Armstrong/Craftsman Sockets

[Fedwrench]

I received a couple of Armstrong sockets in today's UPS run. I was surprised to see that the new Armstrong sockets are almost a perfect match for the current Craftsman chrome sockets right down to that double stake or detent found on new Craftsman sockets square drive end.
I also know that some of you have asked about socket sizes not available in craftsman but, you want to fill that empty peg on your Hansen rack. If you're trying to match current Craftsman, Armstrong might be the way to go especially if you're looking for a 1/4 drive 15mm, or that 5.5mm deep chrome socket.

 

[Merkava_4]

I received a couple of Armstrong sockets in today's UPS run. I was surprised to see that the new Armstrong sockets are almost a perfect match for the current Craftsman chrome sockets right down to that double stake or detent found on new Craftsman sockets square drive end.
I also know that some of you have asked about socket sizes not available in craftsman but, you want to fill that empty peg on your Hansen rack. If you're trying to match current Craftsman, Armstrong might be the way to go especially if you're looking for a 1/4 drive 15mm, or that 5.5mm deep chrome socket.

I won't buy them no more because of that.

 

[myslow2002gt]

Wow, that is a close match for sure.

After using a lot of different sockets, I still prefer my JH Williams sockets over all others (even my Snap On).

 

[autoace]

I won't buy them no more because of that.

It is a little strange, but it poses no problems that I can see, how does this drive end affect use for you? They seem to engage snug on the drive tools, I fail to see the problem.

 

[tpolley]

I won't buy them no more because of that.

what is the double stake detent on the square end??

 

[Merkava_4]

It is a little strange, but it poses no problems that I can see, how does this drive end affect use for you? They seem to engage snug on the drive tools, I fail to see the problem.

Good for you!!

What you fail to notice won't irritate the [censored] out of you like it does me.

 

[posaune]

It is a little strange, but it poses no problems that I can see, how does this drive end affect use for you? They seem to engage snug on the drive tools, I fail to see the problem.

Let me give you a somewhat less ocd answer than Merk...

I sold almost all of mine because I found that my ratchet ALWAYS found the slots instead of the drive hole (45deg off). Then it was stuck that way. It drove me nuts. Interestingly it was worst with Craftsman ratchets. The Proto Big Dawgs worked ok most of the time.

Now they've been replaced with Proto sockets .

 

[hamma]

What's the difference in price between the Armstrong and Craftsman?

 

[charlie_nj]

Let me give you a somewhat less ocd answer than Merk...

I sold almost all of mine because I found that my ratchet ALWAYS found the slots instead of the drive hole (45deg off). Then it was stuck that way. It drove me nuts. Interestingly it was worst with Craftsman ratchets. The Proto Big Dawgs worked ok most of the time.

Now they've been replaced with Proto sockets .

Just tried a newer Craftsman socket with the double detent on three different ratchets, a Craftsman, a Snap On and a Toptul and I don't see what you mean. The sockets fit fine on all the ratchets.

 

[TireTracks]

I fail to see the issue with the weird detent things craftsman sockets have.
Why does it matter?

 

[Here2Learn]

I received a couple of Armstrong sockets in today's UPS run. I was surprised to see that the new Armstrong sockets are almost a perfect match for the current Craftsman chrome sockets right down to that double stake or detent found on new Craftsman sockets square drive end.
I also know that some of you have asked about socket sizes not available in craftsman but, you want to fill that empty peg on your Hansen rack. If you're trying to match current Craftsman, Armstrong might be the way to go especially if you're looking for a 1/4 drive 15mm, or that 5.5mm deep chrome socket.

Thank you for the information and pictures.

I recently ordered some Armstrong sockets from Sears, and I was curious as to how they would look. A near match for Craftsman is great to me, as all my other sockets are Craftsman.

I was looking to buy socket sizes that were not available from Craftsman. Craftsman makes 6-point inch, 1/2" drive sockets up to 1 1/2", but metric 6-point stops at 22mm.

Sears had a 25% off sale for a few days last week, so I decided to finally get some larger 6-point metric sockets.

Thanks again for the information and pictures.

 

[Griff93]

Wow, that is a close match for sure.

After using a lot of different sockets, I still prefer my JH Williams sockets over all others (even my Snap On).

Why do you prefer your JH Williams sockets? I'm just curious as I don't think I've every seen any personally.

 

[skeletonizer]

I have one 3/8 drive 10mm C-man with the double detent filling a hole in my SK metric set. I use them on Snap-on drive tools.

In my experience that lone C-man stays put on the rats and extensions better than the SK's and even my SAE Snappies.

Just sayin'.


The thing I hate about it is that laser etching. It isn't dual marked like the OP's and it is unreadable in most lighting situations. Good thing it's the only one I have or I'd be a mess!

 

[steelespeed]

Fred, how is the engraving on the Armstrong pieces? I was looking at the dual marked Craftsman stuff at the store and thought the engravings were very, very shallow.

As for the new detent arrangement, I can't comment on that but I have gone through the posts here on the board regarding that it seems to be hit or miss depending on the ratchet.

