SK sockets, ideal

[chipss36]

Hello good people at gj, new guy here,
I recently received an old toolbox back I had from my youth, in it was many different tools, looking at sockets I found all my snap ons were stolen and a few SK and proto remained, and a bunch of cheep stuff, looking at the sockets one thing was clear, the SK sockets still looked great ,all others even the protos were rusty, I wanted more sk, so I got a few sets , mostly 3/8 and 1/4 , still waiting on the metric 1/4, anyway, as others here have found the inside of the sockets are just randomly painted, or full chrome , of spotted with paint, and mixes of all the above, the chrome on the outside is stellar, kind of a letdown but no big deal, however pictured are two sockets that the square drive part looks like it was ripped out with a very dull tool, the 22, and 23, mm 3/8 sockets, both covered with heavy paint, this to me is a problem and will be sent back, I so want to support SK and am happy they are still making USA tools, but.........come on guys, this should have not been sent out, hope my wenches fair better, all the other sockets have nice sharp square holes, and overall I am happy with them hope the chrome is as good as my 80 vintage SK sockets. Time will tell.

 

[66354dream]

Welcome to the Garage Journal You'll get different opinions on SK stuff depending on who you ask here, personally I'm a big fan of their tools.

 

[Ponchoguy]

The first ratchet I ever used to fix anything or help my dad was a 45170 3/8" drive unit and the "green box" sockets. My father is long passed away, but those tools bring back good memories of working with him.

That ratchet STILL works flawlessly after all these years. I am a big fan of their tools, although Craftsman is my primary go-to brand.

 

[Bdgjr215]

Can someone shed some light on SK.I know their tools to be good toolboard type tools.did
They change or something?

 

[dutchgray]

That's not unusual to have some tear out from forming the square, although none of my ideal era SK sockets are like that, almost all of my Cornwell 3/8" sockets are rough like that though.

 

[chipss36]

That's not unusual to have some tear out from forming the square, although none of my ideal era SK sockets are like that, almost all of my Cornwell 3/8" sockets are rough like that though.

Strange thing is all the others are perfect, just 2 have pretty bad tear out.

 

[chipss36]

Can someone shed some light on SK.I know their tools to be good toolboard type tools.did
They change or something?

SK has been through many sellouts, and changes, went bankrupt and was purchased by ideal, I can only hope the new SK turns a profit and stays built in the USA.

 

[Flivver250]

I have always had good luck with SK and I have not had any manufacturing defects on the new tools I have bought in the last year. Some folks have, but from what i gather SK has overall been typically easy to deal with on returns.

 

[Aerogt01]

But... do they work?

Sorry, it's late and the cynicism is rampant. I'd be tickled to have half of what I see there in SK, inside chrome/no inside chrome/tearout or not.

 

[chipss36]

But... do they work?

Sorry, it's late and the cynicism is rampant. I'd be tickled to have half of what I see there in SK, inside chrome/no inside chrome/tearout or not.

They will work for a returned part for SK QC staff to study.
They are not up to par with my old 1980 SK , nor the other new 49 sockets I just purchased, constancy is an issue,
Chrome on a SK product is in fact an issue, if harbor freight can get this right I am sure SK can as well, I can only hope SK takes this as constructive feedback and moves forward, finding fault with the purchaser is just lame .......care to try again?

 

[Aerogt01]

I'm confused... So they won't turn a fastener? Do they fall of the wrench or at least not fit well? Have you already cut your fingers by jamming them down inside the socket? Are you judged at work by the quality of the inside of your sockets?

I'd wager QC won't even see them and this was acceptable variance. Just throw them back in the forge.

But yes, they will bend over backwards because someone doesn't like the look of the inside of some sockets.

 

[chipss36]

Yes you are confused.

 

[TheFarmer]

Socket...on the INSIDE??? What? WTF? Do you guys use your tools? lol WTF. I have blemishes on the inside by Matco, Snap On, Cornwell, GearWrench and Craftsman. Yes in that order. I still own them all, beaten by whatever ratchet or impact wrench I put them on!! Never broken!

 

[rice rocket]

The one in the middle of the second picture is pretty egregious.

 

[TheFarmer]

Possibly my new sig.

as others here have found the inside of the sockets are just randomly painted, or full chrome , of spotted with paint, and mixes of all the above

 

[chipss36]

Made in the U.S.A., featuring SK's high polish SuperKrome finish, which protects the tools from the harsh working environments

Pretty important living on the gulf coast. And exactly why I went back for more SK. After 30 plus years of using them.
None of my craftsman, so, proto , have this tear out issue.
Again blaming a consumer ? Wtf ,

 

[rice rocket]

Not to derail this thread or gloat, but I too have been burned by SK's lack of manufacturing quality. I took my money elsewhere and imported my first set of Ko-ken sockets in a pre-Black Friday deal. I honestly didn't believe the hype from those crazies in the Japan tool thread, but they really are head and shoulders above what you can get here at the same price point.

