Long time visitor here. SK vs. Proto

[Jeremy77]

Hello all, long time visitor to the site and finally decided to create an account. I guess I'll just jump in and ask a question. I'm an operator in the chemical industry and use a combo of Williams, Proto and Armstrong wrenches and ratchets on a regular basis at work. All are great tools and take a ton of abuse yet perform great. I'm looking to "upgrade" my personal tools at home and have looked at the Proto line as they seem to have a better variety of tools for my needs, also I am able to get a small discount through my employers distributor. I have also looked at SK and am impressed by their quality and selection. However, I've never really "worked" with SK. How does the SK compare with Proto for personal/casual usage when it comes to wrenches, ratchets and sockets? Casual usage for me varies from changing an alternator to bolting up a metal frame building.

 

[Conductor562]

I'm admittedly a Proto guy, but in all honesty they're pretty comparable. I like the Proto Duratek screwdrivers better than any SK offers, I also like the deeper broach on the Proto sockets better. Beyond that, things like wrenches and ratchets come down to preference.

Check out Blackhawk for sockets and non-ratcheting combo wrenches. USA made and exactly the same as Proto, but for less money. Blackhawk sockets have smaller size stampings, but they are the same sockets

 

[Jeremy77]

I am somewhat familiar with Blackhawk. Have a 3/4" drive with 7/8"-2" sockets at work. I need to look into their "smaller" tools as I hope to not need anything of that size around the shop or house! I appreciate the info on the screwdrivers and sockets from Proto.

 

[Conductor562]

Some people seem to really like the very shallow broach of the SK sockets, but I do not. They're better for starting nuts, but they also back off the workpiece immediately which I consider an undesirable characteristic with a deep well socket.

The Proto's are broached twice as deep as the SK's. Armstrong broaches them almost the whole depth of the socket.

It's all preference I suppose

 

[1/2 Cup]

Hello and welcome aboard Jeremy77, enjoy.

 

[rburke65]

Jeremy.....Hello and welcome....from Ohio!

 

[Jeremy77]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Glad to be here. I've visited many times before and finally got tired of being unable to view attached files as a guest. Look forward to talking with everyone in the future.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jeremy: i can't speak for the new tools, but i know the old SK and Proto are the top brands i search for and i even like old Craftsmans. if you can't find old tools that still have a lot of life left on them then i'll have to let you hear from others about what to buy that is new and for sale at the stores or online.

welcome to our group and hope to hear what you decided to buy and why you picked those.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Hello and welcome to Thee Garage Journal Journal. You asked a very tough question as Proto and S-k are both excellent tools. S-K has a excellent warranty as where I have called them give them the part number and the repair kit was at my front door few days later. As for Proto I have called and they wanted me to ship them the broken guts for ratchets and they would send me one if they would find it to be defected after being examined by their warranty department. So from my experience I would most definitely go with S-K Tools....
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I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the ToolMan wont give me no credit

 

[Jeremy77]

So much knowledge about tools here. My grandfather passed in 08' and was the only person I ever knew that was interested in tools like I was. Glad to talk with and get info from everyone here. I appreciate the specifics but also the general interest as well.