Armstrong Ratchets

[gagreen]

Just placed my first order with harryepstein.com. I may have fell victim to marketing lol but i ordered the Armstrong 88 tooth aerospace ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8. I also ordered the 60 tooth 1/2 armstrong rat.

Anyone have these? Thoughts? I guess it's to late to change my mind ha Considering I am upgrading from the basic craftsman rats, I'm thinking it will be hands over feet better or hoping so.

 

[sk farmer]

personal preference plays a large part in everything. i like those armstrong ratchets a lot. i have the 1/4 and 3/8 versions in the aero and locking flex. i think the handle shape is great but others don't like them. i know everyone rants on the dual 80 and i have one, but i grab the armstrong first, then almost every other ratchet in my box and the dual 80 last. i think you made a wise choice and will get years of use out of them.

 

[woody 73]

I sit on the other side of the fence I am not a big fan of the handle, although don't get get me wrong the ratchet is very nice. Some guys scream "I love my wera zyclops ratchet" and I bet they are also very nice but again I don't care for fat handles.

 

[sk farmer]

I sit on the other side of the fence I am not a big fan of the handle, although don't get get me wrong the ratchet is very nice. Some guys scream "I love my wera zyclops ratchet" and I bet they are also very nice but again I don't care for fat handles.

the nice thing about that design is there are so many handle versions out there. the crafsman pro, matco, gearwrench and armstrong 60 and 88 tooth models give you lots of handle choices for the same basic action. i don't care for the matco or cman handle types but like the gearwrench and armstrong.

your experience may vary.

 

[pfctblu]

I want the 1/4 88t Armstrong but the Garage Journal ratchet fetish juju hasn't quite pushed me over the edge yet. It just a matter of time though...

 

[Stooge]

i dont have the aero 3/8, but ive had my armstrong 1194 3/8 for awhile now and with the exception of it mechanism sticking within the first month, which only required about 2 minutes of fiddling and greasing, its served me greatly. ive always thought the handle seemed a little narrow compared to some others and definitely compared to any craftsman ratchets ive had. has a nice short head profile which helps fitting in tight places and its locking flex comes in handy although i dont lock it too often.
would definitely consider buying more of the series as they are a little cheaper than the truck brands and still really nice quality

 

[SMKS]

Anyone have these? Thoughts?

There are lots of threads on these.

Here is just one thread and a website post:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130377

http://toolguyd.com/armstrong-maxx-locking-flex-head-ratchet-review/

 

[gsmornot]

I like them, they are better in most ways than your Craftsman ratchets. The one thing that might take some time is the weight difference in the handle. The Craftsman is light and easy to swing when held near the head. You will adapt but its the only thing that really stands out to me that might be a negative at first.

 

[sberry]

Most anything is better than a Cman including the HF. I suspect the China one Sears sells is good but that pear head since at least the 80's is junk.