Dual 80 killer !!

[msg4gsm]

WoW. That is all I can really say. Armstrong's Maxx 3/8 ratchet has outdone Snap-On's King of the Mountain in just about every way I can think of. My coworker got his Armstrong 11-994 delivered yesterday and it is completely badass. It out does my Dual 80 to such a degree I was sick to my stomach looking it over. First let's start with the finish. I always thought Armstrong had some of the nicest chrome out there, right up with SK and his ratchet just reaffirmed that. It really was far superior to my D80. The head is smaller, quite a bit smaller, it has 88 teeth instead of my D80's 72, it is a bit longer, the handle is ridiculously comfortable. I always loved my D80's handle but Armstrong has used this kind of squared off design that is super chunky and comfy in your hand... The difference is only enhanced when actually running something. The Armstrong has a 10 positition locking head or some **** too and it works like a dream.. thing is solid as a rock in all positions. WtF.... I had heard about these Armstrong ratchets and knew they raised the tooth count from 60 to 88 a while back, but what I don't understand is how it has kind of flown under the radar. And finally, 100% USA made. I recently started a thread to update the best 3/8 ratchet for 2016 and not one person even mentioned the Armstrong... I hadn't seen one then. WTF? ImO, and I have done my share of research, I promise you. Armstrong's Maxx 11-994 is probably the best ratchet on the market today.. oh yeah... btw.. They make the exact same ratchet in 1/4 & 1/2 DR's too..... I literally can't think of one area where my D80 was an improvement over that damn Armstrong. I know what my next ratchet purchase will be..... The King is dead... Long live the King...

 

[Know Wosad]

Whatever you do DO NOT put your hands on a Nepros 90 or a Mac Axis 90. You'll puke and **** yourself at the same time.

 

[msg4gsm]

Whatever you do DO NOT put your hands on a Nepros 90 or a Mac Axis 90. You'll puke and **** yourself at the same time.

I hear ya.. Nepros look really nice but I have heard their chroming can be somewhat suspect which is more than just vanity. It is a direct link to a tools longevity.. And, I think my coworker said the Armstrong was $65 or some insanely low price.. And although I have nothing against Japanese craftsmanship I will take the USA made tool every time.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have the 1/4" drive one and I like it a lot. Much better than the multitude of others it replaced. I have an old 40 year old Snap On I am partial too simply because it is very small and it is old. But the Armstrong definitely out performs it.

 

[Davefr]

You should ask the moderator to move this to the tool discussion thread.

 

[msg4gsm]

You should ask the moderator to move this to the tool discussion thread.

Okay.how do I do that exactly?

 

[btdobie]

I'm surprised he got his hands on one. Getting Armstrong tools has been impossible for me lately because everyone is back ordered.

 

[a52-830]

I'm surprised he got his hands on one. Getting Armstrong tools has been impossible for me lately because everyone is back ordered.

there is a thread on the ebay deals board talking about someone (named heather, as it turns out) selling 1/2" and 3/8" armstrong maxx ratchets for short money. i got a 3/8" ratchet for less than 20$, and the 1/2" for 35$ (both included shipping), both well under current pricing.

here is a listing of what she has for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/tgra2192/m.html

note that she lists things for a price, but accepts best offers, which is how i got them for less.

other than buying two armstrong ratchets from her, i have not other interest or affiliation with it.

 

[ADSR]

Titan has new 90 tooth ratchets out with custom aluminum handles.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

I agree. The locking flex Maxx's are less $ than a Snap On F80. I have a 60t 3/8, and the 88t 1/2 and 1/4 locking flex, and I really like them. The heads are smaller than the F80, and the locking neck is stronger than the Snap On ones.

I'll get shot for saying this, but the only thing I don't like about them is the length. I've decided recently that I don't like long pattern ratchets and wrenches. I prefer the lightness of smaller tools. Actually, only the 3/8 Maxx is an issue for me. The 1/4 is small enough as it is, and the 1/2 is supposed to be a beast. It's the 3/8 that I use the most, and I wish it was a standard length, not 13" long. That's what she said.

 

[T45]

I'll get shot for saying this, but the only thing I don't like about them is the length.

yeah, the fhf snappy is 250mm

knock urself out

 

[davethorik]

Did you just get internet up there in Maine? Armstrong locking flex are old news, at least here on gj. They're not a dual 80 killer imo, but they are a snap-on locking flex killer. The Armstrong/Matco locking flex are superior to Snap-on.

