FYI, the "special price" shown on the SK website is much higher than they sell for elsewhere. The 13 piece SK set sells for $90 at Harry Epstein, not the $146 "special price."
Regardless, I'm sure you'll enjoy the SO sockets.
SK Socket Quality
- Thread starter V22mech
- Start date
FYI, the "special price" shown on the SK website is much higher than they sell for elsewhere. The 13 piece SK set sells for $90 at Harry Epstein, not the $146 "special price."
Regardless, I'm sure you'll enjoy the SO sockets.
You're absolutely right, plus $12 for shipping from HJE. For ~$40, I don't have to wait for them(UPS and USPS have been atrocious lately), I know they are all made properly, and I don't have to worry about getting blown off if I do have a warranty issue. For me, zero hassle > $40.
How about for $88 from Circle C Supply with free shipping? Now we're probably approaching a $60 difference with one more socket to boot. But I doubt there is any price point that would move you to SK and everyone should buy what they want. However, the argument that SO is close on price is fallacious.
Me, if I could afford it, would have bought a lot more Snap On. But I can't and I took a chance on SK. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Full sets of 1/4 and 3/8 with ratchets, extensions, thumbwheels and extras and I have no complaints. Yeah there was some anti-corrosion paint splatter, but that didn't bother me. And I bought the 1/4 and 1/2 flex ratchets after I got the sets. Again there were no problems.
I hope SK can improve QC as there seems to be some problems as evidenced. When right, they have a quality product at a very good price.
OP, I hope you get the socket problems warrantied and straightened out to your satisfaction.
They do make nice sockets when they're right. My 3/8 and 1/2 sets were flawless when new and they've been working really nicely for a couple of years.
well i took a chance, ordered the 49pc 3/8" set plus some individuals to expand the set
the 24mm shallow and the 15/16" and 1" deep and shallow all had the issue seen on the socket to the left in this post https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7211752&postcount=44
the 21mm shallow was perfect as were all the sockets in the set
now i am debating if i even want to try to play the warranty lottery since it's not going to affect function for the very few things i use those sizes for (to be honest the larger SAE sizes are more tray fillers than anything else for me)
also i'm going to say the knurling on the ratchet in the set isn't as nice and deep as it is on the other 45170s i've accumulated (seriously i've somehow ended up with 4 or 5 of them before i even got this set)
the 24mm shallow and the 15/16" and 1" deep and shallow all had the issue seen on the socket to the left in this post https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7211752&postcount=44
the 21mm shallow was perfect as were all the sockets in the set
now i am debating if i even want to try to play the warranty lottery since it's not going to affect function for the very few things i use those sizes for (to be honest the larger SAE sizes are more tray fillers than anything else for me)
also i'm going to say the knurling on the ratchet in the set isn't as nice and deep as it is on the other 45170s i've accumulated (seriously i've somehow ended up with 4 or 5 of them before i even got this set)
Wamsutta
Well-known member
It's posts like yours that makes me want to stay away from SK. Their quality doesn't match the price. If I want a perfect socket, all I have to do is go with Snap-on, MAC, or PROTO.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Why have a bunch of extra **** down in the socket that doesn't help anything?
doesn't effect anything other than the cosmetic beauty of the socket. I bought 20+ 1/2" drive SK sockets over a year ago, never once thought about staring down one with a camera on macro until the polishers on this site started crying. They work fine, haven't exploded, bolts haven't complained.
Is it disappointing Taiwan can put out a cosmetically better socket? Sure.
But at the same time I bought SK to support US manufacturing and a family owned company, not to take beauty shots of my tools. The sockets? The appeared fantastic externally and work just the same as my MAC and Snap-On sockets.
Proto and Williams are quite a bit more expensive comparative to SKs set prices (blow mold case sets and/or with a Zoro sale) so this is not a straight comparison and its very arguable that you're spending more for a functionally superior socket. I can go on SKs site right now and get master sets of metric and standard 1/4 and 3/8 WITH ratchets and extensions and a few adapters for a little over $330. In the other brands it would be hundreds more just for the same socket coverage.
There have been a couple legitimate gripes on SK but most of it is children crying that their tools for show don't look pretty enough.
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Thanks for your constructive comment. We don’t need your negativity. These SK quality issues are real and legitimate. What other US Tool maker can’t properly and consistently broach a socket?
bob15
Well-known member
This whole thread is about negativity, so why can't he post his opinion? Because he isn't drinking the kool-aid he isn't welcome?
Did you read that he agrees that there are a couple issues with some of the tools, but the majority seems to show there are far more tool polishers with pointless criticisms of SK tools.
