Damn you SK!

[sk farmer]

Interesting...this does not bode well for their screwdriver sales. The selection in the trimold series is piss-poor. In the sure grips, they had just about every configuration you could want.

My dealer orders directly from SK, so maybe they got a deal on them if SK was trying to clear stock...

And yes, I am fully aware of the shortcomings of tool manufacturer websites...it seems like SO and Matco do the best job of updating them. Every one else is pretty slow.

Regarding COO...most of the sure grips were made in France, but a few of the super long ones were US made.

you are correct, some long drivers were us made. the pry bars, 4 in 1, 10 in 1 and 2 in 1 drivers with sure grip handles are also us made.

 

[comedyman809]

i just bought the 5 pc xxl g-pro sae ratcheting double box end set. cant wait, i do love my sk stuff....and i do have a sure grip set, i lost to screwdrivers over the last few years, and just filled in the gaps in january from amazon.

sk sounds like they are falling apart, but im holding onto to all my sk stuff.

 

[Doctor B]

the sets of sockets are all over ebay. I have 4 on there myself. 3/8 drive 12 point sae.
They are not selling for some reason. SK impact sockets go fast, but the chrome sets are not moving.

I bought a chrome deep and standard length metric set from SK a few years ago. They looked great initially, but when I inspected them more closely I noticed very shoddy work. Things like grit in the chrome, off-center milling, and poor, uneven ball detents were present in nearly all the sockets. I returned them and bought Wright sockets, which were nearly flawless.

So, I don't know why they're not selling now, but I would probably not purchase another SK socket set unless the seller provided a solid return policy. Maybe some have realized that the SK quality control is not what it used to be. Old SK sockets are quite nice, however.

I actually really like SK ratchets. Not a big fan of their wrenches, despite the fact that I practically relied on a set of vintage raised panel SKs to tear down a '72 Chevelle.

 

[MattT]

why would you guys dump your sk? i can understand if you do not want to buy more but why sell it?

If SK folds there'll be no more warranty which will reduce the value of the tools. Now is the time to offload them at a good price and use the cash to buy tools from a more stable company.

 

[Davefr]

If SK folds there'll be no more warranty which will reduce the value of the tools. Now is the time to offload them at a good price and use the cash to buy tools from a more stable company.

Or the value could increase because they'll be collectable high quality US made tools. (especially the Waynes and Dressers)

Tool warranty's are generally meaningless to me because I buy good tools and don't abuse them. I can't remember the last time I had to return a tool under a warranty claim.

If anyone wants to dump their old SK tools then PM me and I'll exhange them one for one for tools with a warranty from a major B&M retailer that everyone "loves".

 

[sk farmer]

If SK folds there'll be no more warranty which will reduce the value of the tools. Now is the time to offload them at a good price and use the cash to buy tools from a more stable company.

scenario #1. sell old sk socket set for 50 dollars. buy brand x for 150, 250, 350 dollars. wich means you have 100, 200 or 300 dollars invested in that set.

scenario #2. keep old set and maybe have to replace a piece or two at some time in the future by finding a used piece or replacing with another brand. i have been given missing set pieces or traded from members here. let's just say two broken pieces and shipping equal 20 dollars. set you already have o dollars and pieces 20 dollars. you could buy new cman for even less. that is if you ever break any.

i just do not see how selling one set and buying another makes sense. do you know what you buy will be any better? will it be replaced by a us made tool in the future under it's warranty? will it ever be a classic tool? will you really feel better or sleep better at night knowing you have disposed of all your sk tools. so far imop noone has given me a good reason to scrap any sk stuff yet other than that they want to. i think thier reputation has been beat to the point that they are about as cheap as they will get. if they go out they will always be worth something. and if they stay afloat they still have value. i don't see how getting rid of them will help your lot in life or make you more productive. if you are in the market you want to buy cheap and sell high, but if you think sell cheap and buy high makes you money go ahead.

 

[MattT]

scenario #1. sell old sk socket set for 50 dollars. buy brand x for 150, 250, 350 dollars. wich means you have 100, 200 or 300 dollars invested in that set.

