Armstrong worth finding?

[Moose Legs]

I know of an auto supply store relatively close to me that has a good supply of NOS Armstrong. I want to know if there any particular highlights of line I should pick up if they have them?

Figure this is good enough question for my first post.

 

[Wamsutta]

If you buy them, there won't be any replacement parts or warranty.

 

[Super Sport]

The locking flex head ratchets are the big standouts. Their other tools are good, but few are worth the premium prices they used to charge for a now defunct brand.

 

[Wamsutta]

I imagine a lot of sellers aren't going to divulge the news about them being out of business. They probably want to sell their stock off before everybody finds out.

 

[Moose Legs]

If you buy them, there won't be any replacement parts or warranty.

Generally I don't buy for warranty. It would be in store so I can look for obvious faults, otherwise no different than betting on horse races.

 

[6PTsocket]

The locking flex head ratchets are the big standouts. Their other tools are good, but few are worth the premium prices they used to charge for a now defunct brand.

I thought their full polish wrenches were the equal of ANY. People pay more for a certain brand that I do not have to name. I just saw,a listing for a set of black metric combos for $60 and I am tempted. Armstrong was good stuff in a market where people will often not spend top dollar for hand tools if it is not off a truck. You can't go wrong if you get them below the old prices. My employer replaced a 10mm combo for me with an Armstrong. I think it was $17 for that little wrench.

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[Moose Legs]

I imagine a lot of sellers aren't going to divulge the news about them being out of business. They probably want to sell their stock off before everybody finds out.

I know about the closure, they're not exactly tight lipped about it either, they pulled Armstrong from their website and are just selling off what's on the shelves, it's a small town place.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

88 tooth ratchets (and rebuild kits if they have them), pinless impact swivels, Deadblow Ball Peens (made by Trusty cook), comfort grip screwdrivers (same as Craftsman Pro and SK). If you can get closeout deals, go for it.

 

[Pasha]

Their MAXX ratchet line was very nice. imo they're arguably the best thing Armstrong ever produced. I would keep an eye out for them.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/ratchets-and-drive-tools/maxx

 

[Farleyfan]

Im not sure what series it is but... Armstrong has a set of combination wrenches that was longer than stubby but shorter than their standard length set. My coworker had a set that I borrowed all the time.
They were long enough to get good leverage and at the same time, short enough for clearance you needed.

 

[Fedwrench]

Standouts in the Armstrong line are probably in the eye of the beholder but for me it would be:

-MAXX series fine tooth ratchets in 1/4 & 3/8 drive. even the original 60 tooth version is nice. Too bulky in 1/2 drive.

-locking extensions. either in chrome or impact.

-Pinless Impact sockets.

-Ratcheting wrenches. Not the short laminate ones,I', talking the chrome fine tooth models with a fixed boxed end on one side, and a 72 tooth zero offset ratcheting boxed end on the the other side, standard length.

That's it for me. The rest of the line won't be missed at least by me.

 

[sk farmer]

Standouts in the Armstrong line are probably in the eye of the beholder but for me it would be:

-MAXX series fine tooth ratchets in 1/4 & 3/8 drive. even the original 60 tooth version is nice. Too bulky in 1/2 drive.

-locking extensions. either in chrome or impact.

-Pinless Impact sockets.

-Ratcheting wrenches. Not the short laminate ones,I', talking the chrome fine tooth models with a fixed boxed end on one side, and a 72 tooth zero offset ratcheting boxed end on the the other side, standard length.

That's it for me. The rest of the line won't be missed at least by me.

this is pretty much the last word on this. ^^^^^^^

the combo wrenches are good as well but i little bit thick bulky and heavy.

i have the maxx ratchets in standard and locking flex in 1/4 and 3/8. some of my favorite ratchets. too bad they did not have more versions........ i would have them.

i would not get all worked up about rebuild kits. gearwrench and matco should be able to keep you in business with them for the near future.

 

[nanofrog]

I'm under the strong impression those with the Armstrong MAXX ratchets can still get rebuild kits from Matco (same innards as their Eighty8 line).

Can anyone confirm this?

