Vintage S-K Tools

[ForrestT]

Here are mine.
-Don
and the set at my summer home.

I have 2 currently and now the case to begin collecting for a third!

 

[d42jeep]

Unfortunately, I discovered when putting mine together that most of the newer metric sockets are too tall for the early holders. Those ended up in a metal box where the height of the sockets didn’t matter.
-Don

 

[Cruzan80]

Agreed. I have a few that are "tipped" so they kind of fit, but not really. I have seen a 1/2" rail a few times, not sure which (metric, SAE or both versions) existed.

 

[oak_park]

Spotted in a video...I'd bet my life that magnetic driver was sourced for Brownells by S-K. Same SK font too. Stubby not so much.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice. That one needs to be added to this thread.

How many companies did sk make tools for

How many companies did SK TOOLS make tools for ALL: I haven't started a thread in a while so thought i'd start one off a conversation that will soon be lost in the big SK thread for those of us that care to sort of keep track of. i'll start a list as I get the names from all of you and edit...

www.garagejournal.com

-Don

 

[JohnDeere]

Those screwdrivers were made by vanadium tool co. for S-K so , it would be kind of silly for S-K to be a middle man in that scenario.

 

[Outlawmws]

Double sourced tools are not uncommon, silly or not...

Heard of Penens?

 

[d42jeep]

But was Vanadium Tool Company bought by S-K and renamed Vanadium Tool Corp? Woody addresses that in this thread.

Not yet Vintage but getting there...

Today I took my wife to a tag sale, where they sell off the entire contents of the home. Not expecting to find much in the way of tools I found this small package of cold chisels and I new immediately that they were made in my home state of "Ahia" as they say. Some background information will...

www.garagejournal.com

-Don

 

[JohnDeere]

So if you asked who made that screwdriver, S-K or Vanadium Tool Co. the answer would be Yes.

 

[d42jeep]

I finally ran across one of the early S-K film reel containers at a garage sale yesterday. I managed to leave the contents behind although the seller was slightly offended.
-Don

 

[RTM]

I finally ran across one of the early S-K film reel containers at a garage sale yesterday. I managed to leave the contents behind although the seller was slightly offended.
-Don

At least they didn’t charge you more to leave the contents behind. I saw that in the GS thread, and was wondering what it was for, forgot about the film holders. Was it actually movies in there?,

 

[ForrestT]

Tommy, SK Wayne 40416 1/2” deep socket 3/8” drive. Willing to trade you for SK 40416 if you need it and have one.

 

[d42jeep]

At least they didn’t charge you more to leave the contents behind. I saw that in the GS thread, and was wondering what it was for, forgot about the film holders. Was it actually movies in there?,

There looked to be three 8mm movies in metal cases. I said how much for just the box and she said that she didn’t want to separate them. I went ahead and made an offer which she accepted but she then asked if I was going to just throw away the movies and I said yes so she decided to keep them. She had vintage projectors for sale anyway so it made sense.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

I managed to leave the contents behind although the seller was slightly offended.

Generally, why would anyone want some one else's home movies?

 

[mritchie77]

Generally, why would anyone want some one else's home movies?

I don't know, but I see stacks of old family photos as every single junk/antique/hippy shop I find. I wouldn't think the shop would put out 50-100 year old family photos unless someone was interested in them.

 

[RTM]

Generally, why would anyone want some one else's home movies?

I grabbed a box of stereo slides at the Alameda flea market a decade or more ago. Lots of SF landmark shots, 1950 to 1970 I think, I gave them to my dad’s stereo camera club, they loved them.

Some people I know have hung up vintage pictures, claimed they were old family photos, even tho a few of us new better.

Home movies? Never know what you will find. I pity the fool that tried to salvage a horseback riding, or water skiing film I threw away.

 

[d42jeep]

I would like to keep my new 1/2 drive set together. I ended up putting them in a tray from a GMTK McAleer box but I’m going to be on the lookout for a correct S-K box with a leather handle like one they likely came in. The 1943 S-K catalog used prewar pictures so the set shown is what I’d like to end up with. I’ll be looking for the missing unmarked shorter extension to make the set complete.
-Don

I used some of the income from selling my excess Craftsman tools on the GJ to pay for this prewar carry box to put the prewar set in. It came with plenty of patina but that’s okay.
-Don

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Tommy, SK Wayne 40416 1/2” deep socket 3/8” drive. Willing to trade you for SK 40416 if you need it and have one.

