S-K quality

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Just curious because I think I vaguely remember someone suggesting quality control at SK has declined noticeably, or I must be confused. How is the quality these days?

Are they still making them like they used too?

How is there warranty? Aside from shipping, is it generally hassle free?

No specific tool, just wondering about recent impressions for consideration.

Garage journal is pushing me to go on another tool buying binge, the frustration is building up, I'm developing a problem I usually end up regretting.

I dont own any SK, do they make anything that is better then the rest?

 

[mikebaker1129]

What type of tools are you considering ?
I have been pleased with SK tools I have purchased. Warranty is solid ,I have never had any issues.
I have support and purchase several brands, I feel some do some things better than others. SK rebrands some tools. Overall I like SK tools and will continue to support them!
I like the bit sockets and impact sockets and feel these are a good value.
I paid $40-50 for a set of SK 1/4 dr deep well metric impact sockets, the similar set in CORNWELL was over $200. I have my doubts that the Cornwell set is 4 times better.
I have made my purchases from HJE.

 

[American Locomotive]

The SK stuff I have bought in the past year has been good (wrenches and ratchets). I've heard of some issues with sockets, though.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

I dont have anything specific in mind, I'm working on phasing out some old cman junk and just curious about sk overall. I do think I remember now someone on here saying something about there chrome finish being poor nowadays. I cant remember for certainty. I'm honestly dont mind too much about the small imperfections like some people, if I'm paying snap on prices yes I would but I typically buy tools for durability, knowing I'm gonna beat on them and mess up there shine.

It looks like sk sticks strictly to producing hand-tools?

 

[American Locomotive]

The chrome on my SK X-Frame wrenches and 90T Ratchet is flawless.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

The chrome on my SK X-Frame wrenches and 90T Ratchet is flawless.

How good is the 90t ratchets, I have a collection of dual 80s and some old cman. Probably gonna dedicate the cman to a mobile/truck box setup. Never have enough ratchets.

Does SK do dual pawls now too?

I'm honestly wanting to get a good set of 30 to 40 tooth count at some point

 

[tutti57]

No problems at all. I have the x frame wrenches, some g pro wrenches, and just sold 4 snap on ratchets to get the SK flex heads that I prefer. I upgraded the heads with the DT head to double the tooth count and they are great.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[Andres26tnt]

SK quality is good overall, some tools do have some minor plating issues. My LP90 3/8 chrome has chipped on the side of the head with light use.

This problem are minor tho, the warranty is excellent.

 

[GTO]

Here's a thought....go to a tool supplier that sells S-K and finger f*ck a couple of the tools and come to your own conclusion....just my .02

 

[Rabid Badger]

Here's a thought....go to a tool supplier that sells S-K and finger f*ck a couple of the tools and come to your own conclusion....just my .02

That's easier said than done for a lot of people. If you don't have anything relevant to contribute why bother posting?

OP: The two SK ratchets I purchased recently are flawless.

 

[countryroad82]

I’ve got a thread that I did a few years ago. Still haven’t taken any recent pics of my daily use tools but more or less they look the same as when I took those pics. At my shop I use Snap On but that was more or less a treat to myself because that’s just something I wanted. In my opinion SK makes some fine tools.

 

[BioNerd]

I bought a 260 dollar set of metric wrenches and the 13 spanner opened up in a few months, then the 10 ratchet box end got al stuck. I think they are a POS.

Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk

 

[Handyandy23]

The chrome on my SK X-Frame wrenches and 90T Ratchet is flawless.

No problems at all. I have the x frame wrenches, some g pro wrenches, and just sold 4 snap on ratchets to get the SK flex heads that I prefer. I upgraded the heads with the DT head to double the tooth count and they are great.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

How do you both like the X-Frames? They look amazing but I've never been able to see a set in person.

Would they be classified as a regular pattern wrench or are they closer to a long pattern?

 

[AA/FC]

SK quality is very good. I have heard a few people who have received tools that were not perfect but that seems rare and is just a simple phone call to get resolved.

These may not look great at the moment but they were in perfect condition when I bought them new. These are oddball wrenches..... 6 point, long pattern, 5/16 and 3/8 combo wrenches. I use them on drive shaft bolts on 1-ton and medium duty chassis trucks, like bread trucks, tool trucks, uniform company trucks etc.

(I also have a Snap On E10 Torx box end wrench for the real oddball trucks with Torx bolts holding in the shaft. lol)

 

[tutti57]

I love them. The ratcheting mechanism is like nothing I've ever felt. I thought it was busted the first time I spun it. They are a little on the thick side. I like the six point since I don't understand why a ratcheting wrench would need to be 12. They are strong as hell too. I've used them many times to hold a nut/bolt with my impact on the other side with no issues.

I wouldn't consider them long pattern. I am picking up some Mac precision torque flex head ratcheting this week since I like the flex option. These are a steal for $200 though.



Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[montanafordman]

I bought my first SK deep metric socket and line wrenches 16 years ago and have been buying their tools off and on ever since then. (I have inherited several SK tools that are much older) I have seen and bought stuff before their bankruptcy, during their transition of temporarily out of business and their takeover/rebirth with Ideal industries where stuff is produced at their new factory. Sure a while back there were a couple sockets that had a minor cosmetic flaw - which I dropped in the mail and promptly received a replacement but everything I have received over the last few years has been flawless. In fact I think their recent production is some of their finest. They are Quality US made tools and priced competitively. I feel like they are some of the most robust tools out there when it comes to function. I would not have any reservations.

 

[GTO]

That's easier said than done for a lot of people. If you don't have anything relevant to contribute why bother posting?

OP: The two SK ratchets I purchased recently are flawless.

Seems pretty relevant to me.....

 

[2ndGearRubber]

SK is 75% of what I would call perfect. IMO their issue is twofold: One, excessive variance in their QC dept, and the way they market themselves. The tools are very good quality, I really like their sockets, as most of the sets have semi-deeps as "deep" up until 15mm. Round head ratchets are tough and nice enough to use. They make a 3/8 in a 1/4 body I really like for chasing threads.


Now, physically, some of the sockets are not always the most beautiful. Some have an uglier broach in them. I purchased the dual pawl update kit for one of my roundhead ratchets. It didn't grab correctly from day one, SK sent me a replacement which worked great, happy customer. However, my local SK dealer will not warranty loosey-goosey universal sockets, which irks me. I'm bought snap-on in my more commonly used sizes, they will warranty them (usually).

I take issue with "super chrome" as well. Why is the chrome falling off my 90tooth ratchet? And why is the mechanism getting harder to switch direction regardless of my attempts to fix it? They claim to have "mirror like finish", and advertise it. Problem is, when you sell tools to GJ members, who examine them like jewelry, said GJ members can find faults and ugly spots.

For the price, SK is a quality USA made tool IMO. -For the price- You're not buying snap on, or proto or whatever. New products seem to have kinks on release. They do seem to warranty and work with people to make them happy, as reported on this forum.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a metric set of X-Frame wrenches, as well as 3/8 and 1/4 LP90 ratchets. Next time I am in Kansas City, I'll likely be getting a set of SAE X-Frames and/or 1/2 LP90 ratchet, depending on my cash flow.

A couple of years ago I bought the 2- 3/8 drive socket sets in the metal boxes on Epstein Day.

I have been well pleased with SK, and with HJE, as my vendor of choice

 

[PJNJ]

I bought the 1/4 and 3/8 sets in the green cases along with the flex 1/2 and 1/4 ratchets a few years ago - no qc problems or chrome problems. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

How good is the 90t ratchets, I have a collection of dual 80s and some old cman. Probably gonna dedicate the cman to a mobile/truck box setup. Never have enough ratchets.

Does SK do dual pawls now too?

I'm honestly wanting to get a good set of 30 to 40 tooth count at some point

I sold my Snap on for my lp90 and to work on some other SK purchases. I really like it. The back drag is less than the f80. The grip is a little thinner and I am on the fence on that.

I actually like the old round heads more than I do the pear head ratchets after using some good sk.

I have become a quiet a fan of SK because everything has performed well and the chrome doesn't get too beat up.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Andres26tnt]

SK is 75% of what I would call perfect. IMO their issue is twofold: One, excessive variance in their QC dept, and the way they market themselves. The tools are very good quality, I really like their sockets, as most of the sets have semi-deeps as "deep" up until 15mm. Round head ratchets are tough and nice enough to use. They make a 3/8 in a 1/4 body I really like for chasing threads.


Now, physically, some of the sockets are not always the most beautiful. Some have an uglier broach in them. I purchased the dual pawl update kit for one of my roundhead ratchets. It didn't grab correctly from day one, SK sent me a replacement which worked great, happy customer. However, my local SK dealer will not warranty loosey-goosey universal sockets, which irks me. I'm bought snap-on in my more commonly used sizes, they will warranty them (usually).

I take issue with "super chrome" as well. Why is the chrome falling off my 90tooth ratchet? And why is the mechanism getting harder to switch direction regardless of my attempts to fix it? They claim to have "mirror like finish", and advertise it. Problem is, when you sell tools to GJ members, who examine them like jewelry, said GJ members can find faults and ugly spots.

For the price, SK is a quality USA made tool IMO. -For the price- You're not buying snap on, or proto or whatever. New products seem to have kinks on release. They do seem to warranty and work with people to make them happy, as reported on this forum.

100% agree, I basically had the same experience.

The 3/8 LP90 selector switch is hard to change for some reason, and the chrome is chipping off.
Overall I'm satisfied with them, the quality in terms of strength is great. The 90t ratchet is so smooth, very little backdrag. The rounds heads are also great.

 

[Dieselhammer]

No quality issues now, with ideal actually heavily investing in them and replacing/revamping some of the tooling that was literally pre world war 2, the quality is better than it's ever been. Buy any of their hardline tools, ratchets, sockets, wrenches, allen sockets, and you will be more than pleased.

 

[anndel]

They're ok, I still love my Snap-on ratchets and prefer them to SK's. They're sockets are excellent and 1/2-1/3 the cost of Snap-on but some of the broaching and finish on the inside is poor. I returned a bunch and got replacements no problems.