TIA

 

[dr_clyde]

I am a huge fan of Armstrong's C-Clamps. They are extremely high quality.

I wouldn't be afraid of snapping up anything you think you'll use. I wouldn't worry about warranty. They made good tools.

 

[sk farmer]

I'm under the strong impression those with the Armstrong MAXX ratchets can still get rebuild kits from Matco (same innards as their Eighty8 line).

Can anyone confirm this?

TIA

yes, i have installed an 88 tooth matco kit in a gearwrench ratchet. at the same time i swapped around kits from the matco and gearwrench. just remember there are 60, 72, 84 and 88 tooth kits out there and the correct pawl and gear need to be together. the plates, springs, o rings and pins should all be the same. those are all single pawl kits.

the gearwrench 120 is a different animal though. it uses a 60 tooth gear and two offset pawls stacked on top of each other to get 120 clicks. it will not swap.the gear may be the same but the pawls are definitely a no go.

 

[lincwelder225]

I'm under the strong impression those with the Armstrong MAXX ratchets can still get rebuild kits from Matco (same innards as their Eighty8 line).

Can anyone confirm this?

TIA

Curious as to this myself..

 

[lincwelder225]

I wouldn't be afraid of snapping up anything you think you'll use. I wouldn't worry about warranty. They made good tools.

Agreed

 

[jsmeece]

yes, i have installed an 88 tooth matco kit in a gearwrench ratchet. at the same time i swapped around kits from the matco and gearwrench. just remember there are 60, 72, 84 and 88 tooth kits out there and the correct pawl and gear need to be together. the plates, springs, o rings and pins should all be the same. those are all single pawl kits.

the gearwrench 120 is a different animal though. it uses a 60 tooth gear and two offset pawls stacked on top of each other to get 120 clicks. it will not swap.the gear may be the same but the pawls are definitely a no go.

So, you are saying that the 88 tooth Matco kits will work in 60, 72, 84, and 88 tooth Gearwrench ratchets? Just wondering, I need to replace the gears in two 1/4 drive GW 60 tooth ratchets that I bought last year at a local yardsale for $1 each because they were "broken."

 

[NinnyCTSV]

Seeing as matco 88 line is Armstrong ratchets. Wouldn’t that mean Matco will be going with a different company for future rebuilds?

 

[sk farmer]

So, you are saying that the 88 tooth Matco kits will work in 60, 72, 84, and 88 tooth Gearwrench ratchets? Just wondering, I need to replace the gears in two 1/4 drive GW 60 tooth ratchets that I bought last year at a local yardsale for $1 each because they were "broken."

if it is based on the maxx body they will work. gearwrench has a cheaper ratchet as well. it will not work in them. i have a thread around here someplace on it. the maxx ratchet will have a snap ring that holds a thin teardrop shaped plate with an o-ring between the plate and gear/anvil.

 

[xin]

Is Armstrong tools still in business?

 

[jsmeece]

Is Armstrong tools still in business?

Yes, they have been shut down by Apex Group.
http://www.thestate.com/news/business/article126068444.html

 

[xin]

Yes, they have been shut down by Apex Group.
http://www.thestate.com/news/business/article126068444.html

So they will discontinue the tools as well?

 

[kb1982]

I have an Armstrong 12-973 ratchet and it is built like a tank. It's 1/2" drive with 36 teeth and 15 inches oal. If you can get one of those at a great price, I wouldn't hesitate. If ever needed, it could easily be used as a self defense weapon with it's weight

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[jsmeece]

So they will discontinue the tools as well?

No factory to produce tools means no tools can be produced.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I am a huge fan of Armstrong's C-Clamps. They are extremely high quality.

I wouldn't be afraid of snapping up anything you think you'll use. I wouldn't worry about warranty. They made good tools.

+1 on this. The c-clamps are great.

 

[2004EP3HATCH]

I bought the 8-19MM Minus the 15MM all on ebay for about 110.00 total. The set is 2-300 altogether with a holder pouch. I got a Matco 15MM which is the same thing with their name.

 

[2004EP3HATCH]

No factory to produce tools means no tools can be produced.

Well, why can you buy them on a lead time from some websites? Who’s making them lol? From what I learned, they are gone, so how is there a lead time then for any of them?

 

[plinker]

The ratchets are great, best handle shape of any, IMO. It'd be nice if they still offered 36tooth kits as my 12-973 has a shattered pawl. The wrenches were also nice.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Seeing as matco 88 line is Armstrong ratchets. Wouldn’t that mean Matco will be going with a different company for future rebuilds?

They already did. AJ Manufacturing took over Matco's hardline from Armstrong before the shutdown bappened.

The Armstrong made 88 tooth kits from Matco worked in Gearwrench ratchets, no clue on the current AJ made kits.

 

[Indexmill]

Buy what you want if the prices are good. It is highly likely that you will never need any warranty unless you abuse them.

 

[jsmeece]

Well, why can you buy them on a lead time from some websites? Who’s making them lol? From what I learned, they are gone, so how is there a lead time then for any of them?

Call Apex Tool Group in Maryland and ask them and they will tell you Armstrong tools have been discontinued which means Armstrong tools are no longer being manufactured. I know I called them last November (2017), looking for a locking flex head ratchet 1/2 drive (OUT OF STOCK). Once Apex gets rid of any left over stock, that's it.

Call these "websites" and ask them about getting Armstrong tools and they will tell you the same thing I am saying, Armstrong tools have been discontinued.

 

[Fialaja]

Armstrong also made some rhft ratchets that use the Easco guts. I have 2 1/2drive Armstrong ratchets that use this mechanism. Their wrenches are great as well. If the price is right I would go for it. Check EBay and Cripe distributing.

 

[2004EP3HATCH]

Call Apex Tool Group in Maryland and ask them and they will tell you Armstrong tools have been discontinued which means Armstrong tools are no longer being manufactured. I know I called them last November (2017), looking for a locking flex head ratchet 1/2 drive (OUT OF STOCK). Once Apex gets rid of any left over stock, that's it.

Call these "websites" and ask them about getting Armstrong tools and they will tell you the same thing I am saying, Armstrong tools have been discontinued.

I do believe you, trust me I do. I’m trying to figure out why these websites are advertising this then. I’m going to email a few of them and see what they say.

I just emailed Onlinecomponents.com as they have a 8 week lead time currently. I said is this accurate to see what they say.

 

[Barnabas]

Lots of new odd-sized Armsrtrong tools are showing up in the Habitat for Humanity ReStores here in the middle of North Carolina.
I just bought a 46mm 3/4" drive socket for $1. It will be a nice shiny paperweight.

Large Metric combo wrenches, 20-30mm are selling for $10.

Apex is also closing out the Allen brand of Allen wrenches at the ReStores.

 

[jsmeece]

Lots of new odd-sized Armsrtrong tools are showing up in the Habitat for Humanity ReStores here in the middle of North Carolina.
I just bought a 46mm 3/4" drive socket for $1. It will be a nice shiny paperweight.

Large Metric combo wrenches, 20-30mm are selling for $10.

Apex is also closing out the Allen brand of Allen wrenches at the ReStores.

****, if I lived closer to NC, I would hit them up. I would love to get my hands on some more Armstrong and Allen wrenches, especially for that price!

 

[bobcatdan]

A large chunk of Armstrong is the same as craftsman so sockets and wrenches I don't get to excited about most of their run of the mill tools.

 

[jsmeece]

Socket may be similar, but Armstrong made 1/2 drive metric deep sizes that are not available in Craftsman.

Armstrong wrenches and Craftsman wrenches, two different animals.

 

[bobcatdan]

Socket may be similar, but Armstrong made 1/2 drive metric deep sizes that are not available in Craftsman.

Armstrong wrenches and Craftsman wrenches, two different animals.

Armstrong does have a much wider offering then craftsman ever did. I don't own a lot of Armstrong, but what I do, 98% is craftsman with Armstrong stamped on it. The last USA full polish wrenches were Armstrong after SK stopped making them.

 

[TalonFE]

Big Fan of Armstrong sockets, especially the larger sizes, 1" on up....always fit well, nice and snug. I have some pretty ancient examples that still appear new.