Sk tool set

Besides being reliable and offering consistent performance, it packs in some pretty unique features as well. Also, here are the other top sk tools currently in the market. We make a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no cost to you. Drive Type 6 and 12 Point. We hope that this article would have helped you to land a top-quality sk tools. If by chance, none of these options appeal to you, then do contact us with your thoughts and requirements and we might be able to provide something that you might like.

Buy Now Amazon. Buy Now. Features Premium quality, precision-crafted Item Package Dimension: 5. Features 4-Piece scraper set ideal for variety of applications 4 Types of scrapers for variety of applications SureGrip square handle design for comfort and precision Includes 9. The most notable detail for this particular tool is the patent 1,, , which was issued in as the earliest of a number of ratchet patents developed by S-K.

In fact, this model appears to have been the first fine-tooth reversible ratchet on the market, or at least the first one to reach a wide market. S-K's tool engineer T. Rueb went on to make a number of improvements to this basic design, and eventually received at least seven ratchet-related patents for S-K; clearly the company had made ratchet development a priority during this period!

Most of the ratchets of this model and other drive sizes found today will be marked with the later patent 2,, issued in The forged body is hardened everywhere and is unplated, but with a polished head and panel. The model ratchet was first introduced in the late s and enjoyed a long and successful product life, with production continuing into the S-K Wayne period. The first ratchets were produced under patent 1,, , while later models used the improved mechanism in patent 2,, This patent was issued in to T.

Rueb and assigned to Sherman-Klove. This particular tool presents a bit of a mystery though, as according to the S-K catalogs, the model was available only with a round shank and knurled handle.

The flat forged handle of this tool matches that of the earlier model ratchet shown above, and also resembles their model R reversible ratchet. Although these observations might suggest that this tool was an early prototype, the second-generation patent number wasn't issued until , well after the models with knurled handles were available.

The likely explanation is that S-K continued to produce some quantity of forged-handle ratchets, perhaps as special-order items. As a best guess for the manufacturing date, this tool was probably produced some time during , when wartime shortages of chromium forced manufacturers to forego the chrome plated finishes. The tool is marked with the S-K-Diamond logo and "Pat. The xx series sockets have the distinctive knurled base and tapered upper walls illustrated in previous figures, and all have plain walls in the drive end.

The No. This particular example was built up from a period toolbox based on the catalog description. At the present time we don't have an S-K catalog for the mid s period.

The overall length is The finish is chrome plating. For the fourth generation of the knurled-base sockets, S-K made an improvement to retain the sockets more securely on the drive. This was done by the addition of recessed grooves to the socket drive end, in line with the common practice of the industry.

A brief background of the drive end recesses may be helpful here. The earliest sockets were made with smooth walls in the drive end, relying on friction with the detent ball to retain the socket on the drive stud.

Socket manufacturers had known from early on that adding a small recess to the drive walls would hold the sockets more securely, but adding such recesses would have required an awkward and time-consuming machining operation. Readers interested in more background on the subject of socket drive recesses may want to read the patent 6,, document, as it offers an excellent review of the prior art. However, as manufacturing processes were improved, various makers started adding drive-end recesses.

Deep sockets made by Williams in the s e. See our article Duro and Indestro Tool Identification for more information. Snap-on introduced the drive-end recesses around , replacing their older practice of drilling a hole in one drive wall. At some point S-K began adding the drive end recesses as well, and although the exact date is unknown, it's probably reasonable to assume that the drive recesses were available by around All of these are point sockets.

All four of the drive walls have such a recess. One other minor change to the socket specifications occurred around this same time. The model numbers weren't updated for this change, so for example a socket could have either point or 6-point broaching, depending on when it was made.

The set model number is given by a faded sticker on the side see inset , and the S-K catalog lists a very similar No. The sockets all have a cross-bar hole for use with the Ell handle included in the set. At the time, deep sockets were intended primarily for spark-plug removal and were usually provided with a hole for use with a cross-bar.

Although the relative timing of these changes is not known, the catalog shows that the cross-bar holes had disappeared by that time. The socket is stamped "S-K" with the model number and fractional size, with a "Not Guaranteed" warning just above the knurled band. The last generation of the knurled-base socket series was introduced in with the change to the S-K Wayne brand.

The knurled-base sockets were discontinued shortly after this, and were replaced by a new design with hot-broached construction and a fully polished finish. The S-K Wayne marking on the tools was relatively short-lived, as a catalog issued by Dresser shows the use of the mark "S-K Tools". This allows us to estimate the manufacturing date for the S-K Wayne mark as The fine-tooth ratchet mechanisms were also available in other drive sizes, as our next example illustrates.

