SK tools core focus

[Yankee]

Wondering where SK focuses where they push and sell thier tools. They have an impressive tool line, but I wonder what their core end users are?

Snap on, Mac, Matco are all automotive centered mainly with their tool trucks.

Wright seems like it's focused on the the Industrial side. (Seems to me their bread and butter is 3/4 drive and up...)

I'm curious what others think since SK (or Wright) is the obvious replacement for USA Craftsman, but it seems like SK is only available online? (or at least isn't available locally in my area)

I know they aren't competing with the big box stores (thankfully) But it seems that with a tool line as large as SK offers, that it's only offered online? I can't believe that is enough to keep it a float? Am I missing something?

Just curious what others think..

 

[Know Wosad]

SK is attempting to recover from bankruptcy #4. They've had more owners than Kim Kardashian. They have no focus on marketing.That perfectly obvious. "Lack of" is a more appropriate description.
I continually wonder if its run by ex Pentagon purchasers. Customer service has always been fantastic but the myth of Superchrome is a complete fallacy. They have the shittiest chrome in the industry.Always have. The Wayne years(owner 3) were the best for chrome/altho poorly polished pre chrome with the Facom years( owner 4) the best for fit and finish and the only fine tooth era.The Tuff 1 series is the best they ever had or ever will have I think. Proto has it now with the XXXX-F(acom-fine) and it is their best product to date.

I have no idea what Ideal Industries is doing. I don't think they do either ? Tax writeoff ?

 

[B_Bimmer]

Try looking around a little harder. I have found after becoming aware of all they offer under ideal they are more common than I first thought. Near me there are several stocking suppliers that handle warranty trouble free and have a fabulous inventory. Both are supply houses that cater to business but have no problem dealing with individuals either.

I suggest ignoring the monkey.

 

[1950mercury]

I hate to say it but hf has better quality control than sk. Between me and a couple friends we have bought a dozen or sk socket sets and about 75% have had bad sockets that they warranted. Between off center stamped,no size stamping,flaking chrome etc. The silver paint that some ***** about doesn't bother me . I just got a 1/4 set with 5 sockets that are going back. I'm trying real had to support them but it's getting harder and harder.

 

[1badbird]

I always thought of s&k as a machinist brand myself

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

They just built a new factory from the ground up so give them sometime to get the machining right and get rid of the bugs in their equipment..

 

[Roberts210]

I've never gotten an S-K with bad chrome and I've been buying S-K since 1978 when I started as an auto glass mechanic. In the '80's I got a 1/4" S-K socket set. In the mid 90's I sprung for a 3/8ths and 1/2 inch socket sets, and a set of Superchrome fractional and also a Superchrome metric set. All three socket sets came in the stamped steel boxes. The chrome is great on the wrenches and sockets. And I just got this one a month or so ago:

Nice and shiny:

 

[Derek420]

By the looks of the website and product lines I'd say are aiming for mechanics but I always thought of them as an all around brand mechanics, industrial, and diyer and I think they are very easy to find on used market because of this and I love they're tools are great facom era being my favorite but aside from ratchets I think the looks are the same to the sockets market s•k and s-k look the same but the - or • even the chrome.

 

[Sanny81]

I've been rooting for SK to really set themselves apart but they've been too slow in doing so. The X Frames are nice but the delay hurt them and those alone aren't enough to keep people interested. They've been teasing the new tear drop style ratchet for years with no real info as well. And they put out those very high end tool boxes a few months ago that are way above most people's price range. So idk I'd like to buy more of their stuff but there's not enough variety for me.

 

[four.cycle]

^ What is it you were expecting? The "New Gizmo of the Year" like Craftsman introduced every year around Christmas? Or maybe just more re-branded accessories like Snap-on does? Maybe some "S-K" branded underwear?

