Poor Quality on New SK Wrench Set

[wvrailroader]

I bought a set of long pattern SK Wrench during the HJE SK day and have to say I am very disappointed in the quality. Most of the wrenches 11mm and smaller don't have the open end cut nearly deep enough. I compared them to a normal length SK SAE set I have and also to a metric Proto Challenger set and there is a fair amount of difference. The 7mm is by far the worst.

What should I do with these? Pack them up and return them or call SK? I have never had this happen and I have quite a few wrench sets.





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[dede2897234]

wvrailroader,

Before packing up the SK wrench set, call up HJE and explain the situation. Hopefully, the staff member you speak with in customer service will agree with you and issue an RMA. By the way, in your conversation with HJE, I would mention about e-mailing him/her the above 2 pictures to confirm the issues with the SK wrench set.


Dave

 

[Hiball]

They definitely don't look right.. Lol, but could you give us the depth measurements. Are the bigger sized wrenches better?

 

[wvrailroader]

They definitely don't look right.. Lol, but could you give us the depth measurements. Are the bigger sized wrenches better?

I will get some depth measurements when I get home this evening. I did get a few bolts out of my bolt bin and check them in the open end and the outer edge of the jaw just barely touches the whole flat of the bolt. On at least one wrench, one side of the jaw is longer than the other, like the opening wasn't cut squarely.

The larger wrenches are better, but the depth is still shorter than on the regular pattern wrenches I own. I really don't believe the open end on the 7mm would even be usable,

 

[CobraChevelle]

wow lol. yea I would call and offer the pictures through email or text. maybe compare it to another brand to show them?

 

[wvrailroader]

I looked online at the SK catalog and it doesn't list how deep the opening should be. I will have to measure them up against the older Proto Challenger set I have and go from there.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

That's strange. I see what your talking about. Don't think I have ever seen that issue on any brand. Typical flaking chrome or small oddities, but not fully cutting the open end is a new one.

At some point they are going back to SK...whether it be you sending them there or HJE doing it.

 

[Davefr]

Maybe this will help. I don't have a 6mm in SK. Mine are from the Facom era:

Yours definitely look deformed. Email SK with images ([email protected]) and I'm sure they'll take care of it. However it's troubling as to why these made it out the door.

Is Epstein selling current stock?

 

[redwrench60]

Yeah that's piss poor. Insufficient broach depth. I like S•K tools pretty well but we've been seeing more and more of these type of wierd issues lately. It seems uniformity is kind of a **** shoot with them. I'm sure it won't be an issue getting them exchanged though.

 

[RatchetMan]

It seems uniformity is kind of a **** shoot with them.

This sums it up. I have some SK stuff and it's still a good option at its current price point but you'll run into these sorts of things with SK. I picked up a new SK 1/4 ratchet a while back and the head was really misshapen (aka out of round) due to poor polishing/finishing. In this case, it didn't affect function but it sure didn't look pretty.

I'd love to see SK become the new universal truck brand substitute but no amount of SK praise on this forum can sway my opinion that they're not there yet. They've got the truck brands beat in price but not consistency.

 

[jeremy v]

Maybe this will help. I don't have a 6mm in SK. Mine are from the Facom era:

Yours definitely look deformed. Email SK with images ([email protected]) and I'm sure they'll take care of it. However it's troubling as to why these made it out the door.

Is Epstein selling current stock?

It looks like your 7mm and 8mm have spread open ends unless it's an optical illusion.

 

[Davefr]

It looks like your 7mm and 8mm have spread open ends unless it's an optical illusion.

No, they're parallel. it's the image distortion.

 

[Conductor562]

No way I'd settle with those. Those take lobster claw to a whole new level.

I know I'm going to get blasted for this, but I'm not all that crazy about SK in all honesty. I hate the extremely shallow broaching on their sockets. I know they're ideal (no pun intended) for starting nuts, but I prefer my deep wells to be broached 1/3 of the depth at minimum and 1/2 way is preferable. Some SK's are barely 1/4 of the depth.

The only 2 sockets I've ever broken were both modern SK deeps. I'm no Engineer, but I'd venture to say the shallow broaching may have contributed to the failure by not allowing even the slightest offset angle without creating an uneven distribution of force on the fastener. Someone will tell me I'm crazy, and I may be, but it seems plausible to me.

 

[organ]

Those look like ****!

