My small but growing collection of Wizard tools (all Western Auto welcome)

[d42jeep]

I posted mine in the tappet wrench thread but it belongs here as well. I found it at a recent sale. The sizes are 9/16” x 5/8” and it’s a H 2177.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Picked up this sweet Wizard HR2932 3/8" drive set. Missing a couple of sockets and such. Im gonna see if there's a catalog I can look at to see whats missing. I added the Tommy bar from my extra stash!

I just received the same box. Only catalog I see on ITCL is the 1957 but it only lists a H2932 not the HR version. Did ya ever find a listing for this set? I'm going through all my loose Wizard stuff tomorrow.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

OK, so another great question in the line of where does this one fall?

While seeking fillers for my new Wizard HR2932 box I discovered my catch all box for all brands Western Auto is actually a Wizard HR2951.

I see sets (boxes) for both listed within the 1957 catalog but only as H series not HR. And the interior designs are different. My 1/2" drive HR2951 has socket holder insets for 15 sockets and handles up to 1- 1/4" sockets. Whereas the H2951 only lists 12 sockets up to 1" and positioned differently.

My HR2951 was purchased via FB marketplace and contained most of what would be expected. It contained H series 2833 ratchet, 2818 speed brace, 2805 extension, and 2821 breaker bar. All the sockets are H series too. My review of other sets on Ebay and others shows HR series sets containing H series tools. But I do have one 1/2" drive loose HR2669 (Duro made) 7/8 socket so they apparently had both series going simultaneously at some point and filled in both series boxes. I also have HR series sockets in 3/8 drive as well. Then there's the knurled sockets and the apparently newer dated smooth double line versions and the single line smooth sockets...still marked H series and with the "D". Without a 1960s or 1970s catalog it's fairly difficult to explain the differences between HR and H series.

It's purely madness I tell ya!

Anybody have a better clue?

 

[four.cycle]

^ "Wizard" catalogs are rare as hens' teeth.
I very deliberately avoided collecting much "Wizard". I do have a couple oddball pieces in the "classifieds", although I'm not sure where the sockets are - they're 3/8" drive.
The "knurled band" sockets are equivalent to Indestro "Super". The "plain band" sockets are equivalent to Indestro "Select".
That part of it is going to drive you crazy, especially if Western Auto used different part numbers. I don't have ANY answers for you there.
Let me know if you want these, Tom. I'm not sure where I've put them.

Everything I have for "Wizard":

(* I just looked at these three ads a bit more closely... .never knew Indestro made a ratchet with a FIVE POINT selector knob! )

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

^ "Wizard" catalogs are rare as hens' teeth.
I very deliberately avoided collecting much "Wizard". I do have a couple oddball pieces in the "classifieds", although I'm not sure where the sockets are - they're 3/8" drive.
The "knurled band" sockets are equivalent to Indestro "Super". The "plain band" sockets are equivalent to Indestro "Select".
That part of it is going to drive you crazy, especially if Western Auto used different part numbers. I don't have ANY answers for you there.
Let me know if you want these, Tom. I'm not sure where I've put them.

Everything I have for "Wizard":

(* I just looked at these three ads a bit more closely... .never knew Indestro made a ratchet with a FIVE POINT selector knob! )

Let me know if ya find the sockets, I just figured out it was a hyperlink (ha ha). If ya find them I'll PayPal ya!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

-Western-

Simply marked Western. It's a 2 1/2" extension 1/2" drive.

Don't see Western listed in AA under Western Auto brands so I'm curious what yall may know.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Not sure of the affiliation, but have a set of sockets and a hinge handle. Clearly duro/indestro sourced.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's a mess o western auto

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Some of my recent Western Auto related finds: from top to bottom, 1. ChromeXquality #1723 DOE, 2. ChromeXquality #W1214 DOE, 3. Westline offset 7/16x3/8 box, 4. Westline 11/32x5/16 DOE, 5. Westcraft #WBE18 combo, 6. Wizard #H2852 DOE, 7. Wizard #H2199 slight offset box, 8. Wizard #H2286 combo, Wizard #H2285 combo (with unique box recession groove), 9. Wizard #H2080 DOE, 10. Wizard #H2048 DOE

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like your H2285 was supplied by Barcalo.
-Don

 

[JMP]

 

[four.cycle]

1951 Popular Mechanics Westcraft ad pp 251

1952 Popular Mechanics Western Auto Westcraft ad pp 151

 

[d42jeep]

I found a nice Duro/Indestro made 1/2” drive Wizard 3/4” socket at yesterday’s sale. It turned out to be one that I didn’t have.
-Don

 

[LNKMK8]

I came across this set of Wizard wrenches last month - It was missing a few but I had the correct ones in some spares. It was hung up in the guys garage for many years so there is damage to the storage roll but it did survive.

