Armstrong vs. Craftsman finish

[slipjointed]

It's pretty obvious that many Armstrong and Craftsman tools share manufacturing processes, to some degree. What I'm wondering though, is the extra cost in Armstrong tools offset by better quality finishing?

Craftsman has nasty greyish chrome, instead of the bright silvery stuff we all like to see.

I almost bought a couple sets of the USA made cross-beams, but the chrome was so grey it turned me off. Armstrong makes a nearly identical cross-beam, same lobster claw open end and everything. I wouldn't be too surprised if it's the same exact wrench with a different stamp.


My question is... do Armstrong tools have better post-production finishing and plating? Or do they have the same "meh" chrome as Craftsman USA tools?

 

[Hiball]

It's pretty obvious that many Armstrong and Craftsman tools share manufacturing processes, to some degree. What I'm wondering though, is the extra cost in Armstrong tools offset by better quality finishing?

Craftsman has nasty greyish chrome, instead of the bright silvery stuff we all like to see.

I almost bought a couple sets of the USA made cross-beams, but the chrome was so grey it turned me off. Armstrong makes a nearly identical cross-beam, same lobster claw open end and everything. I wouldn't be too surprised if it's the same exact wrench with a different stamp.


My question is... do Armstrong tools have better post-production finishing and plating? Or do they have the same "meh" chrome as Craftsman USA tools?

In My Experience i find that the Armstrong Chrome has a much thicker Luster too it. I currently have a 1/2" Drive Indexible Armstrong Rat in the Classifieds and IMO its only second to Wright in Chrome Quality.

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

My Armstrong sockets look exactly like Craftsman.

 

[Tatsuya]

Cripe Distributing has items up that look like rebadged KD and Craftsman (or whoever manufactured the item for Craftsman). Particularly items like their scratch awls, T-handle allen drivers, retaining ring pliers, etc. It wouldn't surprise me if sockets are the same. I'll compare some KD and Armstrong chrome wrenches I've got later.

 

[Pukeballs]

I thought I read on here that Craftsman sockets were nickel plated, not chromed.

 

[powertrip]

Craftsman is not made by kd. They are made by danaher. I think armstrong is also made by danaher. Might be wrong though

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

KD is also made by Danaher.

 

[Roots]

I believe there was a short length of time, for what ever reason, when Danaher was providing Armstrong Sockets for the Craftsman Pro line of sockets. They would have been a hidden gem at the time.

I'm not sure if Armstrong is still producing tools for Craftsman or how similar they may be now. I will say though that I frequently purchase large quantities of Armstrong tools and have been quite pleased with them. I'm more than happy with their chrome as well, if that's your concern.

Craftsman is not made by kd. They are made by danaher. I think armstrong is also made by danaher. Might be wrong though

Armstrong is a historic and quality tool company that is now owned by Danaher. They still make excellent tools, although it's quite likely some other Danaher facilities now also produce tools under the Armstrong label.

Craftsman is produced by contractual agreements and bidding, their tools are made by a large variety of vendors.

KD is part of the Apex Tool Group, which is a collaboration of Cooper Tools and Danaher.

 

[filtered]

To answer your question yes, the chrome is much better on Armstrong tools than it is on Craftsman. KD has nicer chrome on their wrenches than craftsman does too.

I own lots of Armstrong ratchets, some wrenches, lots of KD wrenches, lots of Craftsman sockets, and some Craftsman pro wrenches. Quality wise it would be Armstrong, KD, then Craftsman. Older Allen stuff is also exactly the same as older KD.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I've bought some CM and Armstrong sockets in the past month. Their finishes look the same too me. The whole sockets look the same to me as well. I mostly have CM's and use Armstrong for the most part to fill in the sizes CM does not offer.

Here are a few pictures of the same two sockets. The 4.5mm is the Armstrong and the 6mm is the CM.

 

[pipsters]

I believe there was a short length of time, for what ever reason, when Danaher was providing Armstrong Sockets for the Craftsman Pro line of sockets. They would have been a hidden gem at the time.

