four.cycle
Well-known member
^ They were all punched from the factory to fit any standard 3-ring notebook binder OR the "Master" brand 3-post binder clips OR another brand of clips nobody used which used a 2-post binder.
Vintage S-K Tools
- Thread starter lzenglish
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Mine isn't handy for pics, but they are apparently still sold:
see the slight gaps in the back view? those are between the "binder" pieces:
RTM
Well-known member
I have a 1935 ish catalog from a localhardware distributor that has fabric covered ¿Masonite? Covers, held closed by binder posts. There are various pages with different dates, indicating they too were updated. You could make a snazzy cover of your choosing, and use binder posts (Chicago bolts, *** screws depending on where in the country you live.
Thank you, Outlawmws. That's a lot of catalogs! I almost wonder if I should start digging another rabbithole and periodically look for old catalogs (I love reading and there were several books which were hard to find Sci Fi books which took me some years to locate and purchase. The longest search for a book I had was more than a decade (to be fair, I just remembered names of 1-2 characters and not much more (the magazine which published the book disappeared and I had neither the author nor the name. Than one day I discovered google books advanced search looking for a book of Dietz which I could not locate in my small library))
It could be an expensive addition, but may be I can find some on yard sales?
RTM, appreciate it as well. If you have a chance, could you make a picture?
It could be an expensive addition, but may be I can find some on yard sales?
RTM, appreciate it as well. If you have a chance, could you make a picture?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
There are Catalog racks of differing sizes for sale on Eprey, and a few times I’ve seen the racks at yard/estate sales…
d42jeep
Well-known member
I’m gradually making progress on the 4809 set in progress as the sockets come in. Here it is with the sockets I had on hand.
After the 15/16” socket arrived and was cleaned up.
The 1-1/8” socket arrived today and I added it as well. I had repainted the bottom of the box since so much of the paint was missing.
I wanted to see what it would look like complete so I borrowed a 3/4” and 11/16” socket from a complete smaller later set.
I put the two sockets I borrowed back into the smaller set.
The larger set should be completed in a few days, if the USPS cooperates.
-Don
The 11/16” socket arrived today to complete the set. I sanded and painted the bottom of the box which was pretty rusted.With the arrival of the 3/4” socket, I’m on the home stretch. The 11/16“ is supposed to arrive on Monday.
Almost complete.
-Don
Now that the set was completed, I moved it into the S-K area of the basement display.
Thanks to bmwrd0 for the box which allowed me to put together a set that I didn’t previously have. It’s been a fun project.
-Don
d42jeep
Well-known member
Due to the catalog images in early S-K catalog images being notoriously inaccurate, I can only say that they started using that riveted on tag in 1946. The diamond shaped embossing around the drawer pulls leads me to believe that your box is quite early. It is shown in the 1953 catalog as well as the artwork in the 1949 catalog.
That’s a very nice example. I would be happy to find one of those at a sale.
-Don
That’s a very nice example. I would be happy to find one of those at a sale.
-Don
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Provincial
Well-known member
I was at the nearby Restore today.
I wandered around and discovered that they had expanded the inventory space to a covered outside area. There I found a large Kennedy "hip roof" toolbox in pretty good shape.
Missing the tray.
Oops! It wasn't a Kennedy!
Another item I picked up there was a Chrome Alloy 31/32 socket.
I wandered around and discovered that they had expanded the inventory space to a covered outside area. There I found a large Kennedy "hip roof" toolbox in pretty good shape.
Missing the tray.
Oops! It wasn't a Kennedy!
Another item I picked up there was a Chrome Alloy 31/32 socket.
d42jeep
Well-known member
From the ‘38 S-K catalog. 
-Don
-Don
I have a lead on this tool box. It appears to be 119C box from what I see, similar to this one https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/sk-tools-sherman-klove-co-metal-tool-box-old except for the size (119-C is longer (19 x 6 x 6.5 box))
I think I saw a couple of them on the board, but I do not remember when...