I’ll have to check the spares box.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Saw these over in the garage sale thread and wondered what was up with the “custom” one?

 

[mritchie77]

Saw these over in the garage sale thread and wondered what was up with the “custom” one?

 

[ecotec]

L

I don't know, but I see stacks of old family photos as every single junk/antique/hippy shop I find. I wouldn't think the shop would put out 50-100 year old family photos unless someone was interested in them.

Instant family is what my wife calls photos of people on the secondary market.

 

[d42jeep]

Saw these over in the garage sale thread and wondered what was up with the “custom” one?

I never looked too deep into this but at some point S-K had a price line that I call the diamond pattern. I think the Frankenstein ratchets were in that group. I did a quick ebay search and found these pictures.
I tend to stay away from those because I have no interest in trying to put together a set.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I’m in mid project of moving the prewar tools into the new leather handled box. After seeing the preliminary results, I’m tempted to replace the S-K sockets with S-K Chrome sockets which would also be appropriate for the box. What is the group consensus? I also put some wartime tools into the metal handled box.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

I never looked to deep into this but at some point S-K had a price line that I call the diamond pattern. I think the Frankenstein ratchets were in that group. I did a quick ebay search and found these pictures.

There were three sockets in a box at the sale, maybe more scattered amongst everything. I grabbed the ratchet and extension. I was a bit overwhelmed at the amount of stuff to look through and even forgot some nice Snap-On’s I set down on a table.

 

[d42jeep]

I hate when that happens. Earlier this year I was at an Estate sale and unbolted a Powr-Kraft vise that I wanted from a workbench. When I got home I realized that I had left it behind. I messaged the seller but my removing it had made it easy to sell and it was long gone.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I decided to compromise. I put a complete set of S-K Chrome sockets into the set and am storing the S-K sockets in the bottom of the box. I like that it includes all of the odd early /32” sockets.
-Don

 

[ForrestT]

Couple of 3/8” drive sets I’ve been working on. Very happy with where they’re at and that they’re fun to use. I did upgrade ratchets to DT-80 kits and do prefer the knurled extensions. I also clear coated the patina on the boxes.

 

[floyd]

My dad bought me a set of S-K Tools about 45 years ago after I bought my first car. The tool box didn’t make it but the tray for the 1/2” drive stuff I and the 1/4” drive set are still in use. I think about him damn near every time I use them.

 

[d42jeep]

I was surprised to find a 12 point 1/4” S-K Chrome socket on eBay for my 1939 set. By 1941 the 1/4” drive S-K Chrome socket was 6 point.
-Don

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

And I found me a Roto head today. Not sure if I'm going to keep it or pass it on. What year with the Wayne relation? Thanks.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Wayne era is 1962/4-1968. Nice score! How much did you pay? If you don’t me asking.
-Tommy

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Father in laws free but 3 half days of mowing around the farm.

 

[bonneyman]

I took my Roto-head and swapped in one of the SK DT90 rebuild kits. Figured that would bump up the versatility of the already crazy tool.

 

[ForrestT]

I took my Roto-head and swapped in one of the SK DT90 rebuild kits. Figured that would bump up the versatility of the already crazy tool.

Been thinking of doing that, but the one I acquired has a knurled thumb wheel anvil. Haven’t seen another one like it. Don, have you seen one with a thumb wheel?

 

[d42jeep]

Mine is pretty conventional, no thumb wheel.
This rare item arrived in the mail today. I think Daniel K has some. Does anyone else? It’s certainly my first.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found an S-K Wayne combo at a moving sale yesterday. I seem to be seeing quite a few Wayne pieces recently.
-Don

 

[Gwizjames]

Where are all the 1/4” drive ratchets? I’m talking about the flea market. 1/4” drive sockets are everywhere but in over a year of looking, only seen one ratchet.
3/8” ratchets are common but 3/8” drive seems to be most rare for sockets.
I expected to go straight for evaporust with the 1” combo, but it cleaned up nicely with light wire brushing.
James

 

[Outlawmws]

The are out there. I have one more 3/8 ratchet than 1/4" but one 1/4" body has been converted to 3/8 (a dupe) Just about my favorite ratchet.

In my experience these things come in waves and disappear in droughts. No accounting for it.

 

[d42jeep]

A quick check showed over 50 various 1/4” drive S-K ratchets currently listed on eBay. I almost never see them at sales. I may have more than my share.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

I have 7 in 1/4, counting the conversion to 3/8.