Help with an Indestro special tool

[BigTexasYardSale]

I can't find it in the only Indestro catalog I have, and no results from the google.  It looks similar to the tool for compressing flat head valve springs and has the same patent number, but I have no idea why it has flat plates instead of fingers.  Anyone know what this thing was for?  It can only spread the plates, so its not a clamp of some type.

[turnnut]

 in your picture, it looks like someone welded those plates on at home.

[lptools]

Modified by former owner?

[lptools]

Hello, We were 8 seconds apart with the same idea!!  Regards, Lou

[turnnut]

Lou, when two minds think alike, how can you go wrong ?

looking it over, I can not believe that tool co. would let that type of welding leave the shop.  Frank

[BigTexasYardSale]

in your picture, it looks like someone welded those plates on at home.

I thought so too, but the zinc plating is too "factory like", it was done after the welding.

The branding is also unfamiliar to me.  "Indestro-Super", like super obscure I guess.

[turnnut]

 the way the plates are welded on, it can no longer be used as a spring compressor.

possible someone needed a special clamp and made do with what they had on hand.

[Bill Houghton]

For spreading disc brake calipers?

[bill300d]

Indestro Super was their better line of tools as compared to Select Steel their lower value line of tools.
My guess is that some company contracted Indestro to make that tool to their specs for a special purpose.

[BigTexasYardSale]

Indestro Super was their better line of tools as compared to Select Steel their lower value line of tools.
My guess is that some company contracted Indestro to make that tool to their specs for a special purpose.

Thank you for the branding explanation,  I had no idea there were variations of the Indestro product line.  It's confusing enough with all the buy outs, mergers, acquisitions, and contract manufacturing that went on with all the tool companies at the tail end of the last century.

The other scenario I was contemplating for this thing was whether this was actually a production item or if it might be a one-off prototype or sample that escaped the factory.  Hopefully someone on the forum can clear up whether they've ever seen this thing in a catalog somewhere.