Armstrong Angle Wrenches?

[406]

Hi everyone! I have been reading on this thread for quite some time now and finally joined after not finding a thread on this topic. Great info on this forum!

I am in the market for a set of angle wrenches. I have mostly Snap On, Mac, Gearwrench, and some Carlyle stuff as well in my box at work. I don't want to buy SO angle wrenches, because I don't use them frequently, but when I do, I want it to be a good fitting, good feeling wrench. I don't want Mac wrenches because I find that their size is very limiting. Matco wrenches look great but again, price vs frequency of use just doesn't justify the cost for me.

All of that being said, I need a good set. I have no experience with Armstrong, but their 14pc angle wrench set looks like a pretty good deal, US made, pretty thin profile (from the pictures i can find anyway) and nice finish. I have read bad stuff about warranty issues, but mostly with torque wrenches and ratcheting wrenches, and all the treads I found were from 2011/2012. Don't know if their policies or networking for tool exchange have been more successfully used since then.

Anyone with experience on Armstrong wrenches would be greatly appreciated! Also, are they forged, stamped, and finished in the USA? I haven't been able to dig that info up either.

Thank you in advance! Sorry if this has all been covered in previous threads. Im just a noob

 

[nnySk]

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Sktools/8661240.html I bought this set four years ago no complaints.

 

[PureLeaf]

Armstrong is USA made. If you found a good deal on them, I wouldn't hesitate, they're very nice tools. Whenever I've looked, the prices are usually pretty outrageous on wrenches (like near snap on prices), so if you found a deal, for what you're after, i'd go for it.

Never personally needed to warranty an armstrong tool, but all their tools that I do have, especially their maxx ratchets have been great. I've heard you can warranty both via mail or at retailers like Fastenal.

 

[Hiball]

I suspect the fit/finish of the Armstrongs will be fine, the big thing about the Snap on wrenches is the Angle of the open ends, 30/60 is very convenient when working in low swing areas.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Used Snap-On angle wrenches are the only way to go.

 

[2oolhound]

I had a full set of Armstrong angles, beautiful fit and finish, deep chrome like no other but with the 15' angle on one end I couldn't justify having them in my box. I sold them and got snap-on 30'/60' angles and now I'm happy. I figure I got another 10 years of wrenching in me so for those 10 more years I'll be satisfied I made the switch to $nap-On.

 

[AA/FC]

This does not answer the OP's question but,......... I plan to buy the SO 30/60 wrenches in both MM/SAE this week when the truck arrives.

 

[bob15]

Never had any issues with Armstrong wrenches. That being said, go with Snap On for the 4-way angle wrenches (even used like I did). Their 30/60° is the only way to go.

 

[fuddinator]

I was in the same boat as you with angle wrenches. I went with the set Northern Tool sells. Working on aircraft I only bought SAE but it has most every size from 3/8 to 1 1/4. They also have a 15 piece metric set. The fit and finish is spot on. It has saved me a few times on hydraulic reservoir changes. My only complaints is they are shorter so less torque (but can be a plus for small space), they get really slick because they are full polish (minor gripe), and the last one is they are 15/60 angles, not 30/60. Several other guys have this set and they have lasted to abuse pretty well. I got this set because of the price. I plan on replacing them with SO as money allows but for an interim solution they can't be beat. Plus will make a great candidate for the cut off wheel and bench grinder after I get the snap ons.

If money allows go Snap On but if not I would save a go Northern. Plus if you have one locally it might be in stock.


http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_200612517_200612517?hotline=false

 

[406]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I can see where the 30/60 would be the ideal angle wrench setup, but as with anything Snap On, even a pretty darn well worn 14pc set still sells for a lot of money, and one wrench at a time doesn't make much sense. Thats another selling point on the Armstrong set is the range of sizes I get for the money. I think I will do like many of you and get these and wait for a deal on some Snap Ons. Been watching Ebay for months and haven't seen any 12-16 pc sets that were in my price range that weren't really worn/scratched like crazy. I know, they're tools, and looks don't really matter much, its just hard to drop that much money on tools that look horrible

Thanks for the input!!

 

[crewchief888]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I can see where the 30/60 would be the ideal angle wrench setup, but as with anything Snap On, even a pretty darn well worn 14pc set still sells for a lot of money, and one wrench at a time doesn't make much sense. Thats another selling point on the Armstrong set is the range of sizes I get for the money. I think I will do like many of you and get these and wait for a deal on some Snap Ons. Been watching Ebay for months and haven't seen any 12-16 pc sets that were in my price range that weren't really worn/scratched like crazy. I know, they're tools, and looks don't really matter much, its just hard to drop that much money on tools that look horrible

Thanks for the input!!

actually buying one or two at a time, as needed, does make sense.

i bought a 3/8"-3/4" set many years ago. i've used the 7/16", 11/16" and 3/4" a few times.
all the rest that i have, up to 1 5/8" were bought on an "as needed" basis.
same "as needed" basis with MM angle heads, crowsfeet and line wrenches.
i couldnt "justify" (to myself) buying tools i was pretty sure i'd never NEED, when there were tools and equipment that i did NEED.

wants and needs are 2 very different things...

30 years of const eq dealership wrenching