Armstrong Vs Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches

[LoneGunman]

Does anybody have experience using both? From what I'm seeing Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are priced close to Gearwrench if you shop around, now I'm not a "it HAS to be US made" and I am happy with my Gearwrenches so far but if they are comparable in quality I would rather spend my money here.

 

[mooman]

the racheting mechanisims (previously discussed here) I believe are imported on the Armstrongs.

 

[Mickey O]

the racheting mechanisims (previously discussed here) I believe are imported on the Armstrongs.

Based on what? They might be but on their website they have some all American ****, I'll look it up later, getting late and the pillow awaits.

 

[Mickey O]

Does anybody have experience using both? From what I'm seeing Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are priced close to Gearwrench if you shop around, now I'm not a "it HAS to be US made" and I am happy with my Gearwrenches so far but if they are comparable in quality I would rather spend my money here.

Yes, I have used both, Armstrong's are a nicer finish and a nicer wrench.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think it depends on which model you're comparing. Armstrong has some ratcheting wrenches with 72 teeth and others with only 36 teeth.
The reversible combination model, the fine tooth non reversible, and the ratcheting box and fixed boxed end are the same as the Matco Proswing versions with the Armstrong name.
On the other hand the xl Gearbox can be found in a matco version too. Gearwrench offers many more styles, shapes, and lengths than Armstrong. To do a true comparison, you need to move away from the Gearwrench models with that stupid capstop feature sold at Sears and consider the more professional models found at Tooltopia and other online vendors.
I'm not a fan of the 36 tooth Armstrong versions but, their 72 tooth models are great. I also use the hell out of Gearwench versions too. An excellent choice are also the Craftsman full polish reversible and flat panel polished ratcheting wrenches. They're all different branches of the Danaher tool tree. Any of them will serve you well.

 

[Skin]

Yes, I have used both, Armstrong's are a nicer finish and a nicer wrench.

And your extensive personal experience with GW is limited to the 1/4" free keychain correct?

And the mechanisms are imported. Go ahead and give them a call.

 

[WHT]

Does anybody have experience using both? From what I'm seeing Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are priced close to Gearwrench if you shop around, now I'm not a "it HAS to be US made" and I am happy with my Gearwrenches so far but if they are comparable in quality I would rather spend my money here.

Danaher makes similar tools under different names, but they are not all
manufactured to the same standards.

I looked at Snap-On, Armstrong, KD and GearWrench before buying ratcheting
wrenches (I also called the various companies and talked to their technical reps).
Armstrong wrenches are made in the U.S. to higher standards then KD and
GearWrench and they will withstand more ratcheting cycles according to
the tech reps. I think you will be more than satisfied with them.

 

[GearWrench Brand]

Our Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are 100% USA made.

Steve

 

[GearWrench Brand]

And your extensive personal experience with GW is limited to the 1/4" free keychain correct?

And the mechanisms are imported. Go ahead and give them a call.

This is incorrect.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Merkava_4]

Which brand is that one?

 

[WHT]

Which brand is that one?

It's not a great picture, but it is stamped Armstrong.

 

[mooman]

Our Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are 100% USA made.

Steve

So just to claify, the racheting mechanisims are produced in the US?

 

[Zrexxer]

So just to claify, the racheting mechanisims are produced in the US?

That's what "100%" means to most of the world

 

[Mickey O]

So just to claify, the racheting mechanisims are produced in the US?

Did you want it in bold or something:

Our Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are 100% USA made.

Steve

And the mechanisms are imported. Go ahead and give them a call.

This is incorrect.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[LoneGunman]

You guys are too much some times, you got the answer right "from the horses mouth" but that's still not good enough. It seems crystal clear to me.

"Our Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are 100% USA made"

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Our Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are 100% USA made.

Steve

So Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are rebranded GearWrench ratcheting wrenches, only 100% made in the USA?...

 

[forceyoda]

What about Matco???

I have some matco wrenches that say "made in Tawain to Matco specifications"

Are the Armstrongs better than the Matco??

 

[WHT]

So Armstrong ratcheting wrenches are rebranded GearWrench ratcheting wrenches, only 100% made in the USA?...

Who said they were "rebranded" GearWrench? What is so hard about the concept of a tool made in a U.S. factory rather than Taiwan or China (or that different companies owned by Danaher [Armstrong and GearWrench] can manufacture tools to different standards)?

"In December 1994, after 105 years of private ownership by the Armstrong family, the company was acquired by the Danaher Corporation. Danaher's family of brands includes Allen and K-D Hand Tools, Allen Hex Keys, Holo-Krome Fasteners, Jacobs Chucks, Matco Hand Tools, and JS Technology Torque Tools, among others. The Danaher Commitment to continuous improvement will ensure the strict adherence to the high standards of quality, delivery and cost upon which Armstrong was founded.

Armstrong Tools are still, and will continue to be made in the U.S.A. They are designed and manufactured for professional tool users and continue to be manufactured with uncompromising quality."

