20 Armstrong ratcheting wrenches, 12 deep sockets

[Fedwrench]

These sets with issues may have failed Government QC sampling resulting in the whole lot being rejected and put up for sale as surplus.

 

[cderalow]

These sets with issues may have failed Government QC sampling resulting in the whole lot being rejected and put up for sale as surplus.

other than the doubled up 5/16" and no 8mm in my set, everything is perfect.

I'd hate to think the government spent $500-$600 a set for 100+ sets, opened a few, had some minor QC issues, and then sold the lot surplus. pretty sure they'd have sent them back to armstrong to have the issues remedied.

more likely, government spent huge $$$ 5 years ago, to build up a stockpile of tools for use in war and replacements for base carpool sets, but has since ramped down the war efforts and closed a bunch of bases. thus creating unnecessary surplus.

I know that's what has happened at the bases near me.

 

[Toymeister]

These sets with issues may have failed Government QC sampling resulting in the whole lot being rejected and put up for sale as surplus.

No it doesn't work that way. Unclesamsretailoutlet.com is run by Government Liquidation (GL) formally known as Levy Latham. GL has the sales contract (not a FAR regulated procurement contract) for Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Disposition services which was formally known as the DRMO.

The Tools were turned over to the DRMO who turned them over to GL. The sales proceeds were shared by DLA and GL. DRMO does not 'get into' QA rejected property. These items are in the supply chain and if not for being turned over to the DRMO they would be in the troops hands right now. In otherwords the quality issues reside with Armstrong and Armstrong alone. Not that I hope that is the case as I bought one set to.

 

[Toymeister]

other than the doubled up 5/16" and no 8mm in my set, everything is perfect.

I'd hate to think the government spent $500-$600 a set for 100+ sets, opened a few, had some minor QC issues, and then sold the lot surplus. pretty sure they'd have sent them back to armstrong to have the issues remedied.

more likely, government spent huge $$$ 5 years ago, to build up a stockpile of tools for use in war and replacements for base carpool sets, but has since ramped down the war efforts and closed a bunch of bases. thus creating unnecessary surplus.

I know that's what has happened at the bases near me.

Send me the NSN from the original box and I'll tell you the acquistion cost.

 

[RoadTraveler]

Send me the NSN from the original box and I'll tell you the acquistion cost.

I sent it to you in a PM also.

It is: 5180-01-553-6556

 

[Pro-Painter]

I got mine today (UPS still shows it as pending). All of my wrenches are perfect. Not one single blem in the lot, nor missing sizes. They are extremely nice quality. I'm sold on Armstrong. Pics will be coming soon!

My only complaint is they where COVERED in oil, (and UPS tracking failure).

 

[RoadTraveler]

Good for you guys, no defects

 

[Pro-Painter]

Here is some cool pictures I took today comparing all my wrenches.


17mm top to bottom:
1:Gearwrench reversible
2:Gearwrench flat
3:Gearwrench flex
4:Gearwrench long pattern non-ratcheting.
5: Duralast standard
6:Armstrong reversible ratcheting.
7: Craftsman professional (USA)

15mm top to bottom:
1:Gearwrench flex
2:Gearwrench reversible
3: Gearwrench flat
4:Gearwrench long pattern non ratcheting
5uralast standard
6:Armstrong reversible
7:Craftsman professional

complete set of metric Armstrong's

 

[mn700vforce]

I ordered this set everything was in perfect shape no defects but the screwdrivers were missing. Called up the sales number and they shipped out the missing screwdrivers within three days. Very happy with the set.

 

[Toymeister]

The Cost to the unit is $267. THis includes a small surcharge the warehouse (run by DoD) charges the unit for warehousing the wrenches.

BTW the 5th and 6th numbers in the NSN tell you the COO. 00 is USA made not NATO accepted and 01 means USA made NATO accepted. The set includes metric wrenches so it is NATO accepted. If everything had an NSN then you would know the COO upfront w/o reading the fine print on the back of the package.

 

[Pro-Painter]

The Cost to the unit is $267. THis includes a small surcharge the warehouse (run by DoD) charges the unit for warehousing the wrenches.

BTW the 5th and 6th numbers in the NSN tell you the COO. 00 is USA made not NATO accepted and 01 means USA made NATO accepted. The set includes metric wrenches so it is NATO accepted. If everything had an NSN then you would know the COO upfront w/o reading the fine print on the back of the package.

Can you buy it for that price? That seems wicked cheap for retail considering a 10pc set of the metric wrenches is $209, 7pc SAE set is $138, two metric add on wrenches $30, and one SAE $15, then the 13pc 12pt deep socket set is $166, that brings the total to $558 before shipping (lowest prices I can find).

If you can buy it for that price it is still a good deal. Not as good as the deal we got, but still fair.

 

[dieselmike]

i wish i pulled the trigger on this one

 

[RoadTraveler]

Can you buy it for that price? That seems wicked cheap for retail considering a 10pc set of the metric wrenches is $209, 7pc SAE set is $138,

snip...

If you can buy it for that price it is still a good deal. Not as good as the deal we got, but still fair.

Maybe military folks can buy the kit for that price at the PX, but obviously we can't. If so, where? As you stated, the discounted retail prices for lessor wrench kits are more than we paid, without the extras.

I would have like to purchase second set just for the ratcheting wrenches for my mechanic brother-in-law.

 

[RoadTraveler]

Here is some cool pictures I took today comparing all my wrenches.


17mm top to bottom:
1:Gearwrench reversible
2:Gearwrench flat
3:Gearwrench flex
4:Gearwrench long pattern non-ratcheting.
5: Duralast standard
6:Armstrong reversible ratcheting.
7: Craftsman professional (USA)
snip...

Your reversible Gearwrench looks about the the same length as my reversible Craftsman, much shorter than these reversible Armstrongs.

 

[blackgold]

Glad you got them and are happy. I am still looking for reasons to pick mine up to use. I like how they feel.. slightly squared edges. I'm almost afraid to use the sockets though.. They are just so pretty! lol
Brian

 

[RoadTraveler]

snip.....I like how they feel.. slightly squared edges. snip...

I noticed the same thing, squared edges compared to the rounded edges on my Craftsman reversible wrenches. Seems like the Armstrongs won't dig into your hand as much if you lean on them.