SK Wrenches..made WHERE?

[Copasetic]

I read Craftsman's wrenches labeled USA have a ratchet mechanism from Taiwan and weren't that great anyway.

I have 4 Craftsman ratchets and every single one of them, the ratcheting mechanism is screwed up. Could it be possible that when K mart bought Sears they went El Cheapo on us?

 

[Pookster]

I have 4 Craftsman ratchets and every single one of them, the ratcheting mechanism is screwed up. Could it be possible that when K mart bought Sears they went El Cheapo on us?

Dunno, I know that sears now carries SK- kinda makes me worry, but I bought a bunch of 1970's sk tools, that seem a lot better made.
The Ratchets in the regular series arent very good, their kinda coarse. Their Pro series is a lot better. Still not a snap on though.

It sucks, sometimes, you have something your trying to remove , and nothing, and nothing but the perfect tool will work.

I know I need to get a new set of flare wrenches. I have a set of them and they worked just fine for most things... but I have nut that IT was so tight, it spun the flare wrench. Didnt damage the acutal nut though. Nut was made in the USA, and not rusted. Tool was made in taiwan (autozone).

 

[Masiony]

i broke two flair wenches yesterday. but i think they were cheap ones.

 

[vortec]

Yes, like buying a Suburban, which, being from an American manufacturer, is assembled in Mexico.

My 94 c1500 was made in canada and the honda I had (first car) was made in Ohio. San Antonio is cranking out Toyotas. It's all mixed up, and nothing is 100% anything anymore.

My company outsources to India and it totally sucks. Can't understand them, they do crappy work and you can deal with it or fire them and hire another crappy worker. LAME!

Outsourcing can be great for a company's profits in the short term, but it will come back to bite us in the butt as the economy as a whole suffers. It's already starting to happen. Our dollar is getting weaker. I think there needs to be a balance. We can't go back to an isolationist society, but we could bring more of our activities back home.

And as far as Craftsman goes, I have ratchets that are older than I am (used to be my dad's) that are still in decent shape, but have shredded the internals on some from the same era. I've probably broken at least one wrench or socket of every brand I've owned, though. I tend to apply a little too much force from time to time, so I keep a "destroyed tools box" and take it to Sears every year or so.

 

[Pookster]

We all abuse tools from time to time.. but sometimes its using a tool out of spec.

For example: using a quarter drive for a nut that demands tightening or loosening from 50 ft lbs.

3/8th drive as a breaker bar. (they make 3/8th breaker bars, but they are not meant for 300ft/lbs and then using a cheater bar on top.

thats what sets the high end tools apart from the low end; usually, the high end tools are built way over the demand specs. So when you use them "hard", its still within design.

 

[dremu]

We all abuse tools from time to time.. but sometimes its using a tool out of spec.

For example: using a quarter drive for a nut that demands tightening or loosening from 50 ft lbs.

3/8th drive as a breaker bar. (they make 3/8th breaker bars, but they are not meant for 300ft/lbs and then using a cheater bar on top.

thats what sets the high end tools apart from the low end; usually, the high end tools are built way over the demand specs. So when you use them "hard", its still within design.

Why, whatever do you mean? I thought breaker bars ALL had a bend on one end from use with a cheater pipe?

I bent a 1/2" breaker bar once... amazing what leverage can do a puny man's strength =))

-- A

 

[Pookster]

Why, whatever do you mean? I thought breaker bars ALL had a bend on one end from use with a cheater pipe?

I bent a 1/2" breaker bar once... amazing what leverage can do a puny man's strength =))

-- A

Bent half inch? Humm.. over 500 ft lbs I tell you that!

 

[dremu]

Bent half inch? Humm.. over 500 ft lbs I tell you that!

No fricken way? I didn't think that nut was on THAT tight ... the spec is only 150 or 180 ft/lbs.

Wow.

-- A

 

[SUPER'BURB]

Why, whatever do you mean? I thought breaker bars ALL had a bend on one end from use with a cheater pipe?

I bent a 1/2" breaker bar once... amazing what leverage can do a puny man's strength =))

-- A

I saw a guy jumping on a 4' pipe on the end of a breaker bar.

He was surprised when the wheel stud sheard.......... He was turnig it to the right and couldn't get it to loosen.

