SK socket interior finish question. (pics)

[scott4]

Update from
Post, thread and thread

Looking over the posts below, I'd like to ask if the finish inside these sockets is the matte finish mentioned below, or its poor quality control.
It seems like poor quality control, but I'm wondering if these should be returned.

Here's the relevant posts:

(informative post, cut to the relevant part)

There were a few differences that I do not like, so I give get edge to the older sockets hands down. First, the older sockets were chromed inside. The new ones are a bright matte finish. They just seem like they'll rust earlier, but of course I haven't had mine long enough to know for sure.

According to my local SK dealer, the first couple batches they either messed up or couldnt figure out if they wanted chrome inside AND out or the matte finish inside. He showed me a couple loose sockets that had both finishes. Apparently the new stuff is getting trial runs that are accidentally put into "circulation"

Rust and corrosion is a concern. Ill give you two examples below in the current set

Above is, by far, the rustiest socket:

Less rusty.

Ok, here are some of my interior finish pics:

Bad interior finish? is this a problem for corrosion resistance?

Here you can see the gloss meeting the matte and the glossy spotsnear the base.

Gloss most of the way down

Here is a comparison. This interior in the lower right looks different from the glossy and the matte. Is this a problem with the finish? Is this a problem with corrosion resistance? I have a number of sockets that look like this in the interior and they look differen than the glossy and the matte finish. I need to know if this is an issue so i can just return them. if not, I'm going to sort out the rusty sockets and enjoy this set.

 

[zer0cell]

I gotta admit, as much as I like the idea of buying Wright, SK etc. Issues like these make me wonder if USA really means anything with many brands now days... I mean I don't see this sort of thing even with HF sockets and they are 1/4 the price. Then again, it could be just a fluke. I do have some wright sockets and ratchet that I am pleased with.

 

[scott4]

Then again, it could be just a fluke. I do have some wright sockets and ratchet that I am pleased with.

The fluke was the first set. (link to series of pics) I returned those and they sent me these.

I am looking at wright or just sticking with Cman sockets if these get returned.

 

[Gtamazing]

I bought a set of SK from advance auto last week and several of the sockets has a piss poor finnish inside of them. I was disappointed enough that I will probably never buy sk again.

 

[pipsters]

I gotta admit, as much as I like the idea of buying Wright, SK etc. Issues like these make me wonder if USA really means anything with many brands now days... I mean I don't see this sort of thing even with HF sockets and they are 1/4 the price. Then again, it could be just a fluke. I do have some wright sockets and ratchet that I am pleased with.

Imported Asian made products have much much much better chrome quality. Must be some sort of environmental controls over here preventing the "good stuff". But then again, look at German products, and their chrome quality (while different looking) is also excellent.

I've sent back (well, ordered from Apex) about a dozen or so sockets bought from Sears. The replacements were definitely better. But like you said even Harbor Freight sockets have really good chroming on them compared to the really thin often flaking chrome on American produced stuff from Sears.

I am the first to admit that barring my "buy US products", I wouldn't be touching Sears products right now. Like you said you can get better quality at 1/4 the price buying imports.

 

[zer0cell]

The fluke was the first set. (link to series of pics) I returned those and they sent me these.

I am looking at wright or just sticking with Cman sockets if these get returned.

Heck yeah... I just saw the link and those are UGLY. Man that is such a disappointment. At least craftsman sockets are a lot less $ and still USA made with easy warranty. Wright on the other hand still has my interest and I hope SK gets these issues worked out asap. THAT is definitely no way to restore one's reputation...

Honestly, as silly as it may sound, what's the point of putting chrome on sockets if they are going to be rusty and have flaking chrome out of the box? Just do a black phosphate finish then and be done with it. I agree that it is probably an environmental regulation issue over here that is making the chroming process less effective. That might even be why the german made chrome products are different as well from the asian variety.

 

[slipjointed]

I gotta admit, as much as I like the idea of buying Wright, SK etc. Issues like these make me wonder if USA really means anything with many brands now days... I mean I don't see this sort of thing even with HF sockets and they are 1/4 the price. Then again, it could be just a fluke. I do have some wright sockets and ratchet that I am pleased with.

For the price, I was satisfied with my SK.

At least they put real chrome on the sockets, which is more than I can say for Craftsman, which all-in-all costs the same or more for an equivalent set. Additionally, the ratchet was very nice, light years ahead of the ratchet you'd get in a similarly priced Craftsman set.



Regarding Wright, the sockets I got were absolutely superb, I had chrome issues on a single new production wrench set.

