Armstrong Ratcheting Wrenches

[Ed_EOD]

I am in the market for some Armstrong ratcheting wrenches and have a couple questions.

1. I have heard some have 36 teeth and some have 72. Which styles are 72 and 36? I would assume the reversible are the 72 tooth style but I am not sure.

2. The best prices I could find were from www.weldwarehouse.com even though their website *****. Where is everyone getting theirs?

BTW- I am referring to the newer style of ratcheting wrench, not the older style.

 

[Fedwrench]

The reversible combination, the regular combination, and stubby combination all have 72 teeth.

Its the Maxx Power series that have 36 teeth. Set numbers: 28-905, 53-846, and 53-847.
http://www.armstrongtools.com/ECommerce/Category.aspx

I think Ebay or a commercial account with MSC has the best price.

 

[Ed_EOD]

What about the box end? Are they the same as the the regular combos? I sent an email to Armstrong but haven't heard back yet.

I am torn between the box and the reversible combos. Can anyone give any opinions on which to get?

Thanks

 

[PorscheGuy997]

I am almost positive that the Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are identical to the Craftsman ratcheting wrenches (full polish). Also, the Maxx wrenches seem similar to the Cross-Force series.

You can usually find a set of the Craftsman reversibles very cheap on eBay.

 

[Skin]

if they are the same i would not recommend the 36 teeth version. The mechanism in the Craftsman slips like crazy, the GW i use do not have this problem. I've played with the full polish version in sears and they feel much better

 

[a390st]

I've put the Armstrongs and the Craftsman full polish ratcheting wrenches through a lot of use, and both have been fine. The Armstrong were the non-reversible without any offset. The Craftsmans were the reversible full polish with offset. Like I said, both have been great.

 

[jjarrell4]

I have got the full polish reversible craftsman and they are smooth as a babys ***.
Same gear ratios... DIFFERENT finish and length I agree.
Safe choice in my opinion

you can't go wrong with the craftman warranty either

 

[MrMark]

The Craftsman are not remotely the same as the Armstrong. Not even close. I have the Armstrong and have actually gone in the store and compared them to the Craftsman. The Armstrongs are long pattern, in fact the same length as Snap-on, the ratcheting action is butter smooth, way better than anything else I have tried, and the finish is the equal of Snap-on. You are comparing a $300 set to a $99 set. They are not the same unless you think a Tahoe is the same as an Escallade.

 

[jjarrell4]

The Craftsman are not remotely the same as the Armstrong. Not even close. I have the Armstrong and have actually gone in the store and compared them to the Craftsman. The Armstrongs are long pattern, in fact the same length as Snap-on, the ratcheting action is butter smooth, way better than anything else I have tried, and the finish is the equal of Snap-on. You are comparing a $300 set to a $99 set. They are not the same unless you think a Tahoe is the same as an Escallade.

edited.
Your wrong.

 

[Skin]

no he's not. The armstrong combination wrenches are most certainly longer and they are a bit beefier around the open end as well if you compare the smaller sizes. The identification lettering is also different which leads me to believe they're done in a different plant. As far as the ratcheting mechanism though i'm sure its the same.

Doesnt mean the craftsman wrenches are bad, as he said its a $100 set of 8 compared to a $300 set of 10.

 

[jjarrell4]

Same 5 degree swing... Length and finish might be different but same gear

 

[Fedwrench]

What about the box end? Are they the same as the the regular combos? I sent an email to Armstrong but haven't heard back yet.

I am torn between the box and the reversible combos. Can anyone give any opinions on which to get?

Thanks

By far my favorite ratcheting wrench is the original Matco proswing wrench. It's the one with a fine tooth ratcheting boxed end on one side and a 15 degree offset fixed boxed end on the other. Armstrong makes the same wrench with their name on it. I wished they made it in a flex head model keeping the same length.

Ok everyone say this together, the Armstrong reversible fine tooth ratcheting combination wrenches are not the same as the Craftsman fully polished reversible fine tooth ratcheting wrenches. The armstrongs are longer. The Armstrongs are a match for the Matco versions though.
As for the ratcheting Cross force type wrenches, those are a match with the 72 tooth action.
As for the 12 degree bulky 36 tooth ratcheting wrenches. Craftsman only offers those in a raised panel version. To find a fully polished version buy, the Kobalt set at Lowes if you wish.

 

[a390st]

Fedwrench, I couldn't agree more about the original Pro Swing wrenches. My cousin was a Matco dealer and a weekend mechanic, and his were the first ratcheting wrenches I ever saw. That was many years ago, and I just couldn't believe they could make a ratcheting wrench like that. I would have a set now if they weren't made overseas with a higher than ever price tag. I haven't even handled one since they went offshore.

 

[blue dog]

An other member here that has a armstrong fetish showed me this site for armstrong purchases. hope this helps.
I do like my armstrong ratchets.
http://www.bettymills.com/shop/prod...-b3e4-613da644e6dc&Department=Facility&Grid=1

 

[jabberwoki]

I am in the market for some Armstrong ratcheting wrenches and have a couple questions.

1. I have heard some have 36 teeth and some have 72. Which styles are 72 and 36? I would assume the reversible are the 72 tooth style but I am not sure.

2. The best prices I could find were from www.weldwarehouse.com even though their website *****. Where is everyone getting theirs?

BTW- I am referring to the newer style of ratcheting wrench, not the older style.

Where are they made?

 

[Fedwrench]

Where are they made?

The Armstrong fine tooth ratcheting wrenches have USA stamped on each wrench for now.

 

[Ed_EOD]

Any opinions on either the box or the reversible? Has anyone ever had a problem with no offset on the box end? Do I need the open end? Decisions Decisions...

 

[arkangel06]

Which ones are still made in the USA?

 

[Ed_EOD]

They aren't Dual 80s, they are still marked USA. I would get gearwrenches if I didn't care.

 

[mrholeshot]

They are not the same unless you think a Tahoe is the same as an Escallade.

Well once you get past some of the body work they are pretty much the same, lol

 

[CamarosRus]

FEDWRENCH, Hope these are tools you reccommended. I also bought the SAE's as well on EBAY. I did not pay retail as my sign eludes too....

I'm thinking I'd like MATCO (made in USA) long pattern conventional combos
to match these ratcheting wrenches

Still thinking GW or MATCO combo/ratcheting wrenches would be handy.........

 

[Fedwrench]

Yes, those are my favorites. They will serve you well. I only use an open end when I can't use a boxed end or socket which isn't that often but, it does happen and I have other wrenches to use then..

 

[CamarosRus]

Fedwrench, How about the MATCO Proswing Racheting Combo version with 12* offset.

When might you grab these versus the about Racheting Box...........???

Thanks,