dogdad
Well-known member
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
SK Tools
- Thread starter dogdad
- Start date
On par with Proto, Mac (hardline good stuff, not the cheap ****), better than Craftsman, slightly below Snap on. Not to say that snap on is better for everything, but they offer a lot more variety.
One of my favourite brands, good enough for heavy pro use.
One of my favourite brands, good enough for heavy pro use.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
For quality, SK is (generally) above Craftsman, probably about on par with Wright & Williams, maybe a bit under Cornwell, and I couldn't even guess at the current Mac offerings... SO is above but so are their prices. I'd rate Proto above SK, Wright, & Williams midway between them and SO, mostly due to finish, not reliability and all...
For cost: look it up and shop around...
For cost: look it up and shop around...
I personally think they are just OK, I really look at it from a open mind and not consider the COO and they have quit a few defects. If they were some Chicom tools people would be all over it. I got there master torx set and they are soft bits, they deform quick even with hand tools. My CM were higher quality IMO. I have notice other minor issues myself and on here from other people.
I have other SK tools but think Gearwrench has better quality control. But I do understand wanting to support them due to them being made in the USA, I did with $1000 worth from Tooltopia.
I have other SK tools but think Gearwrench has better quality control. But I do understand wanting to support them due to them being made in the USA, I did with $1000 worth from Tooltopia.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
SK makes high quality stuff. Not completely equal to snap on, but on par with the other trucks. Same warranty as the rest. Made in the USA.
TheLS1Lover
Well-known member
All of my stuff is SK, I bought it at the local Grainger, really nice stuff. I haven't broke anything yet, lets see if I do. I would do a solid 9 out of 10.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Their classic ratchets are solid and dependable. The Tuff1 ratchets have an awesome fine tooth feel. The quality of their chrome is excellent.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
I send them in to the company for warranty. I just did a set of needle nose. Some tools trucks that sell sk will warranty it for you as well.
scaron
Well-known member
i like SK a lot; i don't know anything about truck brands but i have lots of S-K around my shop and i'd put it on par with other industrial makes like proto, wright, bonney, williams, etc. that i also have tools from.
I have 4 of their ratchets and I really like them.
They just feel really solid not to mention you can find them dirt cheap on ebay. If you are on the fence buy one used on ebay and check it out.
I really like the SK 3770 (3/8 flex head ratchet w/ bent handle and the sk 40972 (1/4 flex handle ratchet) and their stubby 3/8 (SK 45174).
my $0.02
They just feel really solid not to mention you can find them dirt cheap on ebay. If you are on the fence buy one used on ebay and check it out.
I really like the SK 3770 (3/8 flex head ratchet w/ bent handle and the sk 40972 (1/4 flex handle ratchet) and their stubby 3/8 (SK 45174).
my $0.02
kenburkholz
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2013
- Messages
- 241
My dad,who swore by Snap On, would only use S K ratchets because they had knurled handles. Ken.
1950mercury
Well-known member
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.
Stokes_
Banned
SK is every bit as good as Snap On. Snap On has better ratcheting mechanisms, but that's about it. I'd take SK wrenches, sockets, and 1/4" ratchets over SO all day. When you buy SO, you're buying the name and the hassle-free warranty, not necessarily the best tool in the world.
I'm not one of those SO haters, but I do think their quality is greatly exaggerated at times by fellow mechanics and posters on this site. Some things they do exceptionally better than most, but the bulk of their tools are in the same league Proto/Mac/SK/Wright/Cornwell/Matco/Armstrong etc... Take for instance their wrenches, they are shiny as hell and comfortable in your hands, but I don't think they fit quite as well on bolts or as durable as my Proto or SK wrenches. Have I performed in depth stress tests comparing each wrench? No, but I do notice that the SO wrenches I have slip off bolts easier and start to bend before others.
I will say that SO is head and shoulders above ALL others in customer service. Each SO tool I've ever had to replace has been exchanged with no questions asked. Hell, I ordered a SO ratcheting screwdriver for my father-in-law for Christmas about 8 weeks back and it didn't get delivered on the date he had previously given, so he over-night mailed two that were delivered to my door the next afternoon. That service is impeccable, and it's the first thing I mention in defense of SO when someone is bashing their tools or is asking opinions of SO.
I'm not one of those SO haters, but I do think their quality is greatly exaggerated at times by fellow mechanics and posters on this site. Some things they do exceptionally better than most, but the bulk of their tools are in the same league Proto/Mac/SK/Wright/Cornwell/Matco/Armstrong etc... Take for instance their wrenches, they are shiny as hell and comfortable in your hands, but I don't think they fit quite as well on bolts or as durable as my Proto or SK wrenches. Have I performed in depth stress tests comparing each wrench? No, but I do notice that the SO wrenches I have slip off bolts easier and start to bend before others.
I will say that SO is head and shoulders above ALL others in customer service. Each SO tool I've ever had to replace has been exchanged with no questions asked. Hell, I ordered a SO ratcheting screwdriver for my father-in-law for Christmas about 8 weeks back and it didn't get delivered on the date he had previously given, so he over-night mailed two that were delivered to my door the next afternoon. That service is impeccable, and it's the first thing I mention in defense of SO when someone is bashing their tools or is asking opinions of SO.
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Jawn
Well-known member
Take this with a grain of salt, I've had very limited experience with Snap-On, etc...
but when I wanted to get some quality tools, I came across this forum and mention of SK (which I'd never heard of before then). I bought a sizable pile of it (socket sets, wrenches, etc) and am pleased - some finish issues (warrantied two sockets by mail without issue - one for lack of detent, one for rust out of the box), but the tools are otherwise functionally excellent.
I *love* the 1/4" ratchets. Feels finer than the 60 tooth that they are. Very smooth.
but when I wanted to get some quality tools, I came across this forum and mention of SK (which I'd never heard of before then). I bought a sizable pile of it (socket sets, wrenches, etc) and am pleased - some finish issues (warrantied two sockets by mail without issue - one for lack of detent, one for rust out of the box), but the tools are otherwise functionally excellent.
I *love* the 1/4" ratchets. Feels finer than the 60 tooth that they are. Very smooth.
cassidy
Well-known member
I have used this same set everyday for 12 years no problems. I also have the superkrome wrenchs and many other sk tools and I love all of them.Sounds like this might be a great deal for $119 1/4 " socket set
rickhigginshtbr
Well-known member
I would give them 9/10, with SO only getting the 10. Have seen some quality issues, but rarely. And like everyone else said, their ratchets are up there with the best... just don't put too much stress on the 1/4" flex head, I nearly bent my buddies....
bamajoe
Well-known member
I love my SK tools. One of the things that made me decide to go for them than others is the simple "old school" look and feel of the simple round handled ratchets. Than again I had been using craftsman before and have very little experience with SO...
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Snap-On is a premium tool line. Offering the latest, greatest, fanciest, innovative tools and equipment is what they do well. The Red Carpet Tool Limo service with onsite warranty and Dealer accounts adds to the price.. They are a Starship in the tool industry.
ProTo is a rock solid full tool line. If you want polished wrenches; they offer some nice ones.. Their no frills industrial line is rugged and dependable.
SK Cannot go wrong with SK. Rugged tools built to last.. Local stores stocked them, which was convenient . Glad to see their comeback with their commitment to USA products.
Craftsman is a store line that hires other companies to manufacture the Craftsman branded tools... In the "olden days" they had some good tools. Not fancy, but ok tools for a budget cost. I have some that are over fifty years old. Their offerings for the last couple years has soiled my desire for most new Craftsman tool purchases..
ProTo is a rock solid full tool line. If you want polished wrenches; they offer some nice ones.. Their no frills industrial line is rugged and dependable.
SK Cannot go wrong with SK. Rugged tools built to last.. Local stores stocked them, which was convenient . Glad to see their comeback with their commitment to USA products.
Craftsman is a store line that hires other companies to manufacture the Craftsman branded tools... In the "olden days" they had some good tools. Not fancy, but ok tools for a budget cost. I have some that are over fifty years old. Their offerings for the last couple years has soiled my desire for most new Craftsman tool purchases..
Steinmetz
Well-known member
For years, SK also made tools for other labels, including Craftsman.
ibedayank
Well-known member
wheels2
Member
Bought a 3/8" socket set in 1959. No problems and nothing lost or broken in 54 years. Think I'll keep them.
Harvey
Harvey
If they have not broken by now, they probably won't.
My stepfather had a small set that he bought 20 or 30 years ago and I think he still uses them. As an electrician, he wasn't that hard on the set like a mechanic would be, but they have done well. I just hope the ones more recently made will survive so long.
shoggoth80
Well-known member
My box at work has a lot of SK in there, as well as Proto. Good stuff most of the time. I like it. Got an old 1/2" drive flex head ratchet in there that is really tough. Blew up a ratcheting wrench's guts today... but I have no idea how old it was, or abused it was. The guy who had the box before me retired from his position.
SK is as good as any of the other industrial or tool truck brands.
The problem with SK is breadth of product offering. They only offer 19 ratchets.
For comparison, SO probably offers over 100. (Your choice of handle style, finish, head shape, size, etc, etc, etc.)
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
The ratchets are great, but they are old. Not bad, but not cutting edge either. The 60 tooth mechanisms feel much finer than one would think.
Sockets, wrenches, etc are amazing.
Sockets, wrenches, etc are amazing.
wafrederick
Well-known member
I have one of the first Craftsman Profesional wrench sets made by SK.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Steinmetz
Well-known member
The tools look great. I always preferred the green metal boxes, though. I own probably a dozen sets all in metal boxes. I always found the molded plastic boxes rather clumsy (on the other hand, they never rust!).
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
I probably have 5 or 6 sets in the metal boxes and prob 5 or 6 in the plastic. I love sk. Just wish they had a broader line of stuff, but there quality is top notch. I would love if they made big tool boxes..wonder if they would be green only if they did?
raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
steelespeed
Well-known member
I guess I'm the odd man out when it comes to SK. I have a few of their recent production sockets and admit the chrome plating is nice, but the majority suffered from absolutely terrible interior finish machining. Slivers of steel in the hex end and detents so shallow they are almost invisible being the biggest problems. It seems to be a common enough problem that it has soured my interest in the brand.
In my opinion, Proto puts out a much nicer product.
In my opinion, Proto puts out a much nicer product.
Chuck122
Well-known member
Sounds like this might be a great deal for $119 1/4 " socket set
I have that set, the similar 3/8" and a 1/2" set
They are nice and the ratchets seem pretty rugged.
One thing i will say is that of the 3 sets i have, 2 had oddball sockets (2 9 mm and no 11mm and a 20mm instead of a 19)
The sockets are nice. I like that they are thin all the way to the drive instead of having the shoulder mid length. But honestly they are nothing to write home about
Farmall450
Well-known member
I don't mind them, they're very good with warranty.
But I don't think I'll ever buy them new, either us cman or their equivalents tho 99% US cman, or if I need something better it's Snap-on!
But I don't think I'll ever buy them new, either us cman or their equivalents tho 99% US cman, or if I need something better it's Snap-on!
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Must be an online thing. Advance auto is the closet store to me. I was actually in there today. They have nothing sk in the store. They have snap on work gloves and that's about it for name brand stuff.
They look pretty awsome. Such a good brand with not so much awareness