Armstrong rumor

[bobcatdan]

Don't know if this is true, but my Indy tool dealer buddy who carried Armstrong has heard this from his suppliers. The Armstrong name is not dead, it will be reintroduced as a completely imported line. Our thoughts is basically GW with Armstrong stamped on the tool instead. Take this for what it is, he has heard nothing official, just something he heard.

 

[barneyim26]

hope that isn't true, what a damn insult to the brand like so many others. be a shame for that to happen. like we need more import ****

 

[Codejack]

GW with Armstrong stamped on the tool instead.

That completely defeats the purpose.

I am quite happy with my Gearwrench sockets, but I was looking at Armstrong wrenches precisely because they were made in the USA. If they are not, why not just buy GW or Blue Point of Silver Eagle or any of the other top tier taiwanese brands?

In point of fact, as soon as I heard that Armstrong was closing their plant, I switched and decided to buy Blackhawk, and reintroducing Armstrong as an import line does not tempt me to reverse that decision.

 

[AngryBeaver]

That completely defeats the purpose.

I am quite happy with my Gearwrench sockets, but I was looking at Armstrong wrenches precisely because they were made in the USA. If they are not, why not just buy GW or Blue Point of Silver Eagle or any of the other top tier taiwanese brands?

In point of fact, as soon as I heard that Armstrong was closing their plant, I switched and decided to buy Blackhawk, and reintroducing Armstrong as an import line does not tempt me to reverse that decision.

I've had a set of Armstrong large wrenches (1" to 1-1/2") for about 5-6 years on my service truck. The chrome has all but completely flaked off. Other than that they've been great and abused. I wouldn't buy a China made knockoff either

 

[woody 73]

Don't tell anyone but I heard this from a friend of a friend that craftsman was going under, maybe I should sell off my craftsman and buy Armstrong tools...or maybe it was that Snap on is going under and I should buy Duro.

 

[Codejack]

Oh, if I had old Armstrong, I would keep them.

I never thought much of a warranty; if it breaks, it was either abused or just **** quality in the first place. Either way, it shouldn't be warrantied.

 

[1982fxr]

What a shame

 

[kythri]

Yeah, I don't see this happening at all.

 

[buffalobill]

My local Napa hasn't mentioned any thing about Armstrong going under, it seems well known everywhere else. I wonder if he knows something, because he still mentions selling them.

 

[bobcatdan]

My local Napa hasn't mentioned any thing about Armstrong going under, it seems well known everywhere else. I wonder if he knows something, because he still mentions selling them.

There is probably a **** ton of NOS still in the pipe line. Pre ideal SK is still popping up, what 5 years or so since production stopped.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I wonder if this correlates to Cripe starting to carry a lot more Armstrong nowadays. (If so, Cripe's stock would certainly measure of what's happening with US Tool Brands...)

It sure seems like a liquidation of Armstrong is happening over there. I imagine this is what it was like when KD and Allen started to disappear from shelves.

 

[kythri]

Cripe bought out several trailer-fulls of Armstrong stock when they shuttered production.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I wouldn't be at all surprised, seems like a pretty standard Apex move.

Cripe bought out several trailer-fulls of Armstrong stock when they shuttered production.

...And have been taking their sweet *** time rolling them out in their store.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I doubt they will kill off a line just to create a new one that competes with themselves.

 

[LB-1911]

I wonder if this correlates to Cripe starting to carry a lot more Armstrong nowadays. (If so, Cripe's stock would certainly measure of what's happening with US Tool Brands...)

It sure seems like a liquidation of Armstrong is happening over there. I imagine this is what it was like when KD and Allen started to disappear from shelves.

03-30-2017

Hey guys - Bree here

Thanks for tagging us so we can answer your questions.

Ron wanted me to let you guys know we have actually about 4 semi's full of Armstrong product.

You guys should be seeing them go up here in the next few month's.

We'll try to keep you updated on it. Let me know if you have anymore questions. -Bree

 

[ihateminimumwage]

On a semi-related note, has anyone else spotted the new Apex made Husky Pinless Impact Swivel that's made in China? Spotted it at Home Depot last weekend.

Since the USA version from Armstrong and Craftsman is gone, and the GW versions are already on Cripe, I'm curious to see if the import version takes over in the other tool lines. Same way the USA torque wrenches shared between Armstrong/Matco/Gearwrench/Husky went China on GW/Husky, Armstrong gone, and Matco changing manufacturers.

 

[mrbillh]

At least there's Wright, made in the USA!

 

[LB-1911]

Speaking of Wright, has anyone on GJ posted pics of the Wrightgrip 2.0 open ends yet?

No.



https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6637516&postcount=194

 

[Autoguy]

I have vintage armstrong screwdrivers with rubber grip >>excellent

 

[kythri]

I doubt they will kill off a line just to create a new one that competes with themselves.

That's my take - Apex has positioned GearWrench as their premium brand, and shuttered multiple other classic brand names.

Further, Armstrong isn't a brand that was targeted towards the average consumer, so trying to push imported Armstrong tools just doesn't seem like a wise move, given the build-up of GearWrench.

 

[WittHay]

Our industrial stores have always carried a line of imported tools.

I can see imported Armstrong tools being sold in places like Fastenal and Grainger. More of a marketing thing Armstrong sounds heavy duty while GearWrench sounds automotive.

On a side note, not too familiar with Matco, but how many of their tools, are actually made in the USA and people still pay high prices for there tools

 

[scooby074]

Just let Armstrong die. Dont make a ***** the name.

 

[anndel]

The only tool I have that's a Made in USA Armstrong is a 1/2" drive 18" breaker bar I bought 5 years ago. That thing is durable no matter how many times I abused it.

 

[firebox40dash5]

There is probably a **** ton of NOS still in the pipe line. Pre ideal SK is still popping up, what 5 years or so since production stopped.

Huh... my store added Armstrong a couple years ago. We packed it all up and returned it last fall, because we couldn't replace what we sold (through Napa anyway) to save our lives.

Damn shame, because it actually sold better than I expected. Don't think anyone sold a single piece at "suggested price", but I could take it down to a reasonable markup and have it work out.

 

[oldtools]

If they sold the name, it may go the way of Thorsen.

 

[Fedwrench]

i see no reason for anyone to resurrect the Armstrong name.

Gearwrench already has a GSA contract so, there's really no reason to use smoke & mirrors to hawk Gearwrench tools.

NAPA is already featuring PROTO tools in their current real deals quarterly flyer (at expensive list prices) so, I don't think they're looking for another tool line.

Armstrong went bye-bye so what? I was more concerned for the loss of the other brands that Armstrong made than the loss of Armstrong itself.

Although US made tool manufacturers are dwindling, there's still SK, Wright, PROTO, Channellock, Precision Instruments, Wilde, and others that can meet all of your tool needs.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

03-30-2017

Man, I must've missed that day! Can't wait till it all comes down to KD/Allen prices!

 

[bobcatdan]

The only tool I have that's a Made in USA Armstrong is a 1/2" drive 18" breaker bar I bought 5 years ago. That thing is durable no matter how many times I abused it.

Maybe I should be harder on my 15" one. It has the same drive as craftsman and older matco bars. I can snap those just by looking at them in the drawer.

 

[kb1982]

That completely defeats the purpose.

I am quite happy with my Gearwrench sockets, but I was looking at Armstrong wrenches precisely because they were made in the USA. If they are not, why not just buy GW or Blue Point of Silver Eagle or any of the other top tier taiwanese brands?

In point of fact, as soon as I heard that Armstrong was closing their plant, I switched and decided to buy Blackhawk, and reintroducing Armstrong as an import line does not tempt me to reverse that decision.

Alot of Blackhawk is made in Taiwan now.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[oldtools]

Alot of Blackhawk is made in Taiwan now.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

I have a Blackhawk ratchet that is made in Taiwan. They destroyed the Thorsen brand when they start selling low quality tools. Hope they don't ruin the Armstrong brand buy selling the brand name. I have quite a bit of Armstrong hand tools and machinist tools.

 

[Wamsutta]

At least there's Wright, made in the USA!

Along with Proto, Williams, Snap-on, Cornwell, SK, and MAC.
(depending on the part numbers)