SK Tools Company History & Lore
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- In this video we look at the history of the SK Professional Tools brand.
Originally starting out as Sherman Klove, then becoming SK Tools, SK Wayne, and then back to SK Tools.
See how SK started out an independent company, was bought out by several other companies, only to become independent again, just to be bought out by China...
What does the future hold for SK Tools as a brand?
Can they compete with the tool trucks if they're just rebranded import tools?
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Further Reading:
alloy-artifacts.org/sherman-kl...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SK_Hand...
Theodore Rueb patents:
patents.google.com/?inventor=...
1938 Brazil Tools Catalog:
archive.org/details/brazil-to...
1938 SK Tools Catalog:
archive.org/details/s-k-tools...
1943 SK Tools Catalog:
archive.org/details/sherman-k...
1961 Electrolite Era Catalog:
archive.org/details/s-k-lectr...
1964 Wayne Era Catalog:
archive.org/details/1964skway...
1970 Dresser Era Catalog:
archive.org/details/SKToolsSu...
1986 Facom Era Catalog:
archive.org/details/s-k-tools...
Pre GreatStar catalogs:
web.archive.org/web/202108101...
Chapters:
00:00 Ox Parody Intro
00:37 Early Years
01:39 SK Tools is formed
02:37 Theodore Rueb Patents
03:56 Lectrolite Joint Venture
04:24 Symington-Wayne & Dresser Era
05:02 Facom Buyout
05:29 Independence and Ideal Buyout
06:17 Ideal Innovations
06:46 GreatStar Buyout
07:39 Final Thoughts 
Авто/Мото
I'm 77 and still have the socket set my uncle gave me for Christmas when I was 12.
Still using my dad's SK socket set from the late 50's/early 60's. I love well made old tools.
Some of my grandfather's wooden handled screw drivers are still in use, in my toolchest.
When I was 14-15, my dad bought an old pickup. (50+yrs ago) He had just brought it home, and I was looking at it. I saw a metal case, under the seat, and ask him what it was. He didn't know til he opened it. It was an S-K ½" socket set. Then he asked me if I wanted it. I thought, "Cool, my first socket set". It did have a couple of sockets missing, but no complaints. I've had the ratchet repaired once on warranty. I still use it quite often.
@@swmovan great find for a teenage kid to start assembling his tool kit.
I'm 85 and I have the set I bought when I was 16.
SK Wayne made great tools. I am 72 and still using a SK Wayne metric socket set I got for Christmas from my parents back in 1966.
I've been a mechanic for 60 years, bought my first SK in 1969 and they still represent the majority of the tools in my tool box. My favorite ratchet is the 3/8 roto ratchet. When I was buying my original SK set my dad told me that ratchet would be the best $10 I spent. He was right, cause to replace it now is over $100 and not to mention the tool truck guys . Thank you SK for the great tools you used to make. I will not be knowingly sending my hard earned American dollars to China.
The best ratchets in the business, I've used them exclusively for 45 years, as well as their wrenches and sockets
(the American made ones) and no, if the quality is compromised for profitability I will no longer buy new S-K...
My 3/8 Roto-Ratchet is 45 years old and I still use it daily!
definitely not the best ratchet......
The blame does not go entirely to the owners of S-K. I blame people who are unwilling to pay a little more to support US industry.
Yeah, we need to take some of the blame too, for increasing the demand for cheaper tools.
@@ballinatormy entire hand tool collection is US. A decade ago I bought Wright combos and sockets and love working with them.
It's not a little more. It's a lot more
My dad was discharged from the Airforce in 1968. He purchased a used set of 1/2" & 3/8" socket sets from the base PX amongst other wrenches and breaker bars.
I've used those sets growing up on bicycles and go carts. Dad did all of the automotive repair himself and included me in those jobs also.
Several decades later, he still has and uses those socket sets and tools he purchased in 68. I was taught the value of respecting someone elses property with those tools. To this day not a single piece of those sets are missing.
SK Wayne built some tough tools. My dad and I proved that over the years!
Still use my SK socket sets in their tough green metal boxes from the 60's
Their metal boxes were really well made. Have a couple empty ones around here somewhere.
Yes, I agree on the quality of SK Sockets. When I need Automotive Tool in the 1970', my first tool were SK. As these were sold at my local Auto-Parts. I still pick bits & pieces at Flea Markets.
Same here, love picking through tools at the flea market.
Same here. Flea markets and garage sales.
@@grannydeen1586 I keep gloves in the car just for that.
In 1973, a pair of SK Wayne pliers saved my hand when it was caught in a die-casting press. The press was closing with 4000 tons of pressure and at 815 degrees F. Those pliers kept the jaws from closing which would have allowed the machine to inject molten aluminum-zinc alloy which would have been the end of my good right hand.
Wow!
Thank you for this video. I know a lot of people that are deeply saddened by SK selling out. Myself included. Let’s cross our fingers that they make it back home where they belong.
You're welcome. Yeah, hopefully they don't ruin the brand's reputation in the meantime.
Just like Craftsman. Made in China.
I came across SK in New Zealand, wonderful quality. The owner inherited a small set of 3/8 deep sockets and told me that his father jacked his wallet open far enough to get that. Funny enough, Snap-on were cheaper then. But the sockets were still like new in a well-worn green and shiny metal box. Just goes to show, that quality allways shines through!
I have a 1/4" SK socket set that I bought in the early 1980s and it is pro quality as far as I'm concerned. It's really served me well over the years.
Yeah, my SK-Wayne 1/4" ratchet is probably my favorite 1/4" ratchet.
@@ballinator as far as a set goes the SK 1/4" metal box ratchet set is pretty much perfect. I do prefer Snap-On drives though. I do have a Snap-On TM 70 B drive too. But if Snap-On sells sets like SK did I don't even know about them. I couldn't afford them if they did. Oh look they do sell sets. One costs $ 1,242.23 and the other is $ 1,374.23 They really have to get that 23 cents, don't they?
Bought a lot of SK wrenches in the 80s that I still have and enjoy. The cute, little 1/4" ratchet set in the green metal box is still a favorite. Sure, I'd love a complete set of Snap-Ons if someone else is buying, but SK always seemed a good balance between quality and reasonable price. They weren't cheap, but weren't ridiculous either. Now owned by China? Guess nothing lasts forever.
Yeah, they were right in that sweet spot where they were high quality, not cheap but not too expensive.
For Sure I really like my little !/4 set I also have it in the plastic case too .
Yup, I have that 1/4" drive set as well. Not Snap-On but works just fine for this duffer.
I have that socket set in a green box.
I still have my Craftsman tools issued to me in 1960 when I was in the Air Force.
Still have all my SK tools from 1980 when I started as a machinist and have never had a problem with any of them.
I have an SK ratchet I bought in 1973. I use it often and it still works perfectly.
They're an excellent design. I'll always have a couple SK ratchets in my drawer.
I bought mine ca. 1960, used. It's one of my oldest tools.
Hello from B C. I bought an SK 3/8 drive socket set in 1962. It has served me well right up to the present still have all the pieces. A testament to their quality. 👍🌹
I worked for Dresser for a few years as a machinist, bought most of my tools thru them as they allowed you to buy SK tools and pay for them off your pay cheque. Farmed with tool box full of these tools for over 40 years now.
My first tools were S-K and S-K Wayne in the early 60's! Thanks.....
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
I’m completely satisfied with my Craftsman tools that I mostly bought in 1968. I’m not a professional mechanic, just a DIY guy.
That was way back when Craftsman tools were almost as good as Snap-on. I have a slew of old Craftsman tools, including some that were made after their quality started to go down, and they hold up very well! Oh, and I am (was, but retired now) a professional mechanic.
Me too got my first craftsman ratchet set 1968 still use it all the time 3:54
That was then. It ain’t so now though, Joe. And this was to be comments about SK.
@@mnmike6884 So?
sk made a lot craftsman tools
I am 78 years old and I still have my S K socket set that I earned by fixing a 1948 Ford dump truck. I was 14 at that time. Love S K tools
In the summer of 1973 I cleaned up and sorted out S-K tool sets that spilled into a muddy ditch after a train derailment threw open the truck trailers those were in. Did that for a railroad salvage company that paid well and gave me a complete 356 piece S-K mechanics tool set as a bonus. S-K has a lifetime warranty but my local auto parts stores wouldn't honor it since I didn't purchase the sockets or breaker bar from them. I also own quite a few Snap-On tools and got the same treatment from their current route salesmen when all of my screwdriver handles went to pot at the same time. In 2017 I contacted both companies by email with Snap-On refusing to sell me a set of handles and S-K saying to mail in the cracked and broken tooks to receive replacements in the mail within 7 days. So I mailed in one breaker bar, seven cracked sockets and a long 1/2" extension that was beaten useless by using as a drift to drive out rusted bolts. A week later I received all new ones from S-K. At that time I mailed those to their main office in North Central Illinois.
Inherited a lot of SK sockets and drives from an uncle who used these as a mechanic back in the day. Still use them.
SK made the best racket of all the major brands been using the 3/8 and 1/2 inch for 40 years every day
Huge fan of their ratchets. Still use the 1/4" one all the time.
Yep same here I have all of them even the tuff line
S*K was the only durable fine tooth rachet available for decades 😊
Lost my 40 year old 3/8" S*K rachet a few months ago, really miss it, especially after paying for a new Snap on!
Love my older SK tools. Thorsen 77 ratchets were very good as well.
SK tools are the best I ever had. I still have the 3/8 drive socket set and 1/2 drive socket set I bought when I was a teenager I’m 67 now and still have them I use them all the time. They work now as good as the did when I bought them.
I am 73 years old and still have an assortment of SK tools that I bought when I was a teenager. Very good tools that I still use to this very day!!!
Years ago (late 70’s and early 80’s) I purchased quite a few SK tools. They were popular tools in several parts stores that I dealt with. However while I still have many of those tools, I have not bought nor seen SK tools for sale in many many years.
It’s 6 in the morning and after watching this I have now made a dedicated tool box for my SK collection may that beautiful company rest easy and long live forever because these tools are the shit
Best tools i ever had, I used them at work for 37 years, great tools
I still have most of my dad’s SK Wayne tools they lasted his whole career as a bus mechanic and I have been using them as a truck mechanic for nearly thirty years now. Great tools!!
nice
My middle name is Wayne so I started collecting "SK Wayne" tools when I was a kid. Over 40 years later and I now have become a tool collector with more hand tools than sense and have large collections of most American tool brands like Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, JH WIlliams, Armstrong, Proto, Plumb, Blackhawk, Thorsen, SK Wayne, Craftman and Husky. I have recently started collecting German and Japanese tools as well. I have my favorites but I try to rotate through the collection to show some love to all of them but I still have some that get used more than others. I love a good 1/2" "Superratchet" when I have room, a 3/8" Snap On F80 and I always seem to come back to a SK Wayne 1/4" for the small stuff. I use SK's sockets a lot but when things get tough I go Snap On in case I break one because my local SK dealer wont warranty SK tools without a receipt from their store and I didn't buy most of mine from there.
Yeah, most of the time I too use the SK-Wayne ratchet for 1/4" stuff. It's a great design in a small package. Inherited mine from my grandpa.
@@ballinator My great uncle gifted me a 1/4" SK Wayne set in the green metal box when I was about 6 or 7 and I still have it. Most of my collection was acquired through yard sales, swap meets, ebay etc. Knowing how things are now when I die they'll probably be sold for scrap
@@me3333that crazy you say that I just bought some car parts off a lady who's step mom did that exact thing. When he died she had a scrap company come in and scrap everything out off the barn.. everything even cars and parts. It was too late they only saved 2 cars and a couple part's. And the step mom did on purpose because she didn't want to deal with. The girls said between the house and the insurance policy she got a million dollars and moved. So she didn't care they daughters were pist because someone could have used the. MAKES ME SICK TO SEE THAT STUFF GO TO THE DUMP
@@markusa5521 I had something similar happen in my family. It was truly nauseating to see his life's collection just thrown away or scrapped for pennies on the dollar. I guess you can't save everything no matter how sickening it is
@@markusa5521I hate stories like that. Bad for every party involved except the scrap guys. I’ve watched many high dollar specialized tools be trashed and scraped because they had no idea what it was. Could have started 10 companies with what I saw get tossed in ignorance.
I have an Sherman and Klove SK tool box and a lot of SK tools I bought back in the 80's and 90's and still use.
Very cool. Love all my SK tools too.
I and a lot of family worked at Dresser Ashcroft in the early 80sand we loaded up on SK tools when they were offered to employees at cost.
Very cool.
Me too, employee sockets were 10 cents each , etched with an E and limited number to each employee.
I have a S-K 1/4" drive set in workthats about 10-12 years old still running like a champ that might have to come home to be placed with my other American made 1/4" drives- rachets
Im 80 and have had mine for over 60 years still going.
As a diesel mechanic my first sets of tools were S-K tools. I still have a few of them. Good tools made in the USA when I bought them.
Love my old SK Tools, won’t buy anything now that it’s owned by a Chinese company
Grew up on SK. I remember when auto parts house had them on the wall, behind the counter. very convenient to replace or pick up a new tool, while buying parts.
What I liked about SK was the metal cases their socket sets came in. I still have all my SK tools that I bought back in the 80's and 90's.
THE FIRST DEEP SOCKETS I BOUGHT WERE SK IN THE GREEN METAL BOX, IN 1973... TO THIS DAY, THEY ARE MY GO-TO DEEP SOCKETS. A FEW YEARS AGO, MY DOPEY NEIGHBOR BROKE MY BREAKER BAR, BY ADDING A 4 FT PIPE TO IT.. I WENT TO MY SK DEALER, AND THEY SENT ME A NEW BREAKER BAR... THEIR SCREW DRIVERS ARE EXCELLENT TOO..
I don’t lend tools to anyone.
I was a truck and equipment mechanic for 50 years and I have some original SK Wayne tools I bought when I was a young truck mechanic. The Mac tool trucks used to carry SK Wayne as their second brand and I always thought the SK Wayne ratchets had the best works.
Have a set of 1/2” drive that I purchased in 1956 for, as I remember $16:00. Added 1/4” and 3/8” plus many other items over the years.
Was working on a casting box with a set of Snap On owned by the company, broke the break over on a locknut using a cheater, used my S&K with a longer cheater with no problem…The quality on everything is in the tank today.
I have a couple of SK Wayne tools. They have served well through the years. Never heard of Brazil tools. Great review and history, thanks. (I'm stick'n with PROTO.)
You're welcome. Thanks for watching! Nothing wrong with Proto.
I bought my first SK tools in the mid-70's, I've always preferred them over other brands since. However when they transitioned to external ownership, I just started shopping the pawn shops and such for used SK pieces.
Great video! I appreciate the soft editorial style. As an auto tech during the last 25 years I've seen many US brands go offshore. I haven't needed to purchase many tools in recent years, but held a special regard for SK. I hope the USA can soon revive its domestic manufacturing capacity.
Thanks! I try to keep the videos more relaxed, so it's like something I would put on in the background. Yeah, I hope we can get more manufacturing back over here..
I'm in my 60's and still have my Standard S-K 1/2 drive socket set I bought when I was 15 still works just as good as my snap-on sets
I bought quite a few SK sockets etc immediately before the chinese got their grubby mitts on them. No more, they are history to me now. I will buy USA, British, German or Japanese, but never, ever chinese.
Anything made in China is crap. I’m old enough to remember when stuff made in Japan was crap. Not anymore. I try to stay away from anything made in China.
I still own my SK wrenches and sockets I purchased in the 90’s. To me at that time they fit well compared to other manufacturers.
Yeah, they went toe-to-toe with the top brands.
Being a guy that has always worked on my own stuff I have a wide range of tools as far as quality. All of the SK tools that I own have always had a professional feel to them. Like you said they have that top of the line tool truck feel without the price. I hope that they don't lose that.
I've been a mechanic all my life when I bought my first tool set of my own, they were SK and bought only SK I liked they felt in my hand, and durability and strength
I have a 1/2 drive socket set and a combination wrench set S-K I bought in 1974. Best wrenches.
I enjoyed your video , I worked at a Yamaha shop 1972 at 14 just walked there and asked for a job it was $1 an hour but would have worked for free because I had so much fun. I then was was a Honda motorcycle mechanic at 15 and had the snap on guy cashed my pay check a few times . most of the old shops are closed and most others are gone but the buildings are still there now. I buy tools at flea markets now where combo wrenches ans screwdrivers are 50 cents each and 12 inch crescents are $1 a piece. I always dig for 10 mm wrenches and 7/16 combo wrenches and put a long finish nail in the plywood wall and stack wrenches and the same with sockets. I remember SK at grand auto , they were great tools
Thanks! I pick up tools at flea markets too. Stacking the wrenches of the same size sounds like a good idea.
In the mid 70s when I started buying my own tools, the department store closest to me and the biggest local auto parts store both sold S-K. So I had a lot of S-K tools and still have most of them 50+ years later. They’ve taken a lot of use and abuse over the years.
SK (Wayne) made great tools!
Yeah, I have a soft spot for the Wayne era tools. I inherited a few from my grandpa.
Much appreciated. Always had a yen for SK tools. Many survive in my shop.
Berland’s House of Tools (three stores in Chicagoland) is owned by Dwight Sherman, grandson of S in SK tools. Berland’s sells high quality tools for everything from concrete tools to fine woodworking. Think complete opposite of harbor freight. The Palitine Il store has a mini display of ratchet sets. Dwight is a great guy, his business is top notch. Cheers from Chicago!
Sounds pretty cool. Thanks for watching!
I have a full set of combination wrenches 1/4" - 1" marked SK-Lectrolite that I got from my grandfather. Still use them today.
I have had a SK roto ratchet for 50 years and love it, it is my go to ratchet!
I bought a new complete 3/8" SK set as my first set in 2015, at the time they were only about $180 on Amazon. SK was trying to aggressively get back into the game at that point.
Only a year or two later, the same set was around $300 and I couldn't imagine paying that much for them, even if they were made in America. At that price point, you're competing with Proto and Williams, and I would take them over SK all day. They tried really hard at being the cheapest made in USA brand, but I don't think it was enough.
Part of the problem is just how good Taiwanese tools have gotten recently. it's really hard to recommend an SK compared to a Gearwrench when it's half the price.
PS, I think SK's flare wrenches are still the best on the market, and rival Snap-On. Torque Test Channel basically proved they punched far outside their weight class in that one single niche.
Yeah, they went from the least expensive USA brand, to the most expensive import brand... I only have one of their flare wrenches. Need to see if I can piece together a set used.
Notice the quality went way down in 2018 & 2019 I bought a couple sets on sale and some of the sockets were junk couldn't even read the stamping ideal did warranty them but still if I paid full price I would have sent the hole set back
Around 1975, one of the first tool trucks I dealt with was a con man who sold Cornwell and S.K. Wayne, along with anything else he could swindle.
I still have many of those tools, but as far as the S.K. brand making a comeback, the competition would be tuff against Harbor Freight, Northern Tools and all of the lifetime warranty tools that Wal-mart or Tractor Supply sells. And don't forget Lowe's selling Craftsman and Kobalt.
I have been a heavy truck and equipment mechanic for 35years bought and used everything in the business.s&k fits these old paws the best, what a shame selling out😢😢😢!
I’ve been twisting wrenches for 50 years. My first tools were a quarter inch S-K ratchet socket set with an extension and a quarter inch socket driver. My dad gave them to me for my birthday and I still have them to this day as a sentimental keepsake.
Thanks for watching! I still use the SK quarter inch ratchet that I got from my grandpa.
I've used my SK tools (1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch with both US and metric sockets) for 60 years.
There was a home improvement store that was closing back in the late 70's and every week would increase their discount. They sold SK tools.
I ended with 3/8"drive ratchet, deep inch sockets, deep metric sockets, 1/4" set in the metal box and various wrenches.
Still have them all.
That store might have been Channel.
My dad used mostly S-K tools on the farm. I started buying S-K tools back in the early 70's. Every payday I would purchase S-K tools till all the tools in the catalog were checked off except for the 3/4 inch drive, those I got from my dad. ( I am sure glad I didn't have a Snap-on catalog,lol). I used them for many decades with very little problems. And I regret the day when I have to decide who will inherit them. Seems dumb to worry about who will take care of them as they have taken care of my mechanical problems.
@@williamking6531 Don't worry about a few pounds of iron and steel - take care of yourself.
I purchased a very large set of SK tools in 1979 which was an incredible set. My problem was the warranty for it was nearly impossible to get anyone to replace a failed tool. At one time SK was selling tools at my place of work, and they said they would not honor the warranty. This is when I become a fan of craftsman.
8 yrs. ago I bought a nice SK 3/8" drive SAE / Metric complete socket set. I loved how nice the chrome was on the sockets, upon further looking I noticed one of the most commonly used sockets (1/2") was missing the size stamp on the side. I wrote an email to SK and told them of my issue and asked if I sent them the socket would they send me a replacement? They wrote back saying that it's an anomaly that occasionally happens and no they won't replace it free of charge but I could purchase a replacement if I wanted to. Well I kept the anomaly socket as a souvenir. After that correspondence with SK, I was left with a bitter feeling against one of my favorite tool companies. At this point, I'm surely not going to be purchasing any more SK tools now that it's been sold to a Chinese company.
I have SK I bought in the mid 70s out of some really old stock a friend of mine found deep in a storage room in a hardware store he bought. I’d guess they were from the 60s.
The Roto Ratchet has been especially useful.
I only buy top end tools and these in their green metal boxes have performed very well over the years.
Have an SK 1/4" shallow and deep socket and ratchet set from the early '60's with the original green box shows use over the years but still doing the job.
I have a few SK tools. For many years now, in the back of my mind, I always thought the company name was SK Wayne, and I wondered why I don't see the Wayne name anymore. It is all explained now, thank you!
You're welcome! I had also just assumed they were always "SK Wayne" until I started researching.
Thanks for making this video. I have a full 1/2" SK socket set that was my father's. No idea how old it is. It's the pride and joy of my tool collection.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching! I still have my grandpa's SK ratchets that I use on occasion.
I bought SK tools in the 70s from my local hardware store because of cost vs the trucks prices and for the most part they were fine. I still have most of my original SK tools bought in the early '70s along with other USA tools including truck branded over 40+ years in the auto service. The fact is that even Ideal Industries which bought SK tools in 2010 couldn't make SK tools into a going concern and even Western Forge (which they also owned) has died.
Lets understand that SK has a huge task ahead of itself; I appreciate that some tools are now moving production to the US (Milwaukee hand tools (A few) and Gearwrench is making a few tools here now), but everything is global these days and my boxes reflects that; tools from Japan, Sweden, Germany, Poland, UK, Switzerland, Canada and yes, China.
If SK can offer quality tools at a reasonable price (yeah, we'd all like US made), most people wouldn't care where its made as long as its quality. Quality knows no country of origin. Even the US has had some not so great tool manufacturers in the past. So far what I've seen of the China made sockets and "X" beam wrenches has been impressive, especially given the price point. Time will tell, but I were HF, I'd be worried if SK can gain a foothold in the US.
Thanks for the feedback. I think one of the main concerns was going to be if the tools would just be rebranded Duracraft tools, but with SK pricing. I've heard some good things about the China made X frame wrenches, so maybe they're moving in the right direction. Time will tell.
When ideal owned SK the Quality control was horrible some sockets you could barely see the stamping on them on what size and the chrome would flake off it was weird some sockets where perfect and some would split the first time using them. SK did warranty them but it was very odd
Sad to hear the vaunted SK brand is sold to China. My first tool set, an SK 3/8 socket set and combination wrench set was given to me by my father, an automotive parts store owner for my 16th birthday. He sold them to professional mechanics alongside of PROTO tools. I used then thru the years and today, at 74 they hang on my tool board in the shop and are used nearly every day. My sons also got SK tool sets for their 16th birthdays. Great tools, thanks for the history lesson.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
I bought lots of sockets and the professional line of wrench in the early 1990's. They were great, 33 years as a fleet mechanic, and i never broke any of them. Fantastic tools back then.
When I first started working on cars in the late 60's, I purchased many S K Wayne tools. I wish I still had them, but my tool box was stolen in the mid-70's. They were good tools....and I still have tools I've owned for nearly fifty years.
I’ve used the same set of SK tools I bought for my day job and save for a few that have been damaged or lost due to someone borrowing them, they have served me well. It’s sad to see yet another American manufacturer bought out by the Chinese and will most likely never be the same.
I'm still using my mid-70s socket set. My mom was in industrial supply sales from the '60s thru the '80s in Rockford. SK was widely used in the machine tools world at the time. I still use the screwdrivers and various other SK tools, some of which my dad and grandfather had from the 40s.
I still have a full set of SK 1/4 and 3/8 sockets that I purchased at deep discount for students at Northrup Aeronautical Institute in the late '50s.
Nice work, thanks for the vid.
You're welcome. Thanks for watching.
Bought my first tools in 73.
SK carry box.
I still have many of the tools and the box.
I love the ratchets and sockets most.
I'm in my mid 60s still use all the S K tools my dad had be for he and my mom got married.
In my fathers shop we used about every brand of tool that had been made in the last 75 years. We did slot of body work with collision. Most of the time we used Craftsman ratchets because they had a finer toothed head and sometimes that little bit of degrees was all that was needed to turn that one bolt. But when strength was needed we always reached for the SK ratchets and sockets. They just didn't strip like some of the brands.
My first true set as a young industrial mechanic back in 1974. Hefty-duty and always reliable. I still have a few of the pieces in my set of Harbor Freight throwaways.
I have many SK tools that I've been using some for 50+ years. SK quality was always a little better than Craftsman. I bought many of my SK tools when I worked in a NAPA Auto Parts Store in the 1970's
Made great wrenches and sockets that were affordable and second to none in quality when I went to school
I am going on 82 and worked in Autobody tech since 1958 and my first one quarter inch drive fractionalsizes shallow and deep were sold by Automotive stores that sold a lot of automotive replacement parts such as oil filtors, thermostates, anti freeze, some were even had SHERWIN WILLIAMS AUTOMOTIVE PAINTS for overall refinish and primers and mixing paints such as MARTIN SIENOR AND ACME PAINTS They were some of the finest paint products made DuPont automotive paints were also high quality products at reasonal prices.You could get a 55 gallon drum of all purpose lacquer thinner for 47. dollars'I am not getting off of the subject of SK>WAYNE or SK ELECTROLTE its just that all these jobers that carried automotive parts also sold SK TOOLS i know automotive mechanics that preferred SK ratchets over SNAP ON and SEARS OR PROTO RATCHETS.Keep in mind here that everything i mentioned here was all AMERICAN MADE and it seemed like everybody had a decent job and jobbers and shops TRUSTED ONE ANOTHER. THATS IS SOMETHING THAT IS LOST IN AMERICA TRUST??????
I still have a 1/4” drive set I bought in 68 or 9 while working in a gas station as a high school kid
There were independent ''tool truck'' guys back in the 90s that carried/sold a complete line of SK. Bought a set of the blue handled Made in France t-handle Allen wrenches. I still use them every day!
I love your tool company history videos! I find them fascinating! Although this one had a sad ending (so far). So much amazing knowledge you share. SK Tools has actually been one of my favorites to purchase and use for decades. And I have used your exact closing line many times the past 25 years, "Lower priced alternative to tool trucks." 💚
Thanks! Glad you're finding them interesting.
my first set of sockets was SK, i have also used Blackhawk , Dreadnought and Nonsuch
Very cool. I plan to cover Dreadnought when I get to the Gray tools history video.
In 1970 my dad gave me 3/8 drive set with short and long sockets, when I left for college. Always been handy to have. 1976 after marriage I went to Craftman , lots of choices from by 3/4 sockets to power tools to work on the farm and ranch. In the day all large towns had a Sears store, Christmas year around for me. Living the life in Texas. 🇺🇸🤠 Great video always wondered about S-K tools, only find them in parts stores which made them a little higher.🤠🇺🇸
Thanks for watching. Yeah it was a sad day when the Sears store closed in the town near here.
Back in the early 70's I bought several socket sets and wrench sets and complete screw driver kit from a local auto parts store. Later in the 1980's several sockets cracked and two wrenches gave up. I tried to return them to the parts store and they said they no longer carry SK tools! I just put all the SK tools in a old box and left them on a shelf. I read SK was back in business so I tried to return them at some other stores and were told they don't warrant the old SK tools. From then on as a mechanic I decided to only purchase MAC,Maco or Snap-on tools!
Thank You so much! This was very interesting! I still have all of my S-K and Wright tools from the 60's and 70's. Great stuff!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching. I'll add Wright to the list for future videos.
I bought socket sets and ratchets prior to the Chinese buyout. Use them everyday in my line of work.
Still have SK wrenches, sockets and ratchets that I bought circa 1969. I used them professionally for servicing aircraft. Just as good today as they were back then.
Great video! Big fan of SK and own quite a few back in the 80's and 90's. Website is not transparent about where the tools are made, but customer support says:
"Good morning:
At this point Chrome sockets, turbo sockets, pliers, and LP90 ratchets are made in the US along with a few other items. Most of our sets are made in the US of US and globally sourced components.
Combination wrenches, X-Frame wrenches, and impact sockets are made overseas
Customer Service
SK Tools USA, LLC
2323 Reach Road
Williamsport, PA 17701"
It seems like they want to keep two separate lines, one USA and one not. That e-mail is curious since the chrome SK sockets sets being sold on Amazon are def not USA made.
Yes, and they’ve washed their hands of any third-party people selling their products on Amazon claiming that they’re made in the USA
Wonderful American tool. Have some for forty years.
My dad had some S-K tools. I’ve never known much about them, but this video really helps.
Glad you found it informative!
I remember the first time coming across SK tools. They looked like quality tools and were.
I am about to turn 74, so I've been around the block a few times
I had a set of SK ½" drive sockets. They were stolen out of the tool box on my pickup. I miss those tools.
I recently tried to order an SK socket to replace one I foolishly let someone 'borrow'. Someone had packaged the wrong socket in the bag. Amazon replaced it, but again, the correct size showed on the label, but a different socket was inside. I finally had to give up and send one back to Amazon, they let me keep the other at no charge. So now I have an extra of a size I already had.
Yeah, I wish they would have kept up with the retail distribution. Would have been nice to be able to walk into a store, instead of having to rely on Amazon.
I was in the navy (submarines) and every place was stationed (4 boats, 1 shore facility) had SK tools. I am fairly certain every current US sub has SK tools onboard, and probably many surface ships. They most likely had a government contract.
There should be federal and State level laws that prohibit the acquisition, directly or indirectly of US Manufacturing by forging entities that are aligned director in directly with governments such as the Chinese government in the name of economic and national security.
Interesting idea.
My father-in-law was a mechanic in the New Jersey Army National Guard fo over 40 years. He worked on anything the Army had that moved on the ground from jeeps to tanks. He had mostly SK tools. 😊
Very cool! Thanks for watching.