Vintage S-K Tools

cowades206 · Jan 10, 2017

Twertsy
The lone lectrolite 5/8-11/16 short wrench has a date code B.
The s-k Lectrolite 15/16-1 long wrench is date code H.
The SK-Lectrolite 11/16-3/4 long wrench is date code J.
I couldn't make out a date code on any of the other wrenches.

Please let me know what you make of these codes.

I spent quite a bit of time, but could not see date codes on any of the ratchets.
I'm 99.9% certain the 1/2" drive is not from 56 as it does not have the diamond around the S-K, and the finish looks a little different. In fact it looks a whole lot like the ratchet I bought in 2013.
I looked at the 3/4" drive ratchet, which was purchased in 57 for diesel repair school. It had a code that I'm pretty sure was 83.

Can you point me to a picture or link that shows what the ratchet date codes look like?

Toothaker
Thanks for finding the not knurled 3/8" drive info. I couldn't imagine dad had lost all of the sockets.

twertsy · Jan 11, 2017

cowades206 said:
Twertsy
The lone lectrolite 5/8-11/16 short wrench has a date code B.
The s-k Lectrolite 15/16-1 long wrench is date code H.
The SK-Lectrolite 11/16-3/4 long wrench is date code J.
I couldn't make out a date code on any of the other wrenches.

Please let me know what you make of these codes.

I spent quite a bit of time, but could not see date codes on any of the ratchets.
I'm 99.9% certain the 1/2" drive is not from 56 as it does not have the diamond around the S-K, and the finish looks a little different. In fact it looks a whole lot like the ratchet I bought in 2013.
I looked at the 3/4" drive ratchet, which was purchased in 57 for diesel repair school. It had a code that I'm pretty sure was 83.

Can you point me to a picture or link that shows what the ratchet date codes look like?

Toothaker
Thanks for finding the not knurled 3/8" drive info. I couldn't imagine dad had lost all of the sockets.

The codes are usually forged into the gap cut into the handle to accommodate the retaining ring for the head.

Toothaker · Jan 11, 2017

cowades206 said:
(snip) ... one says just SK, one is just Lectrolite and one SK-Lectrolite. BTW, All the long pattern wrenches says SK-Lectrolite. (snip) ... I guess when SK and Lectrolite teamed up, they weren't too careful with getting sets to match logos. (snip) ...

In the S-K Wayne toolbox I recently purchased (see post #179 above) there are mixed stampings in that set as well. I am very confident this set was bought in 1967, which is several years after Wayne bought S-K. In this set are two sockets stamped S-K, not S-K Wayne. Both are 1/2" drive sockets - it is the 1/2" and 1" socket. So these sockets date from 1964 or earlier - 1964 is the year Wayne copyrighted (copy wrote?) the "S-K Wayne" name.

And it makes sense, too. If Wayne inherited quite a bit of WIP (work in progress) or inventory, they aren't going to throw it away just because the old name is on the product. So likely something similar was going on when Lectrolite and S-K teamed up.

red94chev · Jan 11, 2017

I have acquired a few SK items over the years from my grandpa. I never really thought much of them when he gave them to me (since they weren't Snap-On) but they always seemed nice. I really like the wrenches.

The hex keys in the box aren't SK, they just live in there. And the 1/2" ratchet is one of the first ratchets my grandpa bought back in the 60's I believe.

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chopper1 · Jan 11, 2017

I stand corrected. I'd never realized this and I'm going to have to do a more involved inventory

It also states that some socket were broached with 12 & 8 pt, with certain sizes offered in 6 & 4 pt instead. Were they referring to the 3/8 dr?

northwoods · Jan 11, 2017

SK Eric said:
Great thread! When we got S·K out of bankruptcy there was precious little history that was easily accessible. One of the things I'm going to do over the next year is to try to establish a historical record of S·K going back to its origins before WW I.

lzenglish, your Sherman-Klove boxes are cleaner than anything I've seen around the plant, particularly the Diamond labels look to be really clean. I'd love to be able to have a cleaner image of that metal label than what I have. Do you have any close-ups of the plate?

Do you have any info on Carb-O-Mang a budget line by SK from the early 30's?
Similar to their Brazil line. You can find a little about them in the 32-34 cat., the last few pages.
I have a box set, No. 1203.
18" speeder, Rocker Ratchet, T-bar, 3 male to male extensions, 12 hex sockets, 6 double square sockets.
I understand that manganese was a less expensive alloy additive, and the tools were not top notch.
Interesting, nonetheless.

Toothaker · Jan 11, 2017

chopper1 said:
I stand corrected. I'd never realized this and I'm going to have to do a more involved inventory

It also states that some socket were broached with 12 & 8 pt, with certain sizes offered in 6 & 4 pt instead. Were they referring to the 3/8 dr?

I wondered the same thing, so I looked at my sockets again. I see my 1/2" drive knurled SK sockets are 12 point except for the 7/16" and 1/2" sockets which are 6 point. I have a 9/16" in both 6 and 12 point. So I take it from that the smaller sockets get the fewer point broach.

cowades206 · Jan 11, 2017

Well Twersty, not much luck with date codes unless you can make anything out of the markings on the 3/8" drive (first pic).

The 83 on the 3/4" drive is plenty clear though.

When I line up all the logos it's pretty obvious the 1/2" drive is much newer.
No date code I could find.

The 1/4" drive just looks like tooling marks to me, no date code.

raiderhillbilly · Jan 12, 2017

northwoods said:
Do you have any info on Carb-O-Mang a budget line by SK from the early 30's?
Similar to their Brazil line. You can find a little about them in the 32-34 cat., the last few pages.
I have a box set, No. 1203.
18" speeder, Rocker Ratchet, T-bar, 3 male to male extensions, 12 hex sockets, 6 double square sockets.
I understand that manganese was a less expensive alloy additive, and the tools were not top notch.
Interesting, nonetheless.

Check out this catalog toward starting at page 23.

http://toolarchives.com/sites/default/files/SK1943.pdf

wrenchr · Jan 15, 2017

NOS SK made jc penney.

Sam'sAutoParts · Jan 15, 2017

Wow......that is sweet!!!!

eggs73 · Jan 16, 2017

3/8 push button? Ratchet... :dunno:

Rileysan · Jan 17, 2017

wrenchr said:
NOS SK made jc penney.

I missed this post ... WOW! Great find!!

Brian

twertsy · Jan 17, 2017

eggs73 said:
3/8 push button? Ratchet...

Frankenstein. Pretty sought after but we collector's.

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eggs73 · Jan 17, 2017

I found it at local.pawn shop in a s&k Wayne box (like a 1/2 DRIVE socket set) with other sockets. :rocker:

Grossjon · Jan 25, 2017

ryan20021982 said:
meridian tool in oklahoma city,ok

check the Thorsen tools thread also, potato has some good pics of some nice Thorsen stuff there too

We have a boat load of stuff in the warehouse too

If you message us on FB that would be the best way to communicate about shipping an order! Visit http://www.meridiantool.com to get to the Facebook page.

mtds · Jan 26, 2017

S-K "Lectrolite" OE

S-K "Lectrolite" OE

mtds · Jan 26, 2017

"S-K Tools" OE

"S-K Tools" OE

oak_park · Jan 26, 2017

wrenchr said:
NOS SK made jc penney.

I've seen JCP bent handle spark plug ratchets, but never a roto head. Can you take another pic of the ratchet showing JCP part number and stamping? Thanks.

wrenchr · Jan 26, 2017

oak_park said:
I've seen JCP bent handle spark plug ratchets, but never a roto head. Can you take another pic of the ratchet showing JCP part number and stamping? Thanks.

I will tomorrow. If I recall the ratchet is not marked with JC Penney, none of the tools are.

Odes · Jan 26, 2017

I just got this I think its a bit strange because the box is blue I have seen to many and does anyone know what is supposed to be included in this set I never gave much thought to old tools until recently now I love them

r_olson_06 · Jan 26, 2017

Odes said:
I just got this I think its a bit strange because the box is blue I have seen to many and does anyone know what is supposed to be included in this set I never gave much thought to old tools until recently now I love them

That is a 1/4 and 3/8 drive set. I can look tonight and get you a parts list from a catalogue.

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chopper1 · Jan 26, 2017

I believe that socket sets were both green and blue under S-K Wayne

raiderhillbilly · Jan 26, 2017

chopper1 said:
I believe that socket sets were both green and blue under S-K Wayne

True. There were also blue and black plastic cases in the 70s or 80s. The frankenstein style sets were black as were some of the Facom era Tuff ratchet sets. Kraeuter socket sets by SK were in light blue metal boxes early on and in light blue plastic cases later.

d42jeep · Jan 27, 2017

I have an extra blue socket set box that just has the S-K tag so apparently S-K offered them before the S-K Wayne era as well.
-Don

Sam'sAutoParts · Jan 29, 2017

I had one of those that was blue and marked SK-Lectrolite. Wonder if I still have a pic....

Edit: found it!

bonneyman · Feb 3, 2017

Yeah, I thought Lectrolite had something to do with the blue boxes.

Rileysan · Feb 24, 2017

Found a couple of DBE wrenches at Goodwill this morning.

S-K B-1820
S-K B-1416
Brian

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jeeper46 · Feb 24, 2017

Here's a little (incomplete) 1/4" set I got today. (I posted this in the garage sale thread,too)

Rileysan · Feb 24, 2017

jeeper46 said:
Here's a little (incomplete) 1/4" set I got today. (I posted this in the garage sale thread,too)

Neat set - especially with the original inside label!

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twertsy · Feb 25, 2017

I tried to do this in one pic but it didn't work. Here's some of my S-K sets gathered around my S-K stack.

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StillTooManyHobbies · Feb 25, 2017

Jeeper46 very nice little set.

Twertsy - wow, just wow.

d42jeep · Feb 25, 2017

Here is a wartime set I just picked up on eBay with it's description in the '43 catalog.
-Don

chopper1 · Feb 25, 2017

Damn, Todd. That almost brings wood.

twertsy · Feb 25, 2017

chopper1 said:
Damn, Todd. That almost brings wood.

Almost? I'll try harder next time Mike!

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chopper1 · Feb 26, 2017

twertsy said:
Almost? I'll try harder next time Mike!

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Ya gotta remember how old I am

Username already in use · Feb 26, 2017

Damn, Todd. That's a fair amount of old SK. :thumbup:

I recently acquired this old SK-Lectrolite box. I think it was gray originally, but has been spray bombed black. At least they spared the label on the inside.
Don't know what was supposed to be in the box, but it looks like a 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive combo set? Anyone know? Looks a lot like the boxes up thread, but larger.

Dunno the vintage, but I picked up a handfull of SK wrenches from the flea today, I think I paid $6 for the lot.

Empty Pockets · Feb 26, 2017

I picked up this box before Christmas, and it's crying to be restored.

I plan to sand blast the box, but I don't want to damage the logo. I don't have the ability to remove the logo and later replace it.

Does anyone have any suggestions as how to protect the logo, while sand blasting?

Once that's done, I'll need to find the right colour to repaint it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

twertsy · Feb 26, 2017

Username already in use said:
Damn, Todd. That's a fair amount of old SK.

I recently acquired this old SK-Lectrolite box. I think it was gray originally, but has been spray bombed black. At least they spared the label on the inside.
Don't know what was supposed to be in the box, but it looks like a 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive combo set? Anyone know? Looks a lot like the boxes up thread, but larger.

Dunno the vintage, but I picked up a handfull of SK wrenches from the flea today, I think I paid $6 for the lot.

I like that box Jason. Out of all those boxes I have, not a single SK-Lectro label.

chopper1 · Feb 26, 2017

Empty Pockets said:
I picked up this box before Christmas, and it's crying to be restored.

I plan to sand blast the box, but I don't want to damage the logo. I don't have the ability to remove the logo and later replace it.

Does anyone have any suggestions as how to protect the logo, while sand blasting?

Once that's done, I'll need to find the right colour to repaint it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

I've had luck covering the logo's with a multiple layers of masking tape. Just trim to shape.

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