gdocktor3
Well-known member
Anyone use these yet? I couldn't find any reviews and I know they delayed their release. Is it all smoke and mirrors? The video is impressive none the less.
SK X-Frame Ratchet Wrench
- Thread starter gdocktor3
- Start date
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
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blazinPond
Member
Kensgarage
Banned
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2015
- Messages
- 442
Kinda neat.
Glad I bought the Protos instead of waiting. JB has a decent price on the SK right now.
Glad I bought the Protos instead of waiting. JB has a decent price on the SK right now.
tonydanzah
Well-known member
what is JB?
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sanny81
Well-known member
Why did they only go with a 7 piece SAE set?
woody 73
Well-known member
I love tools but for some strange reason (call me crazy) it looks like if a person used some brute strength the darn wrench would snap by the hollowed portion of the handle; or am I not seeing the whole picture???
Because they apparently do not want to sell to industrial mechs.
Yes SK, I have not purchased these yet because that set *****, need a larger SAE set, especially to take advantage of the super strong mechanism.
I love tools but for some strange reason (call me crazy) it looks like if a person used some brute strength the darn wrench would snap by the hollowed portion of the handle; or am I not seeing the whole picture???
Stress tests indicated that it actually makes them stronger and less likely to fail there.
wvrailroader
Well-known member
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Availability has been and continues to be an issue.
Out of Stock @
http://www.toolfetch.com/sk-hand-to...eting-wrench.html#!search/page=1&q=sk x frame
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There are more than a couple of threads about these wrenches in the journal.
The X frame has to be one of the poorest new product releases in the history of tools
They debuted at the 2014 SEMA show last November. SK then had a release date of April 2015. SK sent people who attended their demo at the 2014 SEMA show a 10 mm wrench in January 2015 to test and abuse. Those of us that wanted to order sets, could do so at half price. I tested my 10mm wrench and liked it. I completed my survey providing feedback and recommending a couple of changes and ordered a metric set. April became May. May became July when SK stopped shipping any metric sets due to an unknown cosmetic issue. July became a phone message in October asking if I still wanted a set. I complained to the peeps manning this year's SEMA show booth about still waiting for my set ordered earlier this year and was told that the backlog may be cleared in December. I did get a 13mm x frame wrench this year for listening to their presentation on forth coming ratchets. Perhaps I'll get a free different size X Frame wrench each time I attend SEMA and finish my set in like another 8 years
I find it extremely frustrating and ludicrous that SK continues to receive awards (Popular Mechanics & PTEN), while advertising the hell out of these wrenches, when they haven't fielded that many sets or have actual inventory to sell
At this pace, I doubt if I'll ever see their new line of ratchets.
The X frame has to be one of the poorest new product releases in the history of tools
They debuted at the 2014 SEMA show last November. SK then had a release date of April 2015. SK sent people who attended their demo at the 2014 SEMA show a 10 mm wrench in January 2015 to test and abuse. Those of us that wanted to order sets, could do so at half price. I tested my 10mm wrench and liked it. I completed my survey providing feedback and recommending a couple of changes and ordered a metric set. April became May. May became July when SK stopped shipping any metric sets due to an unknown cosmetic issue. July became a phone message in October asking if I still wanted a set. I complained to the peeps manning this year's SEMA show booth about still waiting for my set ordered earlier this year and was told that the backlog may be cleared in December. I did get a 13mm x frame wrench this year for listening to their presentation on forth coming ratchets. Perhaps I'll get a free different size X Frame wrench each time I attend SEMA and finish my set in like another 8 years I find it extremely frustrating and ludicrous that SK continues to receive awards (Popular Mechanics & PTEN), while advertising the hell out of these wrenches, when they haven't fielded that many sets or have actual inventory to sellAt this pace, I doubt if I'll ever see their new line of ratchets.
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toolaholic
Well-known member
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Marc Benjamin
Well-known member
Perhaps I'll get a free different size X Frame wrench each time I attend SEMA and finish my set in like another 8 years
I find it extremely frustrating and ludicrous that SK continues to receive awards (Popular Mechanics & PTEN), while advertising the hell out of these wrenches, when they haven't fielded that many sets or have actual inventory to sell
At this pace, I doubt if I'll ever see their new line of ratchets.
