More 1970's SK- socket fails -- and another one!

[goodfellow]

  I'm getting quite good at breaking sockets lately  --- 

I've posted my disappointment in these 1970s vintage SK sockets before. Seems the 1/4" and 3/8" drive sets were pretty suspect as far as quality and durability are concerned. Back in 1978 I purchased a complete set -- 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive (metric and standard) from my local auto parts store. It was their premium line and they were discounted heavily because the store was switching over to Challenger as their premium offering.

I purchased the sets because SK had a great reputation; both my dad and grandpa swore by the brand. Needless to say, I've broken many sockets out of all those sets -- no impact use, just ratchets, breaker bars, and spinners. Today I was helping a friend install new motor mounts on his vehicle and used a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts and the old motor mounts -- 19mm and 18mm respectively. Within an hour, I had two cracked sockets --

Stay away from 1970's vintage SK sockets guys --

Maybe I should send these to SK so that they can inspect these things for quality issues. I've never broken more sockets than from these SK sets.

[walrus]

SK doesn't care but I'll bet they would warranty them. Ideal makes pretty good tools and I've bought some Ideal made SK sockets but only 1/4 drive, regular and deep. I like them but I doubt I'll ever break them or for that matter abuse them. I think it was you that said a big set of Gearwrench 1/4 drive impacts was a good buy so I bought them. I'll abuse them instead.

[slip knot]

I broke a metric 1/2 drive SK a while back. same vintage.

 I'll probably just sell them when the next garage sale comes around. yeah right.

[ron350]

Is there any way to tell when a SK socket or set was made?

[bonneyman]

Is there any way to tell when a SK socket or set was made?

I'm sure there is some way to do it.

I tried compiling logo markings, and how they seemed to change throughout the years. Began with when Symington Wayne bought SK in 1962. But it's not provable and kinda fragmentary. I don't remember the file name I put it under, but I'll try and find it.

[goodfellow]

That design and style was made for many years -- but my knowledge of SK brand history is nil. I know the bands changed at some point, but don't know what time frame those changes occurred.

[highland512]

Is there any way to tell when a SK socket or set was made?

The packaging is about the only way to tell. I will try to get some pictures later.... I have a 1/2 drive metric socket set that is about 50% new since all of the old original sockets busted. In my book any tools that came in a green metal rail with painted on branding are suspect to being of this vintage. I busted a 17mm just a couple weeks ago removing a caliper hanger on my pickup, I guess a long handle Proto and 275 lbs of beefcake was more than it could stand. Its not the end of the world, I have a wonderful SK dealer a mile away from where Im typing this. They keep all of SK products in stock and are adding all of the new stuff as it comes out.

[bonneyman]

....I have a wonderful SK dealer a mile away from where I'm typing this. They keep all of SK products in stock and are adding all of the new stuff as it comes out.

That must be nice!   

[goodfellow]

I've had great luck with Craftsman and MAC for many years. The only other set that caused so many cracking issues was my grandpa's 1950's vintage New Britain 1/2" drive 12pt chrome set. I still have the complete set in original condition, incl. the cracked sockets -- I keep it as a memento, but those NB sockets pretty much followed the same failure pattern as the SK sockets. They were never used on any impacts, just hand tools, yet the results were almost identical.

[bonneyman]

I've had great luck with Craftsman and MAC for many years. The only other set that caused so many cracking issues was my grandpa's 1950's vintage New Britain 1/2" drive 12pt chrome set. I still have the complete set in original condition, incl. the cracked sockets -- I keep it as memento, but those NB sockets pretty much followed the same failure pattern as the SK sockets. They were never used on any impacts, just hand tools, yet the results were almost identical.

Hmm, I've never had an S-K socket crack like that, and I too only use the chrome sockets with hand tools. Then again I'm not an auto mechanic putting the stresses of that job on them everyday.
I have had alot of chrome peel, though. And that pisses me off, as I've sliced my fingers on the flakes of chrome many times.   
But that's a well-known symptom of S-K, I guess it had to do with their manufacturing process for some years. They finally got it fixed (perhaps when the Superkrome started?)

[highland512]

I think Proto had some of the same problems as SK during the same time period. I have a 1/2 standard set that I bought NOS dated 1979 according to the stocking sticker on the package. I have broke 3 of these sockets and when they brake they dont crack or split, they shatter like glass. The last one that broke on me broke into 6 pieces, the largest being about the size of a quarter.

[goodfellow]

This is getting pretty interesting. Just got finished tightening a hose clamp with this late 70's vintage Powr-Kraft (Thorsen) 1/4" drive --1/4" socket. As I was taking it off the extension I felt the ridge. --- Another cracked socket!!! ..........I'm on a roll 

Odds are that the hose clamp job didn't do this to the socket. It must have occurred previously, but now I'm paranoid.    I pulled out every chrome socket set that I have in my main toolbox and inspected every one of them. That's a lot of sockets, and to my relief, I didn't find any more damaged goods.

Simply amazing -- "Murphy" is definitely at work in my garage this week. I'm calling it a day -- just drink a few cups of strong coffee and smoke a cigar.

Have a good weekend guys!!! 

[hickory n Steel]

That's crazy.
It sounds like even I could break a 70's S-K socket.

The only socket I've ever broken was made in Sri Lanka.

[J.A.F.E.]

I've broken a few over the years mostly Snap-on and Craftsman (mainly because most of my sockets are one or the other). It almost always was on a worn 12 point and usually greasy inside. I figure the socket ramped up on the corner of the fastener and split. Never had one shatter into pieces.

[bonneyman]

A socket breaking like glass seems to indicate it is overly hard steel (i.e didn't get heat treated properly). Maybe the thermostat on the heating oven was off, and wasn't caught till several thousands of sockets went out?   

I also know that dirty sockets are prone to cracking. Grease and dirt build-up in the broaching redistributes the applied torque unevenly, and - if high enough stress is applied - one corner is forced to take more of the load than the other 5. Hence, le crack!