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four.cycle

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Another find in Dad’s tools, some Indestro double box end wrenches.
^ Those are Indestro "Select" - very cool. (y)

I'm a bit puzzled by these, as I cannot figure out what year they might have been published, and the address shown doesn't align with anything we know about the company. I've sent out some feelers... hope to hear back from somebody soon. :unsure:
 

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RTM

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^ Those are Indestro "Select" - very cool. (y)

I'm a bit puzzled by these, as I cannot figure out what year they might have been published, and the address shown doesn't align with anything we know about the company.
-3429 w 47th street Chicago is listed both in AA, and in MadeinChicagoMuseum.com. The -57 implies they took over more space IMO.

What am I missing in your question? Both imply moving in 1929.

The building is still there, looks like the daylight model shown.
 

four.cycle

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Am I blind? Where did you find that?
So... you think that 1929 is close on those?
The only marker I can see is the guy's shirt collar, tie, and vest and trousers.
 

four.cycle

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wow...
In that same AA article, up above that entry, it is stated that Indestro announced the construction of the factory on Kildare Avenue in 1923:
"Fig. 7 shows a notice regarding a new building for Duro Metal Products, as published on page 883 of the December 7, 1923 issue of Sheet Metal Worker. The text states that Duro Metal Products had awarded a contract for a new building, to be constructed at 2649 North Kildare Avenue in Chicago."
So if these catalog pages are from 1929, then we have to believe that Indestro built a factory on Kildare Avenue in 1923, then moved to West 37th Street in 1929, but continued operations on Kildare Avenue all the way through to 1990.
Am I getting that right?
Because when I was writing purchase orders and addressing the envelopes, it was the Kildare Avenue address I was using in the 1970s and 1980s.
 

Flathead_Fred

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Picked up a Durobilt #411 valve lapping tool along with a seat cutter and valve face cutting tool. I was drawn to it because it had the complete Duro writing and logo on it. The guy I bought it from said it was his grandpa's valve job kit. I tried to just clean it up but the paint just fell off hence a complete redo. The perfect color match for the Duro red is VHT caliper paint #SP731 Real Red. I don't know why I am so enamored with the old Duro tools but I can't pass them up. The valve face cutter appears to be a Zim Mfg. (just pretend the extension is a valve).Done.JPG20260503_123755.jpg20260503_131956.jpg
 

Ayrhead

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So, just curious, up in Ontariariarioooo, Canada that would be like $25.00 to $35.00. What’s it worth where you are??
 

MR.X

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I posted this ratchet on the Williams thread a couple days ago for obvious reasons. Found in an old dirty toolbox at a neighborhood sale in Dearborn Michigan. 3 ratchets for $2.00. Thoughts?
 

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Outlawmws

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Several/many companies made those I-Beam style ratchets. I have a SO 3/8 that just feels great in the hand, and you know you can pull on it harder without hurting yourself.

Same reason I like the Indestro paddle style drive tools.
 
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Cruzan80

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Outlaw, I think the odd part for most people is that the style with a angled end off the ratchet and the overall outline screams "Williams" to most people. Curious if you have seen others that are virtually identical with different branding.
 

Cruzan80

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The grip handle (the slight flare/oval), and the rextangular protrusion with a screw to the right of "Off" in the first picture.

Also, I have seen few items with Indestro branded into the casting, as they seemed to prefer stamping (so Duro/Indestro parts could both come off the same line).

I am not an expert, just what I am noticing. Hoping to be proved wrong.
 

four.cycle

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You think maybe there's a possibility that Indestro (of Chicago) outsourced that unit from Williams (Brooklyn, New York) at some point?

When did Williams first begin manufacturing that style ratchet? (I don't know jack about Williams.)

It's too close to a Williams to have not been outsourced, I thinks.

What else makes sense?
 

Outlawmws

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You think maybe there's a possibility that Indestro (of Chicago) outsourced that unit from Williams (Brooklyn, New York) at some point?

When did Williams first begin manufacturing that style ratchet? (I don't know jack about Williams.)

It's too close to a Williams to have not been outsourced, I thinks.

What else makes sense?

This makes perfect sense to me, especially during WWII wartime production, as once contracts were awarded those companies would often outsource if it was past their production capacity or specialty.
 

four.cycle

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^ MTF is another brand I know absolutely nothing about, but I think you're on the right track.

I know for certain that Indestro outsourced MANY items in their catalogs, so nothing would surprise me.
 

MR.X

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I’d like to compare that MTF, a Williams and this Indestro side by side. Unfortunately, all my tools are not in one location. Here’s some side by side pics with an AA example. Also like to compare that style MTF with 3bay’s Detroit Tool Mfg example.
 

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Ayrhead

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A pair of Indestro Super DOE 1/2 x 9/16 wrenches. One is marked with a 2 and the other with a T2.
 

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