Is it really buying American?

[FriendOfYours]

I have more wrenches than I know what to do with, but I was looking for a set of extra longs and it comes down to Armstrong, Snap-On and Toptul being the three longest

The Armstrong and Snap-On are the same length and US

The Toptul are actually a good deal longer, known to be excellent quality and made in Taiwan

My only problem is that the Armstrong are quite a bit more. I would like to support US manufacturing, but aren't a good portion of products built by Apex foreign? Does it really help? I feel like it helps them keep prices high for the US stuff and still kinda high for the foreign. The price gap between Gearwrench and Armstrong isn't THAT big

Or does it go directly to Armstrong and helps keeps those jobs here?

 

[Skin]

Most of Armstrong's business is done with industrual and government contracts. In order to be eligible often times outfits in those sectors require products to be made domestically where ever possible. To put it simply, they start outsourcing, they lose most of their business to their competition (Proto, JH Williams, Snap-On, Wright etc...). Buying Armstrong products will merely reinforce that division. Not to mention the fact that everyone outsources so trying to keep every cent in the US is an act in futility. Snap-On has plenty of imported products and operations, and Stanley B&D (Proto/MAC) is just a world wide manufacturing behemoth. Doesnt stop either from making many products domestically though.

I have both styles of wrenches and for what its worth, while the Snap-Ons are excellent, the Armstrong ones are better. Its just an all round more comfortable wrench. The OEXL series have noticably thin beams, much more so than their standard wrench lengths. You also have the option of getting the Matco branded ones that are identical to the Armstrongs but with the addition of the opti-torque open ends as well (it does work).

 

[FriendOfYours]

I love when I get good answers to my questions

Have thought about the Matco as well, just gotta get them used as they are big $$$ like the Snap-Ons

I'm not a huge fan of the OEXM set I used to have, so it's good to know the beams are even thinner on the long set

 

[BlksnshN]

I love when I get good answers to my questions

Have thought about the Matco as well, just gotta get them used as they are big $$$ like the Snap-Ons

I'm not a huge fan of the OEXM set I used to have, so it's good to know the beams are even thinner on the long set

I have some Matco wrenches. Got them on a BOGO deal. I would say they are okay. The open end doesn't have near the gripping power of the Snap On Flank Drive plus. I've been thinking of selling them and getting a set of Snap On wrenches.

 

[bob15]

I don't see Armstrong prices being that high considering what the other tool companies are selling their wrench sets for. In fact, Armstrong is much cheaper than any of the truck companies. Don't look prices which are on their (Armstrong) website, because that is list, not retail. And yes, most of the money would be going to Armstrong, with a portion going to corporate.

If you buy the Armstrong, you will not regret it. They make a nice wrench.