S-K is just a meat-and-potatoes line of hand tools. No more, no less. Quality is first rate. I have several of their socket sets and I'm baffled by the "bad chrome" and "off-center broaching" comments.
Moreover, if you peruse any of the "What's the best ratchet" or "What ratchet should I buy" threads, you will see the venerable 45170 (3/8") and 40970 (1/4") models touted repeatedly by members here who have been using the same unit for decades.

If you want to pay five times as much, by all means flag down the Snap-on man.
If you want to go cheap, head up to Harbor Freight or over to Home Depot or Lowes.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[dirt_dobber]

They've had more owners than Kim Kardashian.

hilarious! you guys crack me up. I've only been a member for 6 months or so and I really get a laugh almost every time I am on this forum.

 

[Sanny81]

^ What is it you were expecting? The "New Gizmo of the Year" like Craftsman introduced every year around Christmas? Or maybe just more re-branded accessories like Snap-on does? Maybe some "S-K" branded underwear?

S-K is just a meat-and-potatoes line of hand tools. No more, no less. Quality is first rate. I have several of their socket sets and I'm baffled by the "bad chrome" and "off-center broaching" comments.
Moreover, if you peruse any of the "What's the best ratchet" or "What ratchet should I buy" threads, you will see the venerable 45170 (3/8") and 40970 (1/4") models touted repeatedly by members here who have been using the same unit for decades.

If you want to pay five times as much, by all means flag down the Snap-on man.
If you want to go cheap, head up to Harbor Freight or over to Home Depot or Lowes.

Whatever floats your boat.

I'm not looking for gimmicks at all. I agree SK is a meat and potatoes line it's just I think most of us are well stocked in that area, that's why I'd like to see SK offer some more stuff.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Offering "more stuff" ultimately leads to outsourcing product from other manufacturers.
Historically virtually all US tool manufacturers have outsourced from each other - it's just the way it works. No one manufacturer can make every different kind of widget - it's simply not economically or logistically practical.
Some manufacturers have opted to reduce (or eliminate) the number of items they were outsourcing from other manufacturers - Wilde is a good example, following the philosophy of "do what you do well".
Trying to offer a "full line" comes with its own set of problems. Just my lousy opinion, but I think trying to be all things to all people was in part one of the reasons so many US tool manufacturers went out of business in the 1980s and 1990s.
It's possible S-K opted to do what they do well: sockets and ratchets and wrenches - and leave the fluff to the guys that actually make it.

Just my lousy opinion, as always.

 

[gdocktor3]

If SK made every tool their prices would most likely be closer to/equal to Snap On to cover all the over head.

 

[67King]

S-K is just a meat-and-potatoes line of hand tools. No more, no less. Quality is first rate. I have several of their socket sets and I'm baffled by the "bad chrome" and "off-center broaching" comments.

You mean to tell me I don't have a toolbox full of unicorns? Here I thought that I was the only one who got really nice stuff from SK.

Back to the OP........I think SK is probably smart in not going nuts hiring Bob Villa like folks to advertise stuff on TV to the masses. Those customers are long gone. Fewer folks do things themselves, or fix things in general, than prior generations. When was the last time you saw someone changing their own tire to a spare on the side of the road? They just call AAA and flatbed it to a shop. Sheesh, people now pay other people to decorate their houses at Christmas. The masses who used to look at Bob Villa are now buying cheap Chinese junk to unscrew those few annoying small phillips head screws to access batteries.

So I don't now where they are going. I would suspect that they are relying on folks like me who want US made tools that are not Snap-On grade and seek out them. Maybe given where they are wiht the new facilities they don't want to grow at a rate they can't support.

 

[bob15]

SK is attempting to recover from bankruptcy #4. They've had more owners than Kim Kardashian. They have no focus on marketing.That perfectly obvious. "Lack of" is a more appropriate description.
I continually wonder if its run by ex Pentagon purchasers. Customer service has always been fantastic but the myth of Superchrome is a complete fallacy. They have the shittiest chrome in the industry.Always have. The Wayne years(owner 3) were the best for chrome/altho poorly polished pre chrome with the Facom years( owner 4) the best for fit and finish and the only fine tooth era.The Tuff 1 series is the best they ever had or ever will have I think. Proto has it now with the XXXX-F(acom-fine) and it is their best product to date.