 

[d42jeep]

These Wizard sockets came in a mixed eBay lot of various D-I tools. I will add them to the others. I’m starting to have some duplicates in case anyone is trying to fill out sets.
-Don

 

[LiveWire64]

I remember Western Auto. There was one in the small town in California where I grew up.
Here's a small box I got a while back. Not sure if it would be a tool or tackle box.
Anyone know what year it might be?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's a small box I got a while back. Not sure if it would be a tool or tackle box.

Both and anything else you can think of. The rule on the lid begging for a fish to be laid out on it always seems to assure the unwary that it's only for tackle, but they were advertised as general utility boxes, for tackle, tools and whatnot. Not heavy duty, obviously. Made by the esteemed Union Steel Chest Corp. in Leroy, NY.

Anyone know what year it might be?

The design patent (D161360) goes back to 1950, but that patent number (3171566) embossed on the lid dates to 1965. Both those documents also make sure to not peg it for fishing only.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I thought I’d post this for you guys. The guys on the big vise thread didn’t have it in any of their catalogs. Model 4H4837 4”.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is an Indestro supplied Westline DOE wrench I found at yesterday’s estate sale
Before
After
-Don

 

[JBranstetter]

Here's my 6" Wizard adjustable wrench. It's the same as Post #78, except that it has a C mark on the handle at the top. It's pretty smooth and tight, but the forging does look a little rough as can be seen in the close-up picture.

 

[genog]

I've been looking for one of these Wizard extensions.....
Finally found one

 

[Provincial]

Chrome X Quality 1721 DOE 5/16 x 3/8 "Vanadium Steel"
Made by Duro-Indestro for Western Auto in late 1930's.

 

[JBranstetter]

Chrome X Quality 1721 DOE 5/16 x 3/8 "Vanadium Steel"
Made by Duro-Indestro for Western Auto in late 1930's.

It's interesting how large the heads of the wrenches are in comparison to the size of the openings. I wonder if it's because the alloy is not very strong. You definitely wouldn't be able to fit them into a tight spot.

 

[four.cycle]

^ They may have been using the same blank for the 1721, 1723, and 1725 (5/16 x 3/8, 3/8 x 7/16, and 7/16 x 1/2, respectively.)
not sure I have a photo of an early production DOE like that...
... only have a photo image of a 1721 from that same period.

I would tend more to think it was simply a matter of there being much more available space in engine compartments when those wrenches were produced and clearance wasn't the issue that it is in the current era.
The heads on the Indestro/Wizard are actually fairly diminutive when compared to contemporary competitors.
The later production DOE wrenches have smaller heads.

 

[d42jeep]

^ They may have been using the same blank for the 1721, 1723, and 1725 (5/16 x 3/8, 3/8 x 7/16, and 7/16 x 1/2, respectively.)
not sure I have a photo of an early production DOE like that...
... only have a photo image of a 1721 from that same period.

I believe that you are correct about using the same blank for the smaller wrenches. It makes them a little odd looking.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I know I have all of them out in the living room, but I have no idea which box they're buried in.
The "plan" was to get all the other stuff listed first, then tackle the Indestro (out of which no doubt I'll be finding lots of Duro, Wizard, and Riverside.)

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like firestone wrenches.

 

[d42jeep]

A couple of S-K made ratchets arrived today from GJ member Twertsy. I particularly liked the Chrome Alloy 1/2” drive beaver tail marked Western Giant on the opposite side.



I also received a Chrome Alloy/Western Giant marked socket from an eBay seller.
Here they are together. They are headed for the Western Giant storage box.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Picked up this nice 3/8 socket box of Ebayzzz and the ratchet and sockets from a different seller. Only missing the 11mm socket, the extension and the wrench set. Ebayzz sellers are wanting a fortune for each wrench for some reason and nobody has the whole set, just onesies.

 

[four.cycle]

Ebayzz sellers are wanting a fortune for each wrench

might have something to do with shipping costs
or maybe the 13.6% seller fee

onesie-twosie stuff is always crazy expensive. I put $71.65 into this Walden set to complete it. It will not fit into a flat-rate priority box, so even at $89.99 I'll be losing money.
cobbling together sets one piece at a time on ebay is nuttier than pulling three cards trying to fill an inside straight.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Curious, did Western Auto 1/4 drive socket sets have Wizard sockets and ratchets from USA but the box made in Taiwan?

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Found this Western Auto 3/8 drive #45-5100-8 ratchet in a Duracraft import socket set box. Nothing in the box is branded except that the sockets say Japan. The ratchet is fairly obvious an add on to the set. It's not marked USA so I'm assuming an import. Anybody know if it's from an actual Western Auto socket set or did WA sell Duracraft Japan sockets with one of their branded ratchets?

 

[four.cycle]

^ That's clearly an Asian-sourced ratchet, Tom, but I don't have answers for your questions.
All I can offer is that in the LATE 1970s, manufacturers started outsourcing sockets and drive tools from Asia and all kinds of "brand names" on them - "Bernzomatic" was one we sold. (The ratchet and sockets in the set below are stamped "TAIWAN")
I would not be at all surprised if Western Auto didn't jump on that bandwagon as well. Some stuff was branded. Not all.

Indestro's "Xpert" line was another one. All Japan-made tools in a box made who-knows-where with a label printed in English for the American market.

 

[Renorton]

I have had the same ratchet for a long time, maybe 40 years. Works great but I'd say Taiwan. Very similar to many others in Asian sets.

 

[Provincial]

Western Auto finds from the dollar tables at Sunday's auto swap meet.


Perfection No. P-25 DBE 1/2 x 9/16
Western Giant Combo 5/8
Chrome-X-Quality Combo 9/16
Westline DOE 3/8 x 7/16

 

[d42jeep]

Western Auto finds from a Minden NV estate sale yesterday. A Westline DOE sourced from Vlchek and some Wizard sockets made by Duro/Indestro.
-Don

 

[saukit]

Found this Chrome X Quality set the other day. Ratchet (and I assume breaker/ext) is Bog but wondering if anyone knows if sockets are Duro/Indestro? I got lucky as this set was missing the 1/2” but I happened to have one laying around.

 

[four.cycle]

I don't know.
I sold all my "Chrome-X" to another member here several years ago, but as I recall, the sockets looked a lot more "Duro/Indestro-ish" than what you have there.

The patent on the ratchet in that kit - 188885 Nov 22 1932 Ben Pepperdine - appears to be a BOG patent. I wouldn't know a BOG socket from my elbow if it came with instructions. There are a couple other members far more conversant on BOG than me.

The first two photo images are mine. The others are from ebay:

 

[saukit]

I don't know.
I sold all my "Chrome-X" to another member here several years ago, but as I recall, the sockets looked a lot more "Duro/Indestro-ish" than what you have there.

The patent on the ratchet in that kit - 188885 Nov 22 1932 Ben Pepperdine - appears to be a BOG patent. I wouldn't know a BOG socket from my elbow if it came with instructions. There are a couple other members far more conversant on BOG than me.

The first two photo images are mine. The others are from ebay:

Thanks for the info! I have other Bog sockets and they mostly have a pretty distinctive wide band of knurling from what I can remember. I’ll have to dig around in my pile and see if I have any Bog sockets that look anything close to these ones.

Given that Bog and Duro/indestro both were suppliers for Western Auto I was thinking maybe this is a Craftsman type scenario where they just threw whatever pieces they had laying around to make sets.

There are only a few Western Auto catalogs on ITCL and they all have the Duro/Indestro style ratchets for the Chrome X stuff. Hmm…

 

[four.cycle]

^ We haven't been able to FIND any "Western Auto" catalogs other than the few items currently up at ITCL.
There are a lot of tool brands for which catalogs just seem to be non-existent.