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Whats going on with sk tools.?

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The collector

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I know sk tools got bought buy an Asian company and they say they are staying in the US but just wonder if any of you knew anything I didn't. I'm trying to build basic sets of all the US made tool companies (still in business) and sk is the last on my list but wondering if I should even bother......
 
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The collector

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I know sk tools got bought buy an Asian company and they say they are staying in the US but just wonder if any of you knew anything I didn't. I'm trying to build basic sets of all the US made tool companies (still in business) and sk is the last on my list but wondering if I should even bother......
Also were is a good site or store to buy sockets?
 

Fedwrench

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Too soon to tell. The dust hasn't settled yet from the move from Illinois to Pennsylvania. I'm not sure how combining with shop vac will improve the SK brand but, time will tell.
There are plenty of US made brands to buy from if you're nervous about SK's future. :beer:
 
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Too soon to tell. The dust hasn't settled yet from the move from Illinois to Pennsylvania. I'm not sure how combining with shop vac will improve the SK brand but, time will tell.
There are plenty of US made brands to buy from if you're nervous about SK's future.
 

sparky 1971

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They don’t offer steals and deals specials anymore. Or have they and I missed it?
Not yet anyway, and from the sounds of it from SK, it ain't gonna happen. At least until they get up and running with the new business model, and I don't know how it differs from the old. The steals and deals was to try to get product out the for others to see, which hopefully would have increased sales throughout the country. It didn't work. All SK Ideal managed to do was sell a whole bunch of tools cheap.
 
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Not yet anyway, and from the sounds of it from SK, it ain't gonna happen. At least until they get up and running with the new business model, and I don't know how it differs from the old. The steals and deals was to try to get product out the for others to see, which hopefully would have increased sales throughout the country. It didn't work. All SK Ideal managed to do was sell a whole bunch of tools cheap.
They need to fix the lp ratchet if they have a hope at all and their stuff is just to expensive I've been trying to buy a socket set from them and they are damn near snap on prices....
 

sparky 1971

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They need to fix the lp ratchet if they have a hope at all and their stuff is just to expensive I've been trying to buy a socket set from them and they are damn near snap on prices....
I don't understand what all the bitching about the LP ratchet is. I have a 15" 1/2" drive flex, two 11" 3/8" drive flex, a 15" 3/8" drive fixed, and a 12" 1/4" drive fixed head. Every one of them was dry, but about 15 seconds spent loosening two screws each and a couple of drops of 3in1 oil and they are perfect.
 
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I don't understand what all the bitching about the LP ratchet is. I have a 15" 1/2" drive flex, two 11" 3/8" drive flex, a 15" 3/8" drive fixed, and a 12" 1/4" drive fixed head. Every one of them was dry, but about 15 seconds spent loosening two screws each and a couple of drops of 3in1 oil and they are perfect.
Most of the complaints I've seen are about the selector.... I've never held one ... you are literally the first person I've ever seen say are are good ratchets usually when 99.9% of people say they are not much I take it as gospel
 

Mgdoug3

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If you never have handle one then you have zero experience and your opinion isn't worth much. I have them in all 3 drive sizes and like them all. The 3/8" took a minor modification (which I do believe shouldn't be needed with a new ratchet) but it's one of my go to ratchets. I have a 24" flex and a 25" Snap-on locking flex and actually like the SK one just as much.

My only complaint about the 1/4" is that the flex handle is too short. There needs to be an 8 or 9" version. My 1/4 SK has less back brag than my Snap-on but I use the Snap-on more because of the added length and I like the bigger hard handle.

The transition from Illinois to Pennsylvania has taken longer than expected and the website is way behind still. If SK continues to make USA products I'll still buy from them. If they change to overseas tools then I'll no longer be a costumers. I wish they didn't discontinue their 3/4" drive tools.
 
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If you never have handle one then you have zero experience and your opinion isn't worth much. I have them in all 3 drive sizes and like them all. The 3/8" took a minor modification (which I do believe shouldn't be needed with a new ratchet) but it's one of my go to ratchets. I have a 24" flex and a 25" Snap-on locking flex and actually like the SK one just as much.

My only complaint about the 1/4" is that the flex handle is too short. There needs to be an 8 or 9" version. My 1/4 SK has less back brag than my Snap-on but I use the Snap-on more because of the added length and I like the bigger hard handle.