Wright aggressively followed up on the issue both on this forum, and in person at Epstein, where I purchased them. I have every reason to believe they fully intend to fix the issue, and quickly. Additionally, once I said I had a couple small chrome issues, I was sent a new wrench set, no questions asked.

Here's a comparison of my new production Wright sockets and new production Snap-on.

IMO I don't see twice the price in difference between the two.








The Snap-ons are slightly nicer, but not by a whole lot. They have a slightly sharper finish inside, but if you want to judge sockets solely by that, so do the Craftsmans. Snap-on and Craftsman both use a modern forging process, Wright is still using an older method, similar to old logo Snap-on. I don't know that it's in any way inferior, just probably not as cost effective. The Wrights are still very precise as far as interior dimensions.

 

[scott4]

Imported Asian made products have much much much better chrome quality. Must be some sort of environmental controls over here preventing the "good stuff". But then again, look at German products, and their chrome quality (while different looking) is also excellent.

I've sent back (well, ordered from Apex) about a dozen or so sockets bought from Sears. The replacements were definitely better. But like you said even Harbor Freight sockets have really good chroming on them compared to the really thin often flaking chrome on American produced stuff from Sears.

I am the first to admit that barring my "buy US products", I wouldn't be touching Sears products right now. Like you said you can get better quality at 1/4 the price buying imports.

What do you think of the interior of these sockets?

Heck yeah... I just saw the link and those are UGLY. Man that is such a disappointment. At least craftsman sockets are a lot less $ and still USA made with easy warranty. Wright on the other hand still has my interest and I hope SK gets these issues worked out asap. THAT is definitely no way to restore one's reputation...

Forgot about Williams sockets as well. Pipsters suggested those.

Whats a guy gotta do around here to get some decent sockets? I'm really trying.

 

[scott4]

Regarding Wright, the sockets I got were absolutely superb, I had chrome issues on a single new production wrench set.

What do you think about the interior of these sockets?

Didn't you just sell a bunch of your Wrights?
I would have scooped a chunk of those up.

 

[slipjointed]

What do you think about the interior of these sockets?

Didn't you just sell a bunch of your Wrights?
I would have scooped a chunk of those up.

I just posted some pics of the interior of the Wrights in my post above. I thought the finish was very good, it wasn't what I would call perfect, but I would call it superb. It was good enough that I was easily 100% satisfied.

I sold the Wrights for financial reasons, not because I didn't like them. I had to liquidate my entire shop and personal tool set. I still have Wright mixed in with SK, Armstrong, and SO at work.

 

[scott4]

I just posted some pics of the interior of the Wrights in my post above. I thought the finish was very good, it wasn't what I would call perfect, but I would call it superb. It was good enough that I was easily 100% satisfied.

I sold the Wrights for financial reasons, not because I didn't like them. I had to liquidate my entire shop and personal tool set. I still have Wright mixed in with SK, Armstrong, and SO at work.

I meant, what do you think of the interior of the SK sockets I put up? I also meant, I would have purchased your Wrights, as I was looking for exactly that.

The Wrights you just posted look good.

 

[slipjointed]

I meant, what do you think of the interior of the SK sockets I put up? I also meant, I would have purchased your Wrights, as I was looking for exactly that.

The Wrights you just posted look good.

I wouldn't really be happy with them.

When it comes to combo wrenches, Wright has Snap-on beat hands down as far as price goes.

Sockets, a little more blurry. Wright doesn't come up used very often, but when it does, you can get them for dirt cheap.

That's not to say you can't get great deals on Wright brand new, just that they won't be anywhere in the ballpark of Craftsman or SK.

Another option if you want better quality than Craftsman without the finish issues of SK, try Armstrong. They're basically Craftsman sockets, but with MUCH better finish.

You can get the Armstrong 15-299 set, which is equivalent to the SK 94549, for just over $150.

 

[scott4]

I wouldn't really be happy with them.

When it comes to combo wrenches, Wright has Snap-on beat hands down as far as price goes.

Sockets, a little more blurry. Wright doesn't come up used very often, but when it does, you can get them for dirt cheap.

That's not to say you can't get great deals on Wright brand new, just that they won't be anywhere in the ballpark of Craftsman or SK.

Another option if you want better quality than Craftsman without the finish issues of SK, try Armstrong. They're basically Craftsman sockets, but with MUCH better finish.

You can get the Armstrong 15-299 set, which is equivalent to the SK 94549, for just over $150.