 

[shockwave]

I personally prefer the chrome handles of Matco on the locking Armstrong ratchets

Another honorable mention would be the new Mac ratchets that came out last year

Curious to see about sk fine tooth coming out

 

[gdocktor3]

I'm surprised he got his hands on one. Getting Armstrong tools has been impossible for me lately because everyone is back ordered.

Thats probably why nobody mentioned them in his first thread.

Did you just get internet up there in Maine? Armstrong locking flex are old news, at least here on gj. They're not a dual 80 killer imo, but they are a snap-on locking flex killer. The Armstrong/Matco locking flex are superior to Snap-on.

LOL my thoughts as well. It's ok though he seems genuinely excited. Hey OP, guess who makes Matco's ratchets...

 

[oak_park]

They're nice, just hope you don't have to warranty it anywhere. Its well documented here that getting Fastenal or others to warranty Armstrong items is no easy task. Enjoy your new ratchet.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Did you just get internet up there in Maine? Armstrong locking flex are old news, at least here on gj. They're not a dual 80 killer imo, but they are a snap-on locking flex killer. The Armstrong/Matco locking flex are superior to Snap-on.

I own complete sets of both and couldn't agree more. The Dual 80 wins in every regard, in every size, except the locking function. To each his own I guess. I would like to get my hands on a Mac 90t, but I don't need any more ratchets.

 

[Stooge]

I bought the armstrong 3/8 a few years ago, and while i liked the small size of the head and the locking function, i just didnt find it very comfortable in my hands, didnt use it much and it ended up in the classifieds here for someone else to enjoy. I didnt really use the locking function so i dont miss it on my snap ons

 

[Loscaldazar]

The 1/2 drive is no comparison between the two- the Dual 80 is vastly superior. The armstrong MAXX is too clunky in 1/2 drive. The 1/4 drive is my favorite, but there are so many good 1/4 drive ratchets (more so than any other drive size I'd say).

 

[Stevenn1]

DON'T WORRY GUYS, FALSE ALARM! Nothing 'kills' a Dual 80. But a handful do have a better feature or two; nicer chrome, more comfortable handle, smaller head, more teeth, less back drag.... but nothing beats a Dual 80 in all catagories.

 

[KMdef9]

^ Don't forget price...

 

[Bobioz1]

The King stops by here on Fridays. He's alive and doing well.

 

[reader2580]

The Armstrong ratchets are still hard to find after the factory moved and then flooding happened at or near the factory site. HJE only has the 3/8" in stock.

I am probably going to order something else from HJE so I might get a 3/8" Armstrong ratchet too. I have been looking at them for a long time. Some might be concerned about the time to get a warranty replacement, but I don't buy tools expecting to use the warranty. I have only done one warranty on a Craftsman 1/4" ratchet, but it was bad from day one.

 

[lbhsbz]

Meh...throw a 3ft cheater on it and see how it does. That the real test...errr ...the Proto test

 

[Strouty]

^ Don't forget price...

My Snap On ratchets are much more expensive, so they win.

 

[Jarhead0408]

They Armstrong is definitely a nice ratchet, but for the most part I just run my Snappys.

For some reason I relegate the Armstrong for oil change duty and that's it.

One little thing to point out though. You said your Dual-80s are 72 tooth. They're not with the exception of the 1/4" offerings. 3/8" and 1/2" are in fact 80 tooth ratchets.

I have several from Armstrong and Matco. Can't say I've ever had a single complaint with them. I just like my Snappys more.

Glad you're happy with the Armstrong though. Snap one up for a good price and put it through its paces!

 

[scooternut]

Don't know **** about what you are talking about.

But, I just walked up to a snap on truck at a professional garage and handed him an older, like 50 years older, flex head ratchet with a worn flex head tension. The man handed me back a brand new flex head ratchet.

 

[tarbellb]

Don't know **** about what you are talking about.

But, I just walked up to a snap on truck at a professional garage and handed him an older, like 50 years older, flex head ratchet with a worn flex head tension. The man handed me back a brand new flex head ratchet.

You owned a first run SO flex head ratchet.... and warrantied it. BS.

Back to where you came from Troll.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The 1/2 drive is no comparison between the two- the Dual 80 is vastly superior. The armstrong MAXX is too clunky in 1/2 drive. The 1/4 drive is my favorite, but there are so many good 1/4 drive ratchets (more so than any other drive size I'd say).

My Armstrong MAXX 1/2" drive has locked up on me before. If it wasn't for their awesome flex, it would be sold.

 

[wvrailroader]

My Armstrong MAXX 1/2" drive has locked up on me before. If it wasn't for their awesome flex, it would be sold.

