Snap On socket chroming issue

[Adam.C]

Those sockets appear to be chromed, not painted. The dull silver color is consistent with chrome plating on unpolished surfaces. With all due respect to the SK rep, whoever he or she was, painting the interior of a socket after chrome plating would be both technically stupid and unnecessarily costly. Why would anyone apply paint over a superior wear surface? And what knucklehead would pay extra for that to be done?

Don't mean to sound stubborn. I guess I can't understand why any half wit would paint the inside of a socket. Corrosion inhibiting oils and waxes, I can understand. I have a variety sockets of different makes including Danaher made Craftsman. None are painted. I think you guys are mistaking chrome and flaking chrome for paint. Point is, it won't necessarily be shiny or look like chrome.

 

[M6erfan]

So this thread got me looking at my sockets...

I have C'man USA, Facom, Hazet & Nepros. From what I can tell none of them are painted inside and all look vastly better than the OP's

 

[warmpancakes]

USA made sockets will have poor chrome on the inside, Offshore sockets will have Nicer chrome, its not cost effective to do good chrome in the USA anymore, the EPA has made it very expensive to do good chrome here, over seas where they have no EPA they can do good old school chrome, Here we cannot unless you wanna pay 10.00 per socket to have them chromed

 

[danski0224]

M6erfan... nice avatar

 

[M6erfan]

M6erfan... nice avatar

Thanks

USA made sockets will have poor chrome on the inside, Offshore sockets will have Nicer chrome, its not cost effective to do good chrome in the USA anymore, the EPA has made it very expensive to do good chrome here, over seas where they have no EPA they can do good old school chrome, Here we cannot unless you wanna pay 10.00 per socket to have them chromed

Good point, I guess my 15+ year old C'man sockets pre dated the USA chroming issue...

 

[Skin]

Sorry, gotta call your bluff here. Can anyone show me a picture of a socket with paint inside from the factory? Wipe it with mineral spirits and see paint residue on a paper towel

Take this as a piece of humble pie.

SK before taking a side of paint off.

SK after.

Hazet, all the way across the pond from Germany, with painted detents/bottoms. Took a side off and you can clearly see the chrome under the paint.

Whats next, its not real unless i do it to more brands? All my sockets are fakes? Demand I order a fresh set and video it?

Accept the fact that you're wrong on this silly issue and move on. Manufacturers paint the interiors. Once again some do it to every size (SK) some do it depending on size and production run (Snap-On, Hazet, Armstrong, Craftsman etc..). Im actually beginning to question if you own any sockets yourself because its practically impossible to confuse what is obviously a paint application with "unpolished chrome" not to mention the obvious issue that you never tried what you insisted I do yourself. Always easier to argue from your chair though.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go wash the stench of paint stripper off and reconcile with the fact that I just sat down like a jackass to remove paint from a socket to prove a fact that I already knew. A fact which is, in the large scheme of things, utterly pointless.

 

[Sanny81]

All of my SK sockets that I use look just like the ones Skin posted above. And the sockets I use a lot over others have obvious chrome under the matte coating.

Until I came to this site I never thought to ever look on the inside of my sockets.

 

[ganymede]

USA made sockets will have poor chrome on the inside, Offshore sockets will have Nicer chrome, its not cost effective to do good chrome in the USA anymore, the EPA has made it very expensive to do good chrome here, over seas where they have no EPA they can do good old school chrome, Here we cannot unless you wanna pay 10.00 per socket to have them chromed

I think Germany does good chrome plating without trashing their environment.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go wash the stench of paint stripper off and reconcile with the fact that I just sat down like a jackass to remove paint from a socket to prove a fact that I already knew. A fact which is, in the large scheme of things, utterly pointless.

Bookmarking this post for every time I have to explain the concept that these sockets are painted to supplement the Chrome, not to replace chrome on the inside of a socket that was completely submerged in chrome to chrome it.

Also because I seriously loved this entire post.

All of my SK sockets that I use look just like the ones Skin posted above. And the sockets I use a lot over others have obvious chrome under the matte coating.

Until I came to this site I never thought to ever look on the inside of my sockets.

Yeah, this site makes you do some crazy things. Like care about how nice and pretty the inside of your sockets are, order 16 of some tool you'll probably never use because it was made in the USA and on sale, or tell you that the tools you have been using all your career are junk because I said so.

 

[PJNJ]

Skin, thanks for the demonstration. I would hope that this would put the whole argument to rest but .... I'll just wait for someone to require laboratory tests to show that you didn't switch the sockets; claim that you painted the sockets yourself; and on and on.

Anyway, thanks again.


P.S. I guess there are a lot of "stupid" "half wits" here, in Germany and elsewhere wasting money painting the insides of sockets.

 

[organ]

Those sockets appear to be chromed, not painted. The dull silver color is consistent with chrome plating on unpolished surfaces. With all due respect to the SK rep, whoever he or she was, painting the interior of a socket after chrome plating would be both technically stupid and unnecessarily costly. Why would anyone apply paint over a superior wear surface? And what knucklehead would pay extra for that to be done?

