Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[maxcarp709]

Here is one I came across yesterday while trying to organize my tools again.



I have a couple of other pieces I will have take pics of.This wrench is in great shape and built like a tank.

 

[Collect0]

1928-1931

 

[930dreamer]

WOW, I went through all 17 pages of this thread and AA and haven't found a Indestro that looks like this one. I may have missed one but here it is.

Ratchet on one side, hex sockets in the middle and the "L" handle on the other side.

 

[four.cycle]

^ because you've got a real oddball there. never have seen a set like that posted here or on Ebay or AA. is the ratchet stamped with a patent number? what size is the hex drive? 1/4" 3/8" or 1/2" ??

 

[Outlawmws]

That ratchet looks like a refrigeration ratchet...

 

[930dreamer]

^ because you've got a real oddball there. never have seen a set like that posted here or on Ebay or AA. is the ratchet stamped with a patent number? what size is the hex drive? 1/4" 3/8" or 1/2" ??

The L bar is stamped Indestro and Pat No and the sockets have the fractional size only.

 

[four.cycle]

That ratchet looks like a refrigeration ratchet..

it does indeed. I didn't even catch that.

get the patent number and open a browser window to Google and just enter "patent (number)" and see what you get back. should at least give you the date the patent was approved.

 

[RedVise]

Not the best shot, but a neat little box I picked up that I am filling (slowly) with Duro Chrome, most of this is D-C.

Brian

 

[twertsy]

Look at the holder, it should be stamped with a patent number.

 

[930dreamer]

PAT No. Is 2065340= 1936, but still not the same holder? Sockets are 9/32-5/8".

 

[four.cycle]

yeah... the holder is a little different. same patent number used for both models, apparently.
clearly establishes is as being a Duro-Chrome / Indestro product.

you've got a pretty unique set there. keep it together and do NOT clean it or try to fix it or repaint the holder.

most of those hex-drive sets don't command high prices. an example of one I picked up the other day:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302007073883?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

I would guess yours would fetch a much higher bid.

 

[Outlawmws]

Some, probably most of my Indestro's I know I'm only showing maybe 1/3 of the sockets, none of the extensions, and missed my Flex head 3/8 ratchet for the pic. The flex ratchet has the "flat" handle, which I like better. I wish I had all the ratchets in that style.

 

[Empty Pockets]

The 1/2" drive socket set is Indestro Select. The set came to me after my dad passed, several years ago. I remember that it was old when I was a kid.

Both the ratchet in the set and the loose ratchet are #6470.

I have several loose wrenches in various boxes, as well as a few more sockets.

I'll post more pictures when I can

 

[2oolhound]

I wasn't sure where to post these but they are important tools and very well made specially by today's offerings. This thread seems like the perfect place. When I ran across this bottle capper in a 2nd hand store I couldn't put it down even though I'll admit I'm not much of an Idestro enthusiast (I'm spread too thin already on my other brand tools) and I don't even do home brewing. I bought it because it felt like such a quality solid tool from yesteryear and I recognized the name from hanging here for the last 1/2 decade.

 

[bonneyman]

Some, probably most of my Indestro's I know I'm only showing maybe 1/3 of the sockets, none of the extensions, and missed my Flex head 3/8 ratchet for the pic. The flex ratchet has the "flat" handle, which I like better. I wish I had all the ratchets in that style.

Oh, those shorty deep offset DBE's!

 

[four.cycle]

lousy photo I shot for another thread but I may as well post it here as well:

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 64-65 specialty tools by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[four.cycle]

One of my recent acquisitions was this cherry 1982 Indestro Tool Catalog (Catalog No. 60)

Of particular interest are the changes made on the ratchets. Note that the 2875, 2775, and 3275 (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive RHFT models, respectively) have been replaced with new model numbers 2875A, 2775A, and 3275A, which have the "star wheel" selector knob.
(I know that the 2775A was available earlier than the other two, because we had some of those at some point early on.)

Note also the 2736 3/8" drive RHFT flex-head was also replaced with the model 2736A, which also uses the "star wheel" selector knob.

As well, the model 3289 1/2" drive long-handle RHFT ratchet has been replaced with the 3289A, also with the "star wheel" selector.

Note the new model 2739 3/8" drive RHFT bent-handle flex-head ratchet. (Perhaps an attempt to cash in on the "Champion Plug Master" popularity of the era?)

Most interesting is the introduction of the Indestro-Roberts "SLR" "Safety-Lock Ratchet", using the quick-release design patented by Peter M. Roberts in 1965 and used for over a decade in Craftsman ratchets prior to Indestro adopting the design in the early 1980s.