Is it possible to get the key for this type of box (the owned told me that there is no number on the lock on the outside). I think this is an Excelsilor lock. Is there a code somewhere on the box?
I am not sure what I will use it for, but thinking. If you have one - please post the picture and what you use it for (it almost looks like tackle box with the drawer going up when you open the top)
Thank you
P.S. how old it is? 40s-50s?... Probably later - the handle appears to be plastic. Earlier ones had leather, I think
I think I saw a couple of them on the board, but I do not remember when...
Is it possible to get the key for this type of box (the owned told me that there is no number on the lock on the outside). I think this is an Excelsilor lock. Is there a code somewhere on the box?
I am not sure what I will use it for, but thinking. If you have one - please post the picture and what you use it for (it almost looks like tackle box with the drawer going up when you open the top)
Thank you
P.S. how old it is? 40s-50s?... Probably later - the handle appears to be plastic. Earlier ones had leather, I think
d42jeep
Well-known member
They seemed to discontinue the leather handles around 1945. An interior picture would be very helpful. 
-Don
-Don
Thank you, Don. Will try to get more pictures from the seller.
It's interesting that the moving tray has 4 cylindrical shape spaces (they could have used vertical dividers instead). I wonder if it's for storing small parts/bolts/what not there and making it easier to take those things out.
It's interesting that the moving tray has 4 cylindrical shape spaces (they could have used vertical dividers instead). I wonder if it's for storing small parts/bolts/what not there and making it easier to take those things out.
JonahBrown
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 5, 2025
- Messages
- 95
If someone cleaned it using electrolysis, they could have removed those layers of plating. Just a thought.This S-K Chrome drag link bit arrived in the mail today. The copper plating is all that shows. I wonder it it missed the nickel and chrome plating steps. It doesn’t look like they are missing from wear.
-Don
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I've cleaned a lot of plated stuff using electrolysis and never had a problem. The polarity is the same as plating, so how could it remove plating?
JonahBrown
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 5, 2025
- Messages
- 95
I was making the assumption they had reversed the polarity.
Oldtuleguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2017
- Messages
- 10,450
Some tools were sold with only a copper coating,was supposed to reduce sparking
Mintgrun
Well-known member
The polarity with electrolysis is the opposite of plating. The tool is the cathode (-) and the 'sacrificial' conductor is positive (anode).
That said, I've never had it remove sound plating. I assume loose stuff sluffs off and contaminates the solution. I figure it'll mostly settle to the bottom, but generally consider used solution to be somewhat toxic, even though it starts off as a simple mix of water and baking soda, or washing soda. I keep a bucket setup on wheels that let me roll it under the bench when not in use. I am a fan of that process. : )
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Nope. They should both be the same polarity: Negative to the work, positive to the sacrificial anode.
I just double-checked my pictures of both.
Mintgrun
Well-known member
Okay, sorry. It's been over thirty years since I've done any plating (copper) and I was just a user of the system, not the maintainer.
The way I remember polarity for electrolysis is "the negative material is moving toward de-positive side."
I assumed the plating was being deposited. The bath solutions are very different... sorry for floating off topic and adding confusion.
The way I remember polarity for electrolysis is "the negative material is moving toward de-positive side."
I assumed the plating was being deposited. The bath solutions are very different... sorry for floating off topic and adding confusion.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Here is my smaller version. My best guess is 1945.I have a lead on this tool box. It appears to be 119C box from what I see, similar to this one https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/sk-tools-sherman-klove-co-metal-tool-box-old except for the size (119-C is longer (19 x 6 x 6.5 box))
I think I saw a couple of them on the board, but I do not remember when...
Is it possible to get the key for this type of box (the owned told me that there is no number on the lock on the outside). I think this is an Excelsilor lock. Is there a code somewhere on the box?
I am not sure what I will use it for, but thinking. If you have one - please post the picture and what you use it for (it almost looks like tackle box with the drawer going up when you open the top)
Thank you
P.S. how old it is? 40s-50s?... Probably later - the handle appears to be plastic. Earlier ones had leather, I think
-Don
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I received a S-K Chrome 7/8” socket as part of an S-K trade with a GJ member. I polished it up and added it to the ‘41 set. I noticed that the catalog calls for a 21/32” socket rather than the 25/32” I currently have in the set. 
Into the set
-Don
Into the set
-Don
Thank you, Don. If everything goes well, I will have the box relatively soon (trying to figure out when we can meet, agreed on the price)Here is my smaller version. My best guess is 1945.
-Don
Got another picture. The owner told me that ithe box is straight (looks a little bent). Interesting how the drawer is reversed compared to yours.
I got myself newer SK ratchet, extension and some sockets The owned thinks that the box is also SK, but I am not sure - the divider is slightly above the level of the bottom (not sure if the picture will show it well) and there are side holes which hold it.
I suspect it might be not SK. Does anybody know?
The sockets are SAE. I noted couple of sockets with square marks on them in several locations. Does anybody know what they are from? (interestingly, I saw similar marks in the same pattern before, but only on SK sockets. Assumed that somebody used pliers or something similar to on the socket the first time, but they look very similar on this new set
... I will probably make a user set out of this one. May be try to spray some green paint (?Rastoleum Hammer Green) in the summer and cover the bottom with some thin mat
)
I suspect it might be not SK. Does anybody know?
The sockets are SAE. I noted couple of sockets with square marks on them in several locations. Does anybody know what they are from? (interestingly, I saw similar marks in the same pattern before, but only on SK sockets. Assumed that somebody used pliers or something similar to on the socket the first time, but they look very similar on this new set
... I will probably make a user set out of this one. May be try to spray some green paint (?Rastoleum Hammer Green) in the summer and cover the bottom with some thin mat
)
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Oldtuleguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2017
- Messages
- 10,450
Heres a set with no decal
d42jeep
Well-known member
Nice cad shaft amber spinner that matches the set perfectly. This smaller cad one that arrived yesterday as part of a trade has traces of the decal. 
-Don
-Don
Mintgrun
Well-known member
I have been looking at this FB MP ad for "Vintage Craftsmen Rollaway Toolbox" and wondering who made the roller under the heritage box. Now I know! It's an S-K Red Tool Wagon. Although, it isn't red on the outside anymore and it is missing the two tote tool trays. ($300 for the pair in Tacoma, Wa. listed a week ago)
www.facebook.com
Mintgrun
Well-known member
No, my shop is full and my piggy bank is empty.
four.cycle
Well-known member
I need more tool boxes like another hole in my head.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Me too.
-Don
-Don
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ And I just bought another one last week.
Seriously considering unloading some just to free up some space in the garage.
Seriously considering unloading some just to free up some space in the garage.
bmwrd0
Well-known member
I am glad I am on the other side of Portland, as that would be coming home with me otherwise.
Wife would kill me, but what is new.
Wife would kill me, but what is new.
Don, out of all of us you are probably the one who already has all the pieces to complete the set and restore this box! We already have 39,41,43 catalogs and know what should go in there...
Do you really want to avoid this headache???
I texted the person to get the story behind the box and to see if I can somehow magically get in touch with the previous owner to see if there is a tiny chance that the tool totes are still sitting somewhere with tools in them (even if I can not buy them, I would like to know if the paint was wrinkled and how the dividers looked). So on no reply : (
I collect all those rusty tools and boxes only having my wives health in mind. I want her to live long and am afraid that if I do not bring them all home, she will die of happiness!
You are located in the same town!!! You do not feel the subconscious magnetic sensation of needing the box in your garage???
Agree though, it is a project with the big dent...
four.cycle
Well-known member
I don't have space for it. Really. Seriously thinking of just selling these boxes to make space.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Upon further consideration, I would find some way to make space for a nice Plomb Toolmobile.
-Don
