Tinner
Well-known member
The socket set came from ToolTopia. One wrench set from Amazon the other new, unused from a private seller on eBay.
I guess if I were you, I'd give SK customer service a call and see what they will do.
Another SK Quality Control Thread
- Thread starter glowedroid
- Start date
The socket set came from ToolTopia. One wrench set from Amazon the other new, unused from a private seller on eBay.
I guess if I were you, I'd give SK customer service a call and see what they will do.
Which one is which? I see a common pattern between Kobalt, GearWrench, Toptul, and Pittsburgh Pro sockets; they all have that super clean look inside. I highly suspect they're all made in the same building.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Well, since you're not happy you could return them to where you bought them or contact the manufacturer and ask them what's up.
I have issues looking at zoomed pictures on here with my browser so won't say whether or not I think these are valid concerns. Some guys like flawless stuff, some guys are okay with some non-structural flaws but since you paid good money for these it would be best that you take your concerns to the manufacturer.
I try not to buy stuff (especially tools) unless I can check it out in store for reasons similar to this.
I have issues looking at zoomed pictures on here with my browser so won't say whether or not I think these are valid concerns. Some guys like flawless stuff, some guys are okay with some non-structural flaws but since you paid good money for these it would be best that you take your concerns to the manufacturer.
I try not to buy stuff (especially tools) unless I can check it out in store for reasons similar to this.
GW uses a sintering process. It creates a uniform clean shape every single time. The downfall is supposedly in strength, although I've also read manufactures can actually make stronger alloys by combining powders. I really don't know much about the process though. All US tool manufacturers still forge and broach as far as im aware.
The other way you can tell is by looking for tooling marks from the broaching/cutting which wont be there on a sintered product. GW sockets have none. Arguments aside GW sockets are still some of the highest quality I've seen for the cash.
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OP
glowedroid
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2013
- Messages
- 41
Interesting to know about Gearwrench being sintered.
I know that these will turn a bolt fine. The problem I have is that they are a gift and look plain sloppy. I paid a more premium price and didn't something that was made with premium care.
I want to be able to be proud to work with a tool that looks like the person making it was proud to make it.
I still am inclined to think this is new SK because of the date stamp on the ratchet, and if SK is hoping to really get in the game while only making tools for a specific niche of people who don't really care what their tools LOOK like as long as they work, I can see them failing again.
I know that these will turn a bolt fine. The problem I have is that they are a gift and look plain sloppy. I paid a more premium price and didn't something that was made with premium care.
I want to be able to be proud to work with a tool that looks like the person making it was proud to make it.
I still am inclined to think this is new SK because of the date stamp on the ratchet, and if SK is hoping to really get in the game while only making tools for a specific niche of people who don't really care what their tools LOOK like as long as they work, I can see them failing again.
foreverfalcon40
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2013
- Messages
- 856
I just do not understand these threads at times, because I am a technician and use my tools everyday at work and at home. To me it is form over function, when new tools come my way just verify that they are all accounted for and cuts are sharp at the points. Blemishes overtime will be earned. I will admit if the socket fell off my ratchet and or extension to me it is junk and I would warranty it immediately.
To bash any company to me over QC is crazy. Tools are not hand made any more, people that check them are flawed. Can you imagine how tedious, redundant and boring overlooking tools for blemishes?
To bash any company to me over QC is crazy. Tools are not hand made any more, people that check them are flawed. Can you imagine how tedious, redundant and boring overlooking tools for blemishes?
For me its just a matter of principle. Sure the tools will/might work fine. But, you pay a little more and want to encourage and support quality U.S. manufacturing.
One is disappointed when the quality "appears" less than what you can buy at Harbor Freight.
Accepting poor quality control is simply enabling U.S. companies to falter in the new global economy. I purchase ag. implements at my workplace and I always tell the seller that if they cannot deliver it in like-new condition then don't deliver it at all. This, even though I know it will eventually get beat up during use.
Its a matter of principle and U.S. manufacturing pride.
One is disappointed when the quality "appears" less than what you can buy at Harbor Freight.
Accepting poor quality control is simply enabling U.S. companies to falter in the new global economy. I purchase ag. implements at my workplace and I always tell the seller that if they cannot deliver it in like-new condition then don't deliver it at all. This, even though I know it will eventually get beat up during use.
Its a matter of principle and U.S. manufacturing pride.
