SK already being clearanced at Lowes?

[Johnny_opm]

Can anyone comment on the profile of the wrenches?

It seems most of mine Newer Craftsman and Gearwrench seem thicker than my old Craftsman.
Often, I find I need a slightly thinner wrench, but not as thin a specialty wrenches (bicycle wrenches).

In order from left to right, Gearwrench ratcheting(Chinese), Armstrong (same as old craftsman professional I believe), Craftsman raised panel, SK X-Frame, then Wrightgrip 2.0

Id say they're the thickest wrenches I own. Personally I don't mind the beam thickness and find them comfortable although my wright's are the most comfortable wrenches I've ever used.

The non ratcheting SK USA combo wrenches are smaller but still pretty bulky and sort of similar profile. I'd do a side by side comparison with the X-frame, SK combos, and Proto ASD but those are at work

 

[finn]

Lowes sells Pony/Jorgensen, which is owned by the same Chinese conglomerate, GreatStar.
Pony/Jorgensen was one of the better known US clamp and Vise manufacturers before going bankrupt, and getting bought by GreatStar.
Presumably, this is the reason the SK tools showed up at Lowes, since GreatStar already was supplying Lowes with other product.

There’s a Pony and Jorgensen display with similar cardboard in the same seasonal section that the SK lives in.

By the way, don’t bother with the $14 Kobalt locking pliers found in the same display.. They look and feel like a 7 year old designed and fabricated them.

 

[N_Jay]

So the open end head is thicker than many.

Not what I was looking for.

Maybe I need to do what my grandfather did in his bicycle repair days (probably 1920's) and take a standard open end wrench, and grinding it down to about 1/2 thickness.

 

[Bubba Fett]

If I needed them, I would buy these over a comparable chinese GearWrench set, especially at this reduced pricing.
Dimensionally and cosmetically, there is not much difference from the USA version.
The mechanism feels tight and crisp with little axial play. The modified open end looks very well machined.
I have to wonder if they arent using the same tooling just overseas.
This is just a fly-by on-the-spot assessment.
But I do have some of the USA wrenches so I know what im comparing to.

I believe they could be using the same tooling, but not finishing them the same way, and likely using a different grade of steel. They likely just shipped the machines to China. I noticed that the Master Mechanic screwdrivers at True Value (now made by Great Star) look identical to the old Western Forge Craftsman drivers, like they were made with the same cold forge machines. The patterning (not just the ridges, but the "waves" at the tip) is exactly the same. The handles are pretty much identical as well.

 

[Fedwrench]

So the open end head is thicker than many.

Not what I was looking for.

Maybe I need to do what my grandfather did in his bicycle repair days (probably 1920's) and take a standard open end wrench, and grinding it down to about 1/2 thickness.

Or you could look at Toptul. Sonic, Wera, Wurth, or Teng tools. Their open ends are on the thin side without being as thin as those low torque applications sold by everyone from Capri to Vim.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Or you could look at Toptul. Sonic, Wera, Wurth, or Teng tools. Their open ends are on the thin side without being as thin as those low torque applications sold by everyone from Capri to Vim.

One of the big reasons I switched to German manufacturers for wrenches is the slimmer open end. They fit a lot more places than other wrenches without having to go full thin wrench set.

 

[GTO]

 

[CGarage]

Who buys ratcheting combination wrenches for the open end???

 

[N_Jay]

Who buys ratcheting combination wrenches for the open end???

I would if they were thin and on sale.

 

[Speed-Racer]

Best place to buy singles x-frames? I have the 7 piece set and love them. Much nicer than gear wrench and the tight arch swing saves time. Who offers the best deal on the 11mm, 16mm, 18mm and 19mm?

 

[Mgdoug3]

Best place to buy singles x-frames? I have the 7 piece set and love them. Much nicer than gear wrench and the tight arch swing saves time. Who offers the best deal on the 11mm, 16mm, 18mm and 19mm?

You really only need the 18mm. You can use the 7/16, 5/8 and 3/4 to supplement the metric set.

