Show your Indestro and Duro-Chrome tools

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up this complete Indestro combo wrench set at the flea market this morning. Guessing mid-1950's. All of the wrenches are marked exactly the same ("INDESTRO" on the open end jaw, "FORGED" on the shank with the model number - 01070 through 01077 - on the flip side open end jaw and the sizes - 5/16" through 3/4" - on the flip side shank), except the 1/2" wrench, which is older. It is a "1073" (not a "01073"), has "FORGED SELECT STEEL" on the shank, and a slightly different finish. You can see it in Pic 4 & 5, 4th wrench from the bottom. I have no doubt it was original to the set. Probably a leftover in the factory.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice set!

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like my metric DOE set.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Same production year for sure.

 

[gambo53]

My 3/8 set not sure about its age but newer than me lol

 

[c1504]

I found this nut driver yesterday. It like almost identical to an Xcelite. Did Xcelite make tools for Duro-chrome? I have seen Vaco made Indestro ones but never an Xcelite.

 

[c1504]

Forgot a picture. Haha

 

[damon18]

Found an old 1/2 drive 1622 Duro Chrome 12 point 11/16, if anyone needs it i'll send.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Provincial]

I bought this Indestro Super 8099 torque wrench at a sale Friday. 100 ft. lbs. range.

I bought a Wizard version of this recently, and this confirms that it was supplied by DI.

 

[Old Radar]

I bought this Indestro Super 8099 torque wrench at a sale Friday. 100 ft. lbs. range.

I bought a Wizard version of this recently, and this confirms that it was supplied by DI.

Cool acquisition, Provincial!

Mine is slightly different, with a straight rod and movable reference marker over the pointer. Your scale seems more deeply embossed. Wonder whose is older.

 

[Mintgrun]

Here is the one I found, along with the DBEs I picked up one at at a time and a little set of DOEs.

Would "Patents Pending" indicate that it is newer, or older than the other two; since they do not show the patent number(s)?

 

[RTM]

Typically, age goes Pat Pending, Pat number, no patent number (x years later)

 

[Mintgrun]

That makes sense. Thank you.

I wonder what the patent(s) would be for, on such a "typical" design. Maybe the little sliding reference marker. (?)

I also wonder how old mine is.

 

[AreBeeBee]

I don't have many Duro/Indestro items, but here they are.

The big socket set is 1/2" drive; I picked it up a couple years ago for a good price, but have not given it much use. The set isn't complete and there's some duplication. Exterior paint scheme is dark green, and the red interior comes from some previous owner.

The sockets in the rectangular section at right were made to fit square- (not hex-) head bolts. The hex-head sockets I gathered into the middle and left compartments. At right, two of the sockets have 1/2" square heads to slip into the #672 ratchet driver without using the plug-in.

The #672 driver ratchets only one way: you turn it over to ratchet the socket the other way. You need a double-ended 1/2 drive plugin to fit the square hole in the ratchet handle and the square hole in the socket. This must have to saved costs in manufacturing (and price), but I'll bet it was a nuisance in regular use.

The little socket set (decaled by Indestro) uses a hex wrench as driver. The socket that's second from the right is one I picked up on ebay to complete the set, which came from an old Kennedy box owned by my father in law. He trained as a machinist, following his father and grandfather in the trade.

Among many other things in the box, it contains a vee-block he made and signed "Bud Laughlin 1938" — he was 23 at the time.

The three open-end wrenches are:

• P0725B: 9/16 & 1/2
• P????: 1/2 & 7/16 (the 1/2 end on the left has been ground down to make it as thin as the shank
• P21A: 13/32 & 11/32

All are marked "Select Steel," which was an Indestro trademark; the smallest also has "Indestro" stamped in.

Probably everybody here knows of this site but if anyone doesn't, there's lots of Duro & Indestro background info and tool images at — http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro.html

 

[Oldtuleguy]

My 3/8 set not sure about its age but newer than me lol

That is a nice set gambo. I have the wizard version

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a complete set arebeebee. This one was probably sold unbranded, but basically same thing.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Here is a complete set arebeebee. This one was probably sold unbranded, but basically same thing.

I knew there was more to the set as sold originally — empty socket corrals cry out to be filled — but that's a really crowded tool case you have. Good collection!

What surprised me about the sockets in mine were the number of square-head ones instead of the 6- or 12-facet sockets common today. There must have been a lot of square-headed bolts around when the set I have was designed and made. Does your set have any square-head sockets at all? I couldn't see any in the images.

That #672 ratchet wrench in my set is uncomfortable to use for any length of time: the handle's thin. And then there's the inconvenience of flipping it over, removing the socket, shifting the plug through the ratchet head, and reattaching the socket when you go from tightening to loosening or vise-versa. I can see how anyone would opt for a speed wrench or even a second 672 that was preset for the opposite direction.