I have no idea what Ideal Industries is doing. I don't think they do either ? Tax writeoff ?

Having different owners and filing for bankruptcy are 2 different things. Show me where they filed for bankruptcy besides in 2010.

They were bought and sold, all those other times, period.

Not sure about the chrome or broaching or fit and finish issues. I haven't seen any. But then again, i use my tools....I don't look under a microscope or magnifying glass to see if there is an imperfection. I buy my tools and use them, with zero issues.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I often wondered why SK didn't have a larger selection of tools as well. But as mentioned it would probably just be outsourced and they'd offer the same rebranded stuff as every other company. After all their pliers and hammers are already outsourced. So I'm sure other stuff would be too.

In that aspect they're no different than Wright. If you get a Wright tool catalog they don't even bother to rebadged the outsourced tools they sell. Their pliers are Channellock, L-keys/Allen wrenches are Eklind, hammers are a different company as well. They focus on making good wrenches, sockets, and ratchets as SK does. I've had zero problems with any of my SK stuff, new or old. It's all been quality, it's all worked great. I've been very satisfied with SK in every aspect.

Complaints about quality control I feel are a little overboard. I've honestly had more "quality control" issues with Snap On than SK. I had a SO hex socket set that they forgot one size and included 2 of another. A 3/8" deepwell socket set that the stamping on the socket wasn't lined right. Also a box end of a 15mm that wasn't properly shaped. But it was warrantied and taken care of. The doubled socket I got to keep. The sockets with messed up engraving, who cares they work.

All in all I think SK is great. I've said it several times on here. My only issue is the availability. But I can find their stuff plenty of places online so I won't complain.

 

[Davefr]

They have the shittiest chrome in the industry. Always have.

^^I disagree but what do I know.

I've used SK from Wayne, Dresser, Facom and Ideal and have never had an issue with their chrome. However I'll fess up and say that I don't examine the inside depths of every socket under a microscope.

I'd classify SK as the affordable alternative to tool trucks for quality mainstream tools. (vs. Proto and Wright that are more focused on Industrial sales).

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I personally love SK tools. I have recently in the past few years gotten rid of my Craftsman sockets/ratchets for SK sets 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" in the blow mold cases. I've always used their ratchets. I like the feel of them. Modern CM are complete junk. I also like that they are rather affordable.

 

[Carquest]

I sold SK up until the bankruptcy, and own quite a few pieces myself, the 1/4 and 3/8 socket sets in the plastic cases being my favorites. Never had any issues, most of the warranty items I did were either from abuse or the tool was 30 years old. Don't have any experience since Ideal bought them, still a little stung from the period when I could not get tools warranted. Not **** necessarily, but very solid

 

[BlackLS2]

I think SK will be uniquely positioned in 2017, and I hope they have a marketing plan in place right now.

On this forum, we know where Craftsman is; the other 99% still relies on a very solid brand image. Having a good brand is still solid gold (for now) to the masses and traditionalists. Big boxes have proliferated in the last 25 years; Sears is no longer consumer king (how they gave up that position, with rock solid brands, and a catalog model tailor made for transition to online...is a story for the electronic business text books of the 2020s). The big boxes are firmly established in most areas; all they have to do is keep decent tools siting across from the ceiling fans, and they will perform for wall street.

SK will have a unique spot as a reputable high end tool brand, obtainable in 2 days via the ever growing Amazon Prime model. Without tool truck partners to worry about, all SK need do is increase their visibility and brand strength, and they will have a niche.

As HF continues to aim at Snap On, the middle brands will feel the pain first. Those available on Amazon will have a leg up.

