Vintage S-K Tools

[d42jeep]

I have one of those in my user toolbox out in the garage. Top quality set.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Looks good!
I‘m just waiting for a 6 point 9/16” deep socket to complete this 3/8” drive set. The 5/8” and 11/16” arrived today.
-Don

I guess I am slowly cathing up to you on this one:
This is my SK Wayne with mixed SK 4520 (which will eventually need 40416 1/2" socket and 3" 45160 extension)

 

[Shelbylex]

not sure if I ever showed this one: could not leave it behind to be junked somewhere and bought it with other tools
Slightly less than 4 1/2 x 8 1/2...
Anybody knows which set it is from? Please post the ad with content if you know what it is. One day I will probably take out the rivets, straighten this box a little, repray it and fill it (I have a 1/2" set SK box awaiting some straightening and respray as well - not rushing as it has no contents at this point...)

 

[Shelbylex]

Well, while we are on the topic (sorry for suboptimal pics - it's late...)

small 1/4 set (to go with the missing 1 socket set topic this one has 40911 (11/32) replaced by earlier SK Wayne)

newer 3/8 metric set (to go with the missing 1 socket set topic this on is missing 13mm and 3" extension)

Olde SK Wayne 1/4 and 1/2 set (I assume this one is missing 1" 40132 knurled socket in 1/2 drive (a filler was placed). Alternatively a spark plug socket on the right was a part of it... Who knows... I am not sure which 1/4 sockets were supposed to be there - those are just SK fillers. If anybody recognizes this set, please post the picture from the ad with content)

 

[d42jeep]

not sure if I ever showed this one: could not leave it behind to be junked somewhere and bought it with other tools
Slightly less than 4 1/2 x 8 1/2...
Anybody knows which set it is from? Please post the ad with content if you know what it is. One day I will probably take out the rivets, straighten this box a little, repray it and fill it (I have a 1/2" set SK box awaiting some straightening and respray as well - not rushing as it has no contents at this point...)

I’m working on a couple of new to me sets. Probably from the late ’50s to early ‘60s.
-Don

I dug out the tools to complete the basic 3/8” drive set.
-Don



Here are the two sets together.

I believe that your box originally held the 4511 set shown here.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

not sure if I ever showed this one: could not leave it behind to be junked somewhere and bought it with other tools
Slightly less than 4 1/2 x 8 1/2...
Anybody knows which set it is from? Please post the ad with content if you know what it is. One day I will probably take out the rivets, straighten this box a little, repray it and fill it (I have a 1/2" set SK box awaiting some straightening and respray as well - not rushing as it has no contents at this point...)

Perfect box for a resto project. But I think finding the age-appropriate tools would be a bit harder than beautifying that box.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Don! I wonder how many sets do you have in total!

Bonneyman - agree on that. It's been slow in MA during last year (I assume less housees were sold) - hopefully this year will be better. May be I should try to get the tools first and restore once I am close to a full set.

 

[d42jeep]

Really, the only tool in that set difficult to source is the crossbar. The other tools are not particularly hard to find.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

And just to make it interesting for everyone - did anybody ever own the Red Tool Wagon?

 

[Shelbylex]

Really, the only tool in that set difficult to source is the crossbar. The other tools are not particularly hard to find.
-Don

Is there a logo on a crossbar or they are unmarked?

 

[d42jeep]

They are unmarked. I believe that they are 5/16” diameter but you might want to double check that.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Bonneyman - agree on that. It's been slow in MA during last year (I assume less housees were sold) - hopefully this year will be better. May be I should try to get the tools first and restore once I am close to a full set.

I didn't mean to put a damper on your enthusiasm!
I have several socket boxes done waiting for "filling". I just like doing the boxes. if I can't get the tools then I'll put something else in them.

 

[Shelbylex]

No damper - always plenty of things to do... I sold 3 SK ratchets couple of years ago for almost nothing ($20? - I got them cheap and passed the good deal to the next person for Karma) since I had too many of the same type (kept 2). Should have kept them - did not think I might need to put another set together... Lesson learned - keep more ratchets just in case! For some reason I found a lot of SK ratchets on the yard sales (still have 4 1/2" drive ones after selling 2...). Pre-COVID there were a lot of sales around. Hopefully they come back soon!!!

 

[d42jeep]

I have the combination 1/4" and 3/8" set, I found another box with more paint to use.

