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Armstrong eliminator socket set

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Throwawrench

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Sep 28, 2017
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Recently ive been given an armstrong eliminator set from my father. The set is missing three sockets 14mm, 9/16 and a 3/4. The set is sentimental because my dad came down with cancer not to long ago and they have been in his shop for around 20 years.
Is like to complete the set and I know that the set hase been discontinued for some time. Anyone know how to buy singles other than ebay. Or at least something else that is compatable with that wrench? I've heard a Matco special force will work but I'm not sure how to find singles of that either. I don't even know where to find a Matco truck.
Anyone have any ideas. Thankyou.
 
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xela456

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I know I've seen these at Epstein's try their website they may still have them
 
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Throwawrench

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I saw them at Inc tools but the set in 96 dollars little much for 3 sockets. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the ideas
 
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neophyte

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Throwawrench said:
Recently ive been given an armstrong eliminator set from my father. The set is missing three sockets 14mm, 9/16 and a 3/4. The set is sentimental because my dad came down with cancer not to long ago and they have been in his shop for around 20 years.
Is like to complete the set and I know that the set hase been discontinued for some time. Anyone know how to buy singles other than ebay. Or at least something else that is compatable with that wrench? I've heard a Matco special force will work but I'm not sure how to find singles of that either. I don't even know where to find a Matco truck.
Anyone have any ideas. Thankyou.
Click to expand...

Throwawrench said:
I saw them at Inc tools but the set in 96 dollars little much for 3 sockets. I'll keep looking. Thanks for the ideas
Click to expand...

Back when the Armstrong Eliminator and Matco Special forces sets were being sold as a standard item by the respective manufacturers, they were fairly expensive.
I firget off hand what the cost was, but the standard 1/4 and 3/8 “drive sets probably cost $200 give or take for a metric or an Imperial set. The combined sets were even more, and the 1/2 set was was probably twice that amount or more.
I remember Grainger was one source for the Eliminator sets, and the orices above were the discounted Grainger prices, nit the list retail, which was significantly higher.
Grainger not only carried the sets, but all the individual sockets, ratchets, extensions, rebuild kits, etc. as individual pieces.
I presume Matco may have done the same.
The individual pieces sometimes turn up on Ebay and at closeout places, but the selection is getting much smaller than it used to be.
Your best bet would be to check Ebay for incomplete sets. Since this is the cheapest way to get parts.
The Matco Special Forces sets and parts seem to be scarcer then the Armstrong Sets and parts.
When Armstrong closed the Eliminator sets out, and dumped them on the surplus market, the prices were basically less then equivalent Gearwrench sets, and some cheap imported socket sets.
 
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Throwawrench

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I saw a set of three sockets on eBay they were metric he wants total 13 bucks for the three. The 14 is the only one I need out of the three if anyone wants to trade for the other sizes I'm lacking I'd be game. The sizes that come in the three are 14 15 and 16. Doubt that's logical because who uses a 15 mm socket and a 16 is same or close to a 5/8.
I know what happend, my dad probably lost the 14mm using it as a 9/16. I think those line up. He never had a metric anything not sure why he's missing the 14mm. He ran a tree trimming company and had craftsman and harbor freight tools. Really not sure what made him spend over 200 for the set unless he had a repair in mind.
 
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Throwawrench

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I work at a Honda plant and I've not seen one, somewhere down the line I'm sure there is but in six years of working there can't say I've ever seen one used. My Camry drain plug uses one I believe. I also drive a Honda as well comes with the territory.
 
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Downwindtracker 2

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I drove European cars when I was younger, and worked on Japanese and German machinery at work, when I came apon a 15mm, it was an WTF moment.
 
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neophyte

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Fialaja said:
Does gearwrench make anything similar?
Click to expand...

Yes, but the socket design is not compatible with the Armstrong Eliminator sockets.
There’s a thread somewhere on GJ that mentions all the oass thru socket brands, and compatability between the brands.
The Armstrong Eliminator and Matco Special forces sockets where compatible with each other, but nothing else, with the possible exception of a weird French made set from Facom or SAM, which is unlikely to turn up in the USA.
 
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mikebaker1129

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I have a Matco 3/4 socket spare to help you complete your set.
PM me your address and I will get it out to you in the mail?
 
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