I was thinking more along the lines of sell set then spend about the same amount replacing it with another used set of equivalent quality. If you are putting a lot of $$$ into switching brands I figure you'll be upgrading to higher quality.

Another thing is how likely a tool is to need warranty service. I wouldn't worry too much about a set of sockets but I'd dump 1/4" and 3/8" drive ratchets while they were still worth something for sure.

Davefr may be correct about some SK gaining a collector premium but that'll likely be limited to unused and rare pieces if it even happens. With any collectible condition and scarcity is everything. With some stuff the original packaging is worth as much as the contents.

 

[sk farmer]

I was thinking more along the lines of sell set then spend about the same amount replacing it with another used set of equivalent quality. If you are putting a lot of $$$ into switching brands I figure you'll be upgrading to higher quality.

Another thing is how likely a tool is to need warranty service. I wouldn't worry too much about a set of sockets but I'd dump 1/4" and 3/8" drive ratchets while they were still worth something for sure.

Davefr may be correct about some SK gaining a collector premium but that'll likely be limited to unused and rare pieces if it even happens. With any collectible condition and scarcity is everything. With some stuff the original packaging is worth as much as the contents.

not a bad thought process. i commend you. another option is to just keep what you have and add ratchets of differant brands and styles. many can be picked for reasonable prices here and on ebay. you can also pick up doubles of popular sized sockets in sk or other brands in popular sizes. not that sockets are hard to change but sometimes a ratchet, flex ratchet, or compact ratchet equipped with the same size greatly speeds up the job. you may very well find jobs that that sk ratchet is just perfect for. don't underestimate the comfort of using a tool you have had for years. i have seldom gotten rid of a tool and not regretted it down the road. some of my oldest most worn in ratchets feel the best.

 

[jvitez]

I bought an SK short metric double box end wrench set 2 or 3 years ago. They're all beautifully finished and fit nicely. One local tool dealer stocks some SK still. Don't know if its NOS though.

I did a search on the SK strike. It appears about 70 workers are involved. If only 70 workers make all SK tools, it's got to be a smallish company. Hope they survive though. Competition is always beneficial.

 

[MattT]

some of my oldest most worn in ratchets feel the best.

I hear you there. My favorite, most used, ratchet is a SO 3/8" flex with the old hard handle. Noticed the other day the handle appears to be separating from the "shank" I thought about trying to tap the handle back to where it's supposed to be then got to thinking that might break it. Anywhichways I reckon ole faithfuls days are numbered and my chances of getting another one just like it under warranty are zero

 

[comedyman809]

i just bought the 5 pc xxl g-pro sae ratcheting double box end set. cant wait, i do love my sk stuff....and i do have a sure grip set, i lost to screwdrivers over the last few years, and just filled in the gaps in january from amazon.

sk sounds like they are falling apart, but im holding onto to all my sk stuff.

well, i just got these in, and damn....."MADE IN TAIWAN"

im guessing its expensive to make ratcheting wrenches in the u.s.

armstrong, snap on???? the only ones made in the usa??

 

[benjamming]

Craftsman (I believe) & Wright (old style) also have ratcheting wrenches made in USA.

 

[vssjim]

well, i just got these in, and damn....."MADE IN TAIWAN"

im guessing its expensive to make ratcheting wrenches in the u.s.

armstrong, snap on???? the only ones made in the usa??

As far as I know no body is making that style of wrench in the US I think almost all are made in Taiwan so I wouldn't get to warped up unless you are sure you can get a US product but I don't think so.

I have lots of SK tools from over thirty five years of tool purchases I won't be selling them off I don't see the point they were a good value and still are. Lots of companies have gone out of biz over the years and i just isn't that big of a deal in the whole picture of life, but I think SK will live on some how. PS I think the roll pin punches are Mayhew as are the prybars with the hard handles so that maybe be a combined SK - Mayhew problem.

 

[vssjim]

Craftsman (I believe) & Wright (old style) also have ratcheting wrenches made in USA.

Hw bought the extra long double box ratchet wrenches and I think he going to have a hard time getting a replacement for those from anybody. I have US Craftsman but not like those