Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[Provincial]

This Indestro Klip Tite Kit holder turned up at a sale I attended last month. It was used to hold either of two sets of five combination wrenches. One had sizes 1/4-1/2 and the other 7/16 -11/16.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I also found a hex set without the ratchet. If anyone has a hex ratchet for sale or trade I would be a happy camper. Thanks.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

I’m not an expert but I don’t think those kinds of sets came with ratchets, at least I’ve never seen one before.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I’m not an expert but I don’t think those kinds of sets came with ratchets, at least I’ve never seen one before.

I was not sure either but I thought I saw one of the others with a Indestro hex ratchet that I thought I would use. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Outlawmws]

I think they came both ways, some with just an "Allan" and some with both the Allan and a stamped steel ratchet.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I think they came both ways, some with just an "Allan" and some with both the Allan and a stamped steel ratchet.

Thank you sir.

 

[d42jeep]

I also found a hex set without the ratchet. If anyone has a hex ratchet for sale or trade I would be a happy camper. Thanks.

Most of the hex sets I have seen are Indestro marked. Here is the ratchet from my set but I don’t think that I have a spare.
-DonHere is a Western Auto set sourced from Duro-Indestro.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They came with or without ratchets

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I also found a hex set without the ratchet. If anyone has a hex ratchet for sale or trade I would be a happy camper.

I probably do have an extra, but where are you going to put it?

I think they came both ways, some with just an "Allen" and some with both the Allen and a stamped steel ratchet.

They came with or without ratchets

"They" did indeed come with or without ratchets, but you guys are painting with an awfully broad "they" brush, and I'm guessing you probably didn't look hard and close enough at Mike's particular set.

I’m not an expert but I don’t think those kinds of sets came with ratchets, at least I’ve never seen one before.

You are correct.

I'm not an expert, either, but I do have quite a few Duro-Indestro hex drive sets, I have looked through quite a few period ads (courtesy of the too-long in asbentia on hiatus expert, @four.cycle) prior to the earliest available catalog on IA/ITCL attempting to date them, I did look at Mike's box, and I have the same set.

There is no provision for a ratchet on top, on the bottom, inside, or anywhere else with that oblong coffin-shaped box.

It is very early.

While D-I made a dizzying array of sets with several different types of holders across the decades, their very first hex sets in the early 20's did not have a ratchet. The sockets were self-contained on the L-handle itself. Their first pressed steel holder containerized set, also in the early 20's, did not come with a ratchet, either. The L-handle was the lid and handle. Not until Price's second patent (1,921,725) in 1929 did they add a ratchet to a holder-type set. Not until the mid 30's did the holders have an L-handle and a ratchet, and not until the very late 30's did they get as big and as sophisticated as the examples OTG and Don are showing.

 

[esben57]

Another find. 1/2" drive, scraped through the grime to find what's left of the sticker.
Final pics of a 3/8" drive, seem to be common-ish over here. Sealed head?
Why no slit in the square for a detent ball in a coupler/anvil? Also have a sealed head 3/8" ratchet with the sq drive wheel, somewhere..

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This one is new britain, but they just laid the ratchet on the top

 

[d42jeep]

Another find. 1/2" drive, scraped through the grime to find what's left of the sticker.
Final pics of a 3/8" drive, seem to be common-ish over here. Sealed head?
Why no slit in the square for a detent ball in a coupler/anvil? Also have a sealed head 3/8" ratchet with the sq drive wheel, somewhere..

The 1/2” drive D-I set is not uncommon and can be marked with either a Duro or Indestro sticker. Your set may have arrived in the UK as part of lend-lease in the early days of WW2.
They made quite a few of the Indestro female 3/8” drive ratchets. The plugs are usually missing. They were also made in 1/4” drive.
-Don

 

[esben57]

The 1/2” drive D-I set is not uncommon and can be marked with either a Duro or Indestro sticker. Your set may have arrived in the UK as part of lend-lease in the early days of WW2.
They made quite a few of the Indestro female 3/8” drive ratchets. The plugs are usually missing. They were also made in 1/4” drive.
-Don

Had a dig through the boxes, thought I had the square as in your pic but it turns out to be 1/2".
Somehow I have three of the 3/8 drives.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This one is new britain, but they just laid the ratchet on the top

I'll check mine when I get home. I don't think there's enough space in these.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Probably not, this case seems a bit taller

 

[AntiqueBen]

I recently acquired this Indestro 1/2" ratchet. I believe it's Indestro's first square drive ratchet that came in a 13 piece set in the late 20's. I think all of Indestro's ratchets before this one was hex.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I probably do have an extra, but where are you going to put it?


"They" did indeed come with or without ratchets, but you guys are painting with an awfully broad "they" brush, and I'm guessing you probably didn't look hard and close enough at Mike's particular set.

You are correct.

I'm not an expert, either, but I do have quite a few Duro-Indestro hex drive sets, I have looked through quite a few period ads (courtesy of the too-long in asbentia on hiatus expert, @four.cycle) prior to the earliest available catalog on IA/ITCL attempting to date them, I did look at Mike's box, and I have the same set.

There is no provision for a ratchet on top, on the bottom, inside, or anywhere else with that oblong coffin-shaped box.

It is very early.

While D-I made a dizzying array of sets with several different types of holders across the decades, their very first hex sets in the early 20's did not have a ratchet. The sockets were self-contained on the L-handle itself. Their first pressed steel holder containerized set, also in the early 20's, did not come with a ratchet, either. The L-handle was the lid and handle. Not until Price's second patent (1,921,725) in 1929 did they add a ratchet to a holder-type set. Not until the mid 30's did the holders have an L-handle and a ratchet, and not until the very late 30's did they get as big and as sophisticated as the examples OTG and Don are showing.