 

[JBradley500]

I'd call QC. They've been the best i've ever dealt with. No jerking you around if there's an issue.

 

[Jawn]

Yeah, give SK a shout... they may want them back, but I'm sure they'll set things right.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I bought the new XXL 3/8" breaker bar. The head on it seems to have a chunk of chrome missing and seems to have almost started rusting. The handle and bar itself seem to be in good shape. I emailed HJE they sent me the number for SK.

 

[anndel]

Hope SK can resolve this. Hopefully it was just a manufacturing error.

 

[Kensgarage]

Maybe the QC guy was tired from doing a double shift ?
Hopefully he wasn't in charge of quenching in the heat treat dept during first shift.
**** runs downhill.
They made it through debur and broaching after the forge. They made it past final polish after the debur. The made it into and out of the chrome tanks.They made it through wrapping and packaging.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm ? Could those evul Chinese have sent in a sabotage team ?

 

[L.Cheapo]

I really, really want to like SK. But there have been so many threads with photographic proof of poor manufacturing and QC, I just cant send them any money. And I buy Made in USA whenever possible. Sad, really.

 

[Ruahrc]

I have the same sizes of SK wrenches too I will look at mine when I go home today and see if mine are any better

 

[Brownsfan]

The examples in this thread are beyond stupid little cosmetic issues. I hope the guy that works for SK sees this. They need to do something to correct it. The USA made fact will only take them so far if the quality is not there. I haven't seen threads like this about Proto Williams USA or Wright. Or even Armstrong. Those are IMHO SKs biggest competition. Reasonably priced quality USA made tools. Sad to say but better qc has been seen in Taiwan made stuff. I like the USA commitment but if the tool QC and quality is not there sales will not follow suit.

 

[66354dream]

The examples in this thread are beyond stupid little cosmetic issues. I hope the guy that works for SK sees this. They need to do something to correct it. The USA made fact will only take them so far if the quality is not there. I haven't seen threads like this about Proto Williams USA or Wright. Or even Armstrong. Those are IMHO SKs biggest competition. Reasonably priced quality USA made tools. Sad to say but better qc has been seen in Taiwan made stuff. I like the USA commitment but if the tool QC and quality is not there sales will not follow suit.

X2 I completely agree with this.

 

[Wamsutta]

I really, really want to like SK. But there have been so many threads with photographic proof of poor manufacturing and QC, I just cant send them any money. And I buy Made in USA whenever possible. Sad, really.

The thing is though, when tools like this surface with quality issues, we don't know if they were made pre-Ideal or post-Ideal. Being that the wrench set came from Harry Epstein's store, there's a good chance they are pre-Ideal.

 

[oldtools]

Maybe those are their new lobster-frame design to go along with their X-frame ratcheting wrench design.

 

[SantaAna12]

The pre Ideal excuse?

Really?

 

[Davefr]

The examples in this thread are beyond stupid little cosmetic issues. I hope the guy that works for SK sees this. They need to do something to correct it. The USA made fact will only take them so far if the quality is not there. I haven't seen threads like this about Proto Williams USA or Wright. Or even Armstrong. Those are IMHO SKs biggest competition. Reasonably priced quality USA made tools. Sad to say but better qc has been seen in Taiwan made stuff. I like the USA commitment but if the tool QC and quality is not there sales will not follow suit.

^^^X3!!

All these quality escapes are unacceptable given that SK is trying to re-establish the brand as premium US quality.

I think a lot of us have been cheering for SK but patience is wearing thin.

I can see them delaying some of the new designs until they get the bugs out but quality escapes like this on their existing lineup are unacceptable.

I'm curious if Eric will chime in.

 

[shanny19]

when i use my imagination to insert a hex head inside of that 7mm wrench, i can't even see it being functional.

no way in 1000 years can I see that wrench escaping QC from, say, Proto. No way.
If Eric is watching this, it's simple, just make sure these mistakes don't leave the factory.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

There's really not a excuse why you ended up with wrenches like that. That's just super poor quality IMO. I've been wanting to give SK more business but we've seen a lot of threads lately about quality and that makes me want to wait. Hopefully they get you taken care of and quality back like the older stuff I own of theirs.


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[zcbauer89]

Patience is wearing thin. That is not acceptable. There was a post about some SK sockets which had some scratches, that IMHO was being too picky. Unless they are never used, there will be scratches, but this is bad.

