SK Tools

[zakmartin]

Generally, I really like SK tools. The only ones I've ever bought that had problems were their 1/2" locking extensions; they wouldn't hold on to any sockets not made by SK. I tried them on Wright, Proto, Craftsman and Armstrong and had no luck.

For the money you're going to spend on SK tools, take a serious look at Proto, Wright and Armstrong as well. Honestly, I think they're generally on par with one another (Proto having a slight advantage). Don't stick to one brand either; some brands build better ratchets, others a better hammer, others a better screwdriver... you get the point.

 

[dogdad]

Went ahead and bought this package...for $88 delivered to my door in two days isn't all bad!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MANQCW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have a full set of standard length SK ratchets and they aren't bad. Honestly, I find Proto to be a nicer product for the same money. With all of the issues members are having with quality control, I think I will hold out until they re-tool the factory. I do like the look of SK's full polish wrenches though.

 

[Tejaas]

Uncle Sam currently stocks the majority of the AH-64 maintainer toolboxes with both SK & Proto...

They're not bad, I would definitely agree on the interior plating of the SK sockets being a bit lacking...

I'd had multiple brand-new sockets leave "glitter" all over 7/16 and 9/16 Driveshaft and Turret mounting bolts... With rust soon to follow no matter how dry and protective-coated you stored them.

With that being said, I'm pretty simple and like the older craftsman stuff... So maybe I am biased?

The Proto stuff wasn't bad at all... I had good experiences with their ratchets and ball-peen hammers...

In fact my welding cart is absolutely overrun with army "off-the-books" Proto hammers that get everyday heavy use and I got no complaints... Other than the fact they put that asinine red paint all over the hickory handles!


~Tejaas~

 

[jvitez]

Not too fond of the their ratchets due to the awkward reverse mechanism, but I do like the knurled handles. The chrome plating on their wrenches and sockets is beautiful, much better than Snap-on which has a darker/duller look to it. Their wrenches have a beautiful shape to them, and the open end and box end are nice and thin. All in all they're excellent quality.

 

[kenburkholz]

My experience has been good with both,SK and Proto, but I had a Proto crows foot set that was so rough,You could not read the sizes stamped in them. I also notice a lot of people commenting on how tools rust. You guys must do a lot of outdoor work or must live in very high humidity. I have tools that are over 70 years old that have never rusted. Ken.

 

[bodyguy16]

I love my sk ratcheting wrenches great quality for the price

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[fhemm20]

SK was bought by Ideal a few years ago after they declared bankruptcy, thats when they started having QC issues.

Overall I like them. Stuff from their pre-Ideal days is of noticeably better finish quality. I have a 45170 ratchet that is about 30 years old I got on ebay for $20 that had been well used. Guy on the tool truck gave me a rebuild kit for it. The stationary teeth that are cast into the head were a bit worn, but still functional. last summer I bought a new one just because, found it for $50. I figured a ratchet that lasted through 30 years of abuse is alright by me. Both are still working great.

 

[bobcatdan]

I come from a long line of SK user, both Pa and my dad have a lot of SK. I started buy SK pretty heavy from a great indy truck I know. I bought SK to fill just about every gap in my set at the time and spent next to nothing with the other trucks for hand tools. Some of my favorites are the 1/4" semi deep set with both SAE and metric. I have the long handle ratchet with the set and it is my go to set. Hands down I like my SK angle wrenches over my SO, wish they would bring them back. I have SK for all my larger wrenches, 20-32mm and 1 1/6 to 2". I love their stubby wrenches and even thou imports, the long ratcheting box end wrenches are great. I use SK every day next to SO and as far as I'm concern, SK is a damn good brand that does everything I ask off it. I wish I needed more hand tools as I would like to support the new SK more.

 

[bobcatdan]

SK was bought by Ideal a few years ago after they declared bankruptcy, thats when they started having QC issues.

Overall I like them. Stuff from their pre-Ideal days is of noticeably better finish quality. I have a 45170 ratchet that is about 30 years old I got on ebay for $20 that had been well used. Guy on the tool truck gave me a rebuild kit for it. The stationary teeth that are cast into the head were a bit worn, but still functional. last summer I bought a new one just because, found it for $50. I figured a ratchet that lasted through 30 years of abuse is alright by me. Both are still working great.

