Allen Brand Tools

[Ryan]

My dad passed away a few months ago. Hardest thing I've ever been through. This past weekend, I had the chore of cleaning out his shop.

In the late 1980's, my dad bought me my first set of tools. It was the Allen Jr. set. Essentially, it came with a small green tool chest and basic mechanic tools. To this day, it remains the foundation of my tool set.

At the same time, he decided to upgrade from Craftsman to Allen and bought himself the Allen Master set. It came with bottom tool cart and a top chest - both in a lovely shade of green and both filled with american made tools - just about everything you could think of.

I've been cleaning his set up this week... Such good stuff from back then. Each part of the kit is in it's own steel case or a nice branded pouch.

Man, the Allen brand used to a be a good one. I love this stuff.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

That's a really cool collection that appears to be in perfect condition! I've never seen Allen tool boxes before. There is a mom and pop hardware store in Glendale, CA that still has a tool display of NOS Allen tools that always catches my attention. They are good quality working man's tools.

 

[jlh92]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my dad a few years back so I know the feeling.

All of that stuff looks to be in excellent shape.

 

[bluebolt]

That's some really cool stuff.

 

[Tronyadorable]

More pics !!!

 

[m.b.0331]

Nice looking tools. There's a small hardware chain around Charlotte, NC that carries some NOS Allen stuff, too.

 

[Scout Driver]

Most of my hardline tools are Allen from the USA made era. Excellent tools that are a great value.

I've never seen an Allen tool box before.....

Scott

 

[Askme42]

Great looking Allen collection.

 

[orca8589]

Sorry for your loss - we lost our dad this year as well, and I still haven't gone through everything in his tool box yet.

I found a set of Allen sockets in the road a few years ago, and it became the foundation of my current tool set. That's when I found out Lowes was switching to Kobalt. I'm looking for Allen tools, just to build a good collection of them.

~Chris

 

[Bull]

I know that at some point, Allen came under the Danaher umbrella so their stuff wasn't really different from the other Danaher brands. Was Allen independent/making their own hardline tools before that?

 

[Ryan]

I know that at some point, Allen came under the Danaher umbrella so their stuff wasn't really different from the other Danaher brands. Was Allen independent/making their own hardline tools before that?

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they were... This set is, I believe, from the late 1980's. They are US made and really, really nice... I'd say on par with someone like SK of today.

 

[T45]

Those locking chrome extensions look nice.

 

[unslow1]

I'm still going through the 3 garages 2 years later. It can be an overwhelming task.

 

[sonvolt]

Sorry for your loss, I inherited all of my dads tools as well. You will remember him every time you use his tools, sweet collection

 

[bonneyman]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they were... This set is, I believe, from the late 1980's. They are US made and really, really nice... I'd say on par with someone like SK of today.

Our local Ace Hardware was selling Allen and S-K tools side by side - until they cleaned everything off the shelves and restocked with Craftsman.
I thought the Allen stuff was nice.

 

[royesses]

Your Dad had good taste in tools and took immaculate care of them. That is a great man.
I am sorry for your loss. You just never get over losing your Dad. But you can remember him when you hold his tools and think of all the good times you had.

Roy

 

[justme-]

I always wanted that toolbox - local NHD hardware store had Allen hardline and that box...My first real SAE combo wrench set (as in not junk china) was an Allen from that era - still have them and they now reside in my box at work - used daily. Allen under Danaher, still does have a US line of hardline, but the quality is not exactly the same, it's evident when they are side by side in your hand, but on the shelf they "look" the same as those old ones. DoItBest sells Allen hardline (at least, we do) next to their DIB China stuff. Wish we could bring in SK, but so far no luck.

I'm sorry for your loss. My ol man is 75 and not in the best health. It's tough to see, and I dread loosing him. He can't turn wrenches or bang nails anymore, but he still comes over to help (supervise) when he can.

 

[mensa]

There is something magical about having/owning tools that once belonged to your father or grandfather. When my granddad passed, he had so many tools that his wife (my grandmother) tooled out many relatives (mostly son-in-laws). Not many tools found their way to my Dad or me. I believe because we already have more than most. But a few did filter down. I have a few old script Snap on wrenches, a few flying v selector ratchets. All inscribed "Neil" on them. I look at them with reverence knowing that my granddad fed 5 kids by using these same tools.

Sorry for your loss. God won't give us what we can't handle. Stay strong and remember that the best way to honor the dead is to remember them.

 

[KnurledNut]

Its touching that your father desired to fix things, but even more so, his desire to share that with you.
We miss our loved ones, and cherish the good memories.
Thank you for sharing some of those with us.
Your tools will always have a special place.
May your family find comfort.

 

[Lone Star Blaze]

My last name is Allen and have been trying to pick up some Allen stuff here and there but not much of it left wish I had bought more when I was younger and there seemed to be more of it on store shelves.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[bobemmerich]

Sorry about your dad.
Love it! those are great quality tools. I slowly acquired mine. I've been looking for an Allen box forever. That one is only the second one I've seen. Here's some of mine...

 

[hangfirew8]

Sorry about your Dad, my Dad left me almost entirely mismatched "sets" of randomized brands, almost entirely SAE. Well, there were a few complete sets, but they were lost in a theft some years back. Despite his tool handicaps he could fix anything without breaking a sweat (so it seemed).

