Armstrong @ Woot

[archirelic]

Some Armstrong tool offerings over on Woot. Forgive me if the prices aren't that "great," b/c I don't usually follow the ups and downs of a lot of things...prices definitely seem to be good to me considering the socket sets are listed as Made in U.S.A.

http://tools.woot.com/plus/crescent-armstrong-hand-tools-oh-my

 

[allinon72]

The prices on the sets are very good. If I didn't already have those sizes I would pounce.

 

[Automag88]

Wow are those really USA made locking pliers?

 

[lametec]

Wow are those really USA made locking pliers?

Unlikely.

 

[Fordman7795]

Unlikely.

Thats what im thinking. Only reason I am hesitant to buy them. Yes it does say Made in USA but im dont see it marked on the example pic.

 

[rubber_ducky]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does a 10 degree ratcheting arc mean 36 tooth pawl?

 

[Fordman7795]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does a 10 degree ratcheting arc mean 36 tooth pawl?

yes .

 

[03protege]

Unlikely.

Made in the USA
Curved portion of serrated jaws for gripping and turning round objects
Straight portion of serrated jaws for gripping and turning flat objects
Angled teeth for superior gripping over vertical teeth
Wire cutter built into back of jaws
Wide adjusting screw for jaw opening and locking pressure
Compound action for vice like grip
Manufactured from high alloy steel; heat treated for strength and durability

Since when was Armstrong not US made?

 

[SMKS]

Armstrong has lots of USA tools, but unless those locking pliers are old stock, they probably won't be USA made.

 

[ishiboo]

Uh, a 1/4 Armstrong socket set for $8.00?

These prices seem great.

 

[ishiboo]

Waitaminute... laser engraved, pictures show ****** inside chrome and even rust inside sets on the sockets. Are these Armstrong sets just overpriced last-generation Craftsman/current Allen?

 

[Stuey]

It says USA-made. If it turns out they're not, just return them.

 

[Stuey]

Armstrong has lots of USA tools, but unless those locking pliers are old stock, they probably won't be USA made.

They probably are older stock, or USA-made for Armstrong.

A search using the model number turns up a couple of listings on liquidators' sites. Armstrong probably sold these cheap by the pallet to clear them out of warehouses, or something like that.

 

[filtered]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-3pc-Locking-Pliers-Set-67-404-/251069562666

Says they are MADE IN TAIWAN

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but does a 10 degree ratcheting arc mean 36 tooth pawl?

Those are Maxx ratchets. They are at least 60 tooth, the newer ones are 88 tooth.

 

[ishiboo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-3pc-Locking-Pliers-Set-67-404-/251069562666

Says they are MADE IN TAIWAN

And Woot's return policy *****. I wouldn't buy 'em unless you want Taiwan.

 

[MJB24]

The armstrong socket sets are nice. For $306 you would get every socket in metric and SAE and a ratchet, universal and extension for almost anything.

If anyone orders sets and parts them out I want the 1/2" deep metrics, 1/2" deep SAE, 1/2" standard SAE and 1/4" deep SAE

 

[SCscoutguy]

Uh, a 1/4 Armstrong socket set for $8.00?

These prices seem great.

They are the same thing as the Danaher USA made Craftsman sockets. The shipping is $5 so you would be better off going to sears and buying a old stock set of Craftsman sockets for that price.

 

[CNGsaves]

Never have bought from Woot . . . is the $5 shipping per item??

So you buy two sets of $8 sockets, and you've got $10 shipping??

 

[Ridri]

$5 covers standard shipping to a single address, per cart checkout I believe. If you buy multiple quantities the shipping would remain $5 total, unless you make multiple checkouts or ship to different addresses.

 

[SMKS]

They probably are older stock, or USA-made for Armstrong.

This is why I said there either not USA made (my guess) or are old stock.

Who even makes them in the US anymore? No one that I know of.


UPDATE-
Did Woot remove the "made in the USA" claim from the locking pliers page? It currently doesn't say they're made in the USA. Perhaps they fixed the problem?


http://tools.woot.com/offers/armstrong-locking-pliers-set-3-piece

==========================

Waitaminute... laser engraved, pictures show ****** inside chrome and even rust inside sets on the sockets. Are these Armstrong sets just overpriced last-generation Craftsman/current Allen?

There have been multiple threads here where people have claimed the Armstrong and Craftsman USA sockets are identical, right down to the double detent. If you perform a search you can find side-by-side pics.

As far as I can tell, the USA Craftsman and Armstrong sockets have been the same for at least several years. They were both made by Apex Tools (and before that Danaher).

 

[upgrading]

COO=Taiwan for the pliers.
Confirmed over at Woot in the comments.
http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5539869&pageindex=1&replycount=1

 

[SteveCh]

$5 covers standard shipping to a single address, per cart checkout I believe. If you buy multiple quantities the shipping would remain $5 total, unless you make multiple checkouts or ship to different addresses.

Just made my first WOOT purchase a couple weeks ago. The shipping policy clearly states that the $5 is for the entire order, regardless of how much you buy. Not bad at all, really.