Thanks. That was pipsters suggestion as well. I'm also looking at this as well. The real PITA with Wright is the lack of 6pt 1/2 drive socket sets, and SAE/Metric combo sets.

 

[zer0cell]

That Armstrong 15-299 looks very nice. I checked and found it new for about $140. That sounds like a good deal to me and from what i heard that ratchet that it comes with is about the same as a matco 88 which is arguably on par with snap-on.

Oh, I like that wright set on ebay too... not quite as many pieces as the armstrong but still very nice.

 

[scott4]

That Armstrong 15-299 looks very nice. I checked and found it new for about $140. That sounds like a good deal to me and from what i heard that ratchet that it comes with is about the same as a matco 88 which is arguably on par with snap-on.

Oh, I like that wright set on ebay too... not quite as many pieces as the armstrong but still very nice.

I'm finding it 140 shipped as well.

Thanks for some info on the ratchet. I was just wondering about that.

 

[Gmonkee]

I'm wondering why you are looking inside the sockets.
I use most of mine every week. Most are greasy and oily, a few more used ones will fill with gunk and have to be scraped out at times. Most of what I have is asian but more importantly they make me money. No matter who made it or where.

As long as none of them crack or otherwise fail I'll be happily scratching up the outer chrome and keeping them well oiled inside just by using them.
Showtime comes at the end of the day when I wipe the dirt off and pack them up. Nothing shines brighter than a paycheck at the end of the week.

 

[scott4]

I'm wondering why you are looking inside the sockets.

As mentioned above, corrosion and quality control. In the linked threads, I mentioned looking for an "upgrade" to Cman. The relevant discussion goes on for a bit.

My Cman sockets are a mix. I could take a pic of one deep well thats literally 80% full of bearing grease. Others are dry, scratched with pitting.

Theyre not pretty. I don't wipe off much of the grease, as it keeps rust off things.

 

[scott4]

Why do you think there is anything wrong with the sockets that aren't rusty inside?

Thanks. This is what I'm asking.

Ok, you mentioned no chrome all the way down. Those are in some of the pics.

Basically you have (roughly) three types of interior finishes here along with gradations in between them. Ill stick to the three first.

Mostly Chrome inside

Mostly Matte Finish

Unfinished? (Lower right)

Me: First Post:

This interior in the lower right looks different from the glossy and the matte. Is this a problem with the finish? Is this a problem with corrosion resistance? I have a number of sockets that look like this in the interior and they look differen than the glossy and the matte finish. I need to know if this is an issue so i can just return them. if not, I'm going to sort out the rusty sockets and enjoy this set.

 

[Hiball]

Just use them... My 3/8 Sk socket set is not uniform either, the first time it hits a greasy bolt you will never notice it.

 

[scott4]

Just use them... My 3/8 Sk socket set is not uniform either, the first time it hits a greasy bolt you will never notice it.

Heres my point. I need to know about the corrosion protection in the interior. As i mentioned, I have Cmans that are pitting some (dry), others that are full of grease, and I was looking for an upgrade to Cman. If these have an issue, theyre not an upgrade, and, therefore, a waste of money that need to be returned.

Rather than using them if theres an issue, wouldn't the smarter thing to do would be to return them to absolve yourself of the issue?

I can get something else.

 

[scott4]

If they have any finish inside.

I'm having difficulty with this part.

 

[zer0cell]

It makes sense to me. If you are willing to pay 'more' you want to get 'more' why pay more for equal or worse quality, no matter where it's made.

 

[scott4]

It makes sense to me. If you are willing to pay 'more' you want to get 'more' why pay more for equal or worse quality, no matter where it's made.

I'd at least get that large set of Cman sockets. This was my attempt at an upgrade to more of an heirloom quality set.

 

[Hiball]

Heres my point. I need to know about the corrosion protection in the interior. As i mentioned, I have Cmans that are pitting some (dry), others that are full of grease, and I was looking for an upgrade to Cman. If these have an issue, theyre not an upgrade, and, therefore, a waste of money that need to be returned.

Rather than using them if theres an issue, wouldn't the smarter thing to do would be to return them to absolve yourself of the issue?

I can get something else.

Thats a question only you can answer, if I was a guessing man I'd say you better return them. It's fairly obvious that it bothers you by the numerous posts/threads etc. When I purchased mine, the only thing I had in mind was "wow... I just bought a 6pt 3/8 socket set in shallow/deep metric and standard for $100 bucks shipped" I could care less about the interior of the sockets, I personally don't intend on sticking my finger inside nor using them ketchup dipping cups. It's all about personal preference.. Good luck with your decision.

