SK Tools Site back to selling tools.
- Thread starter jhershbine
- Start date
Shocker
Well-known member
Well they still owe me a 87778 8/9mm deep offset 6 point shorty wrench. Here's to hoping.
I have a local store that bought a **** ton of SK during or after the FACOM era. I bought a lot of NOS SK for cheap. Like prices that you would pay for Chinese. All of my SK has been garage/estate sales and NOS.
I have only paid retail, on Amazon, for 5 SK sockets. 16mm and 15mm 1/4” drive chrome sockets. I have never actually used the 16mm 1/4”sockets… but knowledge of their existence… and not having them… was literally figuratively killing me… and that is the slowest way to not die.
I have only paid retail, on Amazon, for 5 SK sockets. 16mm and 15mm 1/4” drive chrome sockets. I have never actually used the 16mm 1/4”sockets… but knowledge of their existence… and not having them… was literally figuratively killing me… and that is the slowest way to not die.
Thanks for the info. I know it's not what most of us were wanting to hear, but these changes could make SK's pricing competitive and could ultimately make SK a profitable company.
Those carts sound interesting. The boxes that SK had listed on their site previously were absolutely absurdly priced, so it would be nice to see some boxes priced within reach of the average guy.
Under_Pressure
Well-known member
Menards would seem to have been good fit if Ideal had been interested in pursuing it. They are not afraid to offer higher end USA/European made options when available, they lost their traditional made in USA line of mechanics tools (Allen, then USA Masterforce) when Apex shut down US production, plus Ideal seems to be their premium/USA made electrical tool offering (similar to Klein at HD) so there is a relationship there. SK might have had to come up with a new line to make it work (satin finish vs superchrome on wrenches to save a few pennies, etc.), but it would have been an interesting possibility.
Under_Pressure
Well-known member
Bummer, say what you will but one of the great things about SK in recent years was that they dedicated themselves to USA manufacturing. Basically they seemed to take the position that "if we can't make it in the USA, then we won't offer it." Which probably hurt them in some ways, such as not offering ratcheting wrenches other than the X Frames which, while I have a set and like them, are probably a little far outside the box to be the sole offering in a tool category that many now consider pretty fundamental. But it was nice knowing that if SK came out with something, we didn't have to do much detective work about where it actually came from. For all the good that apparently did them. But I'm not sure what will distinguish them in the vast sea of mid-tier import (or mixed import-domestic) tool brands once they go down this road.
I'm happy to see them in business again, most of my SK tools came from the late 70's and early 80's and I have been very happy with them all these years. My 3 boys all went to a Technical High School in the 90's and I was able to buy decent SK and Williams brands even then to equip their needs, I know even tho they have all added to their collections SK sockets and ratchets remain their go to.
I am not a professional wrench but my Dad (WWII Vet) only had SK and Williams tools. I wish SK well in the strange new world we live in.
I am not a professional wrench but my Dad (WWII Vet) only had SK and Williams tools. I wish SK well in the strange new world we live in.
Last edited:
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
So, safe assumption that Great Star’s people ran the numbers and found that ratchets and sockets are probably where the margins are high enough to justify US labor? Curious to see if those items remain spendy while everything else goes for cheaper than when SK was with Ideal.
I’m wondering what, too, is SK’s long-term plan. Between the student discount and the tool boxes and being the OEM behind Olsa’s US ratchets, I’m thinking they aren’t going to be targeting the DYI big box shops. They can’t stick solely with industrial suppliers because that would keep them in a weak position for market share.
I’m still bummed they left IL. It was pretty cool owning mechanic’s tools made in my home state.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
I asked earlier in this thread if Ideal was the one, that sold it to Great Star, or if their was a flipper in there somewhere. The reason I asked, is about once a week I find myself in the proximity of the factory Ideal built for SK. I was going to pass by there if its " assumed " to still be owned by Great Star and still operating as SK, to see how many cars are in the parking lot ( like 3 cars and they are packing tools in there, or 50 cars, they must be making something )
Back when that was built, I did kinda of a " this is what the new place looks like " pics as it was being built/finished.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
My understanding is that Ideal did sell to Great Star but that the IL facilities were not part of the sale and that Ideal still owns them but they aren’t using them or something. I dunno for sure though, the Sycamore stuff is kinda confusing. I didn’t even see any mention about the sale in the local papers or anything when it was announced.
Bockscar
Well-known member
I’m still bummed they left IL. It was pretty cool owning mechanic’s tools made in my home state.
[/QUOTE]
Living in Ohio....that's how I feel about Wright tools
[/QUOTE]
Living in Ohio....that's how I feel about Wright tools
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
I grew up in Rockford, Estwing is still there, Dasco, Roper Whitney, Greenlee, come to mind, just in that one town. Ive got some from each one.
