SK Tools begins first shipments from new facilities

[zoomzoomjeff]

http://www.pten.com/publication/article.jsp?siteSection=6&id=2417



Glad to see the brand is alive and well again! Any SK fans?

 

[riley.m]

Very cool, im glad to see S-K is alive and well.

 

[lbgradwell]

This seems to explain why the SK tools people have been buying over the past couple of months were indistinguishable from the old SK - it was all NOS!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

yay for the USA

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Looking forward to expanding my sk inventory

 

[kartracer55]

Nice to see the actually INVESTED in the brand and are not just milking it like so many "management" companies that buy failing us brands. My impression is that this investment in modern machinery and refurbishing old stuff solidifies their intention to keep most of the brand in the US for the foreseeable future.

I think I am going to buy some new SK stuff soon!

 

[slob]

I have a long list of stuff on my wish list that no longer appears on their online catalog. I sure do hope they resurrect some of that stuff soon.

 

[slipjointed]

Right now is a GREAT time to buy SK imo, I just got 15pc Metric and SAE combo sets for around $100. I got a 7pc. Stubby set for $42.

A lot of the stores are blowing out the remaining NOS SK because of the uncertainty right now, but it's looking like Ideal has their heads screwed on straight (thank god) so basically you're getting tools with warranty for a fraction of their original price.

 

[Steve_P]

does anyone actually know, for sure, what SK actually makes, if anything, in their new facility in IL?

I assume the CO springs reference is the same WF plant that makes cman, etc, tools.

I'm wondering if the new items, like sockets, are going to be the same as craftsman and armstrong, etc, or if it will really be unique.

 

[Treeman]

We often complain here that we would rather pay a little more for Danaher/Craftsman to maintain a decent quality level verses their current trend.

I wish S.K. all the best in establishing a mid-level line of quality, U.S. made tools that are better than the imports, but not as expensive as the "Tool Truck" brands. It's what so many of us want.

 

[oldgoat]

Glad to see SK going again. I still have my 2 sets of SK-Wayne that I bought 40+ years ago. When I was at the tool store a while back they had a big sign saying that they weren't honoring any warranty on their stock of SK tools so I have to admit that unless I could pick them up at good price I'd probably hold off a little while. I'd like to see how they look and feel in my hands before ordering also.

 

[matthew]

"Modern management practices, such as small batch and one piece flow manufacturing, are being applied..."

There is the real key, IMO. Given how before the bankruptcy there were so many complaints about backorders and slow service, and considering their dealer network will be smaller and probably hesitant to carry much stock, speed of delivery is critical.

 

[Fedwrench]

does anyone actually know, for sure, what SK actually makes, if anything, in their new facility in IL?

I assume the CO springs reference is the same WF plant that makes cman, etc, tools.

I'm wondering if the new items, like sockets, are going to be the same as craftsman and armstrong, etc, or if it will really be unique.

Western Forge makes screwdrivers and pliers, not sockets. I don't think you have to worry about the SK chrome stuff looking like it's Danaher made.
There are screwdrivers sets in green and black that are twins for the current Craftsman Professional series though.

The SK pictures of their new factory on the website and other places show sockets and wrenches being made at the new factory.

 

[Davefr]

I've been buying made in the USA SK tools for 4 decades. I'm glad I can continue to do so!!

Go SK!!!

 

[chilly460]

I just picked up a huge lot of SK wrenches and sockets off CL, and some of that decision was based on the fact that I should be able to warranty them with US made tools in the future. Awesome news.