So flare wrench finish

pcpro15 · Apr 9, 2011

I just picked up a set of double end metric flare wrenches (RXFMS606B) and after looking at them closer a minute ago... the finish / construction isn't quite what I would expected for the money. My gearwrenches have a smoother more polished finish than these... There are a lot of tiny marks on the ends of the handle of the bigger three wrenches. The best way I can describe it is it looks like they had a punch taken to them a little bit. Is this normal? It is hard to get a picture through the sealed package.

HandyManny · Apr 9, 2011

Are you planning on using them or simply admiring them from a climate controlled case?? For the money they Snap-On should make an effort to see that these things are better finished. But when it's all boiled down I'd be more concerned with their function and how well they fit on flare nuts. They're tools man, they'll get plenty of use that will result in scratches, nicks, dings, etc. People need to realize that these professional tools or any tool really isn't the Hope Diamond, or the Crown Jewels. I'm sure even those have flaws.

pcpro15 · Apr 9, 2011

HandyManny said:
For the money they Snap-On should make an effort to see that these things are better finished. But when it's all boiled down I'd be more concerned with their function and how well they fit on flare nuts. They're tools man, they'll get plenty of use that will result in scratches, nicks, dings, etc. People need to realize that these professional tools or any tool really isn't the Hope Diamond.

True, from a functionaly stand point I think they will be fine... although at the same time paying premium, and recieving what I would consider factory seconds is a little bit of a let down. I just wanted to see if this was normal, or a fluke.

ngk22r · Apr 9, 2011

treasureseeker · Apr 9, 2011

Most of my tools are Snap On the same as I will be buying in the future. But I have gotten some Snap On recently that should not have made it pass quality control and I just send them back to them. I got a socket where the bottom 1/4 “ or so was turned down like a top and came to a point at the bottom where the part number and size were suppose to be, a long offset wrench that had a bow along its length and pits under the chrome on some items. I don't find it a big deal as they replace them without any problems.

diesel research · Apr 9, 2011

toss them across the floor a couple of times, roll em around in some 5th wheel grease, soon you will forget.

ngk22r · Apr 9, 2011

pcpro15 · Apr 9, 2011

ngk22r said:

I took about 10 of them, but it is hard with the plastic on it, light position, make sure the camera won't pick it up wierd etc. This is as close as I could get.

http://img191.imageshack.us/i/0409011139.jpg/

The plastic is stretched around the black blocks between the wrenches, but that is it. Everything else in the pic is accurate. the bright spot on 19 looks like a chrome defect. These three have the "punch marks", the middle one being the worst. And the over all finish would be comparable to this new set I found on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP...Z280639831693QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

..... but then i look around and see this set and say.. damn!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SNAP...Z120709100225QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

Zrexxer · Apr 9, 2011

Yeah, not sure what to tell you there by your description. This is pretty much what all of mine look(ed) like:

pcpro15 · Apr 9, 2011

Thanks for the pic Zrexxer. Yeah I guess ill see if I can get it exchanged next week then... or a better deal on them because I didn't get what I paid for. Thanks for the help guys... Just hope the other stuff I ordered that isn't in yet doesn't come like this set did. Had ordered the standard flare set, and both sets of 10pc flank drive plus.

Skin · Apr 9, 2011

HandyManny said:
Are you planning on using them or simply admiring them from a climate controlled case??

I think he's planning on admiring them considering he didnt even remove them from the sealed package. :lol:

Tool polishers and Snap-On. I dont get it.

pcpro15 · Apr 9, 2011

Skin said:
I think he's planning on admiring them considering he didnt even remove them from the sealed package.

Tool polishers and Snap-On. I dont get it.

I dont need them this second. Why would I open them if I have an issue with them? :headscrat

Skin · Apr 9, 2011

If they trully have a plating defect they'd be replaced open or not. I think you're probably just seeing some remaining residue from the factory. Open the package and wipe them off with a grease cutter and put them in your box to use. I just dont understand why anyone would buy something then examine them through the obsurd candy box package with a magnifying glass fearing breaking the plastic seal.

thesilverone · Apr 9, 2011

Yeah those are definitely meant to stay in the package :Freak:

lynam · Apr 9, 2011

Skin said:
If they trully have a plating defect they'd be replaced open or not. I think you're probably just seeing some remaining residue from the factory. Open the package and wipe them off with a grease cutter and put them in your box to use. I just dont understand why anyone would buy something then examine them through the obsurd candy box package with a magnifying glass fearing breaking the plastic seal.

