Armstrong Ratchets

[entryleveltech]

Hey guys,

For all your armstrong fans out there how do the ratchets hold up I'm interested because obviously there made in the USA and I love Maxx locking 1/4in, 3/8in & 1/2in drive flex head ratchets. Are there regular flex head ratchets or tear drop ratchets any good. Only thing that stinks is that the regular flex heads are only 36 tooth. Are you able to swap the new GW 84 tooth in them or even the matco 88 tooth drive gears?

Thanks

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Re: Armstrong Ratchet's

No complaints with the ones I have

IIRC the flex head ratchets are 60 tooth

 

[lutter94]

Re: Armstrong Ratchet's

The ones we have at work are all junk.....craftsman is better.

 

[dsmnickk90]

The they had regular maxx ratchets aswell that are fine tooth just like their locking flex.

 

[bobcatdan]

Armstrong has three styles of ratchets. Junky round head danaher rebrands under about every name they make. A 36 tooth pearhead, I have a 1/4" and really like. These are made very, very much like a SO, total different head design then a matco ratchet. Then the maxx ratchets which other then handle design, are indentical to matcos. Armstrongs where recently upgraded to 88 tooth.

 

[kippieland]

Love the Maxx ratchets....the others....not so much!

 

[entryleveltech]

Lets See Some Pics!

So you guys are saying i should only start with the armstrong "maxx" Series.

anyone have the regular flex heads like these in 1/2 , 3/8, 1/4

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004WAKY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I was suprised that most people said all there other ratchets are junk.

 

[Fedwrench]

So you guys are saying i should only start with the armstrong "maxx" Series.

That's my recommendation. I don't care for their round head or 36 tooth designs but, that's just me.

 

[entryleveltech]

That's my recommendation. I don't care for their round head or 36 tooth designs but, that's just me.

Well ur opinion is Greatly appreciated TY

 

[bobcatdan]

I think it is the fine tooth craze and 36 tooth just isn't enough for a lot of people. I don't see why everybody dislikes the 36 tooth pearhead so much because I do. That said I also perfer older 36 tooth SO's to dual 80's.

 

[smothers33]

the maxx flex heads are awesome. well worth the money. even if you feel the need for the higher tooth count you can replace with matco 88 tooth rebuild kits and basically have the same things as the matco 88 flex head ratchets plusstill have the 60 tooth as a backup incase you break the matco gear. and youd also save about 20-30 bucks per ratchet vs the matcos

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I own all three locking flex ratchets, they came 60 tooth. I have 84 tooth kits in them from the craftsman premium ratchets.
I also own the aerospace ratchet 88 tooth.

nice ratchets.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Looking forward to getting the 3/8 flex head for Christmas......

 

[CWP1616L]

As with most hand tools, the most important factor is how well the tool feels in your hand. Try the Armstrong out before buying it.

 

[sk farmer]

the 60 tooth flex and 88 tooth aero ratchets from epsteins are probably the best bang for you buck at this time. the armstrong/gearwrench/craftsman/matco ratchets in 60/84/88 teeth are all the same basic design and matching gear/pawl sets can be swapped between most models. a very good design, compact, strong, reliable and very little "drag" i am a ratchet junkie with at least 30 or 40 differant brand/ratchet designs in my arsenal. i keep going back to my armstrongs, they are that nice. my s-o dual 80 rarely gets used. compared to the armstrong it is big, bulky and has more "drag". your expericnce may vary.

 

[matthew]

I've got a 1/4" drive 60 tooth Armstrong, and it's a very nice ratchet. It definitely has a fine ratcheting action, but to me the unique thing about it is the handle design, which is very nice ergonomically.

I've also got a 36 tooth 1/2" drive long handle ratchet. Again, handle design is excellent. I can't say the 36 teeth is anything special, but it's functional, and I'm just a shadetree anyways...

 

[FiendFX]

30 more dollars you can get a snap on 3/8" flex.

 

[03protege]

Are the 36t Armstrong ratchets essentailly the same as the Kobalts? Which are essentially the same as the Craftsman RPs?

Or are they a step up?

These are the ones I am referencing.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/ratchets/kobalt-3pc-ratchet-set-1-4-3-8-1-2-usa-22317-16-15-ro.html

 

[CWP1616L]

Are the 36t Armstrong ratchets essentailly the same as the Kobalts?

Not even close. Totally different.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are the 36t Armstrong ratchets essentailly the same as the Kobalts? Which are essentially the same as the Craftsman RPs?
Or are they a step up?
These are the ones I am referencing.

Yes and No...

There are models now sold under the Armstrong name that used to be sold as KD (3/8 drive 11-967a, 11-974a) that are basically the same as the universally produced 36 tooth quick release ratchet found as allen, craftsman, napa, etc. with a knurled handle that are like the kolbalt you linked.

Then there are the real Armstrong 36 tooth models 11-972, 11-973, and 11-974 (3/8 drive). These ratchets feature 36 tooth action, have a screw retained gear cover, no quick release, and the classic curved block handle.

 

[FiendFX]

Not starting a war...

He wanted a flex head, not locking.

I got my 3/8" Flex Head from snap on for $100 cash.

But heres the online price.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682323&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

$30 more than what? Which post are you referring to?

The Snap-on locking flex is a lot more than $30 more than the Armstrong locking flex.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682323&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[kapster]

I have a 1/2 in armstrong locking flex. As others have said its an awesome ratchet, handle is very ergonomic(probably more so then it's matco cousin) and very smooth. Also a very low profile head.

My only complaint is the sheet metal cover plate that most danaher stuff has. They advertise in the description that its sealed, it is not. They have a seal on the reversing lever and the gear, but it still gets stuff in around the edge of the plate. Not a big deal, just has to be cleaned out and regreased. I was just thinking that you could put some rtv around the edge of the sheet metal. I prefer the snap on style with a screw on cover plate, those are actually sealed.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I'm a big fan of the Armstrong Maxx locking flex heads. I have them in 3/8" and 1/2" drive. Been kicking around the idea of replacing my 1/4" flex SO with the Armstrong. They have great quality and priced much less than a similar ratchet.

I'm with stephen9666 in that I now much prefer the locking head now that I've used them. Unlocked the work like flex heads with no dents.