SK QC Issues

[azchrisf]

I've read a couple threads and seem some reviews that SK has been having issues with the Chrome on their tools.

I just bought a set of 6 point wrenches from them, and 3 that I've looked at already have some pretty serious issues - rust and pitting. I also don't feel like the box ends were broached very well, the "flank drive" style divets are almost missing.

I had high hopes for them and USA made products, but apparently the Chrome issue (which of course they highlight in product advertisements) is a systemic issue at their company - these should have never made it out the door. And I might even say the broaching tools are worn.

Either way, very disappointed. Guess I'll be sticking with Snapon or Craftsman. :-(

 

[ChrisLS8]

Why not just contribute to the two current threads?

 

[Wamsutta]

The rust spot is where they hang the wrench from while dipping in chrome plating solution. You gotta hang it from somewhere.

 

[Negen]

With as often as we hear about sk issues makes me think it might be deliberately trying to sabotage the company in order to move things off shore. But that is just my theory.

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[Tonyuk]

The rust spot is where they hang the wrench from while dipping in chrome plating solution. You gotta hang it from somewhere.

Strange, my facom's are flawless chrome-wise, not a bit of rust on them when they came.

Seems like SK needs to get off their backsides and get there manufacturing sorted, shame really since i really like my flare nut spanners from them.

 

[Wamsutta]

Strange, my facom's are flawless chrome-wise, not a bit of rust on them when they came.

Seems like SK needs to get off their backsides and get there manufacturing sorted, shame really since i really like my flare nut spanners from them.

That's Facom. You can't be comparing SK to Facom.

 

[azchrisf]

The rust spot is where they hang the wrench from while dipping in chrome plating solution. You gotta hang it from somewhere.

True, but why is it other brands don't have this issue? They have to hang them too. I have a set of Wright wrenches that are perfect in every respect. No issues with CM, or even my cheaper Gearwrenches. I've never bought a wrench set in 20 years that looked like this LOL...

 

[Wamsutta]

True, but why is it other brands don't have this issue? I have a set of Wright wrenches that are perfect in every respect. No issues with CM, or even my cheaper Gearwrenches.

Most other brands will just have a dull spot inside the box end where the plastic adapter was to hang the wrench from. SK gets gets a massive crater in that spot as if it's got some kind of metallurgical cancer.

 

[American Locomotive]

I've read a couple threads and seem some reviews that SK has been having issues with the Chrome on their tools.

I just bought a set of 6 point wrenches from them, and 3 that I've looked at already have some pretty serious issues - rust and pitting. I also don't feel like the box ends were broached very well, the "flank drive" style divets are almost missing.

I had high hopes for them and USA made products, but apparently the Chrome issue (which of course they highlight in product advertisements) is a systemic issue at their company - these should have never made it out the door. And I might even say the broaching tools are worn.

Either way, very disappointed. Guess I'll be sticking with Snapon or Craftsman. :-(

I doubt that spot is from where they hang the wrenches, as its location doesn't make sense unless they hold the wrenches horizontally. I'm not going to excuse to the chrome, but I don't see anything wrong with the "flank drive" portion of the box end at all. "flank drive" only has divots on open ends wrenches. On the box end, "flank drive" is indicated by the curved flats and slightly radiused corners. Both of which your wrenches seem to have.

I've also never heard of chrome issues with their wrenches before. Insides of sockets, maybe. But not wrenches or ratchets. My X-Frames and LP90 are absolutely flawless chrome wise.

But X-Frames and LP90 are newer items with new tooling. It's possible they're just pushing the tooling on the older established tools to the limits, but I don't see why. Broaches are not expensive to make compared to warranty return costs.

I wonder if its just a bunch of pre-Ideal stock they're clearing out?

With as often as we hear about sk issues makes me think it might be deliberately trying to sabotage the company in order to move things off shore. But that is just my theory.

Or there is some kind of astroturfing smear campaign going on against them. Hard to tell these days. Definitely not surprised to see that Wamsutta already has 30% of the posts in this thread.

 

[Spacey_G]

That broaching looks fine to me, given the sizes are in tolerance. The rust not so much. If they have to hang the wrench somewhere, how is it that other manufacturers manage to plate wrenches without that defect?

 

[azchrisf]

I could very well be being hard on the broaching or complaining about nothing, just used to a deeper cut on the round part. But the other issues speak for themselves.

 

[kythri]

With as often as we hear about sk issues makes me think it might be deliberately trying to sabotage the company in order to move things off shore. But that is just my theory.

