Show us your Armstrong tools
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DSLTRK
Well-known member
I have two old Armstrong 1/2dr ratchets, an Arm 30mm polished wrench and a Craftsman/Armstrong Factory F*** up impact socket. Too lazy to post pics.. for now.
Askme42
Well-known member
I'll get some pics this weekend. I expect to see a lot of locking flexheads in this thread.
davethorik
Well-known member
Don't personally own a lot of Armstrong tools. Few random 1/2 and 3/4 drive sockets. 1/4 locking flex ratchet. Had a 1/2 indexing head ratchet but sold it.
Jeremy77
Well-known member
My humble collection. Can't believe there isn't any more Armstrong fans out here!
NJ_G_rage
New member
I personally don't own any, but I did buy some for work a few months back. They were a really nice 1/2" socket set, screwdrivers, and I believe the 1" drive ratchet was Armstrong too.
martin666
Well-known member
thegroundpounder99
Well-known member
Don't have a pic but only Armstrong tool I own is a indexing 3/8 ratchet.
Askme42
Well-known member
Here's some of my Armstrong.
CarsonConcepts
Well-known member
3/8" Drive Set (15-299). Got it from a family friend for helping clear out their garage for a few hours this past fall. Only one or two sockets had been used in the set. Ended up having a double of one of the sockets (and thus missing a size). Emailed Armstrong and they graciously sent out a replacement at no charge.
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3/8" Drive Set (15-299). Got it from a family friend for helping clear out their garage for a few hours this past fall. Only one or two sockets had been used in the set. Ended up having a double of one of the sockets (and thus missing a size). Emailed Armstrong and they graciously sent out a replacement at no charge.
I really like the Maxx ratchets and that set (especially the knurling on the extensions). I have the 3/8 88 tooth locking flex and it has become my goto ratchet. I like it so much I have been contemplating getting the standard version you have in your set. Quick question, how does the chrome plating look? If you have any late craftsman USA how do they compare. I always thought that even though Armstrong made later Cman sockets, the plating wasn't the same on Cman as Armstrong since it was probably made under a low cost contract.
Man! Talk about a nice set of 15-299 sockets to get after cleaning out a garage! All of you guys have some nice tools. I got a small set of Armstrong 15-199 sockets in the 1/4" drive size. The 15-199 is on sale at NAPA for $119 plus tax. The locking flex head ratchets were available at Harry Epstein. It seems like some people steer away when they find Armstrong tools at such high prices but over the years I have found what I considered to be some pretty good deals on Armstrong tools.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Here are a few things that were sitting in my spares locker at home. Pretty much run of the mill stuff. Most of the Armstrong tools I have either say Matco or Craftsman on them.
Some of my favorite things include the MAXX series of ratchets. Now, I know many of you chase down 88 tooth repair kits to make older 60 tooth ratchets be just like Matco and some current Armstrong but, why bother? I mean 28 more teeth on a gear the size of a quarter won't net you much improvement. Besides anything over 60 teeth is overkill anyway but, that's just me. I digress, some other items of note from Armstrong is the proswing ratcheting wrenches in the second picture. To me it's the best ratcheting wrench out there with a fine toothed ratcheting boxed end on one side and a 15 degree offset fixed boxed end on the other side.
Over by the 3/8 drive ratchets in the first picture is an Armstrong round head fine tooth quick release ratchet in full polished trim. I don't think they make this one any more as most of the newer round heads lack the quick release and are the same as that piece of **** KD/Craftsman/NAPA/Allen round head kind of triwing non quick release ratchet.
There's two sets of the long fine toothed ratcheting combination wrenches. There's a nice SAE short (not stubby or standard) combination wrench set in the first picture that runs from 1/4 to one inch.
Oop's forgot the pinless impact swivels. Oh well, some other time.
I think that's about it. I think that Armstrong is better known for making other brands' tools than their own. Sadly with the demise of KD tools, some lesser tool models like the knurled handled 36 tooth ratchets have become Armstrong branded. I also think that Armstrong's days may be numbered as Gearwrench continues to grow and expand as government contracts dry up or reduce the amount that has to be US made.
Some of my favorite things include the MAXX series of ratchets. Now, I know many of you chase down 88 tooth repair kits to make older 60 tooth ratchets be just like Matco and some current Armstrong but, why bother? I mean 28 more teeth on a gear the size of a quarter won't net you much improvement. Besides anything over 60 teeth is overkill anyway but, that's just me. I digress, some other items of note from Armstrong is the proswing ratcheting wrenches in the second picture. To me it's the best ratcheting wrench out there with a fine toothed ratcheting boxed end on one side and a 15 degree offset fixed boxed end on the other side.
Over by the 3/8 drive ratchets in the first picture is an Armstrong round head fine tooth quick release ratchet in full polished trim. I don't think they make this one any more as most of the newer round heads lack the quick release and are the same as that piece of **** KD/Craftsman/NAPA/Allen round head kind of triwing non quick release ratchet.
There's two sets of the long fine toothed ratcheting combination wrenches. There's a nice SAE short (not stubby or standard) combination wrench set in the first picture that runs from 1/4 to one inch.
Oop's forgot the pinless impact swivels. Oh well, some other time.
I think that's about it. I think that Armstrong is better known for making other brands' tools than their own. Sadly with the demise of KD tools, some lesser tool models like the knurled handled 36 tooth ratchets have become Armstrong branded. I also think that Armstrong's days may be numbered as Gearwrench continues to grow and expand as government contracts dry up or reduce the amount that has to be US made.
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Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
Not a lot to offer here. I like Armstrong a lot and is but one of many brands that finds a home in my box. I especially like their locking flex head ratchets and chose them over every other brand out there.
John in OH
Well-known member
Sort of hard to make out in this pic, but the set of wrenches on the left is a set of Armstrong 6-point combo wrenches sizes 10-22mm & 24mm. They don't get much use, but sure are handy for those occasional rusty/corroded/worn/buggered-up nuts & bolts!
OxJaw
Well-known member
Only Armstrong tools I own and also my most used ratchets!
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
That's an awesome and useful lineup!
I collect engineers wrenches. That one came from the estate of a plumber. He must have needed a 3 1/2 incher sometimes
. In my neck of the woods, the Armstrong ones are scarce. I have many, many more Williams and Fairmount than Armstrong, so i treasure my Armstrongs.I collect engineers wrenches. That one came from the estate of a plumber. He must have needed a 3 1/2 incher sometimes
Yeah, I have seen stories about engineers wrenches and bolts. There was a story about how they tried to bolt something like ships together with huge bolts and they ripped apart while out to sea. As far as a plumber needing a wrench that big is concerned I have seen a tall building's drain trap that was large enough for a couple or more people to jump down at one time. I wonder how much your wrench would cost to buy new.
I have the Craftsman Industrial combo sets 6mm-32mm and 1/4-1 1/4. Plus every reversible wrench they make 8mm-19mm and 5/16-3/4. (I believe all made by Armstrong)
Does anyone know if they are exactly the same as the Armstrong or are did Armstrong make them at a lower quality level? I've been extremely happy with them with the very minor exception that it seems the chrome scratches very easy....wondering if the Armstrong wrenches's chrome was any different?
Does anyone know if they are exactly the same as the Armstrong or are did Armstrong make them at a lower quality level? I've been extremely happy with them with the very minor exception that it seems the chrome scratches very easy....wondering if the Armstrong wrenches's chrome was any different?
You would have to ask the manufacturer if they can tell you if the Craftsman Industrial tools are made the same way. I have some of the Craftsman Industrial tools also and the sockets look like they might be the same as the Armstrong "A-Line" sockets. The "A-Line" from what I understand is a value line of Armstrong tools but I think they are good tools. They used to sell a line of tools with the Allen brand name on them and I wonder if the Allen line was switched over to have the Craftsman Industrial brand name on them now.
Can you upload some pictures of your tools that have chrome that scratches easily?
CarsonConcepts
Well-known member
Quick question, how does the chrome plating look? If you have any late craftsman USA how do they compare. I always thought that even though Armstrong made later Cman sockets, the plating wasn't the same on Cman as Armstrong since it was probably made under a low cost contract.
I have a bunch of G/G1/G2 series Craftsman USA sockets. The Armstrong chrome looks a bit nicer, but I'm don't know how the durability compares. Most of the Craftman ones have been used for years now, and the Armstrong set is new and I'm using as a travel set, so it doesn't get used often. The dual markings on the Armstrong are a nice touch though.
~ Carson
Funny thing... I went to take some pictures, the lighting wasn't right (seemed like a lot of glare coming off the wrenches for pictures) so I brought them in the house. They looked a lot better...
I guess the lighting just showed every flaw.... of course after years working in dark areas, I firmly believe there is no such thing as too much light in a garage...Funny thing... I went to take some pictures, the lighting wasn't right (seemed like a lot of glare coming off the wrenches for pictures) so I brought them in the house. They looked a lot better...
Are you willing to upload some pictures?
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
I currently don't have a large selection. I plan to expand it some in the future
3/8" SAE & metric set, with MAXX ratchet
Long 1/2" ratchet
1/4" flex MAXX ratchet
Another 3/8" MAXX ratchet
1/2" drive crowfoot set
1/4" metric socket set.
All but the standard length 3/8" sockets live in my service truck box. I really like all the ratchets. I'm satisfied with the sockets too. just waiting to use that crowfoot set.
3/8" SAE & metric set, with MAXX ratchet
Long 1/2" ratchet
1/4" flex MAXX ratchet
Another 3/8" MAXX ratchet
1/2" drive crowfoot set
1/4" metric socket set.
All but the standard length 3/8" sockets live in my service truck box. I really like all the ratchets. I'm satisfied with the sockets too. just waiting to use that crowfoot set.
I currently don't have a large selection. I plan to expand it some in the future
3/8" SAE & metric set, with MAXX ratchet
Long 1/2" ratchet
1/4" flex MAXX ratchet
Another 3/8" MAXX ratchet
1/2" drive crowfoot set
1/4" metric socket set.
All but the standard length 3/8" sockets live in my service truck box. I really like all the ratchets. I'm satisfied with the sockets too. just waiting to use that crowfoot set.
If you hurry you can buy a 15-199 socket set from NAPA to go with your 15-299 socket set. I like the 15-299 socket set and it looks like you have yourself a good collection of these tools.
Armstrong 1/4" set.
These older Armstrong ratchets seem to be really nice. Butter smooth action.
There is another later vintage ratchet in this set that has a rather strange spline type of socket and universal pinned to the drive lug....
These older Armstrong ratchets seem to be really nice. Butter smooth action.
There is another later vintage ratchet in this set that has a rather strange spline type of socket and universal pinned to the drive lug....
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KZ1000J
Well-known member
TK-421
Well-known member
Don't own any Armstrong tools, but I have two wrench rolls I got for free because I sent Apex an e-mail about a roll from a large gearwrench set, they said they didn't have the rolls by themselves but they sent me a pair of Armstrong rolls instead. Sure did think that was nice of them, and makes it so I'd be more likely to buy their product in the future, so I think it came out a win-win.
Sure did shock the hell out of me when the list price on their site is $60/roll, so I'm happy I got them for free instead.
Sure did shock the hell out of me when the list price on their site is $60/roll, so I'm happy I got them for free instead.
R. Johnson
Well-known member
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
In addition to my other Armstrong tools I recently picked up these 2 flare nut wrenches. 1 1/8" & 7/8", 1" & 3/4". Bigger sizes are more common for me. Also work better for tighter areas then the common 6 point flare nut wrenches.