What's up w/ Cornwell's chrome plating???

[nato]

This first began when I had purchased three full metric chrome sets of 3/8" dr. sockets about 4 years ago from a different C/W dealer. They all (and I mean ALL) started to crack & chip, just about every place that had any sort of contact with anything. This is at least 30 sockets as well, mind you.
About two years after using them, we got our C/W dealer back and he gladly warranted all three sets of chipped sockets, no problem at all. My sockets were upgraded as well when I had received them later w/ the newer style ones: ones that have a lead-in female 3/8" drive end and overall, just feel better. The plating even looked higher quality.

Anyhow, it's been almost two years since the new style replacements. Guess what...yes, chrome is peeling/chiping again! Normal use. Hardly any impact use at all. And to top matters off, I needed a new 19mm combo wrench. I purchased my 1st Cornwell full polish in this size. Year and a half later, falling in line w/ my sockets beginning to peel again, the open end points & head start to chip on my wrench!!!!
What's the deal?! At the time of my socket warranties, the d/m came with our dealer and explained to me that in early whatever year that was, they had a ****** batch of chromium plating which caused my ordeal.
The new ones held up for a while, but now, back to sqaure one.

Just curious if anyone has had any issues with thier Cornwell hardline's or knows of anyone else's problems. I really like their sockets, but why-oh-why do they shed so bad?

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Anyhow, it's been almost two years since the new style replacements. Guess what...yes, chrome is peeling/chipping again! Normal use. Hardly any impact use at all.

Hardly any impact use??? whoa! That implies there was some!

 

[nato]

Hardly any impact use??? whoa! That implies there was some!

We all do it. I don't mean impact abuse as pounding on a 15mm chrome 6 point for a couple minutes either. Maybe a quick buzz with a smaller socket, like 10mm or something. You may not believe me based upon that statement, but, most of the chipping wasn't from any kind of impact use at all.

 

[chadster1]

....but, most of the chipping wasn't from any kind of impact use at all.

So some of the chipping is from impact use then.

 

[nato]

Alright, to set it straight, I'm not a dumbf*ck that misuses his tools lol. We all have reached for a chrome socket to use on something that SHOULD typically suggest possible any impact or softer metal compound. Don't be hippo's
BUT, if what you're all saying is that you think that I trashed 30+ sockets, you all would be entirely wrong!

Look at the thread as if I didn't post the impact use info

 

[Skin]

clearly this is from your constant abuse with an impact. American made tools to not exhibit serious quality flaws.

 

[Elroy]

Give the guy a break. Look even his combinations are chipping.

And to top matters off, I needed a new 19mm combo wrench. I purchased my 1st Cornwell full polish in this size. Year and a half later, falling in line w/ my sockets beginning to peel again, the open end points & head start to chip on my wrench!!!! ?

Elroy can't see impact abuse with a combination.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

I have had issues with the chrome on the older versions of my Cornwell wrenches, but no issues with the new high polish stuff....

-BWP

 

[Rnz520]

I have a 3/8ths drive 10mm Cornwell deep socket. NEVER put on an impact and guess what, the chrome is chipping at the bolt side and male square drive side. I like the socket, the chrome *****

 

[Merkava_4]

Do the sockets stop on the extension when they're supposed to?

Are the combination wrenches broached on center?

That's what I ask myself.

I've got a BEAUTIFUL set of 1/2" drive chrome sockets (from a popular tool company) with a flawless chrome finish, but they don't stop on the extension when they're supposed to and it irritates the !@#$ out of me.

 

[sk farmer]

i will try and not pick on anyone, but imop any chrome socket that goes on an impact voids the warranty. i would venture to say any tool companies fine print agrees with that statement. if you need an impact wrench, buy the sockets. if you don't want to buy the sockets spend the impact wrench money on something else. chrome sockets and impact sockets are designed and built differantly to perform differant types of jobs. i am positive most you know this. most quality chrome sockets will survive the impact but do not expect the chrome to stay intact. like it or not theat type of use has let the company of the hook for chipped and flaking chrome. again, i hate to go down this road but improper chrome socket use would lead me to believe that a 3 pound wrench adapter with a wooden handle may have also been used on the wrenches. now i may have also done this myself but i would not complain about the chipped chrome on the wrench if that is the case. you probably have a legitimate issue but the fact that you have used them on an impact "period" does not bode well for a long term quality finish on any socket.

