Restoration of Vintage Indestro Socket Sets.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 เม.ย. 2018
- Today we clean up a couple of Indestro socket sets from the 50’s. They were a very common sight in cars and around the home and came in many variations. Here we look at a 11 and 19 piece wall sets.
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Great Resto, glad some still save parts of history
Nicely done!
Indestro was well known for their aftermarket auto tool kits, similar to how this is put together. Another great find. I grew up not far from Indestro's factory on the Northwest side of Chicago. They weren't far from Schwinn bicycles and Zenith Radio Corp. You could find all these products in every home around these factories.
Beautiful John, just started collecting those small sets, brilliant stuff mate 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇧✌️
What great sets John got a similar UK one recently 👌🇺🇸🇬🇧
Two great restorations! A fitting tribute to the Indestro brand.
That extension with the long hex bar was ingenious.
Thank you!
I inherited a set of these from my father, minus the holder, and just thought it was an old fashioned ratchet set that I would never use. . When I tried to change the differential oil in my truck, the only socket I had that was large enough to remove the plug was from this set. Thanks, Dad. Time to get them out and clean them up.
Great video. Thank you for the clean up detail.
I have a vintage, 1955-56 Western Auto Supply Co., Fall and Winter catalog. On page 223 it shows the set with the red "hang-up case" and lists it as "Combination 19-PC. Hex Drive Set." Sold for $3.79 which was not exactly cheap at the time. Indestro made these and other hex sets for Western Auto and also Montgomery Ward under Ward's "Powr Kraft" name. In fact, Indestro made all sorts of hand tools for Western Auto and Ward's.
Thanks. Learned a lot and remembered one in my dad’s tool box in the 1950’s.
Hi John! I think this type set is the first one my Dad would let me use... I had to work up to using his S-K set! I still use his Indestro set to change my oil! Thanks!
What a cool, little set of tools. Nice restore.
I've never given much credit to these that aren't branded. I've given away probably hundreds of pieces, but I've never had the hangers nor seen a complete set. The Indestro branded tools do have collectible value and are very well made.
Thanks Scoutcrafter for your reply,please keep up the god work,am looking forward to more of your very good videos,and am going to look for one of these socket sets locally..sort of think Id like one again
Interesting sets. I've never seen anything quite like this.
These really look similar, non-withstanding the technology changes in socket sets, like some modern Wiha sets. So the idea is still very marketable, and wouldn't we all have loved getting these sets on our 16th birthday?! Thinking about the restoration (and this is always a function of how much energy you want to put into it of course), it made me wonder if there are any print transfer sheets one could use with their ink printer. We can do things now that were crazy hard 30 years ago: like use our phone to take a picture of the lettering, lift it in a software tool, and if there is a reverse transfer product available, we could repaint a set like this and put the exact copy of the text on the device. Lacquer it, and its good like new from a finish perspective. What do you think ScoutCrafter and viewers? Has anyone done something like this?
You got love the way it packs neatly together! Another great video man, thanks for sharing!!!
Investor was known for all kinds of interesting sheet metal holders!! The asian copies of these are often still found all over! Thanks!!!!!!!!!
Great little sets.
Very good restoration bro 👍👍👍👍
Very clever the way they stamped and bent the metal case to hold everything.
I have a small fractional set like the red set has. Got for a buck in a pawn shop. No ratchet but just the Allen type wrench. I use it to show students the history of tools. I teach Industrial Electrical Maintanence at a trade school.
Awesome! Turned out very nice. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Tim! These were fun little sets! Glad you enjoyed! 😃👍
I still have some Indestro 1/2" drive sockets that I got 50 years ago. The ratchet gave out while I was working in the oilfield in the early 80's, but they were good tools. I still use the breakover bar.
Hello David! The sockets were surprisingly durable but the non forged ratchets were always the first to go, especially working in an oilfield! Years back every garage sale had these socket sets and fondue sets! Lol! Thanks very much!! 😃👍
I still have a bunch of Indestro Super impact sockets in my tool box. I have used them daily since the late 1970s.
I had that red set when i was a kid. Great video. 👍
They turned out very nice !!!!!!
Hello Barry! They were not only pretty well made but they were kind of attractive to look at! I love old tools for that reason! Thanks very much!!!!!!
Pretty ingenious for the day. I like the wall hanging display. Those would look great in my garage. I've never seen this set up before but I'll be looking now.
Hello Wyatt, These old sets were everywhere years ago... Years back everyone had some basic tools in the trunk, today almost no one has even a single a tool in their vehicle! Lol. Thanks!
ScoutCrafter
Great video
I'll keep my eyes open for these. Nice sets.
Hello Heru! They were all over the place years ago! Every garage sale had one! lol Now they are getting harder to find but still lots out there! Fun set! Thanks very much!!!!
Outstanding! Have many of these sockets from my grandfather . Six point and the twelve point, like yours mind cleanup very well. I used them all the time for big jobs. My ratchet is different the handle flexes , not stamped. Thanks again. I think Snap On brought them out. May be wrong. Thanks again
Not seen wall hanging sets before.. very nice..
Man...If I would have had a kit like that when I was a Kid I would have had a fun time using it
I'm surprised you didn't have a kit like this or similar... These made great starter kits! They were durable, easy to use and cheap! LOL Thanks!!!!!!!
Hey man, thanks for the memories. My late father had a set of the red kind back in the 1960s and 70s, I wonder what happened to them? He also used 3 in 1 oil and I have the last bottle he purchased. What a great channel BTW and I am a new subscriber.
Really awesome!
Hello Working Man! Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed!!!! 😃👍
Thank you for some great info!
Hi Fabian!! Thanks very much! I'm so glad you enjoy the content!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your restoration techniques! This week I found an "Indestro" offset wrench in a wall on my job site. I really like it and would like to bring it back to it's original patina. It's an SAE 11/16" by 5/8". It will get some use!
Very good Restoration my friend nice tool set
Hello wladimir! When I was a kid those were the sets our father's would give us so we wouldn't touch their sets! Lol. Thanks very much!!! 😃👍
Nice set. They turned out very shiny.
Hello Lifes Jouneyman! I too was shocked at how nice they turned out! Thanks!
Interesting socket sets. They cleaned up nice.
Hi Ben! These were so common 30 years ago! Everyone had a set! It was fun to give them a second look! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!
I have green set just like that. I need to do exactly what you did. Thank you.
Scoutcrafter I love how those socket sets came out. I went to a flea market yesterday and I found in a box of mixed up tools an Allen socket set. Now when I said mixed up tools, I meant it! First I came across the metal hinged case, then I came across all of the sockets and finally 3 Allen wrenches one of which fits the hex for the sockets! When I cleaned up the sockets and Allen wrenches I came across that the Allen wrench that went with the sockets was patent date Dec 12, 1922! Any idea who may of made those. The sockets do look like your industro socket set! Oh also in the box was a Craftsman 1/2" Circle U ratchet from 1944 to 1948!
Love that set.. Looks 👍
Hello Santiago! These sets were super common years ago! Now getting harder to find but still nice little sets! Glad you enjoyed! Thanks very much!!!
ScoutCrafter no thank you I remember that set when I was young my father used to have one I used to work on his cars brought back memories God bless I enjoy all your videos keep it up
Hello Santiago! That's awesome! My dad also had a a set that I still use today to change my oil and other work... It always makes me think of and miss him! Thanks!!!!!
Thanks, great job.
Hello Tony! These old socket sets are a lot of fun but noting beats the new stuff out there today! Thanks very much!!!!!!
thanks for review, my dad had the Japanese one.
Those thru ratchets were just pure genius I feel. For the average task at hand, they were plenty good.
Hello Iwoodt1! They sockets were really heavy duty for the time! Those sets were made by the thousands! Good stuff! Thanks very much!
Love this so kewl
Thanks very much for watching Alan!!!!! =)
I have always had the standard set - now to scout out the Metric set.
All I can say is the more of these I watch the more jealous I am of whoever is gonna end up inheriting all of these tools. As much as I love vintage tools all of my time and spare cash are going into my blacksmithing/bladesmithing shop. Once the buildout is finally done I'm going to start trolling eBay for some of these cool older tools.
Great vid. I have a set I need to clean up now
Hello E Man! I don’t know why but I really get a kick out of using these old sets! I’ve been using the one in my truck to change the oil for over 10 years! Thanks!!! 😃👍
Those would look great on a garage wall
very rare to see, in the uk, ive never seen a complete set, they were hex drive as they fitted the car jacks of the time too, this was before snap on invented the sq 1/4-3/8-1/2 standard we see now. before then it was hex or non standard sq drives lke 5/16. amazing how compact they are unlike the toolkits of today with a millions sockets and exts and variants, just those, a set of 6 wrenches , a couple of screwdrivers and you had it all
Hello Jusb- I'm always amazed and grateful that you share the subtle differences of availability, scarcity, rarity and cost between the US and UK... Here in the US these sets are very common as most people were amateur do-it-yourselfers back in the 50's. Products were actually made to be serviced by average people and you had room to work! The socket sets of today are great and inexpensive but like doing woodwork with hand tools, sometimes I get a kick out of using these old relics! Thanks again!!!! 😃👍
I don't lubricate my rachets once a year, but after each use with wd40 ... that's why my proto rachet "made in usa" from the 70s has lasted so long
Just got this metric set for $10. Nice little set
I have a USA made set that’s similar. It has no case. It has 6 point sockets ranging from 7/16” to 3/4”. My uncle gave it too me back in the late 60s as a starter set. I gave it too my son as a starter socket set in the early 90s.
Hello M Dlanor! That is awesome! I bet that set gives you a warm feeling overtime you look at it! My Dad gave me one back in the 70's and I still use it to change my oil... Love it! Thanks very much! Great story!!!!
Purchased an Irwin 11/14 perfect handle screwdriver yesterday . Is a protect is rusted and needs the handle
Japanese goods were looked upon as inferior quality; much like Chinese is today. In reality, Japanese manufactured goods were actually pretty good, especially optics. In this day-in-age, Japanese usually means a very high quality tool. Great vid as usual. Thanks.
Hi Mike- You are so right- Japan has earned it's reputation for high quality products... Now Japan is setting the bar for excellence!
Needed to flare a line on my old Jeep. Rather than buy a cheap flaring kit on Amazon I saw an old Indestro flaring kit & bought it on a whim for 13.50 UK pounds ( about 20 bucks ). Just liked the look of it over the shiny Chinese kits that are everywhere.
It'll need cleaning up a bit but that's all part of the fun right?!
You can also bathe these ratchets in a cup of transmission oil overnight if it feels gummed up or gives too much resistance in the backswing. Come back the next day and just spin it on a bolt in a vice and you will feel it loosen up and see the dirty transmission fluid work its way out through the gaps. Transmission fluid is a great cleaner as well as a lubricant.
I got a couple of ratchet wrenches that look like those rachets in your sets. I got like 2 or 3 of them in different sizes. I'll get some pics of them to show you.
I enjoy my sets I have a R.F.Sedgley set Pat date Dec 31, 1918 but IM sure that he was bought out buy 1922 when Duro- Indestro sets first started
I should add I have both 3/8 and 1/2 Drive. I think they also had 3/4 drive. Thanks again.
👍👍
It all seems quite ingenious, but in the red set, is there a way to use the ratchet on the smaller sockets with the smaller hex bar?
James- I think if you run the small hex key thru the socket you can adapt it to fit the rest of the socket and use the ratchet... =)
dunlap ratchet ? who made? nice video. great voice.
In the UK there were some very cheap copies but they were not made of steel and bent when you tried to undo anything.
Hello Tony! Yes!!! There were a bunch of Asian knock-offs that looked almost identical but were like you said "of inferior quality"! Lol. The American versions are pretty high quality, especially the sockets! Thanks very much! 😃👍
Hi, I have bought a similar set, my question is regarding the ratchet, mine has a gap between the two faces, most likely it was forced to undo a stuck nut. Any way to close the gap? Thank you love your videos.
Hello ZZ, That was a common issue with these ratchets when over-torqued at one time.. If you try pressure to close the gap you have to be careful of not deforming the case! Great stuff Thanks!!!!!!
Are the Genuine Indestro Socket Set wrench with stamped recessed handles? I have on that just has a smooth handle no recess, I'm assuming it's the Japan version?
Hello readyset! It could be! They really looked similar! I know the sockets are marked on the US versions. They are great sets aren't they?!? Thanks very much!!!
