Armstrong Sockets

[Downwindtracker 2]

The local tool store had some on clearance sale priced. I guess that was when Armstrong was being shut down. I picked up a rail of both metric and SAE 3/8 drive. They reminded me of my old Craftsman, short, thin walled and deep broached, certainly not industrial quality. In fact I lost the 12 mm and replaced it with a Proto. It sticks out like sore thumb. While Armstrong are not common around here, I had always thought they were an industrial brand . What was the word on their last days of production.

I tried google with little success. Besides ads.

 

[Fedwrench]

All of the Armstrong sockets I've ever seen have been the same as Craftsman right down to that funky double detent on the female square drive on their chrome sockets.
Armstrong did offer some sizes not found in Craftsman like a 1/4 drive 15 mm.
I don't think Armstrong's socket quality had anything to do with their last days of production. I think the same Texas factory just cranked out US made Craftsman and Armstrong sockets. I also think Armstrong couldn't sustain itself without making USA Craftsman.

 

[MattT]

All of the Armstrong sockets I've ever seen have been the same as Craftsman right down to that funky double detent on the female square drive on their chrome sockets.
Armstrong did offer some sizes not found in Craftsman like a 1/4 drive 15 mm.
I don't think Armstrong's socket quality had anything to do with their last days of production. I think the same Texas factory just cranked out US made Craftsman and Armstrong sockets. I also think Armstrong couldn't sustain itself without making USA Craftsman.

Yeah the Armstrong chrome sockets are nothing special. No complaints about their impacts though.

Hard to say whether it was loosing crapsman or Matco that finished off Armstrong. Possibly the two combined

 

[ihateminimumwage]

As others said, same as Danaher made Craftsman, Kobalt, Allen, KD, Napa, etc.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Thanks,

 

[jasonphelps]

All of the Armstrong sockets I've ever seen have been the same as Craftsman right down to that funky double detent on the female square drive on their chrome sockets.
Armstrong did offer some sizes not found in Craftsman like a 1/4 drive 15 mm.
I don't think Armstrong's socket quality had anything to do with their last days of production. I think the same Texas factory just cranked out US made Craftsman and Armstrong sockets. I also think Armstrong couldn't sustain itself without making USA Craftsman.

I thought the sockets were made in North Carolina?

 

[BarryWells]

All of the Armstrong sockets I've ever seen have been the same as Craftsman right down to that funky double detent on the female square drive on their chrome sockets.
Armstrong did offer some sizes not found in Craftsman like a 1/4 drive 15 mm.
I don't think Armstrong's socket quality had anything to do with their last days of production. I think the same Texas factory just cranked out US made Craftsman and Armstrong sockets. I also think Armstrong couldn't sustain itself without making USA Craftsman.

Armstrong sustained itself by selling $750 tool sets to the US military for 8 grand.
They screwed it up
I think Proto has them back. Any military guys here( wrench spinners).
I''d be nice to see SK, Wright or one of those"little" guys get in there for some action but I think their QC would go to **** trying to keep up with Uncle SLams heavy demand.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I think the Armstrong impact sockets are of good quality.
A Craftsman would be a better match for you set,but I think the Proto is a better socket.