SK Flare nut wrenches? And some SK questions

[BackTracker]

I'm tired of improvising when it comes to my toolbox. I have decided to start picking up the right tool for the job. In this case Line wrenches for the various components in the car. I found a set of SK's for less than the C-man pro's If I'm not mistaken they are both made by SK? Is there any reason not buy the SK's for 10 bucks less than the C-mans? How's their warranty service? Since sears sells SK now, can I just bring it to Sears when it breaks or must I mail it to SK? Also, where does SK rate in the scheme of things?

Thanks for the help guys, I searched and read what I found but I'm still looking for answers. Thanks!

 

[Mike83]

I doubt SK would be warrantied at Sears. However, try to think about the likelihood of needing to warranty a line wrench. If they are 10 bucks cheaper I would get them - they are nice! (i have the C-man pro versions).

I have heard on this board that SK has very nice warranty service, but some have had issues if something was out of stock or something. Generally you need to mail back to them.

I think SK rates high in the scheme of things in terms of quality for the price. My wrenches 20mm-36mm are SK and they are great, beautiful chrome too. Their ratchets are too bulky for my though.

 

[HandyManny]

Sears has always sold S-K tools, though mostly offered through their cataloge. Maybe at one time the C-man Pro's were made by S-K, but I doubt they are anymore, now that Danaher makes many other wrenches, ratchets, and sockets for the C-man brand. At one time a lot of high-end tool makers manufacured many C-man tools under contract for the Craftsman brand. There aren't too many that still do today.

Starting to see some S-K wrenches that are Taiwan made these days.

 

[40oz]

The Craftsman Pro flare nut wrenches seem to be identical to the S-Ks, even right down to the giant size markings.

My S-K wrenches look nice but didn't loosen the nut the one time I tried to use them. I think locking pliers ended up destroying that one. I hate flare nuts.

 

[Merkava_4]

Since sears sells SK now, can I just bring it to Sears when it breaks or must I mail it to SK? Also, where does SK rate in the scheme of things?

Apparently, the teamsters union would prefer that you don't buy SK at Sears until the strike is over - if the strike is ever over:

http://www.fightbacknews.org/2009/09/sk-hand-tool-workers-at-sears-ask-for-support.htm

 

[BB26]

Sears has always sold S-K tools, though mostly offered through their cataloge. Maybe at one time the C-man Pro's were made by S-K, but I doubt they are anymore, now that Danaher makes many other wrenches, ratchets, and sockets for the C-man brand. At one time a lot of high-end tool makers manufacured many C-man tools under contract for the Craftsman brand. There aren't too many that still do today.

SK still makes tools under the C-Man name. They currently make the C-Man Pro flare nut wrenches, flare nut crowfoot wrenches, mid-length ball end hex bit sockets, tamper-proof torx bit sockets, wobble extensions, and thumbwheel ratchets.

Starting to see some S-K wrenches that are Taiwan made these days.

Ratcheting wrenches only, like most other brands.

 

[toymn6366]

i have a set of sk flare wrenches i like alot but i like sk tools. local sears while not warranty in store but i have a local store that will but with the strike it is hard to get anything i've got a sk 1/2 in drive ratchet that i have been waiting for a kit for about a month, then hey got two old 1/2 in snap ons that i have waited on kits for 3 weeks

 

[pjcforpres2020]

Go with the SK, you will be happy you got the same tool for $10 less... they are a little harder to warranty for most people than c-man are, since you have to call up SK, then mail to them... I got my stuff from a local industrial supply shop, so they warranty swap it for me. If you do buy online and have to call, they will send out rebuild kits no questions asked, even sockets it sounds like they will send one out. You do have to mail the broken part back to them, except for ratchet guts(?) it sounds like?

Anyways, with the strike going on it is a bit tougher for non-store swapped warranty, but once it is over they will be back to the same A+ warranty care and speed.

 

[Merkava_4]

SK the tool company is falling apart at the seems; I'd recommend you guys stand clear of them until the dust settles.

 

[BackTracker]

SK the tool company is falling apart at the seems; I'd recommend you guys stand clear of them until the dust settles.

If for no other reason than my complete ignorance on the topic, would you mind delving into whats going on with SK?

 

[sk farmer]

many tool companies have come and gone over the years and it is fact that warranty and replacement is difficult or impossible after a company has gone out of business. merk is thinking that if sk does not survive it's current problems you may have wished you bought something else. if you buy a craftsman and it ever gets warrantied in the future i doubt if you will ever get a better product as they have their own problems. my thought is if you get a good deal, it is a good deal no matter the brand. if you like the sk, buy them.

