Vintage S-K Tools

[Shiftless]

You did a fitting and proper job on that box, Don.
Something like that shouldn’t be over restored. Just cleaning it up and straightening the bent edges was the right thing to do.

 

[d42jeep]

My artisans have it too

That makes sense. There may even be an S-K branded 1/4” drive beavertail out there with the later patent stamped on it. It’s just a little odd that any round handle 1/4” drive ratchet with the patent number stamped always uses the earlier patent number. Maybe they just never changed the tooling but that seems unlikely for as many years as they were made. Even the Wayne 1/4” drive used the earlier patent number.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup. Probably just never bothered to change it

 

[Username already in use]

Some SK from the flea. My first Tuff 1 ratchet - a little 1/4" drive.

 

[ThatGuyFromTexas]

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Found in an estate sale lot, box had rust and paint peeling, so I stripped it

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Got a couple chrome alloys from Don. Thanks don!

 

[d42jeep]

Got a couple chrome alloys from Don. Thanks don!

My pleasure. I hope you didn’t already have those.
This S-K marked 1/2” drive beavertail ratchet arrived in the mail today. The prewar 1-1/8” S-K Chrome socket was found at today’s estate sale.
-Don

 

[honza.vosalik]

I picked up this socket set at a garage sale today. Can you guys please help me figure out what should actually be in the set?
The ratchet is 3/8 unlike the rest of the set which is 1/2 drive. And the brakerbar that came with it is craftsman

 

[d42jeep]

Honza,
Here is my best guess.
-Don

 

[honza.vosalik]

Honza,
Here is my best guess.
-Don

Looks like I have all the correct sockets and I'm missing the extension, braker bar and ratchet.

 

[d42jeep]

I cleaned up my new S-K Chrome 1/2” drive socket and added it to my others. These were offered from the mid 30s until the early 40s.
-Don

 

[piehammer]

A couple nice estate sale finds from this week. Wish the box was complete, I dug around but didn't find the rest. The ratchet works great.

Always open to PM offers.

 

[piehammer]

While I'm here...

In the same sale I ended up with these two SK sockets - a 40116 1/2 and a 40114 7/16. The 1/2 is fine, but the 7/16 looks like a step in manufacturing was missed? A 1/2 drive fits fine in the 1/2 socket, but not in the 7/16 socket. Is it a defect or am I missing something?

Thanks!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This S-K marked 1/2” drive beavertail ratchet arrived in the mail today.

The banner on the homepage of the current SK Tools website is a sort of grainy throwback look with a haphazard array of somewhat beat-up vintage tools, one of which is a beavertail, but they inexplicably cut off its best feature! Poor design. Link here.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They got a good shot of the Frankenstein

 

[d42jeep]

While I'm here...

In the same sale I ended up with these two SK sockets - a 40116 1/2 and a 40114 7/16. The 1/2 is fine, but the 7/16 looks like a step in manufacturing was missed? A 1/2 drive fits fine in the 1/2 socket, but not in the 7/16 socket. Is it a defect or am I missing something?

Thanks!

It’s not unusual for a socket to be used as a bearing or bushing installer by using a large punch on the drive end of the socket which can deform the edges into the square. On many occasions I’ve had to use my die grinder to remove the lip so the socket can be used again. Or, like you surmised, it could be a manufacturing issue. Just check to see if there is a lip at the top of the opening.
-Don

 

[piehammer]

It’s not unusual for a socket to be used as a bearing or bushing installer by using a large punch on the drive end of the socket which can deform the edges into the square. On many occasions I’ve had to use my die grinder to remove the lip so the socket can be used again. Or, like you surmised, it could be a manufacturing issue. Just check to see if there is a lip at the top of the opening.
-Don

The one that is too small is completely flat on the bottom from the edge to the opening. The other SK socket bevels down from the edge to the opening as do the rest of the SK sockets I have.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Just missed a machining step. Give it a deburing it should e fine.

 

[piehammer]

The one that is too small is completely flat on the bottom from the edge to the opening. The other SK socket bevels down from the edge to the opening as do the rest of the SK sockets I have.

Photos to show what I mean.

 

[d42jeep]

The one that is too small is completely flat on the bottom from the edge to the opening. The other SK socket bevels down from the edge to the opening as do the rest of the SK sockets I have.

If you email S-K customer service and explain the problem with your socket, it’s likely that they will send you a replacement at no charge. S-K has excellent customer service.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ That is exactly what I was going to suggest there. Just call 'em and get a new one.
Looks like maybe it just wasn't broached properly. Crazy stuff happens on production lines.

 

[piehammer]

If you email S-K customer service and explain the problem with your socket, it’s likely that they will send you a replacement at no charge. S-K has excellent customer service.
-Don

Will do, thanks!

 

[piehammer]

Sorry in advance if cross-posting is frowned upon, but I wanted to share my morning find with this thread as well.

Five drawer SK machinists tool chest with leather handle and Corbin lock (no key).

 

[d42jeep]

Sorry in advance if cross-posting is frowned upon, but I wanted to share my morning find with this thread as well.

Five drawer SK machinists tool chest with leather handle and Corbin lock (no key).

That’s a rare one. Good get. Here it is in the 1943 Wartime catalog.
-Don

 

[piehammer]

That’s a rare one. Good get. Here it is in the 1943 Wartime catalog.
-Don

That's the one! The only difference I see is the angled hinge piece on the Left side. Mine does not have that, but otherwise it's the same.

Thanks for posting!

 

[d42jeep]

Since it turned out to be quite a warm day today, I decided to paint the box I plan to use for a 1/4” drive Brazil socket set. I placed the sticker from OTG approximately where it will go after the paint finishes drying.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

Fantastic, Don! I need to send you my crinkle paint projects!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks good!

 

[d42jeep]

Fantastic, Don! I need to send you my crinkle paint projects!

That Texas heat should make for some good wrinkling. This was my first try with the red VHT wrinkle paint. At 80 degrees out it was just barely warm enough.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Looks good!

Thanks. The sticker will top it off. Thanks again.
-Don

 

[misterbill]

Since it turned out to be quite a warm day today, I decided to paint the box I plan to use for a 1/4” drive Brazil socket set. I placed the sticker from OTG approximately where it will go after the paint finishes drying.
-Don

You've nailed that process. It looks fantastic!

Bill

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Bill. I attached the decal to the lid and added the tools this afternoon. The last picture is of a prewar S-K branded counterpart to the Brazil set.
-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That looks great Don!

 

[d42jeep]

That looks great Don!

Thanks, JoCo. I thought of putting it on crooked like we’ve discussed that the manufacturers did, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks good as is! They did put them on crooked sometimes but not always.

 

[d42jeep]

I thought that it might be worthwhile to show the difference in markings between the Brazil (Chrome Alloy) sockets and their S-K counterparts.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

Nice job on that box Don. Nice color.

Since you’re on the 1/4” S-K, a couple ratchets.

 

[3baygarage]

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).

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I can never resist cleaning the paint off of them. Nice old sk ratchets!

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks, I plan on cleaning off the 1/2” because there’s a set for it to go with. The 1/4” came as part of a neat little custom tool kit and I’d like to keep it the same.