 

[Rnz520]

Do the sockets stop on the extension when they're supposed to?

Are the combination wrenches broached on center?

That's what I ask myself.

I've got a BEAUTIFUL set of 1/2" drive chrome sockets (from a popular tool company) with a flawless chrome finish, but they don't stop on the extension when they're supposed to and it irritates the !@#$ out of me.

Yes I love the socket, it stops on the extension when its supposed to and doesnt get stuck to ratchets (non quick release). Its actually my go to 10mm, which says a lot because I have 4 in 3/8th and do a lot of 10mm bolts.
Hence why I dont bother to warranty it.

 

[mepilotunot]

Well the chrome process is still tanked by hand by two guys and they did have a bad batch a while back because I heard the same story when I was at the plant. Cornwell has been very good about there chrome and the warranty. Any bit of chipping turn them in for new. When they process the returns they try to figure out the batch that the tools were made from and sort it out. Sorry to hear you had bad luck with them

 

[tonydanzah]

So all of you guys are saying that if you needed a impact socket in the middle of a flat rate job, you would drop what you are doing and go buy an impact socket? Instead of a quick zip with a chrome. I find that very hard to believe.

 

[Underdog]

So all of you guys are saying that if you needed a impact socket in the middle of a flat rate job, you would drop what you are doing and go buy an impact socket? Instead of a quick zip with a chrome. I find that very hard to believe.

Thats what I got my craftsman sockets for.

 

[48548]

So all of you guys are saying that if you needed a impact socket in the middle of a flat rate job, you would drop what you are doing and go buy an impact socket? Instead of a quick zip with a chrome. I find that very hard to believe.

Thats what I got my HF impact sockets for!!!!

 

[MartinTech]

Can't say much about Cornwell's plating, as I just started seeing a CW dealer at our shop about a month ago. I haven't purchased any of his hardline yet...just usa vice-grips and other odds and ends. However, I have a whole bunch of Snap-on chrome sockets, and have always used them on air tools without regard. I have never had a problem with them holding up structurally, or cosmetically...ie: the chrome shows no wear beyond the usual wear and tear of daily professional use. If some of CW's products have problems retaining their plating, it's most likely not due to it's 'misuse' on an air tool (impact wrench, ok?). So, what's really up?? I guess it doesn't matter too much, since CW hardline tools don't cost much less than a comparable Snap-on product. If I'm going to pay someone 'X' amount of dollars per week to be fully capable in my profession, it will be on a product that doesn't have Craftsmanesque tendencies. Really...why even bother with second best? The only drive tools and wrenches worth your money that aren't made by snap-on are made by stahl-willie and hazet. While I recognize arguments against that claim, I have yet to be convinced otherwise. 'Cept of course Pittsburgh Tools.

 

[Mickey O]

I had some chrome peeling problems on a set of Cornwell metrics as well, there's also some blotchy coloring on a few, I though I just got a bad set, appears I'm not the only one. If they don't get any worse I won't do anything about it.

 

[Elroy]

The only drive tools and wrenches worth your money that aren't made by snap-on are made by stahl-willie and hazet. .

Well then:

I understand you're a professional because you use only Snap-off tools.


Would Mr. Customer like a cup of coffee while he waits? We have some freshly ground Snap-off tools coffee. It's the best coffee in town because it's exclusively brewed in a Snap-off tools coffee maker.

Because that statement is: and goes well with freshly brewed Snap-off coffee. You can't be serious and if your are serious then in Elroy's humble opinion you have a little to learn about hand tools.

 

[MartinTech]

Because that statement is: and goes well with freshly brewed Snap-off coffee. You can't be serious and if your are serious then in Elroy's humble opinion you have a little to learn about hand tools.
Last edited by Elroy; Today at 11:10 PM.

Who flung dung?? Of course I can be serious...doesn't make me a cheerleader. Or even a java hound, though I may be. I will concede that I may yet learn things I can't imagine. What was your point, sir? Shock the Monkey.

