Vintage S-K Tools

[d42jeep]

I found this S-K carry box at a recent garage sale. The tray is different than my others but it fits perfectly. It had some paint sprayed on the exterior that was pretty much impossible to remove without taking off some of the original paint. The box is a gray color, unlike most of my others.
-Don

 

[Kdaniel8601]

It kind of looks like this one from the 1953 S-K Tools Catalog.

 

[d42jeep]

It sure does!
Thanks.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found this pretty nice socket lot at a good price on eBay to fill out some sets.
Added sockets to this set.
This set needs a ratchet and a correct crossbar and maybe some paint



These Wayne tools keep building up despite my best efforts. I would be happy to trade them to a S-K Wayne collector for a like number of earlier knurled S-K non Wayne tools.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Are wayne collectors a thing?

 

[Cruzan80]

Don, I may send you a PM. Not really a "Wayne collector" but do have a master box that I am slowly trying to fill with correct items.

Students showed up a week ago, so a bit in the weeds right now ...

 

[four.cycle]

Are wayne collectors a thing?

I believe so.
I shoot it all down to Don and he re-homes it.

 

[d42jeep]

No problem. The knurled 3/8” is spoken for but I still have the rest.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Are wayne collectors a thing?

S-K Tool Fanatic likes Wayne tools. I don’t dislike them but I have to draw the line somewhere.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have not really collected them but not for any reason other than a bit newer. I suppose my sk preference is wartime and earlier.

 

[four.cycle]

the Wayne was made during a tiny window: 1962-1968, I believe.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sounds about right

 

[d42jeep]

Since I was spraying a Plomb box, I decided to sand and respray the rusty top of this S-K box that recently arrived from an eBay seller.
Sanded the top down
Resprayed the entire box
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This mixed 1/4” drive lot arrived yesterday. I was happy that it came with several Chrome Alloy sockets with unmarked flex handle and crossbar for an upcoming Brazil set that I’m working on.
Chrome Alloy sockets
S-K sockets
Upcoming Brazil set-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Since I was spraying a Plomb box, I decided to sand and respray the rusty top of this S-K box that recently arrived from an eBay seller.
Sanded the top down
Resprayed the entire box
-Don

I moved the tools from the other box into the repainted one.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Don, you have an amazing amount of SK sets, what is your total number of sets? If you keep everything that you post, can you make a picture of Dons SK Shrine?
(I just wonder: full room? Full garage? Small warehouse? : )

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks! A lot of my sets are on display in my basement. Here are some of those.
Here is a link to my basement display thread. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/dons-den-of-dandy-delights.493721/
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

hey, thanks for the care package, Don! very cool.

 

[d42jeep]

I tend to concentrate on WW2 and prewar sets. I have quite a few sets in progress and don’t actually know how many I have.
-Don

 

[Raineman]

You’re just gonna make me quit SK. My collection is embarrassing compared to yours

 

[d42jeep]

I used to manage an auto parts store in the 80s and 90s that sold S-K tools and bought a few at that time. I always thought that they were kind of underrated. When I got into collecting WW2 tools I found that they were not too hard to find and it became an effort to find perfect WW2 sets. I may have gone a little too far.
-Don

 

[Raineman]

Our auto parts backgrounds are similar. I found a fondness for SK in 1985 when the parts dealer I worked for rented a room in the warehouse to a tool sales guy. His top line was SK and I couldn’t afford them, if you can believe that. SK is nostalgic to me. In my case they are a lust for what I couldn’t have when I fell in love with tools.

I bought a single 1/4” ratchet that for me at the time was the holy grail. Probably why I’m obsessed with 1/4” sets of any make.

 

[Old Radar]

Thanks! A lot of my sets are on display in my basement.

Most of those sets are living room quality! Why are you hiding them in the basement?
+? Mrs. Radar doesn't have my sense of decorating style, either...

 

[d42jeep]

I’m lucky that I was allowed to use half of the basement! Very few tools reside inside the house
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I managed to get most of the stuff out of the kitchen so I could use the floor, but I still have stuff all over the living room and in this back bedroom.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I’m lucky that I was allowed to use half of the basement! Very few tools reside inside the house
-Don

This cracks me up. My wife doesn’t even want books on tools laying around. I think I’ll try bringing a roller cabinet in the house tomorrow just to get her reaction

 

[Outlawmws]

Setting expectations early matters: I have 4 wood machinist chests, a small workbench, and assorted tools for "decorations" in the family room I was moved into when the big TV and new couches and recliners took over the living room.

First date lunch, second the racetrack (cars) third - shooting range... (Shes' good with a .22 revolver!).

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Setting expectations early matters: I have 4 wood machinist chests, a small workbench, and assorted tools for "decorations" in the family room I was moved into when the big TV and new couches and recliners took over the living room.

First date lunch, second the racetrack (cars) third - shooting range... (Shes' good with a .22 revolver!).

You’re my hero. I used to have one of those rooms. It became her closet portion of the master suite. I’m back to my old barn

 

[Shelbylex]

Thanks! A lot of my sets are on display in my basement. Here are some of those.
Here is a link to my basement display thread. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/dons-den-of-dandy-delights.493721/
-Don

Thank you, Don

I completely forgot about this thread!
You have a fantastic collection!!!

I can not believe its already more than 6 years since I joined GJ and got the inspiration to start my tool collection and learn about US tools!!!
You were one of the first people (if not tge first). who got me interested in SK tools!!!

 

[Old Radar]

^^^ Just call him Jim Jones and have a little more Kool-Aid!

 

[Indexmill]

Our auto parts backgrounds are similar. I found a fondness for SK in 1985 when the parts dealer I worked for rented a room in the warehouse to a tool sales guy. His top line was SK and I couldn’t afford them, if you can believe that. SK is nostalgic to me. In my case they are a lust for what I couldn’t have when I fell in love with tools.

I bought a single 1/4” ratchet that for me at the time was the holy grail. Probably why I’m obsessed with 1/4” sets of any make.

Exact same for me. Dad would take me to the hardware store in town on a Saturday morning. At age 8 or 10, I bought a 1/4" SK Ratchet... and have not been right since.

 

[d42jeep]

This early S-K 40954 1/4” drive spinner arrived in the mail yesterday. The shaft is plain steel. It has the block lettering of the prewar or wartime spinners.
Postwar spinner marking.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Is that just the pic, or is the block lettering slightly angled/italic?

 

[d42jeep]

Is that just the pic, or is the block lettering slightly angled/italic?

The lettering is upright. It’s hard to get a clear picture of the logo. Here is another dark finish wartime spinner.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve always wanted one of these smaller tool/tackle carry boxes. My best guess, based on the non-leather handle and water transfer label, is that it was made around 1945.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

During WW2 3/8” drive tools were not as popular as 1/2” drive and 1/4” drive tools. Back in January of 2019 GJ member misterbill put together a wartime S-K 3/8” drive set #4517 In an original box. Here are some of his pictures of his set.


I wanted to put together one of these sets as well. I started gathering wartime 3/8” drive tools and looking for an appropriate box. Here is what I came up with. Unfortunately the water transfer was missing so I added a reproduction decal. It was obvious where the water transfer had been.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

As time went on I added some other wartime 3/8” drive tools and boxes.



Recently this lot came up for sale on eBay. I couldn’t resist the box with the original water transfer and several original pieces.
I took out the incorrect pieces and added another possible unmarked speeder.
Eventually I will combine my existing sets with the new box and tools and come up with a set completed to my satisfaction.
-Don

 

[ranger08]

Since I was spraying a Plomb box, I decided to sand and respray the rusty top of this S-K box that recently arrived from an eBay seller.
Sanded the top down
Resprayed the entire box
-Don

looks like a good, match what color did you use

 

[d42jeep]

I used this Midwest Military paint which apparently can no longer be shipped to CA. It seems to be a good match for several vintage companies’ boxes.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some of the S-K finds from yesterday. They are in the process of being cleaned up.
-Don