Vintage S-K Tools

[d42jeep]

People like red for some reason. It’s clear one of these belonged to Lil Wayne and one belonged to Batman’s estate (Wayne Manor).

Nice group of rare ratchets
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

Chanced upon this SK-Lectrolite Socket Set box today at lunch working a "honey hole" of mine. About 16" long x 3-1/2" wide. Seems like the socket guides would direct towards a 3/8" set, or possibly a 3/8" & 1/4" drive combo set. The other curiosity I have.....I don't think that I've ever seen an actual socket or drive tools that says "SK Lectrolite" Do they exist? or did these sets get filled with tools just simply marked SK?

 

[d42jeep]

That’s a combo 3/8” and 1/4” set made shortly before they were bought by Wayne. Sockets and drive tools would have been marked S-K. Only wrenches were marked S-K Lectrolite.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

That’s a combo 3/8” and 1/4” set made shortly before they were bought by Wayne. Sockets and drive tools would have been marked S-K. Only wrenches were marked S-K Lectrolite.
-Don

Thanks, Don, as always!

 

[outofbounds]

Brought home this little SK "Diamond" 1/4 Drive set yesterday. Box is engraved, and spray-bombed silver inside, but the tools are in remarkably minty condition. Ratchet, Flex Handle w/Tommy bar, two extensions and an array of original sockets (except one modern replacement). I'd welcome any insight what might constitute a complete set to this box. The socket tray is elevated to allow the drive tools to tumble back underneath.

 

[outofbounds]

Same Deal as the last post produced this partial 3/8" set

 

[d42jeep]

Brought home this little SK "Diamond" 1/4 Drive set yesterday. Box is engraved, and spray-bombed silver inside, but the tools are in remarkably minty condition. Ratchet, Flex Handle w/Tommy bar, two extensions and an array of original sockets (except one modern replacement). I'd welcome any insight what might constitute a complete set to this box. The socket tray is elevated to allow the drive tools to tumble back underneath.

That is a complete early postwar set with the larger diameter crossbar and larger 12 point sockets. Too bad about the spray bomb.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

That is a complete early postwar set with the larger diameter crossbar and larger 12 point sockets. Too bad about the spray bomb.
-Don

Can't complain about the spray bomb too much. For what I paid for the lot, I expect to sell a couple loose ratchets, and a lot of Powr-Kraft sockets, and enjoy these two older SK sets, some Mustang odds/ends, and a 1/2" USA Husky Set for free.

As always, I genuinely appreciate the generosity of your expertise, Don!

 

[d42jeep]

Same Deal as the last post produced this partial 3/8" set

Here is that set in the 1953 S-K brochure. I might have some interest in that dark finish 8 point socket for my wartime set. Any chance of a couple of pictures of that one?
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

Here is that set in the 1953 S-K brochure. I might have some interest in that dark finish 8 point socket for my wartime set. Any chance of a couple of pictures of that one?
-Don

I'll post a picture for you tonight Don. Not sure if that's non-chrome, or baked on grime.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, I appreciate it. Here is a box that arrived yesterday from an eBay seller. I picked it up for the condition of the decal plus the price wasn’t bad. It could be slightly prewar or early war if the sockets that came with it are original. I added few of my spares to it.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

Thanks, I appreciate it. Here is a box that arrived yesterday from an eBay seller. I picked it up for the condition of the decal plus the price wasn’t bad. It could be slightly prewar or early war if the sockets that came with it are original. I added few of my spares to it.
-Don

Don - Here are some pics of that little 5/16" double square. I'll stab at 45100 as the part number. Hard to read. Added a few pics under magnification if it adds anything. If you can use it Ill gladly zip it out in the mail for you.

 

[d42jeep]

Don - Here are some pics of that little 5/16" double square. I'll stab at 45100 as the part number. Hard to read. Added a few pics under magnification if it adds anything. If you can use it Ill gladly zip it out in the mail for you.

I would be happy to take it off your hands. Thanks for the generous offer. According to the wartime S-K catalog it was suspended due to restrictions against duplicate socket sizes since that size was offered in 1/4” drive. They never resumed production of those after the war so my Chrome examples were likely made between ‘42 and early ‘43. I’ll PM you.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

These arrived in the mail yesterday. I didn’t have that size of Chrome Alloy socket.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Couple of odd sizes there.

 

[d42jeep]

Even though I absolutely didn’t need it, the eBay listing kept whispering my name. After a couple of lucky early Craftsman tool sales, I had built up a little PayPal reserve so I went ahead and pulled the trigger. The overall condition is pretty good considering it was made in the late 40s or early 50s.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those are beautiful sets. Nice pick up, even if you did not need one.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I need to do some rust work on the 1/4” drive tools but I’m happy with how it turned out.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Looks great, Don! Got to love it!

Thank you for posting the ad as well - gives an idea of what is in the set.

 

[four.cycle]

 

[consti2tion]

A buddy of mine went to an estate sale Thursday and found a NOS SK socket set and some other random SK sockets and what not so we decided to head back over there Friday. Much to my surprise there was another NOS socket set in the bottom of the old Craftsman grey and red box. Its even still in the cardboard box. As much as I would like to keep it I’m probably going to eBay it, to fuel more tool purchases. I also found a near complete SK Wayne set that looks pretty well unused.

SK Dresser era:





SK Wayne:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I like the extra decal.

 

[consti2tion]

It's a nice little personal touch from the original owner.

I am going to most likely keep the SK Wayne set. The NOS 4520 set needs to go to someone who will collect it, it should be preserved and I would be too tempted to use it.

 

[Shelbylex]

One interesting thing I observed about SK: it seems that fewer people know about it and the tools are often not considered by people. When I sell doubles and triples sometimes Craftsman seems to disappear very fast while SK sits for some time. For example I just sold a Craftsman Ratchet (3/8 drive) which disappeared in less than a day while SK 3/8 ratchet in good condition is sitting on CL for $15 for a week.
I wonder if this is because general public always shopped in Sears and Craftsman was in every household while SK was not too popular.
Does anybody know how SK used to be sold back in the 40s-70s? (I never saw SK in the stores myself...)

 

[four.cycle]

S-K was sold in some auto parts stores and a few hardware stores around here. Market saturation would vary by geographic location, as was the case with most every major brand of hand tools.

The S-K model 45170 3/8" drive RHFT is ubiquitous and abundant - so unless they're offered at a "give away" price on Ebay, they're going to languish in the listings until a willing buyer happens along.

Craftsman, on the other hand, is currently one of the "shiny objects" in the Ebay tool collecting world.
As I'm sure would be attested to by other members, it really doesn't seem to matter what the vintage is - people are paying stupid money for late-production Danaher-made Craftsman-branded products.

We used to sell Grant Piston Rings. Highly regarded by Chevy small-block builders - they apparently really liked those 5/64" cast-iron top rails.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Picked up these sk made klein sets for next to nothing

 

[consti2tion]

One interesting thing I observed about SK: it seems that fewer people know about it and the tools are often not considered by people. When I sell doubles and triples sometimes Craftsman seems to disappear very fast while SK sits for some time. For example I just sold a Craftsman Ratchet (3/8 drive) which disappeared in less than a day while SK 3/8 ratchet in good condition is sitting on CL for $15 for a week.
I wonder if this is because general public always shopped in Sears and Craftsman was in every household while SK was not too popular.
Does anybody know how SK used to be sold back in the 40s-70s? (I never saw SK in the stores myself...)

I was curious about where people picked these kits up in the past as well.

 

[consti2tion]

S-K was sold in some auto parts stores and a few hardware stores around here. Market saturation would vary by geographic location, as was the case with most every major brand of hand tools.



The S-K model 45170 3/8" drive RHFT is ubiquitous and abundant - so unless they're offered at a "give away" price on Ebay, they're going to languish in the listings until a willing buyer happens along.



Craftsman, on the other hand, is currently one of the "shiny objects" in the Ebay tool collecting world.

As I'm sure would be attested to by other members, it really doesn't seem to matter what the vintage is - people are paying stupid money for late-production Danaher-made Craftsman-branded products.



We used to sell Grant Piston Rings. Highly regarded by Chevy small-block builders - they apparently really liked those 5/64" cast-iron top rails.

I am also aloof of the craftsman craze these days, I have no issues with their vintage tools at all but it does surprise me.

The estate sale I purchased this from appeared to have been a man who built engines. There was a lathe and other machinist tools. Would have loved to get more of that but hand tools are great as well!

 

[consti2tion]

Picked up these sk made klein sets for next to nothing

These are fantastic! Where did you score them?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The NOS sets were on ebay for 20 or 30$ (its been awhile). Someone had a bunch of them. Don't think the older sets went for much either. Does not seem to be much interest in klein socket sets.

 

[consti2tion]

The NOS sets were on ebay for 20 or 30$ (its been awhile). Someone had a bunch of them. Don't think the older sets went for much either. Does not seem to be much interest in klein socket sets.

That is a hell of a “you ****” fantastic deal my man!

I picked up those two sets I posted and a bunch of other tools for 60.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's a pretty good deal! Personally I think sk stuff superior to craftsman, but the craftsman collecting frenzy is likely to continue.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a mostly complete 1/2” drive Fulton set that arrived last night. These were sold by Sears.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I was happy to see the mid ‘30s 1/2” drive Chrome Alloy ratchet was included with the above Fulton set. I didn’t have one. Since it doesn’t come apart, it’s good that it is in working order..
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

A buddy of mine went to an estate sale Thursday and found a NOS SK socket set and some other random SK sockets and what not so we decided to head back over there Friday. Much to my surprise there was another NOS socket set in the bottom of the old Craftsman grey and red box. Its even still in the cardboard box. As much as I would like to keep it I’m probably going to eBay it, to fuel more tool purchases. I also found a near complete SK Wayne set that looks pretty well unused.

SK Dresser era:





SK Wayne:

I’m sure that NOS set will sell for plenty on eBay. Although the US made Craftsman tools are going crazy, S-K prices are on the rise as well. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s I managed some local Auto Parts stores. One was an S-K dealer and I could buy tools for 10% over cost. Although this set is newer than my S-K collecting focus, it’s a keeper since I bought the tools new. The box got misplaced over the years but I was able to find a replacement and reassemble the set.
-Don

 

[consti2tion]

I’m sure that NOS set will sell for plenty on eBay. Although the US made Craftsman tools are going crazy, S-K prices are on the rise as well. Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s I managed some local Auto Parts stores. One was an S-K dealer and I could buy tools for 10% over cost. Although this set is newer than my S-K collecting focus, it’s a keeper since I bought the tools new. The box got misplaced over the years but I was able to find a replacement and reassemble the set.
-Don

I have listed it at a stupid high buy it now price, in hopes that it won't sell so I can make an excuse to my lovely wife as to why I have to keep it.

It would be great to go to an auto parts store today and see tools that are made in the USA, especially SK tools. Your set looks to be very mint and not heavily used, beautiful!

 

[Username already in use]

Nothing too fancy or NOS like you guys are finding.
But I did manage to bring home a handful of SK from the flea last weekend.
My SK tools board is always short on DBEs. My cup runneth over in the Combo department.

 

[d42jeep]

I’ll check for extra DBE wrenches that you might be missing.
A couple of eBay orders and an estate sale find from today. The eBay box will need a repaint and the estate sale pliers will need some rust removal.
-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I was happy to see the mid ‘30s 1/2” drive Chrome Alloy ratchet was included with the above Fulton set. I didn’t have one. Since it doesn’t come apart, it’s good that it is in working order..
-Don

That's a great set Don!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, JoCo. The groove joint pliers came out of the evaporust yesterday and are a little more presentable. I found this huge unmarked extension that looks S-K. The odd thing about it is the two retaining balls on the drive end. Has anyone run across this before?
-Don