Well, that's just a ridiculously stupid theory.

Why would an entity such as Ideal buy up the remains of the failed SK company, build an entirely new plant to start production back up in the USA, and then go out of their way to sabotage themselves so that they could move production overseas?

Wouldn't it have just been easier, and far cheaper, to buy up SK, and move production overseas before wasting all that money on domestic manufacture?

Conspiracy theories only work if they have some small semblance of logic, which they never do.

 

[Ben1967]

Ive never really had any problems with Sk, once had a socket break. So i called and they sent me a brand new one.

 

[Tonyuk]

That's Facom. You can't be comparing SK to Facom.

Why Not?

There both chromed tools, and Facom seems to be less expensive, and made all over the place.

I think its a fair comparison, but there are loads of other brands i could say, like gedore, hazet, stahwille, king **** etc..

 

[cptn_zippy]

You bought those from SK directly?

J

 

[NinnyCTSV]

Blemish inside the box.... you did buy the wrenches to use right? Maybe this is a diyer vs professional scenario where we aren’t seeing eye to eye, but I have all ranges of wrenches from snap-on to husky in my tool box at work. Sure the higher end stuff might look nicer in the beginning but bang them around from everyday use and the box/open end gets grimy, chrome fades/scratches, etc. I could care less how the inside of the box looks, I care that it’ll grip the fastener that it’s sized for

 

[jumbojak]

I have a set of SK line wrenches that look just like that. They aren't pretty but they work very well.

 

[Wamsutta]

Why Not?

There both chromed tools, and Facom seems to be less expensive, and made all over the place.

I think its a fair comparison, but there are loads of other brands i could say, like gedore, hazet, stahwille, king **** etc..

Facom is a different marketing segment. Facom is up there with Hazet, Stahlwille, Snap-on, Mac, and Proto.

 

[highland512]

It's hard to see rust or "bad spots" in chrome tools when they are covered in oil and grease. Good grief, is this a tool forum or man cave bling forum.

 

[M6erfan]

Blemish inside the box.... you did buy the wrenches to use right? Maybe this is a diyer vs professional scenario where we aren’t seeing eye to eye, but I have all ranges of wrenches from snap-on to husky in my tool box at work. Sure the higher end stuff might look nicer in the beginning but bang them around from everyday use and the box/open end gets grimy, chrome fades/scratches, etc. I could care less how the inside of the box looks, I care that it’ll grip the fastener that it’s sized for

So next time you buy a brand new car and there are obvious flaws on the paint somewhere, you'll just keep quiet and accept it. Right? I mean, hell, the car's gonna get used any way...first parking lot ding and who cares.

Right?

These types of 'tool polisher' arguments totally miss the point.

 

[ssdave]

It's hard to see rust or "bad spots" in chrome tools when they are covered in oil and grease. Good grief, is this a tool forum or man cave bling forum.

I agree. WOW! I can't even imagine looking at my wrenches to see if they had a tiny thin spot in the chrome on the boxed end. This ranks right up there with the guys with the socket microscopes, examining the inside of their sockets to see if the paint is uneven in there.

I have a set of SK wrenches, look like the same stuff as this, and they've been used heavily without the chrome coverage in the corners of the boxed end affecting them in the least, presuming they are made about like this one is. They've been good wrenches; I like them about equally well and they compare favorably to my Proto ASD T500's, and my SO OEX's.

I remember looking at my SO sockets when the huge outcry about silver paint in the inside of new sockets came out. Pretty much, by and large, they all had some rust or scratching or imperfections inside. And, universally, they all still worked just fine!

 

[SK Eric]

So next time you buy a brand new car and there are obvious flaws on the paint somewhere, you'll just keep quiet and accept it. Right? I mean, hell, the car's gonna get used any way...first parking lot ding and who cares.

Right?

These types of 'tool polisher' arguments totally miss the point.

M6erfan is right. You shouldn't expect to buy a new SK product and have it be flawed, even if it's cosmetic. OP, PM me your address, the flawed tool numbers, and where you got it, and we'll take care of you.

M6erfan: I know you're no fan of S·K, and maybe for good reason, but I hope you keep your mind open going forward as we rebuild the factory.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

How dare someone that paid exorbitant amount of money for a supposedly quality product complain about they have worse finishing than $1 chinese wrenches.
If these were from harbor freight people would be saying wow that shows HF really is junk! But when A US maker charges fifteen times the price, suddenly the quality of the finish no longer matters

My favorite ratchets are the SK's and none of them despite being 30+ years old have rust, chipping chrome or thin spots, saying people should ignore getting new products with finishing issues is idiotic.

