Alloy Artifacts

Sockets and Drive Tools

Duro Metal Products 652 1/2-Drive Speeder

Fig. 127. Duro Metal Products 1/2-Drive 652 Speeder, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1925-1930.

Fig. 127 shows an early 1/2-drive Duro Metal Products 652 speeder, stamped "Duro Metal Products Co." on the shank.

The overall length is 12.6 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

Indestro 642 1/2-Drive Valve Grinding Adapter

Fig. 128. Indestro 642 1/2-Drive Valve Grinding Adapter, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 128 shows a 1/2-drive Indestro 642 valve grinding adapter, unmarked but identified by an illustration in the 1937 Indestro catalog.

The overall length is 2.5 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

This tool is typical of the valve grinding adapters often included in early socket sets. The points on the blades fit into small indentations on the head of the valve, and the slotted blades can be adjusted to fit different valve sizes by means of two machine screws.

Indestro 657 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 129. Indestro 657 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 129 shows a 1/2-drive Indestro 657 ratchet, stamped "Indestro Mfg. Corp." and "Chicago U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

Although not marked with a patent, this ratchet appears to be of the same design as the Hinsdale H-1 Ratchet, which is described by the McDonough 1927 patent #1,650,085. In this design the pawl is actually a hardened point at the end of the handle, and the head assembly pivots to lock or release the drive gear.

Duro-Chrome 582 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension

Fig. 130. Duro-Chrome 582 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 130 shows an early 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 582 3 inch extension, stamped "Duro Chrome" on the shank.

The overall length is 3.1 inches, and the finish is nickel plating.

The extension is equipped with a 3/8 inch diameter cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle.

Duro-Chrome 662D 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension

Fig. 131. Duro-Chrome 662D 1/2-Drive 3 Inch Extension, with Insets for Marking Detail.

Fig. 131 shows a later 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 662D 3 inch extension, stamped "Duro-Chrome" and "U.S.A." on the drive head.

The overall length is 3.1 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The extension is equipped with a 3/8 inch diameter cross-bar hole for use as a Tee-handle.

Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension

Fig. 132. Chromium Vanadium 3216 1/2-Drive 6 Inch Extension, ca. 1930s.

Fig. 132 shows an early Indestro 3216 1/2-drive 6 inch extension, stamped "Chromium Vanadium" and "Made in U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 5.9 inches, and the finish is chrome (or possibly nickel) plating.

Duro-Chrome 666D 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 133. Duro-Chrome 666D 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar.

Fig. 133 shows a Duro-Chrome 666D flex-head breaker bar, marked "U.S.A." with the Duro-Chrome trademark.

The overall length is 11.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and has a 1/2-drive stud on the end. The latter feature was popular on earlier breaker bars, when female-drive ratchets were the norm, as it allowed the breaker bar to operate as an extension.

Indestro "Chromium Vanadium" 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 134. Indestro CV 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Insets for Marking Detail.

Fig. 134 shows an early 1/2-drive Indestro 3221 11 inch flex-head breaker bar, stamped "Chromium Vanadium" on the shank.

The overall length is 11.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive stud, allowing additional functionality as a T-handle and extension.

Indestro Super 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 135. Indestro Super 3221 1/2-Drive 11 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 135 shows a later 1/2-drive Indestro 3221 11 inch flex-head breaker bar, stamped "Super" and "U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 11.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive stud, allowing additional functionality as a T-handle and extension.

Duro-Chrome 657DK 1/2-Drive 15 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 136. Duro-Chrome 657DK 1/2-Drive 15 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 136 shows a Duro-Chrome 657DK flex-head breaker bar, marked "U.S.A." with the Duro-Chrome trademark.

The overall length is 15.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole and a 1/2-drive stud, allowing additional functionality as a T-handle and extension.

Duro-Chrome 669D 1/2-Drive 18 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 137. Duro-Chrome 1/2-Drive 669D 18 Inch Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1960s.

Fig. 137 shows a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 669D 18 inch flex-head breaker bar, marked "U.S.A." with the Duro-Chrome trademark.

The overall length is 17.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The knurled handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole for use as a T-handle, but the end is not broached for square drive. Earlier versions of this model did include a 1/2-drive broached end, allowing use as an extension.

Indestro 3202 1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet

Fig. 138. Indestro 3202 1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 138 shows an early 1/2-drive Indestro 3202 female drive ratchet, marked "Chicago, U.S.A." and "Licensed Under Pat. No. 1902878" on the front cover plate, with "No. 3202" on the reverse cover plate.

The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The forged body of this ratchet is very similar to the Duro-Chrome 678D Ratchet, but the forged-in brand name has been omitted. The ratchet mechanism uses a relatively coarse 16-tooth gear, an indication of the early manufacture of this tool.

Indestro Super 3202R 1/2-Drive Reversible Pressed-Flange Ratchet

In later years Duro added a reversing mechanism to the pressed-flange ratchets, and then offered them in both male and female drive. The next figure shows an example of a female drive reversible ratchet.

Fig. 139. Indestro Super 3202R 1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1945+.

Fig. 139 at the left shows a 1/2-drive Indestro 3202R reversible female drive ratchet, marked "Pat. No. 1,902,878" under the shift lever, with "Indestro-Super" and the model number on the reverse.

The overall length is 9.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The ratchet mechanism uses an 18-tooth drive gear, slightly finer than the previous example but still relatively coarse.

Indestro Super 3201 1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet

Fig. 140. Indestro Super 3201 1/2-Drive Pressed-Flange Ratchet, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 140 shows a 1/2-drive Indestro Super model 3201 ratchet, marked "Indestro Super 3201" on the front cover plate, with "Made in U.S.A." and "Pat. No. 1902878" on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.5 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

The ratchet mechanism has a 36-tooth gear, a much finer action than the Early Duro-Chrome 678D Ratchet we saw in an earlier section.

This ratchet is an example of later versions of Duro's pressed-flange construction. The 1941 Indestro catalog offered pressed-flange ratchets in three versions, a model 3201R with reversible male/female drive, model 3202R with reversible female drive, and model 3202 with non-reversible female drive. These were part of the Super Quality Chrome Vanadium line and probably would have been marked "Super-Quality".

Ratchet models 3201R and 3202R were still available in the 1956 Indestro catalog No. 20, and the model 3201R had assumed its present male-drive-only form. By the early 1960s the only remaining pressed-flange ratchet was the model 3202R.

Duro-Chrome 675 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 141. Duro-Chrome 675 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 141 shows a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 675 ratchet, marked "Duro-Chrome U.S.A." at the end of the handle.

The overall length is 10.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.

The ratchet mechanism is a variant of the classic S-K design and uses a 52-tooth gear in the drive handle. The shift mechanism incorporates a detent ball to guard against accidental shifting, and is described by Duro patent #2,686,582, issued in 1954.

This ratchet model was first listed in a supplement (35S) to the 1955 Duro catalog No. 35, and was intended as a replacement for the discontinued Duro-Chrome 699 Dual-Pawl Ratchet. The 1961 Duro catalog listed both the model 675 and a similar model 689 with a longer handle.

The equivalent ratchet in the Indestro Super line is the model 3275, shown in the next figure, and the very similar Indestro Super 3/8-drive model 2775 is shown below as well. Other examples of similar models include the Wizard H2833 Ratchet.

Indestro Super 3275 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 142. Indestro Super 3275 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Reverse and Side View.

Fig. 142 shows a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3275 ratchet, marked with the brand and model on the shank, with "Keep Clean and Oil" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.1 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

This ratchet is the Indestro equivalent of the Duro-Chrome 675 shown in the previous figure, and is virtually identical in design and construction.

The ratchet mechanism is a variant of the classic S-K design and uses a 52-tooth gear in the drive handle. The ratchet assembly is marked "Mfd. U.S.A." and "Pat. No. 2686582", with the latter notice referring to patent #2,686,582, issued to Odlum and Hosford in 1954.

Indestro Super 3289 1/2-Drive Long-Handled Ratchet

Fig. 143. Indestro Super 3289 1/2-Drive Long-Handled Ratchet, with Insets for Side View and Marking Detail.

Fig. 143 shows a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3239 long-handled ratchet, marked "U.S.A." with the brand and model at the end of the handle.

The overall length is 14.8 inches, and the finish is polished chrome.

Indestro Super 3208 1/2-Drive Speeder

Fig. 144. Indestro Super 3208 1/2-Drive Speeder, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 144 shows a 1/2-drive Indestro Super 3208 speeder, marked "U.S.A." on the shank.

The overall length is 17.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

Duro-Chrome 1618V8X 1/2-Drive 9/16 Connecting Rod Socket

Duro-chrome's 16xx series of 1/2-drive sockets included a special 9/16 socket, made with extra-thin walls for Ford connecting-rod applications. Although the 16xx sockets were otherwise all double-hex, this special socket was available in both hex and double-hex broachings, with model numbers 1618V8X and 1618V8XX respectively.

Fig. 145. Duro-Chrome 1618V8X 1/2-Drive 9/16 Hex Socket, with Insets for Broaching and Marking Detail.

Fig. 145 shows a rare 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 1618V8X 9/16 hex socket, stamped "U.S.A." on the base.

The lower-right inset shows the hot-broached construction of the socket.

This socket was intended for Ford connecting-rod applications, which required very thin walls for clearance.

3/8-Drive Tools

Indestro Super 2775 3/8-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 146. Indestro Super 2775 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Reverse and Side View.

Fig. 146 shows a 3/8-drive Indestro Super 2775 ratchet, marked with the brand and model on the shank, with "Keep Clean and Oil" on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.

This ratchet is the 3/8-drive equivalent of the Indestro model 3275 shown above, and is virtually identical in design and construction.

Duro-Chrome 4479 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 147A. Duro-Chrome 4479 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Insets for Construction Detail, ca. 1942-1945

Fig. 147A shows a 3/8-drive Duro-Chrome 4479 flex-head breaker bar, stamped "Duro-Chrome" on the shank.

The overall length is 87.7 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The plain finish suggests a 1942-1945 manufacturing date.

The knurled handle is broached for a 3/8-drive connection, as shown in the right inset. This feature allows the breaker bar to be used as an extension as well.

Duro-Chrome 4481 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 147B. Duro-Chrome 4481 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Inset for Marking Detail.

Fig. 147B shows a 3/8-drive Duro-Chrome 4481 flex-head breaker bar, marked "U.S.A." near the end of the knurled handle.

The overall length is 9.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.

1/4-Drive Tools

Duro-Chrome 4575A 1/4-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 148. Duro-Chrome 4575A 1/4-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 148 shows a 1/4-drive Duro-Chrome 4575A ratchet, marked "U.S.A." on the shift knob.

The overall length is 4.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with a polished head and shank.

Impact Sockets

Duro didn't offer impact sockets until sometime in the 1950s.

Duro-Chrome 1174 1/2-Drive 3/4 Impact Socket

Fig. 149. Duro-Chrome 1174 1/2-Drive 3/4 Impact Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1950s

Fig. 149 shows a 1/2-drive Duro-Chrome 1174 3/4 impact socket, stamped "U.S.A." on the base.

The finish is chrome plating.

This early impact socket shows the surprising use of a chrome plated finish with a cross-hatched band, similar to the Duro-Chrome standard sockets.

Refrigeration Specialty Tools

Refrigeration service was a specialty field that hadn't even existed prior to the 1920s, but which grew rapidly during the 1930s and later. Refrigeration technicians of course needed special tools, and Duro was one of the more highly regarded makers of such tools.

The special tools typically used for refrigeration service included ratchets with extra openings on the handle, sockets for gland-nut packings, and various styles of flare-nut wrenches. The figures below will show some examples of Duro and Indestro refrigeration tools.

Indestro Super 368 Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 150. Indestro Super 368 3/8x7/16 Flare-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 150 shows an Indestro Super 368 3/8x7/16 flare-nut wrench, stamped with the brand and model number on the streamlined raised panel, and with "Forged in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and panels.

Duro-Chrome 369 Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 151. Duro-Chrome 369 1/2x9/16 Flare-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 151 shows a Duro-Chrome 369 1/2x9/16 flare-nut wrench, stamped "Duro-Chrome" on the streamlined raised panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and panels.

Duro-Chrome 371 Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 152 shows a Duro-Chrome 371 3/4x1 flare-nut wrench, stamped "Duro-Chrome" on the streamlined raised panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." on the reverse. The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces and panels.

Fig. 152. Duro-Chrome 371 3/4x1 Flare-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Duro-Chrome 372 Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 153. Duro-Chrome 372 7/8x1-1/8 Flare-Nut Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 153 shows a Duro-Chrome 372 7/8x1-1/8 flare-nut wrench with streamlined raised panels, stamped "Duro-Chrome" with the X-Circle logo on the front, with "Forged in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Duro-Chrome Deep Offset Flare Wrenches

In addition to the flat flare-nut style illustrated above, Duro produced a series of four flare wrench models in an unusual deep offset configuration. The deep offsets and somewhat odd paired sizes suggest that these were designed for some fairly specific application.