What do these Craftsman pro sockets look like? I have never heard of them. Do you have a picture? Or a link?

I'm not sure if Armstrong is still producing tools for Craftsman or how similar they may be now. I will say though that I frequently purchase large quantities of Armstrong tools and have been quite pleased with them. I'm more than happy with their chrome as well, if that's your concern.

Armstrong produces the Craftsman raised panel wrenches, and the Craftsman impact sockets.

 

[ibedayank]

Craftsman is not made by kd. They are made by danaher. I think armstrong is also made by danaher. Might be wrong though

actualy its apex tool group
apex is danaher and cooper tools they joined and made apex tool group
armstrong
KD
gearwrench
craftsman
all from the same factory most likely

http://apextoolgroup.com/brands/index.cfm

 

[SMKS]

actualy its apex tool group
apex is danaher and cooper tools they joined and made apex tool group
armstrong
KD
gearwrench
craftsman
all from the same factory most likely

http://apextoolgroup.com/brands/index.cfm

+1

It's probably more than one factory, I would guess. But they are probably all produced in the same facilities.

I see people here talk about things like the (now discontinued) USA-made Craftsman Pro wrenches coming from an "Armstrong factory." I believe all the tools come from the same facilities. Some tools may be made to different specs, but they all come from the same places.

Armstrong is just another brand that is now part of Apex tools.

 

[Hiball]

+1

It's probably more than one factory, I would guess. But they are probably all produced in the same facilities.

I see people here talk about things like the (now discontinued) USA-made Craftsman Pro wrenches coming from an "Armstrong factory." I believe all the tools come from the same facilities. Some tools may be made to different specs, but they all come from the same places.

Armstrong is just another brand that is now part of Apex tools.

I believe the old USA craftsman professional wrenches were Sk and not Armstrong.

 

[SMKS]

I believe the old USA craftsman professional wrenches were Sk and not Armstrong.

The older Craftsman Pros several years ago were SK. These were the ones with the distinctive wide box end that is common to SK wrenches.

The ones that were just recently discontinued were made by Danaher. They were nearly identical to the Armstrong, KD and Allen full polish wrenches. Also, they were very simar to the MATCO wrenches.

The new ones are now made in China, are a completely different design and are no longer called "professional." but, most of my local stores still have some of the USA made wrenches in stock.

 

[Steve_P]

I bought some armstrong 8 pt sockets in the last yr; they have the identical nickel plating as my craftsmans, same laser etching, etc. IMO they're identical less the name- I only got Armstrong since I couldn't find them in cman. There is no chrome on top of either brand of the newer sockets I have. I do have some older Armstrong sockets (~30 yrs) and they're a true nickel + chrome plate, very nicely finished.

 

[Tatsuya]

Took a look at some older KD and Armstrong wrenches. Not a great comparison because I don't know the production dates of each wrench and the Armstrongs were long pattern but there were subtle differences. The Armstrong wrenches seem to be very slightly more rounded around the centers. The box end on the KDs are smooth, kinda like an SK wrench, while the Armstrongs have more of a lip where the box end starts. Armstrong beats KD in the shiny department, I don't really care though.... The open-ends look identical.

 

[Gtamazing]

My Armstrong ratchets have nice chrome. However my Armstrong sockets have a gold/greyish hue and the metal underneath the chrome does not look as smooth or maybe the chrome is just thinner. For some reason I remember from getting bumpers chromed on old cars that the goldish color is the nickel layer under the chrome showing through.

 

[Skin]

My Armstrong ratchets have nice chrome. However my Armstrong sockets have a gold/greyish hue and the metal underneath the chrome does not look as smooth or maybe the chrome is just thinner. For some reason I remember from getting bumpers chromed on old cars that the goldish color is the nickel layer under the chrome showing through.

you cant see through chrome. A lot of stuff is simply nickel plated, automotive, industrial, or otherwise.