 

[Here2Learn]

What's the difference in price between the Armstrong and Craftsman?

Armstrong is generally a little more expensive to a fair amount more expensive. As the socket size increases, so does the price difference. A Craftsman 36mm, 1/2" drive socket is around $8.79 for 12-point (no 6-point available) at Sears. Sears has the Armstrong for $28.99.

Here is another comparison:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Wrenches,+Ratchets+&+Sockets&sName=Sockets

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Wrenches,+Ratchets+&+Sockets&sName=Sockets

 

[Fedwrench]

Fred, how is the engraving on the Armstrong pieces? I was looking at the dual marked Craftsman stuff at the store and thought the engravings were very, very shallow.

The engraving on the Armstrong sockets is shallow just like a Craftsman socket. One thing that I think is stupid though is the way Danaher orients the laser etching on their dual marked sockets. Instead of placing the laser etched size marking 180 degrees opposite the engraved size marking (which would enable a user to id the socket quicker), they place the laser etched size marking right above the engraved size marking. It may speed things up at the factory but, having two markings above each other doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[Fedwrench]

Armstrong is generally a little more expensive to a fair amount more expensive. As the socket size increases, so does the price difference. A Craftsman 36mm, 1/2" drive socket is around $8.79 for 12-point (no 6-point available) at Sears. Sears has the Armstrong for $28.99.

Shop around for the best deal, look at online vendors such as MSC direct, tooltopia, toolrage, thetoolwarehouse.net, etc. I have learned over the years that unless you're buying a non Craftsman tool from sears on clearance or at a big sale, their prices are insane. Non Craftsman tools are listed at their full retail price and nobody should pay full list.

 

[Here2Learn]

Thanks for mentioning those company names. I searched around on here and Google trying to find a good place to buy them besides Sears. I saw some at Fastenal, but with the 25% off sale and free shipping, I think I came out slightly cheaper than Fastenal.

I will check out those sites, though. Sears was out of stock on the 30mm, and I could use a 19mm hex driver as well. Thanks!

 

[Tool Pants]

Danaher owns the Armstrong name.

 

[Here2Learn]

tooltopia had one chrome Armstrong socket, a drag link.

toolrage had no Armstrong.

thetoolwarehouse had a dead blow hammer and no other Armstrong tools.

MSC Industrial Supply Co. has 'em! Thanks!

 

[Hawk321]

@Merkava4

I've no problems with that. I even like it, looks more futuristic and it works fine on Stahlwille,Genis,Snap-on,Ks-Tools/Toptul,Hazet,Armstrong and Gedore ratchets....

Could it be that you have cheap tools???
Remember: The merkava tank is not the abrams !

 

[BWright]

tooltopia had one chrome Armstrong socket, a drag link.

toolrage had no Armstrong.

thetoolwarehouse had a dead blow hammer and no other Armstrong tools.

MSC Industrial Supply Co. has 'em! Thanks!

You could also check out Alexandria General Supply, they have a lot of Armstrong stuff pretty cheap. Haven't looked at a lot of sockets on there, but they are the cheapest place I could find for ratchets and other drive tools. It would be worth a look.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Good for you!!

What you fail to notice won't irritate the [censored] out of you like it does me.

OCD..........

 

[superautobacs]

Here's a thread posted not very long ago:

what's up with this craftsman socket design?

 

[autoace]

Good for you!!

What you fail to notice won't irritate the [censored] out of you like it does me.

Just use the damn things, you don't go down on a woman with a magnifying glass, dial calipers, and a depth bore gage do you? Just use it, and see if the fit is good and snug. If it works and feels ok, use it

I took a good look at my Craftsman sockets today, and still fail to see the problem with the detents

 

[Zrexxer]

Just use the damn things, you don't go down on a woman

No, I don't think he does

"Honey come to bed, it's 3 am..."

" I can't, I'm formulating my next obsession about the way sockets are manufactured!"

 

[Merkava_4]

Just use the damn things, you don't go down on a woman with a magnifying glass, dial calipers, and a depth bore gage do you?

No sir, I go down on her with shaving cream and a Schick Quattro. Get her nice and smooth and yummy.

 

[Treeman]

 

[Keep]

Thank you for the information and pictures.

I was looking to buy socket sizes that were not available from Craftsman. Craftsman makes 6-point inch, 1/2" drive sockets up to 1 1/2", but metric 6-point stops at 22mm.

You sure about that?

40% off up here!

 

[Fedwrench]

You sure about that?

Craftsman sockets don't look like those down here either. It must be the cold weather or the French on the label.

 

[Here2Learn]

They are not available in the USA. Il n'y a pas de 6 pans, all right?

 

[Keep]

lol...Yeah I know they don't sell them down there.

There are a couple differences between the US and these. My original craftsman set is from the early 80's so I tried to match them up as best I could.

There is a small difference to the radius on the bottom of them, some are rounded others are more chamfered and of course there is no "Made in USA" on them :|

I did notice the "shallow" stamping that others have mentioned on a few of them so I picked through them until I found some good ones.