I would do the same, open them up and take a micro fiber cloth to them with some car wax or polish and then judge the finish.

mrholeshot · Apr 9, 2011

If you are not satisfied return them for replacement. For what Snap-On cost I expect a really nice finish. Nothing is going to be perfect but pits under the chrome can cause chrome problems later on. It's your money, make sure you are satisfied

Skin · Apr 9, 2011

mrholeshot said:
If you are not satisfied return them for replacement. For what Snap-On cost I expect a really nice finish. Nothing is going to be perfect but pits under the chrome can cause chrome problems later on. It's your money, make sure you are satisfied

agree completely but i'd still open them and clean them to be sure. Remember the Cman Pro wrenches you got and claimed had bad chrome which turned out to be oil? Heck even a set i got had 2 with some sort of glue all over the back. Little bit of goof off and they were shining like gems. I'm sure the customer service at SO would agree entirely as well. If a set you just opened had a plating issue i seriously doubt they'd tell a customer "oh well". The other thing that makes me suspect that its just cosmetic and not a real defect is he claims its on every wrench.

mrholeshot · Apr 9, 2011

Skin said:
agree completely but i'd still open them and clean them to be sure. Remember the Cman Pro wrenches you got and claimed had bad chrome which turned out to be oil? Heck even a set i got had 2 with some sort of glue all over the back. Little bit of goof off and they were shining like gems. I'm sure the customer service at SO would agree entirely as well. If a set you just opened had a plating issue i seriously doubt they'd tell a customer "oh well". The other thing that makes me suspect that its just cosmetic and not a real defect is he claims its on every wrench.

I remember that very well. But yeah I would agree to get them out and polish them up to verify the problem. Those Craftsman had me fooled for a few days

pcpro15 · Apr 9, 2011

Just got back in and saw more posts. I took your suggestion skin and opened them up :yikes:

Oh no! Hahaha, and you guys called it right. I'll tell you I would have put money down that they were pits by looking at them in person.... but you's were right :bowdown:

haha, thanks guys. There still are a bunch of small dimples and some wavey chrome spots but i was concerned about what looked like punch marks. Yes this was my first snap on wrench purchase for those that were wondering. Have 3 more different sets on order.

HandyManny · Apr 9, 2011

You guys all want American made tools (I do too), but you also want perfect chrome. The two combined no longer exists thanks to the EPA and all the enviromental whackos. The old tried and true quality method of chrome plating is no longer viable to be used in this country anymore. Too toxic. Too damaging to the environment, so they say. Personally I think global warming is nothing but Al Gore's new imaginary friend, but that's another discussion.

The new approved method for Chrome plating in this country now results in a finish that is thin, doesn't adhear well, flakes, and peels. Also it looks less than stellar. Sad to say guys, but you can either have "Made in USA" or you can have nice chrome plating, but you can no longer have both. Thank Al Gore and the EPA for that one.

DrkMtnDew · Apr 9, 2011

HandyManny said:
you can either have "Made in USA" or you can have nice chrome plating, but you can no longer have both.

so a SO dual 80 should have excellent chrome.

no just kidding. it is sad that it had to come to this. all the technology in the world and the quality of our tools are going backward (for the most part).

oldtools · Apr 9, 2011

If I am going to pay that much money for SO, I expect quality even if it function properly. If HF can have quality chrome for 1/10 the price, so can SO for 10 times the price. Just bought the HF low profile double drive (1/4 and 3/8) ratchet for $14. Chrome is gorgeous. Packaging say it has triple chrome.

HandyManny · Apr 9, 2011

oldtools said:
If I am going to pay that much money for SO, I expect quality even if it function properly. If HF can have quality chrome for 1/10 the price, so can SO for 10 times the price. Just bought the HF low profile double drive (1/4 and 3/8) ratchet for $14. Chrome is gorgeous. Packaging say it has triple chrome.

Quality chrome plating, or at least the old method used to plate is now only done overseas in places like China and Taiwan......where the EPA can do no harm.

briggsguy17 · Apr 9, 2011

Just an FYI. I recently purchased that set as well and mine are fine. They have some type of oily coating on them so that may be what you are seeing???

Skin · Apr 9, 2011

HandyManny said:
Quality chrome plating, or at least the old method used to plate is now only done overseas in places like China and Taiwan......where the EPA can do no harm.

yea darn the epa for harming everyone by trying to keep toxic chemicals out of the water table.

Because the stuff from the east has never looked of poor quality or had any issues with peeling

.

Try to educate yourself before going off about nonsense.

HandyManny · Apr 9, 2011

Skin said:
yea darn the epa for harming everyone by trying to keep toxic chemicals out of the water table.

Because the stuff from the east has never looked of poor quality or had any issues with peeling .

Try to educate yourself before going off about nonsense.

Oh, looks like I struck a nerve there Skin. :lol:

You must have worked for the EPA at one time and still have some loyalty. Hey people have been complaining about flaking and pealing chrome on many of the newer USA made tools recently. Even heard complaints about Snap-On recently. Granted the OP could just be seeing oil from the package and mistaken it for pits. I'm pretty well aware of how the old methods of chrome plating were done compared to the new. The old method is still being used overseas. No longer here. I'm just saying.

diesel research · Apr 10, 2011

HandyManny said:
Quality chrome plating, or at least the old method used to plate is now only done overseas in places like China and Taiwan......where the EPA can do no harm.

Where are wright's plated?

Skin · Apr 10, 2011

HandyManny said:
Oh, looks like I struck a nerve there Skin. You must have worked for the EPA at one time and still have some loyalty. Hey people have been complaining about flaking and pealing chrome on many of the newer USA made tools recently. Even heard complaints about Snap-On recently. Granted the OP could just be seeing oil from the package and mistaken it for pits. I'm pretty well aware of how the old methods of chrome plating were done compared to the new. The old method is still being used overseas. No longer here. I'm just saying.

I have not worked for any such agency i just happen to know what i'm talking about.

Hexavalent Chrome is still used in the US but its application has been drastically reduced. If chrome is peeling straight off its because of an adhering problem from the plating process, not because of the change. If there was an issue you'd see far more cases and i think tool companies would do their research too, especially those with lifetime guarantees, because they have to foot the bill for replacements.

By the way its not just the "evil EPA". Heres a memo from the Department of Defense.

http://www.asetsdefense.org/documents/DOD Policy Memo on Hex Chrome.pdf

and some further reading from the Center for Disease Control with plenty of links to keep you busy.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hexchrom/

and OSHA

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/index.html

Other adverse health effects associated with Cr(VI) exposure include dermal irritation, skin ulceration, allergic contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, nasal irritation and ulceration, perforated nasal septa, rhinitis, nosebleed, respiratory irritation, nasal cancer, sinus cancer, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, epigastric pain, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth.

Yep too bad American workers arent subjected to it anymore to give you the illusion of a far superior plating on your hand tool. And likewise too bad its no longer being dumped into the water table.

HandyManny · Apr 10, 2011

Skin said:
I have not worked for any such agency i just happen to know what i'm talking about.

Hexavalent Chrome is still used in the US but its application has been drastically reduced. If chrome is peeling straight off its because of an adhering problem from the plating process, not because of the change. If there was an issue you'd see far more cases and i think tool companies would do their research too, especially those with lifetime guarantees, because they have to foot the bill for replacements.

By the way its not just the "evil EPA". Heres a memo from the Department of Defense.

http://www.asetsdefense.org/documents/DOD Policy Memo on Hex Chrome.pdf

and some further reading from the Center for Disease Control with plenty of links to keep you busy.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hexchrom/

and OSHA

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/index.html

Yep too bad American workers arent subjected to it anymore to give you the illusion of a far superior plating on your hand tool. And likewise too bad its no longer being dumped into the water table.

You and I and everyone else simply driving our vehicles or doing repairs on them lead to worst effect everyday. Do you work on vehicles? If so you are more likely to get the same toxicity from those much sooner than anyone else is from the affects of chrome plating. I guess you shouldn't drive a car that uses batteries, anti-freeze, brake fluid, ATF, motor oil, gear oil, or gasoline if you're worriied that much about toxicity. And I'm not talking about disposal either. I'm talking about the affects to the enviroment of simply driving the thing, not to mension the exposure you put yourself in by working on the vehicle. Do you even have any idea about how detrimental the effects of something as simple as windshield washer fluid are to your health, especially your eyeballs and vision, yet everytime you squirt your widshield with the air vents open you are breathing in those vapors in an enclosed area and toxifying yourself much worse. It's not just American factory workers who have to worry about toxicity, we all do it to ourselves willingly almost everyday without a thought. But I guess thisis a whole other debate.

To get closer to subject - Those old methods can still be used as long as the company is taking extra steps to ensure the by products are reduced or cleaned up before disposal. Those extra steps just end up costing more in the end and that cost gets passed onto the customer in the final price. Not saying all the best chrome comes form Asia, just saying that you are likely to see the best chrome today being applied on the higher end or higher quality tools from places like Taiwan for example. As far as peeling and flaking - we are seeing more cases of it recently and I keep hearing complaints from guys who are buying newer Snap-On stuff as well as otherwise good tools from other high quality makers. It's been a complaint on this forum from time to time recently. So, it doesn't matter how much we may thing we know what we're talking about, there is obviously a problem with the new change in chrome plating being done here in the US, by just about every company doing it. I've been around long enough to have seen that the vast majority of chrome plating done on tools and other things used to be heavy, durable, and nicely done. It just had a whole different feel to it when new and as it aged. I've even felt the downward change in the plating on new Zippo lighters recently. You can feel the shoddyness. Not saying we need to pollute if we can avoid it.

porphyre · Apr 10, 2011

diesel research said:
toss them across the floor a couple of times, roll em around in some 5th wheel grease, soon you will forget.

Then why pay $30 for a wrench and $15 for a socket in the first place?

OP is correct. Premium prices pay for premium quality - performance, durability, fit and finish.

oldtools · Apr 10, 2011

porphyre said:
Then why pay $30 for a wrench and $15 for a socket in the first place?

OP is correct. Premium prices pay for premium quality - performance, durability, fit and finish.

If you are paying for a $70,000 Cadillac, you don't want the paint to look like **** eventhough the car work fine. Eventhough the car will get dink and scratch later on, you still want a high quality paint job when brand new. Quality mean all aspect of the tools, not just functionality.

So flare wrench finish

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