Sk vs Gearwrench

[cheechi]

I know I'm the ******* for saying it but I think all the complaints about GW here would be solved if you break free with a good strong non ratcheting 6 pt wrench then use the GW for convenience.

I have reversible and non reversible GW's. I think the Blue Point/Wiliams are better quality. But they do cost more. And I don't have any broken ones to speak of, most of my sets are 10+ years old.

When GW first came out I bought full sets of everything they offered. Since, those were stolen, but I had problems with those early ones the mechanisms would get loose, the knuckle pins on the flex heads got real loose, the reversing levers got imprecise, etc. We're talking around 2000 or maybe 01, I don't have those kinds of issues with more recent purchases. And even after all that, I ***** from time to time but GW make good solid tools and they're sold literally everywhere if you need a replacement.

Still haven't seen SK sold in a store since I've been an adult. Hard to see the value. Not impossible, but harder than chasing down a SO truck. And unless you're an SK expert it's hard to be confident that you're getting tools of the era that there wasn't/won't be plating issues over time. And 'new' SK is still too new to me to be considered a proven a sure bet. I want to believe they are good with no 'but' but I've not had the opportunity to really be convinced.

 

[dr_clyde]

I know I'm the ******* for saying it but I think all the complaints about GW here would be solved if you break free with a good strong non ratcheting 6 pt wrench then use the GW for convenience.

I have reversible and non reversible GW's. I think the Blue Point/Wiliams are better quality. But they do cost more. And I don't have any broken ones to speak of, most of my sets are 10+ years old.

When GW first came out I bought full sets of everything they offered. Since, those were stolen, but I had problems with those early ones the mechanisms would get loose, the knuckle pins on the flex heads got real loose, the reversing levers got imprecise, etc. We're talking around 2000 or maybe 01, I don't have those kinds of issues with more recent purchases. And even after all that, I ***** from time to time but GW make good solid tools and they're sold literally everywhere if you need a replacement.

Still haven't seen SK sold in a store since I've been an adult. Hard to see the value. Not impossible, but harder than chasing down a SO truck. And unless you're an SK expert it's hard to be confident that you're getting tools of the era that there wasn't/won't be plating issues over time. And 'new' SK is still too new to me to be considered a proven a sure bet. I want to believe they are good with no 'but' but I've not had the opportunity to really be convinced.

I know of at least two hardware and industrial supply houses in my town that carry SK on the shelf, GW is only in the big box stores around here. I'd have a better chance of getting something SK than GW.

 

[buffalobill]

Screw gearwrench. Apex tools has ruined everything they've touched. I will never forgive them for what they've done to great brands such as Jacobs, Armstrong and Allen. They won't get another dollar of mine if I have a choice in the matter.

SK makes fine tools and is committed to quality US manufacturing. I'll happily buy their tools vs an Apex brand.

I agree totally. I have nice Armstrong tools that were available at napa. Now it's just matco and gearwrench. Sk does need a better distributorship though.

 

[SRSemenza]

Sk or GW or any other brand ready availability is going to vary depending on location.

In my area Advance has a fair amount of GW in store but no where near most of it. Even in the basic stuff it would be unlikely that they would have a particular item on hand for warranty exchange. Other auto and hardware stores might have one or two GW items. Big boxes don't have GW either.

SK is almost non-existent in any store. Local NAPA has a little. But selection is very limited. It looks more like what they have left or 'yeah, we carry SK'. Haven't found SK in any other store.

Seth

 

[buffalobill]

What on Earth are you doing to them?

I beat the ever-living snot out of their products without issue.

Lol, I am just using them man! Not so much gw, anymore...I will say, it was never a catastrophic break with gw, the ratcheting mechanism just locked up. But my Armstrong never do that to me.....

 

[WittHay]

The Op is from Alberta, I am from the Vancouver area. In my local area there are at least 5 stores that have GearWrench and 3 that handle Proto. You can walk in a get the full range of GearWrench tools.

SK to me is one of those internet brands like Williams,Toptul, Hazet. Tekton interesting to read about, bought always has to be specially ordered at local stores.I just assumed do do the popularity of SK on here, that it was widely available in brick and mortar stores. When people recommend SK is it because they have had the tools for years or did they buy them online in the last couple of years?

Regarding GearWrench warranty, they are not sold in box stores up here so its the normal consumer warranty, original purchaser with a receipt at the place you bought it. Exceptions are made for commercial accounts

 

[dngrmse]

SK to me is one of those internet brands like Williams,Toptul, Hazet. Tekton interesting to read about, bought always has to be specially ordered at local stores.I just assumed do do the popularity of SK on here, that it was widely available in brick and mortar stores. When people recommend SK is it because they have had the tools for years or did they buy them online in the last couple of years?

Speaking for myself, growing up at home we had mostly Craftsman, some SK, and god-awful Gedore manufactured in India. Craftsman was old reliable never failed us. The SK stuff just had a certain intangible feel of quality when using them, like the sockets just fit better. And the Gedore stuff was cursed at as soon as you realized you had picked it up.

