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Are these new SK Wrenches genuine?

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mlapaglia

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I bought a wrench set off of Amazon today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYCSQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It looks like they all have a number of imperfections. Is this typical of SK tools?
Looks like an area that didn't get chrome treatment:
http://i.imgur.com/vBNpAzz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yOTcnmz.jpg
There is some blistering to the right of the USA stamp. It looks like what rust looks like forming under a coat of paint.

http://i.imgur.com/7gdhFZ0.jpg
More pitting and unfinished areas.

http://i.imgur.com/FMu9dIy.jpg
Missed areas, scratches

http://i.imgur.com/JpGYKWt.jpg
There's a missing chunk of metal that the chrome got finished over.

Is this why the set was cheaper than other places I've found online (like Grainger, selling for ~$300)?
 
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Roberts210

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I get a notice that says, "Access to i.imgur.com was denied. You don't have authorization to view this page."
 
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Hiball

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Wrenches look awesome too me... The box end inside finish is from the hangers during the plating process.

If your not happy... You bought them from Amazon, returns are easy as pie.
 
OP
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mlapaglia

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Hiball said:
Wrenches look awesome too me... The box end inside finish is from the hangers during the plating process.

If your not happy... You bought them from Amazon, returns are easy as pie.
Click to expand...

I think they look great too aside from the imperfections. I don't really care what they look like, but is chrome missing from that area going to cause issues down the road?
 
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Hiball

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mlapaglia said:
I think they look great too aside from the imperfections. I don't really care what they look like, but is chrome missing from that area going to cause issues down the road?
Click to expand...

From a tool performance standpoint? No..

From a OCD or similar Mental breakdown.?. Possibly.
 
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Infinia

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Even if you had them in a glass display case, no one else could see those.
infact I cant see any "blistering" zoomed in on the macro shots. Not tools as jewelry is it perhaps a case of buyers remorse?
 
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B_Bimmer

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If you use them you'll never notice and the "imperfections" they get from use will quickly outdue normal manufacturing marks... However if they sit in a box in the garage with nothing but a yearly garagejournal sanctioned inspection, they will eventually develop surface rust, and of course it will start where the plating is not.
 
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Fedwrench

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Go out to your garage, holding the box of wrenches at waste level, flip the box over quickly allowing the wrenches to fall to the ground. now pour some used oil/grease on them. Wipe them down and put them away until you work on something.:evil: They'll be fine, just use them :wtf:
 
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jakemac

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Are they genuine ? - Yes.

Is this typical of SK Tools ? - The new company is still working on improving quality control. It's a work in progress. EVERY tool company has tools that miss QC and get out into the wild. It happens.

Will this effect the performance of the tool ? - No

Will it rust ? - Everything made of steel will rust. Even Stainless, given time and the right conditions. As stated above, any dings you put on a tool while working will produce the same risk of rust. Keep your tools clean and oiled.

Is this why the set was cheaper than other places I've found online (like Grainger, ... ? - No. The price is lower than Grainger because they inflate their prices. Other places determine their own profit margin, so prices may vary. It is also possible that the buyer you got these from purchased them as "seconds" at a reduced price that he passes on to his customers. This doesn't mean that the tools are inferior, it just means that they may not be as pretty as "firsts".

Bottom line, you bought from a discount supplier, so you shouldn't be expecting jewelry.
The tools are still good tools at a good price and are fully covered by SK's warranty, should they fail.
 
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bob15

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As stated by everyone else, you'll be fine. It is a wrench that will get grease in crude in that area and you will never see it again.
 
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crane operator

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Original poster just left a two star review, with the same pictures he posted here. "not paying this much money for poor quality control"

I think there isn't a thing wrong with those wrenches. One day of use and you'll never see those spots.

If they are just to sit shiny in a box, and show to your friends and girlfriend your cool tools, I guess you could send them back if your not happy.

If you were using them every day those spots mean nothing. Look like great wrenches to me.
 
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derosa

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crane operator said:
Original poster just left a two star review, with the same pictures he posted here. "not paying this much money for poor quality control"

I think there isn't a thing wrong with those wrenches. One day of use and you'll never see those spots.

If they are just to sit shiny in a box, and show to your friends and girlfriend your cool tools, I guess you could send them back if your not happy.

If you were using them every day those spots mean nothing. Look like great wrenches to me.
Click to expand...
He changed it to 4 stars which seems reasonable if you happen to seem fussy. I just picked up a new 9/16 wright with the matte finish. First thing I noticed when I was handed it was that there was a polished area just before the polished area of the open end on the beam. Which tells me SK isn't the only US company to lack perfection; course now it also has little scratches from not caring and shoving it in the same pocket as my keys so the wife wouldn't see that I bought another wrench.
 
