SK compared to the big 3's 2nd tier tools?

[gdocktor3]

I am having a difficult time choosing a 3/8" and 1/4" socket set. I have good Snap On and older SK & Armstrong ratchets so that is not my concern. My concern is how well the sockets are made and their bite. I know my older SK sockets are neck and neck with Snap On and Matco, but how is their new stuff? I know they say SK is a step down from big 3, but is it better, same, or worse than the 2nd tier tools? ie Blue Point, Mac Expert, Silver Eagle, etc. My issue is that the sets I am looking at are all with in the same price range between SK and the 2nd tiers, but SK is made in USA. +1 for SK. So I'm curious if anyone has used newer SK and any of the 2nd tier tools and how do they compare? Which is better? Which is the worst? Thanks.

FYI - Mac Tools has 10 piece 3/8" and 1/2" socket sets, plus much more, on sale right now on their website as close out specials. They are USA made Mac, not Expert, unless noted. I emailed and asked before I bought.

 

[logical]

The sets in the green blow molded cases are pretty good stuff for the price. My main sets in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 are SK from maybe 5 years ago. They had some issues with plating that came off back then but the few I had issue with were quickly replaced under warranty. This will no doubt come up again here and the issues were definitely real... but again, SK happily replaced my bad ones. I upgraded to the better SK ratchets because the ones in the sets were solid but nothing special plus I have multiple other ratchets from Gearwrench, Craftsman, Snap On and Wright I use as well. I have no idea how they compare to the 2nd tier truck brands but I'm happy with mine. If they are as good and similar price then the whole USA thing would be the tie breaker for me.

 

[bobcatdan]

I don't know of anything a SO/Mac/Matco sockets will do that an SK won't. Their overall line is right on par with anything one would consider a top tier tool. To me it comes down to personal taste. Do you like the classic round head ratchet or more of a pearhead guy. I'd take SK over Armstrong sockets any day.

 

[gdocktor3]

Like I said, I'm not buying the sets for the ratchets, I'm buying them for the sockets themselves. For some reason, the sets with ratchets are cheaper than if I were to piece together a set of deep and shallow, metric and sae. I have Crescent and Blackhawk socket sets at the hospital where I work because we go through Grainger, and they ****. There is always play when you put the socket on and if you aren't pushing or holding it on, it will slip off and round the bolt head. Its aggravating and I don't want that to happen.

 

[lilcraigford]

Just a thought - what kind of ratchet are you using with the Crescent and Blackhawk sockets? The size of the socket's detent varies between brands. For example, I know Proto uses a larger detent than Craftsman. If I put my 3/8" drive Proto extension on my Craftsman RP ratchet there is a lot of play. However, if I put a Craftsman 3/8" drive socket on the extension it fits nice and snug.

 

[LB-1911]

FYI - Cut from one of several previous threads concerning SK Deep & Semi Deep sockets.

I know you guys hate reading instructions but, if you refer to an SK catalog you would see that there are actually five lengths of 3/8 drive SK chrome deep 6 point sockets.

Sizes 6 to 13 mm are 1.75 inches long overall, sizes 14 and 15mm are 1.86 inches long, 16-20mm are 2.5 inches long, 21 and 22 mm are 2.75 inches long, while 23, 24, & 26 mm come in at 2.82 inches long overall.

Now about broach depth, the catalog shows sizes 6-10 broached 0.19 inch, 11 mm 0.22 inch, 12mm 0.24 inch, 13mm 0.27 inch, 14 & 15mm are 0.33 inch, 16 & 17 are 0.38, 18 mm 0.40 inch, 19 mm 0.44 inch, 10mm 1.87 inch, 21 & 22 mm 2.12 inches, 23, 24, & 26 mm are broached 2.18 inches.

Those 3/8 extra deep sockets in sizes 7-15mm are all 2.14 inches in length overall, you can look their broaching up as research practice.

SK deep sockets shorter???
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261875

 

[Davefr]

I know they say SK is a step down from big 3, but is it better, same, or worse than the 2nd tier tools? ie Blue Point, Mac Expert, Silver Eagle, etc.

Who told you that? SK is top tier.

The only gripes seem to be that their std. pattern wrenches are short and some users don't like R.H. ratchets.

 

[Sanny81]

SK is pretty solid. I have the 49 piece 3/8 drive set and love it. A lot of my wrenches and 1/2 drive SAE sockets are also SK. I've never had an issue with any of them.

 

['sallgood]

Hey. Everyone knows Proto blows everything else out of the water.........right ?
Double flame suit on

 

[lilcraigford]

Who told you that? SK is top tier.

The OP's impression might be that of pre-2010 SK(?) SK was in some rough waters before Ideal's acquisition. I don't own any SK but, from what I've seen on the forum, they have made a huge turnaround.

