Allen Tool Company socket set

[kunkernator]

I just found an Allen Tool Company socket set, 3/8" drive, deep 12 pt, 3/8" to 7/8" no skips full set. Chrome is great, they are labeled "made in USA". I don't know much about them, what are they worth? They seem somewhat old, but excellent condition.

 

[nine4gmc]

I found a few ALLEN brand USA combination wrenches the other day.

 

[woody 73]

If you were thinking about retiring to some south sea island and drinking a margarita drink with two beautiful women at your side well you better stop dreaming.

I think the cripe web-site had some sets for about $25.00 dollars and under.

 

[kunkernator]

Oh I didn't expect them to be worth much, just kinda curious more about the history. Everything I google just brings up allen wrenches. But they seem like a solid set of US made sockets.

Oh, and they are definitely old. My dad has informed me that he bought them back in the late 80's, early 90's.

 

[sjotis]

The Allen tools are just another brand owned by Apex. Generally they were the same as the Craftsman/K-D tools. At least that was the case with the modern tools. Perhaps it was different years and years ago. Now, they seem to have outsourced them all, pretty much.

Allen isn't outsourced - still manufactured by ATG in Springdale AR, and Dallas TX.

 

[sjotis]

You'll now see tons of Allen brand hex wrenches, sockets, ratchets and other stuff that's now Chinese, and it used to be USA made.

I never see USA made Allen branded tools anymore. You might still be able to find them, but I don't see them.

I even bought a set of Allen brand combo wrenches on ebay thinking they'd be USA made, and they were Chinese. My local NAPA has Allen sockets and ratchet sets that are Chinese.

Someone who lives in the area claims the Springdale plant now makes Horseshoes, not hand tools anymore, but I don't know if he's correct.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135523

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157062



Here are more threads about how many Allen branded tools are now imported:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94254

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134154

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142181

Yes, there was a short lived Allen import line made by ATG facilities in Asia, but it was discontinued.

Allen Mechanics hand tools are still USA made (including Springdale) and hex keys are made in both USA and Asia.

 

[kunkernator]

All good information to me, thanks a bunch.

Stephen, I also love your reviews you have, seen a bunch around the forum, just read the one about double box end Craftsman. You cover some good points. Thanks!

 

[Flatintoone]

The toolboxes at work are full of Allen USA tools. I'm told they were purchased 18 years ago, and have held up well. (Regular, if not daily, use on products from lawn mowers to very, very heavy equipment.)

Around here, Menard's, Fleet Farm, and Farm and Fleet all carry USA-made Allen tools. I take a look every time I go in. There will be the odd set or special on Chinese-made stuff, but wrenches, ratchets, sockets, etc all seem to be USA.

 

[Flatintoone]

At the Menard's I've been to in the last 6 months or so (which are several different ones), the Allen branded hand tools have been replaced with Masterforce. The Masterforce tools are essentially identical to the old Allen tools, so they're still clearly made by Apex. But they're stamped "Masterforce," which is the Menard's house brand for tools. The packaging actually also looks somewhat similar to the old Allen packaging. The stores I've been to only have older Allen stock on the backs of the racks under the newer Masterforce stock. I would encourage you to take a closer look next time you visit Menard's.

As far as your farm stores, perhaps they don't move many tools, so they have older stock. The local farms stores I go to all have very overpriced tools, so I doubt they sell too many.

Yes, the local Menard's has Masterforce-branded tools, as well. They are mixed in with the Allen-branded tools. FWIW, Masterforce sockets/ratchets/wrenches (rebranded Allen) and screwdrivers are USA.

 

[Two Door]

It is worth noting, though, that not all Masterforce hand tools are rebranded Allen (i.e. USA made). As of this writing, some of the combination wrenches are made in India.

 

[Flatintoone]

It is worth noting, though, that not all Masterforce hand tools are rebranded Allen (i.e. USA made). As of this writing, some of the combination wrenches are made in India.

Masterforce adjustable wrenches, hammers, and their sorry pliers are also Asian.

 

[TwoInch]

the masterforce pliers are the same as the kobalt pliers. same exact markings in the steel, just different handles

they arent great, but useable.

 

[boostedgt]

I have an Allen brand 3/8 ratchet that is very similar to a Craftsman RHFT