Thanks a lot. What is the socket that I am missing? I am soaking them in vinegar right now?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What is the socket that I am missing?

These early sets typically had six (6) sockets: 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8. I am missing the 11/16. That wingnut socket is not original. It was in there when I found it so I left it there.

 

[Outlawmws]

I can see it now, "Does it have a ratchet" will push out "What gauge is it"...

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I can see it now, "Does it have a ratchet" will push out "What gauge is it"...

I am missing the 3/4. I think I have a extra 11/16 for Private if he wants it.

 

[Provincial]

What gauge is the metal of the Indestro box? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

What gauge is the metal of the Indestro box? Inquiring minds want to know.

Mine is about 16 gauge. With the rust it mikes at about 70 thousandths.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Probably not, this case seems a bit taller

Yeah, there's no space. These had no ratchets.

I think I have a extra 11/16 for Private if he wants it.

I have a bunch of old orphaned Indestro hex drive sockets in a drawer. I kind of like the wingnut jobbie in there.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If anyone has a hex ratchet for sale or trade I would be a happy camper.

Here ya go, Mike. Unbranded. And later than our sets, as I explained above. But definitely Duro Indestro production. They made these third party and the only thing that was marked was often the holder, which would have their patent number. Complete with plug, which doubles on the other end as a screwdriver. You can see examples of the branded version on AA here or upthread in Don's post #2,727. Not sure if OTG's (post #2,728) is branded, but it's the same ratchet. And you can see an unbranded one in an Indestro ad in Pic 5 below.

If you want it, we can work out the details on PM.

 

[bonneyman]

Loving all the old tools, guys!

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Is there a recommended lube for the 60 tooth indestro round heads? I got one I really like but it needs a bit of cleanup. 60 tooth is right around the point where I’m not sure whether to use super lube or something lighter. I’ve had a couple of the 60t fine tooth New Britain ratchets go haywire after using superlube but then the 1/4 drive sk ratchets that have 60 teeth have always done great with it for me.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Light oil for those

 

[d42jeep]

I need a couple of 1/4” Duro ratchets to fill out some sets.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

This set arrived in the mail today. The sockets are Duro Chrome marked rather than D-I. After a couple of back and forth offers, I eventually got 33% off of the original asking price. It came with a couple of Plomb sockets for some reason.
-Don

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

This set arrived in the mail today. The sockets are Duro Chrome marked rather than D-I. After a couple of back and forth offers, I eventually got 33% off of the original asking price. It came with a couple of Plomb sockets for some reason.
-Don

Those are great. One day I am going on a search.

 

[genog]

Found this last weekend

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Found this last weekend

How old? I have three buddies who are into these old tools but will not talk on this site. And I am the shy one. One Buddy found two of these and give me one. He wants me to find the history of such tools.. They think yours is really cool. One asked me to see if you will trade or sell? If I were you, I wouldn't even go there. Let him find his own. lol.

 

[Mintgrun]

I found another stubby yesterday. I recognized the way they ground the tip.



There aren't any maker's marks on this combination wrench, unless that is the faint outline of one in the middle of the shank. I've squinted, hoping it said Mephisto, or something, but I don't see it. The wrench is quite thin and lightweight. This marking makes me think Duro-Chrome

 

[genog]

How old? I have three buddies who are into these old tools but will not talk on this site. And I am the shy one. One Buddy found two of these and give me one. He wants me to find the history of such tools.. They think yours is really cool. One asked me to see if you will trade or sell? If I were you, I wouldn't even go there. Let him find his own. lol.

I am not sure of the year, Mike'smeatshop.
Just a guess.... sometime in the 1930's

A knowledgeable individual who really knows Duro/Indestro and has catalogs may come along and be kind enough to lend their expertise.
Hopefully.....

I have friends like your's.
My friends do everything that they can to bug the **** out of me
I feel that I am very lucky to have them.
Because without those buddies, I wouldn't have ANY enemies!

 

[d42jeep]

Found this last weekend

How old? I have three buddies who are into these old tools but will not talk on this site. And I am the shy one. One Buddy found two of these and give me one. He wants me to find the history of such tools.. They think yours is really cool. One asked me to see if you will trade or sell? If I were you, I wouldn't even go there. Let him find his own. lol.

I think that the 3/8” drive Duro ratchet is probably postwar. I believe that the wartime ratchets were both male and female drive.
-Don

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I think that the 3/8” drive Duro ratchet is probably postwar. I believe that the wartime ratchets were both male and female drive.
-Don

Thanks Don. I figured you be around.

 

[d42jeep]

I finally united the 11/16” knurled socket from Lugz with its brothers in my Duro set. This is a set that it’s taken me several years to complete.
-Don

Not quite complete
WW2 description of the set
Not mine but the label on the packaging of a NOS set
-Don

 

[genog]

I saw this Klip Tite Set while raking through a box of stuff that contained a few SK goodies.
They look like they have never been used
Ah....I don't need this

After wandering around, I went back for them and found that someone took the set apart
All of the pieces and the four wrenches were scattered inside the box where I first found them
Jeez, some people....

I will give them a good home
I have more than plenty DBE wrenches, but I will see if I can find an occasion to use them

 

[oak_park]

Found these today at an estate sale. They're in nice shape. Phillips #1's.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice