Allied ProGrade tools?

[John the theologian]

Anyone know much about ProGrade tools by Allied? They're made in Taiwan and generally look like typical Danaher tools-- they even have a GearWrench clone. The rachets are 72 tooth. Our local Orscheln store sells them and they're pretty reasonably priced. I'd be happy for the feedback, especially on the rachets.

 

[BigK600]

I have a set of there flare nut wrenchs, a hand impact driver and a bunch of extentions. I like the flare nut wrenchs and the extentions. There stuff seems to be ok for the price. The ratchets that I've seen made by them dont seem that good, however I have never seen a 72 tooth ratchet just a 36 tooth.

 

[puttsy]

Old thread revival, I know BUT, thought I'd add to any others looking. Pro-Grade is a company owned by Allied tools. They seem to be a rural, if not central united states provider. I've never seen them in "large" hardware stores but I HAVE seen them in Norby's Farm Fleet in Iowa. They seem to be "average" pacific rim tools. A step or 2 above Harbor Freigh mechanics tools and pretty much on-par with most of the Danaher (Allen, Craftsman) and Lowes/Home Depot tools.

 

[mudflap]

Old thread revival, I know BUT, thought I'd add to any others looking. Pro-Grade is a company owned by Allied tools. They seem to be a rural, if not central united states provider. I've never seen them in "large" hardware stores but I HAVE seen them in Norby's Farm Fleet in Iowa. They seem to be "average" pacific rim tools. A step or 2 above Harbor Freigh mechanics tools and pretty much on-par with most of the Danaher (Allen, Craftsman) and Lowes/Home Depot tools.

Hey now... dont be hatin on HF, i heard after the 1st of the year SNAP-ON is going to team up with them to do their warranty exchanges.

 

[ishiboo]

Old thread revival, I know BUT, thought I'd add to any others looking. Pro-Grade is a company owned by Allied tools. They seem to be a rural, if not central united states provider. I've never seen them in "large" hardware stores but I HAVE seen them in Norby's Farm Fleet in Iowa. They seem to be "average" pacific rim tools. A step or 2 above Harbor Freigh mechanics tools and pretty much on-par with most of the Danaher (Allen, Craftsman) and Lowes/Home Depot tools.

They appear exactly the same as Kobalt, at least with the sockets/ratchets/etc. I pieced in some additional pieces I couldn't find in Kobalt.

 

[puttsy]

I'll chime in for a quick thought/update. Walked past the aisle with all the Pro-Grade sockets, ratchets, wrenches, etc... today and after handling the 3/8" ratchet and taking a look at it, I'm almost positive it's Danaher made. It looks, and feels identical to the Allen ratchets I've got. They aren't great (nor popular) ratchets to begin with so I would doubt someone would try and copy them. The ProGrade measurements were the same and it even had a chrome plating issue at the end of the handle just like my Allen. It feels like the corner/end of the ratchet didn't get plated. The handle size, measurements to the knurled band, and bit holder, coverplate, screws, buttons, etc... all seemed exactly the same. And the Pro-Grade sockets seem to be the same as the Allen/Master Force ones Menards has, right down to the same, terrible packaging.

 

[purplezr2]

Pro grade is common to fleet farm around here, same with Allied tools. They are ok tools.

 

[ishiboo]

I'll chime in for a quick thought/update. Walked past the aisle with all the Pro-Grade sockets, ratchets, wrenches, etc... today and after handling the 3/8" ratchet and taking a look at it, I'm almost positive it's Danaher made. It looks, and feels identical to the Allen ratchets I've got. They aren't great (nor popular) ratchets to begin with so I would doubt someone would try and copy them. The ProGrade measurements were the same and it even had a chrome plating issue at the end of the handle just like my Allen. It feels like the corner/end of the ratchet didn't get plated. The handle size, measurements to the knurled band, and bit holder, coverplate, screws, buttons, etc... all seemed exactly the same. And the Pro-Grade sockets seem to be the same as the Allen/Master Force ones Menards has, right down to the same, terrible packaging.

They're not the same, but the company may be the same (I don't believe it is), and they all use similar tooling. Chroming issues would not be the same, as the ProGrade and Kobalt have the true chrome finish, and the Allens have the "nickel chrome" or whatever they're calling it... a different color and slightly different process, plus they're made on the opposite end of the world.

Allen/MasterForce tools sold at Menards are Made in USA. Pro-Grade and Kobalt are made in Taiwan. IMO the Pro-Grade/Kobalt have a better fit/finish.

The identity of Kobalt/Pro-Grade OEM has never been confirmed, but it could very well be the Apex side of the Apex/Danaher combo. A lot of ****** there - check out the new Allen GearDriver - the exact same handle/packaging as all the other GearWrench stuff.

I do believe that Kobalt/Pro-Grade are no longer associated with either Danaher or Apex though, but another OEM. Various names have been thrown out. When they did away with Danaher, they also got rid of all the GearWrench goods at Lowes. I believe the JH Williams Taiwan-made is also the same as Kobalt/Pro-Grade.