Don't mean to sound stubborn. I guess I can't understand why any half wit would paint the inside of a socket. Corrosion inhibiting oils and waxes, I can understand. I have a variety sockets of different makes including Danaher made Craftsman. None are painted. I think you guys are mistaking chrome and flaking chrome for paint. Point is, it won't necessarily be shiny or look like chrome.

Adam.C bashing SK... anyone surprised?

 

[Tinner]

One of the world's leading experts on everything proven wrong? Amazing. The earth wobbles on it's axis.

I have some Snap-on sockets that are over 30 years old. I've always been to busy to contemplate the finish on the inside. I shall remain so.

 

[abvw]

I highly doubt paint would just rub off like that with a "shop napkin", could be just rust inhibitor.

Send it to a lab to have it tested.

 

[Skin]

I highly doubt paint would just rub off like that with a "shop napkin"

Paint stripper + shop towel actually. He asked specifically for "residue on a towel". Its far easier to scrape it off with a pocket screwdriver. Ideally what should happen is it wears off at the common contact points and the rest of the "treated" area is left covered to help protect against corrosion.

Anyone can shoot SK an email about it, im sure they'd be more than willing to tell you what it is. I think I've had my fill of this thread personally.

 

[m4a3master]

I just want to give a big round of applause, to all the guys who keeps saying they'll never look inside of their socket. (Clap, clap, clap)

Personally I call BS.

I've had a set a craftsman sockets for years, and wanted to upgrade. I had no experience with snap-on sockets, and just wanted to know if it was normal.

Secondly, to all the guys who feel the need to badger the noobs, who hurt you??? Who hurt you??? You sound like a bunch of queers that need a hug from a psychologist tucked away in a dark corner, why you get all your little childhood secrets off your chest lol. Hey but it's a free country, so far, haters gonna hate. So hate, but don't let this keep you up at night.

Lastly, I'd like to thank everybody who contributed and tried to give their honest opinion, and to those who posted pics.


At this point

 

[Sanny81]

Glad to have this issue settled once and for all.

 

[redwrench60]

You sound like a bunch of queers that need a hug from a psychologist tucked away in a dark corner, why you get all your little childhood secrets off your chest lol.

We're not the ones gazing lovingly into our socket interiors.

Expecting a socket interior to be beautiful is like walking into a **** house and expecting it to smell like pumpkin pie.

 

[Charlief]

Again.... Another wasted read of a useless thread about nonsense.

 

[Adam.C]

Skin, you are right. I am wrong. I checked my Craftsman GK (Danaher Kingsley) and the business end looks like matt chrome, but there is evidence of a coating that stopped in the drive side. (like it was applied from the top and dripped down into the drive side).

I'm not sure what it is. It could be some sort of baked on anti-sieze compound- some metal filled something and not just "paint", but for the purposes of this discussion the distinction is irrelevent. It looks like what you showed. Thanks for taking the time to teach me something new.

I can tell you none of my Snap On tools are painted inside. And I remain befuddled as to why anyone would do this, or pay for it.

The take away message from this thread needs to be:
1) Sockets are chromed inside. If the chrome is flaking inside of the socket, its not the end of the world, but I would be inclined to send back brand new sockets with flaking chrome. Flaking chrome isn't just a cosmetic issue. Its a real functional issue.

2) I am convinced that SK and Danaher at least are applying some coating inside their sockets after chroming. That coating will likely wear off, but could also flake off and look like **** right out of the box. This should be no cause for concern. I can also say that Snap On does not apply a coating other than oil after chrome. The inside of SO sockets look roughly like what the OP originally posted.

The inner surface at left is not the result of a broach or forging operation. That's some sort of coating. At right, is a piece of the coating. Doesn't look like paint to me. Both of these pics are SK tools.

 

[organ]

Snap-on is cutting corners, obviously...

 

[pcmeiners]

Please have mercy, let this thread die.

 

[ritestuff]

Please have mercy, let this thread die.

Only to be followed by a new thread: "There's A Scratch On One Of My Cold Chisels".

 

[pcmeiners]

"There's A Scratch On One Of My Cold Chisels"

Come to think of it, there is some rust on one of my Estwing hammers, excuse me while I fall into the depths of depression; how far should I fall, it is only a tiny bit. Perhaps I should gets some anti-anxiety drugs and keep them in the tool box, I could pop one before examining the inside of my sockets. Thank goodness I have scratched chisels, rust spots, and mal-chromed interiors of sockets to worry about, I would really hate to worry about having enough food or a medical condition with no money (or a doctor) , like a good part of the real world.... really boring issues.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Just looked at a over 40 year old Snap On Socket I bought off the truck. Pretty much looks the same. At least Snap On chrome never flakes off like Mac's.

 

[SMKS]

Please have mercy, let this thread die.

Actually, this thread has clearly educated some people about the anti-corrosion coating used inside of some sockets. It's a useful thread.

 

[pcmeiners]

To be honest, I get bent out of shape over stuff like mal-chromed sockets also, but **** we are so incredibly privileged, having so much, that we do not have to worry about survival for the most part.
As far as SnapOn, for the price they charge, the sockets should be gold or platinum plated, you should get a reflection of yourself from the inside of a socket

 

[1950mercury]

Just looked at a over 40 year old Snap On Socket I bought off the truck. Pretty much looks the same. At least Snap On chrome never flakes off like Mac's.

They all flake off of every brand if they are used

 

[finn]

They all flake off of every brand if they are used

Just sent back a couple of well used Snapon and Matco ratchets last week because the chrome was flaking.

I was using a Craftsman open end wrench yesterday while replumbing my hydronic heating system and noticed the (USA) chrome was severely flaked.


They all flake eventually.

 

[popparoach]

Maybe its flake drive.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

The base plating is highly polished prior to chroming. The insides of the sockets, can't be polished, so any little surface defects in the tool steel, will be exaggerated by the chrome on the interior.

I've never worked in tool chroming, so I won't be so arrogant to claim expert knowledge on this, but I just can't picture any manufacturer nickel plating and polishing out the imperfections. Not just the polishing operation but the number of polish throughs and reworks. To quote:

And what knucklehead would pay extra for that to be done?

I did work in an electroplating shop (we didn't do chrome) and we had bright nickel baths.

The bright nickel plating was mirror bright but it didn't fill small scratches or other imperfections.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

The take away message from this thread needs to be:
1) Sockets are chromed inside. If the chrome is flaking inside of the socket, its not the end of the world, but I would be inclined to send back brand new sockets with flaking chrome. Flaking chrome isn't just a cosmetic issue. Its a real functional issue.

The sockets might not be chromed inside. As I understand, chrome baths have much less throwing power, that is the ability to plate in an indirect direction from the electrodes, than nickel baths. If they want the inside chrome plated they likely would have to make special electrodes to fit inside the socket during the plating operation. I don't have specific knowledge, but I doubt there's any reason to plate the inside of the socket.

My guess is the shiny inside surface is bright nickel. Fresh bright nickel is almost indistinguishable from chrome. The chrome could be thought of as providing an anti oxidation barrier for the nickel. There's also a color balance factor. Nickel is a bit yellowish, chrome is a bit bluish. Properly done, the balance ends up looking untinted.

Bright nickel is easily as shiny as freshly coined dimes or quarters. And it ages the same way. Old nickel plating looks like old dimes or quarters.

 

[Adam.C]

The sockets might not be chromed inside. As I understand, chrome baths have much less throwing power, that is the ability to plate in an indirect direction from the electrodes, than nickel baths. If they want the inside chrome plated they likely would have to make special electrodes to fit inside the socket during the plating operation. I don't have specific knowledge, but I doubt there's any reason to plate the inside of the socket.
.

Maybe this is why some makers are painting the insides of their sockets?

Based on what I've learned here, I'm less inclined to buy SK or any painted socket. I gotta think the only reason to do this would be to cover up something.

 

[purplezr2]

Maybe this is why some makers are painting the insides of their sockets?

Based on what I've learned here, I'm less inclined to buy SK or any painted socket. I gotta think the only reason to do this would be to cover up something.

The inside is coated to prevent corrosion as tool polishers would complain.

 

[Hiball]

Maybe this is why some makers are painting the insides of their sockets?

Based on what I've learned here, I'm less inclined to buy SK or any painted socket. I gotta think the only reason to do this would be to cover up something.

Who'd Thunk it?

I've been around SK tools my entire life, I'm talking about tools that are Used on a regular basis, not tools bought to sit in a toolbox in between polishing sessions. I just don't get it, some of your guys arguments just blow my mind, SuperKrome has proven to be a very good finish for me personally, it handles being dropped from engine compartments, slid across the ground etc... What more can you ask for?

 

[Ruger_556]

Maybe this is why some makers are painting the insides of their sockets?

Based on what I've learned here, I'm less inclined to buy SK or any painted socket. I gotta think the only reason to do this would be to cover up something.

My Proto sockets are all painted, it wears off and they have the best chrome of anyone's sockets IMO... Clearly a lot of people in this thread don't ever use their tools but proclaim to be an expert.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Maybe this is why some makers are painting the insides of their sockets?

Based on what I've learned here, I'm less inclined to buy SK or any painted socket. I gotta think the only reason to do this would be to cover up something.

Cover up, indeed. The "paint" is how they're disposing of the phoney lunar surface from the faked moon landing in 1969.

Everyone knows that.

 

[organ]

Maybe its flake drive.

 

[Wakefield]

Are old Bonney sockets with Loc-Rite nickle plated (not chrome)?

 

[danski0224]

I bet the chrome would come right off if a Milwaukee M18 Fuel impact was used on a Snap On socket

 

[Sanny81]

Maybe this is why some makers are painting the insides of their sockets?

Based on what I've learned here, I'm less inclined to buy SK or any painted socket. I gotta think the only reason to do this would be to cover up something.

Lol there's nothing they're "covering up". I use SK sockets everyday. The insides under the light matte costing are flawless. And I say light matte coating because it's just that. A thin coating that begins to wear off after first use.