I have a 1/4" drive Armstrong Maxx flex that locks up occasionally. I haven't been real impressed with it. It kind of soured me on the Maxx ratchets, so I won't be buying any more.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have several 60 tooth matco which are the same as Armstrong. I like them, they are very good ratchets. Given a choice, I'd take my SO over them. Biggest thing I hate about matco is all of them I can't reverse single handed. I always have to rock the square drive to get them to shift. I can reverse a SK ratchet with one finger while holding it. SO just is my personal favorite.

 

[scooternut]

You owned a first run SO flex head ratchet.... and warrantied it. BS.

Back to where you came from Troll.

Yes I sure did. I own many old tools, some I like, some I love, some I don't. I was happy to trade that one for shiny new one. The chrome was pitted or chipped pretty bad and the flex was floppy (fixable I know) To each his own, but troll is an interesting comment.

 

[Thax]

I have to agree that Armstrong / Matco make a fine 88 tooth ratchet. I would also like to know what you are smoking up in Maine if you think they are far better than a Dual 80. Only the locking feature is better on the Armstrong/Matco ratchet. If you like the Maxx ratchet get your hands on a MAC Axis ratchet , your head will explode lol.

 

[btdobie]

there is a thread on the ebay deals board talking about someone (named heather, as it turns out) selling 1/2" and 3/8" armstrong maxx ratchets for short money. i got a 3/8" ratchet for less than 20$, and the 1/2" for 35$ (both included shipping), both well under current pricing.

here is a listing of what she has for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/tgra2192/m.html

note that she lists things for a price, but accepts best offers, which is how i got them for less.

other than buying two armstrong ratchets from her, i have not other interest or affiliation with it.

I've just decided to go the strictly SK route until Apex gets their heads out of their ___. I was just reading another post by a user who took 13 months to get his Matco ratchet back from warranty. I've been curious about Proto for a while too; it may be time to give them a shot.

 

[davethorik]

I just offered that seller $35 for the 1/2 version and it was rejected, someone is lying lol

 

[gdocktor3]

I just offered that seller $35 for the 1/2 version and it was rejected, someone is lying lol

I've made multiple offers on stuff that seller has, long before this post originated, and they've only come down $2-3 on the items.

 

[lazer50]

Probably not going to find a better ratchet than a dual 80 at least today. I have bought tools going on 40 years plus have the ones that i was handed down and have ratchets from so sk mac corn well proto armstrong craftsman and several other obsolete us companies.all perform well for what i use them for and have only warranties 2 that i can remember. 1armstrong 1 craftsman raised panel. Today if i bought a ratchet i would buy one that i thought would perform as well as mine maybe with a slick new feature but most importantly one i could pull my wallet out and pay in full for at point of purchase with peace of mind.

 

[sk farmer]

i'll play. my dual 80 kind of *****. i rarely use it and it is far from my favorite. my armstrong and gearwrench versions of the maxx ratchets are top notch. not a lickof trouble from any of them. never have had trouble reversing them or locking up.

i never get all of this talk about needing two hands to reverse. i can reverse every ratchet i own with the thumb of the hand i hold it in. my left thumb is damaged from an old injury. it has severely damaged tendons and i can still change direction in all of them with very little effort. do i possess some sort of super human skill?

 

[Fedwrench]

The Armstrong MAXX is a great ratchet but, I don't think it is a dual 80 killer

The internals on are Armstrong MAXX are pretty much the same floating pawl design found on Gearwrench ratchets, Only the tooth count varies slightly.

I think the dual 80 design shines best in 3/8 drive. To me I've have issues with the 1/4 drive binding and if you're using 1/2 drive, you have enough space where fine teeth aren't a big deal. It was hard to beat the performance of the 3/8 drive dual 80 until the 90 tooth MAC Axis ratchets appeared.
True MAC doesn't offer a locking head option but, I've never really used that feature on my ratchets anyway. I do wish MAC would offer the AXIS ratchets in the same lengths with the all metal handle. Currently, their longest flex head ratchets only come with the comfort grip handle. I'd like to see them with all metal handles too. :Beer:

 

[warmpancakes]

the armstrongs are great but the 13 month wait to get one fixed under warranty? No thanks

 

[Pontiac787]

The 1/2 drive is no comparison between the two- the Dual 80 is vastly superior. The armstrong MAXX is too clunky in 1/2 drive. The 1/4 drive is my favorite, but there are so many good 1/4 drive ratchets (more so than any other drive size I'd say).

Out of curiosity, what is clunky about the 1/2" Maxx? I was thinking about picking up the 1/2" Flex head to use when I need something between the standard 40 tooth 10" fixed head 1/2" ratchet and my SLF80.