MushCreek
Well-known member
I have some old Wizard (Western Auto) sockets that I got in the late 60's. Any idea who made them? No real reason; just rainy day boredom.
Who made (old) Wizard sockets?
- Thread starter MushCreek
- Start date
Chief919
Well-known member
Any codes on them? D was Duro/Industro and V or KV was Vlchek.
driftpin
Well-known member
Like many communities, the small one in which I was raised had a Western Auto, and it was someplace to go to if you couldn't find what you needed elsewhere. Not my first choice for hardware or tools. I recall their house brand being 'Wizard.' I am not enough of a tool whiz to be able to answer that question, sorry.
Try here, looks like Chief919 has good info:
http://alloy-artifacts.org/western-auto-supply.html
The "Wizard" and "Westcraft" Era
In 1940 Western Auto began using the "Wizard" brand for tools, a brand it had previously used for a variety of auto supplies and accessories. Sometime later the "Westcraft" brand also came into use.
Unlike the previous "Chromium Vanadium" and "ChromeXQualtiy" brands, both Wizard and Westcraft were registered trademarks of the Western Auto Supply Company, and both marks were used for hand tools as well as other items.
The Wizard brand was the immediate successor of the ChromeXQuality mark shown in the previous section, and was generally (or exclusively) used for their top-quality tools.
Also lumped into this section is the "Westline" brand, an unregistered mark generally used for economy-grade tools.
These brands remained in use for the remaining years of Western Auto's operations.
Major Suppliers
The major tool suppliers for the Wizard and Westcraft lines were Duro/Indestro and Vlchek Tool.
Wizard and Westcraft Production by Duro/Indestro
Duro/Indestro was a major supplier for the Wizard and Westcraft lines. The Duro tools known to have been sourced for Western Auto include ratchets, sockets, drive tools, tappet wrenches, and some double-box wrenches.
Try here, looks like Chief919 has good info:
http://alloy-artifacts.org/western-auto-supply.html
The "Wizard" and "Westcraft" Era
In 1940 Western Auto began using the "Wizard" brand for tools, a brand it had previously used for a variety of auto supplies and accessories. Sometime later the "Westcraft" brand also came into use.
Unlike the previous "Chromium Vanadium" and "ChromeXQualtiy" brands, both Wizard and Westcraft were registered trademarks of the Western Auto Supply Company, and both marks were used for hand tools as well as other items.
The Wizard brand was the immediate successor of the ChromeXQuality mark shown in the previous section, and was generally (or exclusively) used for their top-quality tools.
Also lumped into this section is the "Westline" brand, an unregistered mark generally used for economy-grade tools.
These brands remained in use for the remaining years of Western Auto's operations.
Major Suppliers
The major tool suppliers for the Wizard and Westcraft lines were Duro/Indestro and Vlchek Tool.
Wizard and Westcraft Production by Duro/Indestro
Duro/Indestro was a major supplier for the Wizard and Westcraft lines. The Duro tools known to have been sourced for Western Auto include ratchets, sockets, drive tools, tappet wrenches, and some double-box wrenches.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
Through time, I have acquired a few sockets branded "Wizard". Their quality seems good for the time, and I have no complaints
four.cycle
Well-known member
Indestro supplied Western Auto on a lot of items. Some are marked "D" (Duro Metal Products Co.)
Some of the Indestro-made ratchets are designed a little differently: Indestro went to a knurled round handle on their 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets, but the "Wizard" and "Westcraft" brands were made with flat handles. This is also the case on some of the breakers. The sockets, if they have a single knurled band, are the same as "Indestro Super". Two plain bands - same as "Indestro Select".
Some of the Indestro-made ratchets are designed a little differently: Indestro went to a knurled round handle on their 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets, but the "Wizard" and "Westcraft" brands were made with flat handles. This is also the case on some of the breakers. The sockets, if they have a single knurled band, are the same as "Indestro Super". Two plain bands - same as "Indestro Select".
davethorik
Well-known member
I was curious about that. Slightly off topic but I have an Indestro Super 3277 round head 1/2 ratchet, and it has the flat handle. I like the ratchet quite a bit, but the handle is kind of awkward and uncomfortable, so I don't really use it.
four.cycle
Well-known member
davetorik: Your 3277 is the older style, as shown here in the 1959 catalog. It was discontinued and replaced by the 3275 (knurled round handle.)
Clearly your only option is to sell it to either me or ssdave.
You are fortunate to have the earlier tapered style. The later production was a straight-barrel design, like those in the photo on the right above.
Clearly your only option is to sell it to either me or ssdave.
MushCreek said:
You are fortunate to have the earlier tapered style. The later production was a straight-barrel design, like those in the photo on the right above.
Last edited:
davethorik
Well-known member
davetorik: Your 3277 is the older style, as shown here in the 1959 catalog. It was discontinued and replaced by the 3275 (knurled round handle.)
Clearly your only option is to sell it to either me or ssdave.
Interesting how they gave tooth count and swing arc, seems like not many mfrs were publishing those facts back then, even though it's the norm with modern ratchets.
The flat handle was for knuckle clearance, interesting. Despite my dislike, this one's a keeper, sorry