IROCAZ

I recognize that everyone has prefrences about the tool brand they primarily rely on, however I wanted to bring up a question.

Craftsman are the least expensive tools, snap on, matco and mac are the three most expensive brands of tools, and then there is SK handtools which have a price right in the middle of those two groups.

My question is strictly regarding quality, not value, not the dealer, not the warranty, not "what you could get by with".

Strictly regarding quality, I think most will agree that crafstman hand tools are in a league at least slightly below the other four (snap on, matco, mac, SK).

My question is do you think that SK hand tools are at all lower in qualtiy than snap on, matco, or mac?

I think SK does not offer as well established dealer network or as many specality tools as the others, but regarding simple hand tools (sockets, ratchets, wrenches) it think that SK offers at least equal quality at a much lower price.

What does everyone else think?

fuseone

ok snap on is better but dont get sk if you are thinking of geting any thing that is cheaper then snap on get craftsman not sk because they suck personly thats what i think i have some and i was using them and i was like damn my craftsman set is better then this

JPMuscle

I dont agree with that SK makes some nice stuff without a doubt, and as far as snap on is concerned ill take MAC over snap on anyday. Ive jus never been a fan of the snap on stuff.


-john

eschoendorff

iTrader: (1)

I have a lot of SK stuff, and in my opinion, SK is just about as good as SO, MAC or Matco. I have used their warranty and their service is excellent. The quality of their tools is also excellent. SK is one of the best "sleeper" brands out there. I would recommend SK with confidence.

Camaroholic

iTrader: (1)

I'd give SK a good consideration, but one guy over on GarageJournal didn't have a very good experience with them.

The problems (long thread):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=3247

And finally:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=5645

Hopefully they cleaned up their act since then.

I have some Proto wrenches and love them.

eschoendorff

iTrader: (1)

I remember that thread on garagejournal... those wrenches were not representative of the VAST majority of SK's product. I just bought the 24" SK 1/2" drive breaker bar and that thing is damn near man jewelry. It's almost too pretty to use (but I will anyway).

yak

iTrader: (15)

we had sk tools in my High school last year. I would without a doubt buy SK tools next time I need tools. I beat the **** out of those tools and never had one break, malfunction or anything. I have broken snap on wrenches and lots of craftsman stuff, but never any sk tools. plus, the rathets were really nice.

rumblbu

iTrader: (1)

Nearly all my tools are sk. Craftsman might have a great warantee and a cheaper price but who has the time to go to sears after every project cuz half your tools are busted again.

ls1king000

iTrader: (20)

Every aircraft mechanic I knew used SK. I do admit I like the older stuff better.

BrianEsser

http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html

bigredexpress99

iTrader: (15)

I'm all for SK as well, as a third of my box is full of them

F8LWS6

iTrader: (11)

I use all SK and Craftsman. My SK's have never given me trouble. I think they are great. My Craftsmans I have broken here and there. But Sears is only a short ride away. Its usually my fault the tools break and they replace them without any questions what so ever. So it's been a great combo so far.

IROCAZ

The "who manufactures which tools" article is interesting, I am glad to hear the good things regarding SK, I plan on puchasing some tools from them in a few days.

Frank Kerman

My experience is good with SK and still going on good. So I would like to recommend SK.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

Craftsman used to be pretty damn good tools but about 20 plus years ago they started on a down hill slide. They break/wear far easier than the old stuff.
SK quality is ok but not any better then Craftsman in my opinion.

showdog75

iTrader: (8)

Way to dig up a 14 year old thread Frank.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

I usually notice the dates...missed this one lol

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

We appreciate your diligence in this matter. A question that has been asked before has no bearing on anything today.

Not all hero's wear capes.

Keep up the good work Sir.

MuhThugga

Old thread or not, the Craftsman of 2006 is not the Craftsman of today. Much of my tool collection is US-made Craftsman/Craftsman Professional. However, I have transitioned to SK for some hand tool stuff. I picked up their X-frame ratcheting wrenches last year and absolutely love them.

The only issue I have with SK, or any US tool manufacturer at this point, is that the dealer networks suck, which makes same day purchases and warranty replacements a hassle. The reason I had gone to Craftsman to begin with was that I could go to the store and get a tool right then and there. Can't really do that with SK, Wright, etc. Of course, since Lowe's has acquired Craftsman, my lifetime warranty has gone down the drain, too. I recently had a T45 snap on me and Lowe's told me to go **** myself. Not that I really wanted the crap Craftsman puts out nowadays, but free replacement is free. Since I needed the tool that day, I went to Napa and bought a Carlyle socket, which is made in Taiwan and still of very good quality.

383z

iTrader: (2)

Even in 2006 Craftsman was going down hill. I started to hate Craftsman tools and though Harbor Freight was better quality for awhile. Now that they were bought out I feel their products have gotten a little better and Harbor Freight is still about the same quality since they seemed to step up their game too.
All my ratchets and half my sockets are Snap-On. My basic 3/8 SAE set is a USA made Craftsman that I love.
I own a few random SK items and they are nice to me.