Not sure why made in the USA can't be held to the same standards, our labor force is no more expensive than the laborers in Japan, they even have universal healthcare. I'm all about buying USA made, but it has to be a product that I want...and I wouldn't want those.

 

[Aerogt01]

Definitely not derailing. Those sockets are all on a single rail.

 

[chipss36]

No tear out there,and a consistent finish, have to check em out. nice sockets.

 

[General Geoff]

My Ko-Ken sockets are easily the highest quality of any I own. Incidentally, they cost about the same as SK socket sets.

And don't get me started on their extensions!

 

[TheFarmer]

Definitely not derailing. Those sockets are all on a single rail.

But dude, plastic clips! WaY easier to detach than the metal regular clips.

Anyway, on a serious note. I can understand a home owner about the finish. I buy from SK, Snap On, Cornwell whatever truck brand tool I need that day they come by because my truck guys never questions my warranties. I don't care about the finish because if it's broken they will replace it.

I've purchase stuff off-truck; GearWrench, Craftsman and a few of their sets have blemishes as well and I've beaten on them for over a year now. The inside or outside finish doesn't really matter to me. I have a Craftsman socket that the chrome chipped off at the edge during usage and this was seven years ago. It's rusted but if I'm at that station where that socket is and I need it, I beat on it.

 

[TheFarmer]

My Ko-Ken sockets are easily the highest quality of any I own. Incidentally, they cost about the same as SK socket sets.


And don't get me started on their extensions!

Those look super pretty. If they had an easy warranty truck driver my way I would buy from them too.

 

[rice rocket]

But dude, plastic clips! WaY easier to detach than the metal regular clips.

Anyway, on a serious note. I can understand a home owner about the finish. I buy from SK, Snap On, Cornwell whatever truck brand tool I need that day they come by because my truck guys never questions my warranties. I don't care about the finish because if it's broken they will replace it.

Okay, I get that you're captain utilitarian, but surely you can understand the value of not selling butchered sockets as new, right? There has to be a little personal pride there, where you can look at your new $400 set of sockets and think "well, at least it looks like I spent a lot on it".

For the factory worker, this isn't some eastern bloc Soviet factory building Ladas, it's the USA, land of opportunity, bald eagles, and gluttony. Is it too much to ask of someone to have a little pride in their work? Is this something you'd bring home to your mother and could be proud of what you made that day? Even she would slap you in the face and tell you to clean up your sloppy work.

 

[chipss36]

No tool boats offshore.....tools just have to work and not fail.

If only SK would do what they did 30 years ago , it would all be good. I want SK to excel and make a profits, I Support USA manufacture's what I hate to support is poor work ethics , backed by a union that supports bad work ethics, we have lost so much, I find it funny people think just blame the consumer is the answer here, I asure you in the long game this will not work, I don't care if SK paints the inside of a socket or not, what I don't like is complete inconsistency. Paint one , spatter the other , don't paint a few.....half paint one. Sad thing is about the best person to get this all back on the correct track...IMHO would be a Taiwanese consultant.....not the fat over paid guy they hired taking about cells and sticky notes....
But what do I know.

 

[Jarhead0408]

And don't get me started on their extensions!

Yes please, DON'T get started on the extensions! ...My wallet can't take another hit right now!!!


Ko-ken is serious high quality stuff imo. Their nut grip sets are great!

I'd love to get some low-profile sockets and wobble extensions from tem one day.

 

[Bdgjr215]

No tool boats offshore.....tools just have to work and not fail.

If only SK would do what they did 30 years ago , it would all be good. I want SK to excel and make a profits, I Support USA manufacture's what I hate to support is poor work ethics , backed by a union that supports bad work ethics, we have lost so much, I find it funny people think just blame the consumer is the answer here, I asure you in the long game this will not work, I don't care if SK paints the inside of a socket or not, what I don't like is complete inconsistency. Paint one , spatter the other , don't paint a few.....half paint one. Sad thing is about the best person to get this all back on the correct track...IMHO would be a Taiwanese consultant.....not the fat over paid guy they hired taking about cells and sticky notes....
But what do I know.

Probably not much about manufacturing.First of all is sk even union if so whats
Your proof that its union supports bad work ethics.Secondly im pretty sure they
Would have a quality control dept.which everyplace i worked at was a mgt.
Position.third do you know the process of making a socket,does the guy who
Punches the hole see the finished product and ship it ,probably not.If SK has
Quality problems fine,but just tossing out blame,without any real knowledge blindly is kinda foolish.