 

[l_bilyk]

They are both good quality tools, and I don't think you can go wrong either way. The mechanism is pretty much identical. However, the pro-American tool guys on here will argue that the Armstrong wrenches "feel" better.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Who said they were "rebranded" GearWrench?...

See post 8 where GearWrench Brand says "our armstrong wrenches..."

 

[WHT]

See post 8 where GearWrench Brand says "our armstrong wrenches..."

I did see that. They were speaking as :

Ian: Wrench Product Manager - Danaher Tool Group
Steve: Product Marketing Director - Danaher Tool Group

 

[Mike 47]

I got a set of those off eBay, very satisfied. The Gearwrench versions seem nice, and are cheaper, but seemed like they'd be too long.

 

[benjamming]

See post 8 where GearWrench Brand says "our armstrong wrenches..."

That doesn't mean they are rebranded or are employing brand engineering.

 

[Teken]

Spoke with a customer service personal at Armstrong last week. She stated the mantra, forged to finish no import in the Armstrong line . . .

 

[Hiball]

Im so confused right now, So the "Gearwrench Brand" guy is some Brass at Danaher? And he is stating that the Armstrong Ratcheting Wrenches are 100% US made? Including the Ratchet mechanism? If so is the Gearwrench mechanism US made or imported? And if i tear into a Gearwrench and Armstrong Mechanism is it gonna be the same? Hope you guys are confused now also.

 

[Teken]

The two are made in seperate places, but may share the same design elements. Like a opened end wrench, there is only so many ways you can make one, they all look the same to the average person.

 

[jeepnut24]

If they are the same, and it sure seems that way, Im going with gearwrench due to the price difference. I can get the 16 set of Gearwrench for less than the 12 set from Armstrong and get the same wrench.

Anyone with a truly unbiased opinion compare the two?

 

[WHT]

They are both good quality tools, and I don't think you can go wrong either way. The mechanism is pretty much identical. However, the pro-American tool guys on here will argue that the Armstrong wrenches "feel" better.

I agree that both Armstrong and GearWrench are quality tools.


However, Armstrong tools feel better because they are better. Armstrong tools are made in the U.S. to higher quality standards than GearWrench to compete with companies like Snap-On, Wright and Proto; and, they are made to last more duty cycles. GearWrench tools are imported from Taiwan and China to compete with KD and other second tier tool companies.

Both are good. Buy what makes you happy.

Regarding the "the pro-American tool guys" statement: I live in the United States along with my family and friends and care about them having jobs in the future. I care about their quality of life.

Countries don't build wealth (and the middle class) from service industries. They build wealth from mining, energy production and manufacturing. As many people have learned during the last few years, we are now destroying our middle class at an ever increasing rate due to sending manufacturing overseas.

 

[Hiball]

The two are made in seperate places, but may share the same design elements. Like a opened end wrench, there is only so many ways you can make one, they all look the same to the average person.

That scenario makes sense if Gearwrench came out with a 80 tooth ratchet that was identical to Snap on's, but when the tool manufacturer is the same for both brands it raises flags for me. I have no reason to believe that they are lieing to American consumers, like some past companies. I also dont fully understand the FTC requirements for Stamping Made in the USA. Maybe thats where i should start. I do know that there is ways around Laws and Guidlines and its not off the wall that companies will bend the words in there favor to get things accomplished. With that said if i ran across a deal on some Armstrong Wrenches i would grab them up in a second, With no regrets.

 

[jeepnut24]

However, Armstrong tools feel better because they are better. Armstrong tools are made in the U.S. to higher quality standards than GearWrench to compete with companies like Snap-On, Wright and Proto; and, they are made to last more duty cycles. GearWrench tools are imported from Taiwan and China to compete with KD and other second tier tool companies.

Where is the empirical data to back that up???? I keep hearing lots of opinion and bias, but almost ZERO empirical data to back up the claims.....


Seriously, these threads get old after a while without empirical data to back up claims. Anecdotal evidence is all fine and dandy to form an opinion but some of us would love to see some real tests to back up all of the pro US claims.

 

[Teken]

Where is the empirical data to back that up???? I keep hearing lots of opinion and bias, but almost ZERO empirical data to back up the claims.....


Seriously, these threads get old after a while without empirical data to back up claims. Anecdotal evidence is all fine and dandy to form an opinion but some of us would love to see some real tests to back up all of the pro US claims.

I can offer you this as one example. Look at the handle of that ratchet, compare that to the Gearwrench in your hand.

Both are nice, but in my hand this handle is ergonomicly made correct. Hence the *feel* is better. Now what one prefers over another is subjective but if you have millions of people buying the same brand and the same tool, there's a reason and it's not a fan boy reason in my eye's.

That's what I can offer you, you can decide . . .

 

[jeepnut24]

Feel is highly subjective, weight, chrome thickness/durability, and duty cycles are not subjective. Many of us would LOVE to see some objective comparisons. Then again, considering there are fewer and fewer parent companies making the tools, it would be difficult to get a company sponsored comparison. We need a good third party comparison.

