Armstrong 12-918 breaker bar

[KF5LCH]

Guys, I pick up a couple of freebees today, both broken 1/2" breakover bars. One is a Snappy SN18B with a busted head. No biggie. Just need to track the Snap-On guy down.

The other is a Armstrong 12-918. After a little looking on the net, I can't seem to locate a repair kit for this bar. I hate to side line it because of a busted head. Any of you guys know anything about these bars? I have some old Armstrong stuff, but I don't think the newer stuff is in the same caliber. Looks like this one sells for around $45-$55 bucks.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

If any Armstrong Hand Tool (except Torque Products) ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to your Armstrong Distributor, and it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

For further information on Armstrong Hand Tools, Torque Products or Authorized Repair Centers, please contact us at:
Apex Tool Group
Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools
(800) 688-8949

From their website. I'd give a repair center a call and talk to the tech. He may sympathize with you and repair the old tool under warranty, or at least be able to point you in the right direction to fix it on your own dime.

EDIT: If this is a newer tool and you don't care if you get another new tool just have it replaced under warranty. I first thought you meant this was an old tool, and you didn't want it replaced with a new one of lower caliber.

 

[KF5LCH]

Burtonrider10022, thanks for the link & you're right I should have worded it different. This is a new tool. My old Armstrong stuff is 60 years old. lol.

I don't know the history of this tool. It was given to me by the father-in-law. & all I know is he busted it working on a tractor. I don't have a receipt for it but would like to get it fixed or replaced.

Wonder if Apex will give me a bunch of **** if I contact them in regards to getting it warrantied ?

 

[dsmnickk90]

Burtonrider10022, thanks for the link & you're right I should have worded it different. This is a new tool. My old Armstrong stuff is 60 years old. lol.

I don't know the history of this tool. It was given to me by the father-in-law. & all I know is he busted it working on a tractor. I don't have a receipt for it but would like to get it fixed or replaced.

Wonder if Apex will give me a bunch of **** if I contact them in regards to getting it warrantied ?

everytime i've called them ive had no problems at all. do you have a fastenal near by? they do warranty claims for Armstrong

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Just say you lost the receipt. Either way, a broken tool is a broken tool. I don't see a disclaimer about being the original owner anywhere on that page.

 

[bobcatdan]

The drive is identical to a matco or craftsman breaker bar. Sad to say, the drive is very weak.

 

[dsmnickk90]

The drive is identical to a matco or craftsman breaker bar. Sad to say, the drive is very weak.

I have a Craftsman that is older than me and I hope I dont break it. That thing is a beast. But considering this was being used on a tractor I'm guessing a nice length of pipe was being used aswell.

 

[dirtydogintex]

The drive is identical to a matco or craftsman breaker bar. Sad to say, the drive is very weak.

So currently who is making a better mouse trap?

 

[mrjaw14]

So currently who is making a better mouse trap?

Been wondering this myself. If the point of a breaker bar is to apply a lot of force to it, you'd want it to not fail. Who's making decent and reasonable breaker bars now days?

 

[fourtythree]

I've been pretty pleased with my 24" SK. Its priced in between the store brands and the truck brands.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I've been pretty pleased with my 24" SK. Its priced in between the store brands and the truck brands.

I was close to getting Armstrong breaker bars. I love my locking flex ratchets, I decided not to because they didn't make a 24". I really like the Sk ones I got.


op Harry Epstein can probably help you out with a repair kit.

 

[fourtythree]

I was close to getting Armstrong breaker bars. I love my locking flex ratchets, I decided not to because they didn't make a 24". I really like the Sk ones I got.


op Harry Epstein can probably help you out with a repair kit.

I've really come to like the new SK in general. The few tools I have are well made and pretty tough. They're also 100% US made.

 

[KF5LCH]

Thanks for all the help guys. dsmnickk90, we do have a fastenal here in town. Im gonna run it by there & let them have a look at it.

It feels like a well built tool. The handle is nice & beefy. & the head (or whats left of it) has a nice CLICK on all the locks. Hopefully I can get it fixed up & put in my employ.

 

[bobcatdan]

So currently who is making a better mouse trap?

Matco changed the drive on theirs a year or so ago. I bought a new 30" last time I broke my 24" matco. I havn't really put the new bar to the test to see how well it holds up. I have no idea if armstrong did the same.

 

[lauver]

Wright makes some nice beefy breaker bars, priced similar to S-K.

If it were me, I'd just try to find a nice stout vintage USA made breaker and save some cash; in my area, about $8-$10 for 1/2" drive long handle in various US brands. The last one I bought was an Allen brand that was long, fat, and hell for stout. I'm still using it.

I've never broken a tool (other than drill bits) and don't even worry about warrantys.

 

[KF5LCH]

If it were me, I'd just try to find a nice stout vintage USA made breaker and save some cash; in my area, about $8-$10 for 1/2" drive long handle in various US brands.

Absolutely. I have a couple of local pawn shops that i frequent. Both shops are a treasure trove of vintage American beef.

I make it a habit to stop buy each payday & try to grab as much as I can.