The transition from Illinois to Pennsylvania has taken longer than expected and the website is way behind still. If SK continues to make USA products I'll still buy from them. If they change to overseas tools then I'll no longer be a costumers. I wish they didn't discontinue their 3/4" drive tools.
If you never have handle one then you have zero experience and your opinion isn't worth much. I have them in all 3 drive sizes and like them all. The 3/8" took a minor modification (which I do believe shouldn't be needed with a new ratchet) but it's one of my go to ratchets. I have a 24" flex and a 25" Snap-on locking flex and actually like the SK one just as much.

My only complaint about the 1/4" is that the flex handle is too short. There needs to be an 8 or 9" version. My 1/4 SK has less back brag than my Snap-on but I use the Snap-on more because of the added length and I like the bigger hard handle.

The transition from Illinois to Pennsylvania has taken longer than expected and the website is way behind still. If SK continues to make USA products I'll still buy from them. If they change to overseas tools then I'll no longer be a costumers. I wish they didn't discontinue their 3/4" drive tools.
Again it's not my opinion just when you see 500 u-tube videos and read countless articles sayings these ratchets have issues there is probably some truth to it...
 

Souldrop

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Picked up 4 lp90 ratchets direct from sk last year…The 3/8 I received had issues with the selector switch locking up more than half the time…contacting sk has been on my to do list; maybe new guts would solve the issue.

The 2x 1/4 and 1/2 I received have been fine and have decently low backdrag.

just my experience.
 

Mgdoug3

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Picked up 4 lp90 ratchets direct from sk last year…The 3/8 I received had issues with the selector switch locking up more than half the time…contacting sk has been on my to do list; maybe new guts would solve the issue.

The 2x 1/4 and 1/2 I received have been fine and have decently low backdrag.

just my experience.
Removing a twirl or two from the spring will solve the selector switch from binding up. The spring puts too much pressure on the pawl and makes it difficult to reverse the switch.
 

TheDealer

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As an Sk dealer I have been told, and it took awhile to be told this, they have deleted over 1500SKU's from their inventory. If they bring those items back they most likely will be asian made, most likely in China.
They were hoping to start shipping product this month, but I still haven't received any product yet. Hope to have some soon.
Sk has been very poor communicating to their dealers and distributor's as to what their actual plans are, personally I don't think they know what they will be doing.
 
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I'm not your bro. I gave my opinion which is based on my experience and even told what I believe were short comings of the ratchet. Unless you have experience you're opinion means absolutely nothing.
Removing a twirl or two from the spring will solve the selector switch from binding up. The spring puts too much pressure on the pawl and makes it difficult to reverse the switch.
This is all I was saying was the type of stuff I was hearing alot of about these ratchets b4 you started getting rude about it....
 
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The collector

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As an Sk dealer I have been told, and it took awhile to be told this, they have deleted over 1500SKU's from their inventory. If they bring those items back they most likely will be asian made, most likely in China.
They were hoping to start shipping product this month, but I still haven't received any product yet. Hope to have some soon.
Sk has been very poor communicating to their dealers and distributor's as to what their actual plans are, personally I don't think they know what they will be doing.
I talked to eppys online they said they got some new shipments last week but he was a young kid so I dono
 

sparky 1971

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Most of the complaints I've seen are about the selector.... I've never held one ... you are literally the first person I've ever seen say are are good ratchets usually when 99.9% of people say they are not much I take it as gospel
Some people will ***** about anything, sometimes they have a legitimate gripe, but usually it's just bitching to be bitching something. The selector was stiff on a couple of mine, but a couple of drops of oil fixed that problem. I don't know why SK sends them out dry, but that's and easy fix.
 

sparky 1971

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Picked up 4 lp90 ratchets direct from sk last year…The 3/8 I received had issues with the selector switch locking up more than half the time…contacting sk has been on my to do list; maybe new guts would solve the issue.

The 2x 1/4 and 1/2 I received have been fine and have decently low backdrag.

just my experience.
If you haven't, try taking the cover off. It's just two tiny metric allen head screws. Use a magnet to pick it up so parts don't fall out and put a few drops of oil in it. I used 3in1, but other swear by Super Lube, ATF, etc. That fixed mine. I've also heard of people cutting a coil or two off of the spring to make it easier to move the selector. Mine move easy enough that I don't want to try it for fear of screwing it up. If you are planning on warrantying it, you don't have anything to lose, and SK will never know what you did if you do send it back.