 

[ADSR]

The Op is from Alberta, I am from the Vancouver area. In my local area there are at least 5 stores that have GearWrench and 3 that handle Proto. You can walk in a get the full range of GearWrench tools.

SK to me is one of those internet brands like Williams,Toptul, Hazet. Tekton interesting to read about, bought always has to be specially ordered at local stores.I just assumed do do the popularity of SK on here, that it was widely available in brick and mortar stores. When people recommend SK is it because they have had the tools for years or did they buy them online in the last couple of years?

Regarding GearWrench warranty, they are not sold in box stores up here so its the normal consumer warranty, original purchaser with a receipt at the place you bought it. Exceptions are made for commercial accounts

KMS is a Williams and Wright dealer, but you have to order it in from them.

 

[dr_clyde]

I think a lot of guys assume that because the local hardware doesn't sell a brand like SK, Wright, or Williams, that no one local carries them.

In my area, the "hardware" stores sell birdseed and paint, with some lawn ornaments and maybe some tools and actual hardware. If you want actual tools and hardware, you need to look at who supplies industry.

My local industrial supply is family owned, not a chain. They sell TONS of tools, carry SK, Williams, Bahco, Metabo, Milwaukee, Wilton, PFERD, Union Butterfield, IMCO, Norseman, Mitutoyo, and other high end tools. They also stock more useful hardware than all the chain hardwares put together. But because they are a small un-assuming storefront, you have to know they are there and what they sell. Joe Homeowner probably wouldn't even know what they sell.

The local New Holland/Claas/Mahindra tractor dealership carries a full line of SK. Lots of farm related tools and hardware too. **** you'd never find at Tractor Supply or Family Farm and Home.

My point is, a lot a guys probably have tool dealers in their town that they didn't even know about.

Need some good brand name plumbing tools? Ask a plumber who their supply house is, they probably carry all the pro lines of tools, Lennox, Ridgid, George Fischer, Swagelok, and not the no name wrenches that menards sells. Most all these places will sell to the public, especially tools. Generally they only get weird if you try to buy something that a licensed trades-person needs to install, like a water heater or major electrical system.

Same goes for electrical. Klein, Panduit, Greenlee, Knipex, all carried by the local supply house. Specialty stuff you can't get at Home Depot as well.

 

[cheechi]

near me the only SK dealer, per SK's website is Grainger. They have none in stock it's all ordered. I'm glad you have some near you.

The electrical supply places are full of wire, the plumbing places are full of pipe and fittings, the few little hardware stores are all way out of the way and all have **** for tools. Sometimes it's good if I want to troll for NOS but mostly I've got what I want from them anyway.

When I tell you there's no SK near me why wouldn't you believe me?

 

[buckwheat_la]

The Op is from Alberta, I am from the Vancouver area. In my local area there are at least 5 stores that have GearWrench and 3 that handle Proto. You can walk in a get the full range of GearWrench tools.

SK to me is one of those internet brands like Williams,Toptul, Hazet. Tekton interesting to read about, bought always has to be specially ordered at local stores.I just assumed do do the popularity of SK on here, that it was widely available in brick and mortar stores. When people recommend SK is it because they have had the tools for years or did they buy them online in the last couple of years?

Regarding GearWrench warranty, they are not sold in box stores up here so its the normal consumer warranty, original purchaser with a receipt at the place you bought it. Exceptions are made for commercial accounts

I order a lot of stuff and get it shipped to the border. Gearwrench has some places that warrantee them without a receipt.

KMS is a Williams and Wright dealer, but you have to order it in from them.

Interesting about KMS however I wonder if all the Williams stuff is over priced?

 

[ADSR]

I order a lot of stuff and get it shipped to the border. Gearwrench has some places that warrantee them without a receipt.



Interesting about KMS however I wonder if all the Williams stuff is over priced?

Isn't everything overpriced at KMS tho?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Screw gearwrench. Apex tools has ruined everything they've touched. I will never forgive them for what they've done to great brands such as Jacobs, Armstrong and Allen. They won't get another dollar of mine if I have a choice in the matter.

SK makes fine tools and is committed to quality US manufacturing. I'll happily buy their tools vs an Apex brand.

I share Your thoughts about what Apex has done with those tool brands. I have cold feelings for Gearwrench; which is now their chiwain produced mascott. I bought five sets of GW ratcheting wrenches about five years back. They still sell for an attractive price as they did back then; but I simply have no desire to do any further business with Apex.

 

[dr_clyde]

near me the only SK dealer, per SK's website is Grainger. They have none in stock it's all ordered. I'm glad you have some near you.

The electrical supply places are full of wire, the plumbing places are full of pipe and fittings, the few little hardware stores are all way out of the way and all have **** for tools. Sometimes it's good if I want to troll for NOS but mostly I've got what I want from them anyway.

When I tell you there's no SK near me why wouldn't you believe me?

I'm not saying I don't believe you. If there not there, they're not there.

Most people don't bother to actually look in places they don't normally frequent for tools. I was just making an observation about the general tool buying public.

 

[dr_clyde]

Also, I just looked on the "dealer locator" on their site, and SK only shows grainger in my area, and that grainger has been closed for 2 years. Doesn't show the locations I know to sell.