That’s a nice box. I wouldn’t mind finding a S-K Lectrolite marked box. The one currently on eBay is a little above my budget.
-Don

Kdaniel generously sent me his extra S-K Lectrolite box. I wasted no time starting to add some tools to it. My first S-K Lectrolite marked box.
Thanks, Daniel!
-Don
Here it is next to my other blue box set.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

And just to make it interesting for everyone - did anybody ever own the Red Tool Wagon?

Not that I am aware of

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve never heard of anyone having one either.
This 3/8” drive ratchet arrived today in the mail along with the S-K Lectrolite box posted above and is pictured in the box.
-Don

 

[Vette60]

Cool Stuff. I have a 3/8 SK Wayne set in a green box that was my late Father-in-Laws. I will have to post up some pics in this thread - I pulled the set apart in my box, but know where all the pieces are placed! Enjoyed poking around.

 

[d42jeep]

More progress today. The 9/16” deep socket that the USPS had been sending all over California finally arrived today so I could complete the green 3/8” set.
I moved some tools into the new S-K Lectrolite box today so it matches the ad posted by Kdaniel
I found three wartime 1/2” drive sockets at an estate sale this morning.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Found a possible content from the box I listed above:
the content is from https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-sk-k-tools-k-wayne-2-inch-4-457425257
"... S-K Wayne 1/2 inch & 1/4 inch Socket Set + Ratchet & Box!! ...Kit includes. 1/2 drive ratchet, 1/2 drive 4 1/2" exstension, 13/16 sparkplug socket 1/4" hand driver w/1/4" socket sizes 1/2, 7/6,3/8, 11/32, 5/16, 9/32, 1/4, 7/32, 3/16 1/2" socket sizes 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 19/32, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16. "

 

[Shelbylex]

It's dangerous to log onto GJ site...

First I started looking for Snap ON K60/K200 combo (still looking for K60)
Then I started looking for Blackhawk combo (got some boxes, few rollers are evading me...)
Now after posting Red Tool Wagon this is also stuck in my mind as "need to try to get one...."

Well, to share my sickness and infect you back:

The Sherman-Klove Co. : War Issue : 1943 : Sherman-Klove Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[consti2tion]

It's dangerous to log onto GJ site...

First I started looking for Snap ON K60/K200 combo (still looking for K60)
Then I started looking for Blackhawk combo (got some boxes, few rollers are evading me...)
Now after posting Red Tool Wagon this is also stuck in my mind as "need to try to get one...."

Well, to share my sickness and infect you back:

The Sherman-Klove Co. : War Issue : 1943 : Sherman-Klove Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

These are probably as obtainable as a unicorn. Best of luck to you! I'll keep my eyes peeled in Texas, which finding one here will be very unlikely.

 

[Outlawmws]

The most likely places for those to show up are in those cities that were war era mfg, and bigger military bases, and embarkation points. and unlikely even there after 80 odd years...

 

[d42jeep]

I am even less likely to find one of those than a Plomb Toolmobile. So far both have eluded me and I see no signs that situation will change anytime soon.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Consti2tion, Outlawmws and D42jeep.
I will keep looking - I am in this game long term : ) I think I saw SK tool cart once (most likely on this board), but not the Red Wagon.
...I wonder if there was some trend to call things Red back in the day - Blackhawk had Red Rover for a tool cart.

...Hmm, Plomb Toolmobile is also on my dream list (never mind those rare Blackhawk rollers!!!)

 

[Kdaniel8601]

There is a 1939 Brazil Tools catalog on Internet Archive that was added on January 11, 2023, https://archive.org/details/brazil-tools

 

[d42jeep]

Yes. It’s the one we’ve seen parts of on the AA site. A very welcome addition.
Here are some older 12 point 3/8” drive sockets that arrived yesterday.
Cleaned up
-Don

 

[xkrfan]