EDIT: I see Mgdoug3 already stated this. I need to read everything before I post.
 

four.cycle

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McDoug3 said:
I wish they didn't discontinue their 3/4" drive tools.

Too limited a market if the intended market is the DIY trade.

It may well be that Great Star will want to target the DIY market (as opposed to going for all the marbles and trying to regain market share in the DIY, professional (repair) trade, and the industrial (3/4 drive) trade. If that is the case, the smart business choice would be to streamline the product line to suit the wants and needs of the target market.

Consider: SBD (being discussed ad nauseam in another thread) is making all kinds of fabulous promises and having a job fair soon for their new Craftsman manufacturing facility in Fort Worth. Tekton seems to be gaining market share notwithstanding their not having huge representation in the mass-merchandiser retailer market.

S-K isn't the only player in the game. Great Star will consolidate the line, and continue doing what they do well, and the rest will no longer be part of their product line.
 

sparky 1971

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and we're cross-posting, but I'll throw in:

Almost all of the new ratchets I have received have been dry.
Does that mean you received some that were already lubed? Were they SK or another brand? If SK, were they LP90 or the old round head? I've never, ever bought a new round head, but I have all of them except the 1/4" flex, the 15" 1/2" drive, and the 3/4" drive. Some I have more than one. Some of them I installed the DT kit in. The kit came with a thick grease to be used, but I didn't use it. I think those got 3in1 also, but may have been motor oil. It's been too damned long ago to remember.
 

Professional Tool User

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Even before the acquisition by Great Star, SK has had quality control issues and took forever to roll out new products. What happens to SK as a brand remains to be determined. I doubt that Great Star will do much better than Ideal with the brand.
 

Mgdoug3

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Too limited a market if the intended market is the DIY trade.

It may well be that Great Star will want to target the DIY market (as opposed to going for all the marbles and trying to regain market share in the DIY, professional (repair) trade, and the industrial (3/4 drive) trade. If that is the case, the smart business choice would be to streamline the product line to suit the wants and needs of the target market.

Consider: SBD (being discussed ad nauseam in another thread) is making all kinds of fabulous promises and having a job fair soon for their new Craftsman manufacturing facility in Fort Worth. Tekton seems to be gaining market share notwithstanding their not having huge representation in the mass-merchandiser retailer market.

S-K isn't the only player in the game. Great Star will consolidate the line, and continue doing what they do well, and the rest will no longer be part of their product line.
I think SK's former owner were terrible at picking who their customers were suppose to be. They didn't target professionals enough, they weren't that popular on the industrial side where 3/4" and up drive are common and too expensive for many homeowners. They seemed to try to go after government contracts where USA made were a requirement and people who wanted USA tools without the tool truck price. Too small of niche market to succeed.

Their marketing sucked and were too slow at releasing new products. Ideal could kept the 3870 around and released more versions of the X-frame ratchets. Instead they did none of that and took years to release new products. Ideal could have outsourced the tools but decided to keep them made in the USA so they didn't completely fail. I believe if Great Star outsources SK then that'll be the end of the line. There's not enough name recognition for SK and the market is already saturated with quality tools at decent prices.
 

Dzmax77

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I have 1/2”, 3/8”, 3/8” flex and 1/4” LP’s and yes, they came very dry but a minute of adding some grease and they’re perfect. ClientGraphislcs did a pretty good test and they’re solid; maybe even better than an F80?

 

sparky 1971

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I think SK's former owner were terrible at picking who their customers were suppose to be. They didn't target professionals enough, they weren't that popular on the industrial side where 3/4" and up drive are common and too expensive for many homeowners. They seemed to try to go after government contracts where USA made were a requirement and people who wanted USA tools without the tool truck price. Too small of niche market to succeed.

Their marketing sucked and were too slow at releasing new products. Ideal could kept the 3870 around and released more versions of the X-frame ratchets. Instead they did none of that and took years to release new products. Ideal could have outsourced the tools but decided to keep them made in the USA so they didn't completely fail. I believe if Great Star outsources SK then that'll be the end of the line. There's not enough name recognition for SK and the market is already saturated with quality tools at decent prices.
I agree 100%. I'm not old enough to have appreciated it or bought anything then, but I'm old enough that I remember every auto parts and hardware store a person went into had a great big rack of SK tools. Now, this was before O'reillys, Advance Auto, Home Depot and Lowes took over the markets. I don't know what happened to them, it's like they just disappeared over night and never even tried to make a comeback. in fact if it wasn't for GJ, I wouldn't have even remembered SK except for a few wrenches my dad had, and then wouldn't have meant anything to me except that they were dad's.
 

Fedwrench

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I don't understand what all the bitching about the LP ratchet is. I have a 15" 1/2" drive flex, two 11" 3/8" drive flex, a 15" 3/8" drive fixed, and a 12" 1/4" drive fixed head. Every one of them was dry, but about 15 seconds spent loosening two screws each and a couple of drops of 3in1 oil and they are perfect.
You may be in the minority of happy LP90 owners then :lol: I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive versions. Mine weren't dry. I had the most problems with the 3/8 flex head. The selector switch was pretty much frozen and the head binds. Now, I understand that there are people here that don't actually use their tools and they complain about minor issues that would disappear with using the tool. However, I feel that you shouldn't have to modify pawl or selector switch pintle springs on a new ratchet fresh out of its plastic sleeve. There should no binding whatsoever, the ratcheting action should be crisp, and the direction switch should move freely. Is that too much to ask for as a paying customer? I think not :thefinger
I think the fixed head LP90s had fewer problems than the flex head ratchets. My personal opinion is that SK screwed the pooch on these ratchets. First off, SK ratchets have been known for eternity for their knurled ratchet handles. i think SK should have released a knurled handle version of the LP90. One of the coolest features of the first run of the 3/8 LP90 ratchet was the lime green direction switch. The green switch was killed off in favor of a **** ugly, pot metal looking direction switch that appears huge on 1/4 drive versions. Lastly, in this modern era of cramped engine compartments and increased 1/4 drive use, why did SK only release one 1/4 drive flex head ratchet with an overall length of five inches? :wtf: They really need to offer 7.25 to a nine inch flex head version. End of rant, nothing to see here, move along, :beer:
 

sparky 1971

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You may be in the minority of happy LP90 owners then :lol: I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive versions. Mine weren't dry. I had the most problems with the 3/8 flex head. The selector switch was pretty much frozen and the head binds. Now, I understand that there are people here that don't actually use their tools and they complain about minor issues that would disappear with using the tool. However, I feel that you shouldn't have to modify pawl or selector switch pintle springs on a new ratchet fresh out of its plastic sleeve. There should no binding whatsoever, the ratcheting action should be crisp, and the direction switch should move freely. Is that too much to ask for as a paying customer? I think not :thefinger
I think the fixed head LP90s had fewer problems than the flex head ratchets. My personal opinion is that SK screwed the pooch on these ratchets. First off, SK ratchets have been known for eternity for their knurled ratchet handles. i think SK should have released a knurled handle version of the LP90. One of the coolest features of the first run of the 3/8 LP90 ratchet was the lime green direction switch. The green switch was killed off in favor of a **** ugly, pot metal looking direction switch that appears huge on 1/4 drive versions. Lastly, in this modern era of cramped engine compartments and increased 1/4 drive use, why did SK only release one 1/4 drive flex head ratchet with an overall length of five inches? :wtf: They really need to offer 7.25 to a nine inch flex head version. End of rant, nothing to see here, move along, :beer:
I agree with everything you stated. Maybe I am lucky. I bought my 1/2" a little over a year ago, one of the 3/8" flex about a year ago, the other about 8 months ago, and the other two were delivered two weeks ago. Maybe they had the QC issues taken care of before I got mine. I was definitely aware of the complaints and if the 15" 1/2" drive flex hadn't been $65, I wouldn't have pulled the trigger. I then risked another $65 on a 3/8 flex. It was the stiffest of the bunch but oiling it and using it solved the problem. Then, the Steals and deals came out and the 3/8 flex was $45. I already had one, but that was too good to pass up. I tried to talk myself out of it, but in the end, lost the argument. That ratchet was perfect aside from needing lubed. The other two seem perfect, but still had to be oiled just like the others. I haven't used either one, so my mind could be changed. My only ***** is that I shouldn't have to have oiled them. They should be ready to work out of the box. In the end though, for the relatively little money I spent, I have no complaints. If I had been cutting springs to get the selector to move like I read about, my feelings would probably be different. I don't know why it wouldn't be mandatory to spin the pawl, flip the switch, and spin the pawl again as soon as it's put together. That could have saved them a bunch of negative PR right there and there wouldn't be as many SK haters around that will probably never purchase a SK tool.
 