 

[dar24601]

Wow that ***** but have you contacted them about making it right? I had similar issue with a socket set i bought from them a few years back, called them up and they replaced the set. as with everything there will always be things that slip through QC. I understand your upset and have every right to be but why not give SK a chance to make it right.

 

[M6erfan]

M6erfan is right. You shouldn't expect to buy a new SK product and have it be flawed, even if it's cosmetic. OP, PM me your address, the flawed tool numbers, and where you got it, and we'll take care of you.

M6erfan: I know you're no fan of S·K, and maybe for good reason, but I hope you keep your mind open going forward as we rebuild the factory.

Hi Eric,

On the contrary, I am a huge fan of SK tools. My grandfather used SK, my dad owns some and I own/use SK hand tools. If I'm hard on SK it's because I want to see you guys do well! I have seen these types of threads for years and to me it says that either SK is perfectly happy with the state of their QC (again, it's been years and seemingly not much has changed), or SK doesn't know how to fix the issues.

I've always been routing for you guys to "get it together", for lack of a better phrase. The last thing I want to see is Ideal/SK to get pushed out of the "100% U.S. tools" market in lieu of Asian imports or off-shored labor.

Just because I'm 'on your side' doesn't mean I'll give SK a pass for years of issues and poor QC. I hope you understand and please take my commentary as 'tough love', as that is my intent. And truly, I sincerely wish SK the best.

 

[NinnyCTSV]

So next time you buy a brand new car and there are obvious flaws on the paint somewhere, you'll just keep quiet and accept it. Right? I mean, hell, the car's gonna get used any way...first parking lot ding and who cares.

Right?

These types of 'tool polisher' arguments totally miss the point.

Apples to oranges argument. I guess you maticulously check the wheel wells and panel gaps, overspray under the plastic panels as well?

 

[M6erfan]

Apples to oranges argument. I guess you maticulously check the wheel wells and panel gaps, overspray under the plastic panels as well?

Yeah, probably not the best analogy, but you get the point I'm making. SK Eric agrees with me BTW...

 

[Negen]

Facom is a different marketing segment. Facom is up there with Hazet, Stahlwille, Snap-on, Mac, and Proto.

What makes this marketing segment? I thought sk and proto and mac were targeting the same groups. Price wise they all seem similar. Although I do not know if all Mac tools are USA .

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[Negen]

It's hard to see rust or "bad spots" in chrome tools when they are covered in oil and grease. Good grief, is this a tool forum or man cave bling forum.

Why should one buy a new high priced tool with rust on it before it even gets used?

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[M6erfan]

Why should one buy a new high priced tool with rust on it before it even gets used?

Presumably because it has little or zero effect in usage.


And that argument, again, completely misses the point...

 

[AceofSpad3s]

What makes this marketing segment? I thought sk and proto and mac were targeting the same groups. Price wise they all seem similar. Although I do not know if all Mac tools are USA .

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MAC is Stanley evil omnicorp subsidiary so they got different COO's. All the hardline tools like sockets, ratchets etc are USA afaik since it's a tool truck brand, proto makes some of their stuff since it's under Stanley too.

MAC is more expensive and targets the truck people but Proto to SK is pretty fair comparison price wise and both are industrial brands.

 

[azchrisf]

Well with one of those being so deep if you put enough torque on it it's possible it could split. So it's not just a cosmetic issue.

Glad to see SK Eric reply btw.

 

[Negen]

MAC is Stanley evil omnicorp subsidiary so they got different COO's. All the hardline tools like sockets, ratchets etc are USA afaik since it's a tool truck brand, proto makes some of their stuff since it's under Stanley too.

MAC is more expensive and targets the truck people but Proto to SK is pretty fair comparison price wise and both are industrial brands.

Isn't Mac cheaper than proto? At lest with their asd ratchet wrenches. I only own a couple Mac tools pliers and they are standard looking China stuff nothing that is worth more than a few dollars good for plumbing work though. I still have things to buy from sk though.

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[AceofSpad3s]

Isn't Mac cheaper than proto? At lest with their asd ratchet wrenches. I only own a couple Mac tools pliers and they are standard looking China stuff nothing that is worth more than a few dollars good for plumbing work though. I still have things to buy from sk though.

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Proto should technically be less, but their pricing is really weird. I see proto sockets on amazon for much much less than MAC ones, but wrenches and some ratchets from proto are more than MAC

 

[Skin]

Presumably because it has little or zero effect in usage.


