Allen brand wrenches USA

[c10bonanza]

What is the consensus on Allen brand USA made combo wrenches? Cripe has some decent looking metric and SAE sets.

I'm a DIYer so I'm not looking for something that can be beat on everyday.

Is there another brand I should look at? I'd prefer USA made but am not opposed to buying from another COO.

Basically I'm looking for some best bang-for-the-buck wrenches.

Thanks!

 

[fivespdcat]

I just bought one of the bigger ones, but as far as I know they are all made by Danaher, so basically Craftsman quality. If you get the polished ones, they should be the same as the old Pro's and Industrials. I guess time will tell, I ordered the Allen's and some KD USA tools and will put them up against my current set-up.

 

[Scout Driver]

I've got a couple sets of US made Allen wrenches. They are very similar to the Craftsman wrenches. But, the Allen are a little better finished and feel better in the hands while using them. As far as bang-for-the-buck, they are excellent. I am very happy with mine.

Scott

 

[DTB]

The full polish combo wrenches are like the Napa Pro,a little shorter than the C-man Pro wrenches were.I'd look for longer wrenches but that's just me.They are about the same length as the C-man raised panel wrenches,which is fine for some though.I've only used Allen double box 15* offset wrenches at work and they are decent,but are pretty thin beamed.Hate backing up a bolt with them while using the impact.Almost worse than using a Snap On brand...

 

[c10bonanza]

Thanks for the responses.

This is one set I was looks at. http://www.cripedistributing.com/allen-66652g-14-pieces-combination-wrench-set-sae-ro.html

Works out to about $40 shipped.

How do these compare to the craftsman industrial full polish set everyone was going crazy over a few months ago?

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

They're actually pretty regularly overlooked and work well for the price. They're not going to win a shiniest chrome contest, or "The wrench that gives me the best dreams after a day of using it", but they're tools, they work, and they're not expensive.

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks for the responses.

This is one set I was looks at. http://www.cripedistributing.com/allen-66652g-14-pieces-combination-wrench-set-sae-ro.html

Works out to about $40 shipped.

How do these compare to the craftsman industrial full polish set everyone was going crazy over a few months ago?

The set linked isn't US made. US made Allen branded tools are are least 3 years old and old stock. You can't compare them to the polished Craftsman Industrial sets as it would be like trying to compare apples and oranges.
Now the US made satin finished Allen wrench is a basic, no frills wrench that will get the job done.

 

[stratman977]

Cripe pretty much sold out of the USA sets. Every once in a while they find a set or two and put them up on their ebay page but they sell really quickly. The had a few of the metric set posted this week and they are gone already.

I wonder how well cripe's warehouse is organized. I always notice they have a bunch of something and it sells out then they sell one or two randomly after that. I'm addicted to their bargains so I check their newly listed items once a day.

 

[alan camby]

I bought some of the USA Allens from Cripes a while back. Hard to beat for the money.
I posted them here

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137424

 

[c10bonanza]

The set linked isn't US made. US made Allen branded tools are are least 3 years old and old stock. You can't compare them to the polished Craftsman Industrial sets as it would be like trying to compare apples and oranges.
Now the US made satin finished Allen wrench is a basic, no frills wrench that will get the job done.

Good catch - looks like I was mistaken.

So, what are the best-bang-for-the-buck wrenches for a DIYer? Kobalt? Northern Tool full polish? Others?

Like I said, I try to buy USA made but won't spend 2-3 times as much for a Taiwan tool that I'll only use on the weekends.

Thanks!

 

[matthew]

I'm not a pro user, but I have purchased a number of Allen and KD wrenches to fill in gaps in my set. As they're fill-ins of the uncommon sizes I haven't used them all that much, but for what it's worth...

...I'd say the great thing about them is they're no-nonsense straightforward tools. They're standard regular length, similar to raised panels in most respects other than the lack of the raised panel. Makes them more comfortable than raised panel wrenches. The full polish ones are nice, but I prefer the satin finish to save a few bucks and they're oddballs in my set anyways. It's like the old style satin, a little rougher than the newer German style satin. So IMO the best and worst you can say about them is that they're plain, straightforward, functional.

Personally I'd have no problem with owning a full set, although if I was shopping one I'd probably look for a long pattern set (Gearwrench or other) if I didn't specifically want standard length.

I believe the items with a 'G' on the end of the part number are Chinese made - correct?

 

[stonesfan68]

You can get a set made by JH Williams or SK Hand Tools that is made in the USA.

 

[bobemmerich]

That set is NOT US made. If the part # ends in a "G" chances are it's not a US made tool. I have several sets of the Allen brand wrenches, I have no issues with them at all.
My SAE:


My Metric -except the half-moons:


To say i like their tools is an understatement.
I have more that that. I have them in full polish, black oxide, satin, open ends,combos, box ends, you get the idea LOL. I'd put them up against anything out there.

 

[bob15]

Good catch - looks like I was mistaken.

So, what are the best-bang-for-the-buck wrenches for a DIYer? Kobalt? Northern Tool full polish? Others?

Like I said, I try to buy USA made but won't spend 2-3 times as much for a Taiwan tool that I'll only use on the weekends.

Thanks!

I would look for SK or Wright. Don't forget e-bay and the GJ classifieds.

 

[Don 18]

I pieced together a set of metrics from Cripe, its a mixture of USA Allen and KD (both were made by Danaher) 7mm - 27mm, 29, 30 & 32. The polished Allens are the same length as a C-man raised panel. I have no complaints with them. Last box end picture is top to bottom, Cman Pro, Allen, and raised panel.

 

[Don 18]

Oh yeah, that set cost me ~$110 plus shipping

 

[RM209]

Now the US made satin finished Allen wrench is a basic, no frills wrench that will get the job done.

Agreed; I've got a few of the larger satin finished Allen combination wrecnches. They're good quality wrenches, and a real value for the money.

RM209

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I bought the $40 set of metrics from cripes. Very happy with them. They are kind of like a raised panel craftsman without the raised panel. I do believe the stamping is better quality than the later craftsman offerings.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Good catch - looks like I was mistaken.

So, what are the best-bang-for-the-buck wrenches for a DIYer? Kobalt? Northern Tool full polish? Others?

Like I said, I try to buy USA made but won't spend 2-3 times as much for a Taiwan tool that I'll only use on the weekends.

Thanks!

Kobalt wrenches are good; I bought a set for a buddy for Christmas who's just getting into changing the oil and doing little things like that on his car. Not fancy, probably won't impress your friends, but they'll do what you need them to do.

I've never used them, but the Northern Tools full polish seem to be well-liked by the guys who use them.

For a once-in-a-while DIY guy, either will work well, and leave money in the bank for other tools.

 

[sberry]

I bought a set for a job a while back, easy to grab right off the shelf at Menards, dont see an issue with "beating on them every day", they work, bottom line and USA companies should be rewarded for making/vending/convenience/quality at that price.

I really coud care less about if they match or not, as long as it works as intended when I pick it up.

 

[crewchief888]

they show up in all the pawn shops around here, probably since they are sold locally at menards.

all the sets are broken up, and tossed in the $1 bins.

seem to be decent qaulity, co worker picked up a brand new allen branded 3/4" dr set for $45 @ a pawn shop.

allen like duralast and a few other bargain brands are like the rodney dangerfield of tools
" i get no respect i tell ya"