The New SK Tools...

[jteck75]

I have been monitoring this whole SK situation for the last few months and that is great news indeed. It make me proud as hell to see coorprate management making a concious effort to reinvest in America and American labor. But we the wrench turners also have a responsibility to purchase their products,when the need arises. As long as the quality is good,and the supply network is well planned,I can see nothing but a bright future for SK. And I for one will be more than willing to do a considerable amount of buisness with these folks in the future.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

There's a lettered van in the parking lot, looks like more than just construction workers cars in the lot now... Looks like we have new signage as well, the place is moving right along, lets hop they got the business end of this deal moving at the same speed...

 

[crewchief888]

i agree that SK 's biggest problem is going to be distribution, and getting the tool into the hands of the user.
i for one, want to be able to touch before i buy.

i think one way for SK to get back the customers they lost over the years, is to have replacement parts readily available, and have in store displays.

i have a few 30-50 year old ratchets that i need kits for, they've been retired for a long time, i'd like to start using them again.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

What I always wondered was why SK is always partnered with someone.

SK Dresser
SK Wayne
SK FACOM

Now SK Ideal........

I think there may have been more, but they didn't add their name...

-BWP

 

[sk farmer]

What I always wondered was why SK is always partnered with someone.

SK Dresser
SK Wayne
SK FACOM

Now SK Ideal........

I think there may have been more, but they didn't add their name...

-BWP

sk has had those names because that is who owned them at those times. dresser industries, symmington wayne and facom. the name sk actually comes from the two original people involved in the company, sherman and klove.

 

[mrholeshot]

I was talking to a kid this evening who just graduated from MMI. They had SK reps selling tools to student at 70% discount. He came by to buy a toolbox as SK doesn't have them yet. He bought them 2 weeks ago. It must have been old stock but SK reps are out in schools now

 

[supertooljunkie]

SK also used to be partnered with Lectrolite.

 

[airbuff101]

Nice to see them being aggressive right out of the chute.
Thats great news.
Rob

 

[mrholeshot]

Nice to see them being aggressive right out of the chute.
Thats great news.
Rob

I was very surprised to hear it. He said for warranty that they give him a phone number to call and give the part number. SK overnights them a prepaid package to put the tool in and then overnights that back to SK and then overnights that back to the tech. So 3 days to replace a broken tool with no cost to the tech.

Now all this was subject to what I was told but had no reason to doubt him.

 

[chewy7]

x2 I liked the hard handle screwdrivers that SK had out before they closed down. I hope they will remake some of the tools they had out. no need to change what already works right?

your talking about the green sure grip ones? those are my favorite too. I'm lucky we did have a farm implement dealer around here that sold their line of tools. I hope they keep selling their products. ive got their screwdrivers, 1/2"deep sockets in chrome and impact, plus 3 of their socket sets at work here.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Are the new Tools available to purchase yet?

 

[mrholeshot]

Are the new Tools available to purchase yet?

Until yesterday I would have said no but now I don't know. The SK reps may be selling old stock of things they plan using the original tooling for.

 

[William Payne]

I am a big drag racing fan and one thing I have noticed through watching videos from back in the day and by talking to people who raced back in the day was that alot of them either had some or used alot of SK tools. I guess teams back in the day who were on the move all the time and didn't have access to the trucks were just able to stop at a shop while passing through some town and grab what tools they needed.

 

[Fedwrench]

I am a big drag racing fan and one thing I have noticed through watching videos from back in the day and by talking to people who raced back in the day was that alot of them either had some or used alot of SK tools. I guess teams back in the day who were on the move all the time and didn't have access to the trucks were just able to stop at a shop while passing through some town and grab what tools they needed.

Back in the day being the late 1960' to mid 1970's, just about all of the real auto parts stores in southern california sold SK tools. They were everywhere. I also don't think the tool sponsorships were as widespread then as they are now.

 

[5toes]

I was talking to a kid this evening who just graduated from MMI. They had SK reps selling tools to student at 70% discount. He came by to buy a toolbox as SK doesn't have them yet. He bought them 2 weeks ago. It must have been old stock but SK reps are out in schools now

Thats insane

 

[William Payne]

Back in the day being the late 1960' to mid 1970's, just about all of the real auto parts stores in southern california sold SK tools. They were everywhere. I also don't think the tool sponsorships were as widespread then as they are now.

Yeah thats why I like watching that old footage because you get to see what the teams personally chose to use rather then what they were given to use. The big thing that made me realise they were using SK in the old days was because the old sk screwdrivers are unmistakable.

 

[William Payne]

I can't wait to see what the new toolboxes will be like.

 

[Joe B.]

I can't wait to see what the new toolboxes will be like.

I wonder if they will be made by Waterloo. I believe that Waterloo made their old ones. I kind of doubt they are going into the Toolbox manufacturing business too.

 

[crewchief888]

Back in the day being the late 1960' to mid 1970's, just about all of the real auto parts stores in southern california sold SK tools. They were everywhere.

the key word is REAL auto parts stores.

most of them are gone now, replaced by the large chain stores.

i was always fascinated by all the shiny tools on the display boards at the auto parts store when i was a kid.

maybe i was afflicted with some strange malady when i was young.

 

[mrholeshot]

All our local NAPA stores carried SK. Most of them have some left. I would love to see them come back to NAPA.

 

[mrholeshot]

I can't wait to see what the new toolboxes will be like.

I think that would be a tough road for SK. With the likes of Montazuma, Extreme and tool truck brands I think it would be a tough sell. If they come out with toolboxes I bet they are based on the Waterloo Magnum.

 

[Fedwrench]

I can't wait to see what the new toolboxes will be like.

All our local NAPA stores carried SK. Most of them have some left. I would love to see them come back to NAPA.

I think that would be a tough road for SK.

SK needs to stick to the basics of quality US made Chrome. They need to leave air tools to IR and CP. Impact sockets yes but please, no SK versions of marginal Florida Pneumatic air tools again.
Tool boxes are another area best left to others. However, I doubt that will happen as SK will need a few boxes to hawk their VOTECH sets in.
With the redesign of NAPA professional hand tools into Gearwrench Clones, I don't see NAPA carrying SK in the near term but, that's just me..

 

[mrholeshot]

SK needs to stick to the basics of quality US made Chrome. They need to leave air tools to IR and CP. Impact sockets yes but please, no SK versions of marginal Florida Pneumatic air tools again.
Tool boxes are another area best left to others. However, I doubt that will happen as SK will need a few boxes to hawk their VOTECH sets in.
With the redesign of NAPA professional hand tools into Gearwrench Clones, I don't see NAPA carrying SK in the near term but, that's just me..

I agree but wishful thinking on the NAPA sales point. I get a nice break there

 

[Busted Bolts]

I'll buy the goods, not only because they saved SK name, but because they are keeping american jobs on our soil.

 

[mrholeshot]

I'll buy the goods, not only because they saved SK name, but because they are keeping american jobs on our soil.

 

[Busted Bolts]

The new SK will need to focus IMO several areas to get back in the market. First new innovations with their products, Advertise the **** out the brand in all markets that would require tool useage, keep some of the old favorites that are easy sells, continue to produce set packages and displays in auto and industrial supply stores, don't re badge stuff when people could have gone out and bought it from the company that manufactured it in the first place, before you made it green. Be active and hold the product to high standards and maintain its professional quality in the market place.

 

[Zurab]

Hi to all. I am working as aircraft mechanic in auckland( new Zealand). i want to buy SK tools. all idea and suggestions welcome...how to buy these tools in USA and have them shipped them to auckland. i am willing ti pay for tools in advance. Thanks in advance.

 

[4x4gearhead]

To me I dont care what these tools look like, as long as they are a comparable quality with the late s-k (aside from their pos bit sockets towards the end) The first tools I ever owned as a 10 yr old kid were s-k screwdrivers socket sets wrench sets much of it I still have and very seldom have I had to warranty any of it. It would be preferable if they were made in our country for sure though. + I do have a bunch of **** at work that could be warranteed and brought home seeing how theyve been replaced in the absence.

 

[Bo Heck]

I care about what they look like when they are copies of other tools that I don't like.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I care about what they look like when they are copies of other tools that I don't like.

That would fall under the quality issue for me because I generally dislike tools because of poor function not their looks.

 

[Travo131]

I talked to my SK guy today he told me he was starting to accept warrenty items again. He also told me that SK would have their first shipments out around March 1st has anyone else herd this?

 

[walrus]

Had an Ideal rep at my code class today, she says SK will be available in August.

 

[demac]

Had an Ideal rep at my code class today, she says SK will be available in August.

They finally dropped the placeholder website and went live with their regular site a few days ago. If you got the word that there is nothing until August though, maybe its just for browsing...

http://skhandtool.com/

 

[bobcatdan]

I just went to the site, from the looks, things are same, the ratchets, the sets, the screwdrivers. No boxes, air tools, or the gimmicky stuff. I couldn't find my angle wrench set.

 

[zer0cell]

Those Sk screwdrivers in the pics on the site done look like craftsman handle clones to me... did they change their minds?

 

[mrholeshot]

Those Sk screwdrivers in the pics on the site done look like craftsman handle clones to me... did they change their minds?

I think they are using old stock photos but it wouldn't hurt my feelings to see the sure grip drivers make a return

 

[Garage_Mahal]

I like the filtering tool on their website, makes it easy to find the sizes I need. Now if they would only list the contents of their socket sets . . .

 

[DewittMotorsports]

Looks like they still offer the SureGrip in their catalog http://skhandtool.com/products/screwdrivers/product.aspx?ID=4566&view=view

 

[Flash21]

I like the filtering tool on their website, makes it easy to find the sizes I need. Now if they would only list the contents of their socket sets . . .

I agree, I found this feature very cool - I could find what I was looking for quickly. I agree, the socket and wrench sets need to explicitly call out the sizes they include.

 

[catfish]

Hi to all. I am working as aircraft mechanic in auckland( new Zealand). i want to buy SK tools. all idea and suggestions welcome...how to buy these tools in USA and have them shipped them to auckland. i am willing ti pay for tools in advance. Thanks in advance.

I bought some USA tools off Amazon.