Wearing out my chrome.

[2ndGearRubber]

Been in game about ten years now, I've had tools for 10 years+ at this point.

Last week I broke my faithful 13mm long offset gearwrench. So I ordered another, Amazon reminding me I bought the set originally almost exactly 10 years ago. Amazing how much wear happens from my hands and regular impacts with stuff. This is the 3rd failure of that original set in those years. And yes, they all looked that shiny once.

 

[ChefRex]

This happens, I recall when I started buying SO my older brother, commented on how his tools once looked like that, yes mine are not that shiny anymore too.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

This happens, I recall when I started buying SO my older brother, commented on how his tools once looked like that, yes mine are not that shiny anymore too.

I'm always impressed when new tools show up. Be it satin or bright chrome, they certainly look different than their counterparts.

Side effect of the work they do, much like the way my hands look.

 

[Kent_B]

All tools are consumables in the end

 

[Firebrick43]

Its not necessary wear. They are micro scratches that change the way light is reflected. Polish them with chrome polish and a buff and much of the shine is restored.

 

[ChefRex]

Not really when I can hand it over oh the truck driver and he hands my a shiny new one.

 

[PelicanPines]

The only tools still shiny after years... is to NOT USE THEM. Lay an oily rag over them in the drawer and leave them.

What a sad thought that is.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

The only tools I have that are shiny are the ones that never get used lol. Like 9 and 11mm haha. You broke it? I would have gotten the lifetime warranty on it. I’m not paying for another if something breaks lol. But that’s just me.

 

[bcradio]

The only tools I have that are shiny are the ones that never get used lol. Like 9 and 11mm haha. You broke it? I would have gotten the lifetime warranty on it. I’m not paying for another if something breaks lol. But that’s just me.

I am with you on that

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The only tools I have that are shiny are the ones that never get used lol. Like 9 and 11mm haha. You broke it? I would have gotten the lifetime warranty on it. I’m not paying for another if something breaks lol. But that’s just me.

My last gearwrench warranty took over a calendar year to acquire a single 15mm swivel socket. Not worth my time, I got my money worth. They're $20 and I need one NOW, not late 2024.

Thought about snap on.... don't feel the need. By the standard of most, I abuse these. This is my third failure in 10 years of daily use.

 

[428PI]

You've got to spit shine them every Friday afternoon. That's what you gotta do.

 

[Farmall450]

At least it doesn't flake like the 20th century stuff lol

 

[xjfish]

Been in this silly game for 15+ years. My SO standard metrics look like they have been wire wheeled and finished off with some steel wool.

 

[neophyte]

Abrasive dust gets caught in oil and grease.
That grease then gets on hands, and gloves, and basically everywhere.
When you handle tools, your hands with the abrasive impregnated grease rub back and forth on the surface of the chrome, wearing away the chrome.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Chrome held up really well overall. No chipping/peeling it looks like!

 

[merkyworks]

Is the chrome actually worn off or has the chrome just been scratched so many times it looks dull?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Is the chrome actually worn off or has the chrome just been scratched so many times it looks dull?

Mostly just scuffed into oblivion. These seem to hold their chrome pretty well, probably because they're light enough I have no temptation to use them as a hammer.

 

[j3rf]

All tools are consumables in the end

Just a reason to buy more!!

 

[MarvinBerry]

My last gearwrench warranty took over a calendar year to acquire a single 15mm swivel socket. Not worth my time, I got my money worth. They're $20 and I need one NOW, not late 2024.

Thought about snap on.... don't feel the need. By the standard of most, I abuse these. This is my third failure in 10 years of daily use.

If as a pro you had 3 failures in a decade then one set should last a home gamer like myself a lifetime & then some.

Thanks for the report!

 

[BrandonV]

My last gearwrench warranty took over a calendar year to acquire a single 15mm swivel socket. Not worth my time, I got my money worth. They're $20 and I need one NOW, not late 2024.

Thought about snap on.... don't feel the need. By the standard of most, I abuse these. This is my third failure in 10 years of daily use.

Reminds me of when I warrantied a Proto snap ring plier.

2 years later I got a surprise in the mail!