 

[scott4]

Thats a question only you can answer.

I'm having difficulty with the corrosion prevention issue for obvious reasons.

I could care less about the interior of the sockets

Are you OK with this?

 

[diesel research]

from what i heard that ratchet that it comes with is about the same as a matco 88 which is arguably on par with snap-on.

Don't believe those people. The "maxx" ratchet is internally pretty much the same as higher end gearwrench pearheads (minus COO), OLDER matcos, or nex-gen thin profile craftsman ratchets(minuse quick release). It is 60 tooth. Head is quite similar in shape and dimension to matco, and the handle with it's machined flats is similar to Kobalt.

I own a few of them and use them daily. I do not justify them or deceive others by claiming they are "almost matco88 or snap on".

 

[scott4]

Don't believe those people. The "maxx" ratchet is internally pretty much the same as higher end gearwrench pearheads (minus COO), OLDER matcos, or nex-gen thin profile craftsman ratchets(minuse quick release). It is 60 tooth. Head is quite similar in shape and dimension to matco, and the handle with it's machined flats is similar to Kobalt.

I own a few of them and use them daily. I do not justify them or deceive others by claiming they are "almost matco88 or snap on".

Thanks

 

[chadster1]

I'm having difficulty with the corrosion prevention issue for obvious reasons.



Are you OK with this?

You should make this pic your avatar.

 

[scott4]

If you are looking for sockets with fully polished chrome plating all the way inside, I don't think you'll find them.

I've never claimed this, ever. This is hyperbolic.

I'm concerned about the corrosion issue.

 

[Hiball]

I'm having difficulty with the corrosion prevention issue for obvious reasons.



Are you OK with this?

If every socket was like that.. No.. But 1 out of what 40? **** happens, it fairly obvious it bothers you, send them back. Sk was in turmoil in there pre-ideal days, they were putting some poor quality tools out the door.

 

[scott4]

If every socket was like that.. No.. But 1 out of what 40? **** happens, it fairly obvious it bothers you, send them back. Sk was in turmoil in there pre-ideal days, they were putting some poor quality tools out the door.

No one wants that on their socket. I have some with rust.

What this rust issue, along with the largely types of interior "colors" are telling me, is that theres something going on with the interior plating and corrosion.

I don't know how to answer that question.

Both of my sets are from the new plant, fwiw.

 

[kurtk75s]

I got the same set last week with the hope that they would satisfy my desire for toolbox jewelry to go in my basement toolbox. I expect that box to support very light duty motorcycle restoration and bicycle building. I have a well used working set of Craftsman sockets in my garage.

The set I received was also a slight disappointment - nothing as bad as in your pics but a little surface rust in some of the sockets and a non-uniform interior finish across the set. The frustrating thing is that there are a number of sockets that are beautiful and the ratchet/extensions are just about perfect. Like many of the folks who post on this board, I have a touch of OCD - like lining up screwdrivers so the handles all read the same, and wrenches all have the labels face up in the holders - so the lack of uniformity bugs me a little especially for my 'cork sniffing' box.

I have a HF 3/8" set in my portable box that has a very uniform decent finish across the line. I was simply hoping that SK would provide the same level of finish that I love on my Craftsman Pro combination and stubby wrenches (10 years old or so). I must say that I did order the 86040 wrench set and am very happy with it. They appear to be identical to my Cman Pro. Unfortunately, I understand that the 86040 set is NOS.

I wish SK the best, but my first order was underwhelming.

 

[zer0cell]

If my tools get rusty over the years from use in the field i just accept it as part of the tool's life, though I do try to keep mine oiled. Having rusty tools come straight from the factory though indicates to me that there is an issue. I don't personally care what the finish inside the socket looks like but I would want at least some sort of surface treatment to help combat rust. If its lacking it, that seems strange to me. I guess it all comes down to personal preference as to what one considers acceptable. I personally just don't want to buy 'new' rusty tools. Used ones with some rust at a garage sale is fine, along with a discounted price

Would you buy a 'new' car that had ruffles on the leather seats? Sure you could tell yourself they will end up looking that way after years of use, but when you are buying something new, you want it to look new. Otherwise buy used.

 

[scott4]

I got the same set last week with the hope that they would satisfy my desire for toolbox jewelry to go in my basement toolbox. I expect that box to support very light duty motorcycle restoration and bicycle building. I have a well used working set of Craftsman sockets in my garage.