And that argument, again, completely misses the point...

I think you and some others miss the point of what tools are made for.

 

[M6erfan]

I think you and some others miss the point of what tools are made for.

With that logic why not send them out after the tools are broached and QC'd for proper fastener fitment. Why market 'Superchrome' at all?


Why not just sell them like this brand new...Hot off the presses! Come and get 'em!

 

[highland512]

Why should one buy a new high priced tool with rust on it before it even gets used?

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So if another brand starts rusting after it touches a bolt thats ok?

We are talking about pieces of steel made to force other pieces of steel into submission. This inst a beauty contest.....................or is it?

SK is the largest family in my box along with Proto, Wright, KD, Snap-On, Mac, and countless other brands (may they r.i.p.). I just think that SK bashing is the flavor of the month around here, just like the summer 2010'ish was. Every other thread was beating on SK and how SK was going the way of Bonney. SK is still here and still making top notch tools, and next month we will be reading about the next drama causing issue. Maybe something interesting like why dont my Snap On ratchet say USA, or one of my personal favorites, I don't like the way brand x soft grip ratchet handle feels in my hand.

If a person buys a tool and isnt pleased return it for an exchange or refund. I dont know why all of this dirty laundry has to be blasted all over the internet. SK it looks like is doing the right thing though, good for you SK.

 

[M6erfan]

So if another brand starts rusting after it touches a bolt thats ok?

We are talking about pieces of steel made to force other pieces of steel into submission. This inst a beauty contest.....................or is it?

SK is the largest family in my box along with Proto, Wright, KD, Snap-On, Mac, and countless other brands (may they r.i.p.). I just think that SK bashing is the flavor of the month around here, just like the summer 2010'ish was. Every other thread was beating on SK and how SK was going the way of Bonney. SK is still here and still making top notch tools, and next month we will be reading about the next drama causing issue. Maybe something interesting like why dont my Snap On ratchet say USA, or one of my personal favorites, I don't like the way brand x soft grip ratchet handle feels in my hand.

If a person buys a tool and isnt pleased return it for an exchange or refund. I dont know why all of this dirty laundry has to be blasted all over the internet. SK it looks like is doing the right thing though, good for you SK.

Did you see the other thread where SK refused a customers pkg with a tool that was sent in for replacement?

 

[Negen]

I think that most people won't complain if a tool gets used and then starts to rust. I just think that people do not like to see rust on a brand new things. My sae box ends are from a company called barcalo-buffalo usa and are probably older than me and get used when I need to bo signs of rust. I haven't seen anyone bash SK yet. Just discussions. I like SK mainly because they hire reps with good names . Not sure how old our wrenches at work are but they came in tool rolls and say super krome on the rolls they get used quite a bit and no issue. Fun stuff hopefully sk can continue to fill the gap of affordable american made tools.

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[azchrisf]

So if another brand starts rusting after it touches a bolt thats ok?

We are talking about pieces of steel made to force other pieces of steel into submission. This inst a beauty contest.....................or is it?

SK is the largest family in my box along with Proto, Wright, KD, Snap-On, Mac, and countless other brands (may they r.i.p.). I just think that SK bashing is the flavor of the month around here, just like the summer 2010'ish was. Every other thread was beating on SK and how SK was going the way of Bonney. SK is still here and still making top notch tools, and next month we will be reading about the next drama causing issue. Maybe something interesting like why dont my Snap On ratchet say USA, or one of my personal favorites, I don't like the way brand x soft grip ratchet handle feels in my hand.

If a person buys a tool and isnt pleased return it for an exchange or refund. I dont know why all of this dirty laundry has to be blasted all over the internet. SK it looks like is doing the right thing though, good for you SK.

Were not talking about some minor cosmetic issue or some paltry little complaint - chunks of rust on a brand new wrench shouldn't be acceptable to anyone (at least that I know...) and couldresult in a structural deficiency. I don't think it's a flavor of the month thing when person after person apparently is experiencing issues with the toolmaker. It shows a systemic problem IMHO that needs to be resolved.

People post things like this so others can see what's going out the door and could land in their hands, and for some, make a more informed choice - whether that means buying another brand or keeping a close eye for defects rather than just unboxing and throwing them in the toolbox as some do. Sometimes even management or those with connections to it may stumble across it. It also gets picked up by Google - so if someone who has a problem with an SK product wants to know "Is this a fluke or something more widespread?".

If there has been a smattering of them lately, sorry - I didn't see them. But still I'm just posting my experience and feelings.

My .02.