Hello all. In attempting to date my father's (he's 96!) SK tool set, I've found this excellent forum. I started reading this thread from 2019. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing this early set. By what I've read about the logo this has a chance of being a pre war (1930's) set but I am not sure. Most of the sockets are SK (not SK Chrome), a few are Snap-On as is the ratchet (which sadly does not work) and the spinner bar. The other little ratchet has nothing to do with the rest but I thought it was worth showing. It is a North Bros, a Division of Stanley.
I've thought about trying to find the original 4 1/2" SK round head ratchet that went with this set so I can begin to complete it. I see a few offered on ebay. Can anyone tell me what markings I should look for so that it is the correct ratchet for this time period? Of course if anyone has a picture of what this set looked like original and complete (ie, a catalog shot), that would be great. I gave a quick look in the 1943 catalog posted on this site somewhere and I don't recall seeing this item. The little Snap-On ratchet is really a lovely looking tool, its just that it does not hold the sockets on a consistent basis unless you hold down the direction lever. It appears to be an early piece as well. For what its worth, my dad was in the Maritime Service at the very end of WWII and he might have obtained this set back then or perhaps second hand in his early days as a Bell Labs engineer starting in the 50's. Thankfully he saved all his tools and I have been grouping them in special boxes so my sons can enjoy them. Thanks very much.

 

[four.cycle]

Hello xkrfan and welcome to the site!

lovely set you have there. I am not the S-K expert, but the gentleman who posted just before you can most likely give you some insight as to vintage on that particular set.

here is a link you might want to keep handy

 

[d42jeep]

Hello all. In attempting to date my father's (he's 96!) SK tool set, I've found this excellent forum. I started reading this thread from 2019. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing this early set. By what I've read about the logo this has a chance of being a pre war (1930's) set but I am not sure. Most of the sockets are SK (not SK Chrome), a few are Snap-On as is the ratchet (which sadly does not work) and the spinner bar. The other little ratchet has nothing to do with the rest but I thought it was worth showing. It is a North Bros, a Division of Stanley.
I've thought about trying to find the original 4 1/2" SK round head ratchet that went with this set so I can begin to complete it. I see a few offered on ebay. Can anyone tell me what markings I should look for so that it is the correct ratchet for this time period? Of course if anyone has a picture of what this set looked like original and complete (ie, a catalog shot), that would be great. I gave a quick look in the 1943 catalog posted on this site somewhere and I don't recall seeing this item. The little Snap-On ratchet is really a lovely looking tool, it’s just that it does not hold the sockets on a consistent basis unless you hold down the direction lever. It appears to be an early piece as well. For what its worth, my dad was in the Maritime Service at the very end of WWII and he might have obtained this set back then or perhaps second hand in his early days as a Bell Labs engineer starting in the 50's. Thankfully he saved all his tools and I have been grouping them in special boxes so my sons can enjoy them. Thanks very much.

I believe that your set was likely made in late ‘41 or early ‘42 just before the wartime metal restrictions went into effect. Based on the size of the box it was the 4097 set shown in the ‘43 catalog shot below.
It would have had the sockets and a flex handle with 5/16” crossbar. The flex handle and crossbar wouldn’t have had any identifying markings. Here is a picture of my complete set from the same time period.


The complete content list is on the right side of this catalog shot.
-Don

 

[Raineman]

Hello all. In attempting to date my father's (he's 96!) SK tool set, I've found this excellent forum. I started reading this thread from 2019. I thought some of you might enjoy seeing this early set. By what I've read about the logo this has a chance of being a pre war (1930's) set but I am not sure. Most of the sockets are SK (not SK Chrome), a few are Snap-On as is the ratchet (which sadly does not work) and the spinner bar. The other little ratchet has nothing to do with the rest but I thought it was worth showing. It is a North Bros, a Division of Stanley.
I've thought about trying to find the original 4 1/2" SK round head ratchet that went with this set so I can begin to complete it. I see a few offered on ebay. Can anyone tell me what markings I should look for so that it is the correct ratchet for this time period? Of course if anyone has a picture of what this set looked like original and complete (ie, a catalog shot), that would be great. I gave a quick look in the 1943 catalog posted on this site somewhere and I don't recall seeing this item. The little Snap-On ratchet is really a lovely looking tool, its just that it does not hold the sockets on a consistent basis unless you hold down the direction lever. It appears to be an early piece as well. For what its worth, my dad was in the Maritime Service at the very end of WWII and he might have obtained this set back then or perhaps second hand in his early days as a Bell Labs engineer starting in the 50's. Thankfully he saved all his tools and I have been grouping them in special boxes so my sons can enjoy them. Thanks very much.

