SK tool guys

[wantacoe]

Just wondering if you have noticed a difference in quality (good or bad) in the last few years. Ideal Industries bought them and built a new factory here. I am not sure if they are a manufacturer or just a warehouse.

 

[Fedwrench]

Just wondering if you have noticed a difference in quality (good or bad) in the last few years. Ideal Industries bought them and built a new factory here. I am not sure if they are a manufacturer or just a warehouse.

Seriously? They are a factory. Visit their facebook page to see pictures of the tools that make SK Tools.

SK is also committed to all of their tools being US made from US material.

I think overall the new Ideal owned SK is producing some top notch tools these days. Now to be fair, there have been complaints of a lack of uniform finish inside of sockets and some chrome peel issues. Some are painted silver while others are buffed shiny. Some people don't care for their round head ratchets but, they seem pretty stout to me. if you actually use the tools, this probably isn't an issue. I don't particularly care for SK combination wrenches though as I think they are too wide in the hips around the boxed end and I think their all green screwdriver handles are too large but, that's just me. I think the overall quality has increased with the Ideal owned SK tools.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

More than you could ever need to know.

http://junkyardtools.com/tool_history/sk_tools


BTW, some say quality got really ****** right before bankruptcy.

 

[merbie]

They need to start distributing in the uk more, I'd love to try there tools out


Merb

 

[wantacoe]

I know they are a manufacturer, I just didn't know if they had more than one place. My ex boss worked at Stanley tools, they didn't make anything at that facility, they just packaged tool kits there.

 

[LB-1911]

Made Here Made Well presents SK Hand Tool

 

[SMKS]

I know they are a manufacturer, I just didn't know if they had more than one place. My ex boss worked at Stanley tools, they didn't make anything at that facility, they just packaged tool kits there.

Ideal also bought Pratt-Read and Western Forge.

I'm too lazy to go back and confirm this info right now, but here's what I've gathered by reading online. Feel free to provide some links and correct me if I'm misremembering:

I read an article saying they moved PR's screwdriver production to the Illinois plant.

It seems the production of forged items like wrenches and ratchets is happening at WF, and they're assembled and packed at the Illinois plant.

The Illinois plant also makes the sockets. We've seen videos of this online.

 

[AmishFury]

More than you could ever need to know.

http://junkyardtools.com/tool_history/sk_tools


BTW, some say quality got really ****** right before bankruptcy.

i remember hearing something about after the ideal takeover they were actually hauling off all unshipped tools to be scrapped

so it would seem even the new owners realized the quality had slipped significantly and wanted to limit the problem