Reversible ratchet wrench question

[txbonds]

I can't find the answer to this anywhere.

I have a few of the Craftsman USA reversible ratcheting wrenches. I like them, they are polished, have the little selector switch and 72 teeth so they engage in like 5 degrees.


In looking to add more of these I see Armstrong makes them too of similar design. Does anyone know if the Craftsman ones are the same as the current Armstrong?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[quattroJoe]

Armstrong should be made in the USA, while Cman is Taiwan or China. The Cman are likely the same mechanism as Gearwrench. All three brands are part of Apex, but Armstrong often uses a different mechanism (Cman and GW are likely the same internals.) What's the tooth count on the Armstrongs?

 

[Brownsfan]

Yes the old USA made craftsman ratcheting wrenches are the same as Armstrong. I found some NOS craftsman USA made ratcheting wrenches at Summit Racing last time I was there.

 

[txbonds]

Thanks. I am talking about the old USA made craftsman ones. Armstrong says 72 teeth.

 

[Triple macs]

I bought my Craftsman SAE set years ago and use it daily at work. I love these wrenches and have had zero problems with them. Recently, I bought the Armstrong metric set. The Armstrong wrenches are a longer pattern and the reversing lever design is slightly different, but otherwise they are identical. The polish and chrome is probably better on the Armstrongs, but since my Cmans are almost a decade old I can't do a valid side by side comparison. These are great wrenches.

 

[txbonds]

Ended up deciding to go with Armstrong for one simple reason. If I need to warranty it would be USA made replacement. With the Craftsman USA models I've got no guarantee of getting a USA replacement.

Ordered 5 single Armstrongs so far to try to round out my metric set along with the 4 wrenches I currently have (3 craftsman and 1 bluepoint)

 

[Fedwrench]

Does anyone know if the Craftsman ones are the same as the current Armstrong?

Thanks for any insight.

NO they are not the same.They may share the same mechanism internally but, the Armstrong models are longer and have a modified nonslip open end.

 

[txbonds]

NO they are not the same.They may share the same mechanism internally but, the Armstrong models are longer and have a modified nonslip open end.

I'm looking forward to,getting the armstrong ones. Once received I'll have 5 armstrong, 3 craftsman and 1 bluepoint that are all reversible by design. None of the same sizes mind you. It will be a good chance to compare before ordering more to fill out my set of rev ratchet wrenches.

I also have some older Gearwrench ratchets from Taiwan in metric but never liked them because they are flat with no offset and I always bust my hand up using them. Will probably just sell them once I get replacement sizes in the reversible style.