Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

four.cycle · Nov 5, 2015

Well... that is interesting.... but certainly not surprising.

All of ours were clear plastic with white longitudinal stripes on the handles - the exceptions being the #4694 and #4695 reversible models, which had red and blue handles (respectively.)
I'll have to dig mine out and get photos of them posted.

And for those of you who didn't catch it already, there is a new "ToolArchive dot com" website that is just getting put together.
All my stuff was manufactured between about 1970 and 1984, so he needs your photos of the earlier (and later) stuff.

I had an interesting phone conversation with him earlier today, and learned that there exist some questions about the accuracy of the Duro-Indestro history on the "AA" website.
As we didn't start buying from Indestro until 1970 or 1971, my own knowledge of the company prior to that is essentially nil.
If any of you Indestro/Duro aficionados can shed a bit more light on that one, I am sure he would appreciate your input.

Just purchased one of those little ignition wrench sets this afternoon, although it's missing the original pliers. I thought they were supposed to be a #3441, but after poking around on Ebay it looks like they were actually #3411, but I seem to remember them having a bright finish, unlike those I'm seeing posted on Ebay presently.
Can anyone shed any light on that one for me? Or was that another deal where color/finish changed over the years?

four.cycle · Nov 5, 2015

Username: your yellow-handled #136 screwdriver is an earlier version than mine, as can be seen in the older (1959) catalog below.
Per the January 19, 1959 price sheet: MSRP on the #136 would have been $ .63, Dealer net $ .43, and Mechanic's net $ .38

Outlaw: the 1959 (Indestro) catalog shows the 1/4" drive #8099-1/4" torque wrench with the loop handle, same as yours. Per the 1959 price sheet: MSRP would have been $10.07

just received these today. hopefully they'll make it easier for me to identify some of my stuff.

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 cover by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 44-45 screwdrivers by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 cover by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 43-44 screwdrivers by four.cycle, on Flickr

* double-offset phillips screwdrivers # 4656-12, 4656-23, and 4656-34 had no identifying marks on them and were plain black steel.

bonneyman · Nov 5, 2015

Dang, I may have one of those reversible screw drivers. Didn't know they were Indestro - I always knew them as no-names.

B17E1943 · Nov 5, 2015

four.cycle said:
Just purchased one of those little ignition wrench sets this afternoon, although it's missing the original pliers. I thought they were supposed to be a #3441, but after poking around on Ebay it looks like they were actually #3411, but I seem to remember them having a bright finish, unlike those I'm seeing posted on Ebay presently.

My WWII era pliers are 3411s with a very dull, dark finish.

You gonna scan those catalogs for us? :rocker:

four.cycle · Nov 5, 2015

I believe my mother may have one of the #4694 screwdrivers with the 3/16" slotted blade x #1 phillips and the red handle. I'll have to check next time I'm over there.

Indestro Super 4695 reversible screwdriver 1/4" x #2 phillips 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 4695 reversible screwdriver 1/4" x #2 phillips 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

four.cycle · Nov 5, 2015

I am told this printer/fax machine in front of me has a scanner, but I am not sure if we have the software to build a *.pdf file from the images. We are going to look into that matter in fairly short order, gentlemen.

Remember now: Todd needs your photos and history information for that "ToolArchives dot com" site he's in the process of building!

(And I'm going to have to figure out a way to get better quality images for him as well.)

B17E1943 said:
My WWII era pliers are 3411s with a very dull, dark finish.

That's all I'm seeing right now on Ebay, but the few there all have mangled jaws, as though someone used them for a pipe wrench.

from the 1972 catalog page 38:
"Midget utility plier for use on ignition, radio, television, etc. Opening to 9/16". Brightly plated. Mounted on colored card for display. No. 3411 Midget Utility Plier"

oak_park · Nov 6, 2015

I'd bet those flip screwdrivers were made for Indestro by Vaco.

four.cycle · Nov 6, 2015

^ first thing that pops up for "Google Images" for "Vaco Screwdriver" is:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59742

who knew?

(scroll down just a bit on that thread for the early "Vaco" advertisement.)

Outlawmws · Nov 6, 2015

Try Google image for " old vise" :lol:

four.cycle · Nov 7, 2015

happened upon this and didn't recall seeing it in this thread. some of you may find it of interest. 1935 Duro Tool Catalog in *.pdf format. (7.28 mb)

http://www.mediafire.com/?y3kut4ob21cir6s

okay... why am I a "senior member" all of a sudden? post count? is that what did that?

should I feel older?

Outlawmws · Nov 7, 2015

VERY Cool Catalog Link! Thanks!

And yes, Congrats on surpassing 100 posts and becoming a senior member!

bonneyman · Nov 7, 2015

Went out to the shop and photo'd my driver. All it says is Made in USA. But the shank construction is identical to ones already posted.

four.cycle · Nov 7, 2015

when oak_park made the comment just above about Vaco, I went Google searching.
perusing Vaco's website, I'd venture that Indestro was probably outsourcing those from Vaco along with their line of nut-drivers. but that's just a wild guess on my part.
but it does makes perfect sense. why would you tool up to manufacture an item and make it look exactly like the competition's? (well... okay... .if you're in China it makes sense.... )

can't be all things to all people... and as I mentioned above, from conversations in the past with sales reps, and factory people at trade shows, there was a lot of sourcing of stuff back and forth between manufacturers.
(I'm still thinking that Indestro was sourcing some pullers from Owatonna (OTC), but that's just another speculative guess.)

four.cycle · Nov 8, 2015

* I am taking the liberty of posting this in this thread as well in the hopes of it getting the attention of someone who might be able to answer my question. *

I recently learned that all of the archived catalogs I had entrusted to a relative were disposed of, so I have no way to determine the age of this item.
I am wondering if anyone here might be able to take a look and offer their opinion as to vintage.

The unit functions perfectly. Unfortunately, it was necessary to replace the wire leads, which were no longer functional. I did manage to retain and re-use the original plugs that connect the leads to the device.

C.E. Niehoff & Co. Model T-2 voltmeter

manufactured by C.E. Niehoff & Co., 4925 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Il.

Niehoff T-2 voltmeter 01 front by four.cycle, on Flickr

Niehoff T-2 voltmeter 02 front by four.cycle, on Flickr

Niehoff T-2 voltmeter 03 back by four.cycle, on Flickr

Outlawmws · Nov 8, 2015

No direct knowledge but I recognize the name (I used to buy/see Neihoff car parts for alternators/generators and possibly points/condensers...), and the cloth insulated wires and soldered connections indicate 60's and probably older. I'd think post WWII however.

A quick search for "Niehoff" on Eprey verifies my recollection of their former markets.

C.E Neihoff is still in business, and still in Chicago, but now specializes in alternators for severe use and high output markets. you could try contacting them directly and see if they happen yo have any interest in discussing their history...

http://www.brushlessalternators.com/index.asp

four.cycle · Nov 8, 2015

Outlaw-
My father started selling Niehoff ignition in the early 1940s, so I'm pretty familiar with the line - it was one of almost 200 that we purchased direct as Warehouse Distributors.
Niehoff became a subsidiary of TRW in the early 1980s, and then subsequently was acquired by Borg-Warner (by which time we had changed lines and went with Wells-Ampco.)
I went through the Niehoff plant in Chicago in 1971. Fascinating watching them make distributor caps and other ignition parts.
But this piece pre-dates my experience with the line.
I was guessing 1940s vintage when I purchased it, but after opening it up and looking at the wiring inside I'm thinking it's probably earlier vintage - possibly 1930s.
Was just hoping that someone among the membership here might be able to offer some insight.
I had old Niehoff catalogs that went back to the late 1930s - we always saved the old ones so we could look up parts for older models - but they were unfortunately tossed out.

---

Oh... and by the way:
I was flipping through that Indestro Catalog #55 (supposedly 1972), and it shows the #8099-1/4" with the loop handle - same as your "Duro".

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 36-37 torque wrenches pliers by four.cycle, on Flickr

I should probably note that the Catalog No. 55 (supposedly a 1972, according to the seller) was the same catalog we were still using well into the mid-1980s.

ganymede · Nov 8, 2015

Not sure how old these are. 3/8 flex is Indesto Super and the overly plump 1/4" drive is Indestro.View media item 54709

four.cycle · Nov 9, 2015

little pear head is a #6072 ?? (24-tooth)
3/8" swivel-head is a # 2736 (52-tooth)

four.cycle · Nov 9, 2015

Ganymede-

Your #6072 appears in the 1972 catalog, but not in the 1959 catalog.
It looks exactly like the stock we were selling in the 1970s and 1980s; knurled round handle, smooth polished head and shank on handle. I would be curious to see the other side. Is it stamped with the part number and "Super"? Is there a patent number stamped on it?

The #2736 appears in both the 1972 and the 1959 catalog, although there was clearly a design change at some point: the earlier version has the flat handle (as opposed to your knurled round handle.) Is it stamped "Super" and is there a patent number on it?
As above, it looks exactly like the stock we were selling in the 1970s and 1980s, so my guess is that it would be of later production.

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 2-3 1/4" dr. sockets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 4-5 3/8" dr. sockets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 2-3 1/4" dr. sockets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 4-5 1/4" dr. sets and 3/8" dr. attachments by four.cycle, on Flickr

four.cycle · Nov 9, 2015

Gentlemen-

These may be of help on some of your previous questions.

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 330 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 331 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 332 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 333 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 336 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 337 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 338 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 339 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 340 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1938 jensen byrd co ad Indestro pp 341 by four.cycle, on Flickr

ganymede · Nov 9, 2015

Four cycle.
The pics you're posting are a treasure for us here as is your experience at a hardware store. Thanks very much.
When I get home I'll post a pic of the other side of the rats.
Thanks again.

four.cycle · Nov 9, 2015

Chain of auto parts stores and a warehouse, actually - not hardware.
Indestro was one of the first lines my old man put me in charge of - my brother-in-law and I kind of split the product lines - he was doing the buying on the "hard parts" (Carter, Niehoff, Master (Airtex), Fel-Pro, etc.) and I did the "soft stuff" (Indestro, Wilmar (now "Performance Tool"), Cal Custom, Hollywood Accessories, Kastar, etc.) After about 10 years he went into another deal and I ended up doing all the buying - about 160-180 vendors. 183,000 line items in stock in 1988.

See if you've got patent numbers on those ratchets. Might be stamped somewhere on the head.

I think I just ordered one of those 6072 ratchets from an Ebay seller recently.

and...

You're very welcome. I think that with greater knowledge of the product line comes greater appreciation and understanding.
Moreover, the more we collectively know (as buyer, users, and collectors), the greater our capacity to control the rampant over-pricing of these items by Ebay sellers, who (for reasons which are not exactly clear to me) seem to be of the belief that anything stamped "Indestro" is gold-plated and worth a fortune.

Sure, a 1930's vintage complete, NOS socket set with driver and original holder is worth some bucks, but a late-1970s "Super" socket set is simply not worth three or four times what one could buy the same items for from the Snap-On man:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VINTAGE...715288?hash=item3f56d4a1d8:g:4H8AAOSwYHxWPrZQ

ganymede · Nov 9, 2015

Ah, auto parts. Sorry bout that. On this board folks may have even more ?'s for you though.
I checked out the link you posted and I agree. That's a great set practically time warped here from the 70's but not for nine hundred bucks.
Anyway here's the other side of those ratchets. Mechanically I'm sure the flex ratchet is patent #2686582 but there are no marks other than Indestro Super, the model number, and USA. The little pear head has just Indestro, with the model# and USA.

*View media item 54717

Sorry bout the lousy pics but his board insists on cutting the resolution no matter which option I use to add the pic.

Bdgjr215 · Nov 9, 2015

Does anyone know if indestro sold a two drawer toolbox (red) with a set of starter tools
I picked up a box with almost all indestro tools the toolbox seems good quality
Maybe someone with a catalog could check

four.cycle · Nov 9, 2015

thank you, Ganymede.
I don't own a #2736 myself. might pick one up if I can get a decent one for a reasonable price.