 

[Paladin]

A company going or already out of business doesn't keep me from buying quality tools. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the NB, Bonney, Fleet, etc... tools that are in my collection. But, if the warranty is important to you, follow Merk's advise. I certainly hope SK isn't going to end up out of business. I'm a SK fan. I love my SK ratchets anyway!

 

[Mike83]

Has anyone here ever had to warranty a flare nut wrench?

 

[scottmlew]

Yes. Well, sort of -- my dad did. I don't remember the exact details, it was along time ago, and I'm unsure of the brand. It was probably Craftsman, but could have been something else sold by Sears. It was being used on a "regular" (not line) nut, and one side of the "box" snapped right off.

 

[reversegear]

SK the tool company is falling apart at the seems; I'd recommend you guys stand clear of them until the dust settles.

...Or start buying them as collectors' items.

 

[krusty the clown]

...Or start buying them as collectors' items.

inside info there

 

[Joe B.]

Is that $10 less than a Sears Craftsman sale price or $10 less than their full regular price. Now and then the have great sales on the Flare Nut wrench sets with savings greater than $10.

 

[Fedwrench]

SK the tool company is falling apart at the seems; I'd recommend you guys stand clear of them until the dust settles.

There's nothing like being a fair weather customer. You can help an American tool company by purchasing their product and boosting their sales to get through these difficult times, or you can stand by with your arms folded shaking your head in disbelief that another American company is gone. As for future warranty issues, it's better to have a decently made tool that doesn't require warranty replacement than a great warranty.
On a side note, what's up with the M1 Abrams tank picture as your new avatar. It's like false advertising. Can't you find a picture of a Merkava?

 

[Merkava_4]

On a side note, what's up with the M1 Abrams tank picture as your new avatar. It's like false advertising. Can't you find a picture of a Merkava?

It was listed under Google images as a Merkava 4.

 

[Fedwrench]

It was listed under Google images as a Merkava 4.

I'm not seeing it.

http://www.militarypictures.info/armour/merkava-4.jpg.html

 

[krusty the clown]

gee fed.........he took it down

 

[Fedwrench]

gee fed.........he took it down

ok, I'm sorry. now I feel bad (sort of). I just didn't want people thinking that the Abrams was a Merkava. It would be like thinking a Duralast ratchet was a Snap on F80 because they were shaped similarly.

 

[Coach James]

The strike article says a French guy owns SK, but I thought SK was American owned as of a couple years ago.

Coach

 

[sk farmer]

i beleive he moved here from france. i think he worked for facom originally and was assigned to sk when they were purchased. imop if he lives here and the company is us mainly us based it is much better than shipping it off to asia like vice grip and many others have become. to bad they are having problems. i think the union is turning the screws on the company and will force them either out of business or out of country. who wins then?

 

[krusty the clown]

sk........nothing good will come of another union bashing thread............there's two sides, let it go and stick to the OP's questions.

 

[JWink]

I used a set of SK flare nut wrenches at school the other day.

They were really nice and seemed to be holding up great, and since it is a school set you know those tools are being abused.

but how much abuse can you really but on a flare nut wrench?

I dont know, I guess if you found a deal that looks good pick em up.

 

[cruiser808]

Backtracker - SK makes a fine tool and I have many, but be prepared to mail in your warranty items. Since the Parts Plus auto parts stores closed up, there is no one locally in Hawaii that warrants broken SK tools.

 

[Merkava_4]

If for no other reason than my complete ignorance on the topic, would you mind delving into whats going on with SK?

I can tell you that the factory has been shut down for about 3 weeks due to all the employees out on strike; what I can't tell you however is WHY they're on strike without getting into disgusting filthy politics.

 

[BackTracker]

Well I think you guys have convinced me on the SK quality, and I figure If i can get the craftsman warranty with it Might as well pay the extra ten bucks.

Cruiser has a good point in that I can't warranty one in state anyway. Should SK go under I would be SOL if I broke one...and I do seem to have a knack for breaking things...So I picked up a set of the SK made Craftsman's Best of both worlds I think, at least right now. Thanks for the help guys!!

 

[sk farmer]

sk........nothing good will come of another union bashing thread............there's two sides, let it go and stick to the OP's questions.

sorry if anyone though i was trying to stir the pot. i did not mean to. the op asked about the wrenches and also sk in general, if you check the title. i was just trying to make sure that the facts were on the table. my statement was about 90% fact and the "i think" words are my opinion. i think some people who posted on this thread are unaware of what is happening with sk and i thought it was relative to the conversation. who wins is just a general question. if sk goes under or leaves for "any" reason, none of us win. they suply tools to craftsman and other companies. they also buy tools from other companies for resale. they help employ people from foundry to store front. the loss of sk is like the loss of any other company in the us. it would be a sad day for me and many others. i hope they get it figured out and soon.

 

[philw]

I think anyone asking about buying SK should be informed of their current situation.
It seems like it wouldn't be very difficult for SK to move the entire production overseas. I believe the only tools they produce in the U.S. themselves are ratchets, sockets, and wrenches.
I think pliers and screwdrivers are outsourced.
I only hope they can work it out and keep what they have in the U.S. but with the current situation with other companies already moving production to Asia, I'm not very optimistic.

 

[krusty the clown]

sorry if anyone though i was trying to stir the pot. i did not mean to. the op asked about the wrenches and also sk in general, if you check the title. i was just trying to make sure that the facts were on the table. my statement was about 90% fact and the "i think" words are my opinion. i think some people who posted on this thread are unaware of what is happening with sk and i thought it was relative to the conversation. who wins is just a general question. if sk goes under or leaves for "any" reason, none of us win. they suply tools to craftsman and other companies. they also buy tools from other companies for resale. they help employ people from foundry to store front. the loss of sk is like the loss of any other company in the us. it would be a sad day for me and many others. i hope they get it figured out and soon.

understood, i just wanted to head off the dog piles we have already gone through

 

[sk farmer]

no problem krusty, gonna miss seeing what you have been up to on the net everyday when you start your new job. i am often able to get in my office several times a day to check news, weather, markets, and of course my tool fix. yes, i do work if some of you were wondering. some days are wild and some days i am not able to do much of anything. goes with the teritory i guess.

 

[cruiser808]

sorry if anyone though i was trying to stir the pot. i did not mean to. the op asked about the wrenches and also sk in general, if you check the title. i was just trying to make sure that the facts were on the table. my statement was about 90% fact and the "i think" words are my opinion. i think some people who posted on this thread are unaware of what is happening with sk and i thought it was relative to the conversation. who wins is just a general question. if sk goes under or leaves for "any" reason, none of us win. they suply tools to craftsman and other companies. they also buy tools from other companies for resale. they help employ people from foundry to store front. the loss of sk is like the loss of any other company in the us. it would be a sad day for me and many others. i hope they get it figured out and soon.

Well said, SK.

 

[cruiser808]

I think pliers and screwdrivers are outsourced.

As are their prybars; Meyhew if I recall correctly.

 

[BB26]

I really like SK tools. They are as tough and durable as they come. I hope they pull through.

 

[Mike83]

ok, I'm sorry. now I feel bad (sort of). I just didn't want people thinking that the Abrams was a Merkava. It would be like thinking a Duralast ratchet was a Snap on F80 because they were shaped similarly.

I challenge you to a ratchet duel! My Duralast vs your Snap-on!

Back on topic: If SK goes out of business, then wouldn't getting an identical warranty replacement for the Craftsman line wrench be impossible? Unless there was enough stock lying around you would get whatever the most recent version is, right (ie Danaher made or something)?

 

[benjamming]

It's not like Sears will be around that much longer anyway either.

 

[BackTracker]

I challenge you to a ratchet duel! My Duralast vs your Snap-on!

Back on topic: If SK goes out of business, then wouldn't getting an identical warranty replacement for the Craftsman line wrench be impossible? Unless there was enough stock lying around you would get whatever the most recent version is, right (ie Danaher made or something)?

Which would still be better than the nothing I had before if I broke the SK after they went under Assuming of course that they do in fact go under. I was very much curious about the their union and SK in general BTW. SO thank you for the extra info!

 

[Mike83]

Which would still be better than the nothing I had before if I broke the SK after they went under Assuming of course that they do in fact go under. I was very much curious about the their union and SK in general BTW. SO thank you for the extra info!

Good point - enjoy your new wrenches!

Btw I also bought the C-man flare nut crowfeet (also made by SK) when they were $40 (half price). I did have an issue with peeling chrome while there were still new in the package so I exchanged them right away. At half-off they are worth it for hard to reach applications (Power steering line connection at the steering gear).