Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[d42jeep]

I can’t tell about the ratchet, but I believe that the sockets and extension are early unmarked S-K. Mine are shown below. Quite a few have been shown in the vintage S-K thread with various branding.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/sk_12dr_sockets_12pt_set_x3_f_cropped_inset.jpg
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As first reported in the 2019 Garage Sale thread, I picked up these No. 3501 water pump pliers at the flea market this morning. I forgot to take a profile shot, but they are extremely thin. Also noteworthy is the max capacity: 1-5/8".

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some wards chromium vanadium. Some are also marked riverside.

 

[aacleaver0229]

This is my first Duro-Chrome set that I recently picked up on trade, saw it at the antique shop and it looked so nice. It's set number 60249, 50th anniversary 3/8 18 piece set.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Wow that is clean

 

[aacleaver0229]

Wow that is clean

Thanks oldtuleguy I was pleased to come across it. I cant find this set in the 1967 indestro tool catalog, and I cant find a Duro-chrome catalog for this year. Any thoughts?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Duro metal products started in 1916 according to alloy artifacts, but merged later maybe early 30s with indestro to form one company. Is the 50th aniversary from the date of the merger, or the founding of duro metal products?

 

[aacleaver0229]

The inside placard actually shows the beginning date of Duro Metal Products as 1917, it would be interesting to see why there is a small inconsistency between the two. It only makes sense to me that this set was sold in 1967 unless I'm overlooking something.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

No that makes sense. Don't know why it's not in catalog. Maybe just did not want to spend the money on printing?

 

[davethorik]

Forgot I had this.
Indestro Super no. 2396 universal joint, 3/4 drive.
I just noticed it has a modern-looking 4-sided detent in the female drive. Were they the 1st to do this? Edit: or is this just more modern production. Lol

 

[DD T/A]

I believe Indestro Super stuff dates to the 50's or 60's. Not super super old.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The older stuff was "super quality" then shortened later to just super.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Super started immediately after WWII.

 

[Odes]

Just picked up this indestro metric socket set missing the 10mm socket but replaced with a Caterpillar socket

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice find. I never seem to come across the duro indestro metric stuff.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

LesserSon:

Here are the two Indestro Ell-Tee wrenches I have. If you get impatient pending our TBD Q'town flea market meet-up, and you want to try to mock something up to see if they will fit inside your Duro Ell-Tee pivoting sheath/handles, they are exactly 10" long from the outside of the elbow to the end of the drive stud on the long arm, and exactly 2-1/2" long from the outside of the elbow to the drive stud on the short arm. The shank is 5/8" in diameter.

 

[3baygarage]

Finally scored a Patriot ratchet, along with extension and partial set of sockets. They’re in pretty nice shape. I’m not sure who sold the brand. Anyone know?

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Looks close to the same double ring design on the sockets as J.H. Williams or possibly Duro Indestro??? Just my two cents worth

 

[Private Lugnutz]

LesserSon:
If you get impatient pending our TBD Q'town flea market meet-up, and you want to try to mock something up...

On the flip side of this, I can do the same with some sheet metal or even stiff cardboard if you post the dimensions of the Duro sheath/handles you have!

 

[LesserSon]

On the flip side of this, I can do the same with some sheet metal or even stiff cardboard if you post the dimensions of the Duro sheath/handles you have!

Sure. I’ll check them out tonight.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Got your email with the sketch. Thanks. I'm not going to get too elaborate with this. Just going to do something crude and quick to satisfy my curiosity about the possibility of interchangeability.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sounds like an interesting project. Here is a little chromium vanadium set.

 

[d42jeep]

Got your email with the sketch. Thanks. I'm not going to get too elaborate with this. Just going to do something crude and quick to satisfy my curiosity about the possibility of interchangeability.

The Ells may well interchange but the tab that sticks out of the Duro version is what keeps the handle from falling off of the Ell, at least in theory.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...at least in theory.
-Don

In practice, too, apparently, unless you open up one of the ends to clear it, as one owner did with the 660 that AA has.

Oddly, the Indestro LT wrenches don't have the pinched tab, but they do have an extra friction ball in the shank on the short leg, just above the drive stud. I think that is for stabilizing the sheath when pivoted into the T position. Conversely, the Duro LT wrenches have the pinched tab, but they don't have the friction ball. The strange thing to me, as an engineer, is that there's nothing preventing the Duro LT bars from having the friction ball, or the Indestro LT bars from having the pinched tab. The sheaths are fairly similar, may be interchangeable, and operate on the same principle, with just enough "give" in the formed sheet metal to pop it over to one position or the other across the elbow. It's almost as if they were experimenting with two different design approaches to the same concept, made one approach Duro, and the other Indestro, and resisted a hybrid.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Cool little set, Otg.

Sounds like an interesting project.