Patent 3,208,318 see HERE: http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=50037

Patent 4,277,990 see HERE: http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=10866

see also HERE: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55342

see also HERE (Popular Mechanics August 1982): https://books.google.com/books?id=V...age&q=indestro safety locking ratchet&f=false

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 cover by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 19 1/4" ratchets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 22 3/8" ratchets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 26 1/2" ratchets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 40A SLR ratchets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 40B SLR ratchets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 40C SLR socket sets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 60 1982 pp 40D SLR socket sets by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[3baygarage]

Thats a nice catalog. I've wondered what the Indestro Roberts was all about, just knew it was a late model. This offers some good info.

 

[ChaseDE]

Of all the tools I found in my grandpa's tools, this is the single Indestro wrench

 

[hoinox11]

figured this would be a good place to put this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Dur...128548?hash=item25c2fcaa64:g:eQQAAOSw-itXs3Rk

So I'm curious and figure you guys may know... when was it that indestro started offering metric stuff?

 

[Outlawmws]

That depends on if that is your Eprey ad or not

No clue on the metric Q. I have a metric tool board for Indestro...

 

[four.cycle]

hoinox11 there is an "Ebay hot deals" thread HERE:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275031

There do not appear to be any offerings of metric tools in the 1948 Indestro catalog.

The 1959 Indestro catalog has a small selection of metric tools.

As I recall, the display board that Outlawmws owns is the one shown in the 1972 catalog - the same one we had in our stores in the early 1970s.

In the late 1970's they expanded the metric selection to include 3/8" deep-wells (46010HD, 46011HD, etc.) and a few other items.

As with many of the "old time" US tool manufacturers, Indestro was behind the curve on metric (by current-day standards), but that was par for the course in the context of the times: most Americans wanted nothing to do with metric or "furrinurs" immediately after WWII (and for some time after.)

 

[four.cycle]

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 68-69 hub pullers metric tools

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 68-69 hub pullers metric tools by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 70-71 metric sets

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 70-71 metric sets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 84-85 display boards

Indestro Tool Catalog 22 1959 pp 84-85 display boards by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 24-25 metric sockets

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 24-25 metric sockets by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 34-35 metric wrenches flare nut wrenches

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 34-35 metric wrenches flare nut wrenches by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 76-77 display boards

Indestro Tool Catalog 55 1972 pp 76-77 display boards by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[four.cycle]

For anyone who might be interested in early Ford specialty wrenches, this gem was recently listed:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311686729398?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Great seller. I've done a lot of business with him, but I simply have no use for a specialty tool of this nature. A description of it can be found below (right hand page, first column, about halfway down)

Indestro Tool Catalog 16 1948 pp 52-53 specialty wrenches

Indestro Tool Catalog 16 1948 pp 52-53 specialty wrenches by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[Provincial]

I couldn't take a step this weekend without tripping over Indestro tools. It started Friday with some rusty Indestro Select combos and continued today with this Indestro Classic 3/8 drive set.

It is an Indestro Classic 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive set with a full set of sockets, step-down adapter, two extensions, 13/16 spark plug socket, and a pear-head ratchet. The box also contained a 5/8 spark plug socket, spark plug gap gauge, and an iginition point file.
It appears to be about 1970's vintage, and the wrenches/sockets are in excellent condition.

I'm surprised that the labels are in such good condition. Because of the design of the box, the tools rested upon them. I would have thought that they would have been attached to the lid.

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah. 1970's vintage. that label inside the box lid should have a note to the effect of "this is the bottom of the box".

 

[Provincial]

^ yeah. 1970's vintage. that label inside the box lid should have a note to the effect of "this is the bottom of the box".

The label in the bottom of the socket area says "THIS IS THE BOTTOM NOTE IT HAS PERMANENT WELDED PARTITION TO HOLD SOCKETS."

The main label says:

Indestro Manufacturing Corp. Chicago Ill 60639
Set No. 6310
20 Piece Socket Set

1/4" Square Drive
3/16 6 Point Socket
7/32 6 Point Socket
1/4 6 Point Socket
9/32 6 Point Socket
5/16 6 Point Socket
11/32 6 Point Socket
3/8 6 Point Socket

Spinner Handle
Adapter 1/4M - 3/8F

3/8 Square Drive
3/8 6 Point Socket
7/16 12 Point Socket
1/2 12 Point Socket
9/16 12 Point Socket
5/8 12 Point Socket
11/16 12 Point Socket
3/4 12 Point Socket

2-5/8" Extenson
Reversable Ratchet
Metal Box

By the way, the ratchet is a 6272.

I'm missing the "Spinner Handle." My 6" extension is a Craftsman.

 

[Brorex]

Hey guys I'm trying to hunt down the missing wrench in this set. Only finding SAE wrenches so far I'm missing the 12/13mm not sure if the set went passed that size or not. Anyone got one they'd part with by chance?


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[four.cycle]

Provincial the 1/4" spinner is a model 2873 (Super) or 6073 (Select)
They are listed infrequently on Ebay. A good one (not all beat to hell or gouged up with Vise-Grips) will run you between $11 and $16 incl. shipping.

Brorex you're looking for a model 41213
also an infrequently found item on Ebay
probably easier to just get a whole metric set.

 

[Brorex]

Provincial the 1/4" spinner is a model 2873 (Super) or 6073 (Select)
They are listed infrequently on Ebay. A good one (not all beat to hell or gouged up with Vise-Grips) will run you between $11 and $16 incl. shipping.

Brorex you're looking for a model 41213
also an infrequently found item on Ebay
probably easier to just get a whole metric set.

Thanks for the heads up.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[four.cycle]

Not mine - this came up in an Ebay listing a couple days ago. (HERE: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Classic-Plu...:g:I6MAAOSw9IpXzHGl&item=122117921366&vxp=mtr )

Indestro "Classic PLUS" branded socket set.

Note label inside lid states "PRINTED in USA" but does not say "Made in USA".
Note label states "Duro/Indestro", indicating this was made late in the game by Indestro.
The spark plug socket is obviously Thorsen somebody threw into the kit.
The ratchet is stamped with a barely readable "88275" (or 98275 or S8275?) and clearly doesn't resemble anything manufactured by Indestro.
The extension has no markings on it at all.
The sockets are stamped "USA" with hash tags " = " around the size - somewhat like later Thorsen, but spaced wider apart - more like JS Tool (now part of Apex group.) (see HERE for examples: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JS-5-8-12-P...:g:UcwAAOSw3zxXMLv5&item=252384001150&vxp=mtr and HERE:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAE-11-Piec...:g:WAYAAOxyOypSaEqM&item=141098360669&vxp=mtr )

It could well be that none of the pieces in the kit are the original contents - the seller is not the original owner. It could well be a mish-mash of stuff somebody just threw together.

Either way, the "Classic PLUS" branding is something I've never seen before, and does leave some questions unanswered.

 

[jwsia]

Metric goodness

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351832681326?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[four.cycle]

interesting read. found this a while back and forgot to post it here:

http://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/2015/08/10/Bottle-Capper-by-Indestro-MFG-Co-1920s-1

 

[four.cycle]

Provincial:
here's your missing spinner. (comes with a few other pieces as well)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ind...588927?hash=item2371e37aff:g:ry4AAOSwxg5X0aNX

dunno if it's worth $42 to you, but as I said: they don't come up very often.

 

[four.cycle]

Brorex:
re: Indestro 41213 12mm x 13mm open-end wrench

There was one just listed on Ebay this morning HERE:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-DURO-IN...614808?hash=item3acc1de698:g:51UAAOSwxg5X0uU~

You will note, however, that it is a Duro Indestro and the part number was changed to 41213A

When Indestro first introduced this line of metric open-end wrenches, the part number was 41213, as can be seen on my 1971 vintage sample below.

Note there is a significant change in the design and manufacture of the wrench. The late-production "Duro Indestro" looks like something that would come in a bicycle tool kit - a far cry from the earlier premium "Indestro" brand.

If this is indicative of the quality of product they were producing in their last days, it's small wonder they went out of business.

Hang in there, a good one will come along sooner or later.

Duro Indestro 41213A 12mm x 13mm open end wrench 01 (Ebay 252532614808) by four.cycle, on Flickr

Duro Indestro 41213A 12mm x 13mm open end wrench 02 (Ebay 252532614808) by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro 41213 12mm x 13mm open end wrench 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro 41213 12mm x 13mm open end wrench 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[oak_park]

Picked from old hardware store recently....

 

[MXmaniac]

I just picked up a 3/8" drive 200 in-lb. torque wrench at an estate sale, my first Indestro tool.

 

[Outlawmws]

An Indestro puller. I thought it had one of those unpolished chrome jobs but apparently its silver or aluminum paint? The PO claims to have bought it new for a project and never needed it.

 

[four.cycle]

po? nre?

those were plated, as I recall. real shiny when they were new. spendy.

 

[Outlawmws]

PO = Previous Owner

I misspelled new. (fixed)

It comes off like paint...