Vintage S-K Tools

[JonahBrown]

This plaque was purchased after the SK Defiance, OH factory shut down. The seller told me it was found in the engineer’s office at the factory. It is a 7mm SK Craftsman Professional Wrench.

 

[RTM]

This plaque was purchased after the SK Defiance, OH factory shut down. The seller told me it was found in the engineer’s office at the factory. It is a 7mm SK Craftsman Professional Wrench.

That’s cool, at least it’s kinda usable. Stuff we get like that isn’t very appealing to display or keep. Sometimes embarrassed that money got spent.

 

[Old Radar]

Some sk and sk related stuff.

Honestly I'm not much of an sk person

All evidence to the contrary...

 

[Outlawmws]

I've been searching for an empty box for a special re-purpose similar in proportions to this one:

Partial postwar set with crossbar.

I don't care much about brand, and It needs to be at least 7" inside for the length. Better if it didn't have socket rails inside. but this SK box (I have one, and the set inside may be complete.) is about a quarter inch too short, Other proportions of 1-1/2 X 2 are OK but I can go a bit bigger also; maybe 2X3 or so.

None of the couple of dozen small kit boxes I have are close. Lots of the real long boxes for 1/2" drive sets, but thts too big... (yes I'm being picky)

Any thoughts for something 7-8" long, and up to 2X3 or so? Again don't care about brand.

I thought about maybe a wood box but the weight means it needs to be a lot stronger than say a wood cigar box or it will self destruct. Trying to avoid having to make a wood box out of oak or something stronger.

 

[Steven 33]

All evidence to the contrary...

Thats a drop on the bucket compared to what I have for sk, but not a single thing came from a purposeful SK purchase. I buy a lot of lots usually focused on snap-on stuff or just a good deal, but its resulted in a bunch of stuff that I just don't have to energy to organize into proper sets make appealing to potential buyers. This is the only type of stuff i buy to keep

 

[Steven 33]

Thats a drop on the bucket compared to what I have for sk, but not a single thing came from a purposeful SK purchase. I buy a lot of lots usually focused on snap-on stuff or just a good deal, but its resulted in a bunch of stuff that I just don't have to energy to organize into proper sets make appealing to potential buyers. This is the only type of stuff i buy to keep

Well looking at it i guess there's more random stockpile **** in this picture to

 

[Steven 33]

I've been searching for an empty box for a special re-purpose similar in proportions to this one:

Partial postwar set with crossbar.

I don't care much about brand, and It needs to be at least 7" inside for the length. Better if it didn't have socket rails inside. but this SK box (I have one, and the set inside may be complete.) is about a quarter inch too short, Other proportions of 1-1/2 X 2 are OK but I can go a bit bigger also; maybe 2X3 or so.

None of the couple of dozen small kit boxes I have are close. Lots of the real long boxes for 1/2" drive sets, but thts too big... (yes I'm being picky)

Any thoughts for something 7-8" long, and up to 2X3 or so? Again don't care about brand.

I thought about maybe a wood box but the weight means it needs to be a lot stronger than say a wood cigar box or it will self destruct. Trying to avoid having to make a wood box out of oak or something stronger.

I got tons of extra random cases. I'm sure I have something better around but this could be re-purposed pretty easily its 9×3×1.5 socket rail could be pulled pretty easily

 

[Outlawmws]

I got tons of extra random cases. I'm sure I have something better around but this could be re-purposed pretty easily its 9×3×1.5 socket rail could be pulled pretty easily

I think I have that same Thorsen box without the rail, but its only 1-3/8" deep

 

[Steven 33]

I think I have that same Thorsen box without the rail, but its only 1-3/8" deep

Yup your right. Sloppy measuring on my part. I'll see what else i got when i get a chance

 

[four.cycle]

@Outlawmws - I have tons of boxes: start here. Let me know if anything looks like what you're after. These are mostly all in boxes out in the living room right now.

 

[Outlawmws]

@Outlawmws - I have tons of boxes: start here. Let me know if anything looks like what you're after. These are mostly all in boxes out in the living room right now.

Thx Brian! Some possibilities depending on size and availability:

Pic 2: Upper right, lower left



Pics 3/4 - Top and bottom









Pics 7/8 lower:






Proto Boxes:

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have all but that tiny red one, which (if I am not mistaken) you can get from Harry Epstein dirt cheap.
Nope..... Epstein is sold out. (Just was messaging with them on this one.)
I got all the big ones. I will take them out back, re-shoot photos with measurements, and get back to you. Need to know exactly which ones you will want. I will have to haul over to USPS to get a price on the freight. Shoot me your zip code via P/M so I can get a quote on shipping.
BK
06/29/25 14:54 PDT

 

[Kaervak]

Gentlemen, I have recently acquired a large lot of SK tools from various years in SK's manufacturing. I've gone through everything and set aside a few items for myself, the rest I'm offering up to anyone in this thread that is looking for pieces to complete sets. I have 3/4 drive, 1/2 drive, 3/8 drive and 1/4 drive tools. Everything is SAE, no metric left. Sockets, extensions, ratchets, a bunch of stuff. I have knurled base SK, S-K, S-K TOOLS, SK with dot between, SK Wayne and probably something else I'm forgetting. Let me know specifically what you're looking for and I'll provide detailed pictures. All of these tools are used and as such, aren't perfect but plenty usable. All I'm asking for in return is just cover the cost of shipping and I'm also looking for three sockets to complete a couple sets of my own. I'm looking for 1/4 drive 6pt 1/2 knurled base S-K 40916, S-K two band short metric 13MM and 15MM 3/8 drive 6pt (I'll provide pictures)


7-28-25 update. New pictures have been added of the remaining SK items and pictures of the metric socket style I’m looking for.
3/4 and 1/2 drive in the first picture, 3/8 and 1/4 in the second and SAE wrenches in the third.


Socket style that I’m looking for. 13MM and 15MM

 

[d42jeep]

I found kind of an unusual S-K tool at an estate sale yesterday. It’s a long 1/2” cold chisel. I sharpened it a bit and dressed up the striking end.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

These arrived in the mail over the last few days. A diamond pattern ratchet triple play.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Daniel pointed out this patent pending very dark finish ratchet on eBay and I thought it would be a nice addition to a wartime set. Thanks, Daniel!
I won these sets that bmwrd0 had listed and when the package arrived today it was full of additional treasures.
He is the king of the S-K amber spinners plus he sent a 1/2” drive crossbar.
My first ever Kane socket.
Chrome Alloy (Brazil) 3/8” drive 3/4” socket.
Wartime 3/8” drive socket.
12 point 3/8” drive socket cleaned up.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

I am glad you enjoyed the extras, Don. I almost didn't realize it was you, until I saw that it was going to Tahoe (I had something else going to Sparks that day.) And, as I had a box of things for you, I decided to combine the two.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is one of the new sets completed with some upgrades.

Here is a completed S-K Chrome set from 1941.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some recent pre or early WW2 sets in progress. These two were an eBay lot that I bought due to the condition of the decals. My best guess is that they were made in 1942.
This set appears complete. Made before the metal restrictions went into effect. All 12 point sockets.

The universal set is likely from around the same period, at least that’s my best guess.
I borrowed some sockets from a later set to check fit.

-Don

 

[d42jeep]

The next set involves more guesswork. I found the box in rough condition and extremely dirty at a Carson City garage sale.
After a little cleaning and straightening I checked fit and the box is designed to hold 1/2” drive sockets.
The question is whether it would have come with S-K Chrome (1941 or earlier) or S-K (1942 - 1945) marked tools?
Now the search begins for an appropriate unmarked 40253 flex handle and 40250 crossbar.
-Don

 

[Steven 33]

The next set involves more guesswork. I found the box in rough condition and extremely dirty at a Carson City garage sale.
After a little cleaning and straightening I checked fit and the box is designed to hold 1/2” drive sockets.
The question is whether it would have come with S-K Chrome (1941 or earlier) or S-K (1942 - 1945) marked tools?
Now the search begins for an appropriate unmarked 40253 flex handle and 40250 crossbar.
-Don

anything you need? I happened to be going through some sk when I saw this. I have more around but these are what I had out

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks for the offer. I have quite a few S-K spares as well. I do like the black oxide wartime 1/4” drive set on the right of the second picture. That may be one you should consider keeping.
-Don

 

[Ultradog MN]

I did an upgrade to some better tool cabinets here recently. Transfering stuff out of my old ones to the new.
Came across this box I'd forgotten about - down in the back of a bottom drawer.
Kept it because of the cool metal tag inside.
I don't need it but thought about filling it with a some extraneous sockets I have.
Is it worth anything.
I could be talked into letting it go.

 

[d42jeep]

That is a box for a postwar #4517 3/8” drive set. Here are a couple of mine.


-Don

 

[MisterEd]

I recall reading Lugnutz suggest that Collectors of Vintage Tools tend to be drawn to "It's a Complete Set!" even if it's not a usual thing to get. For Accumulators like us it's probably more like, "well, it's ALMOST complete!".
SigO found this "Almost Set" impossible to leave behind, recently.

S-K 4810 Spark Plug Socket Set less 2 Sockets and L Handle
Missing 40826 and 40828 or B40826 and B40828 that were “extra thin wall sockets for use on Buicks.”
Can anyone clarify this statement from the 1949 Catalog, ‘9/16”and 11/16” for use on 10mm spark plugs’?

1949 Sherman Klove Catalog No. 649 : The Sherman-Klove Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Automotive tool catalog

archive.org

 

[d42jeep]

That is a prewar set I haven’t run across yet. Are the sockets marked S-K Chrome or just S-K? One of the first S-K sets I found at an estate sale in 2016 was a postwar version of that set. One of the sockets was too modern and the ell handle was bent.
Over time I found a better ell handle and upgraded the sockets. I opted not to use the thin wall non guaranteed Buick sockets, although I found some.
It’s unfortunate that the latch is broken on your box. Welding would be required to fix that. I found an even earlier box that would require S-K Chrome sockets which seem to be quite rare. Here it is with some incorrect wartime sockets in it.
I suggest that you find an ell handle and the missing socket to complete that rare set as much as possible.
Here is your set shown in the 1943 catalog.
-Don

 

[MisterEd]

Are the sockets marked S-K Chrome or just S-K?

Just "S-K".

 

[d42jeep]

Very likely made in 1942 right before the WW2 metal restrictions. That will make the missing socket or sockets easier to find.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Several items arrived in the mail yesterday. These are headed for my #4530 3/8” drive set made between 1953 and 1956.
Added to the set in progress. I think that I have the missing universal sockets back in the Bay Area.
-Don

 

[INSP380]

Nice work !!

Steve

 

[bonneyman]

I got tons of extra random cases. I'm sure I have something better around but this could be re-purposed pretty easily its 9×3×1.5 socket rail could be pulled pretty easily

I repurposed an older 1/4" socket box to hold 3/8" and made a socket divider rail out of a scrap piece of sheet steel. Looks and works nice.

 

[d42jeep]

The next set involves more guesswork. I found the box in rough condition and extremely dirty at a Carson City garage sale.
After a little cleaning and straightening I checked fit and the box is designed to hold 1/2” drive sockets.
The question is whether it would have come with S-K Chrome (1941 or earlier) or S-K (1942 - 1945) marked tools?
Now the search begins for an appropriate unmarked 40253 flex handle and 40250 crossbar.
-Don

I was lucky enough to find the unmarked 40253 flex handle on eBay. Now I need to find an appropriate crossbar.
Edit.. Added a temporary crossbar.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Several items arrived in the mail yesterday. These are headed for my #4530 3/8” drive set made between 1953 and 1956.
Added to the set in progress. I think that I have the missing universal sockets back in the Bay Area.
-Don

I painted the exterior of the box yesterday and have been adding universal sockets to complete the 4530 set.
The 12 point 9/16“ socket arrived yesterday afternoon and is the final piece that was missing from the set.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This Chrome Alloy (Brazil) 1/2” drive flex handle arrived in the mail yesterday.
I did a comparison with my unmarked S-K prewar flex handle and it was a perfect match.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I have a weakness for sad looking incomplete vintage S-K sets. This one arrived today and did come with all the universal sockets.
Gradually added missing tools
Finished for today. Needs a 6 point 7/16” deep socket and some paint.
Probably made ‘57 or ‘58.
-Don

Yesterday was S-K box painting day.
Here is the 4528 set box results.
The box is still rough but looks better.
Here are two 4528 sets side by side. The nicer set will be headed for my basement display.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Received a generous gift from Kaervak. THANK YOU!!!

 

[d42jeep]

That’s a nice gift. Those look to be in great condition.
Here is a 1/2” drive Frankenstein ratchet I found on Ebay for a reasonable price. The Frankenstein ratchets are not particularly smooth in operation.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This Chrome Alloy (Brazil) 1/2” drive flex handle arrived in the mail yesterday.
I did a comparison with my unmarked S-K prewar flex handle and it was a perfect match.
-Don

I found a crossbar at an estate sale on Friday that was a perfect fit in the Chrome Alloy flex handle.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Some S-K sets in progress.

-Don

 

[oak_park]

Not Vintage, but I saw this at a recent sale, was 1/2 price day, but due to condition I left it there. Missing lock and key. Never seen one like it before, did have ball bearing slides.