If your Not Happy with them Send them Back.. Nobody is going to think any less of you. If you think you paid a Premium Price, Send them back, Buy the Same Comparable set in Proto or Snap on and Report back on the Cost.. LOL. Obviously your entitled to your opinion on what a Tools company should represent, your not Happy.. Nothing wrong with that, But tools are meant to be used and to most people they could care less if the Interior paint isn't uniform or there is a Glob here or there, "IF" the Detents wont hold and or the Hex is off centered those are separate issues and need to be rectified. What makes me Happy is the Fitment and Strength for the times when I need to put a little more effort into removing that fastener and having confidence that my socket wont leave me on the floor, im here to tell you I have had ZERO Problems in those departments. IN the END you Paid for the Product, if your Not happy send them back, Nothing anyone here says matters.
In regards to the Mixed Production in your Set, as I stated earlier it appears your set might be made up with New and Old stock Sockets. I suspect SK didn't toss any and old acquired tools from the transaction, Which might explain the Interior differences in sockets and New Dated Ratchet.
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3 at 8
Well-known member
Very well said; I agree. Some might say; "acceptance is encouragement".
MackMan
Well-known member
I have some Gear-Wrench ratcheting wrenches they sure are pretty... after having enough times of the open end rounding off bolts and generally not working, I switched to (mostly used) Snap-On, some with chrome chips, owners marks, surface rust etc... but they all fit 100% perfect on appropriate fasteners (ones that the gear wrench wouldn't even turn). Don't look near as pretty but work 100% better, so I'll go with that. I have heard that Gear-Wrench has improved a little though, so maybe the non-fitment isn't an issue anymore. Definitely left a bad taste in my mouth for GW though.
The errors I see in your tools are representative of the same things I have seen in Craftsman and even Snap-On.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
^^^This^^^
There really has to be a reason for paying a premium price, especially since cheap tools are made so well anymore. They need to function first, and then they need to look like new tools that you paid a premium for too. If not, there are plenty of flea market finds to be had that will function just as well.
Stooge
Well-known member
hate to see someone's view of SK spoiled like this. i have both new and old SK as they, (with the exception of snap on and proto), have always been my go to when buying new handtools, and have always been happy with my purchases. i have only had to send back maybe 2 pieces to them and they have great customer service and i had the replacement within a few days. the chrome always looks nice, although i will admit, sometimes they have a very light/ inconsistent stamping on some of the newer stuff.
I noticed that you said you contacted customer support. They should respond within 24 hours. My experience with SK customer support has been nothing short of fantastic. They should take care of you. I have purchased 2 60 piece 1/4" sets and 2 48 piece 2/8" sets over the past year. The first 2 sets I received were a mix of new stock and old stock. The second two sets purchased from tooltopia looks to be all new stock and the quality was fantastic. I hope your issue gets resolved, SK makes the best tools for the money in my opinion.
woody 73
Well-known member
Again give them a call at 1-800-822-5575 and better yet give them the GJ post showing your pictures that should get the ball rolling as they say:
http://www.skhandtool.com/warranty.aspx
http://www.skhandtool.com/warranty.aspx
stratman977
Well-known member
Don't forget that the EPA has strict rules on chrome electroplating in the us. SK may not be able by law to chrome their tools the way gearwrench in china can.
I would rather have paint inside a tight fitting socket than uneven chrome plating in a loose fitting socket.
I would rather have paint inside a tight fitting socket than uneven chrome plating in a loose fitting socket.
kythri
Well-known member
I could be mistaken, but I was pretty sure that the GearWrench brand management team had come on the board here and stated that the Apex/GW stuff was NOT sintered.
Do we have any proof that the product is produced that way?
sberry
Banned
This thread is living proof that for well under 20$ a guy could have got the same problem at HF or Sears so cheap it wouldn't have been worth worrying about . hahahaha
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Crazy Number alert...
bcradio
Well-known member
Agree with the users that say they should be virtually flawless when you buy them new. If function is all you're worried about, then buy used and save. I would either return the whole set if you are worried about getting warranty completed by Christmas or warranty the bad ones if you aren't.
I can vouch for this, I bought a 3/8 set from Amazon recently and it was in a green blow molded case with a cardboard sleeve showing off the contents and the address on it for SK was of their new warehouse/HQ in IL.
+1 to SK's excellent customer service. I called about a socket that came in a set I had bought that seemed like it was not fully drilled out since the opening in it was a bit narrow and would not fit on a Hansen socket tray (every other socket in the set fit and everything else was otherwise fine.) A 3 minutes phone call and the customer service person apologizes and said a replacement would be on my door a few days later and sure enough, 2 days later a brand new socket that fit perfectly was on my doorstep.
sberry
Banned
Who's fault is it that you cant do rudimentary math? Like when the tool cost less than the sales tax would be on a tool truck for similar item?
