The new SK tools

[kapster]

I need some 1/4 and 3/8 extensions but also looking at replacing some of my sets of sockets and wrenches. What are you guys feeling on the "new" sk stuff? Better then before? How is their combination wrench open end for grip compared to snap on or wright? I've thought about wright wrenchs but the long sk are longer(from what i've read on here, cant find lengths on sk website).

I like SO except for the price.

 

[mudflap]

Santa brought me a set of metric superkrome long patterns, they are beautiful, only been using them for a couple days, but the fit is just as good as my matco's.

 

[WR250F]

Santa also stopped by my place and dropped off a few S-K wrenches.

A std pattern in metric, a few midgets and some double box 6 point shortys.

I've used the std pattern and midgets over the last few days and I have to say I like them a lot.

Fit and finish appears excellent in every way.

Based on these, I'd buy S-K without hesitation if I needed new wrenches.

I can't really speak to the 'new' sockets etc as the only S-K sockets/ratchets I have are a set branded Klein Tools I bought back in about 1980 or so. They have worked great since day one, so I've not needed to replace them

 

[zcbauer89]

New SK tools are well worth the money. Very well made. Some of my newer SK stuff, some of which are Ideals' SK are VERY nice.

 

[kapster]

mudflap and wr250f, do you know if your wrenchs are ideal or pre ideal? Got any pics? Are they as bulky as they were in the past?

 

[pipsters]

I bought a 3/8" 49 pc socket set. I also owned a very large Craftsman socket set. Comparing the two, the SK is definitely finished much nicer. But they had some minor issues - mostly with the roll stamping of the sizes. Not the biggest deal in the world, and had I not owned the Craftsmans I would have kept them.

The larger sets are a good deal and include a ratchet, extensions, universal joint, and sockets that run the normal range of use. In my case I used a coupon and got the set for $121 normally around $140.

 

[kapster]

Do the new sk tools have detents in the square end for the detent ball? I was looking through reviews on a set and one guy claimed it didn't have them but that's hard to believe. Maybe 1/4 don't and the rest do?

 

[kapster]

Do the new sk tools have detents in the square end for the detent ball? I was looking through reviews on a set and one guy claimed it didn't have them but that's hard to believe. Maybe 1/4 don't and the rest do?

 

[bobcatdan]

The "new" SK is basically the the exact same as the old SK. Ideal built a new factory and has all new tooling, but there is nothing new the design of the tools like sockets, ratchets and wrenches. From what I have seen their quailty is top knotch. In its dying days, the old SK was putting to much stuff out that should not have passed QC which did sour some members here.

 

[scaron]

i like what S-K is selling right now a lot. i have a good sized 1/4" size socket set and a good sized 3/8" socket set from them and everything is flawless in quality and finish. i would definitely recommend either one to a friend. i don't have much in the way of line wrenches from them but i have a fair number of wright wrightgrips and those are very nice as well. you may also want to consider proto; zoro tools has a lot of good deals on their stuff and the quality and finish there is excellent as well.

 

[Tinner]

Do the new sk tools have detents in the square end for the detent ball? I was looking through reviews on a set and one guy claimed it didn't have them but that's hard to believe. Maybe 1/4 don't and the rest do?

The 1/2" drive set I bought earlier this year do.

I've picked up an SK socket set and 3 wrench sets in the past year. Very impressed with their quality. They always made decent tools, but the new stuff is just outstanding.

 

[kapster]

i like what S-K is selling right now a lot. i have a good sized 1/4" size socket set and a good sized 3/8" socket set from them and everything is flawless in quality and finish. i would definitely recommend either one to a friend. i don't have much in the way of line wrenches from them but i have a fair number of wright wrightgrips and those are very nice as well. you may also want to consider proto; zoro tools has a lot of good deals on their stuff and the quality and finish there is excellent as well.

Scaron, does your 1/4 set have ball detents in the sockets?

 

[Loscaldazar]

A few of SKs tools have been redone (screwdrivers, punches and pliers are now WF, similar to craftsman, although I wouldn't be surprised if they were made to higher specs). The socket bit holders are now press fit and much better than the old design (as far as I know the first actually new product change).

 

[montanafordman]

Scaron, does your 1/4 set have ball detents in the sockets?

I have a pretty old 1/4 set (I'm guessing at least 30-40 years old) from my grandfather and that set doesn't have the ball detents. I have newer sets both from the "old" SK and the "new" SK in 1/4 and 3/8 drive sizes and they all have the ball detents. All are outstanding quality and much better IMO than my craftsman stuff.