 

[sk farmer]

if the pics are correct the 1/4 and 3/8 sets are the 88 tooth aerospace ratchets and the 1/2 is a 60 tooth. i think that is a great deal sure. you may be able to find an older set of us made craftsman for cheaper but it will not have nice ratchets, it will be filled with fluff (allen wrenches, nut driver bits and ignition wrenches) and will not have nice blow molded cases for each drive size.

if you only count sockets, drive tools and wrenches i bet these sets are a better deal than most cman sets.

 

[MJB24]

Pretty complete sets as well. I seen on the 1/4" metric it went from 4mm to 15mm, with 5.5mm included. That will fill a Hansen rack minus 4.5mm

 

[Stuey]

This is why I said there either not USA made (my guess) or are old stock.

Who even makes them in the US anymore? No one that I know of.


UPDATE-
Did Woot remove the "made in the USA" claim from the locking pliers page? It currently doesn't say they're made in the USA. Perhaps they fixed the problem?


http://tools.woot.com/offers/armstrong-locking-pliers-set-3-piece

==========================



There have been multiple threads here where people have claimed the Armstrong and Craftsman USA sockets are identical, right down to the double detent. If you perform a search you can find side-by-side pics.

As far as I can tell, the USA Craftsman and Armstrong sockets have been the same for at least several years. They were both made by Apex Tools (and before that Danaher).

What I meant is that it was possible they were neither old stock nor imported. Sometimes these industrial brands have short trial runs for govt' and military customers. Although, it does seem like a silly idea - if they could do a short run and then sell the overstock at $22/set, there would be little reason not to produce the tools in the USA year-round.

And yea, they removed the "made in USA" part of the product description. I wonder how it got there in the first place - probably copy-pasted from the socket set listings or something like that.

 

[MJB24]

If you go look at the 1/2" set. Zoom in and take a look at the 11mm standard length socket. I assume these are Woot pictures. Looks like Armstrong-Apex quality control missed one.

 

[obese]

Based on Woot description and part numbers on individual sockets in the pictures, it seems that the deep metric sockets in the 1/2" set are 12 pt.

 

[Galaxie]

Woot used to be $5 per unique item shipped, i.e. 1-3 of a unique item shipped for $5, now they ship everything you order from the site in one day for $5. So not only would all the tools ship for that but you could add some shirts, wine or whatever else they have for sale today all for $5 total shipping to the same address.

Looks like the 3/8 and 1/2" sets are about $100 off what you can get them for online. Wish they had some wrenches I am slowly replacing my Cman with nice Armstrong and Wright sets.

 

[rubber_ducky]

Based on Woot description and part numbers on individual sockets in the pictures, it seems that the deep metric sockets in the 1/2" set are 12 pt.

Good catch. That seems like an odd thing to do

 

[ilovevocs]

I don't Need these; I own too many sockets and too many ratchets; but I may buy them. Damn it!

 

[safetyman665]

I've been looking for a couple of sets to keep in my truck. Looks like these will fit the bill just fine. Archirelic, thank you for passing the deal on!

 

[rubber_ducky]

I picked up a the 1/4" and 3/8" drive kit... $155 shipped. They'll be replacing some piece-meal socket sets in my tool box. I would have liked to pick up the "matching" 1/2" drive set, but I barely use the 1/2" drive ratchet that's in my box already and that kit costs more (by $1) than what I spent on the other two kits plus shipping.

Thanks for posting OP

 

[Mike-Trident]

Wow are those really USA made locking pliers?

Give me PN's and I will check the system to see where they are made.

 

[2002maniac]

Dang, I had the 1/4 and 3/8 sets in my car and within 30 seconds they were both sold out.

 

[Ridri]

Ended up pulling the trigger on this one an hour ago for all 3 sets. Guess I got in just before selling out.

If COO isn't as important as price, the Gear Wrench sets from Trident are basically the same/better deal (120xp rachets vs 88/60 tooth) right now. I was pretty torn deciding which to get.

 

[thadru2001]

Ended up pulling the trigger on this one an hour ago for all 3 sets. Guess I got in just before selling out.

If COO isn't as important as price, the Gear Wrench sets from Trident are basically the same/better deal (120xp rachets vs 88/60 tooth) right now. I was pretty torn deciding which to get.

I'm in the same boat as you. I held back on the Armstrong sets after reading about whole Apex Tool Group thing. The Gearwrench stuff looks identical and I'm happy with the GW stuff I already own. I'm waiting on a quote from Trident for one of each.

 

[hamma]

Those locking pliers are the same as the Craftsman Professionals they used to sell. If I remember correctly the package said they were made in the USA with global components but the pliers themselves don't show any country of origin on them.

 

[rubber_ducky]

My socket sets showed up yesterday. They're very nice sets and I look forward to replacing the mismatched sockets that are in my box currently.

 

[zer0cell]

Lets see some pics of the sets. I was going to get the 1/4 set but it was too late when I was ready to buy it

 

[rubber_ducky]

Better late than never I suppose.

Very happy with them considering how much I paid. I did verify that both ratchets are 88 pawl. Couple things I noticed was that the laser etching was misaligned on one of the sockets and missing on another. Very minor nit-picks. I pulled the tops off of the cases after taking these pics and now the tools are nestled nicely in my rolling toolbox.