I enjoyed it. Have only one question. Sometimes you cut your voice in the end of a sentence. Why is that? You also talk in the “ we form “. Do you have somebody with you?
Great videos, keep them coming. I have felt completely in love with “old” tools and their restoration. ( hope you can understand my English)
Greetings Koos from Norway
Hello- Jacobus Johannes Caspers! I think a lot of times my sentences get cut a little short by the editing software I use (iMovie), I'm always rushing to try and keep my videos as short as possible. I think 5 minutes is ideal but it's very hard! As for the "we" thing, I have trouble getting out of that habit- I was a Scout leader for over twenty years and to be inclusive we dropped the "I" when referring to oneself. It's funny but only when I'm videotaping do I ever say "we"... Thanks very much!!! Sorry for the confusion! 😃👍
Ive thrown so many of those away. Haha
Hello Chrysny413- These sets were floating all over the place years back, maybe that's why people have a sort of fondness for them now! When I was younger there were tons of Chevy Novas around, it was like the poor man's way to get into hot rodding. Everybody knew somebody who had a Nova in Primer... Now they are not laughed at anymore! It's funny how the common things of years ago become missed later on... Thanks!
I have a blue set from Japan that I've got on the to do list to get cleaned up. I don't think they were ever used.
Hi Jason! Yes! Japan was famous for producing these sets almost identically to these! They should clean up nicely! Thanks very much!!!!!
I have a correct my statement. Snap On did not take them over my error. Indestro and Duro operated into the 1990's . Thanks
Yeah I read about their collaboration with Duro.. They were big at one time!
Very nice. I've had great luck with citric acid...have you used that to remove rust on your restorations?
Hi Chris! I never tried citric acid but I have this Citrus spray for degreasing that is amazing! I can't believe how powerful it is for being non-toxic! lol Thanks!
ScoutCrafter give citric acid a go. Check out my clamp restoration video. It works wonders and it's fun to watch.
The green was standart
The red was imperial
Hello London! Green was Metric and Red Imperial... Standard is depending where you live! LOL Thanks
I had a set of those given to me when I was a kid back in the early 80s. I dumped them when I got a “fancy” craftsman socket set in the 90s. Sigh...
Hi John! Those sets were so common back then, now they aren't as available but they sure bring back memories! Just fun to remember working on our bikes and go karts with these tools! Thanks Very much! 😃👍
ScoutCrafter I grew up in Chicago so these were very common there. As I get older I really regret some of the things I threw away or dumped considering so many things today are garbage. I really really regret not grabbing my grandfathers Baldor grinder from his garage. It was all beat up and ugly, but I didn’t realize that all the modern pretty stuff was going to be ugly where it counts (aka the quality and internals). But live and learn. Love your videos, keep up the great work.
Hi John! Oh boy do I know that feeling! Last year I was at that Pa. Tractor show I go to and this guy had a Baldor Buffer for $40- Older but nice... I wanted to get it but I am so hard up for room that I have no place for it! That's a real bummer!!! Also if that didn't make you sick enough, My buddy's Father was a master machinist, he had a Bridgeport Mill down the basement with all the tooling that I could have for FREE! Guess what? Yep! No freaking room!!!!!! I couldn't take it! =) The funny thing is eventually things come back around and you wind up getting one anyway! LOL Thanks very much!!!!
ScoutCrafter I dunno, passing on a Bridgeport is borderline criminal offense. Lol.
Don't you despise those plastic 3-in1 bottles? I can't find a metal one (locally) to save my life. I particularly dislike the ones with the so-called 'Marksman' spout. Love 3-in1 oil, though...
Hello Jay! Like you I am totally old school... I always loved the metal tins products used to come in, especially the graphics on the can! They looked so cool! However I must say the newest 3-in-1 oil containers work very well! They allow just the right amount of oil to come out! The last two "tins" of 3-in-1 oil I bought both leaked around where the nipple joined the can! I love the look of the older tins but the newest containers I find so far so good! And you are right about those disasters with the spout that went into the bottle! LOL Thanks!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to say, but my girlfriend hates your guts haha. The reason is because I told her that you are the person I go to as a reference for what kind of tools and whatnot to buy and collect. Since I started watching you, my collection tripled in size and she doesn't understand why I would spend money on an old tool instead of a new one.