As for the quality concerns, a lot of that was the old SK. They let a lot **** get threw in their dying days. There still seems to be a lot of NOS out there and that seems to be where the problems are. The new ideal stuff from what I have seen is great. Also thanks the EPA, chroming isn't what it use to be and with Ideal building completely new factories for SK production, I'm sure they were held to the newest standards.

 

[fhemm20]

As for the quality concerns, a lot of that was the old SK. They let a lot **** get threw in their dying days. There still seems to be a lot of NOS out there and that seems to be where the problems are. The new ideal stuff from what I have seen is great. Also thanks the EPA, chroming isn't what it use to be and with Ideal building completely new factories for SK production, I'm sure they were held to the newest standards.

Stupid EPA.

Not to get too far off topic, but has anyone noticed that, according to people in California "smarter" than me, any chemical that works well causes cancer and it has to be done away with. I cant seem it figure out if its a chemical issue or a California issue.

 

[tshetter]

My experience has been good with both,SK and Proto, but I had a Proto crows foot set that was so rough,You could not read the sizes stamped in them. I also notice a lot of people commenting on how tools rust. You guys must do a lot of outdoor work or must live in very high humidity. I have tools that are over 70 years old that have never rusted. Ken.

Central Florida here and yes my tool sit in the box and rust. The raised panel craftsman seem to be the worst. But even my Knipex non-chromed pliers are very rusted in only a few years.

I keep all the tools wiped down with 3-in-1 oil but it doesn't seem to help much.

 

[Steinmetz]

Stupid EPA.

Not to get too far off topic, but has anyone noticed that, according to people in California "smarter" than me, any chemical that works well causes cancer and it has to be done away with. I cant seem it figure out if its a chemical issue or a California issue.

It's a cancer-is-no-fun issue.

 

[otis66]

If you can't afford Snap On buy SK. All of my SK Tools have held up just like my Snap On stuff. SK Sockets are outstanding. SK Ratchets are some of the strongest you will find. I have the older "FRANCH" screw divers and they are nice too. I also have a lot of SK impact Sockets 3/8 drive up to 1'' drive. SK makes damn good tools. I wish SK still made the Raised Panel Pro wrenches. SK is less expensive because they are not a Truck brand tool for the most part. Some of my SK tools go back to 1983.

 

[otis66]

How do you guys rate SK tools compared to SO, Proto, Mac , craftsman....I don't own any S K, but the prices seem to be pretty good...thanks

I would rate SK tools just bellow Snap On and Proto but not that far bellow. . Snap On Proto USA,Cornwell (USA) and then SK, and Wright. I would buy SK over Proto. MAC tools does not rate. I would buy GearWrench over MAC, Matco Matco and Craftsman. If I have to buy tools from China they are GearWrench not MAC, Matco or Craftsman.

 

[Trodnozzler]

I just joined the GJ Forum today but have followed it for a couple of months now and thought it was long overdue to join so I could give my .02cents on SK Tool and other tool issues. In 2011 and made one of the biggest blunders of my life and sold my entire tool collection, mostly to pay off debt. This was a tool collection of almost 20 years worth, some of which I will never be able to replace scouring garage sales, thrift and junk shops and paying sometimes mere cents for American made wrenches, ratchets and sockets...anyways to get to the point, now I'm rebuilding my tool collection and my first and only new socket sets I went with SK for 1/2", 3/8 & 1/4" Drives. I chose SK after way too much deliberation, I would have really like to have purchased all Snap on but financially it just wasn't feasible. Sk covers every posible size of socket you can think of, especially in their 1/4" drive 60pc set. There were some minor quality control issues with just the 1/2" socket set, but I attribute it to the set I received probably being pre-Ideal as the blow molded case was covered in dust. They gave me a 20mm deep socket instead of 19mm, and one of the standard sae sockets had sharp burrs on the square broaching of the drive. SK's Customer Service was excellent, they shipped me the missing 19mm socket along with a replacement for the sae one and sent me a free SK hat as a bonus. Yes, some of the sockets have the anti-rust coating inside the sockets (grey in color)and some just have the chrome, I'm just happy to have USA made tools and the great Customer Service that goes along with it. I prefer Snap on ratchets when I can afford them but the SK ratchets have a way of growing on you in and their rustic simplistic design which has been unchanged in almost a century. I can't help but adopt the notion that these USA made tools will be quite rare in another decade or two as nothing will be produced here anymore. My previous collection had a lot of older Craftsman wrenches & sockets that were made in the USA, today with all the craftsman tools being made in China while Sears is ready to go out of business, I definitely wouldn't spend any money there.