Prove me Wrong.. Please link a Comparable 48 Piece 3/8" drive 6pt socket set for the:
You Claim.. Ill be waiting, and Ill settle for $20, forget about the "well Under" part.
Thanks in Advance.
When it comes to chrome even the Taiwan and China Danaher products look to have switched over to the more modern/earth friendly trivalent chrome over the last few years. Their finish matches that of the USA products (darker in appearance vs the brighter look of hexavalent chrome).
I dont see the problem, sure some paint are missing, but first time you use the socket its all gone anyway! Yo should see my jh williams ratcheting stubby wrenches how they look
The chrome are extremely bad and some wrenches have big cutting marks! And yes, I bought them new from amazon!
The chrome are extremely bad and some wrenches have big cutting marks! And yes, I bought them new from amazon!sberry
Banned
Hiball, I know you can pick over my threads where I was generalizing but I might have been referring to some 1/2 set at Walmart or whatever but the point is the same,,, its not small % markups but multiples.
I bought 4 adjustables 10 years ago on sale from a vendor, auto parts store delivered for 16$, I don't know how you would value the smaller wrenches vs the bigger one but, how much you think this cost from the truck? A few more dollars???? A quote by me would be a guess but in my % of error guess is vastly less in error than the multiples of markup for chroming the exact same wrench. Feel free to find the poslished truck version and quote the price, either in singles or as a set of 4.
I say 10 times, 160 minimum?
I bought 4 adjustables 10 years ago on sale from a vendor, auto parts store delivered for 16$, I don't know how you would value the smaller wrenches vs the bigger one but, how much you think this cost from the truck? A few more dollars???? A quote by me would be a guess but in my % of error guess is vastly less in error than the multiples of markup for chroming the exact same wrench. Feel free to find the poslished truck version and quote the price, either in singles or as a set of 4.
I say 10 times, 160 minimum?
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I will be the first to agree and say the truck brands are overpriced. However, you cant compare a snap on wrench to a harbor freight wrench. The fit and feel is vastly superior in favor of the Snap On. Is it worth the $300 price difference? Unfortunately, I cant answer that, but if I were using the tools everyday to make my money, I would probably spend the extra cash for the Snap On wrench. Only the end user can decide what is right for him/her and if it's worth the price difference. I see the point that both you and Hiball are trying to make though.
sberry
Banned
The HF wrench is where they didn't finish it complete and its cosmetic. I guess they feel they sell so many that maybe they shave the cosmetic and finish a little but the thing Auto Value and maybe Napa bought was shopped for quality. ATD didn't engrave it, they inked the label and I scored the same one from a flea vendor that said China on it in ink.
sberry
Banned
HF is really a big enough player that they could leverage small amounts of cost cuts. I think there are minor places for improvements but I can get er done just the same either way. Walmart can actually negotiate and shop for quality, spend extra 50 cents for a socket set they don't need to be a warranty center for.
Some of the rucks sell by the piece, why havwe an 11/32 in triplicate of every flavor or I cant remember the last time I used an 11, only occasionally a 12.
Generalizing and Over Indulging are 2 separate things.. Im fairly certain everyone here understands that certain brands carry more of a Markup versus what can be found in your local Autozone. Im also smart enough to know there are more costs involved with those brands, I Agree 100% that there are rebranded items that carry a higher retail because of the Name on the package, but even in the bizarre world of Adjustable wrenches, There are differences outside of Chrome or finishing. It becomes obvious when you actually put your hands on them.
Geez..
sberry
Banned
I recall others having the same experience,,, a bad batch of metric impacts with missing sizes from HF maybe, I know the critisizim is accurate, had the exact same thing and it scared us a bit but we mail ordered and am not fukkin with it at that cost, we sourced singles as needed from the jobber, lifetime china as needed.
Only in a few cases in a few small sizes would fit matter a pinch. We have a hundred or so small china combo floating around we paid a dollar for as singles that have been outstanding service a long time. Yes, buy a wrench and pay 30X as much for it, put it in a vise and pound with 4# hammer one would hope it was a pinch better but with modern day tools the gap is not as huge as the imagination can be lead to believe.
If it was twice as good how much would it be worth? Answer that. As I recall the Stanley passed some ansi and was a leader among tools, 2$ vs 30?
Only in a few cases in a few small sizes would fit matter a pinch. We have a hundred or so small china combo floating around we paid a dollar for as singles that have been outstanding service a long time. Yes, buy a wrench and pay 30X as much for it, put it in a vise and pound with 4# hammer one would hope it was a pinch better but with modern day tools the gap is not as huge as the imagination can be lead to believe.