 

[gagreen]

I often spend less on my snap on tools from the truck than sk runs.. Ymmv I pay cash and buy weekly tho.

 

[rusty65]

I just recently got a 7-19mm 6pt wrench set and I have to say that every wrench is flawless in finish quality. The only down side I can find is that they are shorter then a dwarf.


Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[anything metal]

Looking for info on my $2.00 auction buy. Can't seem to Google up any info on this set from SK.
8 piece 3/8 set in green hammered paint metal box.

Info from the inside cardboard
Issue "0"
Mfg 7/77
Carton part no. 450140-(3or9?)

Trying to figure out how to post pictures so they may follow

 

[kts]

I picked up SK's 1/2" socket set a few months back. Liked them so much I picked up a 3/8" socket set to replace my Craftsman 3/8" set (moved to my track side toolbox) a few months later. I haven't gotten the 1/4" set yet but it's only a matter of time now.

I'm also eyeing a metric set of SK long pattern wrenches for my track toolbox as well.

So I guess I'm a fan. I still prefer my Snap On ratchets over the SK ratchets that came with my socket sets but the SK ratchets are still well made and have stood the test of time. (And light years better than my old Craftsman ratchets.)

 

[RatchetMan]

About a year ago I bought several new SK ratchets from Advance Auto. The 1/2 ratchet I got had knurling that was so faint on parts of the handle you couldn't even feel it. The little 1/4 ratchet I got had an odd shaped head due to excessive and uneven polishing. That being said, the chrome itself was beautiful. All cosmetic issues.

I do plan on trying SK again when I pick up some new wrenches and deep sockets.

 

[bobcatdan]

About a year ago I bought several new SK ratchets from Advance Auto. The 1/2 ratchet I got had knurling that was so faint on parts of the handle you couldn't even feel it. The little 1/4 ratchet I got had an odd shaped head due to excessive and uneven polishing. That being said, the chrome itself was beautiful. All cosmetic issues.

I do plan on trying SK again when I pick up some new wrenches and deep sockets.

Depending, those could have been old stock. At the end, the old SK become very sloppy.

 

[SMKS]

About a year ago I bought several new SK ratchets from Advance Auto. The 1/2 ratchet I got had knurling that was so faint on parts of the handle you couldn't even feel it. The little 1/4 ratchet I got had an odd shaped head due to excessive and uneven polishing. That being said, the chrome itself was beautiful. All cosmetic issues.

I do plan on trying SK again when I pick up some new wrenches and deep sockets.

I bought a wrench set around the same time as you from Advance and it had quite a few flaws. When I called the "new" SK they said they weren't even producing that set at the new factory yet, so it was guaranteed I got old stock from Advance. It could be that whoever Advance uses as a supplier had some old SK stock leftover. If you bought them more than a year ago it seems feasible that you too could have received old stock.

There are some things you can check that may help you ID if your ratchets are made by the new SK or the old one. See my thread above.

The main thing to check,
-It appears the new SK may be using date codes on at least some of the tools. My 3/8" ratchet was stamped "AA," which I believe translates to 11, for 2011. See if your ratchets have any stamping like that.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

All the SK sockets Ive bought within the last few months have had the cutout in the socket for the detent ball and the cuts were on all four sides. Ive bought 1/2, 3/8's and 1/4 drive sockets. Some were sets some were singles. All have been from the "new" SK tool company and they have been top quality in my opinion. I use the hell out of my 1/4 sets with my electric driver. no problems.

 

[scaron]

Scaron, does your 1/4 set have ball detents in the sockets?

i just checked and yes, everything in my 1/4 drive set (standards, deeps, extensions) has ball detents on all four sides of the drive hole. the forming on the detents can be a bit inconsistent between pieces (they are always there but depth can vary slightly) but it doesn't really bug me; it's nothing i notice when using them.

 

[kapster]

Thanks for checking guys, sounds good. I'm thinking of replacing my 1/4 craftsman sockets, they have those stupid double detents. They sound like a good idea till you use them. The detent groves are about 1/4 square, so the end of a ratchet can either go in right or get started in the grooves. When it doesn't go you have to turn it 45 degrees and go again. Not a big deal but little annoyance.

When I posted this thread I was considering buying sk extensions. I did then and have been pleased with them. Some of the knurling is pretty lousy but they work. It was on the edge of new vs old sk.