The finish is polished chrome. The model was a popular and familiar tool, and this particular tool uses the early patent 1,, mechanism, with a tooth ratchet gear. Even after 70 years the ratchet mechanism operates smoothly and shifts easily, a testament to the high quality production that went into these early S-K tools. These tools were selected by Sears Roebuck as their heavy-duty socket line. The ratchet was disassembled for cleaning and to check the mechanism, which is the improved design covered by S-K's patent 2,, The finish is cadmium plating, which together with the patent pending status suggests a manufacturing date in or The relatively large diameter of the head allows space for 70 teeth in the ratchet gear, which is complemented by a pawl having four teeth on each side.

This combination gives the ratchet both great strength and an extremely fine action, especially for such a heavy-duty tool. These ratchets must have been a cause of great excitement when they were introduced in the mid s, as other heavy-duty ratchets of the time had only very coarse actions. Sherman-Klove was known primarily as a maker of screw-machine products and probably had only limited if any drop-forging capabilities.

Tools such as wrenches were normally produced by drop-forging, so it's not surprising that S-K initially offered only a limited selection of wrenches. The S-K catalog offered two series of wrench models, both of the offset double-box style. The catalog description for these wrenches notes the use of chrome vanadium steel, and the finish was chrome plating with polished ends and faces.

A second series of wrenches was available in cadmium plating at slightly lower prices, with model numbers in a parallel 43xxx series. The overall length is 7. The overall length is 9. The original finish was chrome plating, but on this example most has been lost due to wear.

The next two figures show examples of the short offset box wrench, with differences in the offset design. The shank also has a forged-in code "3" to the right of the panel. S-K's use of contract production for its box wrenches may have served as an introduction to the Lectrolite Corporation, a tool company based in Defiance, Ohio.

The overall length is 8. In its early years Sherman-Klove was almost exclusively a contract manufacturer, and in later years continued to offer contract production for various customers.

In the course of researching this article, we discovered an interesting fragment of early Sherman-Klove history that appears to have been virtually forgotten today.

During the s Sherman-Klove apparently established a parallel line of tools under "Brazil Tools" brand, with nearly the full line of socket tools available under the alternate label. The existence of this alternate line was discovered accidentally in a cache of catalogs and advertising literature from the s and 40s.

Included among the numerous items were an S-K catalog from and an advertising brochure from a previously unknown name, Brazil Tools. Upon examination it became apparent that the Brazil Tools items were identical to their S-K counterparts, as the engraved illustrations in the two catalogs were identical, and the catalog descriptions matched word for word. Even the model numbers matched in one sense, as the Brazil Tools numbers are derived by removing one digit from the corresponding S-K number.

For example, an S-K flex-head handle was listed as a Brazil Tools handle with the same specifications. The Brazil Tools brochure was printed without copyright and undated, but based on a comparison with the S-K catalog contents and prices, the brochure is likely somewhat earlier, possibly from or Since the Brazil Tools pieces carried only generic markings of "Chrome Alloy" or a model number, with nothing to reveal the manufacturer, this product line would have greatly simplified contract production, especially for smaller customers.

Somewhat after discovering the Brazil Tools brochure, we were to acquire an even earlier example of the Brazil Tools production, a socket set matching S-K's production from the early s. Based on this example, we now believe that the use of the Brazil Tools brand probably began around the same time i.

This location is about five miles away from the West 47th Street address for the main S-K offices. The brochure did not include any fine-tooth ratchets comparable to the S-K or models, one of the factors indicating an earlier printing date.

The bottom half of the brochure cover has been printed with the name of the local distributor for Brazil Tools, in this case apparently a local auto parts store. This shows the other half of the strategy behind the Brazil Tools line -- by printing retail-level advertising brochures for the products, any local store could offer Brazil Tools as its own "house brand".

The prices in the brochure were helpful in estimating the printing date, but were not directly comparable to the S-K catalog prices, since the S-K pricing is stated as dealer net and the brochure is apparently for retail customers.

This difference suggests an earlier printing date for the brochure, possibly or The late s were a time of rising prices, as the economy slowly recovered from the Great Depression. These sockets are the only tools that show any significant difference except for markings between the two brands. In the Brazil Tools sockets, the band of cross-hatched knurling extends all the way to the base, instead of forming a narrow ring of knurling.

Compare this illustration with the S-K Chrome Sockets shown previously. It's likely that S-K chose to make their Brazil Tools sockets slightly different, in order to avoid a dead giveaway on the manufacturer. The standard S-K sockets have a very distinctive design that would have been immediately recognized.

The discovery of this listing cleared up a long-standing mystery regarding the origin of these Chrome Alloy sockets. Sockets of this style had been found from time to time, and although the resemblance to the standard S-K sockets is obvious, the manufacturer had been somewhat uncertain.

The next two figures will show examples of these Chrome Alloy sockets, as collected "in the wild". The socket is not marked with a model number, but was identified as number by the Brazil Tools brochure. The inset at the right shows the interior of the socket, with the broached area undercut to allow removal of the chips.

The sockets closely match the illustration in the Brazil Tools brochure. The tools are unmarked except for the sizes on the sockets, and the set was identified only by the fragile decal on the inside of the cover. The sockets are marked only with the fractional sizes, and the finish is cadmium plating. The sockets and drive tools in this set are basically identical to the corresponding pieces tools in an Early S-K Socket Set from around Although the decal is badly chipped, the "Brazil" across the top can be recognized, and the "To" of "Tools" is still intact.

The lines below have a partial "Chicago" and "Ill. In addition to the markings, the overall design with its two nested inverted triangles matches the logo on the front of the Brazil Tools brochure.

The fragile state of the decal shows one reason why Brazil Tools socket sets are rarely found, or at least rarely recognized. Since the decal provides the only positive identification, the set is just a few chips away from becoming just another early tool set of anonymous origin. The inset shows the interior of the socket, illustrating the cold-broached construction. Although difficult to see in the photograph, the socket has a bored recess below the broached area.

This socket is basically identical to the Early S-K Sockets shown in an earlier figure, which are believed to date from around The S-K sockets are also unmarked except for the size, but several construction and marking details help to distinguish these sockets from other similar makes. In particular, the sockets are turned to give the upper walls a slight taper, and the sockets have a flat base with no indentations around the drive opening.

Another detail to note is that the size marking has a small dot or dimple on each side. Finally, the band of cross-hatched knurling around the base is flush with the surface, rather than raised or depressed. Fulton was a well-known brand used by Sears Roebuck for "economy" or "value" tools from the early s through at least the s.

This brand was listed extensively in the Sears catalogs from or earlier onward. More information on Fulton can be found in the section on the Fulton Tool Company in our article on early Craftsman tools. After the introduction of their Craftsman brand, Sears continued to use Fulton as an alternate economy brand. In the s Sears offered economy grade socket sets under the Fulton brand, and these sets have been identified as production by S-K Tools.

The tools are unmarked except for the socket sizes, and the only marking on the set is a decal showing "Fulton" and "Value Leader" on the top of the cover. The sockets are marked with the fractional size, and the finish is cadmium plating. The tools and sockets in this set are basically identical to the tools in early S-K and Brazil Tools sets. The set as acquired was missing the handle bar and drive plug, and these were borrowed from an early S-K set for the photograph. The extension has two bands of decorative cross-hatched knurling, but is otherwise unmarked.

The base of the socket has a band of decorative cross-hatched knurling. A comparison of this socket with the Brazil Tools Socket illustrated above shows identical design and construction features. These tools were typically marked with a manufacturing code consisting of a "K" with a circle around it, although some were marked with a "BM" code. The right inset shows the interior of the socket. Note the cold-broached construction with a relieved area below the broaching, to allow for chip removal.

The socket has tapered and polished upper walls and a band of finely cross-hatched knurling around the base, a design easily recognized as S-K production. Note the K-Circle manufacturer code used to identify S-K production. These stores offered a selection of tools, and in the s the socket sets were easily recognized as S-K production. Gamble's used the brands Tiger Tools and Artisan for its mechanic's tools. The reader will immediately recognize this as an S-K set, and in fact no attempt has been made to disguise the maker, with all of the tools except the ratchet bearing standard S-K markings.

The flex-head breaker bar is an S-K model , and the 10 inch extension is an S-K model The distinctive forged-handle model ratchet was produced by S-K from the mid to late s through at least the mid s.

The sockets in the set all have the distinctive knurled base and tapered upper walls of the S-K xx model series. Currently we don't have a catalog description for this set, so the original contents are a bit uncertain.

The set is very similar to the S-K No. This ratchet can be readily identified as S-K production by the patent 2,, , assigned to the Sherman-Klove Company. In addition, the distinctive forged handle is nearly identical to the S-K Model Ratchet shown in an earlier figure. In addition, the distinctive forged handle is similar to the S-K Model Ratchet shown in another figure. Introduction The Sherman-Klove Company is best known for its S-K Tools division, a well-known manufacturer of automotive hand tools continuing in operation today.

Company History For the early history of Sherman-Klove we turn to a timeline history provided by Berland's Tools [External Link], a company with family connections to one of the founders. Trademarks In Sherman-Klove filed a trademark application for a logo showing "S-K Tools" inside a diamond shape, the design used as a decal or metal plate on their socket sets. Manufacturing Dates Older S-K tools were generally not marked with an explicit manufacturing date.

References and Resources The photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection.