Vintage S-K Tools

[mritchie77]

I saw an early S-K set on eBay and picked it up. My best guess is that it was made around 1936. The only way to figure out the correct contents is to look at the Carb-O-Mang listings in the back of the 1943 catalog. I believe that they listed their early sets there in order to liquidate them. This is my second set made around the same time.
Here is the ‘43 catalog image



Here is the set as received this evening.
I figured out which pieces were missing and added some of my extras.

Here are my two early sets side by side.

An ad for the upper set from 1936
’43 Catalog image

This is a good one. I saw that set, but didn't even bother as I figured it would go much higher than it did being SK.

 

[d42jeep]

^ quite the find there, Don.

So... PRE "Carb-O-Mang" they were just "Mangnanese Steel", but "Chrome Plated" ?

(my "Carb-O-Mang" stuff is definitely NOT chrome plated.)

The tools in this set most don’t look to be chrome plated either, and if some are chromed they certainly weren’t polished first. At this point I’m just trying to make sure most of the pieces are there. I’m definitely missing the u-joint and the valve grinding tool.

This is a good one. I saw that set, but didn't even bother as I figured it would go much higher than it did being SK.

I was afraid that it would too. It was kind of a frivolous purchase since I got an eBay card for my birthday.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

Thanks to a tip, I snagged these Saltus wrenches.



Too bad that RON had an electric pencil…

Added them to my SK Tools board.

 

[d42jeep]

That board is looking great!
Here is a probable prewar 3/8” drive set I’m currently working on. I still need a 12 point 3/8” socket.
-Don

with extras

 

[Mintgrun]

Here's something a little different. S-K Wayne 6310 5/16" tapered punch.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are pictures of my ‘30s S-K made sets.
-Don
The two larger sets together.
A Fulton set sold by Sears made by S-K.

 

[d42jeep]

I found some slightly more modern S-K combo wrenches at an estate sale this morning. They cleaned up pretty well. I need a 5/8” to complete the set.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

DAYUMN! Those sure are pretty!

 

[d42jeep]

This partial 1/4” drive set arrived from an eBay seller yesterday. I added some pieces to fill it out. I’m just missing the 9/32” deep socket. I found it in the 1961 catalog.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

1976 Popular Mechanics pp 190 S-K Tool ad

 

[Old Radar]

There's a haircut flashback! For a second there, I thought that was Moe from the Three Stooges!

 

[d42jeep]

I ordered up a couple of tools on eBay to fill out my recent finds. First was the 5/8” fully polished wrench that was missing. I found that I had a matching flare nut wrench to go with them.
A 9/32” deep socket arrived to complete the 1/4” drive set posted upthread. The second picture is a comparison with a more modern set from my user toolbox.

 

[Farmer J.]

I ordered up a couple of tools on eBay to fill out my recent finds. First was the 5/8” fully polished wrench that was missing. I found that I had a matching flare nut wrench to go with them.
A 9/32” deep socket arrived to complete the 1/4” drive set posted upthread. The second picture is a comparison with a more modern set from my user toolbox.

That new 5/8" wrench is not quite as clean as your others, it looks like it has crud in the lettering!
Those SK tools do look good though. I don't have many regrets in my life, but I do wish I had bought a load of the John Deere branded tools when they were made by SK. I was browsing in the JD dealership stores 30 yrs ago and the workshop guys there said they were top quality tools.

 

[d42jeep]

It’s hard to tell how much use an ebay listed wrench has had. I found a picture of three more I have in the user toolbox at my summer home. Now I’m on the search for a 7/8” example in good condition. The ones I’ve found for sale so far are much worse than the 5/8” wrench.
-Don

 

[Farmer J.]

Well, they all look pretty nice to me. Have you tried scrubbing the lettering with a toothbrush and some solvent, then some car wax on the whole thing? That seems to bring up the shine on my old Snap On ones and even out the look of the set if some have seen hard use.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I’ll give them a little more cleaning when I get them all together.
I had my thumb wheel ratchets out recently to add some sockets. I spotted the last item on an eBay listing. I wouldn’t mind finding a new set at that price!
-Don

 

[cannuck]

Very nice set and toolbox you have there, lzenglish! I have to agree with CNGsaves, that is sweet. I have a similar S-K box but mine is not as mint as yours, more time-worn. And I got mine empty, but I had some tools to fill it. And it is still my favorite toolbox.

