Armstrong tools opinions?

[RedneckWelder]

Well I'm in the process of becoming a heavy equipment tech.

Much of my tools will be provided but I'll need to purchase some of the larger sizes of wrenches and sockets to fill the void between what is provided and what is in the tool crib at the shop, plus I'm waiting to find out about other stuff.

The shop is serviced by a Matco and a Cornwell truck. I don't really feel like paying tool truck prices for rebranded items, and having to wait a week between visits if I need service. If they had a Snap On or even Mac truck I might be inclined to buy from them for some items.

Anywho, I've been looking at the industrial brands like Proto (known good), Wright (same thing), and Armstrong and Gearwrench. Gearwrench and Armstrong are both owned by Apex, and GW seems to get some good reviews around here but I just don't see as much posted about Armstrong stuff.

So what's the opinions of Armstrong? Looks like some of their stuff is US Made, and there is a dealer literally 5 mins from my shop, so I should be able to warranty or purchase tools on my lunch break without much of a problem. Looks like online prices at least aren't horrific...

 

[jim1987]

Theres plenty about Armstrong tools posted on here.

Type this into.your search browser

Armstrong tools site: garage journal.com

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have never been overly impressed with the few Armstrong sockets I have owned. For the same money or less, I would rather have Proto. I will say Armstrong's ratchets seem to be a good deal, but for the same price I would rather have a used Snap On Dual 80.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Theres plenty about Armstrong tools posted on here.

Type this into.your search browser

Armstrong tools site: garage journal.com

Looks like mostly older threads and slim pickings at that.

And searching through the boards search engine brings up here and there mentioning but it doesn't seem to bring up a lot as compared to other brands that are more popular.

 

[Wamsutta]

I don't like what Armstrong has done to their chrome sockets, but everything else in their lineup is okay.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a few Armstrong sockets. Fill-ins for my Craftsman. They are better than the Craftsman !

Do you have a local supplier ?

 

[Loscaldazar]

Chrome sockets aren't anything special and there is better out there for the price. Wrenches are good quality, but personal preference says I don't like em. 88T aerospace ratchets are awesome. Not my favorite ratchet, but I own a set and love them. Very thing, good action, light backdrag, 88 teeth is helpful in a tight spot.

Haven't handled anything else Armstrong besides that.

 

[Stooge]

We have alot of armstrong sockets in my lab at work, they get the job done but they arent my favorite. Tolerances seem a little loose compared to some similar tier tools. I do like their ratchets and have no complaints about their wrenches, although i dont know how old the ones i have are, ( probably atleast 15yrs old if i had to guess)

 

[espyking83]

They're around the same overall quality of SK, IMO. Their sockets aren't as good though. Light years better than Craftsman, just not up there with SO/Proto/Mac/Etc....

 

[Loscaldazar]

They're around the same overall quality of SK, IMO. Their sockets aren't as good though. Light years better than Craftsman, just not up there with SO/Proto/Mac/Etc....

Their sockets are relabeled as the USA made Craftsman....?

Sk far outclasses Armstrong in quality.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Depending on what exactly you're looking for, a LOT of Armstrong sockets were re-branded as Kobalt USA when Danaher was producing them. I've bought a good amount of Armstrong & Kobalt USA through Cripe (sockets, large wrenches, impacts, etc) and it's all solidly built stuff.

 

[espyking83]

Their sockets are relabeled as the USA made Craftsman....?

Sk far outclasses Armstrong in quality.

Not really. Their sockets and 1/4" ratchets for sure, but I don't see much else.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have a few Armstrong sockets. Fill-ins for my Craftsman. They are better than the Craftsman !

Do you have a local supplier ?

Yeah I'll have a local source...there is a Fastenal 5 mins from the shop. Nearest proto shop is 20-30 minutes away.

Mainly I'm looking at the wrenches at this point, less at sockets...for what it's worth, supplied tools will be proto sockets and Snap On wrenches but that will be up to the 1 1/4 range as I understand it, anything larger I'll have to acquire. I've already been told to get wrenches up to 2" and impacts (not supplied). Looking at sunex/grey pnuematic for the impacts.