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bob15

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Forgot to ask before.....can someone tell me the issue with the open end picture the OP posted? Where is the issue?
 
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LXCam

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What a completely ridiculous complaint, unbelievable. Ya know what you should return them and never buy another tool ever.
 
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crane operator

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bob15 said:
Forgot to ask before.....can someone tell me the issue with the open end picture the OP posted? Where is the issue?
Click to expand...


I think he was complaining about the two pin sized divots in the flat area, they are chromed, but casting imperfections that they didn't bring the flat's down to.
:dunno:
 
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JoJoSnap

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Wow this op has a serious ocd pretty much like women are with diamonds. Tools are supposed to be used and get banged the hell outta 'em. I dont use chrome wrenches. Cant see size number on mm or fractional.. i prefer black oxide. Not into **** with chrome plating like i give a flying fk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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PJNJ

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:dunno:
The only time my wrenches looked that good is the day they were new.
Instead of putting them under a microscope, try seeing how they fit on nuts and bolts. In order words, use them.

:beer:
 
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T45

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Bottom line, you bought from a discount supplier, so you shouldn't be expecting jewelry. The tools are still good tools at a good price and are fully covered by SK's warranty, should they fail.
Click to expand...

This...Box ends tend to collect dirt, which holds moisture, which tends to develop some corrosion. The antidote to this is useing the tool regularly. And then occasionally hit it with some degreaser/wd40/brake cleaner.

I'm not a huge fan of SK, but these ones look fine.
 
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Loscaldazar

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Hiball said:
Wrenches look awesome too me... The box end inside finish is from the hangers during the plating process.

If your not happy... You bought them from Amazon, returns are easy as pie.
Click to expand...

This.

If people are interested, I can post photos of Snap On, Proto, and Williams USA with the same "issue." The wrenches are hung from the box end to be plated, and that means part of the box end will not be completely chromed.

I can also post more photos of Snap On wrenches being broached off center. This forum tends to love stuff like that :p
 
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Gmonkee

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You guys who want perfect finish need to look at Nepros and Koken stuff.

But then if price wasn't the issue COO would be. Lol.


Industrial tool brands tend to allow blemishes to pass as industrial buyers want function over form. Guess who is a big target for makers like SK and Wright?


I keep my wrenches wrapped in virgin silk in a climate controlled room to prevent any possible blemish to trigger my ocd. Or tossed in a tote at work getting the **** beat out of them to get me paid.

Tools are worthless if unused. Use them.
 
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Banshee365

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WTF is it about SK that brings this out in people? Instead of seeing feedback on the very good quality and amazing value of SK tools I mainly see people bitching about the finish of the inside of sockets and box ends. Are you freaking kidding me?

Maybe the OP should have bought some Snap-On sockets. But then this thread would have photos of roll mark problems like inconsistent depth and overlapping knurling that slightly misaligns as the past two sets of Snap-On sockets I've bought brand new have. Oh, and my brand new semi-deeps have an 8mm that has a shinier finish in the inside than all the others. What a disgrace!

Those are awesome wrenches. Be proud to have them.
 
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Schurkey

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Banshee365 said:
WTF is it about SK that brings this out in people? Instead of seeing feedback on the very good quality and amazing value of SK tools I mainly see people bitching about the finish of the inside of sockets and box ends. Are you freaking kidding me?
Click to expand...
More than any other tool company, SK advertises top-quality chrome. Not just ordinary chrome, but SUPERKROME.

Yes, the expectations are higher when the advertising is written that way:
SuperKrome® Finish
High polish SuperKrome® plating results in a jewelry-like finish,
providing long life and maximum corrosion resistance
Click to expand...
 
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Fedwrench

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In defense of the OP, I can understand wanting new tools to be perfect and shiny since I spent my hard earned money on them. However, in reality tools are meant to be used and often abused. With use, the imperfections won't be noticed or affect the performance of the wrenches. Besides, there are many threads in the journal documenting everything from a lack of uniform socket finishes to wavy wrenches from the size/part numbers being stamped. If you want jewelry like polished tools then buy Nepros or KTC from Japan but, they cost more than snap on. SK tools are not jewelry. They're durable mid priced tools meant to provide you years of service but, they may not be that pretty or perfect. Pictures of SK's manufacturing process where finished wrenches are placed in long metal trays where they rub against other wrenches would make any tool polisher cringe but, in the end it's going to get dropped, scratched, and dirty in between cuda bathes when I use it.:dunno:

If you want a US made functional tool at a decent price that will provide you years of faithful service, buy SK. However, if you want perfect jewelry like chrome, SK may not be the brand for you. :beer:

You might want to consider satin finished tools.....
 
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