Vintage S-K Tools

[Mintgrun]

Including my JS USA set which I believe is SK made, and the nicest of what I have.

I recently found a JS USA set as well, but only the drivers are marked that way. The sockets, extension and u-joint all say S-K.

These were in a zip lock baggie when I bought them, but fit nicely in this older box I had kicking around. Tools aren't vintage, but at least the box is.





I did a google search and someone on ePay is selling "military JS socket sets" for $100, with "more than ten available." Those are 3/8" sets.

Tom

 

[bmwrd0]

That ratchet is not SK made. It looks like a Thorsen. SK would have a different spring holding it in, you would need a pair of needlenose to compress it for release.

 

[Raineman]

My ratchet or mintgrun’s?

 

[d42jeep]

Mintgrun’s ratchet is not S-K, as bmwrd0 says. I would need a larger and clearer picture of your set but at first glance I didn‘t think S-K although I’m not sure about the ratchet.
-Don

 

[Raineman]

Don, tell me what details you need and I’ll post them. Thanks

Jim

 

[four.cycle]

Compare the unit stamped "JS" to one made by ProAmerica and I think you'll find a resemblance.

JS / JS Technology Inc., 1000 Mcfarland 400 Boulevard, Alpharetta GA 30004-7729 /

ProAmerica / (see KAL) / Baldwin Park, CA / 221 E 2nd St Emporium, PA 15834 / https://proamericatools.com/ /

 

[Mintgrun]

Thank you for the information/clarification. I have an SK ratchet for comparison, along with a Thorsen, KAL and the JS.






EDIT: I am impressed by how smooth the ratcheting action is on the SK, but was disappointed by how loosely the sockets fit it; so I measured the plug, as well as the others. From left to right in the photo above,

KAL = .248" / S-K = .244" / Thorsen = .248" / JS = .246"

Tom

 

[d42jeep]

Don, tell me what details you need and I’ll post them. Thanks

Jim

Maybe a larger picture specifically of the ratchet but it looks like four.cycle nailed it. Probably made by Pro America that used to be Kal Tools. A few years back I found an ignition wrench set with US military markings on the roll with Kal Japan tools in it. Here are some eBay images.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ That whole KAL/Proamerica thing remains somewhat a mystery on its own. Toss in JS Technology and you'll be scratching your head for sure.
I have at least three ProAmerica 1/4" drive sets, and (unless I'm mistaken) a couple KAL branded sets as well. The contents are identical - they were packaged as a "small arms repair kit" with an NSN number on them.
If I had to put money on it, I'd say Proamerica was OE for JS on SOME items. (NOT all.) I know for sure they're OE on Jensen (per a phone conversation with Jensen a few years ago) on the 1/4" drive socket sets, and OE for Proto and Tekton on some models of pliers. Those I've spoken with on the phone at ProAmerica were unfortunately a bit reticent about divulging who their other contract accounts were.

(And KAL produced in Japan is of course going to be a bit different than domestically produced KAL.)

(And in an attempt to clarify: KAL is still a viable entity on its own, unless I've been misinformed. 100% of KAL's production is contract stuff for military/government. Proamerica (KAL's "sister" company) is the brand sold to the public, but (from what I understand) most of their production is done for private-label contract accounts (Proto, Tekton, Jensen, etc.)

 

[Raineman]

Here is some closeups of the JS USA. The ratchet is the smoothest one I own, its amazing.

 

[four.cycle]

^ THAT one is an oddball I haven't seen before. Looks like.... S-K ?? :

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like an S-K Tuff 1 bought under contract. I think they were made when S-K was owned by Facom. When the Allen screw is adjusted just right (not too tight) they work really well. I took mine apart and put a bit of blue Locktite on the threads so the adjustment wouldn’t change with use.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

yeah. sorry my brain's a bit addled the last week or so. I was thinking "Facom" but you got it with the S-K unit there.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I would bet that the boxes had a plastic insert to hold the sockets and such, and the owner threw those away as they often do. They should match up in size to earlier models, and you can find those in catalogs online at the Internation tool catalog liberary.

bmw Thanks for the S-K catalog link. That link shows a 1/2" drive metric set in a box that ALMOST the same size as the larger box I got. Well, actually the measurements for the box in the ad is 1/4" shorter than mine (17" versus 17-1/4" for mine). Given that some of the catalog details I've seen have the measurements correct down to a sixteenth of an inch. Should I figure it's not a match?

 

[bmwrd0]

I wouldn't worry about it, and put any differences down to ad copy.

 

[Josh the IH guy]

I bought this years ago because it was so nice. I’ve never used it. I date it to 1958-1962 due to the six point small sockets and I am sure it is before Wayne era.

I have a set like this. I love the chrome finish and the knurled base. Unfortunately, my 5/8 is cracked. I'd love to find another one, but they are hard to find...especially singles....

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is an early chrome vanadium steel marked 1/4" set.

 

[d42jeep]

Those are early and rare. Nice set! I like the elephant hide brown paint on those early boxes.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I have a set like this. I love the chrome finish and the knurled base. Unfortunately, my 5/8 is cracked. I'd love to find another one, but they are hard to find...especially singles....

I’ll check my spares tomorrow to see if I have a spare 5/8”. It won’t look like new but it will be serviceable.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

Nice set OTG. I never run into those CV STEEL sockets in the wild.

Regarding Mintgrun’s JS ratchet only, this style black selector round head is seen in numerous brands and has long had me (not to mention others who’ve discussed it before) wondering. Your JS rat’s selector is similar to some Wilde ratchets and maybe my 1/4 Millers Falls. The third picture that D42 posted above looks like it, with the ring around the selector. Not sure if that’s a Kal with the glare on it?

 

[Marvin Berry]

Is this flex handle "wartime finish"?

 

[Username already in use]

Is this flex handle "wartime finish"?

I’d say no. Wartime SK flex head bars werent marked SK and had a bigger hole for the tbar handle. And, yours has chrome plating on the flex head.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a wartime set. Note the black oxide finish, unmarked breaker with oversized pin handle. Sockets were never used on this set and still have remnants of packing material on them.

 

[Username already in use]

@Oldtuleguy thats a dandy of a set.
One of the nicest wartime SK midget sets I’ve seen.

 

[Old Radar]

I picked up what I hoped would be an elusive crossbar at an estate sale yesterday--and looking at the two examples Oldtuleguy posted, I believe it to be a 1/4" S-K. Shockingly, I find that I don't have a 1/4" S-K hinge handle to test my theory!

This is 4-1/2" long, as stated in the catalogs, and 1/4" in diameter with 3/16" of knurling on one end. No ball catch.

Can OTG or anyone else verify those measurements as belonging to an S-K crossbar? I still can't believe I don't have a hinge handle!

Thanks!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

These are 5/16 diameter 4 1/2 long

 

[Old Radar]

Hmmm. Well, those are wartime and mine is obviously newer. In my experience, newer = thinner and cheaper, so I'm still hopeful. Thanks for checking, though!

Anyone have a S-K Wayne crossbar?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

It is the right length, probably a bit newer. Lucky find either way, those cross bars are hard to come by.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

In the pre-SuperKrome era, was there a flare nut wrench larger than F2022?

 

[d42jeep]

The crossbar changed sizes around 1953. All of the earlier crossbars were 5/16”. I’ll check the size of the newer ones ASAP. It happened at the same time S-K changed to all 6 and 8 point sockets in the 1/4” drive sets. Okay, the newer crossbar is 1/4” and 4-1/2” long.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think all my sets are older. That crossbar sure looks like sk

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Found a later one and crossbar is 1/4"

 

[RTM]

Here are a larger Plomb and small S-K box with a recent wrinkle finish repaint, using the Midwest Military paint as a topcoat over the VHT wrinkle black base. My goal was to have the formerly red ugly duckling fit in with it’s green relatives.

so I’m about to repaint some SK boxes, and the page I’ve had open for Midwest Military green paint has gone dead. Seems like their whole store may be out of whack. Anyone know anything before I try to call them tomorrow?

whoops, never mind. After several days of nothing working, including several minutes prior, it decides to respond after I posted. Dang interweb thing.

 

[d42jeep]

This is the color Lugz and I have been using. They have quite a few colors.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I have a set like this. I love the chrome finish and the knurled base. Unfortunately, my 5/8 is cracked. I'd love to find another one, but they are hard to find...especially singles....

Here is a spare 12 point 5/8” socket in my possession. Send me a message if it is like the one you are looking for.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

I picked up what I hoped would be an elusive crossbar at an estate sale yesterday--and looking at the two examples Oldtuleguy posted, I believe it to be a 1/4" S-K. Shockingly, I find that I don't have a 1/4" S-K hinge handle to test my theory!

This is 4-1/2" long, as stated in the catalogs, and 1/4" in diameter with 3/16" of knurling on one end. No ball catch.

Can OTG or anyone else verify those measurements as belonging to an S-K crossbar? I still can't believe I don't have a hinge handle!

Thanks!

The crossbar changed sizes around 1953. All of the earlier crossbars were 5/16”. I’ll check the size of the newer ones ASAP. It happened at the same time S-K changed to all 6 and 8 point sockets in the 1/4” drive sets. Okay, the newer crossbar is 1/4” and 4-1/2” long.
-Don

Found a later one and crossbar is 1/4"

Thanks Don and OTG!! It's in with my S-K stash until I find a hinge handle.

 

[misterbill]

Sometimes it's the little things... literally. I've been trying for a while to complete the 4010R(?) socket chest I posted here. Here's a little 33012 DBE I have been looking for that was one of the last two bits I need (the other being a 3/8" drive 45116 1/2" 12 point socket). I always think of S-K as bog standard and easy to find but I guess they're getting rarer. Now to just find that pesky socket!



Bill

 

[RTM]

.... one of the last two bits I need (the other being a 3/8" drive 45116 1/2" 12 point socket). ....

Not to sound too knowing, which I'm not, but my 45116 is a 1/2" 6 point socket. I had to go fish it out of the garage, since my inventory said 6 pt, just to make sure it wasn't a typo. Just saying are you sure on the part number / description? As found condition.

 

[d42jeep]

He is sure. His set is early with 12 point sockets. I’ve been on the lookout for one for him. They are kind of hard to find. The lower picture is of a 3/8” drive set with wartime tools. All of the sockets are 12 point. Bill has a very similar set. His is shown in the bottom picture.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Same part number, just 12 point