Indestro and New Britain

[David W]

I got a few Indestro and New Britain sockets and wrenches at a yard sale for $1 each. I'm just curious, where do these brands fit in on the quality food chain, Snap On at the top and H.F. at the bottom? Are these brands worth spending any amount of time looking for?

 

[woody 73]

David those tools are lower then HF why don't you send them to me so I can dispose of the in the proper manner!

All in good fun they are top notch tools , New Britain made their tools for Craftsman and later they made them for Napa back in the day.

 

[HandyManny]

Agreed New Britain made a great hand tool. They were one of those older USA quality tool manufacturers that was aqcuired and then liquidated by it's owner. It's happened to too many great brands. I own a lot of their stuff that I bought at avrious times in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. It was great stuff. As was already stated, they made tools under their own brand name as well as being a contract manufacturer for other tool brands as well. I put then in the same ballpark as Proto from the same era. If you can find those tools today in good condition for a $1 then snag up as many as you can find.

 

[mitusa]

I like the old indestro double box end wrenchs.....the short ones. Got any of those?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Indestro was the "economy" brand for Duro-Chrome. One company, two brands. The "economy" brand manufacturing of the mid-century should NOT be mistaken for the low-end stuff of today. These were well-made long-lasting tools that also had some style. See the Indestro 'Select Steel' and 'Super' lines of wrenches and sockets, in particular, just to name a few examples. Full admission: I am an unabashed fan and collector. Duro-Chrome/Indestro had several major wartime contracts and supplied alot of tools to the Army, AAC, QMC, and Ordnance Department. I would love to see what you've got. How are the pieces marked?

New Britain 1/2-square drive ratchets and sockets were also highly regarded and acquired for toolkits during the war, though I am no expert or collector of this brand.

 

[David W]

I like the old indestro double box end wrenchs.....the short ones. Got any of those?

I don't know if they would qualify as "short" but here are the pics.

 

[David W]

Here is a better photo of the New Britain wrench.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks for the add'l pics. Based on the finish and branding marks, I'd guess the Indestro sockets and DBE's are post-modern - no earlier than 50's or 60's - and in exceptionally good condition.

Nice score!

 

[boostedgt]

my favorite ratchet is an indestro super 3/8

 

[RM209]

I concur; New Britain tools were very high quality and a good value. I've got a private label ratchet from the mid-70's that's one of my favorites, as well as some long box wrenches. Although not sure, I believe New Britain private-labeled a lot of hand tolls for NAPA for many years.

RM209

Agreed New Britain made a great hand tool. They were one of those older USA quality tool manufacturers that was aqcuired and then liquidated by it's owner. It's happened to too many great brands. I own a lot of their stuff that I bought at avrious times in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. It was great stuff. As was already stated, they made tools under their own brand name as well as being a contract manufacturer for other tool brands as well. I put then in the same ballpark as Proto from the same era. If you can find those tools today in good condition for a $1 then snag up as many as you can find.

 

[BFBOB]

New Britain also manufactured the Penncraft tools sold by JCPenney. Very good tools; I still have and use the set I bought new in about '70, and have added to the collection since.
The later JCPenney-branded tools were made by SK.