I promptly took my SNAP ON breaker away from him.

 

[fireplug]

(Big Breath)

... so some CEO and his cronies can make a bigger profit margin."

That is exactly the truth. It frustrates and absolutely confuses me when so many so called 'blue collar' guys, have become so 'right wing'.

And why CAN'T we become isolationist? Together or separate Canada and the US have EVERYTHING we need. Crops, oil, freshwater, lumber, iron ore, precious metals, three oceans (yes count them) full of fish.

The rich guys don't care a lick, because they aren't stuck here like the rest of us are. They live globally and can escape to their various multi million dollar homes around the world or $2000 a night hotel rooms. And by the time North Americans are dead and broke, the Chinese and Indian common folk will all have money to spend. And the circle continues.

Things won't ever even have a chance of changing until we realize it's US against THEM. But THEY draw up the sides to take the heat off of themselves. THEY'LL have you believe it's about geography, or ideals, or religion but it's not it's about finances.

Poor Sam and Poor Abdul have more in common than either do with Rich Sam or Rich Abdul.

 

[Desert Rat]

Some of you guys slay me. Outsourcing production to another country is as American as apple pie. What you ask?! How can that be? Well, we live in one of the most capitalistic economies in the world. Our economy is driven by supply and demand. If you own a company, and you want to make money, then you look for what people will pay for a product, and give it to them at a cost that will also make you a living. You guys decrying the "cronies" who are rich forget that not all of them were born into money. Many rich business owners clawed their way to the top of the heap. How exactly did they do that? By putting that cheap overseas wrench on the shelves of store, or any other offshore manufactured product, and watching Americans line up to buy it.

Wait you say, why would anyone buy that POS when that beautiful high quality American made wrench is right next to it? Well, since the American made product costs considerably more, there is a very lucrative market selling something cheaper. That is truly the American way. If there was no demand for cheap wrenches, there would be no supply. Nobody gets to be a rich cronie by producing and selling something without demand. Now, why would that American made product cost so damn much? You can thank good ol' Americans themselves for that. Thank the unions for demanding increasingly higher wages, better benefits, etc. which place a larger burden on a business owner. Now, before you union guys snivel, I am a union member as well and I love my benefits. But, recognize there is a cost to them.

Thank the environmentalists for whining about every steel or manufacturing plant. The environazis will make producing anything in this country near impossible in the next few decades, thereby raising U.S. costs, and driving more factories overseas. Thank the lawyers who sue at the drop of the hat for anything remotely related to a boo boo incurred by some booger eating moron who couldn't figure out how to operate a simple piece of equipment who then sustained some injury as a result. Multi-million dollar lawsuits that drive businesses into the ground defending them. Thank the elected officials who bend over for unions, environmentalists, and lawyers who then pass burdensome laws on U.S. businesses hurting their ability to compete.

Next time you walk into your local car parts store, keep in mind that they could stock only American made products (or reasonably close to American made depending on your definition) if they wanted to. And, the majority of patrons would walk in, look at the higher prices, and head for Wal-Mart, or some other store selling cheaper foreign goods. That is capitalism in action. Few people have the luxury of ignoring price tags and buying whatever they want. Oh, and by the way, most other citizens of foreigh countries do quite well working in the "sweat shops" opened up by U.S. businesses. It is an absolute myth that all foreign factories are exploiting the local workers. In fact, in most foreign countries, the U.S. companies tend to pay higher wages than any other line of work. When you see those propoganda pictures from the liberal do-gooders showing a factory full of folks lines up side by side at some piece of machinery, keep in mind that they probably make more per day doing that hard labor than anybody else in their region. In many towns and cities, people in third world countries barely stay alive, let alone make ends meet. Many of these so called sweat shops give them a wage that is considerably higher than any other job. Granted, they will work longer hours, but many times this is by choice. See, they get it too. They understand that the harder you work, the more you make. Don't believe me? I've been there, seen them, and talked with the workers. Besides, how many Americans would do that work? Say all you want about taking American jobs, but few Americans will work 10 hours a day assembling sport shoes. Well, not before organizing a union and demanding much higher wages and huge benefits.

Main Entry: cap·i·tal·ism Pronunciation: \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌliz-əm, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\ Function: noun Date: 1877 : an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

 

[Randy92782]

We did this on a dump truck at work. It took 2 guys jumping to get the lugnuts loose. did em all without breaking them too. No idea how.

Back on topic i buy w/e tool i can get at the time. Be it a china tool, Stanley, Popular mechanics. I could really care less cause in the end if you're in need for a tool you can't always get a american made tool in a little ass town like mine.

I've also had chinese tools out last my craftsman and snap-n. regardless i got a warranty still doesn't make it better. ALL IMO

 

[fireplug]

Hate to tell ya but Canada and US are at the bottom of a looong list (check recent stats I'll find some links tomorrow) [ EDIT - NO I won't as this is way off topic - EDIT ] comparing quality of life.

Including countries around the world, and surprisingly we're not talk just France, Britain, Germany etc, we have at minimum 2 weeks less vacation, longer working days, and weeks, and WAAAY higher taxes.

Ever looked into health care or post secondary education costs in other '1st world' countries?

Check the UN stats for children living in poverty and compare Canada or the US with other western countries.

Listen I love my country, and yours (half my family is American) but something isn't working quite right. And if you are fine with that then good for you I guess.

As for tools, my tools are better than my knowledge warrants so I can't complain. Though I sure wish I was skilled enough to warrant Snap On!

 

[CUCV2]

United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

While some of what you say has some truth to it, it doesn't make it right. I could go rob a bank and get rich if I wanted to but that isn't right either. If a company wants to make something overseas, they should be held to the same standard as an American company. I'm no liberal but environmentally these companies are trashing the earth. One example of that is in one manufacturing community in China the Cancer rate was 14 x the national average because the community all were too poor to have well water and got it from the same river that the factories dumped in. When they discovered the cancer rate they did nothing because they didn't have to. Communism at work. And that pollution will migrate. Another interesting point is that many of the people working in these factories likely had relatives that we bombed in WWII. They couldn't outfight us so they have found another way. The money they are making over there is being funneled into their military that is growing exponentially. I heard another good one the other day. The NAACP were going to put up a monument in honor of Martin Luther King. They put out bids and of course China had the lowest bid. The irony of a country with one of the worst civil rights records building a monument for a civil rights advocate made me laugh and shake my head at the same time.

A global economy is so NOT the American way. The economy is starting to decline steadily as more factories move overseas. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. If you support a communist society it is only a matter of time until you resemble them. I can see it already. The bigger a corporation is, the more they will lobby the govenment and influence policy. Unions were created to give the blue collars guys a voice. A well needed one. Maybe it goes a little too far sometimes but you never see the upper executives taking paycuts to save jobs. On the contrary, they make money when they can find ways to cut costs and get rid of employees. That is why big corporations are so opposed to Unions. The American people do still have the power though. The have the freedom to choose what they buy and support.

Evil prevails when good men do nothing.
United we stand, divided we fall.

Some of you guys slay me. Outsourcing production to another country is as American as apple pie. What you ask?! How can that be? Well, we live in one of the most capitalistic economies in the world. Our economy is driven by supply and demand. If you own a company, and you want to make money, then you look for what people will pay for a product, and give it to them at a cost that will also make you a living. You guys decrying the "cronies" who are rich forget that not all of them were born into money. Many rich business owners clawed their way to the top of the heap. How exactly did they do that? By putting that cheap overseas wrench on the shelves of store, or any other offshore manufactured product, and watching Americans line up to buy it.

Wait you say, why would anyone buy that POS when that beautiful high quality American made wrench is right next to it? Well, since the American made product costs considerably more, there is a very lucrative market selling something cheaper. That is truly the American way. If there was no demand for cheap wrenches, there would be no supply. Nobody gets to be a rich cronie by producing and selling something without demand. Now, why would that American made product cost so damn much? You can thank good ol' Americans themselves for that. Thank the unions for demanding increasingly higher wages, better benefits, etc. which place a larger burden on a business owner. Now, before you union guys snivel, I am a union member as well and I love my benefits. But, recognize there is a cost to them.

Thank the environmentalists for whining about every steel or manufacturing plant. The environazis will make producing anything in this country near impossible in the next few decades, thereby raising U.S. costs, and driving more factories overseas. Thank the lawyers who sue at the drop of the hat for anything remotely related to a boo boo incurred by some booger eating moron who couldn't figure out how to operate a simple piece of equipment who then sustained some injury as a result. Multi-million dollar lawsuits that drive businesses into the ground defending them. Thank the elected officials who bend over for unions, environmentalists, and lawyers who then pass burdensome laws on U.S. businesses hurting their ability to compete.

Next time you walk into your local car parts store, keep in mind that they could stock only American made products (or reasonably close to American made depending on your definition) if they wanted to. And, the majority of patrons would walk in, look at the higher prices, and head for Wal-Mart, or some other store selling cheaper foreign goods. That is capitalism in action. Few people have the luxury of ignoring price tags and buying whatever they want. Oh, and by the way, most other citizens of foreigh countries do quite well working in the "sweat shops" opened up by U.S. businesses. It is an absolute myth that all foreign factories are exploiting the local workers. In fact, in most foreign countries, the U.S. companies tend to pay higher wages than any other line of work. When you see those propoganda pictures from the liberal do-gooders showing a factory full of folks lines up side by side at some piece of machinery, keep in mind that they probably make more per day doing that hard labor than anybody else in their region. In many towns and cities, people in third world countries barely stay alive, let alone make ends meet. Many of these so called sweat shops give them a wage that is considerably higher than any other job. Granted, they will work longer hours, but many times this is by choice. See, they get it too. They understand that the harder you work, the more you make. Don't believe me? I've been there, seen them, and talked with the workers. Besides, how many Americans would do that work? Say all you want about taking American jobs, but few Americans will work 10 hours a day assembling sport shoes. Well, not before organizing a union and demanding much higher wages and huge benefits.

Main Entry: cap·i·tal·ism Pronunciation: \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌliz-əm, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\ Function: noun Date: 1877 : an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

 

[Pookster]

On thread post...

a 4 foot cheater pipe on 180 lbs? Er... I know that isnt right.
But hey, we did once break a 3/8th snap on breaker bar. But that was with a 2 foot cheater bar. And stepping on it.

Off thread post:
If Americans weren't so greedy, it wouldn't be a problem. We like our stuff, and aren't willing to sacrifice (anymore) to get it. Simple economics.

A whole set of screwdrivers from Walmart: 8 dollars (guesstimate).
Same set at Sears for Craftsman USA 25
SAme set of Snap on: 200.

THese prices are relative, I didn't actually look them up, but I certainly arent wrong in their pricing paradigm either.

Even for auto parts, most automakers have sent their parts overseas too- their after-sales support for parts became not only expensive in comparison, it also became obsolete in manufacturing techniques. A factory GM alternator is like 250-300 dollars (for an AC delco). An autozone replacement is under 100. (granted its also rebuilt).

I'll admit this much- If I could get away with cheap tools, I would. Sometimes, the fit and function of a tool prevents injury. Example would be wearing Mechanics gloves, vs. Firm Grips (they really are better IMO). Both are made in china though, but there is some level of quality control.One lasts longer under use.

I bought a Jackson Nexgen for welding- cost 8x as much as an el cheapo made in china welding helmet. But its your eyes at risk, do you really want to take that chance?

I have a nasty scar from a burn, because I didnt want to spend the money on a welding jacket. Lesson learned.

Number of busted nuckles from cheap wrenches and ratchets...

There is a quality difference. IT may not be noticible when everything is within spec, but once you get that semi crusted rusty bolt in a hard to reach area, nothing beats the right quality tool.

Sometimes we make choices to choose the right (cheap) tool, because we would rather spend that money elsewhere. (like a cheap allen key set, so you can buy some snap on sockets).

And sometimes, you really dont want to justify to yourself why you spent 2000 dollars on tools, and barely made a dent in the quantity of tools. 2000 doesnt even buy a full sized snap on tool chest.

 

[CUCV2]

Priorities

It's all where your priorities are I'd say. I know where mine are and I sleep well at night although I wish more people felt similarly. I've said my piece about that.

