Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[Outlawmws]

Hmmm:

Later Operations

Duro and Indestro continued to prosper during the 1940s and '50s, but by the 1960s appeared to be losing ground to other competitors. Sometime during the '60s the Indestro operations were formally merged into Duro Metal Products, and the tools began appearing with dual brands "Duro-Indestro". The tool lines were "harmonized", which unfortunately meant that some of the special higher-end features of the Duro-Chrome tools were dropped. The company continued operating through the 1970s and 1980s, and was finally closed in 1990.

 

[Bierisch]

Didn't Duro/Indestro fade away before Blow-mold boxes?

I personally have no idea... wasn't alive when they stopped. Although, even if it isn't the original box, it was still a sweet deal, so I was happy.

Also, the box fits everything pretty snug(right shaped ratchet slot, and the 3 stepped sockets are the only three in the mold that are also stepped.)

 

[ganymede]

Didn't Duro/Indestro fade away before Blow-mold boxes?

Those boxes had been around since at least the early 70's (think of Craftsmans permanex cases ) but they made both for a while.

 

[four.cycle]

Outlaw: did you get that quote from AlloyArtifacts.org ??

The change from "Indestro", "Indestro Super", and "Indestro Select" to "Duro-Indestro" didn't occur until the mid-to-late 1980s.
I was doing the purchasing on the Indestro line into the early-to-mid-1980's and all the stuff we were getting was "Indestro Super" or "Indestro Select".

Regarding the black "blow mold" cases: those were around when I first started buying the line in the early 1970s, so that's nothing new. They were primarily "promotional" sets, usually containing the "Select" series of sockets and ratchets (two plain bands on the sockets) as shown in Bierisch's photo above.

The "Indestro Super" sets were available in the early 1970's in the "MPI" (Molded Plastic Insert) series, which was a fairly flimsy blow-mold insert contained in a steel box. I'll see if I can get a photo uploaded here tomorrow.

My first set of Indestro was a little 1/4" drive "MPI" set. First thing I did was toss the plastic insert so I could load the box with deep-wells, metric 6-point shallow sockets, and drive accessories.

 

[garthg]

Cheap plastic box, like new looking tools.

12pt SAE 7/16"-1" 1/2" dr. set with a 6472 ratchet

It's a good, blow-molded box. It just needs a little soap and water. Any brand extension will fill the space. Very useful set.

 

[RyanE]

Ryan: your "Select" socket is definitely of more recent vintage than your #3275 ratchet. if it's a 1/2" drive 5/8" 12-point it's a.... 6220 (6-point would be a #6220H) ? same tool as the "Super", except with the two plain bands instead of the single knurled band. same/same. little difference in price.
WHY Indestro was trying to sell three different product lines ("Indestro", "Indestro Super", and "Indestro Select"), along with all the private label stuff they were making for Wards, Western Auto, and others remains a mystery.

Thanks for the additional information four.cycle! The #3275 is quite a step up from the #3201 in terms of feel and action. The socket is a 6220 and is a straggler. Probably something that was found and not bought. I notice that it is not tapered/thin-walled either like the previous generation.

My grandfather was in the towing/recovery business for many decades. According to my father, a lot of the tools likely came from cars that were never claimed in their impound lot. That would explain the rather random branding and mismatched sets of the tools that he had

They would go through them and pull anything of value out prior to putting them up for auction. Unfortunately, a lot of times, tools and other items in the trunks would be too far gone to be saved due to the moisture build up over a long period of time. Tools and firearms were found with regularity.

Too bad they hadn't heard of electrolysis.

 

[four.cycle]

I notice that it is not tapered/thin-walled either like the previous generation.

The 1959 catalog shows the 1/2" drive sockets with the tapered barrels - "thin wall" type.
The 1972 catalog shows the 1/2" drive sockets with straight, non-tapered barrels.
Exactly when that change took place would have been between 1959 and 1972, but lacking catalogs for the in-between years, it remains a mystery.

No idea why they made that change. I have several sets of both types (in 1/2" drive), and even though they're old, scratched, and discolored, they certainly seem to lend themselves well to getting into tight spots.

The taper/non-taper thing was the same on the 1/4" drive sockets. I would imagine the same thing happened with the 3/8" drive sockets. I'm not sure how many 3/8" drive sets I have, but I believe they're mostly the later production (non-tapered) type.

 

[Outlawmws]

Outlaw: did you get that quote from AlloyArtifacts.org ??

Roger that!

 

[firworks]

Whilst trying to figure out how to avoid being overrun by sockets, I took some "glamour?" shots of some Indestros I have.