If it was twice as good how much would it be worth? Answer that. As I recall the Stanley passed some ansi and was a leader among tools, 2$ vs 30?
sberry
Banned
You figure me to be some amateur with a wrench?
sberry
Banned
I say you can make more money with a dollar wrench than a 10$ one.
Hence one rarely sees collections of hardline HF tools on ebay for 50 cents on the dollar that look new.
Last replacement 7/16 I bought was 30, last foot I set on there and the fukker act like he was doing me a big favor but then again,,,, the truck had some half assers on it like flies on **** jamming the limit of their accounts. I was pretty irrelevant and maybe even a hinderence for only buying 2 things. Even the broad at Sears calls me Mr and fusses over me replacing warranty with a thank you.
Hence one rarely sees collections of hardline HF tools on ebay for 50 cents on the dollar that look new.
Sure there are but how does it benefit me and does the bolt know a difference? We were missing a piece and replaced it with a full polish long handled husky for 3$ in a single, so good you could have scribed any name ofer it and Stevie Wonder cant tell the difference. How much work would I have to do to find a scenario where this wasn't sufficient to a mechanic worth a pinch of **** to recover 27 more dollars with that tool plus tax plus chase the (which proves to be a 50/50 chance all its own at best) ***** down and beg him to take my money.
Last replacement 7/16 I bought was 30, last foot I set on there and the fukker act like he was doing me a big favor but then again,,,, the truck had some half assers on it like flies on **** jamming the limit of their accounts. I was pretty irrelevant and maybe even a hinderence for only buying 2 things. Even the broad at Sears calls me Mr and fusses over me replacing warranty with a thank you.
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I figure anyone who tries to say that the only difference between a HF wrench and a Snap on Wrench is "The HF wrench is where they didn't finish it complete and its cosmetic" Has Never Once held a Snap on Wrench, You figure it however you want.
sberry
Banned
I use enough 4 1/2 at one time got good and tired of 100 or more a pop for **** from China, went looking and found it5 at walmart, dam near the same thing for 30 all day and as low as 20, so what if it cant be remanufactured for 50$, havnt had to so mch as fix a cord from rot, Millwaukee sits next to it with half the use has a **** switch and a rubber cord that is proprietary and cost 20$ should have been replaced years ago.
You figure to be some golden arm can make sparks with an end wrench? I agree I got a small handful of snappies I finally relegate to a drawer but I don't think I am the only one ever used a wrench. I got a 10 inch adj snap, yes parts of it are a bit more pretty and shiny objects are attractive but never pick it because its "better" than the ATD one which really impresses me considering the vast cost difference and the fact that in thousands of cycles never found one thing the other one could do it couldn't.
Never,,, every bit as good as a human operator could tell as a Proto or Diamond, I actually like the jaw better, it opens a class wider. Will fit a one inch trailer ball.
You figure to be some golden arm can make sparks with an end wrench? I agree I got a small handful of snappies I finally relegate to a drawer but I don't think I am the only one ever used a wrench. I got a 10 inch adj snap, yes parts of it are a bit more pretty and shiny objects are attractive but never pick it because its "better" than the ATD one which really impresses me considering the vast cost difference and the fact that in thousands of cycles never found one thing the other one could do it couldn't.
Never,,, every bit as good as a human operator could tell as a Proto or Diamond, I actually like the jaw better, it opens a class wider. Will fit a one inch trailer ball.
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That's a Great Story and all... But Nobody here is trying to sell you anything, You are free to spend your Money on whatever brand/coo/Pricepoint of your choice.
This Thread is a perfect example, which is why #10 summed it up from Me. The OP, The Guy who shelled out the Cash for the SK set is the one who needs to be Happy with the Transaction.
sberry
Banned
Look at all the complaints from premium tools and all the testimony as to how impressed people actually are with HF, one exceeds expatations and the other fails it.
Do you really think that the Hand full of complaints from the so called "Premium" tools is a drop in the bucket to what is out there being used everyday? Have you been thru the Harbor Freight Pass/Fail thread? Come on Man... Either wait for the High to wear off or come at me with something better than that.
There isn't a brand out there that wont suffer from Poor QC or Terrible Performance on Occasion. Plain and Simple, End of Discussion.
sberry
Banned
I agree buy anything you want but its a false impression to leave that the tool near the bottom anymore isn't nears as good and is somehow a hi risk venture even if it wasn't. That somehow his risk is lessened because he spent more which in fact is really statistically false to the tune of multiples.
bcradio
Well-known member
bump
to see Sberry and Hiball continue.
to see Sberry and Hiball continue.
i wonder what sort of alcohol or drug was fueling the drivel this time.