The set I received was also a slight disappointment - nothing as bad as in your pics but a little surface rust in some of the sockets and a non-uniform interior finish across the set. The frustrating thing is that there are a number of sockets that are beautiful and the ratchet/extensions are just about perfect. Like many of the folks who post on this board, I have a touch of OCD - like lining up screwdrivers so the handles all read the same, and wrenches all have the labels face up in the holders - so the lack of uniformity bugs me a little especially for my 'cork sniffing' box.

I have a HF 3/8" set in my portable box that has a very uniform decent finish across the line. I was simply hoping that SK would provide the same level of finish that I love on my Craftsman Pro combination and stubby wrenches (10 years old or so). I must say that I did order the 86040 wrench set and am very happy with it. They appear to be identical to my Cman Pro. Unfortunately, I understand that the 86040 set is NOS.

I wish SK the best, but my first order was underwhelming.

I really like that knurling on the extensions and the thumbwheel. I think its a well put together set.

Other people (ex. slipjointed and hiball) had nice pics. Looked nice. I'm really interested in trying to figure out what these different finishes are, because I like the set.

 

[Hiball]

Both of my sets are from the new plant, fwiw.

I'm not 100% sure about that... Where did you buy them? That is alot of what I presume is only surface rust, for something that has been sitting around for a few months. My Sk sets from AA also carried the new sleeve but where dusty inside, I know ideal had to acquire some old stock when they bought Sk. I'm fairly sure they just didn't throw them away....

 

[scott4]

If my tools get rusty over the years from use in the field i just accept it as part of the tool's life, though I do try to keep mine oiled. Having rusty tools come straight from the factory though indicates to me that there is an issue. I don't personally care what the finish inside the socket looks like but I would want at least some sort of surface treatment to help combat rust. If its lacking it, that seems strange to me. I guess it all comes down to personal preference as to what one considers acceptable. I personally just don't want to buy 'new' rusty tools. Used ones with some rust at a garage sale is fine, along with a discounted price

Exactly.

I see rust, and I see varying types of finishes in the interior. It raises a flag, but all I have are questions.

 

[scott4]

I'm not 100% sure about that... Where did you buy them? That is alot of what I presume is only surface rust, for something that has been sitting around for a few months. My Sk sets from AA also carried the new sleeve but where dusty inside, I know ideal had to acquire some old stock when they bought Sk. I'm fairly sure they just didn't throw them away....

First set, bought at Advance. Lauren (woman at SK) asks me about the address on the back. I tell her. Its the new site. She gets said SK set back. I get a new set from her in the mail.

I guess its possible that the packaging on both have the new 1600 S. Prairie Dr.
Sycamore, IL address with old tools shoved in them. SK would have to do the same with the tools they sent me from the factory as well.

 

[Hiball]

First set, bought at Advance. Lauren (woman at SK) asks me about the address on the back. I tell her. Its the new site. She gets said SK set back. I get a new set from her in the mail.

I guess its possible that the packaging on both have the new 1600 S. Prairie Dr.
Sycamore, IL address with old tools shoved in them. SK would have to do the same with the tools they sent me from the factory as well.

Mine have the same "ideal" addy and came from AA. Only Sk knows if the tools are Newly produced ideal tools or filler that came from the previous Sk regime. Who knows?

 

[MAD]

The ones with the rust stains look like they missed getting the interior coating or else there was some residue from the manufacturing process that kept the coating from sticking. The interior coating on sockets is often just silver or clear paint that is there only for cosmetic reasons and to keep them from rusting in the package. It wears away pretty fast when you use the sockets.

If it bothers you, send them back. And if you don't want that to happen to your other sockets, never clean them with brake cleaner, the same thing will happen to them. Better to leave them a bit oily inside.

 

[scott4]

Mine have the same "ideal" addy and came from AA. Only Sk knows if the tools are Newly produced ideal tools or filler that came from the previous Sk regime. Who knows?

Ok. Its certainly possible for both sets, one from AA and one from SK. Lauren told me she was going to send me new stuff. Could be ****.

The ones with the rust stains look like they missed getting the interior coating or else there was some residue from the manufacturing process that kept the coating from sticking. The interior coating on sockets is often just silver or clear paint that is there only for cosmetic reasons and to keep them from rusting in the package. It wears away pretty fast when you use the sockets.

If it bothers you, send them back. And if you don't want that to happen to your other sockets, never clean them with brake cleaner, the same thing will happen to them. Better to leave them a bit oily inside.

On the sockets where it makes contact with the fastener, its Chrome. For the most part, it looks strong. I'm not going to test it as it might complicate a return.

The part in the pics that's problematic is beyond where the fastener makes contact.