Heads up on Armstrong's version of the RHFT

[John316]

Just purchased an Armstrong 11-915 which is supposed to look like this:

Classic Round Head, Fine Tooth, Dual Pawl, Thumbwheel...all that.

But instead I got a ratchet with the same handle (marked 11-915) but with the same head as this:

This a single pawl about 40 teeth and feels pretty cheap to me.

I called Armstrong and found out that they "changed" the 11-915 in 2011 to the below style, but have not updated the web or any information about this ratchet. The Armstrong site still shows the classic RHFT style for this part #, but unfortunately, it's history

I wanted to link to the site but it is down right now. Perhaps they are fixing it after I called ;-p

Of course, I am returning this ratchet. I can't imagine that a customer who expects to receive a dual pawl, thumbwheel, 80 click ratchet would be happy with this "new" (actually re-vomited) style.

I was looking forward to having a brand new RHFT, but oh well

 

[thesilverone]

the new style has been around for years. I guess the classic RHFT pawls are all assigned for rebuilds.

 

[bobcatdan]

That round head is danher standard go to POS ratchet. I never knew Armstrong had a rhft,that would be a nice ratchet.

 

[John316]

That round head is danher standard go to POS ratchet. I never knew Armstrong had a rhft,that would be a nice ratchet.

Yep. I realize this. When I spoke to Armstrong, they were like... "oh we just removed the quick release on that in 2011"..

.. yeah, whatever.

Well.. why keep the same part number? It's a completely different ratchet. Especially when you don't update your online info.

 

[bsaint]

My dad's goto ratchet has been the NAPA version of the first one.

 

[BajaBound]

I love my 44977 and I would kill to have a long handle flex RHFT

 

[otis66]

Just purchased an Armstrong 11-915 which is supposed to look like this:

Classic Round Head, Fine Tooth, Dual Pawl, Thumbwheel...all that.

But instead I got a ratchet with the same handle (marked 11-915) but with the same head as this:

This a single pawl about 40 teeth and feels pretty cheap to me.

I called Armstrong and found out that they "changed" the 11-915 in 2011 to the below style, but have not updated the web or any information about this ratchet. The Armstrong site still shows the classic RHFT style for this part #, but unfortunately, it's history

I wanted to link to the site but it is down right now. Perhaps they are fixing it after I called ;-p

Of course, I am returning this ratchet. I can't imagine that a customer who expects to receive a dual pawl, thumbwheel, 80 click ratchet would be happy with this "new" (actually re-vomited) style.

I was looking forward to having a brand new RHFT, but oh well

The bottom ratchet was a cheaper Craftsman ratchet a while back, Sold for $10.00 off rack or came with cheaper tool sets. . Grainger also has that ratchet in there "Craftsman Industrial" tools catalog.Thanks for the heads up. Looks like Armstrong Tools is going down the toilet like craftsman tools.http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CRAFTSMAN-INDUSTRIAL-Round-Head-Ratchet-5ZFR7?Pid=search

 

[bsaint]

Nah I think they are just separating their lines better. I just got my dad a really nice armstrong ratchet the other week.

 

[otis66]

Yet another bone headed move. I've also seen ALLEN TOOLS sets with this ratchet rebranded ALLEN.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CR...7&srccode=cii_10043468&cpncode=26-160646373-2

 

[otis66]

Nah I think they are just separating their lines better. I just got my dad a really nice armstrong ratchet the other week.

Why would they need two Industrial brands of tools. I've already seen less and less Armstrong tools at Grainger. I used to buy Proto Tools from Grainger but it looks like Proto was discontinued at Grainger too.

 

[Hiball]

Welcome to Apex tool group..

 

[Skin]

The bottom ratchet was a cheaper Craftsman ratchet a while back, Sold for $10.00 off rack or came with cheaper tool sets. . Grainger also has that ratchet in there "Craftsman Industrial" tools catalog.Thanks for the heads up. Looks like Armstrong Tools is going down the toilet like craftsman tools.http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CRAFTSMAN-INDUSTRIAL-Round-Head-Ratchet-5ZFR7?Pid=search

I believe you're confusing the armstrong ratchet with the craptastic "tri-wing" ratchets. The Armstrong is US made and done inhouse. The tri-wings were cheap ratchets as you said made under contract and supplied by Stanley back when they were still making tools for Craftsman. This is the piece of junk in question, not to be confused with the Armstrong model.

 

[John316]

I love my 44977 and I would kill to have a long handle flex RHFT

I really love RHFT ratchets and have them in many flavors and I thought this too.... until I got one. As much as I love RHFTs I really did not care for it in flex. The head is too big and I just did not like the feel as compared to a pear head. There are soo many nice flex head ratchets on the market.
Plus.. it's worth too much to ebay collectors for me to enjoy using it

I played with it for a few weeks and quickly sold it for like $140 or something like that.... Enough for a brand new Snapon FLF80 with change back.

 

[John316]

I believe you're confusing the armstrong ratchet with the craptastic "tri-wing" ratchets. The Armstrong is US made and done inhouse. The tri-wings were cheap ratchets as you said made under contract and supplied by Stanley back when they were still making tools for Craftsman. This is the piece of junk in question, not to be confused with the Armstrong model.

Not sure, but FYI the second pic in my OP is actually a craftsman ratchet.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...sName=Ratchets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

 

[Muffduster]

I have a 1/4" KD branded ratchet like the second one pictured. Great little ratchet. Love mine.

 

[Skin]

Not sure, but FYI the second pic in my OP is actually a craftsman ratchet.

Yes, im just pointing out that i think people would easily confuse the junky tri-wings of old with these given the similarities of the design. The handles and of course the 3 "wings" are all similar. I dont believe the newer Armstrong/Craftsman versions to be of the same poor quality. The fact that they share designs between the brands isnt news at all.

 

[kippieland]

The bottom pic is the single worst ratchet I have ever owned!

 

[Muffduster]

The bottom pic is the single worst ratchet I have ever owned!

You must own some high end shtuff then.

 

[otis66]

I believe you're confusing the armstrong ratchet with the craptastic "tri-wing" ratchets. The Armstrong is US made and done inhouse. The tri-wings were cheap ratchets as you said made under contract and supplied by Stanley back when they were still making tools for Craftsman. This is the piece of junk in question, not to be confused with the Armstrong model.

No I'm not confused. That ratchet was USA Craftsman round head no quick release. I believe I still have a 1/4" drive version someplace...I'll try and post pic's. The Allen Tools version was a tool set at my job, same ratchet.

 

[Kyle86]

Dang. Guess I will never get to buy a RHFT ratchet for a reasonable price.

 

[camarotoolman]

I have this fine tooth long handle Allen ratchet, it looks new. $30 +ship.

 

[warmpancakes]

I have a master mechanic re-branded easco very nice shape if interested

 

[Mickey O]

Welcome to Apex tool group..

That's exactly what it is, those guys haven't seen a tool company they couldn't destroy.


I remember dealing directly with Armstrong many years ago (we had them make our company custom tools) long before Danaher and later Apex Tool Group and the folks running the place (still the Armstrong family) knew their tools and this type of **** wouldn't have happened.

 

[filtered]

I have a full set of them like the ones in the top pic they are nice but I hardly ever use them. I got mine from eBay.

 

[Muffduster]

Dang. Guess I will never get to buy a RHFT ratchet for a reasonable price.

Cripe may still have the 1/2" for roughly $15.

 

[bobcatdan]

Just wondering if anybody has ran into this. I have two master mechanic 3/8" rhft I got somewhere. They work but both have some much wobble between the head and guts, they are not much good. Has anybody had one like this and tried rebuilding it? Will new guts help, or is the casting too worn to make a difference. I'm leaning towards the second option, but I have been wrong before.

 

[John316]

Just wondering if anybody has ran into this. I have two master mechanic 3/8" rhft I got somewhere. They work but both have some much wobble between the head and guts, they are not much good. Has anybody had one like this and tried rebuilding it? Will new guts help, or is the casting too worn to make a difference. I'm leaning towards the second option, but I have been wrong before.

Usually when this happens with an RHFT is because the springs in the mechanism lose tension over a long period of time. I would remove the mechanism assembly, then clean and inspect the teeth (which are part of the handle). If the teeth look good, grab a rebuild kit and it will be good as new.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-11908...146?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a62eaf3b2

 

[stratman977]

Just wondering if anybody has ran into this. I have two master mechanic 3/8" rhft I got somewhere. They work but both have some much wobble between the head and guts, they are not much good. Has anybody had one like this and tried rebuilding it? Will new guts help, or is the casting too worn to make a difference. I'm leaning towards the second option, but I have been wrong before.

I have a 1/4" inch easco version with slop like you describe. The kit made it nice and tight like new.