Indestro 2875 1/4 Ratchet

[WhatAmIDoingWrong]

I don't have many 1/4 ratchets and I wanted to try an Indestro. Anybody here have a 2875 and is it any good? Is there a different Indestro I should get instead? Thanks.

 

[Mickey O]

Excellent ratchet, was my first ratchet, got it at the Indestro plant when I was a kid.

 

[3baygarage]

Mickey, how did you go about getting that at the plant. Was it a tour or did they have a store there or something?

 

[Mickey O]

Mickey, how did you go about getting that at the plant. Was it a tour or did they have a store there or something?

My neighbor was a machinist and made things for Indestro, his shop was on their "campus" (huge place). I'd go down there with him when I could.

 

[WhatAmIDoingWrong]

Excellent ratchet, was my first ratchet, got it at the Indestro plant when I was a kid.

That's cool, any idea what stores they use to sell through? I'd never heard of them before I started lurking on here and I don't know anybody who has.

 

[wrenchr]

Indestro also made tools for auto part stores, wizard comes to mind and these were made for western auto. I think I have a NOS ratchet of the one mentioned to. I'll post a pic later. Not for sale just sharing............

 

[four.cycle]

I don't have many 1/4 ratchets and I wanted to try an Indestro. Anybody here have a 2875 and is it any good? Is there a different Indestro I should get instead? Thanks.

The 2875 Indestro is probably one of the best 1/4" drive RHFT ratchets ever designed.
Originally produced with a 52-tooth mechanism, it was later superseded by the 2875A, which has a "star wheel" selector and uses a 60-tooth mechanism.

There is a whole bin full of new NOS 2875A models at Meridian Tool in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, they do not sell online or over the phone, and they do not ship. They are strictly cash-and-carry.
You might check with a member here who lives in that area and see if there's a possibility of working something out through them. (GJ members "potato" and "popparoach" immediately come to mind.)

Duro Chrome, Indestro's "sister company" (which operated in the same plant in Chicago) produced the exact same model as a number 4475. There is one here at the far right in this image:



Both the 2875 Indestro and the 4475 Duro Chrome appear on Ebay now and then. They do not go cheap. The last 4475 Duro Chrome sold on Dec. 1 for $32.00 + $6.87 shipping. (see HERE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Dur...170726?hash=item5b2e5251a6:g:2D4AAOSwcUBYI2uS )

Generally, you can figure on paying anywhere from $22.00 up to $40.00 for either model, depending upon condition and how much somebody else wants it if it's an auction item.

Indestro also produced the same unit for Western Auto in the "Wizard" brand as a model H2748. They also can be fairly spendy. (see HERE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-WIZ...225029?hash=item41b89dd285:g:cYwAAOSw44BYOhv2 )

Indestro did produce other models of 1/4" drive ratchets, the most common being the model 6072 pear head, seen fourth from right in the image above. It employs a 24-tooth mechanism, but don't get caught up in the "tooth count" delusion; it's a nice piece of machinery. The same model was also available in the Duro Chrome brand, but off the top of my head I don't recall the model number. They may have also produced it in the "Wizard" brand for Western Auto.

Indestro did produce a few other models of 1/4" drive ratchets, the latest of which was the 2880 Indestro-Roberts model, seen second from right in the image above. It has a 24-tooth mechanism, and uses the same mechanism patented by Peter Roberts and used in the older Craftsman quick-release models. It is a "locking quick release" design, and was introduced as the greatest thing since sliced bread when it was first produced. Personally I think it's more a novelty than the proverbial "better mousetrap", but that's just my lousy opinion. They are quite rare, and can be rather expensive.

Earlier Indestro 1/4" drive ratchets include the 6070 open-gear model, which had a relatively short production run. They are virtually non-existent.

Prior to the 6070, Indestro made a 2889 pressed-flange reversible model using patent 1902878. (for examples of this design, see HERE:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36699 )
The 2889, like the 2880, is quite uncommon, and generally sells for what most would consider an exorbitant price. There was one listed yesterday that sold within four hours for $49.99 + $5.99 shipping ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ind...517996?hash=item43fd011f2c:g:M-UAAOSw5cNYhUzN )
I would have grabbed it but it wasn't in as nice a condition as mine.

The earliest 1/4" square drive ratchet Indestro produced was the 2888, examples of which can be seen in the "Duro Ratchet?" thread I posted the link to just above. They are a non-reversible female drive pressed-flange design, and do appear on Ebay now and then, but for the most part they're in poor condition and almost always lacking the drive adapter, making them essentially useless other than as a collector item.

Best of luck in your search. If you are able to find one on Ebay, I would encourage you to not vacillate about clicking the "buy now" button. They don't last long.

Hope that helps to answer your questions.

BK

* As an aside, you might want to look through the "Best 1/4" ratchet?" thread ( HERE:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193134 )
"Best ratchet" is really rather subjective and is more determined by personal preference than tooth count or brand or price.
If you do not already own a 40970 S-K, or a 2426 or 2400 Wright (second and third from left in the above image, respectively), you might want to take a look at those as well. You should be able to find a nice little S-K for right around $20 bucks easily on Ebay. The Wright will set you back a bit more.

 

[WhatAmIDoingWrong]

Thank you for the info. I've got a couple more to keep an eye out for on ebay now. I would ask how much a NOS 2875A is, but I probably don't want to know. I've only got a couple Craftsmans right now in 1/4 plus my torque wrench. I'll probably get the S-K first if I can't find an Indestro in the next couple weeks.

 

[WhatAmIDoingWrong]

Wrong spot for this, but does anyone have an Indestro 3270A that they would be willing to part with? I'd like to get one or the Wizard equivalent for about $25-30. Here's one that's sold on eBay recently. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ind...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[ssdave]

The only real tragedy is that Indestro didn't make a flex head 1/4 to match the 3/8 and the 1/2". I'd love to have one.

 

[WhatAmIDoingWrong]

The only real tragedy is that Indestro didn't make a flex head 1/4 to match the 3/8 and the 1/2". I'd love to have one.

I know, spent awhile looking for one after I saw the 3/8 and 1/2 versions.

 

[3baygarage]

My neighbor was a machinist and made things for Indestro, his shop was on their "campus" (huge place). I'd go down there with him when I could.

That's pretty cool. They made nice tools built to last.

 

[four.cycle]

"...does anyone have an Indestro 3270A..."

yeah.

"...about $25-30..."

uhhh... no.

I finally found one and ordered it, only to discover the guts were all rusted to hell, so I had to buy a 3275 so I could cannibalize it and fix the 3270. It's still sitting out in the kitchen on my dry sink waiting for me to get to it.
They're pretty scarce (at least on Ebay) so if you do come across one and it's in decent condition, like I said above: don't dilly-dally around getting your cursor over to the "buy now" button.

Oh... yeah... an NOS 2875A? As I said above: you need to connect with somebody in Oklahoma City and have them get you one from Meridian Tool. Tell them I want a couple of them too.

 

[WhatAmIDoingWrong]

I finally found one and ordered it, only to discover the guts were all rusted to hell, so I had to buy a 3275 so I could cannibalize it and fix the 3270.

That *****. I saw that they made flex heads and I figured it would be smarter to get one of those first,(assuming I can find one) since I don't have any in half inch. Hopefully I can find one on eBay or at a flea market, I do see some Wizard tools around here occasionally.

 

[four.cycle]

Might be easier to find a Wizard (or other make.)
Search Ebay: "duro ratchet" and "wizard ratchet".
I have no idea if they were available in Powr-Kraft (Montgomery Ward) or "Westline" or "Westcraft" (Western Auto) - Indestro was a contract supplier to both. Might be worth checking.

PRO side on those Indestro RHFT flex heads: great mechanism. 52-tooth.
CON side: they have a four-position "detent" groove cut into the business end of the drive head where it pivots, meaning you have four positions, not a full 180° arc (as one would have with a Thorsen or other makes.) This is also the case on the 2736 (and 2736A) 3/8" drive model, as well as the later 3270A 1/2" drive 60-tooth model.

 

[wasabiboys]

I have been a fan of indestro and Four cycle literally knows everything +1

 

[four.cycle]

^ Ha! I'm a rookie at this stuff. I just learn fast.

I have the advantage of having been the former buyer for a chain of retail stores, and Indestro was one of the first lines my old man put me in charge of, so I'm well-acquainted with the later-production stuff. The early stuff is still a puzzle, however, as I only have catalogs for 1935, 1948, 1959, 1972, and 1982. Those in-between years make determining vintage on some items a matter of "best guess".

WhatAmIDoingWrong - here you go - just listed - grab it quick!

WIZARD H2748 RHFT ratchet
used
$25.00 + $8.35 shipping OBO "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-D-W...013615?hash=item211f3d05af:g:0cEAAOSw5cNYiUCX

I would ask how much a NOS 2875A is, but I probably don't want to know.

We just had a new member sign on who just happens to be the son of the owner of Meridian Tool in Oklahoma City. They have a whole bin full of the 2875A ratchets with price stickers on them that (if I am reading it correctly) are $7.99 each.

See his post HERE: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6268393#post6268393

 

[Zeeman]

Might be easier to find a Wizard (or other make.)
Search Ebay: "duro ratchet" and "wizard ratchet".
I have no idea if they were available in Powr-Kraft (Montgomery Ward) or "Westline" or "Westcraft" (Western Auto) - Indestro was a contract supplier to both. Might be worth checking.

PRO side on those Indestro RHFT flex heads: great mechanism. 52-tooth.
CON side: they have a four-position "detent" groove cut into the business end of the drive head where it pivots, meaning you have four positions, not a full 180° arc (as one would have with a Thorsen or other makes.) This is also the case on the 2736 (and 2736A) 3/8" drive model, as well as the later 3270A 1/2" drive 60-tooth model.

Hey Fourcycle, I was putting together 3 vintage tool sets for my boys for Christmas, and one got a Wizzard socket set that was his grandfather-in-laws. It was a neat set.

 

[oak_park]

One thing I've always like about the Indestro flex heads is how stiff they usually are. The detent groove on the head is usually wider and deeper than say a flex head easco, craftsman rhft flex, etc. The detent ball that holds on the socket has always seemed stiffer too, in the many I've come across. I've had to use a small flat blade to pry the socket off some the nos ones I've had.

 

[McFarmer]

Found this in a tool box that has been in the farm shop since forever. I have been in this shop for all my 65 years and never used it and don’t know where it came from.

Anyone wants it to complete a set or whatever I’ll send it to them. I think there may be some sockets around that came with it. It was in a Montgomery Wards box. I’ll look if anyone is interested.

I would appreciate postage money back but no big deal, just don’t get it to resell on eBay please.

 

[3baygarage]

McFarmer, I will take you up on that offer if still available. Pm sent.

 

[Monkeybutler6]

How does a Indestro 2875 compare to a S-K 40970 or a wright 2400?

 

[four.cycle]

Most of the Indestro models you will find have a 52-tooth mechanism and a tri-wing selector knob on the back.
Earlier production models (1954 to early-mid 1960s (?) ) had a four-point selector knob.



The later 2875A had a 60-tooth mechanism.

Head diameter is 1-1/32". (If you want more accuracy on measurement see chruler.com)



The Wright model 2400 has a slightly smaller head diameter and an equal, if not smoother action. I have a couple here, as well as the Wright model 2426, and an older Wright 2400 re-branded as "Powr-Kraft".



The S-K 40970, as I recall, has the largest head diameter of the three, but reviews from other users here are overwhelmingly positive.

Any of the three would serve their purpose adequately. "Best" gets into a matter of personal preference - how the tool feels in the hand and all that.



^ There are more around here somewhere but they're scattered all about.

 

[Monkeybutler6]

Most of the Indestro models you will find have a 52-tooth mechanism and a tri-wing selector knob on the back.
Earlier production models (1954 to early-mid 1960s (?) ) had a four-point selector knob.



The later 2875A had a 60-tooth mechanism.

Head diameter is 1-1/32". (If you want more accuracy on measurement see chruler.com)



The Wright model 2400 has a slightly smaller head diameter and an equal, if not smoother action. I have a couple here, as well as the Wright model 2426, and an older Wright 2400 re-branded as "Powr-Kraft".



The S-K 40970, as I recall, has the largest head diameter of the three, but reviews from other users here are overwhelmingly positive.

Any of the three would serve their purpose adequately. "Best" gets into a matter of personal preference - how the tool feels in the hand and all that.



^ There are more around here somewhere but they're scattered all about.

That's great! Thanks for all the information I have a couple wright 2400 and several S-K 1/4. Just wondering how good the Indestro was I'll keep an eye out for one.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Rileysan]

Most of the Indestro models you will find have a 52-tooth mechanism and a tri-wing selector knob on the back.
Earlier production models (1954 to early-mid 1960s (?) ) had a four-point selector knob.

I have both of those, except the only ratchet I have with the 4-pt selector is a Duro 4575.

Brian

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

As a result of this thread popping to the top I pulled out my Indestro 2875 and checked it out. It would free-wheel periodically so I took it apart and gave it a good cleaning. The pawl was a bit "sticky" flipping side to side so I cleaned it really well, oiled it and put it back together. It's good for another 30 years.

Cheers

Jim

 

[Oldtuleguy]

So the 4 prong selector is earlier. I have a wizard with that selector and a duro with the later 3 prong. Was not sure if it was a wizard thing. Great info.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Yes, the four-prong selector on the back of the drive head is the earlier version.
Note that my example here has a round knurled handle (as opposed to your flat "paddle" aka "oval grip" handle.)
I am inclined to believe this is the earliest iteration of the model 2875:



(* Now I'm going to have to go dig out that early 1950's catalog No. 20 and see what sort of handle is in the catalog illustration. *)
(* I am still looking for a model 2839 1/4" drive open-gear ratchet *)

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Was not sure on the wizard, as other earlier style 1/4 drive ratchets have paddle handles, except for one breaker bar I have is knurled.

 

[four.cycle]

Yes. The earlier 2850 Indestro (or 4550 Duro Chrome) had the skinny round knurled handle.
Later production Indestro "Super" 2850 (and "Select" 6050) had the "paddle" (aka "oval grip") handle







I have very "Wizard" - only one 1/4" drive set as I recall. Your H2747 breaker there has a more stylized handle than any of my 2850 or 6050 beakers, which have a more "squarish" shape.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes the paddles are a bit different. Then the wards versions I have are a bit different as well.

 

[four.cycle]

Yes. Completely insane. Small wonder they ran into financial difficulties.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The seemingly endless variations of them are interesting

 

[four.cycle]

Just my lousy opinion, but I am firmly of the belief that Indestro's practice of re-tooling for production runs of product for their private-label accounts, not to mention the consequent massive over-abundance of inventory that would have resulted, was a factor in bringing about their demise.
I do not believe it was all about domestic labor costs and foreign competition.

An excellent example showing that you cannot be all things to all people, particularly in business.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Tooling is not cheap. They certainly did less of that in their later days.

 

[d42jeep]

I think the quality really dropped off towards the end. I have an otherwise new looking Duro-Indestro marked DOE with a bad case of chrome peel. Here is my Indestro 2875. Nice little ratchet.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Still one of my favorite 1/4" ratchets. Not as smooth as my sparta or sk, but the back drag is pretty light and I love the handle.

 

[four.cycle]

I think the quality really dropped off towards the end.

They say a picture says a thousand words:

I've always considered this set an example of their craftsmanship at its finest:



And this set, most of which I purchased in 1971, to be exemplary:



In their waning days, this is the kind of product they were cranking out:

 

[Monkeybutler6]

They say a picture says a thousand words:

I've always considered this set an example of their craftsmanship at its finest:



And this set, most of which I purchased in 1971, to be exemplary:



In their waning days, this is the kind of product they were cranking out:

That's awesome! I've been trying to piece together that double box end set you have pictured! Missing 2 sizes 9/16 x 1/2 and 5/16 x 1/4.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[3baygarage]

McFarmer, I will take you up on that offer if still available. Pm sent.

Wow, I don’t remember posting this and don’t think I ever heard back.