 

[mustangtyson]

I recently ordered deep well 1/4 metric and standard sockets. One set in SK and one in Williams USA (Note you have to look closely at the part numbers; some is not made in the USA). I compared them and they were both really nice. I think the Williams had a little better finish in the rounded well of the socket (where they don’t serve any real function). Besides that they were equal. But both looked pretty much top tier to me.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Current SK production is excellent. My go to 3/8" sockets in my road bag for work are (semi-)deep 12 point SK and the fit and finish is excellent. One has a bit of a flaw on the chrome, but it doesn't affect it's use, so I won't bother with warrantying it.

As far as sockets:
Blue Point and Williams Taiwan are the same, Snap-On and Williams USA are the same (with a claimed extra level of polish on the Snappys), Silver Eagle is Apex and is the same as Husky at Home Depot.

 

[AmishFury]

compared to the truck brands' second tier? they are much better

SK sockets compare much more directly with the truck brands' main line... then when you compare prices from a source like grainger you find SK a fair bit closer to truck brand pricing than you do buying from amazon or tooltopia

and while on the topic has anyone checked out an SK truck and the pricing on said truck yet? i'm curious just in case one ever pops up here

 

[Fedwrench]

I feel that SK is much better than any of the tool trucks second line tools (blue point, expert, silver eagle, blue power, etc) but, that is just my opinion. Other people don't care for SK round head ratchets. There have been many pages in this forum talking about the finish inside of SK sockets. Some are painted silver, some aren't. If you use the sockets and get them dirty on the inside, to me that doesn't matter. There have been issues with chrome peel on SK sockets. I have experienced this personally on a couple of sockets I got during SK Daze (new stock). Some light buffing with 1200 grit smoothed everything out, again I'm using the sockets not buffing them.
I don't want to start a war but, SK tools are not as well made as Snap on but then they don't cost nearly as much either. I do feel that SK is every bit as good as MAC, MATCO, and Cornwell but, that's just me. SK wants to be great but, they still have a ways to go. I have said this before but, the fasteners you remove and install don't know what brand of tool you're using.
SK offers US made quality tools at a decent price if you shop around.
The tool truck second tool lines seem attractive because they are bargains compared to the top tier version and the same tool truck shows up every week if there's an issue. I buy tools from most everybody and there is no perfect brand to me. Everything has an occasional wart from time to time. It's what important to you that matters. It's your money, your hands, and your projects.
Now let me confuse you guys more, i'm not in the market for sockets (aside from a MAC 90 tooth ratchet) but, I did see this Gearwrench BOGO offer the other day that seemed pretty complete. It is imported so, don't look at it if that bothers you
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/KDT-80550F.html

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'm not going to rank SK as good as snap on but it's a lot closer to Snap On than Armstrong IMHO. And it is above all the truck brand "economy lines" IMHO

And the price tends to be an excellent value for what you are getting.

 

[stevenhs]

IMO I would put

1st Snap on
SK tools with cornwell tools at 2nd place
Matco at 3rd
rest 4th.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I am having a difficult time choosing a 3/8" and 1/4" socket set. I have good Snap On and older SK & Armstrong ratchets so that is not my concern. My concern is how well the sockets are made and their bite. I know my older SK sockets are neck and neck with Snap On and Matco, but how is their new stuff? I know they say SK is a step down from big 3, but is it better, same, or worse than the 2nd tier tools? ie Blue Point, Mac Expert, Silver Eagle, etc. My issue is that the sets I am looking at are all with in the same price range between SK and the 2nd tiers, but SK is made in USA. +1 for SK. So I'm curious if anyone has used newer SK and any of the 2nd tier tools and how do they compare? Which is better? Which is the worst? Thanks.

FYI - Mac Tools has 10 piece 3/8" and 1/2" socket sets, plus much more, on sale right now on their website as close out specials. They are USA made Mac, not Expert, unless noted. I emailed and asked before I bought.

Big three? = SnapOn, SK, and _____?

Mac, USA Williams, ProTo; the choice would be yours..

SnapOn may be top of the pyramid, but Sk is certainly not a full tier under them.

SnapOn may be the most refined company with their Dealer to doorstep service, finance plans, and fantastic selection of products..

but

The new SK company produces an excellent USA socket set for a more affordable price..

The lower cost "underbrands" sold by the other companies?? Are corners cut to reduce their price?? they may be ok for some people,, but I like my USA hand tools...

 

[shanny19]

Hey. Everyone knows Proto blows everything else out of the water.........right ?
Double flame suit on

Yep. It's always amazing to me that someone asks about the "big 3", counting Mac as one of the big 3, and their second tiers, when the reality is that Mac is a second tier of Proto.

 

[Fedwrench]

Yep. It's always amazing to me that someone asks about the "big 3", counting Mac as one of the big 3, and their second tiers, when the reality is that Mac is a second tier of Proto.