Perhaps you need to pay to be shown on the dealer locator?

 

[Loscaldazar]

I think a lot of guys assume that because the local hardware doesn't sell a brand like SK, Wright, or Williams, that no one local carries them.

In my area, the "hardware" stores sell birdseed and paint, with some lawn ornaments and maybe some tools and actual hardware. If you want actual tools and hardware, you need to look at who supplies industry.

My local industrial supply is family owned, not a chain. They sell TONS of tools, carry SK, Williams, Bahco, Metabo, Milwaukee, Wilton, PFERD, Union Butterfield, IMCO, Norseman, Mitutoyo, and other high end tools. They also stock more useful hardware than all the chain hardwares put together. But because they are a small un-assuming storefront, you have to know they are there and what they sell. Joe Homeowner probably wouldn't even know what they sell.

The local New Holland/Claas/Mahindra tractor dealership carries a full line of SK. Lots of farm related tools and hardware too. **** you'd never find at Tractor Supply or Family Farm and Home.

My point is, a lot a guys probably have tool dealers in their town that they didn't even know about.

Need some good brand name plumbing tools? Ask a plumber who their supply house is, they probably carry all the pro lines of tools, Lennox, Ridgid, George Fischer, Swagelok, and not the no name wrenches that menards sells. Most all these places will sell to the public, especially tools. Generally they only get weird if you try to buy something that a licensed trades-person needs to install, like a water heater or major electrical system.

Same goes for electrical. Klein, Panduit, Greenlee, Knipex, all carried by the local supply house. Specialty stuff you can't get at Home Depot as well.

This. We've got a local store that sells to pro tool users (mostly power tools) where the cheapest power tool brand they sell is Milwaukee and DeWalt. Metabo, Hilti, Fein, and Festool make up the more expensive brands they sell. It's a very different place from Home Depot where Milwaukee and DeWalt are the most expensive power tool brands they sell.

 

[mmason7764]

Screw gearwrench. Apex tools has ruined everything they've touched. I will never forgive them for what they've done to great brands such as Jacobs, Armstrong and Allen. They won't get another dollar of mine if I have a choice in the matter.

SK makes fine tools and is committed to quality US manufacturing. I'll happily buy their tools vs an Apex brand.

Clyde,

You summed up my feelings perfectly !!! Thanks.

Regarding SK availability: my small town only has a Proto dealer, which is good when I need something now. But being a small town, internet ordering or a 2 hour trip to a city is the only way to get many items, so each are common place for the majority of residents.

For SK I deal primairly with HJ Epstein. The experiences are much warmer than the typical web ordering. Call them up and they will bend over backwards for you.

Many other online retailers have gotten so efficient that ordering, tracking, and receiving is relatively painless.

Unfortunately, purchasing domesticly produced goods requires more effort for the buyer than in the past.

Mark

 

[Rarified27]

You can get mid length sk sockets too....buy once, cry once.....

I can't find SK mid length sockets in 3/8, only 1/4. Seems like they only make semi deep impacts in 3/8.

Is this accurate or does SK make mid length chrome sockets in 3/8 drive?

 

[Fedwrench]

I can't find SK mid length sockets in 3/8, only 1/4. Seems like they only make semi deep impacts in 3/8.

Is this accurate or does SK make mid length chrome sockets in 3/8 drive?

SK does not make chrome semi deep/mid length chrome 3/8 sockets because their deep sockets are more like a mid length socket up to a certain size.

 

[PJNJ]

SK does not make chrome semi deep/mid length chrome 3/8 sockets because their deep sockets are more like a mid length socket up to a certain size.

Yep. SK has "deep" sockets and "extra deep" sockets. The deep sockets are shorter until 16mm and they have deep and extra deep sockets up to 9/16.
The deeps are much like the Gearwrench mid-depths.

 

[bulldogr6]

Screw gearwrench. Apex tools has ruined everything they've touched. I will never forgive them for what they've done to great brands such as Jacobs, Armstrong and Allen. They won't get another dollar of mine if I have a choice in the matter.

SK makes fine tools and is committed to quality US manufacturing. I'll happily buy their tools vs an Apex brand.

Amen!

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

 

[pdxgearhead]

It looks like the op has moved to SK. I don't have experience with Gearwrench aside from their ratcheting wrenches, but I'm sure they're fine for home use. I have mostly SK from when I was building my collection in the mid 1990s to the turn of the century. I bought them because I thought they were a big step up from Craftsman for not much more money.

I bought a large SK 1/4 socket set and 3/8 set circa 2000 (the ones that come in the green blow-molded cases) and my only complaint is that the stamping on the sockets is pretty light. Add to that fact that those plastic cases are dust/dirt magnets which just sands off the stamping; now I can barely see the socket sizes. I should've put the sockets on rails. Things might be different with the Ideal made SK now.

 

[vaultdweller]

I use primarily SK at home. Good customer service through the mail if something goes wrong. I feel like SK is of far higher quality.

Gearwrench has a big place in my travel for work tools as I know I can can warranty them in just about any small town I’m in if I need to since there’s almost always an advance close by. GW is good for Asian import, but for my personal stuff I go SK over GW.