Duratech and New SK sockets are different

[Etchase]

In the last two months I bought new from the respective company stores on Amazon the new S-K sockets made in China 3/8ths set, and a Duratech 3/8 torque wrench that included 10, 14 and 17mm sockets. I have no idea when these kits or individual sockets were actually manufactured. They look very similar in finish, and broaching, as well as lead in chamfers. The heights are the same within .005”, the ID’s are the same within 0.003”, with the S-K being tighter on the 17mm. The big difference is the OD is significantly bigger , by 0.035” in the case of the 10mm sockets on the Duratech, meaning they have thicker walls.

Three sockets is too small a sample size, but here are my measurements in inches.

S-K/ Duratech height
1.108/ 1.108 10mm
1.102/ 1.107 14mm
1.186/ 1.183 17mm

S-K/ Duratech ID
0.401/ 0.400 10mm
0.557/ 0.557 14mm
0.679/ 0.682 17mm

S-K/ Duratech OD
0.575/ 0.610 10mm
0.766/ 0.780 14mm
0.924/ 0.933 17mm

Does anyone know if Greatstar manufactures there own ratchets?

 

[KnurledNut]

The Duratech sockets with the painted ring seemed to be visually similar to the SK, less the knurling.

 

[64merc]

I haven't read anything about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are both made in the same factory. I'm still very sad to see what happened to SK.

Regarding Great Star, I'd be surprised to learn that any Chinese tool distributor actually designs and manufactures their own ratchets, but you never know. I understood that most of those brands/distributors just source their stuff from different vendors or manufactures, but there could be exceptions. I would consider them like Pitsburgh, Work Pro, Hyper Tough, etc.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

The most glaring difference between the Chinese SK and my older MiUSA sockets is the size of the lead-on chamfer (though it also looks like the Duratech ones are slightly smaller than the Chinese SK ones too). The smaller the lead-on, the more grip I seem to get. It is also why I really like my Williams sockets and the box end of my Wright wrenches. It seems to be a hallmark of East Asian imports to have such a giant chamfer. I'm not going to lose my mind over SK having multiple lines of tools. I'd love to see SK grow and maybe become a Proto or Wright where there is a value line and a professional line.

 

[Etchase]

The Duratech sockets with the painted ring seemed to be visually similar to the SK, less the knurling.

It would be interesting if someone that has these painted ring sockets could measure the OD and see if they are the same as the SK. I had some 1/4 inch drive sockets, bought a few months ago from SATA and Gearwrench, and they were identical as far as I could measure, observe, and weigh. I should get some Pittsburgh, but the nearest Harbor Freight is a five hour plane ride away.

 

[Bubba Fett]

So...what is the justification for the price difference?

 

[Etchase]

So...what is the justification for the price difference?

Always a question isn’t it. Emotional too. If we look at tools no one has bought in this century, like New Britain, they sold the exact same tools off the same lines, with the same dies in the same condition, made from the same metal under different brands at different price points. In hindsight, sales and marketing seemed to be the only distinguishing factor. Pricing in the tool industry seems to be like perfume, luggage, fashion… Hard to explain.

 

[qqzj]

I’m wondering why they spend the money to add a green ring, instead of making the size green. That’s going to be much more desirable