How good are newer Armstrong Sockets?

[ConductorChris]

I have the opportunity to purchase a 22 pc SAE/Metric socket set and online I have found them to be extremely expensive. Why are they so much? Are they especially good quality?

 

[Farmall450]

Very nice.

 

[ken w.]

I thought Armstrong was phased out by the parent company. I have always thought Armstrong made some pretty nice tools.

 

[bobcatdan]

The 1/4" drive Armstrong set I have, the sockets are identical to USA craftsman. Ratchet kind of *****. Overall nothing impressive about the set.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Be aware that there is no warranty for those.

I'd be cautious paying a fair price for something that was similar to Craftsman USA quality, but without the warranty.

 

[jsmeece]

Be aware that there is no warranty for those.

I'd be cautious paying a fair price for something that was similar to Craftsman USA quality, but without the warranty.

Apex Tool Group will warranty Armstrong tools with Gearwrench replacements. So, YES, there is a warranty! Just not a very good one.

 

[6PTsocket]

Be aware that there is no warranty for those.

I'd be cautious paying a fair price for something that was similar to Craftsman USA quality, but without the warranty.

I question that. The last piece I ordered a few years back was a10mm combo. It looked like a piece of jewelry. I used it all day long without any issues. Armstrong did manufacture for Sears but their main concern was always been getting the price to rock bottom. We knew somebody that designed children's clothing for a company that sold to Sears. They wanted a line of reenforcement stitching removed from a dress to save a couple of cents.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[jsmeece]

I agree 6PTsocket, all of my Armstrong tools are impeccable in craftsmanship, wonderful chrome and no sharp edges along the beams of the wrenches. I have several craftsman Industrial wrenches and they are very similar to my Armstrong wrenches, but I can feel the different between a Armstrong and a Craftsman industrial wrench.

Possible that USA Craftsman sockets and Armstrong sockets were made in the same factory, probably, but that does not mean they are the same quality. Just think of the Snap-On versus Williams socket argument that resurfaces on GJ every once in a while. "Snap-On and Williams socket made in the same factory! Oh, then they must be the same."

Several member here on GJ do not like Armstrong sockets because they have the same double indent feature that Craftsman sockets have. Both having that same feature does not automatically mean they are the same socket, just similar manufacturing processes. Armstrong bragged about using top quality steel , I have never heard Craftsman using that similar claim.

All I can say is this...if you like them then buy them, but do not OVER PAY for any thing Armstrong. Another thing to remember, Armstrong is GONE, So if you try to warranty an Armstrong tool it will be replaced with a Gearwrench equivalent, if a GW equivalent exist in GW's current production catalog.

 

[upgrading]

Have you looked at Cripe's prices either direct or through Ebay ?
http://www.ebaystores.com/cripedistributing?submit=SEARCH&_nkw=armstrong+socket+set&

 

[JR 42]

I've got some random NOS Armstrong stuff, and mostly the quality has been fine. It can be a good deal from a liquidator like Cripe, but I wouldn't want to pay near SK, Wright, or Williams prices for it, given that it's no longer manufactured and was owned by an investment group.

Some of the chrome is dark and gray-ish (instead of bright and blue-ish) on some sockets and wrenches, much like the later US Craftsman stuff. I've got two of the same wrench, and the Apex produced one is clearly thinner in the beam compared to the older Danaher wrench. There are occasional minor chips and scratches on some items I've bought, but that can happen with random closeout stuff and I'm fine with it.

 

[sberry]

I don't get the love for the USA cman sockets. There is a belief they are better than others, the new China are as good as those were since at least 1980. Not sure when they changed from old. I got 500 of them at least from 80 to 1990, broke at least 1 in every set and most failed on the first use. Replacements were fine, they work great once tested but they are and never were much to write home about from that era. I got a few older ones were brutally tough.
Their main asset is and always was that they were cheap or cheaper. Couldn't depend on them till they were stress tested. I don't have many snap sockets but never broke one, never broke an SK, a Proto or don't recall ever breaking an Easco, got a few Napa but not enough to make a good sample.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I bought some larger Armstrong 1/2" drive sizes from Cripe. Thought they were pretty nice, regardless of the fact they were dirt cheap. Cripe was great to deal with too.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Apex Tool Group will warranty Armstrong tools with Gearwrench replacements. So, YES, there is a warranty! Just not a very good one.

Yes, you are right although I have no personal proof of that, just going off what I heard.

I guess my point was that they don't make Armstrong sockets any more, so it will no longer be a "set" of Armstrong sockets.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Over a several year period; I pieced together at least six sets of Armstrong-KD-Allen combination wrenches thru Cripe Distributing. Other purchases have included KD-(Gearwrench) special service kits, and numerous sockets and extensions of those three brands; plus USA Kobalt. The only purchases I would not repeat would be the Armstrong sockets and extensions. This is due to them having the same goofy Apex double detent as the Apex produced Craftsman sockets I regret owning.

 

[davethorik]

I have a newer Armstrong 1/2 drive 6 pt deep 1-1/16" socket that I snagged out of the 50 cent socket tub at a flea. It was unused. Changed that, put it to work. It has stamped lettering but no laser. It has the typical 4 sided detent scallops, not the goofy Craftsman ones.

 

[Steve_P]

I personally think the last generation of sockets was the same as Craftsman. I have both and they're identical. And I don't believe there's any difference in materials and heat treat, just name. They were only nickel plated at the end, no chrome, like Craftsman was.

 

[woody 73]

I don't get the love for the USA cman sockets. There is a belief they are better than others, the new China are as good as those were since at least 1980. Not sure when they changed from old. I got 500 of them at least from 80 to 1990, broke at least 1 in every set and most failed on the first use. Replacements were fine, they work great once tested but they are and never were much to write home about from that era. I got a few older ones were brutally tough.
Their main asset is and always was that they were cheap or cheaper. Couldn't depend on them till they were stress tested. I don't have many snap sockets but never broke one, never broke an SK, a Proto or don't recall ever breaking an Easco, got a few Napa but not enough to make a good sample.

Strange how the quality went downhill never trusted sears after all the **** they pulled through out all these many years.