Vintage S-K Tools

[d42jeep]

Cool. This set appears to pre-date the ad. It matches the set on Alloy Artifacts, circa 1930’s.

The one in the ad mentions the improved breaker bar, which is longer.

I think it’s earlier too. That’s the earliest catalog I could find. Probably late ‘30s because the early ‘30s S-K tools are exactly the same as your new Brazil set.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

I think you did right to pull the trigger twice there, 3Bay!

I thought it was he had a 3/4" Drive "SK" set for sale cheap too, but wasn't privy to the fact it was a "SK Chrome" set. Surprised it's 1/2 drive. Nice haul.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice get! Suckage bestowed on both 3 bay and oob!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Thanks.
Has shared suckage occurred before? In a GJ sense that is.

I think you did right to pull the trigger twice there, 3Bay!

I thought it was he had a 3/4" Drive "SK" set for sale cheap too, but wasn't privy to the fact it was a "SK Chrome" set. Surprised it's 1/2 drive. Nice haul.

Thanks. When I saw the other set I was like “Shoot, time to ask about a package deal!”. I owe you a because #1 I don’t use FB (had to get the Mrs involved), and #2 this was an unusual opportunity at some special items, so thank you again. I’m very happy to be the new keeper of these sets as I said earlier. The guy said he picked them up at least 25 years ago in Connecticut. Not Illinois as I would have guessed. It was good timing, as he said he got a new tool box and was clearing out some old $#!T.

I think it’s earlier too. That’s the earliest catalog I could find. Probably late ‘30s because the early ‘30s S-K tools are exactly the same as your new Brazil set.
-Don

Don I would have to agree that’s probably the case.

 

[3baygarage]

Some photos of the S-K CHROME 1/2” set.

It’s called a No. 4237 set on Alloy Artifacts. This set appears to match theirs as far as socket sizes and no part # on each socket. The major difference being my breaker bar has no part #, while the one on AA is marked 40253.

The drive plug doesn’t appear to belong to this kit.

 

[3baygarage]

Comparison of 15” bar to some later “improved” 17” bars. The cross bar also was beefed up in diameter.

*Note I used a Williams cross bar in the 41653 breaker bar.

 

[3baygarage]

Working backwards here.

BRAZIL 1/2” set.

It’s really in pretty decent shape. Less rust than I expected on the case. I cleaned up the grease some, and coat of blocker. One of the extensions is a little chewed up, and there are probably a couple sockets missing. One off brand dupe socket, a Chromium Vanadium 1-1/16”.

I like the retractable handle.

Corbin latches, in case Jeff Moss is interested. Should have took a close shot.

Marked CLEARING, ILLINOIS

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice decal on that one. I think that was the top of the line Brazil set back then.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not sure what you mean by backwards, 3bay, but that's a terrific set. That yellow decal really pops against the black! Made before 1938.

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks guys. Just meant I was posting the sets backwards.

 

[d42jeep]

Very nice sets. They look quite complete as well. Great addition to your collection. Let me know if you discover any missing pieces. I have some spares.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a fulton and a brazil version. Got the brazil set from an aa auction. No ratchet in fulton set. Tools are otherwise identical.

 

[3baygarage]

Very nice sets. They look quite complete as well. Great addition to your collection. Let me know if you discover any missing pieces. I have some spares.
-Don

Cool, thanks Don. I’m happy I could get the sets. I’ll have to keep in eye out for additional sockets in my travels as well.

I have a fulton and a brazil version. Got the brazil set from an aa auction. No ratchet in fulton set. Tools are otherwise identical.

Very nice. Looking back on this thread, there was quite a bit of Brazil talk. I saw a couple of 1/2” sets posted.

Not sure why, but a few years back I passed up a nice 1/2” Fulton set for cheap at a flea market.. T bar and sockets, just like these sets, but in a small red box.

 

[d42jeep]

I gathered some postwar sets for a photo. I decided to add an 1-3/16” socket to my new set since the box would accommodate it.
-Don

 

[Kdaniel8601]

I came across this ¼” socket set on eBay for auction, I have only ever seen two like it, the other yesterday on eBay too. The inside and latch are like prewar and wartime boxes, but they have riveted nameplates. Does anybody know when it would have been made?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks shortly post war

 

[d42jeep]

If you take a close look at that box, it seems like the socket slot is the width of 3/8” sockets rather than 1/4” drive. In your catalog 649 at the bottom of page 9, a small 3/8” drive set is shown (#4513) with just sockets, breaker and cross bars. Since the images shown in the catalog are not trustworthy since earlier artwork is used, it’s my opinion that the box in the eBay sale is for a 4513 set. The riveted label has the up arrow in the middle of the logo which indicates an early postwar set. That arrow is omitted in the slightly later postwar sets. There is another similar box on eBay that’s missing the socket divider.
-Don

 

[Kdaniel8601]

If you take a close look at that box, it seems like the socket slot is the width of 3/8” sockets rather than 1/4” drive. In your catalog 649 at the bottom of page 9, a small 3/8” drive set is shown (#4513) with just sockets, breaker and cross bars. Since the images shown in the catalog are not trustworthy since earlier artwork is used, it’s my opinion that the box in the eBay sale is for a 4513 set. The riveted label has the up arrow in the middle of the logo which indicates an early postwar set. That arrow is omitted in the slightly later postwar sets. There is another similar box on eBay that’s missing the socket divider.
-Don

Which arrows are you talking about, the one I have circled in the picture?