 

[sonvolt]

Their ratchets and wrenches are good, I would go Proto, Wright, or SK though

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Just got a couple of their wrenches at Cripe to fill some holes in my MM collection. I like look the look of them, and they appear to be well made, but i have not used them yet, and possibly never will use the 20mm, but I had to have it
-Sam

 

[bobcatdan]

I have no real love for Armstrong, I'd buy wright all day long over them. I don't care for any of there ratchets, even the 60 and 88 tooth models. Their 3/4" and larger ratchets are clunky boat anchors. A lot of their sockets are the same as craftsman. No real experience with their wrenches, but why buy those when you can buy wright. Wright's big combos are the most comfortable large wrench to use thanks to the beam design.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The locking flex is nice. Other than that, nothing special and its the OEM for Craftsman sockets.

 

[southalabama]

Armstrong is fine.

If you ask an opinion you are likely to get as many different opinions as people that answer.

If you've got an armstrong dealer nearby even better. I prefer s&k but that's just my love of super chrome. I've also got kobalt USA and craftsman.

 

[SMKS]

Looks like mostly older threads and slim pickings at that.

And searching through the boards search engine brings up here and there mentioning but it doesn't seem to bring up a lot as compared to other brands that are more popular.

He had the formatting a little messed up.

Use this instead in google:
Armstrong site:garagejournal.com

There are tons of threads. It's one of the most discussed brands.

The Maxx ratchets and the fully polished wrenches are very nice.

The sockets are fine, but probably aren't worth the price premium over USA Craftsman. I can't comment on the rest of the tools.

 

[u118224]

Armstrong wrenches are very good, you won't be disappointed.

 

[rmsg0040]

maxx ratchets and pinless swivels are the only 2 things I would recommend, their wrenches are nice but I would rather choose another brand

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Mainly I'm looking at the wrenches at this point, less at sockets...for what it's worth, supplied tools will be proto sockets and Snap On wrenches but that will be up to the 1 1/4 range as I understand it, anything larger I'll have to acquire. I've already been told to get wrenches up to 2" and impacts (not supplied). Looking at sunex/grey pnuematic for the impacts.

Starting out, it wouldn't hurt to get set of the Klutch (Northern Tool 34481) Jumbo Combos. If you break one, you can buy a quality replacement, but I'm still yet to bust one even with sledgehammer abuse. Not the prettiest, but for $62.99, worth every penny. I filled out the set with a mix of Kobalt USA, Allen USA and IIRC an actual Armstrong banded one. Cripe currently still has the Kobalt 1-5/16" (23917) & Allen 1-7/16" (20225B). You'd only need a 1-9/16" to to have a pretty complete set for around $100.

I sold off my chrome 3/4" drive sockets in exchange for a 8pc set of Ingersoll Rand 3/4" impact set. Look around on eBay and you can find the set for around $60. Same impacts that were provided for shop use, and never had an issue.
http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/ir/ingersoll-rand-8pc-3-4-drive-sae-deep-impact-socket-set

Buy other sizes as you come across them (Cripe has 3/4" impact sockets up to almost 3"), there's a lot of sizes you just won't ever use, and it's a lot better than spending a fortune right out of the gate to have over sized wrenches and sockets take up real estate in your box. I made that mistake.

Just my 2 cents.
Whichever route you go, congrats on the new job! I'd kill for one that provides Proto and Snap-On tools!

 

[gagreen]

I'll take brand new armstrong maxx rats over used dual 80's. I have both in my box. I like snappy's 1/4 drive ratchets but the armstrong has a thinner profile and goes more places. 3/8 and 1/2 drive I always grab my armstrong rats because the handle is so stinking comfortable imo.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Starting out, it wouldn't hurt to get set of the Klutch (Northern Tool 34481) Jumbo Combos. If you break one, you can buy a quality replacement, but I'm still yet to bust one even with sledgehammer abuse. Not the prettiest, but for $62.99, worth every penny. I filled out the set with a mix of Kobalt USA, Allen USA and IIRC an actual Armstrong banded one. Cripe currently still has the Kobalt 1-5/16" (23917) & Allen 1-7/16" (20225B). You'd only need a 1-9/16" to to have a pretty complete set for around $100.