 

[Vortaku]

I hate to say this, but this makes me glad I haven't ordered anything from them yet.

I know that any company will have some issues but damn.

 

[Wamsutta]

The pre Ideal excuse?

Really?

I didn't mean that as an excuse; just a possible explanation. SK had a lot of quality issues before being bought by Ideal. Being that Epstein's stocks a lot of tools from old inventories, there's a good chance that wrench set is from the pre-Ideal era.

 

[thor80]

I really, really want to like SK. But there have been so many threads with photographic proof of poor manufacturing and QC, I just cant send them any money. And I buy Made in USA whenever possible. Sad, really.

x2

so many good options like armstrong and williams that ive had such good luck with to risk sk after seeing issue after issue

 

[John in OH]

I really, really want to like SK. But there have been so many threads with photographic proof of poor manufacturing and QC, I just cant send them any money. And I buy Made in USA whenever possible. Sad, really.

I'm with you, L.Cheapo. I've gotten a few SK items during the SK-GJ-HJE day events and have had no problems, but it seems that a lot of others here on GJ have gotten some dud items.

It's understandable that things can sometimes get screwed up during fabrication, but QC and final inspection should prevent these errors from EVER leaving the factory. Bummer is, SK could ship out 100 perfect tools but if one dud gets out the door that is the only one we all hear about. If SK is going to be a real player, they HAVE to get a handle on the QC!

 

[SantaAna12]

I didn't mean that as an excuse; just a possible explanation. SK had a lot of quality issues before being bought by Ideal. Being that Epstein's stocks a lot of tools from old inventories, there's a good chance that wrench set is from the pre-Ideal era.

I hear you Wamsutta. When I was considering some SK stuff last year for SK day I asked Jori if what we would get was new or old stock. The answer was "all new stock."
That was last year. It just doesn't fly this year.
I too want to back SK. I bought their 3767 this year, and am very happy with it.

 

[tommersyip]

I purchased a bunch of brand new Snap-On and SK this month to build up my Made In America 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 Ratchet+Socket sets for my new addiction.

Out of 78 Snap-On pieces (sockets, ratchets, extensions) I had one "double printed" 3/8-inch 13mm shallow socket. Snap-On CS was very kind and sent me a replacement right away. Purely cosmetic but it might as well have had no markings on it because I couldn't read it at all.

Out of 77 SK pieces, from two sets, about a quarter of the sockets had to be cleaned with brake cleaner to get the massive amount of socket paint that covered them. Again purely cosmetic.

I have a lot of USA-made Craftsman/Husky from the past 20 years and never had an issue with anything, period. Makes me think the domestic companies may be trying to speed up manufacturing to keep costs somewhat closer to the foreign manufacturing.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I've got a few smalls from SK this year, so far, so good. I'll probably make a few more small additions to my collection before going full throttle.

Their customer service did well with a warranty issue this past summer.

 

[Sanny81]

I really like SK and I've even defended them before but this is really bad.

 

[Hiball]

I really like SK and I've even defended them before but this is really bad.

A True Manufacturers worth regardless of Price Point is How they take care of there customers, Case and Point is Tekton, They are very Active in the Review sections of many popular tool sites, they take care of there customers very well, There not doing that because there tools are Perfect. Obviously something went awry during the Manufacturing process of these smaller wrenches, I have no doubt they will make it right. I wouldnt worry about defending specific brands, God Knows we have enough of that around here. Ive bought just about ever brand known to Man in regards to tools, the Majority via the Web, sometimes things just dont pan out, This is obviously one of those cases.. Ha..

 

[mikebramel]

when i use my imagination to insert a hex head inside of that 7mm wrench, i can't even see it being functional.

no way in 1000 years can I see that wrench escaping QC from, say, Proto. No way.
If Eric is watching this, it's simple, just make sure these mistakes don't leave the factory.

Speaking of Proto. I bought a 1/2" SAE crowfoot set for about $550. Functionality wise they are great, very thin, nice detent, and the the radius drive allows plenty of torque. But, the finish on them leaves alot to be desired. The dents on some of them .....must have been hit by a chisel. Wavy chrome, etc. Not the kind of jewelry I'd expect for the price. But the finish is gonna go to hell no matter what from working. These SK wrenches have a bit of functionality problem though