Old Indestro tools....

[eschoendorff]

I always wanted an Indestro ratchet... and now thanks to Rickster I'll have one! But the whole Indestro thing had me thinking... and thinking lead to some digging, and digging through my **** I came across this old set of Indestro tools. They are hex-drive sockets, an L-shaped wrench, a ratchet and a universal joint. Interesting items, to say the least.

If you are really interested in these tools, see this thread....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=203116#post203116

 

[bchee]

Pretty cool. That's a weird looking universal adapter.
Condition looks amazing.

 

[eschoendorff]

Pretty cool. That's a weird looking universal adapter.
Condition looks amazing.

Yeah, they aren't that bad for the age. i forgot I even had this stuff... until Rickster got me thinking about Indestro stuff...

 

[chad s]

I have a bunch (maybe 15) indestro sockets that work with that set, a few with the early star stamp. There is even a ball and pin style flex socket to fir the female hex drive socket.

I got them in a lot that I bought for the (very) early snap on over strike sockets that were in the same lot.

 

[Elroy]

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[Elroy]

 

[Uncle Buck]

Very cool set Elroy, You do put them to work I hope? I believe in making any tool I lay a hand to earn it's keep!

 

[eschoendorff]

Wow.. those are WAY cool!

 

[Elroy]

Thank you for the kind words. Elroy would like to get an idea on the age. They were purchased by Elroy's Grandfather. He passed in the early 70's and Elroy has indeed used them a lot. Missing the 9/16" and 11/16" socket. All the others are there through 1 1/8". Elroy has an older set of "hex drive" sockets like the ones in the first post. His are NOT in that kind of condition becuse this thing is "Primo":

 

[old salvage]

Elroy. Im gonna guess (from having looked at Alloy Artifacts and my own limited experience) that your socket set was made in the mid 50's.
If it were made earlier then it would be able to accept both male and female sockets.
That style ratchet was available until the early 60's but if yours was made then i think it might look 'chromier'. Just guessing though.

 

[lbgradwell]

Nice set Elroy! Can Elroy provide the model number of the ratchet & a photo of the ratchet & a socket (from the side)?

 

[MAD]

Thank you for the kind words. Elroy would like to get an idea on the age. They were purchased by Elroy's Grandfather. He passed in the early 70's and Elroy has indeed used them a lot. Missing the 9/16" and 11/16" socket. All the others are there through 1 1/8".

MAD has an orphan Indestro 9/16" (1/2" drive) socket. It has some marks from where someone used Vise Grip pliers on it but other than that it is in great shape. If Elroy would like to give it a good home Elroy should PM Elroy's mailing address to MAD.

 

[eschoendorff]

MAD has an orphan Indestro 9/16" (1/2" drive) socket. It has some marks from where someone used Vise Grip pliers on it but other than that it is in great shape. If Elroy would like to give it a good home Elroy should PM Elroy's mailing address to MAD.

That's funny right thar...

 

[MAD]

Here are a few more for the Indestro fans.

 

[eschoendorff]

How do you think Indestro compared to Bonney?

 

[wrenchr]

I prefer it over bonney myself, I gave my oldest brother a deep socket set and ratchet last year, great condition. 3/8

 

[Elroy]

Nice set Elroy! Can Elroy provide the model number of the ratchet & a photo of the ratchet & a socket (from the side)?

How about a few plan views. Didn't notice your "side" request until now

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[Elroy]

MAD has an orphan Indestro 9/16" (1/2" drive) socket. It has some marks from where someone used Vise Grip pliers on it but other than that it is in great shape. If Elroy would like to give it a good home Elroy should PM Elroy's mailing address to MAD.

Elroy must say that is a very generous offer but Elroy will pass because that is your socket and the style is a little different. Elroy did find a "Wizard" match but it's a 7/16". Thank you anyways

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[Elroy]

Now Elroy did recall an old "Hex Drive" set and went out to the barn a found this. Didn't even clean the cob webs off. There are a few parts missing and the tools are not stamped. This old stuff is out there.

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[ImportTuner]

Now Elroy did recall an old "Hex Drive" set and went out to the barn a found this. Didn't even clean the cob webs off. There are a few parts missing and the tools are not stamped. This old stuff is out there.

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I have the exact same set ... in near new condition ...

 

[eschoendorff]

Wow... Elroy has some neat old Indestro tools. Does Elroy use them or are they just for posterity?

 

[lbgradwell]

Elroy. Im gonna guess (from having looked at Alloy Artifacts and my own limited experience) that your socket set was made in the mid 50's.
If it were made earlier then it would be able to accept both male and female sockets.
That style ratchet was available until the early 60's but if yours was made then i think it might look 'chromier'. Just guessing though.

Elroy,

I'm going to have to disagree with Salvage here & guess your set is from the mid-to-late 60s...

I'm basing this estimate on the style of the sockets; I don't think (judging from the info at Alloy Artifacts) that Indestro had moved away from the tapered style of sockets until the early 60s. The straight-walled sockets similar to yours certainly followed the tapered version.

 

[Elroy]

The sockets in Elroy's 1/2" kit are tappered on the out side. Elroy understands this kit was purchased in the late 40's or early 50's but this can not be confirmed.

 

[old salvage]

In case anyones interested, here's the baby brother of the one Elroy posted.
As you can see the transition from the handle to the shank has a sort of wedge to it, making it kinda ugly. Dont know why they didnt just make it smooth like the 1/2" drive.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy is interested and he thanks Salvage for the post. These are not the smallest of tool but they are good tools. Thank you again as Elroy has never seen another one till now.

 

[old salvage]

Back at you Elroy (eschoendorf too !).
Your right,
it is kinda big. I have a mobile 1/4" socket set and I keep 2 ratchets in it. A skinny New Britain with a really small head (tight spots) and the Indestro for times that I need to put force on things.

 

[krusty the clown]

krusty has a set of indestro sockets as well.............

if anyone is interested i'd like to trade them.


i also have this wrench that believe is an indestro by the shap of the recessed side panels, although there are no markings other than "forged usa"