I like USA era Allen's, I pick them up when I can. Some are still available from Cripe Distributing direct or on eBay. I have one of their mixed tool sets, 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets and metric + SAE sockets, a few deep SAE's and a handful of SAE wrenches. It seemed like a great deal at the time, but now I wonder what they were thinking by not including more Metric and less SAE. It is the only blow-molded case that I still keep tools in, all the other brand cases are a waste of space.

I've heard if you warranty a USA Allen tool, Danaher will send you an Armstrong. Haven't needed to try it, I lost a socket (and replaced it from Cripe) but haven't broken one yet.

 

[Ryan]

Sorry about your dad.
Love it! those are great quality tools. I slowly acquired mine. I've been looking for an Allen box forever. That one is only the second one I've seen. Here's some of mine...

Heres the small box mine came in... It needs to be cleaned up.

I'll post more images of the tools when I get a chance.

 

[AA/FC]

I've heard if you warranty a USA Allen tool, Danaher will send you an Armstrong. Haven't needed to try it, I lost a socket (and replaced it from Cripe) but haven't broken one yet.

ALLEN tools are still made in the USA. In fact, I can walk into any Mills Fleet Farm store here in the midwest and have my pick of the full line of USA ALLEN tools.

 

[IsaacJ]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Menards masterforce are just rebranded Allen. I picked up some loose wrenches there a couple weeks ago and I didn't realize it, but some were USA Allen, and some were USA masterforce. Except for the name stamp they were Identical.

 

[AA/FC]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Menards masterforce are just rebranded Allen. I picked up some loose wrenches there a couple weeks ago and I didn't realize it, but some were USA Allen, and some were USA masterforce. Except for the name stamp they were Identical.

That is correct. Menards Masterforce brand IS rebranded ALLEN stuff.

 

[Kev442]

Here is the 10 piece in today's ad. I only own a couple, but they're decent wrenches.

 

[bobemmerich]

Heres the small box mine came in... It needs to be cleaned up.

I'll post more images of the tools when I get a chance.

 

[Farmall450]

First of all: Sorry to hear about your father. It's a shame but a necessary evil.
Secondly: Those are mighty fine tools. I don't see or hear much about Allen even now, and those are beauties compared to the common Apex Allen of today.

 

[Farmall450]

ALLEN tools are still made in the USA. In fact, I can walk into any Mills Fleet Farm store here in the midwest and have my pick of the full line of USA ALLEN tools.

Farm & Fleet too in other parts of the midwest.

 

[Cope]

I know that at some point, Allen came under the Danaher umbrella so their stuff wasn't really different from the other Danaher brands. Was Allen independent/making their own hardline tools before that?

Yes, Allen is an old company, probably before the founders of Danaher were born.

 

[SS5150]

Farm & Fleet too in other parts of the midwest.

You know the last time I ran to the F+F in Woodstock (end of October) I don't think they had much Allen in inventory anymore. Disappointing as it really is pretty good stuff.

 

[nicksnothereman]

ALLEN tools are still made in the USA. In fact, I can walk into any Mills Fleet Farm store here in the midwest and have my pick of the full line of USA ALLEN tools.

I've seen chinese allen. I'm not hallucinating. Cripe sells chinese allen, sears sells the chinese allen set.

 

[btbsandman]

I've seen chinese allen. I'm not hallucinating. Cripe sells chinese allen, sears sells the chinese allen set.

I have the Taiwan Allen Wrench Metric Set too.

 

[AA/FC]

I've seen chinese allen. I'm not hallucinating. Cripe sells chinese allen, sears sells the chinese allen set.

Ok. Well, the Masterforce and Allen hand tools sold here locally are made in the USA. Wrenches, ratchets, sockets, etc. All USA. In fact, I just bought an Allen socket yesterday at Fleet Farm to fill a set that was missing a socket..... made in USA.

I cant speak about pliers though..... I do know the Masterforce pliers are China. Not sure about Allen pliers.

 

[Fedwrench]

Given that KD tools was killed off to provide for Gearwrench's expansion, and that many of the factories that used to churn out the sockets for (KD, Allen, NAPA, etc.) are now closed, I expect US made Allen branded tools to dry up in favor of their foreign made replacements. However, some of the popular designs such as the 36 tooth knurled handled ratchets from the old KD/Allen days are now available under the Armstrong brand.
I always thought the KD/Allen stuff was better made than their Craftsman brothers because, they weren't trying to make tools to be sold for pennies on the piece. They were solid no frills, medium priced, get the job done kind of tools that will be missed.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Sorry to hear about your fathers passing. I'd echo what others have said about fond remembrances having/using his/your tools. My kids have zero interest in my tools other than the opportunity to cash them out after I'm gone. You can still find Allen Tools at the Menards Stores in the Midwest. Good stuff.

 

[bobemmerich]

I've seen chinese allen. I'm not hallucinating. Cripe sells chinese allen, sears sells the chinese allen set.

Unfortunately, this is true....
As for K-D, I have some older NOS American stuff. They're good tools. I'm almost afraid to use 'em, because who would warranty it???

 

[Farmall450]

You know the last time I ran to the F+F in Woodstock (end of October) I don't think they had much Allen in inventory anymore. Disappointing as it really is pretty good stuff.

Woodstock is where I commonly go, they seem to have median sized wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. Big wrenches are only in their house brand and, oddly enough, gearwrench ratcheting brands.