Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

Private Lugnutz · Apr 30, 2021

BlakeTheCarGuy said:
I found it strange they would put 2 16th sizes on one wrench but ok.

Openings of 11/16 x 13/16 is an odd combination, I agree, hence the need for a letter caveat to squeeze it into the old Williams' inspired industry standard numbering system, but the 27C (9/16 x 11/16) was actually a very popular and common wrench set wrench in the 30's and 40's. It was crucial in getting from 3/8" to 1", including all the major sizes in between without duplicating an end, in only six wrenches, which is the reason the Army used it in their GMTK's for decades.

Speaking of GMTK's, I found a 2015A (13/16" x 7/8") today. It's the middle wrench in a 3-piece 15* angle pattern set specified by the Ordnance Dept, along with an even harder-to-find 2014A (11/16" x 3/4") and 2016 (15/16" x 1"). It's prewar, but will make a good placeholder for someone having a hard time finding the real deal. Shown with a wartime example below for comparison. Wartime on top. Note the Circle-DC logo and no vanadium marking.

Private Lugnutz · Apr 30, 2021

And, if only to demonstrate just how ̶e̶x̶a̶c̶t̶i̶n̶g̶l̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶t̶a̶i̶l̶-̶o̶r̶i̶e̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ crazy GMTK collectors can be, here is my imperfect set. They are all Duro, all spec-correct, and all wartime. But two are Circle-DC stamp, and one is a "G" stamp. I am always on the hunt for a Circle-DC 2014A, but if anybody has one, I'm your huckleberry.

d42jeep · Apr 30, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
And, if only to demonstrate just how ̶e̶x̶a̶c̶t̶i̶n̶g̶l̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶t̶a̶i̶l̶-̶o̶r̶i̶e̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ crazy GMTK collectors can be, here is my imperfect set. They are all Duro, all spec-correct, and all wartime. But two are Circle-DC stamp, and one is a "G" stamp. I am always on the hunt for a Circle-DC 2014A, but if anybody has one, I'm your huckleberry.

My Duro dilemma is exactly the same.
-Don

BlakeTheCarGuy · Apr 30, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
Openings of 11/16 x 13/16 is an odd combination, I agree, hence the need for a letter caveat to squeeze it into the old Williams' inspired industry standard numbering system, but the 27C (9/16 x 11/16) was actually a very popular and common wrench set wrench in the 30's and 40's. It was crucial in getting from 3/8" to 1", including all the major sizes in between without duplicating an end, in only six wrenches, which is the reason the Army used it in their GMTK's for decades.

Speaking of GMTK's, I found a 2015A (13/16" x 7/8") today. It's the middle wrench in a 3-piece 15* angle pattern set specified by the Ordnance Dept, along with an even harder-to-find 2014A (11/16" x 3/4") and 2016 (15/16" x 1"). It's prewar, but will make a good placeholder for someone having a hard time finding the real deal. Shown with a wartime example below for comparison. Wartime on top. Note the Circle-DC logo and no vanadium marking.

That’s cool good info. I have one like that double box end that’s a 9/16x5/8 I think and it has a Circle Y code I believe.

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Private Lugnutz · Apr 30, 2021

I've been working on this No. 110 "Nut & Tap" set (see Pics 1 & 2) forever, and just my luck, when I do happen to find another wrench at the flea just this morning, not only is a duplicate of a size I already have, it's actually from the No. 112 "Nut and Rethreader" set. See Pics 3, 4, & 5. The last thing I need is another impossible Indestro set to complete the old-fashioned onesy-twosy way!

Notlob posted a complete set on page 26 (Post #513).

four.cycle · Apr 30, 2021

^ Oooo those are fun to try to find complete!

You did, of course, know that those were originally supplied with a "stepped" screw and brass knurled nut to hold the set together, right?
Just like the model 147 sets, although the 147 was held together with the "stepped" screw and a wing nut.

I believe J.P. Danielson used a similar "stepped" screw on those "Auto Kit 100" sets.

papaw actually found a machinist who made some of them several years back.

(Your 900-4C box-open end set was originally held together with a regular slotted-head machine screw and wing nut.)

Indestro 112 119 SAE Nut and Rethreader Wrench Set (Ebay 162816834082 01).jpg

Indestro 112 119 SAE Nut and Rethreader Wrench Set (Ebay 162816834082 02).jpg

Indestro 112 119 SAE Nut and Rethreader Wrench Set (Ebay 162816834082 03).jpg

Indestro 147 6-pc SAE Flat Box End Wrench Set 01.jpg

Indestro 147 6-pc SAE Flat Box End Wrench Set 03.jpg

(As an aside: That second set - the 147 - I've seen listed on Ebay branded "Sherman Klove and "New Britain/None Better", which begs the question of "Who really made them?" and then "WHY would New Britain or Sherman-Klove be buying from Duro/Indestro?")

BlakeTheCarGuy · May 1, 2021

Here is a cool one. It’s Duro-Indestro it’s the first torx bit socket I’ve seen from them. Size T55. Number 570T.

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LesserSon · May 1, 2021

four.cycle, Lugz -
I see individuals of that type occasionally. Never a set. I don’t usually buy them, except when they’re in a lot.
I wonder, though, how many hundreds of stepped screws I may have utterly ignored in mixed jars, boxes, etc?
I have one size Lugz is looking for, but I’m almost to a set myself.

I have one generic “141” in which the hole is bigger than the Indestro-marked versions. Do you think non-branded sets were sold on a non-stepped screw?

four.cycle · May 1, 2021

^ I don't know if I've ever see that particular style wrench without a brand on it.
Here's a "Sherman Klove" branded set that was just listed on ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324598652779

Sherman Klove SAE stamped wrench set (ebay 324598652779 01).jpg

Sherman Klove SAE stamped wrench set (ebay 324598652779 02).jpg

As an odd coincidence:

An ebay seller just listed half a dozen of these early stamped-steel wrench sets. Unfortunately the screws which hold the sets together are not shown in the photos, but collectively they do show that these were made by a number of different companies - or were they?
I have yet to figure out who "Aetna" and "Crown" were made by.

Posted HERE: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9061670#post9061670

LesserSon · May 1, 2021

Aside from which direction these are stamped, Crown and Wizard (Worchester MA) appear identical.

I guess, being stamped, there’s not much besides the guage of steel and the outline of the die to distinguish them. Nothing to patent after the long-expired first generation.

four.cycle · May 1, 2021

^ seller just added photos of screws on those sets. of the five sets, three of them have the original screws, which are not all the same:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9061670#post9061670

Private Lugnutz · May 1, 2021

four.cycle said:
You did, of course, know that those were originally supplied with a "stepped" screw and brass knurled nut to hold the set together, right?...[ ]...I believe J.P. Danielson used a similar "stepped" screw on those "Auto Kit 100" sets.

Yes, and yes. But, I have no expectations of finding the correct screw and nut, and I'd be satisfied enough just completing the set that I would put anything close through the tap hole to hold them together. I have a few other Auto-Kit style wrench sets, found as complete sets, with the correct clip or screw and nut/wingnut.

LesserSon said:
four.cycle, Lugz -
I see individuals of that type occasionally. Never a set. I don’t usually buy them, except when they’re in a lot.

I will buy orphans if I know I need them. I see you're just the smallest one shy. Nice job. I am also working on a New Britain set.

four.cycle · May 1, 2021

no... mine are all complete, with original screws and nuts.
the others I posted were from Ebay listings.

Provincial · May 2, 2021

I have a 1/2 drive speeder that has no manufacturer's name on it. All it says is "NO 3209 MADE IN USA" The shape of the handle and flange behind the square drive, combined with the shape of the crank lead me to believe that it is a shorter version of the Indestro 3208 from the late 1930's.

Can someone confirm this?

Does anyone know why Indestro would not put their name on this item?

Outlawmws · May 2, 2021

Probably to put in packaged sets for other branding. Nearly all tool companies did that.

four.cycle · May 2, 2021

yes, the 3209 was a short version of the 3208. both were being manufactured at the same time.

Indestro 3208 3209 Speeder Handles 1935 Indestro catalog pp 11.jpg

As noted, Indestro supplied a number of private brand accounts (Western Auto, Montgomery Ward, True Value) and produced a lot of product without their name on it.

cchamelin · May 2, 2021

My favorite bit of Indestro that I have.

BlakeTheCarGuy · May 3, 2021

Here we go. This is a No.2850 1/4 breaker bar. I read online it’s an Indestro Super. It was in that bucket I got today at the estate sale full of wartime tools. I’m not sure the age but still cool.

Then here is a Duro-Chrome 11/16 socket as well from that same estate sale.

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Mintgrun · May 3, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
And, if only to demonstrate just how ̶e̶x̶a̶c̶t̶i̶n̶g̶l̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶t̶a̶i̶l̶-̶o̶r̶i̶e̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ crazy GMTK collectors can be, here is my imperfect set. They are all Duro, all spec-correct, and all wartime. But two are Circle-DC stamp, and one is a "G" stamp. I am always on the hunt for a Circle-DC 2014A, but if anybody has one, I'm your huckleberry.

Well, darn it. I thought I'd found your Circle-DC wrench, but I found the next smaller size. Would a 2013 be a worthy addition to your set? I'm afraid it is missing the "A", but it does say DC.

It's still got a little of that pretty bluish-grey plating.

Tom

rustyzman · May 3, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
When I spotted this "Dart" style combo wrench at the flea this morning, my heart skipped a beat and I scoured every box on that table twice looking for more. Alas, just the one. This is the first one I have ever seen in the wild, and I think there may be only one other example on the thread.

Geez,
I gave away two of those to my Buddy for his son's growing tool kit!
Of course, Duro/Indestro was pretty much in my backyard so to speak....
At least it will be well cared for by him!

Private Lugnutz · May 3, 2021

They're that kind of wrench. Rare (they only made them for 2 or 3 years max... ), but not high value rare, and from a meat-and-potatoes brand. Duro guys who know what they are want them, but it's not like they're famous. So they're not in circulation, they're in old toolboxes. Cool looking wrenches though!

rustyzman · May 3, 2021

The good news is, if any young guy just starting out would appreciate the rare and unusual nature of specific old tools, he will. Good guy.

d42jeep · May 5, 2021

I added the u-joint to the 3/8” drive Duro/D-I set and took a picture with the matching wartime speeder I received recently. Thanks to Username and four.cycle for the contributions.
-Don

Private Lugnutz · May 6, 2021

Snagged this 3/8-inch drive box at the flea this morning. Just needs a little straightening in that one spot on the lid in the front.

four.cycle · May 6, 2021

d42jeep - glad to see that spinner had some use or purpose!

Private Lugnutz - pretty fabulous find there. weird kink on that lid - makes me wonder about the "how". :headscrat

Private Lugnutz · May 6, 2021

four.cycle said:
Private Lugnutz - pretty fabulous find there.

Thanks. Believe it or not, I don't think I have a single 3/8-inch drive tool. I'll have to start paying more attention for them.

bmwrd0 · May 6, 2021

I would have picked up that box in a heartbeat! Very nice find.

I am pretty sure I have some stuff that would go in there, let me rustle around, see what I find and I'll put it in the Lugz pile.

four.cycle · May 6, 2021

You mean like this?

This one was listed on Ebay by a new seller who obviously had no idea what they had:

Indestro Select 85010 15-pc 3.8 dr SAE socket set 01.jpg

This is my user set I've had since high school:

Indestro Super 3.8 dr SAE socket set 01.jpg

outofbounds · May 6, 2021

Did a very quick visit on a podunk auto parts swap meet in Grand Rapids Michigan and brought this home. (paid a premium to enter early and a good thing as I walked back out at opening time with about 600 fine folks waiting to jam into the repurposed supermarket. NOT my scene!) Unmarked 3202-R ratchet with two plugs. Wondering if the capped drive plug is original to the piece or perhaps is the other one (the seller ran down the aisle to make sure I had it)

d42jeep · May 6, 2021

outofbounds said:
Did a very quick visit on a podunk auto parts swap meet in Grand Rapids Michigan and brought this home. (paid a premium to enter early and a good thing as I walked back out at opening time with about 600 fine folks waiting to jam into the repurposed supermarket. NOT my scene!) Unmarked 3202-R ratchet with two plugs. Wondering if the capped drive plug is original to the piece or perhaps is the other one (the seller ran down the aisle to make sure I had it)

The capped plug is the original. That’s an Indestro ratchet.
-Don

outofbounds · May 6, 2021

d42jeep said:
The capped plug is the original. That’s an Indestro ratchet.
-Don

Thanks as always, Don. Does the part number jibe with an Indestro model, or perhaps as a retailer or similar, like Western Auto?

four.cycle · May 6, 2021

outofbounds said:
Wondering if the capped drive plug is original to the piece or perhaps is the other one (the seller ran down the aisle to make sure I had it)

The "mushroom head" unit is the original Indestro piece. The part number on it is 3215.
The 3202-R is an Indestro part number. 36-tooth if I am not mistaken.

Indestro 3202 and 3202R 1.2 drive ratchets 1948 Indestro catalog.jpg

Indestro 3202R 1.2 dr ratchet - 1959 Indestro catalog No. 22 pp 8.jpg

Indestro 3215 1.2 dr ratchet adapter plug 1948 Indestro catalog No. 16 pp 8.jpg

outofbounds · May 6, 2021

four.cycle said:
The "mushroom head" unit is the original Indestro piece. The part number on it is 3215.
The 3202-R is an Indestro part number. 36-tooth if I am not mistaken.

Thanks for that additional insight 4C! Curious to me why Indestro wasn't marked on the tool itself. Especially because that had to have been a high-end ratchet in its day.

four.cycle · May 6, 2021

Some of them were stamped "Indestro". Some were stamped only "Chicago". Some were stamped with only the patent number.
They must have cranked out boatloads of them - it has one of the longest production runs of any U.S. made ratchet. Many of them were made for their private label accounts (Western Auto, Montgomery Ward, etc.) so they are lacking any marks which identify the manufacturer.

There is another thread which is devoted exclusively to the pressed flange ratchet (patent 1902878) HERE: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36699

d42jeep · May 7, 2021

I found a few Duro and Indestro tools at an estate sale this morning. I was very happy to see the ignition wrench roll in decent condition. I immediately loaded it with some spares. I was hoping that I found an 8 point auto kit wrench but it turned out to be 12 point. The last picture is an early 13/16” socket with stars.
-Don

RTM · May 7, 2021

Silly question, is that a DC/I wrench shape? I found a single wrench, looked Engineer like, but with the hole broached for a 12 pt. It doesn’t have the auto set hole in the middle.
Says FORGED USA on one side, blank on the other recessed panel.

TL/DR is this a Indestro?

Provincial · May 7, 2021

"FORGED USA" was often the only marking on Barcalo "Deco" DOE wrenches. Perhaps they made your wrench?

d42jeep · May 7, 2021

Provincial said:
"FORGED USA" was often the only marking on Barcalo "Deco" DOE wrenches. Perhaps they made your wrench?

I think that Provincial has nailed it.
-Don

RTM · May 7, 2021

Cool, I’ll go poke around there. I’ve got 6 or 8 whozits I’m trying to figure out, one wrench it socket at a time.

four.cycle · May 8, 2021

There is another thread in the vintage forum which is dedicated to that type of wrench HERE:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354478

They were made by Indestro, Barcalo Buffalo, and J.P. Danielson, each of which has fairly easily distinguishable characteristics and markings.

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