 

[d42jeep]

This set was missing a 13/16“ and 3/4” socket. I was able to get a 13/16” from Roy. It was a little rusty but the evaporust took care of that. I’m still looking for the 3/4”.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here's mine. I found the box just over a week ago. It was nearly empty and I've populated it with loose items on hand. I've obviously got a ways to go, but I haven't found a catalog with this depicted as a set. I'm pretty sure it's a 1/4 and 3/8 combination but I don't know what actually came with it. Can I get a vector?

Thanks to a recent thread started by Graysgarage, the contents and set number have now been documented. I need to make some minor modifications to make my set match the list.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

I dunno why, but I really dig on those blue boxes.

 

[RTM]

I dunno why, but I really dig on those blue boxes.

Yup, right with you. Been looking for a similar shade of blue for a few old boxes of indistinct origin. Trying to mix blue and grey to get closer for my next attempt.

 

[Old Radar]

Thanks to a recent thread started by Graysgarage, the contents and set number have now been documented. I need to make some minor modifications to make my set match the list.
-Don

BINGO!! That's great and it confirms the rightful presence of the 1/4 drive 1/2" socket. Too bad there's no date on that ad. My box contents are mostly complete baring a few items from later eras, but I have two glaring omissions--the 1/4 drive 1/4" socket (40908) and the 4426-S Spark Plug socket.

Thanks for calling my attention to this great find, Don!

 

[d42jeep]

I was very happy that he posted that since we’ve been wondering for a while. I dug mine out today and I think that I’ve made the corrections. My guess is that it was made around the time of the sale to Wayne, which accounts for the color.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

Nice! But what happened to your 1-1/2" extension? I see it in the earlier pic.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice! But what happened to your 1-1/2" extension? I see it in the earlier pic.

Looks like I pulled out the wrong short extension. I should have checked the part numbers. I’ll switch them out tomorrow. Thanks for pointing that out.
-Don

 

[Kdaniel8601]

I found this box a while back on eBay, anybody have any idea when it would have been made?

 

[d42jeep]

It looks like a green version of the blue boxes to me. You could see what sockets fit in the slots on the right side. It may be a slightly earlier version of the promo set listed above. My opinion is that it could have been made in 1961 and maybe the blue boxes in ‘62 or ‘63. I certainly wouldn’t put any money on those guesses though.

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like I pulled out the wrong short extension. I should have checked the part numbers. I’ll switch them out tomorrow. Thanks for pointing that out.
-Don

I switched out the extensions.

I’m working on this new to me 3/8” drive deep set. Looks like I need some more period 6 point deep sockets.
-Don

 

[oak_park]

Anyone aware of S-K making a gold plated ratchet? Like a "Tool Award" or Anniversary type item? I have this pic and don't remember where i got the photo, I'm pretty sure it was a screen grab.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I guess they must have! That is cool looking

 

[Outlawmws]

I think most top tool companies did it one time or another.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think it's like a 50 year anniversary thing

 

[d42jeep]

I’m working on a couple of new to me sets. Probably from the late ’50s to early ‘60s.
-Don

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Hey guys,newer member here and as you can see in my name (and profile picture) I like SK, more specifically SK Wayne stuff.So I figured I would show off some of my stuff,I have more stuff but yet to get pictures of it.
Some of my Misc. Wrenches.




My SK Wayne Wrench set sizing from 1/4-11/4. 6 of the larger wrenches where given to me by my father,the rest I sourced from ebay and various other places.(Ignore the sacrilege that is the Proto roll,really want an SK Wayne roll or just an SK roll.)My brother is just chomping at the bit to get this roll from me(He collects Proto and all it’s cousins)

 

[d42jeep]

Nice collection. I am also a big fan of older S-K tools.
I added a few tools to my new partial 3/8” drive set. I need the correct vintage flex handle and ratchet along with the difficult to find crossbar.
-Don

 

[genog]

Nothing exciting....
Anyway, I found this at an Estate Sale.
Most of the other tools were =v= Craftsman and there were lots of it

 

[d42jeep]

I found some S-K Lectrolite DOE wrenches at a garage sale this morning.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I cleaned up yesterday’s DOE wrenches.

I’m working on a couple of new to me sets. Probably from the late ’50s to early ‘60s.
-Don

The last missing socket arrived to complete the 3/8” drive deep set
-Don

 

[ForrestT]

I cleaned up yesterday’s DOE wrenches.


The last missing socket arrived to complete the 3/8” drive deep set
-Don

Nice set, Don!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. Now I need to complete the other 3/8” drive set.
-Don