S-K users here?
- Thread starter nyad
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Spookrider
Well-known member
So far real good. It put me through school and now work. I won't say I'm heavy user on them like I was at an dealer ship or a bigger shop that has more challenging work comes in. I work in a pretty small shop that has a big name on it and I install battery that you would ""die"" for and other little stuff.
I won't say they are Snap-On but they are higher than Craftsman. Maybe around Matco and Mac where I put them.
For a average small shop or light user SK would be fine, for heavy duty user mix do both on some tool that would be worth in mixing due to the ap/job and or feel.
I won't say they are Snap-On but they are higher than Craftsman. Maybe around Matco and Mac where I put them.
For a average small shop or light user SK would be fine, for heavy duty user mix do both on some tool that would be worth in mixing due to the ap/job and or feel.
nyad, you will not go wrong with sk. good tools at decent prices.they may not have as nice of finish as some of the highest end tools,but they are nicer than most.in my nearly thirty years of working on farm equipment, cars, trucks and recreational vehicles, i have broken very few tools. 2 or 3 1/2 drive sockets and maybe the same number of ratchet kits. of those failures, they all happened under extreme abuse. the one ratchet was a long handle 1/2 i was jumping on!!!!!!!!!! the other ratchet was slim flex handle3/8, again using it for something i shouldn't have. my only issue on that was no one had the slim ratchet rebuild kit. they aren't real common. the company didn't even have a kit in stock. a call or two made me a new ratchet and a month or so later i also received a rebuild kit in the mail.that made two!! i was impressed. i have never had an issue with a wrench or screwdriver. my question would be availability of any us tool in hong kong. kind of like the other side of the world.
HandyManny
Well-known member
I own several. S-K has alway made some fantastic tools for the automotive world. Though having changed ownership over the years and some of their tools are staring to be made in Taiwan. Generally they are USA made. Pretty high quality and used to be much less money than Mac or Snap-on. Good old Sherman Klove.
Spookrider
Well-known member
Quality and I guess you can throw looks in also if you want.
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
I'm a weekend car hobbiest. Really like the S-K socket sets in the blow molded plastic cases, and also use their wrenches regularly. Have yet to break a S-K tool.
The basic S-K ratchet design has been around 70+ years, and is still a superb piece. S-K is underrated, and thus undervalued, can usually pick them up cheap relative to other brands. Its been 7 or 8 years ago, but scored my 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket sets new in plastic cases for $333.33 in a "Triple Play" promotion around Christmas.
The basic S-K ratchet design has been around 70+ years, and is still a superb piece. S-K is underrated, and thus undervalued, can usually pick them up cheap relative to other brands. Its been 7 or 8 years ago, but scored my 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket sets new in plastic cases for $333.33 in a "Triple Play" promotion around Christmas.
GrantMLS
Well-known member
I have a lot of S-K stuff, wrenches and sockets never had an issue - agree with the craftman stuff..
zuspiel
Well-known member
Can't say anything about Matco, but the finish on my MAC wrenches is out of this world... Same for the sockets.
-B-
Well-known member
S&K pro ratchets are the best low maintenance and longevity in pro use. S7k sockets are also quite fine for pro everyday use avoid the hex drives as they are inferior to a lot cheaper units. ( they are held in with an allen set screw and do not stay in the tool long)
I stopped using S&K sockets because I was having a hard time with warranty replacements there was no where to get it done. At the time of use I was going through 14, 15mm sockets one a month even SO had the same rate of failure.
I stopped using S&K sockets because I was having a hard time with warranty replacements there was no where to get it done. At the time of use I was going through 14, 15mm sockets one a month even SO had the same rate of failure.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
Most of my box is SK including 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 chrome, impact and swivel impact sockets. Not to mention the long pattern, stubby, gear wrench and flare nut wrenches. The ratchets are almost impossible to break but to be honest about it, I prefer SO or Mac ratchets. Although I work on cars as a hobby now but back when I turned wrenches for a living, I still had half of my box as SK with the rest being SO and Mac.
When I got out of the business, I sold that box and stayed away from it for years. When I decided to get back into working on my cars a few years ago, I went with what I knew would work well. The newer SK tools are just as good (if not better than) those from the early 70’s.
I agree with several posters above. They might not be SO but they are very close to Mac or Matco tools. One place that will put me in the doghouse with several here is with screwdrivers. I like Sears Pro , SK’s hard green handle and the old SO black handles.
When I got out of the business, I sold that box and stayed away from it for years. When I decided to get back into working on my cars a few years ago, I went with what I knew would work well. The newer SK tools are just as good (if not better than) those from the early 70’s.
I agree with several posters above. They might not be SO but they are very close to Mac or Matco tools. One place that will put me in the doghouse with several here is with screwdrivers. I like Sears Pro , SK’s hard green handle and the old SO black handles.
kartracer55
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2005
- Messages
- 5,317
Know what you're buying. As was stated, the old run of hex drivers sucked because the bits would pop out. Some of the new ones apparantly are press fit in. They make awesome impact sockets for the $$$, basically all my 1/2 inch stuff is from them.
One complaint I have is that in the smaller sizes in 3/8 drive, their deep sockets aren't as deep as other brands are. For example, the 8-14mm sockets will be a little shorter than a craftsman or snap on, but then the larger sizes are just as deep. Usually not an issue, just sayin....
One complaint I have is that in the smaller sizes in 3/8 drive, their deep sockets aren't as deep as other brands are. For example, the 8-14mm sockets will be a little shorter than a craftsman or snap on, but then the larger sizes are just as deep. Usually not an issue, just sayin....
sk does make an extra deep socket in smaller sae 1/4-9/16 and metric sizes-7-15. they are in some sets and individualy. just checked the catolag. not mentioned yet but the also make a spline socket set with the palm control ratchet and wobble extensions. they can sometimes be found for that 100-150 dollar range on ebay. that is a lot of tools for a little money. i don't know if they are made in house or not but quality looks as good or better than regular sockets. they are on my wish list.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
lots lots and lots of sk tools here
use the chrome sockets in the impact gun
the 36 breaker bar just broke a 30 year old 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor
recommend them highly
use the chrome sockets in the impact gun
the 36 breaker bar just broke a 30 year old 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor
recommend them highly
sharkytm
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Loads of their ratchets are my standbys. My favorite is the Tuff-1, a 72-tooth round head with a great round knurled handle. I've hit it with a 5# sledge before, and when I disassembled it to grease it, its in mint shape inside.
I have the metric and standard stubbies, the metric long pattern 20mm-32mm, 10-20mm short box end, and also the G-spline deep offset box wrenches. They look and perform very well I think. I like the thicker beam on the SKs and I feel that the smooth transition from beam to box end makes them more comfortable to grab on the end and really crank on. I plan to eventually replace my 10-19mm C-man pros with SK.
The palm control ratchets are smooooth, but I sold mine due to lack of use.
The palm control ratchets are smooooth, but I sold mine due to lack of use.
Spookrider
Well-known member
DetroitDIESEL444
Well-known member
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- Jan 30, 2009
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I work in a school bus garage. we have all of our tools provided too us and that means they see alot of abuse. our sk sets hold up well under 3/8 impact use and the occasional 1/2 inch gun use.
You cant go wrong, the litle green carrying case is awesome
You cant go wrong, the litle green carrying case is awesome
paramudduck
Well-known member
When you do farm and construction machinery the looks last maybe 10 seconds. If it's a slow day.
Personally I have a lot of SK/SK Wayne Wrenches. May not be the prettiest things around but when covered with mud and a layer of black grease who cares? The sockets have survived abuse above and beyond sane levels. Yep they are not deep on studs at times but thats why there are other types in the box.
Personally I have a lot of SK/SK Wayne Wrenches. May not be the prettiest things around but when covered with mud and a layer of black grease who cares? The sockets have survived abuse above and beyond sane levels. Yep they are not deep on studs at times but thats why there are other types in the box.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
they give you tools ??- seems downright UnAmerican
DetroitDIESEL444
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- Jan 30, 2009
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no they have tools there for us to use.... all of our techs have there tools at home. our head mechanic hasnt bought tools for 25 years.
Thanks for your reply, give me confident. You are right, the shipping cost is quite high and contribute quite a portion of the tool cost......
seems MAC is another good choice....
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
SK Tools over all are very very good, they are a good quality and priced good aswell, there pro series ratchet design is atleast fourty years old and work very well. A good tool company, the only Taiwan tools are the ratcheting wrenchs like most of the companies are selling.
i agree with you on all points about quality, but many items are not made in the us. flex and compound joint pliers are asian. extra long needle nose and some other pliers are french. most sure grip and expert screwdrivers are french. new tri gip screwdrivers are made in western europe[the exact country escapes me] ratcheting screwdrivers are asian. i own many of these examples. have used most of them and have had my hands on all of them. the quality and finish on all of them are good to excellant. the only one that does not impress me is the flex pliers. they just seem cheap, clumsy and poorly made. i have not used them, but i had them in my hand . to all that have posted on this thread,thanks for coming out. as an sk user i was feeling a little alone. now i know that there are more misfits like me out there.
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
More "S-K love" in this thread, MAD's post will give you a laugh:
EDIT (fixed it): http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14548
EDIT (fixed it): http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14548
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an sk ratchet with jc penny on it. cool!!!! i want one bad, almost as bad as a big dawg. i wonder was that the whole line or just that one ratchet because no one else made a bent handle. any jcp stuff i have seen doesn't look like sk
-B-
Well-known member
An old school name for S&K ratchets are man ratchets as most ever other one at the time had silly on offs printed on the head.
I do own one vintage SO 1/2 drive ratchet but it never gets used in that capacity it is far too coarse. Soon I have to own two more in 1/4 drive as it is a requirement of the service I will be working for.
I do own one vintage SO 1/2 drive ratchet but it never gets used in that capacity it is far too coarse. Soon I have to own two more in 1/4 drive as it is a requirement of the service I will be working for.
HoleshotzPerf
Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2009
- Messages
- 16
This is my first post but I have been looking around and reading for a few weeks, this is a great site!
I just wanted to point out that the JC Penny line of tools was made by New Britain, not SK. My father used to work there about 35 years ago assembling all the tools. At the time they made Blackhawk, Husky, Penncraft (JC Penny) and New Britain(there own line). They used to give employees factory blems for free, I have a bunch of all the various brands in the garage, they are all exactly the same, just a different name stamped on them.
I also just bought a boatload of SK tools to fill my new 56" boxes. The sockets are real nice and have a great finish for the most part but a few have minor imperfections and some slight inconsistencies, a handful of them took some filing to fit properly in my Hansen organizers. The ratchets are nice as well but both of the 1/2 ratchets had issues with the gears right out of the box, hopefully it was just a defect, replacements are on the way right now.
I've never had a problem with any SK tool. I have a few of their wrenches, a complete 1/4" drive 12 point socket set, universal sockets I inherited from the pops, and some facom screwdrivers (some of those handles have worn a bit, I guess they don't like skydrol, etc).
I just wanted to point out that the JC Penny line of tools was made by New Britain, not SK. My father used to work there about 35 years ago assembling all the tools. At the time they made Blackhawk, Husky, Penncraft (JC Penny) and New Britain(there own line). They used to give employees factory blems for free, I have a bunch of all the various brands in the garage, they are all exactly the same, just a different name stamped on them.
i don't doubt what you say, but i am 100% certain that is an sk bent flex head 3/8 ratchet in the link that moparhound referred to. i would bet it was an addition to their lineup or part of relabeled spark plug kit that i think sk used to offer.i think if you were to sell some of those oddball new britain tools you could make a nice addition to your current sk collection
cruiser808
Well-known member
Hi sk - as promised, here are some pictures of my big dawg ratchets along with a history of Plomb/Proto ratchets for the 40's to the present. Enjoy.
nice collection cruiser, i just cut a deal for a short and long handle chrome pair for 48.99shipped. may have done a little better but i think it was okay. a 1/4 and 3/8 black pair just sold on ebay for about 35.00 shipped so we're in the ballpark. do you like the black handle ? i don't have any black hand tools, only impacts. if you hang out you might get to peak at some of my toys.
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cruiser808
Well-known member
Oh, and I forgot - sk yes, I have a moderate amount of sk tools in my box and they all have served me well. Complete sets of fractional, metric, regular and stubby polished combo wrenches. Now I'm talking about the older Sears intros up to the early 90's, so I can't opine after that. That said, all of my Craftsman Pro wrenches from the s-k era are without question top quality excellent tools. And I got them for a song new at sale at Sears.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Everybody says SK is so great, yet I can't sell a near new sk wrench set for less than half of new price to save my ***.
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
JCPenney used different suppliers at different times. New Britain was a JcPenney vendor at one point in time. I do know SK made ratchets for them (stamped JCPenney, not Penncraft), and I believe Thorsen's parent did also, as I have a 1/2" drive JCPenney set (all pieces stamped JCPenney, not Penncraft).
paramudduck
Well-known member
But Nissan I'm a cheapskate if I don't get it for around 1/4 of new price I don't buy. 
Haven't you read all the threads where the ag mech's complain about how cheap all the farmers are?
What one are you trying to sell? Metric or SAE please tell me it's a deep offset 13mm box.
Whoops forgot need it to be long pattern too. So yeah I'm cheap picky and demanding!
Haven't you read all the threads where the ag mech's complain about how cheap all the farmers are?
What one are you trying to sell? Metric or SAE please tell me it's a deep offset 13mm box.
Whoops forgot need it to be long pattern too. So yeah I'm cheap picky and demanding!