I sold off my chrome 3/4" drive sockets in exchange for a 8pc set of Ingersoll Rand 3/4" impact set. Look around on eBay and you can find the set for around $60. Same impacts that were provided for shop use, and never had an issue.
http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/ir/ingersoll-rand-8pc-3-4-drive-sae-deep-impact-socket-set

Buy other sizes as you come across them (Cripe has 3/4" impact sockets up to almost 3"), there's a lot of sizes you just won't ever use, and it's a lot better than spending a fortune right out of the gate to have over sized wrenches and sockets take up real estate in your box. I made that mistake.

Just my 2 cents.
Whichever route you go, congrats on the new job! I'd kill for one that provides Proto and Snap-On tools!

I plan on buying 3/4" impact sockets instead of chrome right now...

Those Klutch combos identical to the HF ones? I have a set of the HF ones but don't know how they'll stand up to shop use yet.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I love my Armstrong stuff. It is better quality than Craftsman and if you shop around cant get it cheaper than SK or other similar brands

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I plan on buying 3/4" impact sockets instead of chrome right now...

Those Klutch combos identical to the HF ones? I have a set of the HF ones but don't know how they'll stand up to shop use yet.

They're made in China as well, but as far as I know they aren't identical to the HF (I have the older Northern branded set though). I bought them over the HF set thanks to the reviews around here.

If you already have the HF set, I'd just beat on those. If one breaks, buy a quality replacement. I worked with guys in a truck shop that had abused the HF wrenches daily for years without an issue, and half of the shop provided wrenches were no-name imports.

 

[Wakefield]

Was Armstrong ever as desirable as Bonney?

 

[1950mercury]

I have the older matco double box wrench with on side that ratchets. They are made buy armstrong and awesome. They are the same as the Armstrong ones. Yoi can pic them up cheap on ebay

 

[bobcatdan]

They're made in China as well, but as far as I know they aren't identical to the HF (I have the older Northern branded set though). I bought them over the HF set thanks to the reviews around here.

If you already have the HF set, I'd just beat on those. If one breaks, buy a quality replacement. I worked with guys in a truck shop that had abused the HF wrenches daily for years without an issue, and half of the shop provided wrenches were no-name imports.

Last time I was at the northern store was when klutch was just out. They had a rack of all the big wrenches. I have to say, these were the beefest import big wrenches I ever saw. Big combo over 1 1/4" is were you see the gap between USA and import. If you think your HF 2" wrench is something, it looks like an ignition wrench compared to say an SK or wright. All that said, the big klutch at least in the store look to be close to the heft and length of a USA big combo.

 

[McFarmer]

I have a 3/8 ths Armstrong ratchet I never use, many better ones out there.

 

[RedneckWelder]

If you think your HF 2" wrench is something, it looks like an ignition wrench compared to say an SK or wright.

To me the HF wrenches seem a little on the "light" side for their size. Glad I'm not imagining it. I've never dealt with large wrenches before beyond the occasional use (never really needed them much) and the HF ones worked for the one job I needed them for.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I hope this qualifies for a "You ****!"...ended up instead of buying armstrong...picked up a set of Wrights 1 3/8 to 2 1/4 for $370 at the jockey lot.

 

[bobcatdan]

I hope this qualifies for a "You ****!"...ended up instead of buying armstrong...picked up a set of Wrights 1 3/8 to 2 1/4 for $370 at the jockey lot.

No you can't you **** yourself, but that is easily a $1500 to $2000 batch of wrenches.

 

[RedneckWelder]

No you can't you **** yourself, but that is easily a $1500 to $2000 batch of wrenches.

I figured so, I about broke my arm pulling my wallet out.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I hope this qualifies for a "You ****!"...ended up instead of buying armstrong...picked up a set of Wrights 1 3/8 to 2 1/4 for $370 at the jockey lot.

Very nicely done!