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Author Topic: Hex Drive socket set?  (Read 3058 times)

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Offline harwill

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Hex Drive socket set?
« on: May 14, 2013, 12:13:56 PM »
Got one of these complete and many pieces but was wondering what the history behind it is?  I can recall seeing them for sale in Western Auto store and Firestone stores in the early fifties - seemed to be popular then.  Just wondering...
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Offline Papaw

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2013, 04:54:21 PM »
Offered by Indestro/Duro, and several others. There are lots of them around. Look in Alloy Artifacts.
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Offline Wrenchmensch

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2013, 09:07:42 PM »
As another suggestion, clean off the hex handle and look at it closely for a patent date stamp or a manufacturer's stamp.  These things were popular from the 1920s through the 1950s.
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Offline harwill

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2013, 11:20:36 PM »
I looked on the ratchet handle but did not look on the Hex handle.  Will do.  Thanks.
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Offline harwill

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2013, 11:17:57 PM »
OK, checked the hex handle and the ratchet and the sockets and the tray - nothing.
But the shape and checkering on the sockets IS reminescent of Indestro...
So I'll buy that.  Sure would hate to have to use that stuff on a serious job!

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Offline eddie hudson

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2013, 06:33:44 AM »
How about a picture of a socket?
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Offline harwill

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2013, 10:54:38 PM »
I started to take a picture then decided it was more complicated than a single picture!
The more I dug around, the more different styles I found.  Some had sizes stamped as fractions, others had the fractions expressed as dashed numbers.  Some had cross hatch knurling, straight bar knurling and knurled banding at different heights.  Then I discovered the "Alloy Artifacts" listing for Indestro/Duro.  Looks like I've got pieces of at least four different sets! But there's not much doubt what they are even if they are not labeled.  I think my goal will be to match up one complete set and offer the residue to some other poor struggling soul!
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Offline Wrenchmensch

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2013, 10:37:05 AM »
Attaboy!!
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Offline keykeeper

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Re: Hex Drive socket set?
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2013, 04:37:40 PM »
I believe New Britain also made some of these as well!!
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-Aaron C.

My vintage tool Want list:
Wards Master Quality 1/2" drive sockets (Need size 5/8), long extension, & speeder handle.
-Vlchek WB* series double box wrenches.
-Hinsdale double-box end round shank wrenches.
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