How many companies did sk make tools for

[drivesitfar]

How many companies did SK TOOLS make tools for

ALL: I haven't started a thread in a while so thought i'd start one off a conversation that will soon be lost in the big SK thread for those of us that care to sort of keep track of.

i'll start a list as I get the names from all of you and edit this first post with all the names that you give me so we'll have a list someplace that we can reference it. OK?

start posting your thoughts and if you might also have the years that SK made tools for these companies like SEARS/CRAFTSMAN and others even better.

thanks in advance for sharing all your knowledge. also if this list is already easily found i'll delete this thread and let that be the one we add to or read.

BTW SK still makes tools here in the USA!! also if you want to post pics of your SK tools that you are bringing a new SK name to the table with please post them if you have any. here's an old WWII set I have found so i'll start off with mentioning SK since they made tools and stamped them SK too.

1) SK made great tools and stamped them as their own so they will be #1 and here are the different variations of their stamping and the years they did so:
SK-Wayne
SK (inside the diamond)
SK Tools
SK
SK custom
S-K
S K (with dot between the letters)
Made in USA or USA (counterfeit or ?)
Brazil (SK division)
Carb-O-Mang (economy line)

2) The companies SK TOOLS made tools for:
Channellock
Gamble's Hardware
a) Artisan
b) Chrome Alloy
c) Tiger
Greenlee
JC Penny
JS
Kane
Klein
Kraeuter
Mac
Sears Roebuck
a) Craftsman 1939-1951 stamped: circle K
b) Fulton
Spiegel Precision-Bilt tools
Western Giant sold by Western Auto
USA unbranded (?)

CATALOG PAGES ON POST #:
#13 Craftsman 39-51

RATCHET VARIATIONS:
Beavertail


Who made tools for SK TOOLS:
Facom

 

[JoCoSawdust]

This'll be an interesting thread drives. SK had a pretty long run with Sears. 39-51 if I'm not mistaken. Not home to take any pics.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is an early fulton set

 

[Zrxrunner]

I'll take the obvious one and update with the lone craftsman 3/4" drive socket I have when I get home. Hard to find the old 3/4 drive stuff around here. Updating with pics now. Knurling and circle K for SK.

 

[MattT]

They definitely made ratchets for MAC. In the lost thread on GG some other MAC/S-K twins turned up but I don't think it was ever proven which company made those.

And I guess the flip side of the question is what companies have made tools for S-K? Facom is one obvious one but I'm sure there are plenty more.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This is the basic circle k 3/4 set. Sorry no ratchet.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Couple more fultons. The ratchet in the 3/8 set is some later generic version.

 

[PowderKeg]

As far as ratchets go (so far, have or seen)- Artisan, Chrome Alloy, JC Penney, Klein, Kraeuter, Mac, Tiger Tools, Western Giant, and an unbranded USA. The SK brand variations include SK-Wayne, SK (inside the diamond), SK Tools, SK, SK Custom, S-K, and S K (with a dot between the letters). There are a few more that aren't stamped "Made in USA" or "USA", but I haven't counted them - possible counterfeits or an offshore license?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think it would be challenging to collect all the ratchet variations. Here are some 3/8 beavertails. The chrome alloy has the early patent, no patent on mac, which I think is from the 50s.

 

[r_olson_06]

Re: How many companies did SK TOOLS make tools for

Don't forget JS

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I was not even aware of that one.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: instead of numbering all the companies i'll edit them and alphabatize those companies that SK TOOLS made tools for.

I'll also have a list of all the variations of SK TOOLS if others want to add to what has already been said which sounded like a pretty complete list and i'll do my best. if any of you see that maybe I missed something give me a little time, but please feel free to post up more good words about SK TOOLS and remind me to edit the #1 post that will be basically our INDEX or REFERENCE.

sound ok?

thanks all so far for the good information and if you have years to add or catalog pages or just lots of pictures I don't want to replace the SK Tools thread I just want to have a place where we can look up information easier.

cheers and hope you all had a good weekend

 

[JoCoSawdust]

First (39) and last (51) catalog ads for the Circle K/BM stuff for Sears. It looks to me that in 51 the 3/4d sets were MDF but they were selling off the last of the SK made stuff individually.

 

[Username already in use]

Did someone mention Kraueter yet?

 

[bbrins]

Re: How many companies did SK TOOLS make tools for

At some point, SK was supplying the ratchet for the Greenlee knockout punch sets.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Does Challenger count or was that one of their own in house brands?

 

[bbrins]

Re: How many companies did SK TOOLS make tools for

Also, Channellock. They made the ratchets that came with the #906 adjustable socket thingamajig, thet were just simply marked "USA".

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Challenger was/is proto related

 

[Rileysan]

Here are a few photos for the list, Drives. You're already aware of Sears Craftsman and while someone mentioned ARTISAN, I don't think they mentioned that was a Gamble's Hardware house brand. There's also Western Giant brand sold by Western Auto.

My first photo is that of the SK-made ARTISAN, MAC Tools, and Western Giant "beaver tail" ratchets.



OTG already posted a photo of one Craftsman "Circle-K" set. Sears also offered a set in a hip roof tool box that was identical to that of the SK "diamond" logo set in the 40s/50s. I've included photos of both, including side-by-side comparisons.













Brian

 

[bmwrd0]

I have a recollection of JC Penneys selling SK on some level.

 

[Rileysan]

One final comment on SK-made Craftsman tools. For a short time, SK made swivel extensions and swivel sockets for Craftsman in 3/8" and 1/2" drive. They are not common but I do have a few in my collection.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

I have a recollection of JC Penneys selling SK on some level.

Thank you for that reminder!

Yes, SK made socket sets and ratchets for JCPenney.

Here are photos of my JCPenney 3/8" drive metric socket set (incomplete), flex-head "tune-up" ratchet, and 1/2" drive SAE deep socket set - all made by SK.







Also, here's a Kraeuter 1/4" drive socket set made by SK.




Brian

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a circle k 3/8 drive 1/2 flex socket

 

[Private Lugnutz]

In doing some research on Spiegel Precision-Bilt tools, I found several 1949 newspaper ads for socket drive sets in which the tools are clearly SK. Link here, and scroll down to Posts #20 and #21. As far as I know, nobody has found any examples, though.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those certainly look sk. Something else to look for! Here are some penny's examples

 

[Rileysan]

In doing some research on Spiegel Precision-Bilt tools, I found several 1949 newspaper ads for socket drive sets in which the tools are clearly SK. Link here, and scroll down to Posts #20 and #21. As far as I know, nobody has found any examples, though.

After seeing OTG's complete ARTISAN set in original box (sockets and other tools were marked "SK") I wonder if Spiegel didn't bother re-branding those sets. Certainly if they had, someone should have found a set by now.

Brian

 

[Oldtuleguy]

My prewar gambles stuff is marked tiger or chrome alloy. The later artisan sets seem to only have the ratchets marked artisan, and so far everything else sk. Spiegel, who knows? I would love to see a set.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

After seeing OTG's complete ARTISAN set in original box (sockets and other tools were marked "SK") I wonder if Spiegel didn't bother re-branding those sets. Certainly if they had, someone should have found a set by now.

Agreed. Very likely, Brian.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

This'll be an interesting thread drives. SK had a pretty long run with Sears. 39-51 if I'm not mistaken. Not home to take any pics.

What tools exactly was SK making for Sears during that period? That info may likely be available at AA but I've not seen it laid out like as an answer to my question.

Drives: Great question. Definitely interested in keeping up on this one.

All: Off-topic I know but just realized I've been wondering what happened to The Tool Archives. And did twertsy give up or are there plans to resurrect it?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

This is the basic circle k 3/4 set. Sorry no ratchet.

That's really nice Otg!

 

[Rileysan]

What tools exactly was SK making for Sears during that period? That info may likely be available at AA but I've not seen it laid out like as an answer to my question.

During the period in question, primarily 3/4" drive socket sets. The only other tools I'm aware of SK making for Craftsman at that time are the aforementioned swivel sockets and universal extensions which, I believe, were near the end of that time period. All are marked with the letter 'K' in a circle.

Fast forward to the 90s and there you will find combo wrenches (short and standard) made by SK for Craftsman.

Brian

 

[txlonghorn1989]

During the period in question, primarily 3/4" drive socket sets. The only other tools I'm aware of SK making for Craftsman at that time are the aforementioned swivel sockets and universal extensions which, I believe, were near the end of that time period. All are marked with the letter 'K' in a circle.

Fast forward to the 90s and there you will find combo wrenches (short and standard) made by SK for Craftsman.

Brian

Thanks Brian. What are the SK tools made for Craftsman in the 90s marked as and what were they making? High quality?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some artisan (gambles) stuff

 

[d42jeep]

Geez, I look away for a little while and there’s a whole new thread going. Here are some pictures. The first two are beaver tail ratchets, top to bottom, 1/2” drive Artisan, 3/8” drive S-K marked (early patent) and 1/4” drive Chrome Alloy. The last two are 3/8” drive Kraeuter.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

These tools are all marked Chrome Alloy, made by S-K for in house price lines or contract sales.
-Don

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: thank you all for posting and sharing your knowledge and pictures along with the catalog pages.

I will start editing POST #1 as I get done getting ready for winter up here and as time allows, but i've got a few ideas already.

here's what i'm thinking for the index and here's a few categories I can think of making:

1) SK tools they made for themselves and what changes they made to their tools and what years they made them

2) companies they made them for in alphabetical order

3) Catalog pages posted will be noted in the Index by post # since page #'s change by how many pages we view.

BTW when I joined I think the default is 10 posts per page and they had 40 you could set up for and now there is a setting for 100 posts per page that I use cause some threads I watch go pretty quick or I like to read an entire thread without so many mouse clicks.

4) TBD.... and if you have another catagory or more ideas how to make the Index better maybe just make a quick post to put it out there for all of us to decide.

thanks again to all of you that know or have learned and are sharing your knowledge!!!!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

One final comment on SK-made Craftsman tools. For a short time, SK made swivel extensions and swivel sockets for Craftsman in 3/8" and 1/2" drive. They are not common but I do have a few in my collection.

Brian

I can I see pics of those sometime when you get a chance? Thanks.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have one swivel pic on post 23 joco. I would like to see brians as well.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here are a couple gambles tiger sets, mid to late 30s. The decal on the 1/4 set is barely visible. Chrome alloy sockets and ratchet in 1/4 set, tiger sockets in 1/2 inch.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some early 30s brazil stuff and on early sk set.. All of the early fulton ,sk , brazil stuff seems identical, with the exception of some variations in the knurling on the handles and extensions, which may or may not have been intentional.