Vintage Hex head ratchet set

[KZ1000J]

From my few minutes of research, I came up with Duro Metals from the 1950's. Anybody else have any info of this set?

Thanks!

 

[four.cycle]

It resembles Duro / Indestro, but the holder is wrong.
Check the holder and see if there's a patent number or model number or manufacturer's name stamped on it.



here's a 1454 listed currently on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ind...740322?hash=item2a768035e2:g:XZwAAOSw9NdXuM1b

 

[2mJps]

I have a set like those that came in a bag were they good tools back then?

 

[KZ1000J]

The holder does have a Pat. number on the back, 1438900 which I looked up at alloy artifacts and it reflects back to an earlier tool holder. It also has a link to a later modified holder which states that Duro in 1954 is the owner.

No mfg. name is stamped anywhere.

Were they good back then? I have no idea, looks like just a different way to get bolts & nuts loosened. The ratchet looks like it's made of stamped steel components with some rivets holding it all together.

Thanks,

 

[four.cycle]

^ Patent 1438900 = New Britain Machine, New Britain, CT.
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=52379

The sockets are of decent quality, for what they are. The "sandwich" ratchet will work provided you don't put a piece of pipe on the end of it - that will tear it apart. (I've received a couple from Ebay that were broken open on the business end from over-torquing them.)

Those sets were stamped out by the millions by a number of manufacturers and usually marketed and sold to "the handyman around the house".
I don't think I'd be trying to change out a set of head gaskets or install headers on a 390 Ford with a set of those, but fixing the kid's bicycle or wagon or the toaster would be easily accomplished.

Similar type of deal - smaller and made by a different manufacturer:



Best thing is probably to dust it off, put it on a shelf, and enjoy its intrinsic value as a vintage US-made tool kit.

 

[four.cycle]

^ ... and considering that it appears to be complete and in excellent condition, you could do us all the favor of posting the photo images in the "New Britain" thread as well:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277603

thanks!

oh... yeah.. and your patent number 1438900 was approved Dec. 12, 1922, so I would think it's reasonable to assume it's most likely of earlier vintage than the 1950s. just a wild guess, though.

http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&idkey=NONE&SectionNum=3&HomeUrl=&docid=1438900

 

[KZ1000J]

^ Patent 1438900 = New Britain Machine, New Britain, CT.
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=52379

The sockets are of decent quality, for what they are. The "sandwich" ratchet will work provided you don't put a piece of pipe on the end of it - that will tear it apart. (I've received a couple from Ebay that were broken open on the business end from over-torquing them.)

Those sets were stamped out by the millions by a number of manufacturers and usually marketed and sold to "the handyman around the house".
I don't think I'd be trying to change out a set of head gaskets or install headers on a 390 Ford with a set of those, but fixing the kid's bicycle or wagon or the toaster would be easily accomplished.

Similar type of deal - smaller and made by a different manufacturer:



Best thing is probably to dust it off, put it on a shelf, and enjoy its intrinsic value as a vintage US-made tool kit.

Just as you said, I've hung it on my peg board for now. I shined up the big hex key, the ratchet, a few sockets.....the original 1/4 in. hex key is missing but I'll substitute another from my overflow box.

 

[KZ1000J]

^ ... and considering that it appears to be complete and in excellent condition, you could do us all the favor of posting the photo images in the "New Britain" thread as well:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277603

thanks!

oh... yeah.. and your patent number 1438900 was approved Dec. 12, 1922, so I would think it's reasonable to assume it's most likely of earlier vintage than the 1950s. just a wild guess, though.

http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&idkey=NONE&SectionNum=3&HomeUrl=&docid=1438900

Regarding the Pat. number......the way I understand it, the original hex key socket portable tool container was 1438900. Later on someone designed a "wall hanging" version of the same thing......the new design referenced the original 1438900 design.

https://www.google.com/patents/US2841289

Link: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US2841289-0.png

This is where I get the 1954 date; but I do question why, with all the excellent ratcheting devices of the 1950's, would anyone want to bother with this stamped steel stuff?

You say this is New Britain but if it's the new design dated 1954 under Duro, then I would think it's Duro?????

Anyway...I won't belabor this kit too much more & thank you for your input!

KZ

 

[four.cycle]

"...I do question why, with all the excellent ratcheting devices of the 1950's, would anyone want to bother with this stamped steel stuff?"

^ For the same reason WalMart is the world's #1 retailer: price price price.

Those sets only sold for a few bucks in the 1950s. A "real" socket set with a "real" ratchet was a big investment.

See prices for "real" socket sets in the 1955 Craftsman hand tools catalog HERE:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310663

Yours is New Britain. Duro (Indestro) didn't have the angled corners on the back of the wall-hanging bracket (see photo image above from 1959 Indestro catalog.)
Note also difference in knurling pattern on the example I posted above and on the Indestro 1454 set I linked to on Ebay, and the manner in which the size numbers are stamped on the sockets. Virtually none of those early hex-drive sockets are marked with maker's name; the only way to determine who made them is either from the patent number on the holder clip or from the knurling patterns and other marks/symbols stamped on the sockets, or the way in which the size numbers are stamped on them (some are " 3/4 ", some are " 3-4" some are "3" over the number "4" with a horizontal line between.)

 

[four.cycle]

Your question made me curious, so in my usual pedantic manner, I dug out the price sheets:

The 1454 Indestro 19-pc hex drive socket set (pictured above), per the January 19, 1959 price list, had a "Mechanics Net" price of $5.44, a "Dealer Net" price of $3.48, and a "List Price" (MSRP) of $9.06

Their top-of-the-line model 2775 3/8" drive RHFT (52-tooth) ratchet, per the same price list, had a "Mechanics Net" price of $5.88, a "Dealer Net" price of $3.76, and a "List Price" (MSRP) of $9.80

Not difficult to see why those low-end hex-drive sets continued to sell well into the early 1960s.

 

[Derek420]

I have a set like that a member here was wanting that I was just giving away for free as I'm not into that brand just waiting on shipping money which haven't received or heard from the guy?

 

[Toothaker]

I have a set like that a member here was wanting that I was just giving away for free as I'm not into that brand just waiting on shipping money which haven't received or heard from the guy?

I'm here and your check is in the mail. Really.

I always wanted to say that. Actually, it's cash hidden in a card mailed today.

 

[jeeper46]

Those little stamped sets like that were just the sort of tools my Dad and grandfather had-They probably picked them up at the local Western Auto or some hardware store like that-they had just enough tools to do the most basic jobs around the house and on their cars-nothing more. They weren't "tool guys".

 

[KZ1000J]

Thanks Four.cycle!

I now consider myself "dangerous" when it comes to stamped steel, hex head ratchet sets.

Great link to the Craftsman catalog......enjoyed browsing and yes......there is a significant price difference. I guess to add makers marks would have just driven up the price.

I will post the pics at the New Britain thread.