New SK Tools in 2018

[Fedwrench]

https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/...s-plans-provide-greater-online-access-in-2018

The above news release says that new 90 tooth ratchets will be out in 1/4 & 1/2 drive in 2018.

What new SK tools would you like to have in 2018?

I'd like a long handled 3/8 drive 90 tooth ratchet along with a flex head version. It would also be nice to see some long pattern zero offset boxed end x frame wrenches.

 

[gdocktor3]

I think long handled flex heads are the most desirable at this time. Maybe a comfort grip would be a nice option.

 

[Sanny81]

Flex head 90 tooth ratchet for sure and X-frames with a reversible switch would be nice.

 

[jakemac]

It will be hard for me not to jump on the LP90's when they're finally released.
I hope the first run has the green switch to match my 3/8dr, but I'll pick them up anyway.
Maybe during HJE Day if they're available by then.

The report is nice, but I'll believe it when SK posts an official notice with dates.

 

[wafrederick]

Locking flex head ratchets.

 

[M6erfan]

Full knurled handles on the 90t ratchets...

 

[ChrisLS8]

Extra long 3/8 and 1/4 flex. And bring back the green selectors

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

Extra long x frame wrenches

 

[Gmonkee]

Those tin toolboxes in SK green. Lower prices on the X frame wrenches.

 

[toolmutt]

.......... It would also be nice to see some long pattern zero offset boxed end x frame wrenches.

I've been hoping for those right along with you, Fed, since the X's first appeared. I just don't need anything with another open end on it.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Having purchased a 90 tooth 3/8, I will absoluetly be buying the 1/4 drive when it comes out. Obviously narrower head than an 84 tooth gear wrench, and a hair thinner, I'm a big fan of the SK 90 tooth thus far.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm curious to know what kind of joint they'll choose for their flex head ratchet; whether it be a friction joint, or a spring loaded ball detent joint.

 

[SK-Mike]

Extra long x frame wrenches

with double box end.

 

[anndel]

Extra long x frame wrenches

Ditto

 

[davethorik]

Flex head 90 tooth ratchet for sure and X-frames with a reversible switch would be nice.

There are pics floating around the web of the mechanism and due to the 6 pawl design of the x-frames, I'm not sure they could be made reversible.

More variants of the 90 tooth would be nice, although I'm not currently in the market for any more ratchets. If anything I'm gonna buy a 3/8 DT insert and try it out in my Roto.

 

[Flinter987]

As soon as the 1/4 lp90 flex becomes available I'm buying one!!!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Roto ratchets.

 

[mudflap]

Full knurled handles on the 90t ratchets...

THIS........I was so bummed the new ratchet didnt have the signature SK knurled handle... and a QR.. but if they come out with a long flex head to go with the LP90 that just sits in the toolbox...i will buy one to sit in there with it...just because i love SK tools...but no QR makes them just toolbox jewelry to me....

 

[mrjaw14]

Another vote for a long handled flex-head. Chrome and Soft handled versions. If Soft handled, make the soft grips replaceable.

 

[Skin]

SK, your new product development research *****. Why are we going into 3 years on X-Frames and still have no double box long/extra long options?

Absolutely zero interest in standard ratchets.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

THIS........I was so bummed the new ratchet didnt have the signature SK knurled handle... and a QR.. but if they come out with a long flex head to go with the LP90 that just sits in the toolbox...i will buy one to sit in there with it...just because i love SK tools...but no QR makes them just toolbox jewelry to me....

Agreed on all points. The smooth handles, standard length and non-QR are what kept me from buying.

Long double box ratchet wrenches (fixed or flex), knurled handles and comfort grips (even just the plastic and comfort grip handles from the screwdrivers) and QR locking (and unlocking) Flex ratchets and they can a part of the market many of the truck brands are missing, and can have all my money.

 

[four.cycle]

What new SK tools would you like to have in 2018?

Eric, you taking notes here?

I would prefer to see some market penetration in the Pacific Northwest than new gizmos.
I'm in the 106th largest city in the US (by population), and if I want a US-made tool from a brick and mortar retail outlet, it's Proto down at Tacoma Screw at full MSRP.

Tried McLendon's, maybe? Lowes and HD are sewn up with their own house brands. Ace is whoring out Craftsman. Admittedly not a lot of options. Seems like there'd be a fish to land to the north - King or Snohomish County.

BK

 

[dutchgray]

There are pics floating around the web of the mechanism and due to the 6 pawl design of the x-frames, I'm not sure they could be made reversible.

Also why they are 6pt, I knew they would be the way they are before I saw an inside pic, it makes the heads smaller the way they are designed and they have small heads, but reversible is not going to happen, but long flex DBE need to be made.

 

[BK13]

Full knurled handles on the 90t ratchets...

Yes!

Truly long pattern combo wrenches would be cool. Chrome semi-deep sockets in 3/8" and 1/2" would probably get me to open my wallet. And yes, I know they have the sorta-semi-deep 3/8" set, but I would like to see a consistent length on 'em

 

[vssjim]

X frame long double box wrench's would be great, the six points work great and I would keep them as we have rust and you need six points. I would love to see people stop whining and blaming SK for a tool that a dealer or auto parts store that wouldn't warranty a tool for them fifteen or twenty years ago. They carry on and absolutely want them to go out of business because of that seven dollar socket or wrench that a guy in a tool truck took to warranty and never came back or said no not SK. I think the Ideal people are doing pretty good as they are spending their own money to rebuild a brand that had been torpedoed and sunk and glad they have I cheer for them daily.

 

[tym]

Low-profile 3/8" drive sockets would be nice!

 

[mudflap]

X frame long double box wrench's would be great, the six points work great and I would keep them as we have rust and you need six points. I would love to see people stop whining and blaming SK for a tool that a dealer or auto parts store that wouldn't warranty a tool for them fifteen or twenty years ago. They carry on and absolutely want them to go out of business because of that seven dollar socket or wrench that a guy in a tool truck took to warranty and never came back or said no not SK. I think the Ideal people are doing pretty good as they are spending their own money to rebuild a brand that had been torpedoed and sunk and glad they have I cheer for them daily.

X2....... Dad and Gramps had Sk tools, i remember as a kid..they kept the farm going..tractors/rakes/discs/conveyors.. Dad worked in maintenance at Ford, and General Electric..and never bought anything but SK. Then when i was in the Army as a tank mechanic..was issued SK.. In Diesel tech school bought lots with my student discount.... Over the years i have bought my share of Snap on..mainly because the truck stopped every week..and now buy some Carlyle because the Napa guy makes it so danged convenient... But my true love will always be SK.... Thank you Ideal.. for stepping in and taking a chance..and saving a great American tool company... I too wish SK was easier to buy... Im not crazy about buying stuff from a web site....but i think our youngsters prefer buying that way..and thats who Ideal really needs to focus their attention on...us old timers have all the tools we need....so i get it.. GO Ideal / SK..................................

 

[JWILL]

I'd really like to see a 1" drive ratchet and socket set. And deep well chrome 3/4 sets. More heavy industrial is always good with me.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Things I want to see from SK:

Things that should take little or no development:
1) 1/4 and 1/2 inch versions of the new pearhead ratchet.
2) Long handled and flex versions of the new ratchet, in all three sizes.
3) Extra long double box versions of the xframe wrench.
4) Chrome semi deep sockets in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive.
5) Larger versions of the xframe combo wrenchs. Up to 1-1/4 in SAE, and up to a similar size in metric.
6) BRING BACK THE ROTO HEAD RATCHET!
7) Introduce 1/4 and 1/2 drive rotohead ratchets.

Things that take more development:
1) Extra short sockets with hex on the outside. 1/4" drive size should have 7/16" or so external hex in SAE, 11mm in metric. 1/2" drive should have 7/8" external hex. Something in between for 3/8" size. Either give them square drive and call them close access, or give them a round through hole and call them pass through. Better yet, do both and sell more.
2) Offer screwdriver blades with male 1/4" drive ends instead of handles. Sell them in sets with a nice handle with a 1/4" female recess. Bits in a bitholder are lousy compared to proper blades.
3) Develop a good, fine toothed, low backdrag ratchet mechanism that you can put in a screwdriver handle. I think (2) could succeed without this, but it would be nice.
4) Versions of your pearhead ratchet which have square recesses in the head to take a breaker bar, instead of a handle .