3 of your sockets (From left to right the 1st, 3rd, & 4th) are Snap on wartime sockets as well as the T-handle (TM-5-E=1944) and ratchet (not wartime for the ratchet). I cannot see the part of the Snap on sockets I need to see in the photo to date them, but my guess would be they either have an E or a G stamped on them. If so, E=1944 and G=1945. My guess on the Snap on ratchet would be '70's-'80's. Perhaps he got his Snap on guy to warranty the wartime ratchet with a replacement?

 

[d42jeep]

I noticed those Snap-on tools as well. They were probably a part of a set like this.
Here is a recently completed S-K 1/4” drive set circa 1953.
-Don

 

[Raineman]

Don, you ****, I hate you, and you are awesome all at the same time.

(I don’t hate you, in case anyone doesn’t get the jest)

 

[four.cycle]

^ with the fat tommy bar. that thing gets me every time.

 

[xkrfan]

Thanks to all for this great information. I really appreciate it. I'm going to study these replies, take a closer look at the set (I have a few newbie questions) and respond tomorrow.

 

[bb29510]

i got a broken s-k rachet, is it worth keeping, it free wheels, been broken since before 1980

 

[Skyman]

i got a broken s-k rachet, is it worth keeping, it free wheels, been broken since before 1980

I had an old SK 1/4" ratchet that had failed, probably at least 20 years ago. I finally got around to ordering up a rebuild kit for it last year, and it works like new again. I don't know why I didn't do it long ago.

 

[Old Radar]

i got a broken s-k rachet, is it worth keeping, it free wheels, been broken since before 1980

Have you take it apart to see what the issue might be?

 

[Outlawmws]

If a 1/4" order the 3/8" conversion; you wil be glad you did. I use mine ALL the time

 

[d42jeep]

I found this broken ratchet in 2018. Put a kit in it and it works like new.
-Don

 

[xkrfan]

3 of your sockets (From left to right the 1st, 3rd, & 4th) are Snap on wartime sockets as well as the T-handle (TM-5-E=1944) and ratchet (not wartime for the ratchet). I cannot see the part of the Snap on sockets I need to see in the photo to date them, but my guess would be they either have an E or a G stamped on them. If so, E=1944 and G=1945. My guess on the Snap on ratchet would be '70's-'80's. Perhaps he got his Snap on guy to warranty the wartime ratchet with a replacement?

Raineman:
You're good. Very good. In fact the sockets are stamped "E" for, as you state, 1944
d42jeep:
The pictures are great. I've downloaded all of these and will print them out. I'm curious as to how you dated the set. The logos seem like the older pre war logos. So is it the fact that they are introduced in the catalog in 1941, the green wrinkle paint, the box? I didn't notice this in the 1943 catalog because I was looking quickly for something with a ratchet so knowing that this came with a flex handle (head) instead, I wasn't expecting that. By the way how or why did they determine that some sets came with a ratchet and others with a flex handle, or sometimes with both? If the flex handle and cross bar aren't marked how am I going to find them to complete the set? If I opt to get an early SK ratchet instead, what marks am I looking for, for this vintage?

Yesterday I was able to sit down with my dad (96 yrs old) and discuss this set with him. Unfortunately, he does not remember it but thinks he probably got it from work as an ATT Engineer in the early 50's for radio work. He does not know how it became a mixed set with some SK and some Snap On components. He never had a Snap On account and was never a big tool accumulator. He did spend 6+ years in the US Maritime Service as a radio operator starting at the end of WWII so maybe he got it then.

Some of the inside of the sockets look a bit worn. Whether they are still better than the cheap imported sets offered today, I can't say but I'm thinking of getting a GOOD set of American or German made (Wera maybe, I have some of their screwdrivers) sockets (1/4") to use with a Chapman gunsmithing set of hollow ground screwdrivers I just bought. Not to get off topic but I was very impressed with the set and dealing with Chapman. If you buy direct from their website you can buy extra pieces of things you can't get on Amazon and it ends up being cheaper. I can use the little Chapman ratchet that came with the set or maybe someone can recommend a smallish 4 1/2" ratchet (unless I can find a decent SK one) and some small sockets. I like the Wright Tool sockets, highly regarded, but pricey. I do have some Craftsman sockets Dad got in the 70's which I suppose are probably decent. The Wera small sockets look good as well. Or, I suppose I can get a repair kit for the small Snap On rachet thats present in my SK set.

Finally, is it a sacrilege if I polish these old sockets on my heavy duty buffing wheel, provided of course I don't disturb the stampings, or do most collectors want these with their accumulated patina?