Bdgjr - I don't recall any Indestro sets in boxes with drawers myself, but I can take a look in the catalogs I have here.

found this today poking around again. thought it was kind of fun:

1940 Hardware Age Indestro Tool ad pp 47 by four.cycle, on Flickr

four.cycle · Nov 9, 2015

... on the above:

it just occurred to me looking at that ad again that when we dropped Indestro and changed over to Thorsen we had the stores send their tool display boards back to the warehouse.
they were piled up ***-deep to a giraffe back by the loading door.
I had one of the kids haul them out back and set a match to them.

there's a guy on Ebay who's got about a half dozen of them he's asking $300 for the lot.

... if we only knew then what we know now, eh??

Username already in use · Nov 11, 2015

Thanks for the scans, four.cycle. Cool stuff.
Here's a couple of ratchets. The 1/2" drive is Indestro super.

four.cycle · Nov 11, 2015

oooo... now that's weird....

that 2775A should not be a flex head. the 3/8" drive flex head was a #2736. (according to both the 1972 catalog 55 and the 1959 catalog 22 - images shown above.)
my guess would be that someone at some point repaired the head with the #2775A-8 repair kit.
(the "A" ratchet had the 6-point "star" selector knob on the back. the #2875, #2775, and #3275 had the 3-point selector knob, as on your #3275 there.)

I've been looking for a #3275, but have been unable to find a decent one at a reasonable price.

Username already in use · Nov 11, 2015

The flex head 2775A is a nice ratchet. I really like it. Fine tooth, smooth action, and comfortable feel. I feel like I've seen others online? The only brand mark is on the selctor.
What do you consider a 'reasonable price' for the 3275?

Outlawmws · Nov 11, 2015

a 2736 I've had for several decades. This was my first flex head, and I'm pretty sure my first Indestro. Probably bought at a flea market.

four.cycle · Nov 12, 2015

Indestro Super 888 9 piece Ignition Wrench Set in plastic roll-up kit contains: 891 13/64" x 15/64", 892 15/64" x 13/64", 892A 1/4" x 3/16", 893 7/32" x 1/4", 894 1/4" x 7/32", 895 9/32" x 5/16", 896 5/16" x 9/32", 897 11/32" x 3/8"
* missing from set: 898 3/8" x 11/32
* curved shanks as shown in 1959 Indestro catalog No. 22 pp 63

Indestro Super 888 Ignition Wrench Set 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

L to R: 891 13/64" x 15/64", 892 15/64" x 13/64", 892A 1/4" x 3/16", 893 7/32" x 1/4", 894 1/4" x 7/32", 895 9/32" x 5/16", 896 5/16" x 9/32", 897 11/32" x 3/8"
* curved shanks as shown in 1959 Indestro catalog No. 22 pp 63

Indestro Super 888 Ignition Wrench Set 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 888 Ignition Wrench Set 03 by four.cycle, on Flickr

L to R: 891 13/64" x 15/64", 892 15/64" x 13/64", 894 1/4" x 7/32", 897 11/32" x 3/8"
* straight shanks as shown in 1972 Indestro catalog No. 55 pp 30

Indestro Super 891 892 894 897 Ignition Wrenches 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 891 892 894 897 Ignition Wrenches 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 1/2" dr. 6 pt sockets

Duro Indestro 1218H 1/2" dr 9/16" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 1218H 1/2" dr 9/16" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 1228H 1/2" dr 7/8" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 1228H 1/2" dr 7/8" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 1236H 1/2" dr 1-1/8" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 1236H 1/2" dr 1-1/8" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1/2" dr 6 pt sockets

Indestro Super 1214H 1/2" dr 7/16" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1214H 1/2" dr 7/16" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1216H 1/2" dr 1/2" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1216H 1/2" dr 1/2" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1220H 1/2" dr 5/8" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1220H 1/2" dr 5/8" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1222H 1/2" dr 11/16" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1222H 1/2" dr 11/16" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1224H 1/2" dr 3/4" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1224H 1/2" dr 3/4" 6 pt socket_02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1226H 1/2" dr 13/16" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1226H 1/2" dr 13/16" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1230H 1/2" dr 15/16" 6 pt socket 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super 1230H 1/2" dr 15/16" 6 pt socket 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super and Duro Indestro 1/2" dr 6 pt sockets 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Super and Duro Indestro 1/2" dr 6 pt sockets 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

=

There does not appear to be any difference between the "Duro Indestro" and the "Indestro Super" sockets that I can see. Other than the name stamped on them, they're identical in size, broaching, and finish.

four.cycle · Nov 13, 2015

After a few exchanges with Ebay sellers via email, and looking at some recently acquired pieces, it appears there was no difference between Indestro "Super", "Select", or "Duro-Indestro" late-production sockets, other than most (but not all) the "Super" have the knurled band, while the "Select" has one or two parallel bands, and the later "Duro-Indestro" have the knurled bands. (see photos just above and note below.)
Some socket sets were packaged as "Indestro Classic" - I contacted the seller of one listed currently on Ebay and had them take a close look at the sockets, and they are stamped "Indestro" only - no "Super" or "Select" - the sockets have two parallel bands.
listing HERE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Indestro-Cl...644677?hash=item33ac18e4c5:g:4dAAAOSwLVZV02v~

Wrenches, on the other hand, were much different between "Super" and "Select". These are all mid-1970s vintage:

Indestro Select and Indestro Super Double End Offset Box Wrench Comparison 730 731 911 912 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Select and Indestro Super Double End Offset Box Wrench Comparison 730 731 911 912 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

* (in a recently-acquired "grab bag" of sockets, I received a few pieces stamped "Super" which have a single band around the bottom. when I get them cleaned up a bit I'll get images posted here and at ToolArchives.)

ekegelmann · Nov 13, 2015

Any idea of the year these were made? Value? Thanks in advance.

ganymede · Nov 13, 2015

Fourcycle and ekegelmann ..
A while back I did a google books search for Indestro and some 70's magazine ads came up for Indestro classic socket sets and wrench sets too.

four.cycle · Nov 14, 2015

ekegelmann -
I'm going to make a wild guess and say they're probably about the same vintage as my own, which I bought in the mid-1970s.
They're shown in the 1959 catalog with the same part numbers, but the drawing shows them having "Indestro Super" stamped on one straight line, as opposed to the "Super" being stamped on an arc (as yours are.)
As for "value" - well... that all depends upon what a willing buyer is ready to pay for them. It looks as though $29.99 was a bit high, and they went for the "best offer" today on Ebay. I saw them pop up earlier today when they were first posted there, but I figured the asking price was a wee bit steep; I've managed to pick up a couple singles for much less than $10 a pop.

... and while we're on Ebay... did this guy paint this pair of snap-ring pliers, or are my eyes lying to me?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121814773977?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

ekegelmann · Nov 14, 2015

four.cycle said:
ekegelmann -
I'm going to make a wild guess and say they're probably about the same vintage as my own, which I bought in the mid-1970s.
They're shown in the 1959 catalog with the same part numbers, but the drawing shows them having "Indestro Super" stamped on one straight line, as opposed to the "Super" being stamped on an arc (as yours are.)
As for "value" - well... that all depends upon what a willing buyer is ready to pay for them. It looks as though $29.99 was a bit high, and they went for the "best offer" today on Ebay. I saw them pop up earlier today when they were first posted there, but I figured the asking price was a wee bit steep; I've managed to pick up a couple singles for much less than $10 a pop.

... and while we're on Ebay... did this guy paint this pair of snap-ring pliers, or are my eyes lying to me?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121814773977?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

i checked that out, very strange. i dont think they are painted but they do look strange.

popparoach · Nov 14, 2015

popparoach · Nov 14, 2015

popparoach · Nov 14, 2015

For clarity ,these aren't mine,they are at a store around here in okc.12.99 for the 3/8. The wrenches are 29.99 and they had quite a few.

stonesfan68 · Dec 8, 2015

I found this 3/8 flex head ratchet at an estate sale. It has a broken retaining wire. Anyone have any ideas as to where to buy a replacement wire? It seems to be a really nice ratchet and I'd like to put it back in service.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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