Didn't intend to hijack... I've enjoyed reading the posts on this forum for some time and would like to make friends here.

 

[nato]

lol, okay....

But yeah, just wanted to see if anyone else has had apparent issues. My dealer has no prob taking them back in on warranty, no questions asked once I explain the chipping to him. The wrench though, I'll have to see about that.
As far as getting worsd, oddly, they don't seem to be, which seems kinda weird to me. The 2st batch I had, you could drop them from about 4 feet onto the floor and they'd disintegrate. Like I said, I really love the sockets and I plan on keeping them, it's just gonna get old having to turn them in every while or do until they get a solid fix on the issue.

 

[comedyman809]

So all of you guys are saying that if you needed a impact socket in the middle of a flat rate job, you would drop what you are doing and go buy an impact socket? Instead of a quick zip with a chrome. I find that very hard to believe.

maybe its time for a set if impacts! doesnt everyone in here have a set??

my grandmother has a set and she isnt even a mechanic!!

 

[wreckercologist]

I bought a set of extra long SAE combo's off the Cornwell truck last October (2009). I was noticing yesterday the chrome is beginning to peel on both the open and box ends. In addition to that, the chrome is more easily marred and damaged through normal use as compared to the other brands I own like Snappy. This situation is sort of a bummer, but I didn't pay anywhere near as much for the Cornwell's as I would have for a set of Snap-ons. I guess you get what you pay for.

You guys can say what you want about Snap-on, but their chrome is much better than Mac, Matco, & Cornwell in my experience. I've been using the same Snap-on's at work, both sockets and wrenches, with no chrome peel, for over a decade.

Overall, Cornwell makes a good product, and if they warranty their tools, what difference does chrome peel make?

 

[sk farmer]

So all of you guys are saying that if you needed a impact socket in the middle of a flat rate job, you would drop what you are doing and go buy an impact socket? Instead of a quick zip with a chrome. I find that very hard to believe.

i agree with underdog and 48548, use the hf or the cman on them. i don't do flat rate work but often a quick repair versus a drawn out one can definately cost me money. downtime can be a big deal in my occupation. that said, i doubt that you would use an improper or subpar part to make a repair as that would void the warranty of the part or the car, bus, truck, plane etc. that you are repairing. use the right tool for the right job and then there is no question on it. if the job takes 30 seconds, 3 minutes or 30 minutes longer to be done right by hand than so be it, such is life.

 

[jride200]

Industrial finish is my favorite. Quit squabbling, buy some industrial finish stuff, and be done with this. Ha!

 

[BB26]

i agree with underdog and 48548, use the hf or the cman on them.

I do just the opposite. Personally, I don't want to take the risk of a cheap socket grenading on me from use with an impact. If I am using chrome on an impact (sometimes that is all that will fit), I use the best sockets I have. Never had any trouble with chrome peel on my SO, Proto or SK chrome sockets, all of which see an impact once in a while.

 

[Skyline]

I started a thread about this a while back. Older Corwnell stuff I have seen and re-sold...the chome was always perfect, and these were beautifull tools that I would be proud to own. Any Cornwell sockets made in the last 6-7 years...let's just say I would rather have Craftsman. Virtually ALL of the newer sockets I've seen had peeling chrome. Also, it looks like they've stopped the chrome at the lip of the socket, so the inside is not shiney, and that transition area is a problem. In that post I posted several pictures. You can NOT put this off to abuse. I get LOT of sockets of all different brands, and on no others have I seen this type of widespread chrome failure. Here's the other thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46663
&highlight=cornwell+chrome

 

[tonydanzah]

I do just the opposite. Personally, I don't want to take the risk of a cheap socket grenading on me from use with an impact. If I am using chrome on an impact (sometimes that is all that will fit), I use the best sockets I have. Never had any trouble with chrome peel on my SO, Proto or SK chrome sockets, all of which see an impact once in a while.

I agree way more with this ideology.

 

[fordbroncodave]

cornwell has videos on their website. it looks legit to me

 

[Tatersalad]

My boss has some cornwell 12pt metric shallow sockets 3/8 drive that are about 15 years old or so and almost all of them have some chrome peeling off. These sockets have only seen very occasional hand use and have never been on an impact. I borrowed one once and it broke with only moderate force, reminded me of a craftsman... Needless to say I'm not all that impressed with Cornwell's sockets.