 

[Westly]

They gave me a 20mm deep socket instead of 19mm, and one of the standard sae sockets...

If you have a 3/4" socket you have a 19mm. Welcome, from another newb.

 

[dogdad]

@ ^^^Trodnozzler... "Yes, some of the sockets have the anti-rust coating inside the sockets (grey in color)and some just have the chrome"......I received my set in today,,,was wondering why they were grey inside and not chrome..

 

[soulstryke]

Sk *****....i bought a 3/8 long hex metric socket set and instead of a 6mm socket they took a 1/4" chrome socket and jammed the 6mm hex into it. Works fine i guess but everytime i use it ....it just bothers me lol.

1st and last SK purchase......kinda knew it would happen though because i was trying to save a few bucks instead of buying my usual Proto.

In the end i ended up getting $10 back for the socket.

 

[Davefr]

Sk *****....i bought a 3/8 long hex metric socket set and instead of a 6mm socket they took a 1/4" chrome socket and jammed the 6mm hex into it. Works fine i guess but everytime i use it ....it just bothers me lol.

^^^ Post an image

 

[soulstryke]

I had a thread in here before link is below.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195167

2 pictures in this thread

 

[Hyd.Mechanic18]

Went ahead and bought this package...for $88 delivered to my door in two days isn't all bad!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MANQCW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Where did you get that set for $88?

 

[dogdad]

Where did you get that set for $88?

Amazon.....they offered a $50 gift card if you get there Visa card...applies toward the purchase..so I did...will pay the $88 off when the bill comes in...then tear up the card as I don't expect to buy anything else with it...Amex for me most of the time.

 

[Trodnozzler]

Hi Dogdad, when I spoke with Customer Service about that same issue the representative told me that some of the smaller sized sockets they aren't able to paint the insides with the "anti-rust coating" so they just have the chrome coating from the dipping process. I guess in a perfect world or perhaps better spraying machines, all sockets no matter their size would have the anti-rust grey coating inside...

 

[snowpro90]

The best deal I found for a SK 47 piece 3/8 set was for $115 with free shipping. I hope this company is legit because I went ahead and ordered a set.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[chopper1]

I've used S-K for over 50 years with some tools going back to the mid 30's. I garage sale a lot and buy any S-K tool I see that isn't outrages in price. I have more sockets than I could use in 5 lifetimes from the early knurled to the modern ringed ones. I believe in that time I have only broken one socket and have never tried to warrant any tool because of a failure. Their ratchets are almost bullet proof. For my buck, you can't go wrong with S-K

 

[espyking83]

Sk *****....i bought a 3/8 long hex metric socket set and instead of a 6mm socket they took a 1/4" chrome socket and jammed the 6mm hex into it. Works fine i guess but everytime i use it ....it just bothers me lol.

1st and last SK purchase......kinda knew it would happen though because i was trying to save a few bucks instead of buying my usual Proto.

In the end i ended up getting $10 back for the socket.

That's unfortunate, because they make very good tools, some of which are better than the premier truck brands.

 

[BK13]

You cant beat there sockets, esp there semi deep chrome 1/4 drive(There are a few places that have deals buy the sae get the metric free). Ive used there older ratchets and they are super strong. Have not used there newer rathets cause i have dual 80's.

Does anyone know of a current BOGO deal on the 1/4" middies?

 

[cgv69]

I own (or have owned) socket sets from the following brands and would rank them in this order...