 

[d42jeep]

Which arrows are you talking about, the one I have circled in the picture?

Exactly. The later sets changed the logo a little and those upper arrows were removed.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

...and people think I'm detail oriented!

 

[Outlawmws]

Or, those are FORGERIES!!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup. Chinesers in disguise

 

[d42jeep]

I spent some time today taking some pictures of wartime S-K sets, matching them to the catalog images. The deep set is either prewar or early war.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

A couple more sets.
-Don

 

[Leviton]

My son-in-law was working on an old house and he found a 1936 newspaper between the walls. There were some S-K tools advertised in it.

Thought I'd post it here in case someone has one of these sets.

(For the 30-piece set, the metal case was only $0.50 more than the cardboard box option!)

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This one looks familiar

 

[d42jeep]

Nice #105 hex set. That larger set resembles 3Bay’s new Brazil find. All I have is a couple of ratchets. I have very few hex drive tools.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

My Christmas present to myself arrived this evening. Probably made in ‘44 or ‘45.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

With the cross bar, no less! Sweet!!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I overpaid but these with this finish and in this condition are few and far between.
-Don

 

[406Rich]

Picked these two up at a garage sale, now just got to figure out what I need to finish them, the big box almost no paint on the outside, small box pretty good shape....

 

[sk farmer]

Picked these two up at a garage sale, now just got to figure out what I need to finish them, the big box almost no paint on the outside, small box pretty good shape....

nice pick. is that a #1 phillips?

 

[406Rich]

nice pick. is that a #1 phillips?

Yes it is SK..

 

[handmadeMI]

Nice #105 hex set. That larger set resembles 3Bay’s new Brazil find. All I have is a couple of ratchets. I have very few hex drive tools.
-Don

Wow, the world (or tool collectors world) is a small place. I just joined this site a few days ago and was just browsing this SK form. Your wrench and user name looked familiar. I sold that one to you on ebay a few weeks back. Glad it found a good home!

 

[d42jeep]

Picked these two up at a garage sale, now just got to figure out what I need to finish them, the big box almost no paint on the outside, small box pretty good shape....

Are the tools in the S-K Wayne box also marked S-K Wayne or just S-K? This is the only set I saw in the Wayne catalog that resembles your box.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Wow, the world (or tool collectors world) is a small place. I just joined this site a few days ago and was just browsing this SK form. Your wrench and user name looked familiar. I sold that one to you on ebay a few weeks back. Glad it found a good home!

Yep. That was me. I’ve been known to buy some tools on eBay. Welcome to the Garage Journal. There are a lot of good people posting here.
Speaking of eBay purchases, these NOS 8 point sockets arrived in the mail today. Considering that they were made from between the mid ‘50s to ‘63, they are in amazing condition.
-Don

 

[406Rich]

Are the tools in the S-K Wayne box also marked S-K Wayne or just S-K? This is the only set I saw in the Wayne catalog that resembles your box.
-Don

Don only one socket is marked SK Wayne the others SK, does your catalogue pinpoint a year..? Nevermind I see it now....

 

[406Rich]

Are the tools in the S-K Wayne box also marked S-K Wayne or just S-K? This is the only set I saw in the Wayne catalog that resembles your box.
-Don

Don only one socket 15/16 and the breaker bar is marked SK Wayne the others SK, I`m assuming all sockets be marked SK Wayne....?

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm thinking this was the transition year Wayne bought SK, and they were using up old stock?

 

[d42jeep]

I'm thinking this was the transition year Wayne bought SK, and they were using up old stock?

Yeah, Wayne bought S-K in ‘62 but didn’t change the markings on the tools until ‘64, apparently. In keeping with S-K tradition, the 1/2” drive ratchet shown in the ‘65 catalog still has the older S-K Diamond marking. In the next newer catalog it’s marked S-K Wayne. I would say that having a mix of markings could be how the set was sold. It looks like Wayne discontinued the crossbar and added an extension and some larger sockets compared to the earlier S-K set.
-Don

 

[yarrum]

I am a Snap-on guy but in 1973 they did not make this style 3/8 flex ratchet. I like the fast screw-driver like twirling that this style offers. I have owned and used this particular one ever since. My go-to when using the larger SAE and metric sockets.

It's got a great feel in the hand and can double as a weapon if needed.