About the SK Tools though, I purchased an SK 1/2" socket set and case made in the USA and that thing continues to impress me every time I use it. Some sockets sets leave you hanging for that really large or really small nut. The SK set seems to come through with all the right socket sizes that I need. I have had a 4' cheater bar on the sockets when I was removing some u-bolts and it still held up fine. I also use them on an impact wrench occasionally and they are proving to be a very worthy set of tools. Yeah, I paid more for them but I think they are paying me back is spades. If I ever do bust one the local SK dealer will replace it. It seems like one of those deals where you get what you pay for. And I like to have tools that work.

 

[Snowman1000]

On Topic: I broke a Craftsman socket today

Off: Topic: I can agree with what everybody is saying about there are certain tools you just cant get cheap on ie. welders, protective equipment, precision instruments. But I have been known to buy inexpensive tools such as screwdrivers and drill bits because most of the time they get broken or lost and I hate to be out big bucks if I got to buy another. That being said this country needs to take a look at what things it ships overseas and needs to stop worrying so much about everyone else and concentrate on the United States. I mean look here we are trying to set up elections and calm down the Middle East when they cant get an election right here and crime rates are through the roof this country needs help and our government is pissin away our tax dollar and spending trillions on Iraq.

F### Iraq this is America

 

[Desert Rat]

A global economy is so NOT the American way.
.

What exactly is "The American Way"? Did you read the definition of capitalism? A global economy is the new reality. However, it doesn't mean the U.S., and/or Canada becomes a second rate nation. I think all this gloom and doom is myopic and America will always be at the top of the heap. Those that think other nations have a better standard of living haven't traveled much. There are a handful of European nations that do quite well, but they are certainly in the minority. And, if someone thinks socialized medicine and subsidized education would work in the U.S., I want some of that person is smoking. Any reasonable study of socialist and communist societies clearly reveals that they are doomed to failure. Is America doomed to failure as well? If so, it isn't because of economic policies, it will be due to a lack of a moral compass, but that is another thread entirely.

Oh, and on the topic of breaker bars, I've never bent one, but I have had them slip off and smack me in the face a few times. Now that hurt...

 

[CUCV2]

The American Way

The American way is something you either know or you don't. You can always learn more about it as you mature. I did read the definition of capitalism. Did you? The point of my previous post was that we need to get back to capitalism. If there are two social classes, rich and poor, you are becoming more of a dictatorship because the rich are controlling the poor. But we have freedom to choose what we buy and support so we can still support our friends and neighbors by buying their products and services. This keeps more money in the American economy. If you look around and see what your local economy has to offer it can be very rewarding. If you support your friends and neighbors, they are more likely to support you. That is one example of the American way. It's hard to believe that someone that lives in America is opposed to this since it helps you unless you are one of the people that is making money off of "globalization." Also, next time you post, can you back up your statements with examples. I would like to know where you are getting your perceptions of "the new reality."

What exactly is "The American Way"? Did you read the definition of capitalism? A global economy is the new reality. However, it doesn't mean the U.S., and/or Canada becomes a second rate nation. I think all this gloom and doom is myopic and America will always be at the top of the heap. Those that think other nations have a better standard of living haven't traveled much. There are a handful of European nations that do quite well, but they are certainly in the minority. And, if someone thinks socialized medicine and subsidized education would work in the U.S., I want some of that person is smoking. Any reasonable study of socialist and communist societies clearly reveals that they are doomed to failure. Is America doomed to failure as well? If so, it isn't because of economic policies, it will be due to a lack of a moral compass, but that is another thread entirely.

Oh, and on the topic of breaker bars, I've never bent one, but I have had them slip off and smack me in the face a few times. Now that hurt...

 

[sled_dog]

There is no American way. It is ever changing. It has to be or we'd die and fail as a country.

We all want to make money. You are a ****ing liar if you say you would give up the chance to make millions, were it to mean you had to ship stuff out of country. Now if it were pennies we were talking about, sure any decent person wouldn't do it, but millions upon millions is another story.

Back to tools. Our Matco screwdrivers are made in Germany. As are Knipex pliers. I consider both of these to be the best you can buy. I don't know what to tell you. As American's we have some sort of superiority complex pounded into our heads from a young age. We figure made in America means its just better. Sure I'd love to keep all the money here, but some companies just make **** better.