lardy1

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I have the standard LP90 in 3 drive sizes. I totally agree that modifications shouldn't be necessary to a brand new ratchet being touted as a premium tool. My 3/8 switched hard until I clipped the spring. Great now. I/2 is great right out of the box. 1/4 likes to bind a little with any side pressure on it but it has really improved with use. I believe it will be just fine. I think part (but not all) of the LP90's shortcomings are overcome with use.

I don't doubt the people knocking on the LP90 as mine also has minor issues. These ratchets, even though I like them, disappointed me in that I've been a fan of SK since my young days and their demise has been painful for me to watch. I think Great Star will keep the name alive but it will never be the same SK I grew up with. It's the state of the world and bemoaning it won't change it. I'm still hopeful that they will sell quality tools at a fair price but my hopes of them continuing domestic production is dwindling.
 
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The collector

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You may be in the minority of happy LP90 owners then :lol: I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive versions. Mine weren't dry. I had the most problems with the 3/8 flex head. The selector switch was pretty much frozen and the head binds. Now, I understand that there are people here that don't actually use their tools and they complain about minor issues that would disappear with using the tool. However, I feel that you shouldn't have to modify pawl or selector switch pintle springs on a new ratchet fresh out of its plastic sleeve. There should no binding whatsoever, the ratcheting action should be crisp, and the direction switch should move freely. Is that too much to ask for as a paying customer? I think not :thefinger
I think the fixed head LP90s had fewer problems than the flex head ratchets. My personal opinion is that SK screwed the pooch on these ratchets. First off, SK ratchets have been known for eternity for their knurled ratchet handles. i think SK should have released a knurled handle version of the LP90. One of the coolest features of the first run of the 3/8 LP90 ratchet was the lime green direction switch. The green switch was killed off in favor of a **** ugly, pot metal looking direction switch that appears huge on 1/4 drive versions. Lastly, in this modern era of cramped engine compartments and increased 1/4 drive use, why did SK only release one 1/4 drive flex head ratchet with an overall length of five inches? :wtf: They really need to offer 7.25 to a nine inch flex head version. End of rant, nothing to see here, move along, :beer:
This is basically the story I was hearing over and over and over again about these ratchets
 

four.cycle

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Sparky 1971 said:
Does that mean you received some that were already lubed? Were they SK or another brand? If SK, were they LP90 or the old round head?

MOST of my ratchet purchases have been used ratchets, and even most of those are dry when I get them. I only have a couple S-K ratchets around here. I know there's a new NOS 45170 here somewhere, but I'd have to find it and open it up to answer the question. I don't own any of the LP models.
 

VolvoRyan

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"Problem" with the LP90's isn't limited to the LP90's. I bought a brand new 40-tooth round head last fall. I'll be darned if it didn't have the same problem as some of the LP90's: the lube is not great. My guess is that SK had their hands tied as to what lube they could put in their tools. I just clean them out, put a light coating of SuperLube in there, and the tools are fantastic.

I really love the 1/4" drive LP90's, especially the flex. I just can't fault them in any drive size.

-Ryan
 

Terra Nova

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Another fan of the LP90 ratchets here, have one is each flavor. The 1/4" has a little chrome chip/peal but I haven't sent it in yet. That aside, it's far and away my favorite 1/4" ratchet. The 1/2" is a thing of beauty to look at and use. The 3/8" has a selector that's a little sticky but it hasn't bothered me enough to look into trimming the pawl spring. They all function well, couple drops of 3-in-1 oil and they've been good.

Have two SK round heads as well and they are really nice. Just can't get myself to fall in love with round head ratchets for some reason. :dunno:
 
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