We'll see what happens. I'm an SK fan, and I want them to succeed, but I doubt they will. I have a bunch of their sockets, round head ratchets, breaker bars, extensions.... and a few of their long pliers; no wrenches except for a few ancient ones. The one LP-90 I bought was a total POS and I sent it back. I bought most of my stuff ~10 years ago when the prices weren't insane. Yes, they were considerably higher than imports, but about the same as Williams USA- or slightly more. But the pricing before they closed down was just insane- way too expensive. If they can't get the pricing down to a Williams USA level, then I think they will go away with the Malco Eagle Grip. I don't understand why they won't make wrenches in the US if Williams can. I don't care, but.... Why would anyone pay a premium for SK wrenches when there are 50 other imports that will probably cost half as much and be just as good? And I don't mind them using imported steel as it can cost less than half of what US steel costs. But they need to label products as "Made in US with imported steel" And not "assembled with global components..."
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
dnschmidt
Well-known member
How is this going to work? The only people that care about S-K are the made in USA crowd. I'm a well-known S-K hater so I normally stay out of S-K discussions but if all you've got going for you is made in USA and 50% of your line isn't I repeat how is this going to work? When FACOM owned S-K they imported some really nice tools. For example S-K marketed some KABO made double offset box wrenches which were/are dynamite and I have a set of these. Their USA made sockets in particular never impressed me nor did their combination wrenches. I just can't see this as a solution to insure long term survival. For the sake of the American workers I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think I am.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Looks VERY similar to those sold by TOPTUL even the color matches TOPTUL green. Hey, Fed, drop by the house and I'll give you a new TOPTUL catalog. If you want something serious, like a loaded toolbox, I might be able to help you with that. Just sayin'.
I don't think there's much question that it will take an entirely new (to SK) marketing approach. Relying on the old buyers that are aging out of the market isn't going to work. Several ownership teams already proved that.
When I look at some of the better known names on the market and the incredibly mediocre products their marketing people have been able to build that on, I know it can be done. I don't think this will be an aside to Great Star once they gain some traction. I believe they know the popularity score and will be willing to take that on.
Personally, I love the domestic aspect of the former model. But I also know the masses will not support that. America wants cheap and nobody knows it better than the Chinese.
When I look at some of the better known names on the market and the incredibly mediocre products their marketing people have been able to build that on, I know it can be done. I don't think this will be an aside to Great Star once they gain some traction. I believe they know the popularity score and will be willing to take that on.
Personally, I love the domestic aspect of the former model. But I also know the masses will not support that. America wants cheap and nobody knows it better than the Chinese.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Toptul green is darker I think than the SK green
Glad to hear you made it home safely. If I bought a loaded toolbox from anyone other than perhaps an Estate Sale, my family would have me committed
Seriously though, you bring up an excellent point that many people forgot, or weren't aware of, that SK hasn't always been 100% US made. There were the French made green rectangular screwdrivers, the Facom inspired tools, the trimaterial handled screwdrivers made in Slovenia, and those fantastic G-Pro series of ratcheting wrenches you mentioned. One has to remember that, aside from many members here, most people don't care much about COO. I mean look at the popularity of Gearwrench, VIM, or dare I say Harbor Freight, and others.
The key to SK's survival is marketing, marketing, and marketing. You have to first make tools before you can sell them. Make a **** ton of product, perhaps offering it at a discount initially celebrating the rebirth of SK, and make SK green as popular as sliced bread. Make a good product, and offer the email us a picture of your broken tool and we'll send you a replacement warranty service that seems to be popular these days. SK needs to establish a foothold in today's market stat.
Listen, I want SK to succeed. I've never liked their combination wrenches (too thick in the hips) and I have some ugly ratchets from the old SK days, and I won't hesitate for a second to call them out on something that ***** (like some of their LP90 series ratchets) but, at the end of the day, there are American workers in PA that are depending on SK. There are Americans that are selling, or will sell SK, and I think the world would be worse off without the availability of SK tools.
rant overCHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I’m kinda wondering if SK might try the Sonic/Teng tools approach where you can buy whole kits in a tool cart. That might explain the boxes and the percentages of domestic/imported tools. You keep some bread and butter stuff high end and finish it off with some basic and medium level tools. I don’t know. It drives me nuts that SK cannot release even a modest draft of what their basic marketing and selling strategies are. Even SBD with their perennially late US Craftsman stuff has explained that it’s going to be limited items in kits and availability will be at certain retailers. Throw us a bone SK!Toptul green is darker I think than the SK green
Glad to hear you made it home safely. If I bought a loaded toolbox from anyone other than perhaps an Estate Sale, my family would have me committed
Seriously though, you bring up an excellent point that many people forgot, or weren't aware of, that SK hasn't always been 100% US made. There were the French made green rectangular screwdrivers, the Facom inspired tools, the trimaterial handled screwdrivers made in Slovenia, and those fantastic G-Pro series of ratcheting wrenches you mentioned. One has to remember that, aside from many members here, most people don't care much about COO. I mean look at the popularity of Gearwrench, VIM, or dare I say Harbor Freight, and others.