 

[Merkava_4]

I should remind you guys that using a chrome socket on an impact gun is bad for the square drive of the impact gun too. The steel of those chrome sockets are HARD.

 

[Tatersalad]

I should remind you guys that using a chrome socket on an impact gun is bad for the square drive of the impact gun too. The steel of those chrome sockets are HARD.

That is very true! It can really take a toll on the anvil.

 

[Michael]

I don't personally own any Cornwell tools but a guy at a shop I used to work at did. All his sockets were Cornwell and the chrome was good on all of them. I did notice they had kind of a blue hint to the chrome which I thought was strange. I think all tool companys will have the occasional bad batch. Although none of my personal tools have chrome flaking off of them all the 3/8 sockets in my box at work are flaking and they have never been used on an impact that I know of. We don't have any 3/8 impacts. I am sure the 1/2 drive have seen impact use before and none of them are flaking. So you never know when somthing like this might happen.

 

[oldtools]

I don't think the chrome peeling issue is only relegate to Cornwell. All the major brands have the same issue. All my brand new Craftsman sockets, wrenches, extension are peeling with just barely some use. I have brand new Proto ratchets with poor plating. I thought US law prohibit the use of certain harmful chemicals used in chrome plating results in poor bonding. As such, all new tools plated in the US have peeling issue. Those plated in Asia do not since they don't have such regulation. I have some used older Snap On wrenches and sockets. There are no peeling and the chrome still look very good.

 

[TireTracks]

I don't think the chrome peeling issue is only relegate to Cornwell. All the major brands have the same issue. All my brand new Craftsman sockets, wrenches, extension are peeling with just barely some use. I have brand new Proto ratchets with poor plating. I thought US law prohibit the use of certain harmful chemicals used in chrome plating results in poor bonding. As such, all new tools plated in the US have peeling issue. Those plated in Asia do not since they don't have such regulation. I have some used older Snap On wrenches and sockets. There are no peeling and the chrome still look very good.

I bought a whole set of craftman 1/2" drive standard 12pt sockets, and some of them are perfect, others look like a truck ran over them on a gravel road. They work fine though, so i cant complain too much, just annoying.

My wrenches had a cuple dings and the way they are made isnt great, rough edges and things, while some are amazeing, good chrome and they look like the person running the grinder did their job.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I used to work in a plating shop many moons ago.It sounds like they ran too much voltage or current during the nickel or chrome plating process.Too much power "burns" or overplates the part and the plating becomes brittle or flakey at the edges or corners.We were required to test every job we plated with one sacrificial part to verify it didn't peel or crack.
P.S. Michael...that blue tint you see is too much chrome plating.Nickel plating has a slight yellowish color to it,and the chrome has a powder blue hue to it resulting in a mirror finish if it is polished and plated correctly.

 

[oldtools]

I used to work in a plating shop many moons ago.It sounds like they ran too much voltage or current during the nickel or chrome plating process.Too much power "burns" or overplates the part and the plating becomes brittle or flakey at the edges or corners.We were required to test every job we plated with one sacrificial part to verify it didn't peel or crack.
P.S. Michael...that blue tint you see is too much chrome plating.Nickel plating has a slight yellowish color to it,and the chrome has a powder blue hue to it resulting in a mirror finish if it is polished and plated correctly.

Do they validate bonding strength by performing a bending or grinding test? Do they sandblast the part prior to plating?

 

[autoace]

Cornwell's plating seems non-consistent, some great, some poor. I have had chrome problems with ALL top brands, on occasion, so it is just not Cornwell, but they are certainly guilty of some poor plating here and there.

 

[stock z/28]

I have no luck using impact sockets on probably 75% of the automotive fasteners I encounter. The wall is just too thick.


Not much Cornwell stuff in this area so I really have no opinion on their quality.

 

[nato]

I have no luck using impact sockets on probably 75% of the automotive fasteners I encounter. The wall is just too thick.


Not much Cornwell stuff in this area so I really have no opinion on their quality.

Another reason chrome sockets may be needed for impact use!