Examples of tool polisher complaints:
the socket has a mark on the rim of it
paint inside the socket
chatter on the broach instead of being smooth
broach depth
lack of detent groove in the sockets (my 60 year old Bonney's never had them either, and yet the socket stays on the ratchet just fine....must be a miracle of some kind)
Just curious how many people on this site actually work in a production setting? Or better yet, how many have worked in quality where there are thousands of parts going through the department daily to be checked over?
Let's use this thread for an example.....say there are say 6 legit complaints, but yet there was probably 500 socket sets sold without any issues. How is it then that SK's quality is so poor. you don't here from the hundred of users that have zero gripes with SK. But SK is terrible?
Do a search on this site, or better yet, the internet, and you will find every manufacturer will have issues with their tools. It is part of manufacturing. Think your house or car is perfect? think again.....
I have an idea to some of you.....start using the tools and stop looking at them under a microscope
I just got home from vacation and wanted to post my final thoughts on the warranty process.
In my experience, calling and e-mailing ahead was not worth the effort. I reached the same individual in both cases, she was very nice, but could only really offer me a link to the warranty website. I sent the tools in on my own dime and received replacements very promptly, total time in transit was less than a week. The whole process was pretty quick and painless, though I wish I could have had some sort of tracking of the whole process.
The replacement sockets were a mixed bag. The new 3/8 drive deep 1 inch socket was night and day better than the one I sent in and has none of the issues that plagued the original. Interestingly, there is substantially more clearance for bolts/studs too.
The replacement small 3/8 drive sockets are still pretty rough and some still don't fit well (if at all) on fasteners. Thankfully, only the shallow and deep 12-point 1/4 sockets are bad enough to impede function and I only really see 1/4 nuts in 6-point anyways. I will probably buy some 6-point singles to fill the gap and move on with my life.
I sent in a 12-point 1/4 drive 3/16 socket and received a 1/4 drive 6mm 6-point swivel socket as a replacement. I consider this a win since I wouldn't have used the original socket anyways. Even though it was the wrong item, I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of the swivel socket and will probably end up buying a set for my home box.
Overall, I guess I'm satisfied with the end result. SK still seems to have some serious issues with production of their small 12-point sockets, but I have to admit that nobody else is making what I need at an affordable price with wide availability.
In my experience, calling and e-mailing ahead was not worth the effort. I reached the same individual in both cases, she was very nice, but could only really offer me a link to the warranty website. I sent the tools in on my own dime and received replacements very promptly, total time in transit was less than a week. The whole process was pretty quick and painless, though I wish I could have had some sort of tracking of the whole process.
The replacement sockets were a mixed bag. The new 3/8 drive deep 1 inch socket was night and day better than the one I sent in and has none of the issues that plagued the original. Interestingly, there is substantially more clearance for bolts/studs too.
The replacement small 3/8 drive sockets are still pretty rough and some still don't fit well (if at all) on fasteners. Thankfully, only the shallow and deep 12-point 1/4 sockets are bad enough to impede function and I only really see 1/4 nuts in 6-point anyways. I will probably buy some 6-point singles to fill the gap and move on with my life.
I sent in a 12-point 1/4 drive 3/16 socket and received a 1/4 drive 6mm 6-point swivel socket as a replacement. I consider this a win since I wouldn't have used the original socket anyways. Even though it was the wrong item, I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of the swivel socket and will probably end up buying a set for my home box.
Overall, I guess I'm satisfied with the end result. SK still seems to have some serious issues with production of their small 12-point sockets, but I have to admit that nobody else is making what I need at an affordable price with wide availability.
Ironically I thought their swivel sockets were terrible. Broaching and machining is good but the joints were so loose that I quickly re-sold them. SK should go back to screwed joints like the old MAC so you can retighten them as they loosen.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I've heard enough bad stuff on this forum to keep me away from SK sockets for a long time.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Whatever you say bud. Doing a google search of your name + SK will result in dozens upon dozens of posts from you bagging on and attacking SK over any possible issue for the past couple of years. Even "issues" that weren't issues at all.
You weren't going to buy them even if every single person in this thread had a glowing positive review.
just don't do the same search with gearwrench instead of SK... or do, but play the x-files theme while you do
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If they were broached cleanly at the correct depth and had the detents in the correct place, I'd buy them.
I would like to see it done with sockets or something. I feel like adaptors might be made to be the weak point.
Also in some sort of jig (or at least press down on ratchet) so its only shear, not a kind of off axis load.
edit im not bitchin, just sayin'
Also in some sort of jig (or at least press down on ratchet) so its only shear, not a kind of off axis load.
edit im not bitchin, just sayin'
Adapters are one the few tools I try to avoid using. Years ago, I snapped a few of them - Cman (USA) and others I don't remember the brands. I guess I have been lucky to not have needed to use any in the last few decades in my DIY wrenching.
