Newer SK Tools. Good or bad.

burbguy82

burbguy82

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I know for a long time, SK was the supplier to the US Army, and maybe to other branches. Of course, excluding the Marine Corps, because they have to be different. :ROFLMAO:

Anyway. I was looking at a complete set of SK tools for a mobile tool set in my truck. I have another mobile set, which is a Frankenstein set, but nicely organized.

Below I have linked my intended sets.

Opinions on the newer SK tools?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DC61V564/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A9NPR7GGKR2BY&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CYFPDLF4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A9NPR7GGKR2BY&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BSGQT2SX/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A9NPR7GGKR2BY&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CXHPQVBZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A9NPR7GGKR2BY&psc=1
 
All of those linked tools are made in China by their new parent company, ‎Hangzhou Great Star Industrial. They are probably fine and functional. Great Star was the manufacturer of most of the Chinese Craftsman tools offered by Sears after production moved away from Danaher/Armstrong sources in the USA. Great Star also produces the Work Pro brand sold on Amazon.

SK does still offer some USA produced tools, but the cost is higher.

For a 3/8" drive set for the truck, this one from GearWrench has nice case and the tools are made in Taiwan. It's on special with Amazon right now for $71.

https://www.amazon.com/GEARWRENCH-Drive-Mechanics-Standard-Metric/dp/B009PJPH28/
 
SK is now owned by a Chinese tool company. They have a very small USA presence but very little is made anymore in the USA and is usually by others now under contract by someone else. Unless it says USA in the Amazon ads, count on it being Chinese made stuff.

The new Chinese owners are trying to pivot the SK name to compete with the likes of Gearwrench for the budget professional tech and "Prosumer" home user IMHO.
 
I complain about this every time it comes up, but if it's China COO you're ahead. The US-made LP90s were garbage, but I mean hey it's understandable because we're still unlocking the mysteries of ratcheting technology <---- heavy sarcasm

SK is dead to me. There are so many great options on the market today, including HF/Icon, Tekton, Carlyle (granted, usually too expensive), Capri, Gearwrench and others I'm forgetting. Even the Craftsman stuff at Lowe's is decent. And Husky at HD is usually a good value. For onesy-twosy stuff I go tool truck brands from ebay. Williams and Proto are great. And look to CAT for SnapOn at not-SnapOn-prices

SK still seems to be in corporate turmoil, which is just getting old as this has been since ~2005. And the one time (in recent history) they tried to build a quality ratchet in the US, they totally screwed it up. "You had one job! ONE! Just ratchet like a ratchet is supposed to!" But no, they couldn't get that right.
 
I try to avoid companies that move their main production to China. Vise Grip is a good example. Malco Eagle Grip took over for a while and made a fantastic version. That simple move to China caused an economic hardship that was both predictable, extreme and sad. They laid off 330 people in DeWitt, Nebraska where about 600 people lived.

The imported products were not as good. Same goes for SK tools. The imported versions are nowhere near the quality.

Maybe look on Ebay for used Made in USA SK tools.
 
I bought a few SK hand tools recently, they seem like every other chinese bit of tooling. They are tossed into my vehicle door cards.
 
I bought the metric 1/4 set just recently, with 30% off it was $37. Nice set, the selector is harder to turn on this type and has quick release. The engagement into sockets was a little sticky so last week sent an email and she said sending you new tools dispose or do what you want with the damaged tools. I think it will be the set, will see.
I got the USA made 3/8 metric set also. No question it is all USA including the metal box in my mind, in their factory. They said they set up shop in the USA in PA. It was at 50% off.
If you can wait they may have more steals and deals as they call it. I recommend the USA sets, but the others will work fine. I just thought it was such a good price.
It depends whether you want to pay more for USA.
If a person has a failed LP90, it looks like they will honor replacement. These scored pretty well on PF.
https://sktools.com/products/30-piece-1-4-drive-6-point-standard-deep-metric-chrome-socket-set

https://sktools.com/products/20-piece-full-range-3-8-drive-metric-socket-set
 
wavinwayne said:
The Chinese SK tools are likely fine, especially for a DIYer, but not worth the premium price just for the legacy name.
Click to expand...
that is what i am getting at.

as others have said, there is a lot of competition out there these days.

i am not interested in paying for a name.
 
burbguy82 said:
that is what i am getting at.

as others have said, there is a lot of competition out there these days.

i am not interested in paying for a name.
Click to expand...
Thankfully I'm not, but if I were having to buy hand tools to make a living today, I'd probably just get everything I could from Harbor Freight. Their stuff seems to work well enough and you can walk in and exchange anything warrantied that breaks.
 
It IS true the LP90 scored well with PF!

When I needed rebuild kits ‐‐ because, new ones didn't work out of the box -- I had to wait MONTHS for kits. Once installed, they didn't work any better.

SK can suck it, life's too short. My Dual 80s just work. Flawlessly. Every time. But so will a 72T or 90T Taiwanese design!!
 
wavinwayne said:
Thankfully I'm not, but if I were having to buy hand tools to make a living today, I'd probably just get everything I could from Harbor Freight. Their stuff seems to work well enough and you can walk in and exchange anything warrantied that breaks.
Click to expand...

Some of their stuff is getting better, the new G2 ratchets are claimed to be in house designed with many refinements from the G1 models.
I am willing to give them a try, I tried their new Icon pliers and am very satisfied with them and without going into comparisons on their own merits they are a good tool.
The day Icon supplies repair kits and replacement comfort grips is the day IMO they move up to top tier. For me those are important, I do not want to replace the ratchet because of a worn out or torn grip, it just goes against my grain.

 
Heavy sigh. So much has changed in the hand tool market. Craftsman used to meet that perfect niche of good enough quality for serious home use* , easy warranty, great selection (6 isles of tools), on and on................ That old saying "the only constant is change".

* In my dad's generation, Craftsman was found in professional tool boxes.
 
I was also looking at some Willians brand stuff, but it is made in China now I guess.

Are there any other suggestions?
 
D60 said:
SK still seems to be in corporate turmoil, which is just getting old as this has been since ~2005. And the one time (in recent history) they tried to build a quality ratchet in the US, they totally screwed it up. "You had one job! ONE! Just ratchet like a ratchet is supposed to!" But no, they couldn't get that right.
Click to expand...
I was going to say the same thing. Didn't they totally try to re-invent themselves either under their own ownership, or under Ideal Industries ownership, with a whole new line of US-made tools? Didn't fare too well eh.
 
Hootbro said:
Wright Tools and Proto would be my suggestion if you are wanting new Made in USA majority content but you are still going to pay for it. Value tool lines and USA made are a thing of the past.
Click to expand...
I am not looking for low price, just a complete set for use on the road if need be.

One thing I hate about sets is that they always leave something out, skip a size of two.

Thanks for the suggestions I will look them up.
 
After years of using Craftsman and similar, I bought a couple of Olsa version LP90's, made in USA, and a Japanese Koken, and they are all fantastic. Super low back drag, beautiful finish, tight mechanism. Totally worth the money to me.
 
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