Vintage S-K Tools

[d42jeep]

Really digging your Brazil sets...

Agree with CRTDI, Don. Great set!!!

Thanks, guys. I like to collect the oddballs. I had plenty of help, besides.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I ordered a eBay lot that included several Kraeuter 1/4” drive sockets and a matching ratchet. I had a partial set and the new tools almost completed the set. I’m just missing a 3/8” 6 point socket and a 5/16” 8 point socket. I filled it in with some placeholders.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those kreuters are good looking sets

 

[Username already in use]

Crosspost from the toolbox thread. SK 2 drawer box from the flea with garage door and random junk. SK Tools roll cab that came in trade from another member.

 

[bmwrd0]

Nice find on the SK, it is in much nicer shape than mine.

 

[Shelbylex]

Got to love it, Username Already in Use!
... I should stop looking at these toolboxes - now I want one too to move my SK tools there : )

 

[d42jeep]

Nice finds. I’ve never seen an S-K roller.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve been working on the Fulton set I posted upthread. I replaced the incorrect sliding tee handle and added some sockets. I’m still missing the 1/2“ socket but as a placeholder I’ve added a rarely seen 1/2” drive 11/32” socket. Here is the set with some images from AA.

 

[JjKk40]

Wow thats a sweet set!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks.
I received this 9mm socket recently to complete this metric set in the Wayne rack. The other set is made up mostly of the taller sockets that wouldn’t fit in the rack.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is one that got away. I was bidding on this 1957 flyer on eBay but someone else really wanted it. Fortunately, I copied down the pictures from the listing. I wanted it to go with my matching sets.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I saw that one. Looked pretty interesting.

 

[d42jeep]

Found a few S-K tools along with a pre S-K Lectrolite DBE at a Tahoe garage sale yesterday
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

I have a diamond logo SK with ratchet number. Got this one which has a PAT NO on it

Did some cleaning and lubricating today. Got rid of all the red paint which was covering it, wirebrushed, got rid of vast majority of caked up dry lubricant (there was a little bit of brown one in the depth of the mechanism - I left it there as I could not remove it all and it was in good condition), accidentally removed the cylindrical part which locks moving mechanism and threw it away with dirty paper towels (darn...., found it though), put some superlube in on every surface which moves, reassembled and here it is!

The bent pliers came from my 1$ for 5 rusty tools deal - after significant amount of derusting and cleaning they are my favorite things for taking apart SK ratchets when it comes to it. They even came with an engraving "repair room" under the rust

... sorry for late night picture - too much reflection off the lamp.

 

[d42jeep]

Love those S-K ratchets!
This partial set arrived last Friday. The box is postwar but the flex handle and crossbar are unmarked and prewar. They cleaned up well in the evaporust.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Some 12 point universal sockets arrived from an eBay seller. They will allow me to upgrade some sets.
-Don

 

[Kdaniel8601]

12 point universal sockets

What would the time frame for the 12 point universal sockets be?

 

[d42jeep]

What would the time frame for the 12 point universal sockets be?

There is obviously some guesswork involved with S-K dating. The 12 pointers were shown in the 1941 catalog although they would have been marked “S-K Chrome”. I assume they were available through WW2 as 12 point sockets just marked S-K with wartime finishes. As far as I can tell, they began transitioning to 6 point sockets in 1956. Around then they moved the markings from the drive end to the head of the sockets.
I see way more 6 point sockets available than 12 point. I received my first set from Roy and it was a nice one.