Snap-On
SK (recent production)
MAC (older)
Wright
Kobolt (Taiwan)
Gearwrench
Craftsman (Armstrong)

Snap on are the best IMO but are not a significantly better then some of the other options. Considering their price, they are very hard to justify price wise over the others, especially for a non-pro at full retail prices.

The next three on the list are very close IMO performance and quality wise to the Snap-On's. I don't see much difference between the SK's, the MACs and Wrights but put SK on top simply due to selection, availability and price. I'm very satisfied with the SK's and they are pretty much my default choice these days

I've never tried Proto's but I think their price makes them hard to justify over brands like SK and Willaims.

Kobolt's made in Taiwan sockets are actually pretty good IMO. If you are not hung up on buying made in the US tools, they are a very good option. I'm not a fan of the color markings but from a consistency standpoint, they put a lot of US brands to shame and there are Lowes stores almost everywhere in the US so their availability can't be beat. Their selection has some limitations and I for one do prefer made in the US tools so they would never be my first choice. They do however go on sale often for ridiculously low prices making them great for extras or redundancy. I picked up a few sets for my portable/loaner tool kit.

Gearwrench's made in Taiwan sockets are OK - nothing special but they get the job done.

The older Craftsman sockets weren't bad but the later "dual marked/easy read" versions made by Armstrong have the worst finish I've ever seen on a socket. Now I don't need my tools to look like pretty jewelery but I do expect the finish to be good enough so that they don't rust just sitting there and the CM/Armstrong's majorly fail that test. The only ones I have are 1/2 drive SAE's which I almost never use but I'll still replace them some day.

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP
I've never tried Proto's but I think their price makes them hard to justify over brands like SK and Willaims.

SNIP

With all due respect, that is a long assumption to make on no experience with Proto, or apparently Williams, and IMO a wrong one.

Too hard to get a "hard list" for quality. but dumping them into 4 groups I see it like this for the brands I know and use (each group listed alphabetically, not interested in a ******* contest...)

Nothing wrong with Groups 1, 2 and 3 as are all very serviceable, and very good quality. group 4 is usable but is edging towards good Asian (Taiwan) import quality, or is about the same.

I don't deliberately buy or keep anything below those (lot buys).

Group 1
Proto (Later/new production)
Snap-On (since say the 60's)


Group 2
Armstrong
Blackhawk (older production)
Bonney
CornWell
Craftsman (Long C - 40's)
Indestro/Duro
MAC (Older production)
New Britain
P&C
Plvmb/Proto (Older production)
SK
Snap-on (older production)
Stahlwell
Thorsen
Williams
Wright

Group 3
Blackhawk (Recent)
Craftsman Mostly -V- or =V= series
Proto/Challenger

Group 4
Companion (Sears)
Craftsman post V series)

 

[Loscaldazar]

Does anyone know of a current BOGO deal on the 1/4" middies?

I looked through twice, but I bought my BOGO set a few months ago from here (http://www.ntxtools.com/Merchant/me...Offset=24&SortBy=price-asc&Category_Code=BOGO). You can have another look in case I missed it!

 

[cgv69]

With all due respect, that is a long assumption to make on no experience with Proto, or apparently Williams, and IMO a wrong one.

And with all due respect, your reply didn't offer any more insight or hard facts then mine did.

Lets be real, 99.99% of these socket threads are nothing more then opinion. Sorry if my comments about your pet brand didn't jive with your opinion of them but lets face it, while we all have our favorites brand(s) for whatever reason we may deem important, the reality is almost any of the sockets listed will work fine for the average user here.

I will point out at least one major inconsistency with your list. You have Armstrong listed in Group2 and recent production Craftsman in Group4 but recent production Armstrong and recent Production Craftsman (USA) are the same damn socket so how does that work.

 

[Outlawmws]

And with all due respect, your reply didn't offer any more insight or hard facts then mine did.

Lets be real, 99.99% of these socket threads are nothing more then opinion. Sorry if my comments about your pet brand didn't jive with your opinion of them but lets face it, while we all have our favorites brand(s) for whatever reason we may deem important, the reality is almost any of the sockets listed will work fine for the average user here.