I personally HATE the handles on the armstrong wratches. They don't feel right to me, but that doesnt make them worse ratchets.

 

[Hiball]

Feel is highly subjective, weight, chrome thickness/durability, and duty cycles are not subjective. Many of us would LOVE to see some objective comparisons.

I personally HATE the handles on the armstrong wratches. They don't feel right to me, but that doesnt make them worse ratchets.

+1

I enjoy the feel of the 1/4 and 3/8 Armstrong ratchet handles but the 1/2" version feels off to me. Im not saying the Ratchet mechanism doesnt have a good feel, i just dont care for the handle. Its just a personal thing and probably has more to do with my hand size and ergonomics.

 

[Teken]

Is it because at the 1/2" do you find the squarish handle hard on the hands?

 

[jeepnut24]

A GREAT example of an empirical test was the one a few days ago showing the contact patterns of various brands of wrenches. We need a similar style test comparing the different ratcheting wrenches. My bet is they are closer in spec that many here would like to think or believe.

 

[BWright]

Feel is highly subjective, weight, chrome thickness/durability, and duty cycles are not subjective. Many of us would LOVE to see some objective comparisons. Then again, considering there are fewer and fewer parent companies making the tools, it would be difficult to get a company sponsored comparison. We need a good third party comparison.

I personally HATE the handles on the armstrong wratches. They don't feel right to me, but that doesnt make them worse ratchets.

Honestly, I think the difference lies in only two things. One is USA made and one is not, and also the finish on the armstrongs is better than that of the gearwrenches. It has that brighter deeper look to the chrome than the gearwrenches. As far as functionality goes, there probably isn't a bit of difference. It all basically comes down to if you care about COO or not.

 

[Hiball]

Is it because at the 1/2" do you find the squarish handle hard on the hands?

Yeah, im sure its just me. It has nothing to do with the quality of the piece.

 

[jeepnut24]

Honestly, I think the difference lies in only two things. One is USA made and one is not, and also the finish on the armstrongs is better than that of the gearwrenches. It has that brighter deeper look to the chrome than the gearwrenches. As far as functionality goes, there probably isn't a bit of difference. It all basically comes down to if you care about COO or not.

Read what I quoted first for a great example of what pops up here all the time.

"...XYZ are better simply because they are made here in the US..."

I'm just looking for some empirical proof to back up those claims and not anecdotal evidence...

 

[WHT]

Where is the empirical data to back that up???? I keep hearing lots of opinion and bias, but almost ZERO empirical data to back up the claims.....


Seriously, these threads get old after a while without empirical data to back up claims. Anecdotal evidence is all fine and dandy to form an opinion but some of us would love to see some real tests to back up all of the pro US claims.

Lots of different posts get old fast, BTW. We're going to have to agree to disagree on this issue.

But, I can assure you that major corporations who's work involves critical or dangerous work environments test tools before they are put into the field. However, comprehensive testing is (i) very expensive, (ii) has competitive value and the information is not just released for free because you want it. So, don't hold your breath waiting for someone to give you the information.

Also, quality is often a state of mind. Some people and societies naturally embrace it and some don't.



"WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 14, 2008 – Armstrong Tools, a division of Danaher Corporation, Pelican™ Products, Inc. and UFP Technologies, Inc. have won a contract to design and build a mobile tool kit for the United States Army and Marines that meets stringent Berry Amendment “Made in the USA” requirements.

Over the five-year, $125 million dollar contract’s life, the companies will manufacture in excess of 96,000 tool kits designed to exceed the demanding requirements of service personnel across the globe.

From top-to-bottom, the contract requires the kit to be mobile and include uniformly branded tools for accuracy of inventory. The case needs to survive rough handling and transport in extreme environments as well as organize parts uniformly with configurable drawers that keep the tools secure, even after the case has been turned upside down while closed.

Each manufacturer is contributing “best-of-breed” elements to the kit that not only meet but exceed all military specs. Armstrong Tools supplied more than 175 forged alloy steel tool pieces designed to operate in the hottest Middle Eastern deserts to the coldest arctic environments. The set can be used for servicing and repairing all forms of armored and conventional vehicles, both tracked and wheeled."



Forbes-Dealing With China's 'Quality Fade'


"Recent media reports detailing a series of quality problems with Chinese-made exports have understandably alarmed the American public and resulted in a number of international product recalls.

But supply chain professionals not directly affected by these recalls remain unusually calm. "Everything will be all right," said one U.S. importer on a buying mission to China. "As the country continues to develop, the quality of its products will naturally rise."

It's the sort of comment that sounds logical, but is not necessarily true. Quality does not always rise over time, as China's own history shows. At the end of the 19th century, the West rushed to buy China's beautiful silk products. Demand quickly expanded, and new players moved into the market. As competition intensified, manufacturers began to cut corners on quality, and silk products out of China soon gained a reputation as inferior goods."

 

[jeepnut24]

Its a shame the Gearwrench line doesn't come from China though...

Lets just stick to ratcheting wrenches.