Older KD Tools

[CROmech]

I have many, many tools, and I just want to say that my older made in USA KD stuff are just a pleasure to use. The quality is right up there with Snapon and even better in some circumstances. Their sockets and ratchets are very nice and finer tooth than Craftsman of the same era.

I just picked up a 1/2” drive torque wrench and I like it better than all the Snappys and Protos we have at work!

Anyway, thumbs up to KD. The new stuff is offshore Taiwanese. Still good quality but I prefer the older US made stuff.

Who here loves KD!?

 

[Fedwrench]

KD's second generation fully polished combination wrenches are still my favorite standard length wrenches after all of these years. What's not to like? great chrome, excellent balance and weight, off corner engagement on the boxed end. A true sleeper wrench with excellent performance.

 

[Jking24]

Couldn't agree more about the older stuff. Haven't had much experience with anything new. But i rate the old stuff as good or better than any other tool in my box

 

[Ton ton]

Is it asking too much to see some pictures of KD tools?

 

[lamesalegend]

Firmly agree. KD made good stuff. You can still find the older stuff at Cripe Distributing and some of the mom and pop tool stores

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Who here loves KD!?

Is it asking too much to see some pictures of KD tools?

I have a feeling that most of the tools in my collection are probably much older than what CROmech is referring to, but I think Kulp-Dellinger is one of the most underrated, underappreciated American toolmakers of all time, and I have a K-D drawer in the Lugzsonian to prove it!

 

[lardy1]

I have a few of their old retaining ring pliers with replacable tips. Cripes, as mentioned, still has some remnants of their tools.

I was bidding on this little kit at the local auction until they got stupid.

 

[Ton ton]

Thanks for the pictures. It's much appreciated.

 

[Professional Tool User]

USA made KD tools were decent. Too bad Apex tool group cannibalized the brand in favour of Gearwrench.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

In the latter years K-D and EASCO were the same as Craftsman , without the price. I have some from that period. They were a good deal. I have older K-D specialty tools picked off the display at an auto parts store that are very good.

 

[The Fall]

Fedwrench got me into KD's full-polish wrenches. Outside of SK's combo wrenches (I love them), I pay attention to his recommendations.

 

[erty67]

What I do have in KD I do love, but I'd put them on par with older Craftsman, not Snap on.


Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have a little KD mostly from the mid 80's to early 90's. I agree with the Craftsman comparison that erty67 said. Many tool were the exact same thing between the two.



Catalog is March 1992.

 

[Milton Shaw]

KD was noted for making special tools nobody else had. That's why SnapOn, Mac, Matco, Sears all had KD manufactured tools in their catalog. They really shined on odd tools for electrical, radiator, front end, transmission work. Nobody but OE dealer manufactures made tools to do the job KD tools could do. I never bought standard wrenches from KD as I don't remember seeing them.

 

[87FoRunner]

I’ve purchased lots of great dusty KD tools from eBay over the years lol

 

[bob15]

Among the KD tools I own is a valve spring compressor similar to the one below. It is well over 50 years old and belonged to my Dad. It allows you to remove the keepers and valve springs while the head is still bolted to the block, in the car.