At a yard sale I picked up a Craftsman 1/2" (modern) ratchet with thumb switch and keep it in the Duro socket box. (I removed it for the photo because it didn't belong with the set originally.)

From the Alloy Artifacts site, I gathered that Duro was the OEM for a number of house-branded sets. Makes sense —

Edited to add: The sockets I have don't appear to be plain steel or either nickel- or chrome-plated. I'm thinking cadmium plated and I worry about cleaning them. Don't want to get cadmium dust loose in the workshop. Any suggestions?

 

[d42jeep]

I knew there was more to the set as sold originally — empty socket corrals cry out to be filled — but that's a really crowded tool case you have. Good collection!

What surprised me about the sockets in mine were the number of square-head ones instead of the 6- or 12-facet sockets common today. There must have been a lot of square-headed bolts around when the set I have was designed and made. Does your set have any square-head sockets at all? I couldn't see any in the images.

That #672 ratchet wrench in my set is uncomfortable to use for any length of time: the handle's thin. And then there's the inconvenience of flipping it over, removing the socket, shifting the plug through the ratchet head, and reattaching the socket when you go from tightening to loosening or vise-versa. I can see how anyone would opt for a speed wrench or even a second 672 that was preset for the opposite direction.

At a yard sale I picked up a Craftsman 1/2" (modern) ratchet with thumb switch and keep it in the Duro socket box. (I removed it for the photo because it didn't belong with the set originally.)

From the Alloy Artifacts site, I gathered that Duro was the OEM for a number of house-branded sets. Makes sense —

Edited to add: The sockets I have don't appear to be plain steel or either nickel- or chrome-plated. I'm thinking cadmium plated and I worry about cleaning them. Don't want to get cadmium dust loose in the workshop. Any suggestions?

I cleaned mine with Mineral Spirits and finished with Brake Cleaner. That’s a pretty safe method of cleaning tools when cad plating is suspected. My very similar Indestro set has quite a few 8 point sockets which were more popular back when these sets were made. Reversing ratchets were yet to come. I need to find a speeder for mine.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The 4 point sockets were later changed to 8 point, so yours is probably a bit earlier

 

[AreBeeBee]

The 4-point sockets apparently come from different dates because the sizes and shapes differ. For example, two of the 3/4 sockets are the same, but the third is different. Likewise, the two 11/16 sockets have different shapes.

Curious for me were the 5/8 and 9/16 ones with the square drive head forged as part of them. And the little 11/32 in front has a hex-hole in its top.

Odd bunch!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Curious for me were the 5/8 and 9/16 ones with the square drive head forged as part of them!

Female drain plugs.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Female drain plugs.

[Slaps head] DUH! [Slaps head again]

 

[dkroth]

That is a nice set gambo. I have the wizard version

Schwing!

My Dad had that set most of his adult life. I recently inherited it. There's a Snap On socket in place of the 5/16". It left the set in 1980 and I replaced it with one off the Snap On truck in the summer of 1984.







.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I had this socket set tucked away in my cargo trailer that was stored out of town for the last few years. Finally had a chance to go through it a few weeks ago. The set was my Grandfathers and likely about 60+ years old. You guys would likely know better. I do plan on making them more presentable as soon I get some time.
View media item 107051View media item 107054View media item 107050There are a few additional sockets that have stars on both sides of the size.
Also some state None Better who was the maker of these two sockets.
View media item 107053View media item 107052Have to admit the Indestro are a heck of a lot purdier after all that time.

 

[Nick Danger]

I just found a 3/8" extension in the street at a stop sign. I stuck it in my pocket and hopped back onto my motorcycle. When I got home and looked at it, I discovered that it's an Indestro Select.

 

[Nick Danger]

The extension has a few scratches on it from being dropped on the pavement. They're like hangnails, little sharp things. What's the best way to smooth them down?

 

[d42jeep]

Old school (my preference), clamp the extension in a vise with protective jaws and use a file to remove the hangnails.
If I was in a hurry, I’d use a die grinder with fairly fine sandpaper attached. Try to minimize damage to the finish.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

Found these two little cuties in a box lot I grabbed off of Craigslist at lunchtime.

Everybody loves the stubbies, right?

 

[Mintgrun]

I do love those stubby wrenches.

Speaking of cuties, I picked these Duro-Chrome ignition wrenches up last week.




I happened to go to that store two days in a row and was glad I did, because only half of the wrenches were on the shelf on day one and it was a pleasant surprise to find the others the next day.

 

[outofbounds]

I do love those stubby wrenches.

Speaking of cuties, I picked these Duro-Chrome ignition wrenches up last week.

I happened to go to that store two days in a row and was glad I did, because only half of the wrenches were on the shelf on day one and it was a pleasant surprise to find the others the next day.

Nice! What sort of store?

 

[Mintgrun]

A Habitat for Humanity store. Their way of stocking the shelves is a little frustrating, because they rarely keep sets of things together. I suppose that just adds to the adventure, requiring more hunting and digging through bins.