The key to SK's survival is marketing, marketing, and marketing. You have to first make tools before you can sell them. Make a **** ton of product, perhaps offering it at a discount initially celebrating the rebirth of SK, and make SK green as popular as sliced bread. Make a good product, and offer the email us a picture of your broken tool and we'll send you a replacement warranty service that seems to be popular these days. SK needs to establish a foothold in today's market stat.
Listen, I want SK to succeed. I've never liked their combination wrenches (too thick in the hips) and I have some ugly ratchets from the old SK days, and I won't hesitate for a second to call them out on something that ***** (like some of their LP90 series ratchets) but, at the end of the day, there are American workers in PA that are depending on SK. There are Americans that are selling, or will sell SK, and I think the world would be worse off without the availability of SK tools.
blackcat96
Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2013
- Messages
- 5
Sk never made a 16mm 1/4 drive socket to my knowledge.. if you have 1 what is the part #?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
40715 six point shallow chrome. only size made, no deep version. page 25, 2015 SK catalog, Ideal owned. doubt if currently available.
I bought them on Amazon a year or two ago. The vendor was SK themselves.
Attachments
They did.
Last edited:
bubinga
Well-known member
Wrench97
Well-known member
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
Bummed to read this, but not surprised in the least. Appreciate the confirmation in any case. It's good to hear it from the horse's mouth.
I've got a ton of SK stuff from quite a few years ago and I do very much like it, but I am in the same boat.
For those who clamor about hurting US workers by no longer buying SK, I have to ask, where was this attitude with Craftsman and so many others before and since who started bringing imported tools into their lineup? I don't recall seeing too many people lament the impact to employees working in Sears when they decided they were done buying Craftsman. Or anyone lamenting the MAC Tools dealers that they stopped buying from when most of the truck became import tools. Is it so different to stop buying from SK for the same reason?
What's more, if the workers suffer as a result of customers' purchasing decisions after moving production off shore or whatever it is, that's on the company that employs them. The onus is not on the consumer to keep buying product just to make sure the workers have a job. I never signed an employment contract with anyone stamping steel in the SK plant. It's not the factory workers' fault if I stop buying the products, but that doesn't automatically make it my fault either. Why should I feel guilty about spending my money as I see fit?
KnurledNut
Well-known member
With GreatStar owning Lista and Geelong, tool storage shouldnt be too big of an issue for SK.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Just purchased two 1/4 drive ratchets from Zoro. I know one is old stock because they have had it in stock even after the liquidation of SK stuff. The other will be brand new from the new factory. It’s been out of stock ever since the move and just became available this week. Once I get them, I’ll let you guys know how they compare!
RickyPetite
Well-known member
Unless I missed it, none of the tools state that they are made in USA. This is despite the expensive price tag and the "USA" stamping in the picture.
bob15
Well-known member
What picture? Grainger?
bob15
Well-known member
Lista is owned by Stanley in the US. Don't see SB&D's Lista division working with SK as they are competitors.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
RickyPetite
Well-known member
On the SK website. For example, the 3/8 LP90 fixed head ratchet. Previously made in USA, picture of the item shows USA stamping on the item, $104. The description doesn't state that it is made in the USA (I recall it specifically stating that in the description before the company was sold). It may still be the same ratchet, made in the USA, however, it seems that they are specifically not stating where the items are made. Suspect that it gives them flexibility to source them however they see fit. No thanks.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I agree that haters do exist, but it seems more of the disappointment is from those who supported SK, some who have an investment in their products.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Yeah. I'm bummed to see not-USA stuff coming out the door. Some stuff is USA. I don't know how they were going to get past the elephant in the room that was Western Forge.
Kinda weird, before the sale, I'd purchased every metric tool from SK that I would ever purchase from SK. I'm more concerned about eventual warranty... but I'm just not in the market for anything SK sells.
I did notice that a full set of PRC SK wrenches is a LOT cheaper (50%?) than the US-made equivalent a year or two ago. Wright still comes in at that price range, and I like Wright's form factor better than SK anyway.
-Ryan
Kinda weird, before the sale, I'd purchased every metric tool from SK that I would ever purchase from SK. I'm more concerned about eventual warranty... but I'm just not in the market for anything SK sells.
I did notice that a full set of PRC SK wrenches is a LOT cheaper (50%?) than the US-made equivalent a year or two ago. Wright still comes in at that price range, and I like Wright's form factor better than SK anyway.
-Ryan
RickyPetite
Well-known member
No way I'm paying over $100 for a ratchet that might be made overseas. They would be wise to at least specify which items are made domestically (kind of like how Craftsman has a made-in-USA emblem on various items).
Bockscar
Well-known member
Ratchets are USA made
Coach James
Well-known member
I don't see anyone here expressing "hate", but I do see disappointment, me included, that some SK will be made in China. Unless they can get shelf space in a big box retailer or do an incredible job of marketing on Amazon, I don't see how they will pull this off.
Coach
Coach