It would be easier to just mail LS one of my wrenches and have LS mail me one of his sheaths, or wait until we meet up, but mocking one up will be more fun!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think that is what collecting old tools is about. If you are having fun then you are doing it right!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My bet is on interchangeable, boys, despite the odd differences (the Duro pinch stop and the Indestro friction ball). In case anyone wants to do something more sophisticated than a crude tin mock-up, I am posting LesserSon's excellent schematic.

LS - Now I am more motivated then ever to make the trade! We will be the only two people on GJ with true literally mixed Duro-Indestro LT handles!

 

[RubiconJK]

I think that is what collecting old tools is about. If you are having fun then you are doing it right!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I found a couple interesting and uncommon Duro-Chrome pieces at the flea market today.

First up is this Chrome Vanadium Steel Super-Quality Ford main bearing wrench. At least I think that's what it is. I can't find another one on AA or anywhere else and the earliest Duro-Chrome catalog I have is 1939. I suspect this may be slightly earlier. In the 1939 catalog, No. 767 was the part number for a rivet set. It does include a double offset fixed socket wrench, 9/16" (8-point) x 3/4" (12-point), described as a Ford main bearing wrench. But it's No. 269 and it has a round shank. As you can see, this has a hexagon shank.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have one with a hex shank, I think they are not common.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I also found this cool, unusual tool - a combination of Battery Pliers and a Double Box End Wrench. Model No. 2114. Patented in 1940 (See Pic 4). I love the way they worked the Streamlined "Dart" into the design. As fond as I am of Duro, and as much as I admire efficiency in engineering, I don't mind if someone wants to put it in the 'gimmick' category. Everything up to the box ends is just like their regular battery pliers (No. 2115). I don't see how this would be comfortable to use as a wrench. With it open, you'd have to grab it by the open jaws, and keep the handles from pivoting as you turn a fastener. It can be used closed, but one or the other box ends might be in the way.

CRTDI posted one in 2016. I haven't seen another once since, and this is the first one I have seen in the wild.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I travel frequently for work and always check out the CL and MP ads for wherever I'm at. Picked up this 30s Duro set today. Does anyone know what the three small metal "blades" are? I initially assumed they were just junk thrown in the box but those same three metal pieces appear in the '32 ad on Alloy Artifacts. I'm assuming they're some kind of scraper blades but unsure of their specific purpose. All sockets are "D-Trapazoid", case is filthy but in great shape.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, Love the combo pliers/Wrench! I also have never seen on in the wild!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Does anyone know what the three small metal "blades" are?

Valve lapping. Different sizes for different size valves.

Lugz, Love the combo pliers/Wrench! I also have never seen on in the wild!

Thanks! I was stoked.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks Lugz

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No problem. They were either pinned on a socket (as you have) or pinned on the end of a special speeder or a crank type lapping tool (which Duro also made - I have a few). A few mfgrs made an adjustable one (one end slid in a slot to expand or contract the pins depending on the size of the valve). Either way, you would put your fine grit paste in the valve, place the pins or tabs on the lapping attachment in the grooves on the head of the valve, and just turn it back and forth. When the suction cups showed up, it sort of made them obsolete.

Nice set! And just think we were just talking about (and experimenting with...) the danged LT handles! GJ magic!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks for the info Lugz. Amazing those little things are still in the case but then again other than dirt and rust, it doesn't look to me like this set has had much use.

And yeah I was following along on the LT handles then presto!

 

[r_olson_06]

I also found this cool, unusual tool - a combination of Battery Pliers and a Double Box End Wrench. Model No. 2114. Patented in 1940 (See Pic 4). I love the way they worked the Streamlined "Dart" into the design. As fond as I am of Duro, and as much as I admire efficiency in engineering, I don't mind if someone wants to put it in the 'gimmick' category. Everything up to the box ends is just like their regular battery pliers (No. 2115). I don't see how this would be comfortable to use as a wrench. With it open, you'd have to grab it by the open jaws, and keep the handles from pivoting as you turn a fastener. It can be used closed, but one or the other box ends might be in the way.

CRTDI posted one in 2016. I haven't seen another once since, and this is the first one I have seen in the wild.

I have this one for about 5 years. Tucked away in the oddity drawer with some 10points, Nuggets, and Craftsman Stainless.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That makes 3 of us by my count!

 

[bonneyman]

I also found this cool, unusual tool - a combination of Battery Pliers and a Double Box End Wrench. Model No. 2114. Patented in 1940 (See Pic 4). I love the way they worked the Streamlined "Dart" into the design. As fond as I am of Duro, and as much as I admire efficiency in engineering, I don't mind if someone wants to put it in the 'gimmick' category. Everything up to the box ends is just like their regular battery pliers (No. 2115). I don't see how this would be comfortable to use as a wrench. With it open, you'd have to grab it by the open jaws, and keep the handles from pivoting as you turn a fastener. It can be used closed, but one or the other box ends might be in the way.

CRTDI posted one in 2016. I haven't seen another once since, and this is the first one I have seen in the wild.

Digging those pliers.