 

[89MustangGX]

Is it possible that these are actually different sets in Lowes compared to SK's website? Seems really strange that SK says one of these sets is valued at $183 on their site and they are on sale for $165 (not in stock). Seems like either Lowe's would say they are valued the same, instead of $120, and show a bigger discount, or SK would sell them for less? Possible one set is still US made? Just doesn't seem to add up.

 

[Speed-Racer]

Is it possible that these are actually different sets in Lowes compared to SK's website? Seems really strange that SK says one of these sets is valued at $183 on their site and they are on sale for $165 (not in stock). Seems like either Lowe's would say they are valued the same, instead of $120, and show a bigger discount, or SK would sell them for less? Possible one set is still US made? Just doesn't seem to add up.

The part numbers on the wrenches are the same, I tried to find local USA nos made stock, but not not happening. The imports feel and perform great, but this is recent, so no idea how they will hold up. The Lowe’s deal if you can find a set is a bargain, smooth action and brilliant chrome.

 

[89MustangGX]

The part numbers on the wrenches are the same, I tried to find local USA nos made stock, but not not happening. The imports feel and perform great, but this is recent, so no idea how they will hold up. The Lowe’s deal if you can find a set is a bargain, smooth action and brilliant chrome.

My local Lowe's had the display full the first time I saw them, and only one set missing a couple weeks later. I was always interested in them, but never pulled the trigger when they were US made, even when they went to discount. I'm thinking that finding sets are possible, unless they put them on stupid clearance. In that case, I'd expect them to be bought up and on eBay for 2x the price.

 

[CGarage]

It seems to me the ratcheting mechanism was developed and produced offshore so it was logical to take production to China for the complicated, box end portion.

 

[CGarage]

Ordered.

From ~ $68 per wrench to $49 for a full set.

Maybe this is SK’s attempt at reviving interest in the brand.

 

[89MustangGX]

Convinced me to try them too. They could always be gifts for next year!

 

[finn]

I was going to pull the trigger on the Lowes set, but HD has a Gearwrench metric and SAE set with wider range and fewer skips fo something like $80.

The SK set looks nicer, but considering how limited it is, I will probably go Gearwrench. They aren’t my favorites, but I consider them to be serviceable.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

What an undignified demise. Good grief. lol

I'll bet that if you went to my nearest Lowes and queried all the customers about their knowledge of S-K tools, only a few would even be aware of the brand. All the action there is in home decor and lawn and garden. Don't see this going anywhere.

 

[Mgdoug3]

The Lowe's SK sets are much better than my GW sets. GW is clunky and lock up often so I rarely use them. So far I have had good luck with my X-frame wrenches. I wish it went up to 18mm though.

 

[89MustangGX]

The Lowe's SK sets are much better than my GW sets. GW is clunky and lock up often so I rarely use them. So far I have had good luck with my X-frame wrenches. I wish it went up to 18mm though.

They have a bigger range of sizes, but you have to get them through the SK website (or possibly other sources), and they are closer to traditional SK pricing.

12 Piece 6 Pt Metric Combination Chrome X-Frame® Wrench Set

12 Piece 6 Point Metric Combination Chrome X-Frame® Wrench Set

sktools.com

 

[Mgdoug3]

I looked for an individual 18mm. They seem to go for over $50 though. If they're made in the US, I would maybe think about buying one.

 

[Speed-Racer]

I'll bet that if you went to my nearest Lowes and queried all the customers about their knowledge of S-K tools, only a few would even be aware of the brand. All the action there is in home decor and lawn and garden. Don't see this going anywhere.

They just placed a small 2ft wide SK display in the seasonal house plant area. Agree not many mechanics would visit this area, they could have sold a lot more with better placement and larger tool selection. The X-beams are unique and way nicer than any other ratching wrench sold at Lowe’s or other retail stores. Even the one stamped USA were assembled from global parts. Hoping this is not the demise, SK has some unique offerings. Napa or even an online Lowe’s special online website ad would have created a better buzz. 80 dollar for a 7 piece x-beam set is Christmas gift, over 100 dollars off the SK and other store prices. The zero offset allows for other applications, vs, the snap-on wrench angle offset(which are awesome except for the price). A lot of us on GJ have Gearwrench or less expensive set, so I see these as another set for applications that need the higher tooth count.

