop all with flaking chrome.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Bull

Super Moderator
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
16,189
Location
MA
People who have anecdotes about chrome fail do need to consider the distinction between current and pre-bankruptcy era SK. Same name, different company.
 

Askme42

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2012
Messages
2,538
Location
Goreville IL
USA, and that's why.

OP: I wonder if that set is from the pre-Ideal buyout, when the whole operation was coming apart at the seams?

This was what I thought too. Although there have been a few problems with the sk day orders also.
 
OP
N

Need more space

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
253
Location
Michigan
People who have anecdotes about chrome fail do need to consider the distinction between current and pre-bankruptcy era SK. Same name, different company.

So what are you saying? Old stuff good new stuff questionable? I still use my older SK often if not daily. The new stuff I have is less then a month old and having issues
 

jakemac

Well-known member
Joined
May 21, 2013
Messages
9,035
Location
New England
So what are you saying? Old stuff good new stuff questionable? I still use my older SK often if not daily. The new stuff I have is less then a month old and having issues

Old SK = good
newish pre-bankrupcy SK = iffy to bad (stock may still be in the pipelines at suppliers)
New Ideal SK = seems to be good (time will tell), but may still have some growing pains ????

What you have is only a month old to you. Your supplier may have had pre-bankrupcy stock on it's shelves, or gotten it through a distribution center. I'm not really sure how to tell the difference between P-B stock and new Ideal stock.
 
Last edited:

Murphy4570

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
2,821
Location
West Deptford NJ
Chipped chrome on tools is a safety issue, it can cut you/mar your hands.

Already chipped chrome from barely being used? Damn they must be dipping them in the shittiest chrome plating process known to man.

On the other foot, here's the amount of chrome chipping after seven years of hard daily use and abuse as a ratchet and sometimes a hammer! This is acceptable chrome wear, IMO. Just an example. Chipping/wear is at the edges. No sharp edges, can't really feel it with bare finger.

ratchet_zpsfa4b5741.jpg
 

wild cowboy

Banned
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Messages
1,650
Location
Birmingham
here is a well used Craftsman wrench that is over 70 years old - notice it has no rust nor chrome flaking - there is no excuse for any other tool company not to build something like this!

$_57.JPG
 
Last edited:

2oolhound

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2010
Messages
5,918
Location
BC Canada
^^^ has that wrench ever been used? Have you been wrenching with it regularly for the past 70 years? I think that's a little extreme bro. I have many 50+ year old tools that have chips through the chrome and even some peeling chrome. Salt and chemical work conditions have different effects on hand tools.

I'd return the whole kit since it is so new. With new chromium laws it is possible different plating processes have been used throughout the transition from old SK to the new SK.
 

5.0 clunker

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
36
IMO if you were willing to settle for demising quality so soon after purchasing why not just buy HF. Iwould send them back.
 

Hiball

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
14,029
Location
Missery
Girly Man? Nah... but **** happens, There isn't a Brand alive that hasn't had a case of chipping chrome, Its a Safety issue Plain and Simple. It probably took you longer to type this thread than it would have to call SK and have a replacement on the way.
 

Bigblue&Goldie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
10,680
Location
AZ
How much longer are people going to use the "old stock from pre-bankruptcy" excuse for poor quality control? Ideal acquired SK over 4 years ago; that would be some extremely slow moving stock.

I like what SK is doing with the a 100% made in USA product line, but they are still experiencing some growing pains. I agree the quality now is better than the pre-Ideal days, but there have been numerous threads from unhappy customers, especially when it comes to finish.
 

66dave

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2010
Messages
197
Location
Boise!
last year I was a my dad's place helping him replace some cam tensioners on my brothers F150. he ands me a wench (little did I know it had chipping like that) and it cut up my hand...I say sent it back
 

Hiball

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
14,029
Location
Missery
How much longer are people going to use the "old stock from pre-bankruptcy" excuse for poor quality control? Ideal acquired SK over 4 years ago; that would be some extremely slow moving stock.

I like what SK is doing with the a 100% made in USA product line, but they are still experiencing some growing pains. I agree the quality now is better than the pre-Ideal days, but there have been numerous threads from unhappy customers, especially when it comes to finish.

Pre-Ideal wasn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be.... My SK stuff, The Majority of Pre-Ideal has held up flawlessly. I did upgrade the Ratchets to Ideal produced mainly because I wanted the Newer adjustable flex ratchets. Ill Say it again.. All Manufacturers have Chrome issues from time to time, Im not a plating expert but obviously something prevented the chrome from adhering properly. I really don't call chrome failure on 1 socket "Poor Quality Control" etc.. I guess it makes for good GJ chatter, but anyone who has a smidgeon of experience using tools knows that flaking occasionally happens.
 

Bull

Super Moderator
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
16,189
Location
MA
How much longer are people going to use the "old stock from pre-bankruptcy" excuse for poor quality control? Ideal acquired SK over 4 years ago; that would be some extremely slow moving stock.

I like what SK is doing with the a 100% made in USA product line, but they are still experiencing some growing pains. I agree the quality now is better than the pre-Ideal days, but there have been numerous threads from unhappy customers, especially when it comes to finish.

Using it as an excuse and considering it as a possibility are distinct.

It makes no sense to criticize current SK products unless you first establish that you are actually using current SK products.
 

Bigblue&Goldie

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
10,680
Location
AZ
Pre-Ideal wasn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be.... My SK stuff, The Majority of Pre-Ideal has held up flawlessly. I did upgrade the Ratchets to Ideal produced mainly because I wanted the Newer adjustable flex ratchets. Ill Say it again.. All Manufacturers have Chrome issues from time to time, Im not a plating expert but obviously something prevented the chrome from adhering properly. I really don't call chrome failure on 1 socket "Poor Quality Control" etc.. I guess it makes for good GJ chatter, but anyone who has a smidgeon of experience using tools knows that flaking occasionally happens.

I agree, I have a Blackhawk (one of my favorite brands) wrench with chipping chrome around the open end. One example isn't anything to get worked up about, but It just seems like there have been numerous threads lately about people complaining about bad finish or goofy rolled markings from SK.
 

SantaAna12

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
1,091
If it is pre-Ideal stock and it has chrome problems, then why is Ideal selling it rather than pulling it?

The post about batch numbers is a good one. I would like to think that todays S-K would want that.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom