Vintage S-K Tools

[d42jeep]

I picked up a 3/8" set box today at an estate sale and found a few leftovers from my last set to start filling it. Time to get busy...



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If you have trouble filling it, let me know what you need. I have plenty of shallow sockets.
-Don

 

[Catfishdan]

If you have trouble filling it, let me know what you need. I have plenty of shallow sockets.
-Don

Thank you sir! I'll give it a go for a while, but if I get stuck I'll let you know. I'll set aside some cool trades just in case.

 

[twertsy]

I think S-K ONLY did contract production until 1932, when the depression caused them to start their own brand. Early S-K was marked as Sherman-Klove on the tools.

I don't believe they produced any tool related items until at least 1931, and that's a stretch. I've seen a 1930 Sherman Klove catalog and it was screw machine products only, no tools.

 

[d42jeep]

AA claims this style was made in 1932 although they have no S-K or Sherman Klove markings. Their examples came in a box with S-K markings. Mine were not in a box.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I don't believe they produced any tool related items until at least 1931, and that's a stretch. I've seen a 1930 Sherman Klove catalog and it was screw machine products only, no tools.

I think they made ammunition in ww1

 

[Shelbylex]

Got this box today from a nice gentleman for free. He bought it in early 70s.

Does anybody know if there is supposed to be a tray inside and if it's possible to find a new emblem somewhere?
Also, if you have a similar box - please post a picture!

 

[r_olson_06]

Got this box today from a nice gentleman for free. He bought it in early 70s.

Does anybody know if there is supposed to be a tray inside and if it's possible to find a new emblem somewhere?
Also, if you have a similar box - please post a picture!

Typically yes. This set either housed a large 1/2 drive set or a small 3/4 drive set depending on the dimensions.


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[Shelbylex]

Thank you, R Olson 06.
If you have a similar box, please post a picture.

Size is 19 1/4 x 7 x 8(height). Do you know which set?

I suspect 1/2: the owner mentioned to me that he had a 3/8 and 1/2 set he bought together with the box.

 

[r_olson_06]

No problem. I have a catalog for that generation if SK but won't be able to get it until Sunday. Someone else may chime in and beat me to it.

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[Shelbylex]

Looking forward to seeing it!
I hope that I will have more to post by Sunday as well: I am working the weekend, but will stop buy at a sale 3 miles off the route to work tomorrow...
Found a picture of the box with the tray. I will try to text PO tomorrow in case he still has an old tray.
Now the big question is what was inside...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You could buy those empty. I used to always have several similar boxes like that with hand tools, electrical, plumbing stuff etc... I would just grab whichever one I needed.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I recently picked up this brown SK box along with some other tools. What is the approximate age of it?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Decal indicates prewar. Around 1940 give or take...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is also the wartime decal up through 1947, when they went to the metal badge.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Decal indicates prewar. Around 1940 give or take...

Thanks , good to know!
I might let this one go if anyone here would want it for their collection.

 

[Username already in use]

Here's an interesting take on the SK made JC Penny's ratchet... Gambles #G8002. I've never seen one before. This 1/4in drive ratchet just had to follow me home.

 

[Outlawmws]

I brought home yet another rusty cruddy old carry box...

This was why!

A closeup:

It also had one of the support arms off the rivet it pivots on, but I got that fed back in and peened so its on again so the tray actually moves without locking up.

 

[davethorik]

Here's an interesting take on the SK made JC Penny's ratchet... Gambles #G8002. I've never seen one before. This 1/4in drive ratchet just had to follow me home.

Very cool, didn't know they made Gambles in the flat handle style!!

 

[d42jeep]

Here's an interesting take on the SK made JC Penny's ratchet... Gambles #G8002. I've never seen one before. This 1/4in drive ratchet just had to follow me home.

Very cool ratchet!
-Don

 

[Rileysan]

Great find, UNAIU!

Speaking of JCPenney, I picked up this 1/2" drive deep socket set from a pawn shop for $9 this past weekend ($1/socket). I also acquired my first ever "Frankenstein" ratchet from the same shop for $5


Brian

 

[Private Lugnutz]

EDIT: I never noticed or paid much attention to the little letters inside that drive plug access port before. Unaiu's GAMBLES ratchet ("AF"?) drew my attention to them. I just checked my other SK rats. The CHROME ALLOY 4970 beavertail doesn't have letters. A chromed SK 40970 does (looks like "BG"). I sold my wartime sets, but in a minute I'm going to see if I can find old photos of the ratchets. Suddenly I feel like this is something I should know, but clearly don't. What are they?

 

[twertsy]

Unaiu: On your Gambles ratchet, what is the purpose of that little recess on the bottom side near the head with a slot opening into the head? And what are the letters? I would guess "OIL" for oiling, but it looks like an "AF", which is stumping my small mind at 6:53AM. Also, is that a little lever I see tucked up to the right side of the recess, for popping the drive plug out?

Those are the infamous and unintelligible SK date codes..........

Edit: and the recess provides access to the retaining ring for the drive mechanism.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, Todd. My own query just sent me scrambling with a magnifying glass! I figured the access port out (no never had one apart! ) and edited, but the infamous codes were a new one on me. I will say three our fathers and seven hail marys!

 

[twertsy]

Thanks, Todd. My own query just sent me scrambling with a magnifying glass! I figured the access port out (no never had one apart! ) and edited, but the infamous codes were a new one on me. I will say three our fathers and seven hail marys!

I've got a spreadsheet of a couple hundred SK rats data trying to figure the date codes out but there's just no rhyme or reason to them. I called SK and they refuse the divulge how they work. They did specifically say they are date codes though. This was a couple years ago and I've yet to think of a reason not to reveal your coding when you provide a lifetime warranty!!!!!!???

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah, that makes no sense, unless it reveals something competition sensitive or proprietary, which, from 60+ years ago, also makes little sense.

If only to satisfy my own curiosity, email me the spreadsheet. I'll get my old 98G cryptologic-fu on.

 

[twertsy]

Yeah, that makes no sense, unless it reveals something competition sensitive or proprietary, which, from 60+ years ago, also makes little sense.

If only to satisfy my own curiosity, email me the spreadsheet. I'll get my old 98G cryptologic-fu on.

Um............I have my own 98G fu remember?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Of course I remember. Not doubting your fu. HAHA. Just need to scratch the itch now!

 

[twertsy]

Of course I remember. Not doubting your fu. HAHA. Just need to scratch the itch now!

It'll have to wait a bit. Working 2 contracts (finally) and it's on the shop computer.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No rush. I have other puzzles to occupy my mind.

 

[3baygarage]

Here’s a puzzle Lugz! An early patent pending 1/2” dr. 42470 variant from the 1930’s. I’ve only seen a few.

I picked it up from a member and it needs a selector. Finding or making a selector- no problem. Attaching it to a tiny nub in the center that sheared off is another story.

The funny part is the Ace Hardware repair order from ‘09! Someone may or may not have taken it in there for a broken knob. Poor Ace. I’m not sure if Ace carried SK but thanks goodness it wasn’t swapped out for a new ratchet!

 

[Shelbylex]

My slowly growing SK collection... Please click to enlarge.

The top left box is not a complete loss - the emblem is actually well preserved (just did come out well on the picture). If anybody has a 1/2" box picture or catalogue image, please let me know so that I would keep an eye on what needs to go into it. Could not leave it behind for $3
I found some pictures on e-bay, but they are all different...

 

[d42jeep]

Even though that is a postwar box, I imagine that the 1/2” drive part of this set from the ‘43 catalog would be mighty close.
-Don

 

[Rileysan]

Here’s a puzzle Lugz! An early patent pending 1/2” dr. 42470 variant from the 1930’s. I’ve only seen a few.

I picked it up from a member and it needs a selector. Finding or making a selector- no problem. Attaching it to a tiny nub in the center that sheared off is another story.

The funny part is the Ace Hardware repair order from ‘09! Someone may or may not have taken it in there for a broken knob. Poor Ace. I’m not sure if Ace carried SK but thanks goodness it wasn’t swapped out for a new ratchet!

I love that ratchet. Now I have something else to look for!

Brian

 

[3baygarage]

It’s similar to the middle one here, but not the same. This middle one below must be later as it has a snap ring. Also has the R/L which is seen on its patent drawing too. I think the selector was slightly different too, with the above example having a slightly recessed knob iirc.

Someone here must have a complete example.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this empty 3/8” drive box at an estate sale this morning. It required a bit of cleanup but came with the cardboard inserts. I managed to fill it up out of the S-K boxes but one extension looked a bit too old.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you for earlier reply, Don. Greatly appreciate it!

Nice find! It’s interesting - I recently put my SK Wayne and more modern 3/8 ratchets and they are almost identical.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I see what you mean about the extension. Great looking set though

 

[Catfishdan]

I found this empty 3/8” drive box at an estate sale this morning. It required a bit of cleanup but came with the cardboard inserts. I managed to fill it up out of the S-K boxes but one extension looked a bit too old.
-Don

Nice box. I never find the plastic inserts with them.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It required a bit of cleanup but came with the cardboard inserts.

[] Do not use "cheater" bars/pipes on ratchets or wrenches

Good thing we're not up on the general Discussion board where we would have to endure an endless string of posts arguing that all good mechanics use cheater bars and pipes!

 

[d42jeep]

I found a welded up sliding Tee yesterday in either 9/16” or 5/8” drive that just begs for a cheater bar. Too bad there are no markings left.
-Don