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SK Sockets?

Solid Lifters

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Jul 21, 2010
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Inland Empire, SoCal
Are they any good? Better than Craftsman? I've had bad luck with them and I'm looking for sockets that wont break my wallet, made in the USA and are good enough for a home use only.

Please show pics of what you have and tell me why you like/hate them. Thank you. :)
 
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jethro29

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Apr 7, 2010
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central delaware
in my opinion sk tools are among the best there is.i've got multiple socket sets and wrenches that i have had for years and they never disapoint. unless the quality has drastically changed in the last five years i would recommend them to anyone.
 

25mod

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Oct 28, 2011
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Martinsburg, IA
Is SK back in business or something? They went under a couple years ago from what I gather. Their Facom counterpart made much better quality tools than the SK line in my opinion. There is nobody around this area handling or covering warranty on SK anymore. I think SK is very comparable to Craftsman.
 

Farmer Joe

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Sep 28, 2011
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SK is not comparable to Craftsman, they're better quality. They are well built, quality tools. Mostly ratchets, sockets, and combination wrenches have been my experience with SK tools, and I love them all. They are all used regularly all day long. Good tools without the crazy price tag
 

jjjrmx5

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Dec 30, 2010
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Cincinnati, OH
Is SK back in business or something? They went under a couple years ago from what I gather. Their Facom counterpart made much better quality tools than the SK line in my opinion. There is nobody around this area handling or covering warranty on SK anymore. I think SK is very comparable to Craftsman.

S-K never really went out of business, but more went into receivership and then was sold and is now back to making tools.

A lot if not most made in the USA currently.

Still filling out retailers and finding distributors, but I am more than happy to drop the $90 or so for a set of 1/4" locking extensions I need to go pick up from a regional retailer in the next couple weeks.

www.skhandtool.com/

I've had many a back and forth e-mail correspondence with many in the CSR area on thier site and all were quite helpful.
 
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Griff93

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Jul 25, 2009
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Huntsville, AL
I've broken both SK and Craftsman sockets. I've broken a lot more Craftsman than SK. I think SK are a great middle line tool. They are better quality than new craftsman but considerably cheaper than SO and Mac. I really like the fact that they are US made. I didn't take any pictures of them but I just bought a new set of SK torx plus tamper 5pt bit sockets today.

Their professional series ratchets are some of my favorite. I have a long 1/4 and a long 1/4 body with a 3/8 drive head. I have used these under heavy daily use for around 2 years and only had to have a kit put in one the whole time. I have had to have more SO rebuilds in that time period.
 
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Firefyter-Emt

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Sep 29, 2005
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171
Location
CT
SK has awesome tools! In fact, I will take an SK ratchet over a Snap-On or Mac anyday. Craftsman ratchets of today?? I would buy a Stanley over a new Craftsman, heck... even Harbor Freight! Seriously though, they make some awesome tools that will not let you down. I wrenched for a living for 11 years and can count on one hand the SK tools I broke. I still have them today and they are used often.

SK also has one of the finest tooth count on the ratchets out there. This may seem minor, but if you have ever been stuck where you can't quite get a "click" of reach, those SK's really shine!
 
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Solid Lifters

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Jul 21, 2010
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Inland Empire, SoCal
I have Wera ratchets, but an old set of Japanese sockets my dad passed on to me. It's time for a new set that doesn't slip or give. SK sounds like a sure bet. I'll place my order, now.

Thanks so much for the feedback. I appreciate it. :thumbup: :beer:
 

countryroad82

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Mar 18, 2011
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Kentucky
I have 3/8 and 1/4 SK sockets, along with a set of screwdrivers, they are great tools as I haven't had any problems with them.
 
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buffalobill

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May 7, 2011
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Western NY
Are they any good? Better than Craftsman? I've had bad luck with them and I'm looking for sockets that wont break my wallet, made in the USA and are good enough for a home use only.

Please show pics of what you have and tell me why you like/hate them. Thank you. :)

SK tools are a good value. I drive a truck, and have watched many diesel mechanics use SK, and never heard anything bad about them. It is what I use for 1/4 and 3/8, and the best part of buying sk is the master sets. You can get a complete set with standard and deep, SAE and Metric, with extensions, a u joint, ratchet, and maybe some other stuff like a spinner handle or thumbwheel ratchet for the same price as a single rail of SO or Mac tools.

even though you may have to sacrafice the convenience of going to sears for warranties, I have not had any SK's break on me. imo, the best warranty is the one that you will not have to use. I'm sure pro mechanics may laugh and think of all the SO and Mac and Matco tools they have broke, but under my home use they have been great.
 
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Danglerb

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Sep 6, 2007
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SoCal
SK is fine, I like the older stuff, and I am a bit leery of the production from recent years during the financial troubles, but home use, Craftsman or HF, until SK has its retailers back into painless warranty mode. Craftsman is also such a bargain when the big sets are on sale, hard to ignore at a consumer diy level.
 

larryq

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Jul 12, 2011
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I have plenty of used SK ratchets and sockets and think they're great. I have no qualms with Craftsman sockets either, but the SK finish is somewhat better IMO. I'm a home user, not a pro, so I'm not using them 9 to 5 M-F.

There have been QC issues on some of their stuff a few years ago (thinking of chrome finish quality on some of their wrenches, there's a thread or two about it...) but I have some of their Superkrome wrenches and like them a lot. They went through receivership, as has been mentioned, and are back and producing tools again. I think they're a good choice.
 

Rickster

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Jun 26, 2005
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Location
SE PA
I just picked up a 1/2 dr SK set, 12 pt short in a green metal box with ratchet and extension. PM me if you're interested.
 

twincam00

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Aug 31, 2011
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Location
USA
heres my SK collection. I love them, great quality at a good price. My only complaint is that the plastic organizer tray in the metal box has broken down (but I guess thats expected after 30 years of use)
 

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Solid Lifters

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Inland Empire, SoCal
Thank you so much for your input. I take your opinions in high regard. I've just placed an order for one 6pt SAE 3/8 socket set and one in Metric. I'm also plan to get some 1/4 sockets and a few wrenches. SK wrenches look AMAZING!

I'll post some pics when they arrive sometime next weeks. THANKS AGAIN! :thumbup:
 
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