 

[d42jeep]

A few S-K finds at a Nevada garage sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a picture of a 3/8” drive universal set currently on eBay that I suspect would have been made around 1956.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I ordered this lot of sockets on eBay to fill in some sets and they came with some tools I hadn’t previously seen. The little breaker and extension totally looked like S-K except for their markings. Even an S-K crossbar fit the hole in the breaker perfectly.
-Don

 

[JjKk40]

@D42 I have an old set of that style Japan stuff, sockets, extentions, flex head, and other stuff I can't quite remember. Theyre all mixed up in some tool boxes. Lol

 

[rustyzman]

Something SK that I have and find neat. Folding writing desk, galvanized steel with a large SK sticker on the outside face.
I am sure that somebody just put the sticker on the folding desk and that SK never actually offered this, but it is neat to me nonetheless.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a partial 1/4” drive set that came in the mail yesterday. The larger sockets are 12 point and it has the larger crossbar indicating that it was likely made between 1946 and 1952. In 1953 they switched to all 6 and 8 point sockets. After straightening and cleaning the box and adding some sockets, it is only missing the 3/16” socket and the short extension.
-Don

 

[Provincial]

In my experience, the small 12-point sockets wore out, and I expect that SK went to 6-points because of warranty returns.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

SK was actually a notable holdout, along with Blackhawk (also 1953) and Walden-Worcester, which was still offering 12-point midget sockets as late as 1954. In general, widespread industry and major user requirements started shifting from 12- to 6-point midget sockets during WWII (and, in agreement, almost certainly due to rounding off). In fact, I believe Army specs, always a good barometer, dropping all 12-point sockets by 1945, drove the change. OEMs would still include them in their initial postwar offerings, but they started disappeared fast. New Britain (and also their Craftsman production) was one of the first, no longer offering them in 1948. Bonney and Duro dropped them in 1951.

I have charts if anyone really wants to nerd out.

EDIT: Not to give the Plomb guys any more to thump their chests about than they already have, but it should be noted that they were never big fans. They offered 12-point sockets in 1936 (Cat 15A) but by 1939 (Cat 17B) they were gone. It looks to me like they thought better of it. I think I remember seeing a 1/2" opening in 12-point after that, but otherwise, it was all 6-point. I could be wrong. I haven't looked at it in awhile. But from my notes, my impression is they were ahead of the game there.

 

[d42jeep]

By 1953, S-K had changed their 12 point sockets to 6 point. They changed to a smaller diameter crossbar as well.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a partial 1953 and later set in progress.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

By 1953, S-K had changed their 12 point sockets to 6 point. They changed to a smaller diameter crossbar as well.

That image is comical. They updated the image of the flex head bar, but not the t-bar handle. There's no way that t-bar handle is going to fit through there!

 

[four.cycle]

"artist's rendition"

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a complete 1953 or newer set I found In January 2018 at the estate sale where I found my Plomb Challenger set. I don’t think that the previous owner used his tools much.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

By 1953, S-K had changed their 12 point sockets to 6 point.

Yes. I think you saying that just above in post #2824 is what prompted Jock's reply, Don, and my reply to Jock.

 

[four.cycle]

wow. amazing condition there.

 

[Marvin Berry]

Recently picked this set up, I'm missing the longer extension--how long are they I need to track one down!

 

[d42jeep]

6“ long. Your set is a little newer than the one shown below but the tools are the same.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This 4V118 socket arrived in the mail yesterday. It’s a special socket for connecting rod nuts on early Ford V8 engines. This is a newer one but S-K has been making them for a long time. The earlier versions were 12 point and especially prone to cracking but even the 6 point sockets are not guaranteed. I would like to find a wartime 12 point example for my wartime set but so far I’ve been unsuccessful.
-Don

 

[Marvin Berry]

Out of curiosity, what would the "adapter" shown at the bottom of the May 1941 ad be for?

 

[outofbounds]

I tripped over this (1930s?) set advertised locally in the Detroit area. Curious if there is any collectible value as is, and also, there is a fitting shown on the far right of the picture that looks like the body of a sliding tee handle. Would such a piece have existed in such a set? and would it have required the drive plug to be pressed into it, just like a ratchet would?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes oob, the extensions fit into it as well

 

[d42jeep]

Out of curiosity, what would the "adapter" shown at the bottom of the May 1941 ad be for?

It would be the plug for a female 1/2” drive ratchet or sliding tee.
-Don