K Mart Tools

[fxr3guy]

With no students at the A&P school I teach at, I have lots of down time. Figured I'd start separating the tools I'd gotten from my Dad over the years. He had a habit of checking out my tool box, and remembering what I didn't have. On his next visit, he would bring things he thought I needed to hold me over until I could afford better quality tools. He loved the K Mart store.

The first thing I dug out was a set of off-set DBE wrenches he stopped by with. Over the years, these 80's made in Japan wrenches have been tough as nails.

 

[fxr3guy]

That got me digging through all my extra/truck/junk boxes for more K Mart stuff. So far, I've dug up a 3/8" and 1/4" socket set, a set of D.O.E. wrenches and a couple combination wrenches made in Korea. The Korean wrenches are definitely a lower quality as far as I can see.

Anybody have an idea who made some of these tools? I got these when I was a broke young married Airman in the USAF. Late 70's early 80"s.

 

[Farleyfan]

K Mart was my favorite store also back in the 70's, couldn't afford much more than that.
I have recently picked up a few pieces from the flea market.
The Japan made tools were pretty decent quality.
Notice the K wouldn't fit on the raised panel.

 

[pedalwrench]

I found some kmart stuff in my dad's tools. I'm pretty sure he had the complete 3/8 drive set but all I have now is a ratchet and extension. Japan made, stamped "Kmart auto"... They are indeed pretty nice quality considering what they are.

 

[fxr3guy]

K Mart was my favorite store also back in the 70's, couldn't afford much more than that.
I have recently picked up a few pieces from the flea market.
The Japan made tools were pretty decent quality.
Notice the K wouldn't fit on the raised panel.

I was in the same boat, plus back then, if K Mart didn't have it, you didn't need i!

 

[fxr3guy]

I found some kmart stuff in my dad's tools. I'm pretty sure he had the complete 3/8 drive set but all I have now is a ratchet and extension. Japan made, stamped "Kmart auto"... They are indeed pretty nice quality considering what they are.

I think all off my friends had one of those socket sets thrown in the trunk. You could pick up one on sale for under 5 bucks. Over the years I broke one ratchet due to extreme abuse, definitely not the tools fault.

 

[bonneyman]

Wasn't Benchtop a brand that Kmart carried? I've got some of their combo wrenches around here somewhere. They seem decent enough.

 

[930dreamer]

Plus you could get a sub sandwich and a Icee during the blue light special.

 

[retDAC]

Wasn't Benchtop a brand that Kmart carried? I've got some of their combo wrenches around here somewhere. They seem decent enough.

Two of relevant threads:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460151&highlight=benchtop
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339950&highlight=benchtop

 

[IMCA38]

Last year when my in-laws were downsizing, I came across this K-Mart DOE wrench set, made in Germany.

 

[lolaetype]

I've still got a 10" table saw I bought at Builder's Square (remember them?), a subsidiary of Kmart, about 30 years ago.

 

[Farleyfan]

Nice K Mart wrench pouch IMCA38 !
Amazing it hasn't split n torn after all these years.

 

[bonneyman]

Two of relevant threads:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460151&highlight=benchtop
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339950&highlight=benchtop

Cool! Thanks for the link!

 

[Leviton]

... Figured I'd start separating the tools I'd gotten from my Dad over the years. He had a habit of checking out my tool box, and remembering what I didn't have. On his next visit, he would bring things he thought I needed to hold me over until I could afford better quality tools. He loved the K Mart store.

I like that story about your dad. He sounds like a great guy.

 

[fxr3guy]

Thanks Leviton. He was. I do the same thing with my kids. I've been going through things and have started putting together starter boxes for the grandkids now.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have some of their tools both the Kmart line and Benchtop line too both seem to be ok I use some of them professionally and they are fine Taiwan and Japan made.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[ssdave]

....

 

[CoogarXR]

I have a pair of "KMC" (kmart) pliers around here somewhere. Probably from the 1980s.

 

[genog]

Yes, I know that I am bumping an OLD thread.

Good info and pics from the posters above.....
...I enjoyed the OP's story and the stories from the others...
Maybe this thread becomes the K-Mart tools thread?

A good friend gave this set to me yesterday. I planned to keep the box and toss the sockets and ratchet.
Then the plan was to fill the box with some extra Craftsman G and EE sockets that I have kicking around along with an extra C-man round head ratchet.

Well, the novelty of it all, with this set being K-Mart plus that it's Made in Japan, caused me to think.
I'll keep it as-is and find the missing pieces

 

[four.cycle]

^ I've seen a few Japan-made "K-Mart" branded socket sets and wrench sets (complete, in original boxes or pouches or clips) go for respectable money on Ebay.
Who knew?

 

[oak_park]

Made in Germany I found an a local estate sale.

 

[genog]

Hey!
More K-Mart

Spied these K-mart combos at a sale.
Made in Taiwan
And cheap

I don't "need" any more combo wrenches, not even for the novelty, not even for a good laugh, so I left them for someone else
When I get a new phone, I will take better pics....

 

[genog]

It's been almost 3 years since the last post......
Saw this poor ole forlorn K-Mart 1/4" drill
Made for Kmart by McGraw-Edison (I once had one of their bench grinders....)
The drill was in bad shape and frozen....

 

[Beerhippie]

With no students at the A&P school I teach at, I have lots of down time. Figured I'd start separating the tools I'd gotten from my Dad over the years. He had a habit of checking out my tool box, and remembering what I didn't have. On his next visit, he would bring things he thought I needed to hold me over until I could afford better quality tools. He loved the K Mart store.

The first thing I dug out was a set of off-set DBE wrenches he stopped by with. Over the years, these 80's made in Japan wrenches have been tough as nails.

My father had a habit of going through my tool box and taking the tools he thought would replace the ones he claimed I'd lost/destroyed as a kid!

Difference was, my tools were not K-Mart.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Last year when my in-laws were downsizing, I came across this K-Mart DOE wrench set, made in Germany.

I think this is a great find to link together! I have no less the 20 of these style wrenches and never would have guessed them to be K-Mart branded. Seem decent daily users, but I have plenty of craftsman DOE wrenches already.

 

[genog]

Here we go


Saw this at the Flea Market
I'll venture a guess that it was made by McGraw-Edison...

 

[mikedodge]

Here we go


Saw this at the Flea Market
I'll venture a guess that it was made by McGraw-Edison...

It's double double insulated!