 

[Empty Pockets]

As soon as the 90 tooth 1/4 and 1/2 ratchets are available, I'll be visiting HJE

 

[mudflap]

Things I want to see from SK:

Things that should take little or no development:
1) 1/4 and 1/2 inch versions of the new pearhead ratchet.
2) Long handled and flex versions of the new ratchet, in all three sizes.
3) Extra long double box versions of the xframe wrench.
4) Chrome semi deep sockets in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive.
5) Larger versions of the xframe combo wrenchs. Up to 1-1/4 in SAE, and up to a similar size in metric.
6) BRING BACK THE ROTO HEAD RATCHET!
7) Introduce 1/4 and 1/2 drive rotohead ratchets.

Things that take more development:
1) Extra short sockets with hex on the outside. 1/4" drive size should have 7/16" or so external hex in SAE, 11mm in metric. 1/2" drive should have 7/8" external hex. Something in between for 3/8" size. Either give them square drive and call them close access, or give them a round through hole and call them pass through. Better yet, do both and sell more.
2) Offer screwdriver blades with male 1/4" drive ends instead of handles. Sell them in sets with a nice handle with a 1/4" female recess. Bits in a bitholder are lousy compared to proper blades.
3) Develop a good, fine toothed, low backdrag ratchet mechanism that you can put in a screwdriver handle. I think (2) could succeed without this, but it would be nice.
4) Versions of your pearhead ratchet which have square recesses in the head to take a breaker bar, instead of a handle .

All good stuff.....you should be working for them.. and they need a good marketing/distribution person...

 

[Rarified27]

All good stuff.....you should be working for them.. and they need a good marketing/distribution person...

Agreed.

Particularly, the semi deeps for whole sets. I understand their regular deeps have a semi deep kind of length which is why they have extra deeps, but an even length set of them like GW or Carlyle would be outstanding.

I've been looking at the Carlyle semi deep set for a while, but would prefer SK.

 

[petercookies]

Making my first post to say I'd love to see SK make a zero offset, double box, long pattern wrench. This is a super handy and useful tool that I reach for constantly. The only companies offering them right now, that I'm aware of, are the truck brands and the prices are prohibitive. Snap-On wants $315 for a set of six. Mac and Matco aren't far behind. I wound up buying some KTCs from Japan, and while they are good quality like most Japanese-made tools, I'd love a set of USA-made, especially from my home state of IL.

I'd also echo wanting to see flex-head versions of the 90t ratchet, with green selector, and knurled handles please!

And I know this is a magical christmas land wish, but how about an SK round-head version of the old 1960s Craftsman "spinner" ratchet?

 

[buba]

Well, it is fast approaching NOT early in 2018. Any news on the DP90 ratchets in 1/4 inch or flex head?

 

[bakemono]

Well, it is fast approaching NOT early in 2018. Any news on the DP90 ratchets in 1/4 inch or flex head?

Stiiiiiill waiting on these. I didn’t jump on the bandwagon for the DP90 and likely will, but it would be nice to have the others available.


Would also like to see a double box end long ratchet. 10/12, 12/14, 17/19 (yes I know 12 is in there twice)


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Fedwrench]

Stiiiiiill waiting on these. I didn’t jump on the bandwagon for the DP90 and likely will, but it would be nice to have the others available.

It's probably better that you didn't get in on the early run of the 3/8 drive 90 tooth pear head ratchet because, now you won't have a green direction switch on your 3/8 ratchet that doesn't match the current steel grey direction switches that will be on the other drives sizes if they're ever released.

 

[AmishFury]

Roto ratchets.

https://www.facebook.com/SKProfessi...8034.205357769482407/3127607397257415/?type=3

 

[ChevyEFI]

DT Roto long handle 1/4" drive.
Knurled or ringed like the new 90t handles.

 

[Y00PER]

Some good locking pliers would be nice

 

[Can I try?]

How about lowering the prices on https://sktools.com? Yeah. I know. It's a stretch.

I'm an SK Club member. I love the socket of the month promo. I make sure I place my order each month. That said, I've only placed one order direct from SK that I paid for (aside from the membership fee), and that was only because they gave out a bunch of points for completing a survey and I combined that with a 40%-off Father's day promo. The prices are just too high. All my other SK purchases have been made through other sources with reasonable prices, like Epstein's. I don't want the resellers to be undercut, though. I know it's a fine line.

Otherwise, some mid-length sockets would be nice, and some SK-branded (green!) storage options like metal set boxes, hand boxes, socket rails, and tool bags.