Indestro SLR 375 3/8s Quick Release Ratchet, New, Keep or Sell ?

[Busted_Knuckles]

I uncovered this the other day, its new, I find no mention of it anywhere on the net, should I throw this in my tool box for use, or is this something that someone would be looking to collect ? I know nothing about Indestro.... it mentions "Roberts" (printed on the ratchet) and Duro Metal Products on the packaging. Says its a "quick release locking ratchet", guessing that was a big deal at some point, back in time ? Has a tool number printed on it of "2780".

Thanks, Bill

 

[jerryW]

Since Indestro no longer makes any tools, it would be a shame to put that piece of history to use.

What would you be looking to get for it? Trade?


jerry

 

[Bull]

In my opinion, that is a definite "leave it in the package" type situation. There are plenty of still-available or more common used ratchets to put to work. For an uncommon model from a now-defunct brand, still new in the package, I'd say preserve it.

I have had a few Indestro ratchets, but have never even seen one of those.

What other kinds of goodies do you have stashed away? Anything for good ol' Bull?

 

[Mickey O]

Send it over to me, I'll make sure .............

 

[cruiser808]

I'd say, keep it if you like it or if you find it's a valuable collectable, sell it for big $$$. I have some vintage Indestro sets and they are fairly cheap to buy, so Indestro/Duro, while being tough tools, are generally not in the collector spotlight. They're just cool old tools.

That said, I don't recall ever seeing an Indestro QR ratchet. That just may be a prize.

 

[cruiser808]

In my opinion, that is a definite "leave it in the package" type situation. There are plenty of still-available or more common used ratchets to put to work. For an uncommon model from a now-defunct brand, still new in the package, I'd say preserve it.

I have had a few Indestro ratchets, but have never even seen one of those.

What other kinds of goodies do you have stashed away? Anything for good ol' Bull?

I gotta agree with Bull on this one.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Thanks guys, that's what I was wondering, didn't know if they where common and guys where tripping over them, or it someone might have a soft spot for something like that.

It actually appears to be a rather well made ratchet. My box is full of SO ratchets, so its not like a need a good ratchet, and Ive got more ratchets than I will need for the rest of my life, although nothing like Ive seen on some of the threads here. That might be one of the things I enjoy about GJ, the second I think I'm hoarding something, I can find someone here who can make me look like a boy scout! And then I dont feel so guilty!

I dont know what its worth to offer it up for sale,,,...

 

[Mickey O]

Nonsense, rip that thing out of it's package an use it.

 

[cruiser808]

Nonsense, rip that thing out of it's package an use it.

Damn Mickey, that is so cool. Are you willing to part with that little jewel?

 

[Mickey O]

Damn Mickey, that is so cool. Are you willing to part with that little jewel?

Sorry, that's one of the few tools I wouldn't part with, that and a couple of ratchets and a hammer from my father.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Sorry, that's one of the few tools I wouldn't part with, that and a couple of ratchets and a hammer from my father.

I have that same ratchet with 6 sockets in the little plastic case they came in. I inherited it from my father. I can still remember when I was 7 years old I took out of my Dad's toolbox and took it over to a friends house to play with it and I didn't want to go home because I knew he wouldn't let me keep it. Eventually he tracked me down in the backyard of my friend's house and when he saw I had his little socket set he was mad, but for some reason I think he understood. Yet it was like my whole life up until that point was to get a ratchet into my hand.

Oh, and this was in the suburbs of Chicago, as that my father bought his Indestro tools while we lived in Chicago.

TheGrooveking

 

[Mickey O]

I have that same ratchet with 6 sockets in the little plastic case they came in. I inherited it from my father. I can still remember when I was 7 years old I took out of my Dad's toolbox and took it over to a friends house to play with it and I didn't want to go home because I knew he wouldn't let me keep it. Eventually he tracked me down in the backyard of my friend's house and when he saw I had his little socket set he was mad, but for some reason I think he understood. Yet it was like my whole life up until that point was to get a ratchet into my hand.

Oh, and this was in the suburbs of Chicago, as that my father bought his Indestro tools while we lived in Chicago.

TheGrooveking

Is yours the Indestro or Duro version? I got mine at the factory when I was a kid, the put it together right in front me. I lived on Kilbourn (down the street from Mary Ann/S. Rosen Bakery) just down the street from the Indestro/Duro plant.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Sorry, that's one of the few tools I wouldn't part with, that and a couple of ratchets and a hammer from my father.

I'm an oddity in that way, my old man didn't, and still doesn't own a screw driver!, not that he would know what to do with it if he did. Then there is me, I wont pay anyone to do anything and Im tooled for so many different vocations.... (except for doing a roof, and flat work).

Apparently I got most my DNA from my mom, she has her own wooden tool box, with tools in it from her father, who is long gone (and she knows how to use them). My folks are in there mid 70s, my mom's dad was a furniture maker, in Grand Rapids. Funny thing, I hate working with wood, and prefer steel for everything. Not sure who's chip off the block I am, clearly not the Maytag man, I look just like my old man. That is a neat family heir loom, if you're a gear head! (which I am)

 

[nikonica]

I love this line from the package:

"Whether you are a professional, making money with your tools, or a Do-it-Yourselfer, saving money with your tools, you know the benefits of quality American made tools."

What a grand and glorious time it must have been when one could choose between so many brands, Duro/Indestro, S-K, Plomb/Proto, Craftsman, Barcalo, Crescent, Snap-On, Armstrong, Wright, Mac, PowrKraft, New Britain, Thorsen, Herbrand, Vlchek, Bonney, Utica, Williams, Blackhawk, Owatonna, Cornwell, etc. etc. etc. They represented so many different levels of quality and were marketed to so many different demographics, but they generally were all good tools made to last a lifetime.

 

[eddyyy302]

I have the same ratchet marked for wizard, best $1 I ever spent, silky smooth with RLL....

Dan

 

[TheGrooveking]

Is yours the Indestro or Duro version? I got mine at the factory when I was a kid, the put it together right in front me. I lived on Kilbourn (down the street from Mary Ann/S. Rosen Bakery) just down the street from the Indestro/Duro plant.

Indestro, I'll have to take pictures of my tools one of these days, which will be project since I have 13 roller cabinets & tops, 12 Gerstners and a few boat loads of tools/equipment and other stuff in one of my garages.

We initally lived in Chicago 177N. LaCrosse, which is one block North of Madison and a one block West of Cicero. My Grandfather was in charge of Maintenance at Brach's candy and we lived on the 2nd floor of his two flat until we moved out to the far West suburbs in 67.

TheGrooveking

 

[cruiser808]

Sorry, that's one of the few tools I wouldn't part with, that and a couple of ratchets and a hammer from my father.

I certainly agree with you, my friend, but I had to ask. Like the thug in the Dirty Harry movie said, "I gotz to know."

 

[old salvage]

Oooh, nice.
Based on the package graphics, illustrations and the fact that the logo is etched instead of stamped, I'm gonna guess late 70's/early 80's for an mfg date.
What do you guys think ?

 

[Mickey O]

Indestro, I'll have to take pictures of my tools one of these days, which will be project since I have 13 roller cabinets & tops, 12 Gerstners and a few boat loads of tools/equipment and other stuff in one of my garages.

We initally lived in Chicago 177N. LaCrosse, which is one block North of Madison and a one block West of Cicero. My Grandfather was in charge of Maintenance at Brach's candy and we lived on the 2nd floor of his two flat until we moved out to the far West suburbs in 67.

TheGrooveking

You were right down the street from the MBC tool box company (Lake and Cicero), they made the Snap On boxes back then. The city of Chicago was great back then, we left in the mid 70's when the area turn to ****.

 

[webscrounger]

I recently acquired the same ratchet in what appears to be new/unused condition though not in the original wrapper. It's not going to be used as I have many others to beat. But it is an interesting piece in how the center button rotates to allow the ratchet to have two modes of operation. A push-button socket quick-release or, a slip-over-detent socket release mode. I don't know if this is an option a modern wrench would want in a new ratchet but I like it and find it an interesting piece regardless.
Patents 3,208,318 - 4,277,990

Anyway, I'm keeping it

I uncovered this the other day, its new, I find no mention of it anywhere on the net, should I throw this in my tool box for use, or is this something that someone would be looking to collect ? I know nothing about Indestro.... it mentions "Roberts" (printed on the ratchet) and Duro Metal Products on the packaging. Says its a "quick release locking ratchet", guessing that was a big deal at some point, back in time ? Has a tool number printed on it of "2780".

Thanks, Bill

 

[tonydanzah]

use it

.........

 

[lauver]

I have that same ratchet with 6 sockets in the little plastic case they came in. I inherited it from my father. I can still remember when I was 7 years old I took out of my Dad's toolbox and took it over to a friends house to play with it and I didn't want to go home because I knew he wouldn't let me keep it. Eventually he tracked me down in the backyard of my friend's house and when he saw I had his little socket set he was mad, but for some reason I think he understood. Yet it was like my whole life up until that point was to get a ratchet into my hand.

Oh, and this was in the suburbs of Chicago, as that my father bought his Indestro tools while we lived in Chicago.

TheGrooveking

Grooveking,

Just to help date the ratchet, in what year were you 7 years old?

 

[64merc]

Hey, I was watching a ratchet just like that on Ebay the other day. I didn't bid on it though, but I wish now that I had. It went for $12 shipped.

 

[Mickey O]

Hey, I was watching a ratchet just like that on Ebay the other day. I didn't bid on it though, but I wish now that I had. It went for $12 shipped.

I don't know about this particular ratchet, but some of the Indestro ratchets are quite nice, the Super Indestro and the Duro-Chromes are very nice, very nice indeed, for $12 I'd have bought it if it was new.

 

[webscrounger]

Here's an ad from 1982 that looks to have one of the Indestro/Duro locking ratchets. May help proved a relative date.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Vt...age&q=indestro safety locking ratchet&f=false