other old tool sources

[Dagny]

I went to get my 1/2 in SK ratchet last week and it's gone. I am a commercial refrigeration serviceman. and also a master electrician. I use 1/2 in maybe once a week and went back through service records trying to remember where I left it. mainly use it for water heater elements and large electrical lugs that have allen type set screws in them so it's probably laying in the bottom of a current cabinet or transfer switch.

I bought the set in 1979 or 80 and always took great care in putting them back in the toolbox.

I went on ebay but they all look pretty beat up. So I'm wondering if there is somewhere else I can look. I don't want a chicom one.

 

[bonneyman]

I bought my S-K socket sets in 1981. Still have it.

When S-K got bought out by the Chinese in 2021, I started scrounging for back-up sets to the ones I've had for over 40 years. It was difficult. USA stuff started becoming hard to find quickly. But I managed to complete 3 sets of 3/8" drive stuff. (Just like when Craftsman got bought out by SBD with the threat of outsourcing. Prices rose quickly, then remaining stocks were depleted fast.) The same story played out with USA-made SK. I occasionally come across one every so often - I carry a folded up list of what I need so I can refer to it when I find a piece. The deep metrics are all but impossible to find, but I keep trying. But 5 years after their sale I'm beginning to lose hope.

 

[Etchase]

SK still sells US made sockets and ratchets, although in my opinion you do much better with Proto.

 

[rust in the eye]

I went to get my 1/2 in SK ratchet last week and it's gone. I am a commercial refrigeration serviceman. and also a master electrician. I use 1/2 in maybe once a week and went back through service records trying to remember where I left it. mainly use it for water heater elements and large electrical lugs that have allen type set screws in them so it's probably laying in the bottom of a current cabinet or transfer switch.

I bought the set in 1979 or 80 and always took great care in putting them back in the toolbox.

I went on ebay but they all look pretty beat up. So I'm wondering if there is somewhere else I can look. I don't want a chicom one.

See here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forums/classifieds.9/

 

[four.cycle]

^ I do not have a single ratchet. I do have a complete 1/2" drive set.
You didn't see this one on ebay because I pulled all my ads over the weekend.
Can make you a hell of a deal on the set if you don't need the box. Otherwise, @rust in the eye 's got a better offer there.