KD wrenches

[ARFLY]

I tried doing a search for KD on here, but got no results which is strange because I know I have seen people on here mention KD tools. Anyways, a local pawn shop has to sets of KD wrenches. They are polished 12 pt. combo wrenches. One set goes from 1 1/4" to 1/4" and the other one is a smaller set. The one set is $65 and the other $40. Both sets are new and USA made. This shop also has a set of new Allen brand wrenches made in the USA for $35. How is the quality of the KD wrenches and Allen wrenches as compared to say Craftsman professional or SK?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I havea set of full polish KD and they arent bad. Not Snap On, but better than Craftsman. For $65, that's a great deal for that large of a set, especially brand new.

 

[rsanter]

I have used some of the older Allen brand wrenches before and they were nice. Better than c-man IMO
I have a small set of the KD wrenches and they are nice too. As good or better than the USA C -man stuff
I don't need the KD wrenches anymore if you are interested in them

Bob

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have a couple of Allen Combo wrenches that I picked up to fill in a set, the chrome is super nice, but I have not used them yet so I cannot attest to there durability.

I don't really have any experience with the old US made KD stuff, but would imagine it is comparable to Gearwrench's current offering?

Either way I don't think you can go wrong for that price.

-Sam

 

[countryroad82]

KD used to be pretty good stuff. My larger wrenches are KD and they are nice.

 

[stratman977]

The KD, Allen and Craftsman Pros are basically the same wrench barring differences in length. Basically a decent no frills wrench. Cant go wrong for the price. Way better than gearwrench sets that replaced them.

 

[PFSard]

I tried doing a search for KD on here, but got no results which is strange because I know I have seen people on here mention KD tools.

Depending on your search terms, you may experience less than optimal results. I use Google when I have a similar issue. Others may have a better solution.

SearchTerm site:http://www.garagejournal.com

 

[CZ_Greatwrench]

Hello! First post here.

I have quite a few KD and Allen branded hand tools. All my KD wrenches are satin finished and not full polished, and bought new late 90's. From what I remember buying KD at auto parts stores the price was comparable to Craftsman at the time so my opinion is those prices used seems high. My KD stuff is very Easco/Craftsman-ish so i would guess the polished wrenches are closer to the end of KD's era right before switching everything to the Gearwrench brand.

The Allen wrenches seem overpriced to me too. Allen you used to be able to find in smaller hardware stores and was comparable priced or sometimes cheaper than Craftsman too.

Both are good wrenches, I've never had any issues with them. If you really want them I would try talking the price down. That seems higher then when they were new if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[colin39]

I have 2 sets of allen, one in a foam tray 6mm to 34 and a set 8mm to 22.




Pride of place I love these wrenches


My foam set are kd and there is no differance , just the name, even the font is the same

 

[Fedwrench]

To me KD full polished wrenches are one of the best wrenches around. They feature off corner engagement on the boxed end, have good chrome, excellent balance, and are very durable. They're definitely a sleeper set.

There are a couple of versions though you want the ones that look like the Allen versions pictured above. The first generation KD full polished wrenches weren't anything to write home about. It was as if they took their regular satin finished wrenches and polished them. these are easily identified by moving your finger the length of the wrenches beam towards the open end. It there's a lip between the beam and the base of the open end skip those and continue looking. If the junction of the open end and beam is smooth, you want those.

The KD full polish wrench was also sold under the NAPA Professional, and Allen names. They're not the longest wrenches but, they will serve you well.

 

[ARFLY]

Thanks for all the input. I will go back tomorrow and take a look at them again. It's not like I need more wrenches, but if I can get the price right I will pick them up.

 

[ARFLY]

I picked up the SAE set of KD's today. I got them for $55 OTD. That 1 1/4" is a huge wrench, more like a club. I probably won't use it, but I will use the 1 1/8" fairly regularly. 14 wrenches total in this set. The set goes down to 5/16" not 1/4" like I said in the original post. For some reason there is no 7/16" in the set. The Allen wrenches are not the polished ones and are metric going from 19mm up to 28mm. I'll pass on those as I just don't have a use for them. The other set of KD wrenches is metric, 11 total ranging from 6 or 8mm up to 19mm. I will pick those up next month if they are still there. I can't spend anymore on tools this month. So far this month I have bought a set of 5 Craftsman ball peen hammers with soft mallet, a set of Craftsman raised panel 6 point mm wrenches, some SO wrenches, a set of polished SK flare nut wrenches, this set of KD wrenches, and a new 22oz. Estwing claw hammer. That puts me over budget on tools for this month and in need of another and/or bigger tool chest.

 

[zakmartin]

I have polished USA KD, USA Allen, USA Armstrong and USA Craftsman Professional. The Armstrong is the only one that has a better build quality. The rest are all about the same. You can get these for a steal if you don't mind doing a mix and match at Cripe Distributing.

Oh yeah, I have some Wright wrenches and that brand beats all those other brands by a mile.