Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: kxxr on February 19, 2013, 05:22:31 PM

Title: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: kxxr on February 19, 2013, 05:22:31 PM

I found a great bargain today at the pawn shop on my way home from work. At $8, it was the highlight of the day. I set it down to take a picture and the box slid off into the snow and a couple of the 1/4 drive sockets hopped out. I should be able to pick them up off of the grass when the snow melts in a day or two.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/selectsteel1_zps7327e578.jpg)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/selectsteel3_zpse40123c8.jpg)

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: BRwrench on February 19, 2013, 07:00:08 PM

Wow!  Great deal, I really like that set.

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: 1930 on February 19, 2013, 07:21:17 PM

Id be out there with a hair dryer melting the snow, nice looking set

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: lbgradwell on February 19, 2013, 10:34:56 PM

Very cool set & a bargain at $8!

I'd be dragging my strong magnet over the snow...

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: lauver on February 19, 2013, 11:19:09 PM

kxxr,

What a score; very nice set.

Anybody got a guess as to the date of this set?  I'm thinkin late 1950's to early 1960's, but just a WAG.

Also noticed the spinner handle is Indestro Super, not Select.  How are the sockets and extensions labeled?

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: Fins/413 on February 20, 2013, 04:49:33 AM

Really nice I'm not familiar with that label style. I'd guess 70's or 80's, based on the letter style

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: kxxr on February 20, 2013, 05:32:10 PM

Here are some pictures of some of the details on the sockets and extensions. AA only says that the "Select Steel Tools" trademark was registered in 1961, and I didn't see any pictures of these specific tools on that site. My wife asked me how old they might be too, and my guess was 70s or 80s. I don't have anything factual to base that on, they could easily be 60s, I couldn't find any sure clues. The temperature will get into the 40s over the next couple of days, so I should be able to retrieve my runaway sockets.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/selectsteel8_zpsb63e38bb.jpg) (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/kxxr/media/tools/selectsteel8_zpsb63e38bb.jpg.html)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/selectsteel7_zpsaddfb203.jpg) (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/kxxr/media/tools/selectsteel7_zpsaddfb203.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: lauver on February 21, 2013, 12:07:22 PM

kxxr,

I'm going to revise my date guestimate of your minty set.

The 1961 registration date for "Select Steel Tools" trademark is one of only a few solid date markers available.

The 1959 catalog makes no mention of "Select Steel" or "Indestro Select" tools, and it shows knurled sockets, probably of the Indestro Super era.

The 1977 catalog shows newer ratchets (enclosed round head and boxhead style) than yours and makes no mention of Select Steel or Indestro Select tool.  So your set likely predates 1977.

So, given what little we can document, my revised date range estimate would be 1961 - mid 1970's.

Also, I suspect the original spinner handle in your set was lost and replaced by a similar, but earlier, Indestro Super spinner handle.  They both look the same, have the same model number, but have different brand stampings on them.

Hope this helps some....

Title: Re: Select Steel Tools, Indestro Mfg. Co. 3/8 and 1/4 Drive Set
Post by: jimwrench on February 21, 2013, 04:49:26 PM

 Very nice set. I have a soft spot for Indestro tools and those are minty.