Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[Private Lugnutz]

Langenau latches you say?
This must have been one of their first!
I think about 1928.

They were in business in the late 1890's. Major customers included railroads and casketmakers. As for toolboxes/latches, my "RAY" (Packer Auto) toolbox dates to 1922-1926, and they may have been making boxes for their earlier press-steel stuff, too.

 

[d42jeep]

Langenau latches you say?
This must have been one of their first!

I think about 1928. Missing 9/16 socket, and probably a ratchet and square extension. IIRC it's 5/8 thats cracked There was also most of an unmarked 12 point hex set in here too. Lots of heavy greasy schmoo. Ive already cleaned with orange degreaser, carb cleaner and gasoline, and its still caked on. A few shreds of a tools of progress sticker remain. all the 6 point and square sockets are unplated with the star stamps.

And another blue box. It's a very well made heavy box all the sockets are DI except the cross hatched one at the left. None of them came with it.

Here is my small D-I set. Your label is much more intact. I may have some D-I sockets to trade for your crosshatched socket if it’s Duro marked.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a duro from that time. Your sockets probably looked similar.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Yes, we both put a cross hatched socket on the left!
Smooth paint on your box.

Here is my small D-I set. Your label is much more intact. I may have some D-I sockets to trade for your crosshatched socket if it’s Duro marked.
-Don

Sounds good, I have to look in another stash and see how best to avoid duplication.

 

[d42jeep]

Slew,
Here are my extra D-I 1/4” drive sockets if you can use any of them. I don’t think you need the 8 point one on the left. The other three are 3/8”, 11/32” and 9/32”.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

There was some talk a while back about repro toolset decals that didn’t really match originals. Mrbill and I sent some measurements of our S-K decals to jimenginedecals, the largest seller of decals on eBay. While looking through his selection, I didn’t see any Duro decals. I sent him some pictures of those with measurements and he is now offering them on eBay. Mine arrived today and I put a couple different sizes on sets. I think they came out pretty well.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Sliding T-handle in 3/8" that I just snagged for $1.

 

[Outlawmws]

Don, in the pics the new one looks faded?

 

[d42jeep]

Don, in the pics the new one looks faded?

It’s probably the glare from the sky. Here are two different sizes still on the backing.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I picked up this non reversing Indestro ratchet with plug on eBay for the minimum bid. Even though the plug isn’t original to the ratchet, I would have paid almost as much for the plug by itself since I always seem to need one.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found these Duro and D-I sockets on eBay and added them to some 1/4” drive sets I’ve been putting together. The smaller set has Duro-Chrome sockets and the larger sets have D-I sockets. The exteriors of the larger boxes were really rusty so I sanded off the rust and sprayed them with the Midwest Military paint I’ve been using lately.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

I picked up this non reversing Indestro ratchet with plug on eBay for the minimum bid. Even though the plug isn’t original to the ratchet, I would have paid almost as much for the plug by itself since I always seem to need one.
-Don

Nice snag, Don. And you're right - square plugs are always in demand.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks good Don! Picked up a set of the duro decals. They look good, maybe the red could be a bit darker.

 

[d42jeep]

At least the sizes are pretty close. He wasn’t offering any before. The red varies a bit from the originals but isn’t too bad. They definitely are an improvement over the decal being totally missing, which was the case with a few of my boxes. Even with the original decals the reds vary a bit.
-Don

 

[DetroitKP]

I have an old Indestro Super 3201 1/2” rachet and the lever won’t move and the drive isn’t working. Is there any way to open and access the internal workings? Thanks!

 

[d42jeep]

Those ratchets are permanently sealed. I’ve had success soaking the ratchets in penetrating oil. They are usually very reliable if unsophisticated. It’s worth a try.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

I have an old Indestro Super 3201 1/2” rachet and the lever won’t move and the drive isn’t working. Is there any way to open and access the internal workings? Thanks!

Those ratchets are permanently sealed. I’ve had success soaking the ratchets in penetrating oil. They are usually very reliable if unsophisticated. It’s worth a try.
-Don

You can help the process by agitating. While submersed, frequently rotate the drive in both directions (once it loosens up enough to turn). Use compressed air to blow the gunk out along with the penetrating oil--and then repeat.

 

[DetroitKP]

Thanks - will try.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

A di set i found on offer up. Giving it a soak in atf.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here they are after their day at the atf spa. Interestingly came with a 1/4, 5/16 and a 3/8 socket as well as a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter.

 

[d42jeep]

That is a really nice example of a 41-W-2997 wartime set. Here is a listing for the set in the Navy NAF catalog. There is a typo in the listing but otherwise it lists the set’s pieces perfectly. I received this long extension today to go in one I’m trying to complete. I found my first one of these sets at the flea in March of 2015.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like I need a 7/16, but otherwise pretty good. Thanks don!

 

[d42jeep]

The 7/16” socket is the typo. They are actually always 1/2” drive not 3/8”.
-Don

 

[toolaholic]

Found this cleaning the garage . Probably belonged to my best friends late father . A 13/16 x 7/8.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice set. I would snap that up but I have one.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. Here is mine. Don't really use it, just think it looks cool.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sorry, here's pics

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The contents are listed on the lid. This one is complete.

 

[humber2]

No 401 is a multi wrench for Ford Cars 1932 to 1936

Indestro Mfg Corp Chicago USA

Can't find it searching this thread but it pops up on google images.

Would have been a popular wrench in most workshops in the day, I'm surprised I have only now obtained an example.

Perhaps someone can post a link.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This one humber?

 

[humber2]

Yes that's the one, thanks for posting the image.

From l to r...

Spark Plug, Diff, Brake, Trans, and Oil

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Cool wrench. Have not come across one yet. Here is a duro no. 644.

 

[humber2]

Wow. 644 Has you spoilt for choices.

No excuse for busted knuckles.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Duro Metal Products / Indestro specifically called that wrench a Universal Drain Plug Wrench. I have the Duro No. 644 version as well. The Indestro version is No. 410. See Pic 1 (from a 1948 Indestro catalog).

I think they distinguished that from the Ford wrenches that humber is talking about. I can't find an Indestro No. 401 in 4.c's period ads database, but there is an Indestro No. 400B Ford Model T wrench, which looks to be in the same family by model number. Also resembles a Mossberg Ford hub cap wrench. See Pic 2 (from a 1935 hardware store Indestro ad).

 

[bmwrd0]

Finally found the missing pieces to this set

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice set

 

[Outlawmws]

Cool! Now you just need the staples!

 

[FrankLee]

I picked up this relatively clean set today in a drill press bundle deal. I haven't taken inventory yet.

​

106746

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up this relatively clean set today in a drill press bundle deal.

Terrific snag, Frank!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thats an oldie!