S-K tools and toolbox

[PAJZ]

Hello everybody, I need some help in finding the true value of some tools I found out in the garage closet. I inherited my parents house and its contents about 15 years ago. I was cleaning out the closet in the garage a few days ago and found a S-K toolbox with a few S-K tools inside. I have tried to find some info on them and the value of them but only found some info on alloy-artifacts.org web site. I have taken over 60 photos of them. I think they could be pretty valuable but would like to get more info from some experts. I have attached a few photos. If anybody can help I would really appreciate it. The following is a list of what I found.
4 box wrenches, 6 deep sockets w/cross bar, 2 breaker bars w/cross bars, 2-speed wrenches, 1/2 drive sliding tee bar, 1/4 drive socket set(incomplete) and the toolbox.

 

[trialrun]

pop on ebay and see what they are selling for. Tons of vintage tools on the ebay thread here in GJ http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275031&page=87

 

[PAJZ]

I have and there are not many similar items to see. I have been selling on eBay for a little more than 2 years now.

 

[LXCam]

You may get lucky on the box since its in nice shape, maybe $50, maybe. But the rest of the lot, just take what the bid brings. Problem is you don't have a complete set of anything, so guys will buy it as fillers for missing collections. The speed wrenches you could try for 20 if the aren't rusted. Good luck.

 

[PAJZ]

Some of the tools might be rare, I'm not sure. Like 2 of the deep sockets are the "Buick Specials" they talk about on alloy-artifacts. There were none of those on eBay.

 

[PAJZ]

Thanks but I have learned that auctions are not the best way to go on eBay. You don't get enough time for people to see the items listed.

 

[thehorse13]

There is nothing exotic or high value in those pictures.

As someone else pointed out, there are just odds and ends left in the sets.

The box is nice and of course can be sold for around 50-75 bucks to the right guy. If I came across the box I would go as high as 50 on it just because much of my stuff is SK.

 

[Rileysan]

Some of the tools might be rare, I'm not sure. Like 2 of the deep sockets are the "Buick Specials" they talk about on alloy-artifacts. There were none of those on eBay.

There are literally thousands of listings for SK tools on eBay. The problem is you have to search for "SK", S-K", and "S&K". and spend hours browsing.

Honestly, there's nothing rare. The box has the most value, the sockets $2-$3 ea (retail), the speed wrenches $5/ea, and the breaker bar $5. List all the hand tools in one lot on eBay or CL and be prepared to sit on that tool box for awhile if you want to get $50 for it - especially if listed on eBay because shipping costs are a deal breaker.

Personally, I think you should keep them or give them to a family member who is handy or interested in a mechanical trade/hobby. They have more sentimental value than anything else ...

Brian

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

You do have the 2 drive bars which are pretty rare.

 

[notlob]

I think you'd be lucky to get more than $50 for the box, $15 for the 1/4" set, and $20 for the rest. Other than a few Craftsman, Plomb, & Snap-on items, most vintage mechanics' tools just don't sell for much, especially if they are not complete sets.

 

[r_olson_06]

The box is in good shape it could fetch 75. The other items may get about and additional 50

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 it would be shame to sell those off in pieces to get a few bucks.

Instead, find family member who has interest in keeping sentimental items and adding to the SK collection.

All the time you spent taking those pictures and "researching prices" should have been spent learning about interests of family members who might want to keep in family those SK items. Surely there are some male family members in the 15 to 40 year old age group ??

 

[woody 73]

Oh my gosh you hit the mother load...why you could get $10,000 dollars for all those rare items, does that make you feel a little better?

Every Tom, **** & Harry thinks they have found items that they think are rare (a good word too use I guess), but you got to keep in mind that tool companies were making them by the boat load.

The reason you do not see them today is because they are buried in garages all over the place waiting to see the light of day.

Take the advise from up above.

 

[d42jeep]

I could use a 3/4" deep S-K socket to fill out my $10.00 estate sale set. Please PM if you have one that matches my set.
-Don

 

[Roberts210]

I was thinking $60 for the box. But someone would have to really love S-K.