Lol, I know right and what's kinda funny is that the SK product manager who was lurking around here (coincedently?) around the time the x-frames were supposed to ship just stopped participating.
While, I'm really pulling for SK to come back strong, talk about failure to launch on this one.
Heck, as this point I wouldn't trust anyone who's got "stock" just in case those ones have that mystery defect. Who knows when you'll get a warranty replacement.
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
Everybody wants S-K to do well due to the USA thing but I think this is false hope.
They did. Up until the "release" of this tool..
Sanny81
Well-known member
Wow yeah I forgot about SK Eric. He used to post a lot in various SK topics. I was so hyped for these wrenches back in January/February and now I couldn't care less.
JonDick13926
Well-known member
I was excited about these when I first heard about them, because I wanted a set of USA made ratcheting wrenches. When they never became available, I bought a set from Snap On and lost excitement for the SK wrenches. I might still get a set when the metric set IS available, but it's no longer toward the top of my list.
SMKS
Well-known member
They do have a rep. See below.
SK Eric is still active here. He last posted nine days ago and last logged in six days ago.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=257193
I stand corrected. Thank you I must have missed those threads.
shamrock12
Well-known member
While I can understand some of your frustrations for this such long release time, I also can understand why it can take unexpectedly long time from the manufacturer's standpoint. There are a couple things we should keep mindful of ...
First, SK is still recovering from their bankruptcy; however, I would have to say they are doing much better now than ever but they likely are still ironing out a few more bugs. It has been only a few years since SK have restructured along with new managements so there still are some learning curves they're going through, such as not to jump the gun the minute something turned into a creation in the prototyping department. I'm sure their experience with this x-frame wrench is teaching them a valuable lesson to always fully test every new product and that includes make an initial production run or two (in small batches) to ensure everything looks okay, before releasing the detail to public.
Secondly, while it may be frustrating to wait for something this long, I believe SK is doing the right thing by holding back any further production run until they get the issue(s) resolved. Personally, I would rather wait a year for them to get the product right before I spend my hard earned cash on them. They stopped their production run & release because they have discovered an issue with their product but just have not come up with a solution yet. I honestly applauds them for doing that.
Their action really shows that they have a strong emphasis to sell quality, well made products with zero defect to their consumers rather than making their numbers look pretty. Keep up the good work, SK!
First, SK is still recovering from their bankruptcy; however, I would have to say they are doing much better now than ever but they likely are still ironing out a few more bugs. It has been only a few years since SK have restructured along with new managements so there still are some learning curves they're going through, such as not to jump the gun the minute something turned into a creation in the prototyping department. I'm sure their experience with this x-frame wrench is teaching them a valuable lesson to always fully test every new product and that includes make an initial production run or two (in small batches) to ensure everything looks okay, before releasing the detail to public.
Secondly, while it may be frustrating to wait for something this long, I believe SK is doing the right thing by holding back any further production run until they get the issue(s) resolved. Personally, I would rather wait a year for them to get the product right before I spend my hard earned cash on them. They stopped their production run & release because they have discovered an issue with their product but just have not come up with a solution yet. I honestly applauds them for doing that.
Their action really shows that they have a strong emphasis to sell quality, well made products with zero defect to their consumers rather than making their numbers look pretty. Keep up the good work, SK!
Askme42
Well-known member
There are more than a couple of threads about these wrenches in the journal.
The X frame has to be one of the poorest new product releases in the history of tools
At this pace, I doubt if I'll ever see their new line of ratchets.
So what'd they have to say about their new ratchet design?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Cliff notes version: Two prong approach. First, SK is developing a drop in replacement ratchet cartridge (for lack of a better name) that will convert any old SK round head ratchet into a finer toothed double pawl ratchet. This looks promising for those that love the classic round head SK ratchet.
Secondly, they are developing a high tooth count pear head ratchet based on the ratcheting action of the new X Frame wrench. Instead of 6 pawls, it will use four. The prototypes on display weren't impressive. They were in a word, heavy with slippery smooth handles even when dry. Supposedly, the new ratchets will have a variety of handle styles, knurled, smooth and comfort grip. Time will tell but, don't hold your breath waiting.
No release dates were provided for either item, although the drop in cartridge will probably debut long before the new family of ratchets.
I'm still very much on here--we just had all hands on deck at SEMA last week so I haven't been here as much over the last couple of weeks. I understand everybody's frustration about the long delay in full availability for the X Frame wrenches--as you can imagine, it's pretty frustrating for us as well.
Ever since I was old enough to lie about my age, I worked in restaurants. I was flippin' burgers at 13 and worked in all positions in restaurants through college and even after. There's an unwritten rule that, if the customer's food is delayed, you apologize, but don't bore them with the details of why there food isn't there. Nobody wants to hear that the sous chef just threw a nutty fit and dropped their dinner on the floor because the potato was burned, etc., etc.
Well, I'm going to break that rule, and for those that are interested, I'm going to bore you with a few details of the delays in full X Frame production. For those that don't want to hear it, stop reading now.
The X Frame handles are forged in Colorado Springs, on heavy duty forging hammers. Here's a quick vid of hammers in action making adjustable wrenches.
https://vimeo.com/145567972
There is a key moment of impact where the dies (the moulds) strike each other. They must strike each other on only one plane. There can be absolutely no 'sliding' of the die. If it slides even a tiny bit, the metal at the edges of the forging fold over onto themselves. This does not impact the integrity or strength of the piece. It doesn't even impact the look of the piece *until* it has been chromed. When you chrome it, very tiny pits appear in the finish. These pits don't impact the performance of the part, but it's a cosmetic issue if you look very closely. We have decided that we're better off taking the flak for not having the tools ready in time than to send out cosmetically imperfect tools as we work through the manufacturing issue. I won't go any deeper than that but there's a lot to it, and we're working really hard on it. We will get these released and, by next year's SEMA, we'll be talking about some of the new stuff we have in the pipeline, and not this.
If anybody ever has specific questions about S·K, feel free to PM me. It sometimes takes a few days, but I do get back to everybody.
Ever since I was old enough to lie about my age, I worked in restaurants. I was flippin' burgers at 13 and worked in all positions in restaurants through college and even after. There's an unwritten rule that, if the customer's food is delayed, you apologize, but don't bore them with the details of why there food isn't there. Nobody wants to hear that the sous chef just threw a nutty fit and dropped their dinner on the floor because the potato was burned, etc., etc.
Well, I'm going to break that rule, and for those that are interested, I'm going to bore you with a few details of the delays in full X Frame production. For those that don't want to hear it, stop reading now.
The X Frame handles are forged in Colorado Springs, on heavy duty forging hammers. Here's a quick vid of hammers in action making adjustable wrenches.
https://vimeo.com/145567972
There is a key moment of impact where the dies (the moulds) strike each other. They must strike each other on only one plane. There can be absolutely no 'sliding' of the die. If it slides even a tiny bit, the metal at the edges of the forging fold over onto themselves. This does not impact the integrity or strength of the piece. It doesn't even impact the look of the piece *until* it has been chromed. When you chrome it, very tiny pits appear in the finish. These pits don't impact the performance of the part, but it's a cosmetic issue if you look very closely. We have decided that we're better off taking the flak for not having the tools ready in time than to send out cosmetically imperfect tools as we work through the manufacturing issue. I won't go any deeper than that but there's a lot to it, and we're working really hard on it. We will get these released and, by next year's SEMA, we'll be talking about some of the new stuff we have in the pipeline, and not this.
If anybody ever has specific questions about S·K, feel free to PM me. It sometimes takes a few days, but I do get back to everybody.
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Marc Benjamin
Well-known member
Great to see you back!
***** and moan as we do about something we want is a much better problem than having nobody care if it's available or not.
***** and moan as we do about something we want is a much better problem than having nobody care if it's available or not.
blazinPond
Member
Still loving mine.
Sometimes i just go out to my garage and put the wrench in my hand and pretend i am turning something!
Great size, weight, dimensions.
Sometimes i just go out to my garage and put the wrench in my hand and pretend i am turning something!
Great size, weight, dimensions.