The Duro-Chrome offset flare-nut wrenches are somewhat rare, but we have been able to acquire examples of each for your viewing pleasure. Fig. 154 shows the group of four wrenches, and the figures below will show each wrench in greater detail.

Fig. 154. Duro-Chrome 38x Deep Offset Flare-Nut Wrenches.

The models and sizes are, from the top down, 381 (5/8x13/16), 382 (3/4x1), 383 (7/8x1-1/8), and 384 (1x1-3/16).

Duro-Chrome 381 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench

In addition to the flat flare-nut style illustrated above, Duro produced a series of four flare wrench models in an unusual deep offset configuration. The deep offsets and somewhat odd paired sizes suggest that these were designed for some fairly specific application.

Fig. 155. Duro-Chrome 381 5/8x13/16 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 155 shows a Duro-Chrome 381 5/8x13/16 offset flare-nut wrench, stamped "Forged in U.S.A." on the streamlined raised panel with "Duro-Chrome" on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Duro-Chrome 382 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 156. Duro-Chrome 382 3/4x1 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 156 shows a Duro-Chrome 382 3/4x1 offset flare-nut wrench, stamped "Forged in U.S.A." on the streamlined raised panel with "Duro Chrome" on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Duro-Chrome 383 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench

Fig. 157. Duro-Chrome 383 7/8x1-1/8 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1942-1945.

Fig. 157 shows a Duro-Chrome 383 7/8x1-1/8 offset flare-nut wrench, stamped "Duro Chrome" with the X-Circle logo on the front panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." on the reverse panel.

The overall length is 9.2 inches. The finish is plain steel with traces of cadmium plating, indicating a likely manufacturing date from 1942-1945.

Duro-Chrome 384 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench

The next figure shows the largest wrench of the offset flare-nut set.

Fig. 158. Duro-Chrome 384 1x1-3/16 Offset Flare-Nut Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

In Fig. 158 we see a Duro-Chrome 384 1x1-3/16 offset flare-nut wrench, stamped "Duro Chrome" with the X-Circle logo on the front panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." on the reverse panel.

The overall length is 9.7 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

Duro-Chrome 4490 Refrigeration Ratchet

Ratchets designed for refrigeration use typically included extra broached openings on the handle, so that the single tool could operate with commonly used valves or nuts. The ratchet drive was usually a 1/4 square female broaching, the most common size used for the square valve stem on tanks of compressed refrigerant gases.

Fig. 159. Duro-Chrome 4490 1/4-Drive Refrigeration Ratchet, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 159 shows a Duro-Chrome 4490 1/4 female drive ratchet, marked "Duro-Chrome" on the face plate with "Pat. No. 1,902,878" on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The handle includes broachings for several commonly used sizes, including 3/16 square, 5/16 square, 1/4 square, and 1/2 double-hex.

The patent notice refers to the well-known patent for the pressed-flange ratchet construction. Other examples of this patent can be seen in the Duro 678D Ratchet and Indestro 3201 Ratchet.

Refrigeration ratchets were made by several other companies, including Bonney, Snap-On, and Walden. An example can be seen in the Walden-Worcester 867 Ratchet.

Duro-Chrome 34x 1/4 Male Drive Sockets

The special ratchets used for refrigeration service were generally furnished with 1/4 female drive, which means that an adapter stud would be needed to use conventional sockets. Duro provided a more convenient alternative by making special 1/4 male-drive sockets in the sizes and broachings commonly needed in this application.

Fig. 160. Duro-Chrome 1/4 Male Drive Sockets, from Left: 341 (3/16), 344 (5/16).

Fig. 160 at the left shows two examples of the 1/4 male drive Duro-Chrome 34x socket series, each marked "U.S.A." with the "Duro-Chrome" trademark.

The models and sizes are 341 (3/16) on the left and 344 (5/16) on the right, and both sockets have square (4-point) broachings.

Duro-Chrome 338 5/8 Gland Nut Tee Wrench

Fig. 161. Duro-Chrome 338 5/8 Gland Nut Tee Wrench, with Inset for End Detail.

Fig. 161 shows a Duro-Chrome 338 5/8 gland nut wrench with a sliding T-handle, marked "U.S.A." with the "Duro-Chrome" trademark.

The lengths of the socket and handle are 1.9 and 3.7 inches, respectively.

That completes our brief tour of Duro's refrigeration specialty tools. In the next section we'll see some examples of Duro/Indestro contract production, tools produced by Duro but marked for other companies.