I will point out at least one major inconsistency with your list. You have Armstrong listed in Group2 and recent production Craftsman in Group4 but recent production Armstrong and recent Production Craftsman (USA) are the same damn socket so how does that work.[/QUOTE]


Not to my knowledge, they are danaher; and my opinions are on sockets I own and use, not suppositions based on no experience. I listed nothing I don't have experience with. By your own admission you've never used or owned either Williams or Proto. "Splain that one to me Lucy!"

 

[toolmuchtool]

SK Tools are great tools. I wish I could make a comment on there HAT AND CATALOG. I'm Still Waiting SK

 

[cgv69]

Not to my knowledge, they are danaher;

Well then there are some blanks in your knowledge because they are the same (yes, both are made by Danaher) and if you owned both like you claim (i.e. "I listed nothing I don't have experience with") then you should know that.

and my opinions are on sockets I own and use, not suppositions based on no experience. I listed nothing I don't have experience with. By your own admission you've never used or owned either Williams or Proto. "Splain that one to me Lucy!"

I don't know what your problem is here but it would probably help if you tried reading what I actually wrote and not arguing with me about what you assume.

What did I say good or bad about Williams? Where did I say I didn't have any experience with them? Just because I didn't list them as a brand that I have personally owned doesn't mean I have no experience with them.

Now I did admit that I don't have first hand experience with Proto's but the only thing I wrote about them is that their prices make them hard to justify. Another way of wording that would be, I've been happy with other lower priced alternatives (such as SK) so I've never felt compelled to spend more money on Proto's. You don't have to own that brand to have that opinion.

 

[Outlawmws]

First I've ever heard that any Craftsman socket was made by Armstrong. Frankly, I've heard so little about Armstrong for so long, I figured they had been absorbed, and that appears to be about it:

From their website: In December 1994, after 105 years of private ownership by the Armstrong family, the company was acquired by the Danaher Corporation. In 2010 Danaher Tool Group and Cooper Tool Group formed as a joint venture known as Apex Tool Group. Apex Tool Group's family of brands includes Allen, GearWrench, Crescent, Jacobs Chucks, Cleco, Campbell, Dotco, Erem, Lufkin, Wiss, Nicholson, Weller, Xcelite among others. The Apex Tool Group Commitment to continuous improvement will ensure the strict adherence to the high standards of quality, delivery and cost upon which Armstrong was founded.

The answer to my positioning is simple: my Armstrong sockets and other tools are older.

Based on the above, Armstrong appears to be a name now used by Danahar/Apex. If any sockets were made by Armstrong, nothing in this list supports it:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=191889&postcount=69

You may be right, but I'd want to see something to substantiate it.

Your right about one thing, I did misinterpret a few things you said, but as presented, that's the way I saw it. SO appeared to me to get a "pass" for their high prices, Proto, without knowing anything about them, didn't.

Yep your opinion. you are entitled to it. I disagree. I'm entitled to mine too. Proto makes some of the best, longest lasting tools available. higher cost? Not when they can last multiple lifetimes in hard use. I'm still using my dad's old 1/2" ratchet. It's never been rebuilt, only cleaned and lubed. I'm reasonably certain it's older than almost anyone on this forum.

I think we've derailed the thread enough; back to SK.

 

[Zeroek]

I'm thinking about picking up some metric cornwell sockets. Snap on was my first choice but I'm really starting to like the chrome and quality of cornwell's stuff. If I don't end up with Cornwell and decide to go a little cheaper I'm going for SK. They are some thick walled sockets with some of the best chrome like the Cornwells.

 

[30cal]

I have always liked Snap-on, own many wrench and socket sets. That said, I have a 40 year old 3/8" and a 1/4" drive S-K socket set (green metal box) that are still used daily. (no ratchet or socket repair/replace.) If todays S-K is even close to yesterdays wonderful tools, dollar for dollar, they can't be beat.

 

[paddy1]

FYI, SK Tools factory in Defiance Oh made tools for anybody, a big customer was Sears/Craftsman.