HF is only getting bigger and better; they open new stores (plural) each month....over 700 now, and privately held...not beholden to Wall Street. Dismiss them all you want, but they will be the story for the foseable future.

 

[jakemac]

During the 2000's, when the company was struggling, they were losing they're distribution outlets. When the economy dumped in 2008 many of the small independent owned stores that still carried their products went out of business. This forced the bankruptcy in 2010. Once Ideal took over, they basically had to rebuild the entire company and distribution from nothing. This takes time.

Many of the venues that sold the SK brand no longer exist, or have committed themselves to other brands to survive the loss of supply that the bankruptcy caused. Building a whole new network and the trust that goes with it doesn't happen overnight.

Starting with Internet sales to create a new customer base is a good start. If potential customers are asking store owners about selling SK, then more of those owners will consider stocking it. It will take time to build the brand back up, but I think that they're moving in the right direction.

 

[rice rocket]

Having different owners and filing for bankruptcy are 2 different things. Show me where they filed for bankruptcy besides in 2010.

They were bought and sold, all those other times, period.

Not sure about the chrome or broaching or fit and finish issues. I haven't seen any. But then again, i use my tools....I don't look under a microscope or magnifying glass to see if there is an imperfection. I buy my tools and use them, with zero issues.

Heh.

Lemme show you mine...

I bought these all from SK Day, mind you. Figured they'd ship HJE the good stuff since they know we're tool enthusiasts, but maybe they had other ideas.

This is the ball head hex they sent me. 5/16 has no relief on it, basically making it useless as a ball head.

To add insult to injury, this is the picture they use on Amazon.

 

[Cope]

I have a couple of S-K pullers, a three jaw and a small bearing puller I used on Chrysler alternator bearings. Don't know if they made these or purchased from the OEM, but they are good tools.

 

[rice rocket]

This was the impact set I was sent, 3 or 4 of the 10 are broached off center. Versus my Sunex set above, which had no defects in a 40+ piece set:

I'll give the guys credit that they offered to replace them free of charge, but this doesn't bode well for their QC department.

I think this was HJE Day 2015, so I'm not sure the "but this was old SK" argument holds. Needless to say, I have not purchased any more SK when there are many other brands to choose from...

 

[jumbojak]

Out of curiosity, how does off center broaching effect a socket's performance? I have a few Wright sockets in 3/4 drive that are way more obvious than those and seem to work just fine. They're old and rusty and lopsided but they do the job for me whenever I've needed them.

 

[rice rocket]

^ What is it you were expecting? The "New Gizmo of the Year" like Craftsman introduced every year around Christmas? Or maybe just more re-branded accessories like Snap-on does? Maybe some "S-K" branded underwear?

S-K is just a meat-and-potatoes line of hand tools. No more, no less. Quality is first rate. I have several of their socket sets and I'm baffled by the "bad chrome" and "off-center broaching" comments.
Moreover, if you peruse any of the "What's the best ratchet" or "What ratchet should I buy" threads, you will see the venerable 45170 (3/8") and 40970 (1/4") models touted repeatedly by members here who have been using the same unit for decades.

If you want to pay five times as much, by all means flag down the Snap-on man.
If you want to go cheap, head up to Harbor Freight or over to Home Depot or Lowes.

Whatever floats your boat.

Not sure what you find baffling, the proof is in the pudding. 5 of the 15 pieces across my two sets are defective, it's quite unlikely that's just a fluke, I'm not rolling the dice with my money to figure out what's good and what's not.

There are plenty of good tools that aren't Snap-On expensive or Harbor Freight cheap. Especially w/ the surging dollar over the Euro, you can find Snap-On quality tools from Hazet, Stahlwille, Facom, and the like, or Koken tools from Japan, for even less than the similar SK offering, and not have to put up w/ the excuses. That's where I've spent my money for the time being.