There are some unique sizes in the bunch I have too: 31/32, 13/16, 25/32, 11/16, 21/32

They've actually come in handy a few times already because they are so shallow. For 1/2" drive sockets they are way shallower than any other I have.

Sadly they are not in great shape. Still cool though.

 

[four.cycle]

^ very nice condition on those.

no 15/32" ??

 

[garthg]

The 1972 catalog shows the 1/2" drive sockets with straight, non-tapered barrels.

Sold in boxes with "Chinese red enamel."

I know they're referring to the color, but I doubt they'd use the same point in ad copy now.

 

[LesserSon]

I'm wondering if there's a pdf of a 1930s catalog? Can't seem to find one, and I wonder if there's a 1/2hexdrive 3/8 socket missing from my 1452 set, or whether it's some other component.

 

[LesserSon]

And these

 

[firworks]

^ very nice condition on those.

no 15/32" ??

Sadly the drive end is really bad on a lot of them. Still useable though. I come accross a lot of Indestro / Duro at auctions here.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Outlaw: did you get that quote from AlloyArtifacts.org ??

The change from "Indestro", "Indestro Super", and "Indestro Select" to "Duro-Indestro" didn't occur until the mid-to-late 1980s.
I was doing the purchasing on the Indestro line into the early-to-mid-1980's and all the stuff we were getting was "Indestro Super" or "Indestro Select".

Regarding the black "blow mold" cases: those were around when I first started buying the line in the early 1970s, so that's nothing new. They were primarily "promotional" sets, usually containing the "Select" series of sockets and ratchets (two plain bands on the sockets) as shown in Bierisch's photo above.

The "Indestro Super" sets were available in the early 1970's in the "MPI" (Molded Plastic Insert) series, which was a fairly flimsy blow-mold insert contained in a steel box. I'll see if I can get a photo uploaded here tomorrow.

My first set of Indestro was a little 1/4" drive "MPI" set. First thing I did was toss the plastic insert so I could load the box with deep-wells, metric 6-point shallow sockets, and drive accessories.

Hey 4C, reasonably quick question for you. I have a good bit of Indestro variants of tools now, sockets, wrenches mainly and a couple rachets. Which grade of these was considered the best and why? Super? Select? Duro? Duro-Indestro? For the layman or newer collector, it is a bit confusing. Can you run us through the grades and what each offered vs. the other lesser grades? Thanks! - Paul

 

[Username already in use]

Lots of good Duro Metal tools in this thread!
I'm hoping one of you can help me find the short DBE that I'm missing.
I have a set of wartime DuroChrome (X) wrenches, but I'm missing the smallest of the bunch. 3/8" and 7/16" deep offset, 12 point marked with only the circle DC or Circle X mark (whichever you prefer to call it)

Here's a pic of the 2 I have. 5/8"-3/4" and 1/2"-9/16"

And, I suppose while I'm at it, I should see if any of you fine folks can help fill a gap in my Duro (X) long pattern DBEs as well.
I'm also hunting for the Long Pattern DBE with the 15* offset in the 15/16"-1" size. I believe the stock number is 2016 or G2016. Here are the 2 that I have: 3/4"-11/16" and 7/8"-13/16"

Any help would be much appreciated!
-0lllll0-

 

[four.cycle]

Username:
According to AlloyArtifacts (see "trademarks and logos" page), that "X" is actually a stylized "DC" (for Duro-Chrome). I just picked up a tappet wrench like that.
From what I have seen on Ebay, the 15º double-end box wrenches (in Duro or Indestro) are few and far between. I've managed to snag exactly three since October.
Only suggestion I would have would be to monitor the new listings and hope something pops up - sooner or later somebody will unearth one and list it.

paul:
I tried to take a stab at that question upthread.
I've never understood exactly why one manufacturer was marketing several different brands of the same product, but that is exactly what they were doing.
They had Duro-Chrome, Indestro, Indestro Super, and Indestro Select.
The "why" part remains a mystery.
Pure speculation on my part, but my take on it is that they were trying to market the Duro-Chrome as the "top" line, and sold the Indestro branded lines to different accounts; one account maybe selling "Super" and another "Select".
Again, that's my best guess.

Previously I posted a long string of photographs of the later-production "Duro-Indestro" sockets, and noted that while I'm not a metallurgist and don't have the capacity to analyze the alloy content, the "Duro-Indestro" appears to be exactly the same socket as the "Super" or "Select" other than the names and banding/knurling.
The wrenches were definitely different, with the "Super" clearly being a more nicely finished product than the "Select". I posted a comparison photo above of a few double-end box wrenches to show the difference.

 

[four.cycle]

Didn't Duro/Indestro fade away before Blow-mold boxes?

re: discussion immediately above about "blow molded" boxes and plastic inserts

my "MPI" set has the plastic insert cut in half, so it's a poor example.
here is an excellent example of the Indestro "MPI" series - an NOS set recently posted on Ebay:



note that the label inside the box lid calls it "Indestro CLASSIC" - it's not "Indestro Select" or "Indestro Super" - same exact tool, but stamped only with the part number (in the case of the sockets they would be 6006, 6007, 6008, 6009, etc.) and "INDESTRO".
That pear-head ratchet is a #6272.
The WHY part of this still puzzled me, because there is effectively NO difference in the tool itself on the sockets, ratchet, extension, or spinner in that set: they're exactly the same as Indestro "Select" or "Super" other than the name/banding/knurling on the socket.

 

[garthg]

Sadly the drive end is really bad on a lot of them. Still useable though. I come accross a lot of Indestro / Duro at auctions here.

It just looks like a little surface rust to me. I'd wipe them down with a little WD-40 and use them.

 

[four.cycle]

1948 Motor Age Duro-Chrome ad pp 171 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[pauls_workshop]

Username:
According to AlloyArtifacts (see "trademarks and logos" page), that "X" is actually a stylized "DC" (for Duro-Chrome). I just picked up a tappet wrench like that.
From what I have seen on Ebay, the 15º double-end box wrenches (in Duro or Indestro) are few and far between. I've managed to snag exactly three since October.
Only suggestion I would have would be to monitor the new listings and hope something pops up - sooner or later somebody will unearth one and list it.

paul:
I tried to take a stab at that question upthread.
I've never understood exactly why one manufacturer was marketing several different brands of the same product, but that is exactly what they were doing.
They had Duro-Chrome, Indestro, Indestro Super, and Indestro Select.
The "why" part remains a mystery.
Pure speculation on my part, but my take on it is that they were trying to market the Duro-Chrome as the "top" line, and sold the Indestro branded lines to different accounts; one account maybe selling "Super" and another "Select".
Again, that's my best guess.

Previously I posted a long string of photographs of the later-production "Duro-Indestro" sockets, and noted that while I'm not a metallurgist and don't have the capacity to analyze the alloy content, the "Duro-Indestro" appears to be exactly the same socket as the "Super" or "Select" other than the names and banding/knurling.
The wrenches were definitely different, with the "Super" clearly being a more nicely finished product than the "Select". I posted a comparison photo above of a few double-end box wrenches to show the difference.

Thanks 4C, you are the man! So the sockets really are all about the same other than the banding or marking on them. But in the wrenches, the Indestro Super are the best of them, mainly just the finishing on it. Good to know and what I was looking for! - Paul

 

[pauls_workshop]

1948 Motor Age Duro-Chrome ad pp 171 by four.cycle, on Flickr

I love the 80 tooth rachet back in 1948!! Need one of those!! - Paul

 

[four.cycle]

yeah... 80-tooth in 1948??
who knew?

On the sockets: I've got "Super" and "Select" and "Classic" (just says "INDESTRO"), and "Duro-Indestro", and I'll be damned if I can see one bit of difference other than the name stamped on them and the knurling/banding.
Wrenches: "Super" was unquestionably the better product as far as finish - nice smooth satin-finish shanks. I've got both, and they both work just dandy - the "Super" is just prettier in my view.

I should note: the ONLY place I have ever seen the word "Classic" used on any Indestro product was on the label glued to the inside of the lid on the socket sets, as shown in the example above. I've never seen any tool marked "Classic" - the sockets in that set above just say "INDESTRO" on them - using the same part numbers as would be stamped on the "Select" series: 1/4" drive 3/16" = 6006, 7/32" = 6007, 1/4" = 6008, etc., etc.
Same applied to the "Classic" sets in 3/8" and 1/2" drive.

/story on
When they first put the line in at the warehouse, the rep wrote the first order, and he put in a whole mess of nice sets in the "Classic MPI" series, but when he ordered the tool boards for the stores, they were all "Super" - different part numbers.
When my old man put me in charge of the Indestro buying, one of the first things he had me do was go back and rip open all the socket sets that were ordered on the initial factory order - they did not sell - they were spendy.
"You go back there and tear open all those sets and shuck 'em out and put all the pieces into open stock."
"What about the boxes?"
"I don't give a ****, take 'em home if you want."
So I went back, busted up all the sets, and put them into open stock.
Unfortunately, the part numbers were not what was stamped on the boards that were in the stores, so the inventory just sat there and collected dust.
Took us a while to figure it out, and I went out to all the stores with a Sharpie marker and wrote the "Select" part number next to the "Super" part number on the boards.
It was confusing as hell.
A few years later I decided to expand the line, and ordered all new boards for the stores. About 20 boards per store X 6 stores = 120 boards or so. The factory made them up and shipped them - no charge - freight prepaid.
It was only about two years later that we switched to Thorsen, and all those boards got pulled down and shipped back to the warehouse.
I had a kid haul them all out behind the warehouse and pour gasoline on them and set them alight.
/story off

 

[Rileysan]

Going way back with this set. Found at ReStore for $3. Just missing the hex drive for the ratchet.

Brian

Just wanted to post an update - I came across a handful of loose Indestro sockets tucked away in a bin of unsorted tools in my garage. Much to my delight, one of the sockets had a hex drive stuck in it so I now have a complete set!

Brian

 

[Bierisch]

Just wanted to post an update - I came across a handful of loose Indestro sockets tucked away in a bin of unsorted tools in my garage. Much to my delight, one of the sockets had a hex drive stuck in it so I now have a complete set!

Brian

What exactly is the hex drive? Like a bit holder or something?

 

[Rileysan]

What exactly is the hex drive? Like a bit holder or something?

The ratchets for these sets have a separate drive shaft/shank (I'm probably using the wrong terminology). The shanks were either square or hex (6 sided), were various lengths, and easily misplaced.

Here's a picture of some early Indestro ratchets for reference.

Edit:

I borrowed a catalogue picture from one of Four.cycle's posts to show what I am talking about. The catalogue page calls it a "Plug Connector"

Brian

 

[four.cycle]

not mine. just listed on Ebay. it's so pretty I couldn't resist posting it:



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DUR...:g:EfMAAOSwWTRWxphr&item=201526174054&vxp=mtr

 

[four.cycle]

maybe this is a stupid question, but why is this thread in "General Tool Discussion" and not "Vintage Tool Discussion"?

trying to clean up the mess in some folders here and came upon this:



how many brands can you name?

(Blackhawk, Craftsman, Thorsen, Proto, Indestro, Snap-on, no-name Japan needle-nose, can't recall who made the crochet hook.)

 

[Rileysan]

maybe this is a stupid question, but why is this thread in "General Tool Discussion" and not "Vintage Tool Discussion"?

Not a stupid question - I have thought the same thing. Then again, I might be stupid ...

 

[Ratchet.]

going to add my little collection to here, quite a fan of duro chrome and indestro stuff, after picking up a early 1420 5/8" socket by chance on ebay with some other vintage tools

first a 4472 ratchet, which is so nicely made, real solid heavy feel to it,and pretty smooth working, a few odd 3/8 drive sockets, all the same part number range, but interestingly all different in style and finish, some being G marked war era ones, I would love to find more like the 5/8 one, but not seen any others like that with the plain steel finish, and narrow knurling. [the two small sockets are a little worn sadly]

currently my sole indestro tool, a 13/16th sparkplug socket, still has its original paper sticker, albeit a little worse for wear.

what appears to be full set of ignition wrenches (maybe missing one 1/2" x 7/16ths wrench), in great condition, plus a couple of odd ones and a ring end 2015 3/4 7/8 wrench

Lastly have three of these interesting and very compact ratchets, number 2889, new old stock, a guy on ebay seems to have a small stock of them as he lists them fairly regularly.. no one else seems to bid on them though

I'm guessing guessing they are ex MOD stock, sadly i don't have a drive plug for them, and not found a suitable one yet

pic of it next to a snap on f70N to show how thin it actually is

hopefully be adding to my collection in time, as i love the sockets and ratchets in partiucular, it is a lot harder to find Duro and particularly indestro over here, some has made it to the UK at some point however, not sure it was ever officioly sold here, so the majority i have got via ebay and the likes....

 

[four.cycle]

Your 2889 1/4" drive ratchet above is the smallest member of this family:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36699
You would be doing us a favor if you posted those images in that thread as well.

The Duro Chrome sockets with the cross-hatch knurling are early early stuff -
probably pre-dates this set that sold just a couple hours ago: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DUR...060742?hash=item1c61a18986:g:VsAAAOSwzgRWw7HZ
another example showing both styles:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Vintage-D...980161?hash=item210a416b01:g:6NgAAOSwzhVWtW34

The black-finish ignition wrench set looks like it might be a #1711 set - shown on page 11 of the 1935 Duro-Chrome catalog (available for download in *.pdf format at ToolArchives.com)

And just out of curiosity, is that 13/16" plug socket a #2748HS or does it have a 6000-series part number stamped on it?

 

[Ratchet.]

Your 2889 1/4" drive ratchet above is the smallest member of this family:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36699
You would be doing us a favor if you posted those images in that thread as well.

The Duro Chrome sockets with the cross-hatch knurling are early early stuff -
probably pre-dates this set that sold just a couple hours ago: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DUR...060742?hash=item1c61a18986:g:VsAAAOSwzgRWw7HZ
another example showing both styles:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Vintage-D...980161?hash=item210a416b01:g:6NgAAOSwzhVWtW34

The black-finish ignition wrench set looks like it might be a #1711 set - shown on page 11 of the 1935 Duro-Chrome catalog (available for download in *.pdf format at ToolArchives.com)

And just out of curiosity, is that 13/16" plug socket a #2748HS or does it have a 6000-series part number stamped on it?

That's very interesting, as the little ratchet is definitely 3/8"drive, doesnt have a makers name, just made in usa on one side and the part number on other (didn't find much info when i googled it before), will go and post pics on that thread.

Figured the socket may be a really early one, it came with some wright field marked plomb sockets, so possibly made it over here with the US army, will keep looking as its rather nicely made.


Oh and the indestro socket is a 6000 series one, part number is 6248HS

 

[garthg]

not mine. just listed on Ebay. it's so pretty I couldn't resist posting it:



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DUR...:g:EfMAAOSwWTRWxphr&item=201526174054&vxp=mtr

Every piece is there. I want it, but I can't figure out why. I absolutely don't need any SAE tools.

 

[four.cycle]

That's very interesting, as the little ratchet is definitely 3/8"drive, doesnt have a makers name, just made in usa on one side and the part number on other

The unit does NOT have a patent number or manufacturer's name stamped on it.
It is shown on page 2 of the 1948 Indestro Tool Catalog (No. 16) as a “Midget Reversible Ratchet”. The catalog says it is a 1/4” square female drive, not 3/8” drive.

Well.. that is a bit puzzling, because the catalog shows both the 2888 and 2889 as 1/4" drive ratchets.
The #2889 that I posted the photo of in the other thread was listed on Ebay as a 3/8" drive, as you say yours is.

The 1/4" drive stuff in Indestro Super is all 2800-series numbers. (Indestro Select 1/4" drive would be all 6000-series.)
The 3/8" drive stuff in Indestro Super is all 2700-series numbers. (Indestro Select 3/8" drive would be all 6200-series.)

So... I have no idea... that's a bit strange.

 

[Ratchet.]

yeah it is a bit strange, all info i can find points to them being ex army, so possibly special production using the 1/4 drive ratchet with a different drive gear, probably for some specific task.

another one here, complete with the drive plug

http://www.thevintagetoolco.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=885

 

[four.cycle]

Quoted from TheVintageToolCompany.com website:
"unused, ex military, not marked Duro-Chrome but is thier number 2889 style, adapter is marked 41-W, small (6 1/4 inches long) and light enough to carry in a car or motorcycle toolkit/toolroll"

If it is indeed a Duro-Chrome the part number is 4487, according to the 1935 Duro-Chrome catalog (page 22) (that is the Duro-Chrome number for that style reversible 3/8" square female drive ratchet.)
Further adding to the confusion is the notation in the Duro Chrome catalog: "adaptor in head has female as well as male end." ("41W" is neither a Duro Chrome or Indestro part number that I can see anywhere.)

The 2889 part number, according to Indestro's 1948 catalog, would be a 1/4" square female drive reversible ratchet.

Without being able to see the part number, name, or patent number stamped on that ratchet in the photo, it's kind of difficult to make sense of it, particularly when the ad text calls it a Duro Chrome but references an Indestro part number.

 

[four.cycle]

It's quite possible it's from the US military. Duro Chrome and Indestro were both contract suppliers:

 

[Outlawmws]

Every piece is there. I want it, but I can't figure out why. I absolutely don't need any SAE tools.

And your point is?

"Want" and "Need"; two very different and sometimes polar opposite emotions...




If you want it, and can afford it, go for it.

(Did you really think you would get any other response eon GJ? )

 

[four.cycle]

^ I would be willing to put money on that set containing at least a 19/32", 25/32", and 31/32" socket, and possibly even the elusive 15/32" and 23/32" sizes, so I am utterly mystified by your "I absolutely don't need any SAE tools" comment.

It's really easy: you just click that little blue button that says "Buy Now"

 

[ganymede]

four.cycle,
is this the style roundhead that you noticed had more returns ?
This ones got some cheater pipe or hammer marks on the handle.
I heaved on it pretty good and it works but ill still have the negative reviews I've read here in the back of my mind.