Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[Private Lugnutz]

Their thin nose slip-joint pliers were so thin they are almost toy-like, but I can't resist them. Picked this up at the flea today.

 

[d42jeep]

I have been looking for a Duro 11/16” deep socket to complete this set. I spotted one on eBay that was missing the knured band but it wasn’t expensive and will serve as a placeholder in case I can’t find one that matches. Here are some eBay pictures and the socket in place in the set.
-Don
Federal Stock Numbers

 

[AntiqueBen]

I just purchased this set of Duro 3/8 sockets. It appears they are military issue. They are marked Duro Chrome G-4412. AA says the "G" indicates a 1945 production date while wartime rationing was in effect. AA doesn't mention the G-4412 type. Does anyone know more about this particular set??

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It appears they are military issue...[ ]...Does anyone know more about this particular set??

I don't know anything about that set, but "7900" in that Stock Number on the tag was the 'hand tools' prefix for US Air Force stock numbers in the late 1940's and early 1950's, prior to 11-digit FSNs being adopted more widely in the mid- to late-50's, and that seems to jibe perfectly with the 1951 date.

AA says the "G" indicates a 1945 production date while wartime rationing was in effect.

Do you have a link to this AA reference? I have never seen it before.

The first part of the theory, that it relates to 1945, has some merit. Snap-on used a "G" for their date code aligned with 1945, whereas they used an "E" in 1944. And I have pointed out in this thread and others a long time ago that Duro-Chrome changed the model numbering scheme on their ignition wrenches from E-** (used from at least 1939 to 1944) to G-** around 1945. While the military was a big customer, that could be coincidence. It is interesting to note that "E" could align with the Emergency period. That was followed by the Victory campaign though. I am not a believer in the common conception that "G" stands for Government.

I don't have any information on "G" being related to wartime "rationing" by which I presume they are referring to WPB Limitation Order L-216. It was being relaxed by 1945.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's a composite excerpt I made from a 1954 reference a few years ago to answer a similar question...

 

[AntiqueBen]

Good info Lugs. The info I found on AA was under 44XX 3/8 Drive Sockets Here about the middle of the page. No mention of G-4412 though. Haven't been able to find any info on this mark yet.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks. I see they also tie in the Snap-on code, but the rest of their rationale makes no sense. They appear to be referring to the finish, plain steel, as a prompt for the "rationing" comment. First of all, chrome-plating was not "rationed" in the civilian population, like many other products. It was severely restricted. Exceptions were usually associated with safety. Secondly, chrome-plating was restricted throughout the war, not just 1945.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Got this pair of thin nose slip joints at a yard sale.
-Tommy

 

[AntiqueBen]

My Duro socket set showed up today. I was pleased to see that all the sockets are trapezoid stamped. Even has sockets for square fasteners. The metal case is in great shape. Can anyone help me find out what all this set is supposed to contain? How many sockets, ECT. I don't see it on AA. I might be looking in the wrong spot. Also, did the trapezoid stamped sockets have a short run? I'm tempted to clean them up even though there in good shape.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice set! AA talks quite a bit about the trapezoid markings in this section.

Duro and Indestro: The Tools of Progress [Page 2]

Page 2 of an article on Duro Metal Products and Indestro Manufacturing.

alloy-artifacts.org

I don’t think they cover kit contents except for one particular set.

-Don

 

[d42jeep]

My Indestro box seems to be similar to your Duro box. These pictures show the contents of mine. Of course, the Indestro sockets don’t have the trapezoid. I don’t have the Ell handle.
-Don

 

[AntiqueBen]

Thanks for sharing Don. Nice set. This gives me an idea of how many sockets there would have been. If your set originally came with the T-handle it's an easy find on eBay.

 

[AntiqueBen]

I wasn't expecting mine to come with sockets for square fasteners. I haven't seen these very often. Was this indicative of early sets?

 

[d42jeep]

I think they were popular then. I have some handles in Duro. Maybe I’ll eventually find an Indestro one at a sale. A couple of the trapezoid sockets came in this Duro set but probably not originally.
-Don

 

[AntiqueBen]

Another nice set Don. This was the first Duro set I've bought & I like it a lot. I think I'll look for a similar Indestro set next.

 

[d42jeep]

Let me know if you need any early Indestro sockets. I have more than a few spares plus a box that needs love. It is held closed with a large rubber band.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

Pulled this little brake lining riveter out of a Craftsman lunch pail I grabbed at auction the other night. Curious if the 1933 stamped on the box can be taken as the date?

 

[d42jeep]

I guess it could be a date. Hard to say.
When I saw this on eBay I wasted no time pulling the trigger. Regular Duro spinners are like hens teeth and I had never seen a shorty.
-Don

 

[Marvin Berry]

My little Indestro vise.

 

[Outlawmws]

Today's finds: I'm pretty sure these are Duro, or Duro - Indestro, All have the D - I - then the size:

 

[d42jeep]

Like these? I have a pretty good collection of wartime D-I sockets. It’s rare to find them together. Nice find!
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I added my new Duro shorty spinner to a 1/4” drive D-I set in progress.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Yes and no Don, None of mine have the knurling.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those are interesting. I have some late 40s indestros with no knurling. Those are the first d-i I have seen like that

 

[d42jeep]

Yes and no Don, None of mine have the knurling.

Those are interesting. I have some late 40s indestros with no knurling. Those are the first d-i I have seen like that

The D-I seem to be about 50-50, knurled and unknurled, in my experience. I have an unknurled Duro as well but most of those are knurled.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

They were part of the toolset listed here.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

If anyone happens to have a knurled version of this non chrome plated 1/2” drive 11/16” deep Duro socket it would complete this set I’ve been trying to put together for years. I’d really like all the sockets to be matching.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ocd much? I'm same way...

Here are some socket wrenches I've been collecting

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hmm..., what's that smell? Oh, that? It's just some trade bait!

 

[d42jeep]

Hmm..., what's that smell? Oh, that? It's just some trade bait!

Please set that aside for me. I’ll find something that you can’t live without.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh, I'll send it, Don. Which house are you at? And no worries on the return. I'm sure a corollary will present itself eventually. Sorry and a little embarrassing to say I'm not sure when I found that, but it may have been awhile ago. Somehow I missed that you needed it and you missed that I had it. Glad to help with the last jigsaw piece!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. We are now in the mountains. I’ll email our PO Box number since I can’t text you from here. I appreciate your generosity.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Roger.

 

[Bryan Burns]

I picked up a couple nut Duro-Chrome nut drivers last week. I picked them up because of their resemblance to XCELITE drivers and want to compare them.

 

[d42jeep]

I suspect that Xcelite made nutdrivers for several manufacturers. Those certainly look the same.
Xcelite may have suppled this to Proto as well.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks to Lugz’ generosity, the 11/16” Duro Chrome socket I was missing for my Duro set arrived yesterday. Unfortunately the rest of the set is in the Bay Area so it will be a little while until all of the pieces are together.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This early Indestro 1/2” drive ratchet arrived in the mail today. It’s the first one I’ve had without the bump at the top of the handle. It matches the patent image.
-Don
Here is a slightly newer one with the bump.

 

[d42jeep]

Double post.

 

[Renni]

Hello everyone,

I came along these two sets with a bunch of other tools. I don't know if I arranged them correctly or if they're complete...

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[Odes]

Picked up these 2 today I’m not sure they are both indestro