That's open for debate since Stanley owns all of them. I've never seen a PROTO tool truck either. I will say there is much more cross branding between Proto and Mac these days which I see as a good thing for MAC. MAC's knuckle saver 2 combination wrenches are full polished Proto ASDs. The Duratek screwdrivers are another example but, MAC has cooler handle colors and the FACOM Italian made palm control ratchets can be found branded Proto and MAC but, again MAC offers soft grip handles.
I've always liked Proto's impact sockets.

 

[gdocktor3]

I think Proto is way over priced. That's just my opinion. I have quite a few Mac tools and never had a problem with the USA made stuff. Snap On is too expensive to justify buying a brand new full set for what I would use it for. Like I said, my older SK is same quality as Snap On. From research I've done, SK is always compared to being below Snap On, Mac and Matco. I personally hate Matco. I buy Mac before Matco or Snap On. Its all preference really. I just wanted to know how SK compared to the second tier ****. And from what I'm reading they don't come close. So its settled. I am going to buy the SK set to use along with my Snappy ratchets.
As for the Gearwrench bogo deal.. 108 pieces of 1/4 and 3/8 sockets, ratchets, etc.. That's just crazy.. If its too good to be true, it usually is.
I will check into the Koken stuff, but the last time I used a socket on a clean, new nut and bolt was when I put my futon together back in junior high. I drive a 93 F250 diesel, a 98 GMC 1500, and a 92 Harley. The only clean nuts and bolts are the ones I just put on with the new parts.

 

[gdocktor3]

compared to the truck brands' second tier? they are much better

SK sockets compare much more directly with the truck brands' main line... then when you compare prices from a source like grainger you find SK a fair bit closer to truck brand pricing than you do buying from amazon or tooltopia

and while on the topic has anyone checked out an SK truck and the pricing on said truck yet? i'm curious just in case one ever pops up here

Ya what is the deal with Grainger?? I work in engineering dept at a hospital and we order all our stuff through there. Its stupid expensive. Although we usually pay a bit less than the actual price listed, it is only a few bucks most of the time and it is till way more than anywhere else. On some rare occasions, they sell items cheaper than other stores, but never tools.

 

[Fedwrench]

Have you considered US made Williams?

Some here say they are made on the same lines in Kenosha and only the name is different

www.toolsdelivered.com

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Metric-Socket-Sets_c_2857.html

On a side note Grainger prices make truck prices look reasonable.
If you want Proto try Zoro or MSCDIRECT when there's a 30% off sale.

As for the Gearwrench BOGO, it's legit. they do that periodically to increase market share.

 

[gdocktor3]

Now that I am reading some of the links I realize most of my current "deep" SK sockets are only semi deep. I only have a handful of normal deep SK sockets. So the question I have now, is in the 47 and 49 piece set, (94547 an 94549) are they the semi deep style or normal deep sockets?

Also, are the new SK sockets hex shape all the way through? Is that called full broach?

 

[gdocktor3]

Have you considered US made Williams?

Some here say they are made on the same lines in Kenosha and only the name is different

As for the Gearwrench BOGO, it's legit. they do that periodically to increase market share.

I have some older Williams. Great tools. I'd say same as SK to be honest. Not sure about new stuff, but I do know the US tools aren't cheap.

I know all about the Gearwrench sales. I recently bought a MM and SAE flex head ratchet wrench sets and a MM reversible wrench set. I might have a problem...

 

[Fedwrench]

Now that I am reading some of the links I realize most of my current "deep" SK sockets are only semi deep. I only have a handful of normal deep SK sockets. So the question I have now, is in the 47 and 49 piece set, (94547 an 94549) are they the semi deep style or normal deep sockets?

Also, are the new SK sockets hex shape all the way through? Is that called full broach?

SK deep sockets are not fully broached for most sizes and there are actually several lengths of deep sockets by size. as shown in most catalog set pictures, the smaller 3/8 drive deep sockets are more like semi deep because their overall length is 1.75 inches long moving to 2.50 inches long for 19mm for example. Please refer to the current SK catalog for more confusion.

If you were to buy a rail of what SK call the extra long and deep sockets (#1893),
you get 7-15mm sockets that are 2.14 inches long overall, and 16-19mm sockets that are 2.5 inches long overall. None of the blow molded master sets come with the extra long deep sockets in the sizes 15mm and under that I'm aware of.

 

[zcbauer89]

SK makes excellent tools, no doubt about it. Some guys complain about their ratchets but I've always gotten the job done with them. Can't go wrong with SK.

 

[spasticone]

SK makes excellent tools, no doubt about it. Some guys complain about their ratchets but I've always gotten the job done with them. Can't go wrong with SK.

I agree. I sold mac and own at least some of most major brands. Sk is solid. I will say, snapon has some nice ratchets, but I have a set and still end up with my Matco flex head 3/8 and 1/4 in hand every day. I think sk has top shelf sockets and I had at least 3 guys on my old route that would not buy another 1/4 ratchet over their sk.

The gearwrench sockets I've purchased thanks to my tool obsession and crazy low prices have been in hard use and work as well as my snap on, mac and cornholes. No regrets and I can still afford groceries.

 

[1950mercury]

Current SK production is excellent. My go to 3/8" sockets in my road bag for work are (semi-)deep 12 point SK and the fit and finish is excellent. One has a bit of a flaw on the chrome, but it doesn't affect it's use, so I won't bother with warrantying it.

As far as sockets:
Blue Point and Williams Taiwan are the same, Snap-On and Williams USA are the same (with a claimed extra level of polish on the Snappys), Silver Eagle is Apex and is the same as Husky at Home Depot.

Sk does not sell 3/8 drive chrome semi deep....only 1/4 drive. Some of there deep sockets (smaller sizes) seem like semi deep.

 

[justtools]

Sk tools are very solid. I bought some `1/4 and 3/8 master sets. They work great. I have been a tech for 30 years, would use sk as my main tools if I could do it over again. Then I would have taken my savings from not buying snap on to invest in microsoft.

 

[sonvolt]

You can't go wrong with SK, Proto, Wright, Armstrong or Williams. I have all 4 brands they make up a majority of my tools. 2nd tier yes but not by much IMHO

 

[gdocktor3]

The gearwrench sockets I've purchased thanks to my tool obsession and crazy low prices have been in hard use and work as well as my snap on, mac and cornholes. No regrets and I can still afford groceries.

Really?? That's good to know. The 1/4 SK socket set is almost $50 more than the 3/8 one I am looking at buying. So I found a 47 piece sockets only mm/sae deep/shallow 1/4" KD/Gearwrench set for like $47 that I was considering buying. Now that you say that, I feel a lot better about doing it.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Sk does not sell 3/8 drive chrome semi deep....only 1/4 drive. Some of there deep sockets (smaller sizes) seem like semi deep.

And that is exactly why I put the () around the word Semi. They are Semi-Deep by most standards, but are listed as Deep by SK.

I actually just ordered the full set of 1/4" semi-deeps for Epstein's Day.

 

[justtools]

There is not much around for good deals on the sk tools.

 

[gdocktor3]

Epsteins has an SK metric impact set for $35 on sale. I just bought a Sunex set 2 weeks ago for same price. I wish I knew..

 

[jetdawg]

I wouldn't worry about current SK quality, purchase with confidence.

 

[redbarron57]

Now that I am reading some of the links I realize most of my current "deep" SK sockets are only semi deep. I only have a handful of normal deep SK sockets. So the question I have now, is in the 47 and 49 piece set, (94547 an 94549) are they the semi deep style or normal deep sockets?

Also, are the new SK sockets hex shape all the way through? Is that called full broach?

The longer sockets in your sk set are considered extra long. The shorter are their deep wells. Im actually looking to buy a set of extra deep sockets. Their sockets brooch depth are just like the snap on sockets. Made from 4140 chrome moley. One step down from s2. Sk sockets are second to none.

 

[User_Name]

Now let me confuse you guys more, i'm not in the market for sockets (aside from a MAC 90 tooth ratchet) but, I did see this Gearwrench BOGO offer the other day that seemed pretty complete. It is imported so, don't look at it if that bothers you
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool-warehouse/KDT-80550F.html

A Canadian distributor has been running that promo for about 6 months now, although at a higher price. It was tempting but I opted for SK instead.

 

[stage20]

I agree. I sold mac and own at least some of most major brands. Sk is solid. I will say, snapon has some nice ratchets, but I have a set and still end up with my Matco flex head 3/8 and 1/4 in hand every day. I think sk has top shelf sockets and I had at least 3 guys on my old route that would not buy another 1/4 ratchet over their sk.

The gearwrench sockets I've purchased thanks to my tool obsession and crazy low prices have been in hard use and work as well as my snap on, mac and cornholes. No regrets and I can still afford groceries.

you mean you like your armstrong made ratchets lol. At least sk makes their own stuff. I do prefer pearhead ratchets but the round heads are great ratchets. Love the sk semi deeps

 

[spasticone]

you mean you like your armstrong made ratchets lol. At least sk makes their own stuff. I do prefer pearhead ratchets but the round heads are great ratchets. Love the sk semi deeps

Poe tae toes, pah Tah toes

 

[redbarron57]

I asked my snap on dealer about the shallow brooch depth on their sockets. He said that deep brooch sockets are weaker. The shallow brooch bolsters the socket wall. If
You look at sk so kets they are very simmilar in construction to the snappy's.
And oh i love gearwren h tools.they are my to for my pass through and im deffinitely looking to get some cor home use.