They did fill a large ziplock baggie with some 1/4" sockets one time, keeping them all together, as opposed to dumping them into one of the socket bins. I poured the baggie into a tray and picked out two full sets of Thorsen sockets and a set of Armstrong as well. When I laid them out at home, I realized I'd missed the 11/32" Armstrong and went back for it a day or two later, only to find that they'd dumped the bag into the bin. I'm not sure if it took five minutes or ten, but I did find that little socket. I'm sort of attached to that set now.

 

[d42jeep]

I do love those stubby wrenches.

Speaking of cuties, I picked these Duro-Chrome ignition wrenches up last week.




I happened to go to that store two days in a row and was glad I did, because only half of the wrenches were on the shelf on day one and it was a pleasant surprise to find the others the next day.

Nice 1945 set missing only the G61. The rolls are hard to find, particularly the canvas ones. The screwdrivers are almost impossible to find intact.
-Don

 

[humber2]

Indestro 350 "Vest Pocket" 8-pc 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with holder (Patent 2065340)

The top one is the earliest version - the "ell" handle is stamped "Pat Pend"
The lower one is a later version - the "ell" handle has the patent number stamped on it.
Versions made later had both the part number and patent number, as well as Indestro's name, stamped on the bottom of the stamped steel holder. (see set at bottom)

At the bottom is the third (and last) iteration of the Indestro 350 "Vest Pocket" set, having no markings on the "ell" handle, but both the Indestro name and patent number stamped on the bottom of the holder.

(* Note that the earlier (upper) set does not contain the correct assortment of sockets *)

(* Note that the 1948 catalog snip shows a different patent number - 2065341 - which was essentially the same design but with the retaining tabs reversed. I have yet to be able to find a copy with that patent number. Oddly, the 1948 catalog illustration shows a holder identical to both those shown here. *)

Revisiting an old thread as I recently obtained an Indestro set with patent numbers on the L handle and the tray case. Has the socket for the 3/8 knurled head screw.

I don't have an Indestro catalog but I found the set numbered 1350 in my undated but evidently later 1930's Duro-Chrome catalog. There is no statement of a patent number.

"Manufacturers of Quality Products for Over 22 Years" is on the bottom of each page.

My search failed to find any reference to this number in this thread, but knowing radio would and did I have posted this info.

It appears the D-C version came in a black painted case whereas the Indestro came in red. Edit, or green.

I can claim this set as the smallest I have but would only reach for it to use the 3/8 knurled head socket.

 

[Mintgrun]

Thank you for that information, Don. You can bet I'll be looking for the G61 when I go back there.

There was an extra G63 in the set... anybody want to trade? (heh)

 

[Nick Danger]

Old school (my preference), clamp the extension in a vise with protective jaws and use a file to remove the hangnails.
If I was in a hurry, I’d use a die grinder with fairly fine sandpaper attached. Try to minimize damage to the finish.
-Don

A file worked great! Thank you.

It only took five minutes to do the job. Then another five minutes. Then another ten minutes. Then another fifteen minutes.

 

[Shelbylex]

The extension has a few scratches on it from being dropped on the pavement. They're like hangnails, little sharp things. What's the best way to smooth them down?

I bought cheap diamond mini files in Harbor Freight for things like that. Helped me out at least couple of times. I think the set is around 6$ (+ use 20% off coupon...)

 

[d42jeep]

A file worked great! Thank you.

It only took five minutes to do the job. Then another five minutes. Then another ten minutes. Then another fifteen minutes.

I’m glad you weren’t in a hurry.
Is it okay to use the words Harbor Freight in the vintage tool forum? Just kidding!
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

I guess it depends of what we call vintage, Don.
The original name of Harbor Freight Tools was Harbor Freight Tool and Salvage. They started in 1977 as a mail order business that sold returned and liquidated merchandise.
I wish somebody new what they sold back than - very possible some of those were old American tools.
I wonder if anybody on the board remembers their original merchandise.
may be it would be a part of our relatively old and vintage ?

 

[dkroth]

I guess it depends of what we call vintage, Don.
The original name of Harbor Freight Tools was Harbor Freight Tool and Salvage. They started in 1977 as a mail order business that sold returned and liquidated merchandise.
I wish somebody new what they sold back than - very possible some of those were old American tools.
I wonder if anybody on the board remembers their original merchandise.
may be it would be a part of our relatively old and vintage ?

Not from '77, but I bought a bunch of Channellocks from them in '93. Yeah, they used to carry a decent assortment of their pliers.

I spent over a certain amount and they gave me a free socket set. It was so bad I actually used the sockets as ammo for my slingshot.






.

 

[Lesserstore]

I got curious about what HF used to sell, so about a month ago I used the wayback machine to see what they had listed in the early 2000s, and I was surprised. There was DeWalt, Milwaukee, Porter Cable, SK, Channellock, and several other name brands. Too bad they stopped.