sk or wright tools

[GreaseMonkey45170]

I have been cruising through the forum for quite awhile now and just decided to join and have to say i greatly appreciate this place. Great site for tool freaks. This indeed is my first post, so take it easy on me guys. I first got into tools when i got old enough to start wrenchin on fourwheelers,and tractors, wich eventually led to cars and trucks. Im starting to work at my uncles garage after school and on the weekends and this cresent set i got just isnt fitting the bill any more. No snap on man around, hes two towns over, so no reason in spending that kind of money and not have the service. I bought a sk ratchet and socket set the other day and love it. I had to order it, which wasnt a huge deal, but i got a place that sells wright tools about 20 minutes away from me. Never tried any of there stuff. Im wanting to stay away from craftsman because ive seen where there headed, but these huge sets are really tempting. So im wanting to know what you guys like the best for hardline tools, sk or wright. Any personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mech-tech]

Typically industrial tools are sold through industrial hardware stores...which means if you have a business account with them, you get a huge discount on the industrial tools. I was eye balling a proto ratchet and the price went from $75 to $50 just cause my company has an account with that supplier. So I say get a business account started with the place and start working on your tool stash!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mrjaw14]

I have some sk ratchets and socket sets, and I have a wright set of sockets. They are both great brands from American companies. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[Loscaldazar]

I like SK because I love the way the wrenches feel in my hands, the chrome is amazing, they are still cheaper than wright. They are very strong too!

 

[Flivver250]

Both are good American made tools, I own both. I think Wright is of higher quality and deals can be found on Ebay if you want to shop the net. Wright would be my choice, but neither tool has done me wrong.

 

[Coolguy83]

Wright tool

 

[Brownsfan]

If you have a Wright dealer near you go for it. I have a industrial supply place near me that sells Wright and Williams. I have bought quite a few Williams pieces but want to try some Wright. They are made right here is North east Ohio. The ratchets really feel good and quality. The wrenches are awesome and EVERYTHING in their line up is made in the USA. Cant go wrong there. It will be easier than having to order a lost socket or getting a tool warrantied if you go local. Plus your helping a local business and supporting a good USA tool company. Screw it I talked myself into buying some. I will be at my local industrial supply place tomorrow.

 

[John in OH]

I've been a long time fan of Wright. I've retired from the power generation industry and Wright tools were used in many of our coal-fired power plants. Big equipment, lots of tool abuse and Wright served well. Most of my tools are Wright .... old US company in Barberton, Ohio. Always my first choice when I'm in the market for a new tool.

That being said, and although I don't own any, I've heard many good things about the US-made SK line so you probably can't go wrong with either brand.

 

[thesilverone]

can't go wrong with either

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

Thanks guys, keep the info coming. Im seriously thinking about going to my local supply place and checking the wright out tomorrow.

 

[Chuck122]

Pick and choose my friend! Pick and choose! No sense in being brand myopic! No one said you had to stick with a single brand.
I have no experience with wright but people here always say how good they are so I guess they are both awesome choices.



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[CWP1616L]

I'd certainly rather have a Wright combination wrench over an SK combination wrench any day.

 

[AV tinker er]

Why not get a 3/8 Wright SAE starter set and a 3/8 metric SK set and see which one you like better (or some way you can try both brands of tools). In the end the only opinion that matters is yours since you are using them.

 

[mech-tech]

Something else to consider, the local dealer is probably used to warranty returns...so you should be able to warranty the wright local instead of having to wait on an SK order for warranty.

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

I am going to ask them if they warranty them mech tech. That would be a nice peice of mind, Any of you guys have any experience with there screwdrivers. Everybodys advice is greatly appreciated, so keep it coming.

 

[Danglerb]

Both good brands, but no need really to go with a premium brand for many items, including ratcheting wrenches, GearWrench owns the design and licenses it for others to use or something like that, might as well buy GearWrench during fall sales.

Don't get ahead of yourself in spending, keep some money for unexpected and convenience tools that will depend on the type of work you are doing. A good small 3/8 cordless is a very handy tool if you work with small size fasteners.

 

[Fedwrench]

It depends on what you work on. Get catalogs from each brand or view them on line. Wright is SAE heavy whereas, SK has an extensive metric selection.
I prefer SK ratchets to those offered by wright but, that's just me.
Neither commpany makes their own screwdrivers. SK's are a mixture of western forge and Pratt Reed. I don't care for the current versions of SK suregrip green handled screwdrivers. The handles are too big for the blade size. It's like they're using pry bar handles instead of screwdriver handles.
If you have a local wright dealer that offers service after the sale and easy warranty service, that may be your best choice.
SK offers a much wider selection of mechanics tools though. I would lean towards SK just on selection alone but, service after the sale can be important. Good luck in your quest.

 

[jmm]

They're both high quality tool makers supporting American manufacturing. In a sense, they can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned.

I really like my Wright wrenches -- I think they probably make a better wrench than SK (though the SuperKromes are quite good). I love SK's sockets. In my opinion that's their forte. When I started replacing my cheaper brands with Mac and Snap-On, I decided to keep my SKs...they're that good. Can't comment on Wright's, I only own their 3/4" drive sockets (hard to screw up a big one...I have Chinese 3/4" sockets that work just as good as a Snap-On). Both make very good ratchets whose designs are tried and true, though they're not really pushing the envelope. But that's not a bad thing, necessarily, if you've got a design that's proven itself over the course of decades.

Industrial brands are definitely the way to go in the absence of truck service.

 

[kippieland]

I have two SK ratchets and like them both. I love SK sockets for the chrome (can't comment on Wright.) I have two Wright satin wrenches (7 and 8mm) and one SK long pattern (14mm.) The is great but I freakin love the Wright wrenches....wish I had a whole set. Also have a wright wobble extension. Chrome is awesome as well. Vote....can't go wrong with either!

 

[d.mcfarland]

I would choose Wright but only out of preference. Neither are bad at all.

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

Thanks for all the input guys, i really appreciate it. Has anybody had any experience with the wright grip wrenches, how are they?

 

[skruft]

I have one of the rubber grip wrenches and it works fine but I am more accustomed to metal grips. I don't think it's an important feature.

 

[DRhodes]

If it were me - I would go with SK.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Both are great brands. SK edges out on there selection for mechanics tools and
I like the fact that when Ideal bought out SK they have committed to keep production in the USA.

So maybe try and support them for that? In the end go with what you prefer.

 

[Stokes_]

Don't have experience with Wright, but all of my SK tools are top notch, especially my 1/4" ratchet/socket set. Definitely one of the best investments I have ever made. People on here tend to say great things about Wright as well though, so you can't really go wrong either way.

 

[scaron]

both companies make excellent tools; in the long run,you will probably find yourself buying a little bit from both of them (i did).

 

[ganymede]

For ratchets I like Wright but I love SK.
For sockets it's the opposite, I like SK and love Wright.

 

[mrjaw14]

Keep this in mind: Wright's deep sockets are broached all the way down the socket, while SK's have a shelf to "hold" the nut at the end of the deep socket. If you're starting nuts with a deep socket, the sk prevents the nut from falling into the socket, where if you're removing the nut with the same socket you might have a clearance issue because the whole socket must move with the nut.

My Wright sockets are 1/2 drive SAE deep from an Army SKU, complete with a nice metal box. I have 1/2 drive MM deep SK sockets and I really can't say I prefer one over the other quality-wise.

But do keep in mind the broaching and consider your use and the length of any studs, all-thread you might be working on and if clearance is an issue and make your decision off of that.

 

[John in OH]

Thanks for all the input guys, i really appreciate it. Has anybody had any experience with the wright grip wrenches, how are they?

My Wright combo wrenches are all Wright-Grip and I think they're great. Not sure what all the features are that separate a standard Wright from a Wright-Grip, but I do know the Wright-Grips have a small set of serrations on a portion of the faces of the open ends to, in theory, help grip the nut/bolt head. Since I'm not a mechanic by profession, I don't know if this really makes a significant difference in performance or not.

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

Thanks for all the help guys. I did indeed go check out the wright stuff today. The woman i dealt with said they were out of alot of stuff because they were reorganizing and getting new stock in. They had no ratchets, a big wrench set i couldnt afford and some screwdriver sets. I did walk away with a 10 peice set of there screwdrivers, wich feel really good. I had her to order me a 1/4 ratchet and a smaller set of wrightgrip wrenches and will be here next week. She appologized for being low on stock and in a few weeks her inventory would be back to normal. Cant wait for my stuff to arrive!

 

[Hyster Gareth]

That's great please show us some pics when your items arrive.

 

[sloppy]

I'd certainly rather have a Wright combination wrench over an SK combination wrench any day.

I agree with this.. Their combo wrench's are awesome..

 

[The Muffin Man]

Thanks for all the input guys, i really appreciate it. Has anybody had any experience with the wright grip wrenches, how are they?

Wright Grip wrenches are excellent! The tolerances are very good, and from an ergonomic standpoint, the Wright Grip wrenches are the most comfortable. The handles are nice and thick much like Cornwell and Mac's KnuckleSaver wrenches. Though Wright's wrench has better rounded corners than the other brands. I highly recommend them

 

[Flivver250]

You made a good choice, but there were no wrong choices. At the end of the day you got a fine tool and supported an American company. I gave most of my S-K wrenches to my son when he was putting his starter tool box together. They were extra if there is such a thing. He tends to give me these bloodhound sad eyes when he needs a tool and strokes it out of me. Player. I love my Snap-Ons, but my future socket and wrench buys will be Wright. I don't really need any, but that doesn't stop me from wanting.

 

[The Muffin Man]

Thanks for the pix. I see the teeth on the one open end jaw. What does the other jaw look like? Smooth?

You are very welcome retDAC!

Both the top and bottom have the "serrated teeth." Here are some more pictures I have...

 

[retDAC]

Thanks again. Wish I'd known that awhile back when I was deciding between Wright and Proto. Got Proto because the few Wright pix I saw indicated only one side had teeth.

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

Thanks for the pics Muffin Man! They do look sweet. How do you like the satin finish, are they holding up good?