 

[rice rocket]

Out of curiosity, how does off center broaching effect a socket's performance? I have a few Wright sockets in 3/4 drive that are way more obvious than those and seem to work just fine. They're old and rusty and lopsided but they do the job for me whenever I've needed them.

It does, instead of distributing the stresses evenly around the socket, it puts it all at the weakest wall. For chrome sockets, probably not as big deal, for impacts, much bigger deal.

 

[rice rocket]

If SK made every tool their prices would most likely be closer to/equal to Snap On to cover all the over head.

Everyone always points to Snap-On pricing as "they charge so much because they spend so much on manufacturing, materials, R&D, etc.", but fail to realize the vastly different business model which is actually more a service model than any other brand. The majority of the markup isn't to cover the additional labor or materials, it's the marketing, the warranty guarantee (you're basically pre-purchasing the 3rd and 4th warranty replacement each time you buy their hard goods), and the cost to run those trucks daily to get your stuff replaced. Versus a sold-in-store or online brand, which only carries 1/4 of those costs.


Repeat after me. Snap-On is a service brand, not a tool brand.

 

[woody 73]

Interesting reading the above posts, I have been using sk since the early 1970's and some times I come across a defective tool (maybe <1% percent ); the rest have been top notch.

The only thing I tell you is that in my tool hunts for some reason most of the well used sockets have a lot of yellow color, again take that with a grain of salt because I am color blind.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Other than on-line, factory direct, where do you find S-K.

I can remember them being sold in the old days by NON-chain auto parts stores, but I cannot remember seeing them be sold anyplace now a days.

 

[nes999]

I have a healthy amount of SK. I have never had a single issue. SK tools seem to take a beating and always ask for more. I'll admit I prefer how snap on feels though.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[gdocktor3]

Everyone always points to Snap-On pricing as "they charge so much because they spend so much on manufacturing, materials, R&D, etc.", but fail to realize the vastly different business model which is actually more a service model than any other brand. The majority of the markup isn't to cover the additional labor or materials, it's the marketing, the warranty guarantee (you're basically pre-purchasing the 3rd and 4th warranty replacement each time you buy their hard goods), and the cost to run those trucks daily to get your stuff replaced. Versus a sold-in-store or online brand, which only carries 1/4 of those costs.


Repeat after me. Snap-On is a service brand, not a tool brand.

Marketing, warranty guarantee, and tool trucks are included in overhead, which SK also offers, and if they made/produced everything, would most likely increase the cost to help market them, warranty them, etc. SK offers the same lifetime warranty to cover 3 or 4 replacements if necessary. They have tool catalogs, online websites, calandars, Facebook page, apparel, etc for marketing. They go to shows and large events. Tool trucks do exist as well, just not as many. Also, I am yet to see SK or Snap On sold in stores.

 

[LB-1911]

Other than on-line, factory direct, where do you find S-K.

I can remember them being sold in the old days by NON-chain auto parts stores, but I cannot remember seeing them be sold anyplace now a days.

Start here -

Find the distributor nearest you
http://www.skhandtool.com/where to buy/index.aspx

 

[rice rocket]

Marketing, warranty guarantee, and tool trucks are included in overhead, which SK also offers, and if they made/produced everything, would most likely increase the cost to help market them, warranty them, etc. SK offers the same lifetime warranty to cover 3 or 4 replacements if necessary. They have tool catalogs, online websites, calandars, Facebook page, apparel, etc for marketing. They go to shows and large events. Tool trucks do exist as well, just not as many. Also, I am yet to see SK or Snap On sold in stores.

SK is certainly sold in stores, what do you think HJE is? Having a handful of tool trucks and pushing the rest of your goods through online/other retail fronts is pretty different than servicing nearly every inhabited area with trucks/drivers.

Also, what do you think the warranty rate is of an item where you can get it replaced immediately, versus mailing it in and waiting for it to come back?

Swag like calendars, webshites, t-shirts, etc. is only a fraction of the marketing cost, your local tool shop foots the bill to actually get the word out. Again, pretty different model.

 

[jakemac]

Sadly, most of the outlets near me are all Grainger's. A supplier that I actively avoid if I can.

 

[67King]

Not sure what you find baffling, the proof is in the pudding. 5 of the 15 pieces across my two sets are defective, it's quite unlikely that's just a fluke, I'm not rolling the dice with my money to figure out what's good and what's not.

There are plenty of good tools that aren't Snap-On expensive or Harbor Freight cheap. Especially w/ the surging dollar over the Euro, you can find Snap-On quality tools from Hazet, Stahlwille, Facom, and the like, or Koken tools from Japan, for even less than the similar SK offering, and not have to put up w/ the excuses. That's where I've spent my money for the time being.

I can only assume they had a couple of bad batches or something, and they got out the door and into the hands of a few. And of course the folks who don't like the paint on the inside of the sockets. Several folks here have asked "what issues?" You have 15 pieces with 5 being faulty. I have over 300 with 0 being faulty. Are their tools perfect? No, I find the material in their torx bit sockets to be soft (yet the 1/4" hex impact ones are great, go figure). But absolutely 0 issues with manufacturing.

I certainly don't blame you for being upset, and/or not going back. There are companies I won't use for similar reasons. But I really don't think that your experience (which I agree is completely unacceptable) is normal for them.

 

[bczygan]

Where to buy?

A quick search on their website produced the DISTRIBUTORS nearby:

I've also seen them retail at a place that sells cheap China tools and bulk fasteners.



Grainger 5.6 miles
25940 Groesbeck Hwy.
Warren, MI
(586) 772-7790

Grainger 8.07 miles
1201 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI
(313) 965-3500

Grainger 11.09 miles
1587 E. Whitcomb Ave.
Madison Heights, MI
(248) 585-4100

Chris Travis 18.97 miles
Livonia, MI 48125
313-683-4010

Grainger 22.28 miles
6874 Middlebelt Rd.
Romulus, MI
(734) 728-7891

Pirate Tools LLC 24.2 miles
62317 RAY CENTER RD
RAY TWP, MI 48096
5868559297
[email protected]

Grainger 25.28 miles
23800 Haggerty Rd Ste 2
Farmington Hills, MI
(888) 805-8832

Grainger 25.28 miles
23800 Haggerty Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI
(248) 474-0300

Grainger 41.89 miles
2915 Boardwalk St.
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 662-1060

 

[bob15]

Heh.

Lemme show you mine...

I bought these all from SK Day, mind you. Figured they'd ship HJE the good stuff since they know we're tool enthusiasts, but maybe they had other ideas.

This is the ball head hex they sent me. 5/16 has no relief on it, basically making it useless as a ball head.

I'll give you the hex bit being bad....all be it they probably make it and the person doing the pictures for marketing probably doesn't have a clue if it is good or bad.

The broaching is, for me, pushing it. I have wrenches and sockets as well with what people (including yourself by viewing your photos) would consider bad or defective. But I just use them, and they have yet to fail me. Sorry, I am not a tool polisher and inspector....I am a tool user.

When the socket fails due to the broaching, please come back with pictures.....but until then just use it. It won't let you down.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Off-center broach is nothing to shrug about.

Off center broached sockets do not rotate concentric to the fastener
- Causing increased vibration
- Increased wear on your impact wrench
- Increased wear on the socket.

Off center broached sockets have one wall side much thinner than spec. Impact sockets are designed to have a spec wall thickness befitting of their use and material.

Increased wear, increased vibration, thinner wall than spec. Do the math.
And when impact sockets go, they go off like a shotgun.

No matter who makes it (Astro included, I've had to scrap some SKU's because of this), don't settle for "it's probably fine." Your anecdotal experience may indicate that they historically are fine, but from my perspective selling thousands at a time - it's not a risk free endeavor.