 

[ssdave]

You'll be doing well if you get $25 plus postage out of the tools. The box is $50 to top of about $75, if you have someone local so you don't have to ship it. Tools like this are so common that they bring almost nothing; the only way you'll get good money out of them is to sell them individually for $2 or $3 each to people who want to complete their sets. If you have enough patience, you can sometimes get $5 out of some of the items.

 

[thecody59]

That is the same sk box I picked up for $10 at a sale awhile back but mine is missing the cover. I agree with the others tho and i wouldn't pay more then $75 for it.

 

[four.cycle]

PAJZ:

The box is rather interesting and is in excellent condition. Ebay auction price might garner $40-$50 plus shipping, perhaps more. As noted above, the shipping costs might be a deal-breaker for somebody on the other side of the country.

The deep-well socket set (with the knurled bands), might go for as much as $40 (plus shipping) if a willing buyer really wants it. Without the original box, however, even with the "ell" handle, $30-$35 is probably a more realistic figure.

The speeders are worthless: hardly anyone uses them anymore. I see them languish in the listings for months and months; a 3208 Indestro 1/2" drive speeder has been listed now for over six months with no buyers. If you put them on Ebay for $10 + shipping you might find a buyer.

The older diamond-logo breaker bar with the "tee" handle is interesting, but isn't worth a lot; maybe $20-$25 to somebody looking to complete an early set. I don't believe I've paid as much as $20 (including shipping) for any of the breakers I've bought on Ebay; I received a #16 (US) Thorsen 1/2" drive 16-inch breaker today that set me back all of $2.24 + $6.12 shipping for a total of $8.36.

As mentioned above, lacking a complete "set" of anything puts you at a disadvantage as far as trying to get a lot of money out of what you have there.
You can check "sold" listings until the cows come home, but that may or may not give you any clue as to actual "market value", which is solely determined by what a prospective buyer is willing to pay at a given moment.

Nothing in this post, or anything posted above, is chiseled in stone. I never cease to be amazed at what some fools will bid some items up to. Saturday afternoons (between 5:00 and 7:00 pm PDT) seem to be the "crazy hour" for bidding stuff up beyond all reason. I would assume the consumption of grain alcohol, boredom, and idle time on a day off might be contributing factors.

There are no "expert appraisers" here, and there are no cut-and-dried "rules".
There is no way to determine "value" or a potential actual selling price on Ebay until you actually list the item and wait until the auction ends.

===

another GJ member recently purchased this set of new NOS Kraeuter deep-well sockets (in the original box) a couple weeks ago (he did NOT pay $47.50 - it was a "best offer" deal.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-S-K-Kra...966981?hash=item5b240eb2c5:g:9igAAOSwY3RXJsy2

I didn't even bother bidding on this set of Indestro Super deep-wells (far more rare than your S-K set) because I knew it would get bid way up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INDESTRO-SU...243588?hash=item4d4271ea44:g:OxIAAOSwZ8ZXCTto

This set of 1/2" drive S-K deep-wells (slightly used, in the original box) went for $37.00 + shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-S-K...254405?hash=item2cabf0ed85:g:JekAAOSwhRxXKTeu

This set of new NOS 3/8" S-K deep-wells (still sealed in the original box) went for $49.99 including shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-3-8-DRI...:g:hX4AAOSw6wRW~xkU&item=162046754829&vxp=mtr

 

[four.cycle]

^ another note:
Bear in mind a great many members here are buying their second-hand tools at flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, and estate sales - NOT Ebay, and can be somewhat disconnected from the difference between Ebay selling prices and what they're used to paying.
GJ member ssdave (above), an Ebay seller, quite possibly has a better grasp on selling prices than I do - I'm strictly an Ebay buyer who lives in an area sorely lacking in anything resembling "swap meet" or "estate sale" venues. Give greater weight to his comments above than most of the others here (including my own.)

 

[twertsy]

I think it's sad not trying to find a good home for those in the family. My dad lost his business, and ALL his tools a long time ago. I'd love to have some of them back............

 

[PAJZ]

Thanks four.cycle,

I think you and ssdave are the only ones who get it. Like you I live in an area lacking in selling or purchasing venues. I am trying to make a living on eBay. I am NOT trying to get rich. I was looking for a realistic value not a brow beating. As far as family goes, I am the handiest of my family and none of them would appreciate the tools like someone who knows more about them. Plus none of them live in the same state I do. So the freight would not be worth the satisfaction of keeping them in the family.

I have plenty of tools to work on my truck and jobs around the house. I have a friend who is interested in the toolbox and I wanted to let him know more about it before I sell it to him. So he can pass it on with more knowledge.

I would love to sell my 3/4" socket to d42jeep but fear he will try to low ball the heck out of me. Just because he happens to mention the price he paid for the set. I think, if he were to sell the set, that he could get as much as $50 - $60 for a complete, correct, set. A lot of people who sell on eBay do not bother to do the research or deliberately try to deceive buyers. I do not.

Like I found out from the alloy-artifacts web site that S-K discontinued the hole in the deep sockets by 1957. Also that they reduced the diameter of the cross bars sometime in the mid to late 1950's. One of the things I was hoping to find out about on this board was the date S-K discontinued the "Buick Special" sockets. Would you happen to know?

 

[LXCam]

Sorry to say brother, but you're way off base. All of us here see this stuff daily and the opinions you got are honest facts. But good luck to ya anyhow. I hope the right buyer finds you.

 

[ssdave]

If you're trying to make a living off of ebay, tools are a hard way to do it. They take way too much time, and margin is too small.

I speak from experience. I took on ebay as a second job about 8 years ago. Not as a tool seller, because of the lower price/margin. I set a sales goal of $8,000 per month, and had an average profit of about 35%. Not enough for a living, but a nice secondary income. I accomplished that for 5 years for the 8 months of the year I sold (took summers off, prices fall drastically in summer) except for 3 months related to large amounts of time off due to deaths in the family.

About 3 years ago my need for second income decreased and I concentrated on selling my excess tools and stuff instead. It's hard to make $2500 per month on tools, they're time consuming to sort, research, sell and ship. I would hazard a guess that I've sold 2000 times the tools that you showed today; I know I've sold several of the breaker bars, speed wrenches and some of the sockets in SK exactly like you have. SK are a fairly hard sell unless they're complete sets or unusual configurations in excellent shape. As 4 cycle said, the speed wrenches won't make postage plus ebay/paypal fees. The drivers are desirable but nobody wants to pay postage plus something for them. The small toolbox is no value. That leaves the sockets and breaker bars to carry the load, and you have to throw in the other stuff to make the postage more viable. Otherwise, you'll spend hours on listing, relisting, answering questions, taking pictures of every nuance of markings on the socket (to show a propective buyer that it indeed DOES NOT match his set, so he won't buy anyway). That's the only way you'll get your $40 or $50 out of the stuff. So, I would lump it together, do one listing, and sell for $25 or so.

Good luck on your ebay career, it works well if you're organized, can get enough good stuff to sell, and in particular, can get the time per transaction down to the point where you make decent money. This advice is worth what you paid for it here; but if you want to see my credibility, look me up on ebay (ssdave is user name); I'm a top rated seller with 3300 plus positives there. I used to have a power seller rating when I did more business.

 

[PAJZ]

I know exactly what you mean. I sell everything I find of any value, not just tools. I started this about 3 years ago when I was let go from a company I had worked for for over 16 years. It all started with clothes from a relative. I now buy storage units and help clean out houses and garages in my area. But I always try to find out as much as possible about what I am selling. Your right about trying to make a living at this. ITS TOUGH.

I was just trying a new way to find out about the tools I was not able to find much info on. I already have a good idea of what I can expect to get on eBay. It's just there was not much good info out there.

 

[r_olson_06]

I could use a 3/4" deep S-K socket to fill out my $10.00 estate sale set. Please PM if you have one that matches my set.
-Don

I do have a 3/4 with the cross bar hole if you are trying to fill out a set. I would perfer a trade. Right now I am collecting ratchet do have any you would be willing to trade for it?

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[four.cycle]

PAJZ: You are welcome, and bear in mind that the obligatory "brow-beating" is par for the course with new members who ask "How much is this worth?" right out of the gate, for reasons which should be understandable.
Unfortunate, but understandable. I think some members forget sometimes that they were new at this game at some point as well. Hell, for that matter, I am still relatively new at this - I just post a lot of **** so it looks from my "post count" like there's a possibility I might know what I'm talking about.

Another note that needs mention:
Ebay recently made a change (for reasons which defy all logic) in their "SOLD" listings: the dollar amount you see may not necessarily be the price the item actually sold for. I just checked a "SOLD" item last night (previous post here) that showed the asking price, when in fact it was a "best offer" deal and sold for significantly less than the asking price.
Why Ebay did that puzzles me, because dealers at swap meets, pawnbrokers, and other Ebay sellers refer to those "sold" prices as a guideline. The end result, logically, will be that the prices shown in the "sold" listings will inevitably become meaningless, and sellers will be deluded into thinking their stuff is worth far more than it actually is.

I think ssdave makes an excellent point above: trying to "make a living" on Ebay selling tools is a Quixotic effort. Try what my younger sister did: sell children's clothing and shoes, or belt buckles, or spinning bobbins.
As I said above, I am strictly an Ebay buyer, and have absolutely no intention of ever attempting to sell anything on Ebay. I've communicated with several Ebay sellers with whom I've done a fair amount of business, and it sounds to me like a major pain in the ***, and (as Dave mentioned above) is incredibly time consuming when you're dealing with picky sonsofbitches like myself.

But don't despair. My buddy's brother-in-law had a favorite saying when the two were in the used car business: "There's an *** for every seat."
Same thing applies to tools.
This little "Dayton" 1/4" set was originally listed at $9.99 and went for $42.00 this afternoon - go figure!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-1-4...442654?hash=item33b73b345e:g:kR8AAOSw3mpXNnjf

Hell, I picked up a brand-new NOS Indestro Super MPI 1/4" drive set for about that a few months back. Some Ebay buyers are screwier than a three-peckered goat.

 

[bushmechanic]

Thanks but I have learned that auctions are not the best way to go on eBay. You don't get enough time for people to see the items listed.

List it as a buy it now, and leave it up there for a while to build watchers. Then, convert it into an auction to draw in the interested parties.

 

[PAJZ]

Thanks for the advice bushmechanic, that actually is a good idea. Just so everybody knows, I wasn't looking for prices I was looking for info. I can't seem to find anything other than a note or two on some specialty tools and was hoping you guys knew more. I was looking to pick your brains not your pockets.

 

[PAJZ]

Thanks four.cycle, Yeah I do understand about the brow beating. Perhaps my choice of words could have been better thought out. I guess maybe in the back of my mind I was hoping for the proverbial big score but I know better than that. I find tools all the time in storage units and garages, so I hope some time you guys can help me with some info not available on line. I found an additional 3/8 drive breaker bar with no hole for a cross bar. Anybody have an idea when the hole was removed by S-K?

 

[bushmechanic]

Thanks for the advice bushmechanic, that actually is a good idea.

Of course it's a good idea. My own mother calls me a Ferengi.

I do that myself when I've got something that's obscure enough views will accumulate slowly, but valuable enough that people will fight over it once they're all in the room.

 

[four.cycle]

I found an additional 3/8 drive breaker bar with no hole for a cross bar. Anybody have an idea when the hole was removed by S-K?

Excellent question, for which I have no answer.
Another member inquired about the purpose of the "tee-bar" included in socket sets for the breaker bar in another thread a while back.
My best guess is that it was a carry-over from the early "socket wrench" design, a typical example of which can be seen here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-WAL...918883?hash=item33b7ad4863:g:7K0AAOSweW5VENlM

Earlier socket sets didn't always include a ratchet (i.e., my #4502 Duro Chrome 1/4" drive set, or my #7803 Indestro Super 1/2" drive set, both of which include a breaker with the hole in the handle.)
I suppose it would be a reasonable to assume the "tee-bar" was included to provide greater leverage and/or to mimic the earlier "socket wrench" design (like the Walden Worcester example above.)
My best guess would be that when the reversible ratchet became "standard equipment" in socket sets, the hole in the handle (and the "tee bar") went by the wayside.

But that's all just my own speculation. Member SK Eric is probably the guy to ask. (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=257193)

 

[mmack66]

Another note that needs mention:
Ebay recently made a change (for reasons which defy all logic) in their "SOLD" listings: the dollar amount you see may not necessarily be the price the item actually sold for. I just checked a "SOLD" item last night (previous post here) that showed the asking price, when in fact it was a "best offer" deal and sold for significantly less than the asking price.
Why Ebay did that puzzles me, because dealers at swap meets, pawnbrokers, and other Ebay sellers refer to those "sold" prices as a guideline. The end result, logically, will be that the prices shown in the "sold" listings will inevitably become meaningless, and sellers will be deluded into thinking their stuff is worth far more than it actually is.

I just looked, and all of the sold prices looked good to me. They've never shown the best offer price, as far as I know.

 

[four.cycle]

^ no.

see this post:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5752816#post5752816

and then look here at the Ebay "SOLD" listing on the item:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/16206667231...49.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&rmvSB=true

a difference of $43.99 or 49.5% = not even close

yes, Ebay formerly would note in a "SOLD" listing like that "Best Offer Accepted", but that is apparently no longer the case. they are now showing the asking price as the "SOLD" price on sales where a "best offer" was accepted.

again, I submit it is misleading, and over time the prices shown in the "SOLD" listings will become meaningless and irrelevant. it is a deceptive business practice at best, and outright fraud on EBay's part at worst.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ Agree . . . . the death of Ebay is starting with bad business practices.

The day that Amazon offers "auction" prices, Ebay is dead.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks to PAJZ for agreeing to sell me the 3/4" deep socket and matching bar to complete my early S-K 1/2" drive deep socket set.
-Don

 

[PAJZ]

No problem d42jeep. I've got a couple of questions you guys might be able to help me with. #1 Did Pittsburgh ever have their pipe wrenches made in china? and #2 Does anybody know what I can do with a 48" Armstrong iron pipe wrench, other than use it as a boat anchor?

 

[Rileysan]

No problem d42jeep. I've got a couple of questions you guys might be able to help me with. #1 Did Pittsburgh ever have their pipe wrenches made in china? and #2 Does anybody know what I can do with a 48" Armstrong iron pipe wrench, other than use it as a boat anchor?

#1 I may be wrong, but I had always thought Pittsburgh tools was a Harbor Freight brand. If I'm correct, your pipe wrench is made in China.

#2 Tough question on the 48" pipe wrench. As you are clearly aware, something that big has limited use. I passed on a Ridged 48" pipe wrench for $50 at an estate sale a few weeks ago because I knew I'd never use it - and I'm a millwright in a foundry. You can try Craigslist but no matter where you list it, you'll have a limited audience. Sorry I can't offer any good advice!

Brian

 

[PAJZ]

Thanks Rileysan, I haven't tried selling on Craigslist yet, bought off it, but not sold on it. Heard a lot of stories about the weird people you might get to respond. I've got a few big items to get rid of, so maybe it's time.

By the way bushmechanic, I took your advise this morning, I have an old sewing machine that had 40 watchers and switched it to auction. I'll keep my fingers crossed it works out.

 

[PAJZ]

The reason I asked about the Pittsburgh wrench is, I have one with a paper label and it is embossed with the word china at the bottom. I am always leery of paper labels. Too easy to fake.

 

[LXCam]

The reason I asked about the Pittsburgh wrench is, I have one with a paper label and it is embossed with the word china at the bottom. I am always leery of paper labels. Too easy to fake.

No one and I mean no one is going to fake a "made in China" sticker, let alone Pittsburgh tools.

tools you have much to learn young Jedi.