Sk 45170

[BlksnshN]

Anyone know how long SK has been producing the 45170 ratchet?


I found one in an old box of tools in my Mothers garage. I know I didn't buy it and I'm sure she didn't either. So I'm thinking it could be either my Fathers or Grand Fathers, both of whom passed away in 1986.

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1601500_777238448954578_68661647_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10151827_777238478954575_1645157485_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/998950_777238505621239_1452031634_n.jpg

 

[Outlawmws]

I have one with the SK in a diamond logo which ran from the early 30's to about 57 or 8. I also have SK Wayne, and plain SK, taking it to 62 and well after. I believe they still make that ratchet, and it may be the longest running design out the still in production.

Plvmb/Proto ratchets, are also in the running with the 5449 and 5249 ratchets. Not sure how early those were made, but similar prewar era.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmm just noticed the SK-Tools on yours; I think that was also early. If so that think is in incredible shape.

 

[BlksnshN]

Hmm just noticed the SK-Tools on yours; I think that was also early. If so that think is in incredible shape.

Yeah, not too bad. Looks like it may have been welded to a battery terminal at some point.

 

[ganymede]

'SK Tools' was just after the Wayne era till early 80's.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

These are all the same 45170 ratchet as yours. All 4 of these are different generations, but maintained the same model number. Unfortunately I don't know what year any of them correlate to.

 

[bonneyman]

In any case, the 45170 is the best ratchet on the planet. IMHO.

I believe AA lists the patent for the S-K ratchet mechanism as 1934, with a pic of the 3/8" rat.

As for ratchet dates, this is approximate:
SK Wayne = 1964 to 1969 (early Wayne rats had milled selector knobs)
S hyphen K is Dresser Industries era = 1969 to 1985
S dot K is Facom era = 1985 to 2005
S circle K is independent SK and Ideal era = 2005 to present

Though, there are some examples of S circle K on some tools in the early 2000's (when they were still owned by Facom). ?

 

[ganymede]

In any case, the 45170 is the best ratchet on the planet. IMHO.

I believe AA lists the patent for the S-K ratchet mechanism as 1934, with a pic of the 3/8" rat.

As for ratchet dates, this is approximate:
SK Wayne = 1964 to 1969 (early Wayne rats had milled selector knobs)
S hyphen K is Dresser Industries era = 1969 to 1985
S dot K is Facom era = 1985 to 2005
S circle K is independent SK and Ideal era = 2005 to present
......

So the S hyphen K ran at the same time as 'SK Tools' .
I wonder why they marked them differently.

 

[bonneyman]

So the S hyphen K ran at the same time as 'SK Tools' .
I wonder why they marked them differently.

If there's a hyphen between the S and K in SK Tools, then it's a Dresser era tool. I just saw a socket set on ebay with the box saying S circle K Professional Tools (i.e. Facom) but the rat said S hyphen K dot Tools. That ratchet is from another (albeit NOS) set.

You'll see S-K Wayne socket sets with S-K ratchets regularly. And people claiming "vintage" when it's S dot K. Knowing a few of the logos will help people get the right tools.

For dating prior to about 1962, AA is about the best resource out there.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've got some slightly different info:

S-K Tools - Boxes had this in a Diamond logo (TM 1932 until 57/58?)

Partnership years in the 50's I believe - SK Lectrolite

S-K (No Tools)- Boxes had this in a Diamond logo 1958

S-K Wayne 1962

Dresser buys Symington-Wayne 1969 S-K

 

[fordcragar]

In any case, the 45170 is the best ratchet on the planet. IMHO............................

I totally agree with you. Several years ago, I started going through all of my tools and got rid of all of the other brand ratchets that I had and started filling them in with SK's. I started buying SK tools back in the late 1950's. The only problem that I ever had with them, was getting parts for them when I worked in shops. It became more convenient to buy the tools that the tool salesman was selling.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[bonneyman]

'SK Tools' was just after the Wayne era till early 80's.

10-4
S-K Tools was a Dresser Industries thing = 1969 to 1985

 

[Steinmetz]

"...In any case, the 45170 is the best ratchet on the planet. IMHO…".

Agree.

 

[Steinmetz]

"...Partnership years in the 50's I believe - SK Lectrolite…"

Lectrolite only made wrenches. Not socket tools.

 

[bonneyman]

"...Partnership years in the 50's I believe - SK Lectrolite…"

Lectrolite only made wrenches. Not socket tools.

Didn't know that! That litle nugget of knowledge will have to go in the SK tool file!