SK Lectrolite?

[Rickster]

Ok I've seen plain old SK, SK Facom and SK Wayne. But today at an estate sale I had to have a set of SK Lectrolite's. The ratchet turned out to be a Husky but all the sockets were there along with a 6" ext, spark plug socket and 1/4 drive handle. I didn't have the heart to argue about the $10 price tag.

 

[chevy302dz]

Nice deal for $10

 

[SuperKid]

You got ripped off. Send them to me and I'll dispose of them for you. Since I like you, I'll only charge you a $50 fee.

 

[dink]

Hmmmm based on the writing I would say 1960'sish

 

[Runner94]

I agree with dink that they look like 60's ish. I have a regular SK set that has 1/4" and 3/8" in it. See pics.
This came from my father and he got the set sometime in the mid 60's.

 

[kartracer55]

Mmm... SK lectrolite. All I have is a 1 inch wrench, which is actually my dads. They are a rare breed, because the name changed to SK Wayne after only a couple years of SK Lectrolite branded tools.

Lectrolite was a tool company founded shortly before the start of WW2. In the very early 60's they were sold to the SK group. Interestingly, the Guy who owned Lectrolite tool group went on to create western forge with sears after it was sold... the tool world is a small one isnt it?

The name Wayne came from the owners of SK at the time... Symins (something like that, I cant remember the exact name, Ill find dates and specifics later) WAYNE. A few years after This "symins" wayne bought Lectrolite, they changed the name to SK wayne.

 

[dink]

How is the finish on those sockets after all these years???????? based on the picture it looks like they were stored in a temp controlled room....very mint looking

 

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

They're from the 1950's I believe, and the lectrolyte was refering to the electrolyte plating they used..

at least thats what I hear

 

[kartracer55]

OK I just checked...

Symington Wayne was the name of the company that bought SK tools and Lectrolite in 1962

they changed it to wayne in either 1964 or 1965, Im finding two different dates for this.

The knurling on Sk wayne tools is usually a bit "sharper" than on later tools. Also, SK wayne tools didnt have corner recessing, at least the 6pts I have seen. I have 2 wayne era ratchets, a spinner handle, various extensions. I still use these tools to this day, its good stuff

Jim

 

[dink]

Anyone know what SK stands for????

 

[kartracer55]

Sherman Klove



They use "Super Krome" too, but Sherman Klove was the original name of the company itself

 

[eschoendorff]

Sherman Klove



They use "Super Krome" too, but Sherman Klove was the original name of the company itself

Agh! You ****! I was gonna say that!

 

[dink]

Agh! You ****! I was gonna say that!

You can still say it...I will let you because I am a nice guy

 

[kartracer55]

They're from the 1950's I believe, and the lectrolyte was refering to the electrolyte plating they used..

at least thats what I hear

Lectrolite tool company

 

[Uncle Buck]

SK (SKINNED KNUCKLES) ha ha ha!

 

[kartracer55]

SK (SKINNED KNUCKLES) ha ha ha!

Slip & kill

 

[Rickster]

Picked this one up today "The Sherman-Klove Co."

 

[kartracer55]

Rickster, do those sockets have a knurling around the base? If so, those are OLD!!! Good stuff

I was also wrong. Upon further research, I found out SK/lectrolite tools were being marketed as early as the 40's.

Knurled base sockets were from the 30s-60s. Ive got a handful of knurled base sockets, dont use them, but Ive got ones that appear to be from different time periods... some are a bit crude, others look like they are just "vintage"

Whats interesting about SK is that they are one of the oldest tool companies still around (older than snap on) but they have been bought out so many times. At the moment they are just plain old SK professional tools.

Jim

 

[milly]

How does the current crop of SK tools relate to the older tools? Better or worse, same??

How does the quality of current SK tools relate to Snap On, Craftsman, Husky, and others currently availible.

I've never actually used any SK tools or known of anyone who has used them on a daily basis, which is why I asked. I see them in tool ads froms various autoparts stores, and had wondered if they are worth a purchase as they seem to be a little cheaper than the brands mentioned above.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kartracer55]

How does the current crop of SK tools relate to the older tools? Better or worse, same??

How does the quality of current SK tools relate to Snap On, Craftsman, Husky, and others currently availible.

I've never actually used any SK tools or known of anyone who has used them on a daily basis, which is why I asked. I see them in tool ads froms various autoparts stores, and had wondered if they are worth a purchase as they seem to be a little cheaper than the brands mentioned above.

Thanks in advance.

Well prepare for a ton of posts now. I think just about everybody on here owns something from SK.

IMHO, its top notch stuff. I like the shape of thier wrenches alot (2nd only to proto t-500) Thier version of Flank-drive (sure-grip) seems to work pretty well too. They are a professional tool you can get for a high end hobbiest price from www.thetoolwarehouse.net. I have ALOT of stuff from them, Ive been happy with just about all of it. In terms fo quality, I have yet to actually break an SK tool. Ive broken 2 snap on and 2 craftsman sockets, as well as a snap on ratchet. I think the quality is top notch, but As always, different brands have different strong points. Im not a big dfan of thier bit sockets, and I tend to like teardrop ratchets in some cases, over the SK roundheads, but its good quality stuff. I dotn buy husky out of principal (made in taiwan, dont even START that thread lol)


Its good stuff, and SK is usually the first brand I look at when I need to make a tool purchase, although I like to switch things up sometimes

Jim

 

[Rickster]

kartracer, that box was a set of ¼’ drive and yes they have a knurled hash mark around the base. The other days box was a set of ¼ and 3/8 drive and the knurling is just around the base of the ¼ drive sockets.

dink, the finish is great. That’s one of the things I like about the SK’s, they have a chrome finish that stands up well over time.

milly, I have a mixed bag of tools that mostly centers on Craftsman. But whenever I get a chance to pick up a piece or two of SK I consider that an upgrade. I have several of the SK ratchets and they are my go-to choice (although I haven’t had a chance to try out that Craftsman low pro ratchet I picked up a while back).

 

[eschoendorff]

Well prepare for a ton of posts now. I think just about everybody on here owns something from SK.

IMHO, its top notch stuff. I like the shape of thier wrenches alot (2nd only to proto t-500) Thier version of Flank-drive (sure-grip) seems to work pretty well too. They are a professional tool you can get for a high end hobbiest price from www.thetoolwarehouse.net. I have ALOT of stuff from them, Ive been happy with just about all of it. In terms fo quality, I have yet to actually break an SK tool. Ive broken 2 snap on and 2 craftsman sockets, as well as a snap on ratchet. I think the quality is top notch, but As always, different brands have different strong points. Im not a big dfan of thier bit sockets, and I tend to like teardrop ratchets in some cases, over the SK roundheads, but its good quality stuff. I dotn buy husky out of principal (made in taiwan, dont even START that thread lol)


Its good stuff, and SK is usually the first brand I look at when I need to make a tool purchase, although I like to switch things up sometimes

Jim

What Jim said. I have NEVER been disappointed in any of my SK stuff. Buy with confidence.

 

[ampegor]

I have some S-K Electrolitic combo wrenches I inherited from my uncle when he retired. He put 20 plus years on them a pro mechanic and I use them professionally at work now for at least 10 years. The finish is a little rough but they are tough and still going strong
Andy

 

[jgromada]

i picked up a 1/2" combination wrench by S-K Lectrolite. Knew coming here i would get the scoop . Brand new! a nice find at the local Habitat store for $1

 

[njvig64]

I had an SK T-bar lug wrench given to me by my father about 46 years ago. I am 59. It's a solid casted wrench. I have four kids, so naturally I wanted to get these wrenches for my kids cars. Hopefully if everything goes well I will be buying a Electrolyte wrench tomorrow. I would have never known the history if it weren't for this website. Thank you everyone.

 

[d42jeep]

Lots more information about everything S-K here.

Vintage S-K Tools

Here is most of my S-K tool collection. The large box was purchased new in 1953 by a friend of mine who passed away late last year. I found a similar looking box in my 1936 Baker & Hamilton hardware catalog, with a P/N of 4000. Mine has a P/N of 4010R, and I have yet find an old 1950's S-K...

www.garagejournal.com

-Don