Would of omitted the Snap-On. Its not a fair comparison as having a separate anvil obviously increases the strength. The other styles are machined so they have less meat to them where the torque can be transferred. I think Matco and I know MAC make similar adapters with separate anvils and they're impact rated.
Guessing Snap-On got tired of replacing the chrome ones under warranty.
Guessing Snap-On got tired of replacing the chrome ones under warranty.
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
Great video. It really does go to prove that Taiwan and China have closed the gap (and possibly surpassed) the quality of many domestics
Because they break. Like I said they probably dumped the chrome one to reduce warranty claims as they did sell them years ago. The Proto one is even stamped "Not Guaranteed" (I have a few).
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
AND add the cost efficient ratio to it and SK gets spanked pretty hard.
2manytools
Well-known member
After reading the arguments for not using the adapter for testing, they are the very reason is it should be. One said it is the weak link, and another the same thing because he broke one. Same thing essentially. Now you know how the different brands go about their weak links.
I am curious for him to throw in an impact adapter. They are not necessarily beefier, they are made differentently so they don't explode when they do go.
I am curious for him to throw in an impact adapter. They are not necessarily beefier, they are made differentently so they don't explode when they do go.
I'm glad it was included. To me, it is a fair comparison. It's price is within the range of the other test subjects, and its easily available to anyone with an internet connection. The design and materials are what you're paying for when you buy any of them.
If it were made of unobtanium and cost four figures, then yes, I'd agree to exclude it.
I will admit, the results did not surprise me.
Surprised at gedore, my stuff from them has taken some real abuse and still looks new(ish) with a decent clean.
I've never broke an adapter or extension however i don't put that much torque on them really.
If you buy from a reputable brand, then no matter if its made in Europe, the US or the East you'll be getting a good bit of kit these days. COO is pretty meaningless for tool quality imo, especially for the major players.
I've never broke an adapter or extension however i don't put that much torque on them really.
If you buy from a reputable brand, then no matter if its made in Europe, the US or the East you'll be getting a good bit of kit these days. COO is pretty meaningless for tool quality imo, especially for the major players.
Interesting test, Jrboulder, but it would be misguided to read into those results nearly at all.
The Snap-On probably is significantly stronger because of the unique design, but I don't think the test of a single adapter from each brand, with torque values so close to one a other, supports any conclusion about relative strength.
If you repeat those results a few more times, you'll start to have something.
The Snap-On probably is significantly stronger because of the unique design, but I don't think the test of a single adapter from each brand, with torque values so close to one a other, supports any conclusion about relative strength.
If you repeat those results a few more times, you'll start to have something.
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
Of course more tests would mean better overall results. That being said the initial test says much.
I disagree. Testing one sample is not totally useless, but it certainly doesn't have enough significance to conclude that SK makes a weaker adapter than the competition. It's possible they do, but we really don't know.
this... from a sample size of one you can't come to a hard conclusion
there will still be that room for doubt and the possibility of the adapter being an outlier and the majority being stronger (or maybe even weaker)
things it does show us...
the offshore stuff isn't the garbage it once was regardless of what the grumpy old guy who likes to go to sears just to loudly complain about chinese craftsman tools is saying
the 2 piece design snap-on is using for that adapter is significantly stronger than the one piece design
if you need more than 50ft-lbs of torque just get a 3/8" drive or 1/2" drive and don't mess with step down adapters and a 1/4" drive socket
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
I have the Snap-on GSAF1F 1/2-inch female by 3/8-inch male adapter, use it on 1/2 drive ratchets and breaker bars for breaking loose fasteners. It's the best adapter that I have gotten my hands on and saves me from keeping a long 3/8" breaker bar.
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So LB-FT would be 2000÷12=166.66667 LB-ft. If there is a little wiggle room there for safety that's a pretty strong 3/8" adapter.
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
Well this is true in the aspect that more tests could confirm the findings however given the initial test, how many tests would you want before you considered this confirmed? Keep in mind that we are in a thread labelled "sk socket quality" where at least a couple people on this forum alone seem to be struggling with the quality of SK already.
What concerns a consumer about SK's poor finish quality issues is that if they don't care about the things you can see how can you trust the inside quality of what you can't. Let's not presume SK has better QC making their products than they do finishing them. Bottom of the barrel Chinese tool co's don't suffer these issues so why its acceptable for a first world high cost product is beyond reason. Top tier tool co's like SO take ALL aspects of QC very seriously. Your eyes pass the first judgment on what's presented in front of you. Its sad high wage countries struggle to stay in the market but QUALITY is what will separate them and offer value to the consumer.