 

[Speed-Racer]

I looked for an individual 18mm. They seem to go for over $50 though. If they're made in the US, I would maybe think about buying one.

I am doing the same search, best price so far for an 18mm is 28 dollars, link below. Surprised how much I like this model, SK should have gotten into Lowe’s before selling to Great Star.

SK Hand Tools 80012 | X-Frame 6pt Metric Combination Wrench

www.autotoolworld.com

 

[CGarage]

I am in disbelief over the two trains of thought that exists here:


1) My grandpappy used SK when he was a youngin’, it is made in good ol’ USA, anything less is selling out to the Chi-coms, and $68 per single wrench is totally acceptable to me (and never opens wallet to buy a set!) while gleefully using their Gearwrench.

2) Oh-Em-Gee! SK tried something new! Direct sales to US customers via a big box store, Lowe’s! They really must be trash, once made in USA and now disgraced by Chinese production, and a full set is now selling for $49, less than a single wrench just a year ago!
I can’t buy these!!! The price tells me that they are bad!!!

This GJ crowd on here is impossible to please.

 

[Speed-Racer]

I am in disbelief over the two trains of thought that exists here:


1) My grandpappy used SK when he was a youngin’, it is made in good ol’ USA, anything less is selling out to the Chi-coms, and $68 per single wrench is totally acceptable to me (and never opens wallet to buy a set)!

2) Oh-Em-Gee! SK tried something new! Direct sales to US customers via a big box store, Lowe’s! They really must be trash, once made in USA and now disgraced by Chinese production, and a full set is now selling for $49, less than a single wrench just a year ago!
I can’t buy these!!! The price tells me that they are bad!!!

This GJ crowd on here is impossible to please.

Option 3)
Amazing x-wrenches for the price. Originally 79.99 at Lowe’s which is a deal. Bought knowing if they were junk, easy local return. Used and like them, so far impressed. Never much of a SK presence in my area, so it was nice to be able to try them out.
Disappointed they only offered a few SK tools on a small display. Thinking about driving tonight for the SAE set on clearance to supplement the metric sizes.

 

[CGarage]

Option 3)
Amazing x-wrenches for the price. Originally 79.99 at Lowe’s which is a deal. Bought knowing if they were junk, easy local return. Used and like them, so far impressed. Never much of a SK presence in my area, so it was nice to be able to try them out.
Disappointed they only offered a few SK tools on a small display. Thinking about driving tonight for the SAE set on clearance to supplement the metric sizes.

This is me. And yes, I bought them in both SAE and Communist.


Talk about a real business lesson in destroying your brand equity.

 

[Jim greengo]

Lowes caters to Jonny homeowner...so it's quite curious that they would latch on to professional brands like SK.

Klein Tools......good luck to you, I look forward to buying your tools on clearance in a year or two as the average Lowes consumer gravitates towards Blue Hawk

Klein is overated/overpriced junk for the most part.

 

[KnurledNut]

Right before it was announced that Ideal was selling SK, I was at a tool liquidation and they had received a HUGE shipment of SK tools.
They were blowing everything out at huge discounts.
I inquired how in the world they ended up with this massive lot and they were all hush-hush.
It made sense soon enough when I found out that SK was up for grabs.
They had a box of X-Frames but it had been picked through before I got to them. There were dozens of 16mm and 18mm left. I contemplated buying all of them, but decided I would never sell that many since, at that point, SK was doing "fine" and I had no clue what was about to happen to the company. So I just got one of each. Anyone wanna let me borrow their time machine?

By the way, I went back to Lowes the day after posting this thread and decided I would grab the metric set.
Low and behold, all four sets were gone. Damn lurkers...

 

[89MustangGX]

By the way, I went back to Lowes the day after posting this thread and decided I would grab the metric set.
Low and behold, all four sets were gone. Damn lurkers...

Lowe's online. They are sale/clearance for $50 a set right now - Free shipping.

 

[Jtels85]

I am in disbelief over the two trains of thought that exists here:


1) My grandpappy used SK when he was a youngin’, it is made in good ol’ USA, anything less is selling out to the Chi-coms, and $68 per single wrench is totally acceptable to me (and never opens wallet to buy a set!) while gleefully using their Gearwrench.

2) Oh-Em-Gee! SK tried something new! Direct sales to US customers via a big box store, Lowe’s! They really must be trash, once made in USA and now disgraced by Chinese production, and a full set is now selling for $49, less than a single wrench just a year ago!
I can’t buy these!!! The price tells me that they are bad!!!

This GJ crowd on here is impossible to please.

They’re also the same people who patriotically stomp for their SnapOn and German brands. Meanwhile, my Chinese made auto parts store tools have held up to being used and abused in a heavy equipment shop like a sober house girl wearing Cookie Monster pajamas.

 

[CGarage]

Lessons learned:


1) The marketing photos on websites are not actual representations of the product- both the original US version and the current version made in China.

2) The finish is excellent and the box end ratcheting mechanism on all of mine are smooth as silk.

3) These are very nicely made in China.

4) For $49 US for a set of 7, I am happy I bought these.

 

[BrandonV]

Looks like a standard price promotion IMO. This tactic is often employed in retail and various industries to drive short-term consumer behavior and boost overall revenue in the long run. Sure, they'll take some losses, but it might bring some attention to the SK brand.

 

[Steve_P]

.... Meanwhile, my Chinese made auto parts store tools have held up to being used and abused in a heavy equipment shop like a sober house girl wearing Cookie Monster pajamas.

I'm still not sure if this makes sense, but this made me LOL.

 

[CGarage]

Looks like a standard price promotion IMO. This tactic is often employed in retail and various industries to drive short-term consumer behavior and boost overall revenue in the long run. Sure, they'll take some losses, but it might bring some attention to the SK brand.

I agree, but not a standard price promotion.

They stated online in the advert that they were offering them for more than 50% off.

The MSRP was ~ $119.99

The sale price was ~ $49.99

I agree with you. My read of the tea leaves was that they took a loss on these to attract attention to SK. Both SK and Lowe’s had to have agreed to this.

I bought the wrenches (metric and SAE) and the adjustable wrenches.

I didn’t buy the SK socket set that was on sale. I don’t need yet another 3/8 socket set and I never believed that then USA made SK sockets were really that great.

 

[Steve_P]

This GJ crowd on here is impossible to please.

This is pretty much it. If it's 6 point, 10% here will say it should be 12 point; if it's 12 point, that's terrible because....; if it's spline, OMG it marks the fastener..... If it's USA it's too expensive. If it's Chinese, OMG....

 

[BrandonV]

I agree, but not a standard price promotion.

They stated online in the advert that they were offering them for more than 50% off.

The MSRP was ~ $119.99

The sale price was ~ $49.99

I agree with you. My read of the tea leaves was that they took a loss on these to attract attention to SK. Both SK and Lowe’s had to have agreed to this.

I bought the wrenches (metric and SAE) and the adjustable wrenches.

I didn’t buy the SK socket set that was on sale. I don’t need yet another 3/8 socket set and I never believed that then USA made SK sockets were really that great.

I also have no clue why you can't get them shipped to your door. Makes me think they want you in the store (or they really are getting rid of SK for good).

Only option is Lowes delivery for a paltry $79. Good thing I'm not in a metropolitan area with almost 5 million people.

 

[CGarage]

I also have no clue why you can't get them shipped to your door. Makes me think they want you in the store (or they really are getting rid of SK for good).

Only option is Lowes delivery for a paltry $79. Good thing I'm not in a metropolitan area with almost 5 million people.

I would call them. $79 for delivery is ridiculous.

I received my online order via FedEx ground from Lowe’s and shipping was free.

 

[Callelle]

I got them shipped to my door for free.

 

[CGarage]

I posted pictures of my Chinese manufactured SK X-Frames to this thread.

Post in thread 'SK X-Frame Wrenches - COO & Design Changes'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...nches-coo-design-changes.524527/post-10478543



I am happily using my Chinese SK wrencheswhile listening to this in the background: