Survey with Prize - What Interior Socket Color?

[spencerian]

I voted silver. The champagne color looks like it has oil in it.
All my sockets are "open end up". If I saw the champagne color it would make me want to grab the socket and clean it.

Maybe I am OCD?

I am an industrial user.

 

[wilbilt]

I voted silver. No need for different colors to distinguish SAE/metric. I can distinguish by sight easily enough.

Industrial user (if education is considered an industry).

Armstrong is now a GearWrench Brand?

 

[Treeman]

Silver. I associate/perceive that color more with "high quality" than the champagne color.

Industrial user of sorts.....at my work place (farm and ag. equipment).

 

[myers212]

Silver. Not an industrial user.

 

[2barevo]

kinda like the champagne/gold color. hopefully it holds up after several uses.

ps: not an industrial user.

 

[ImportTuner]

I'd go with the silver; the champagne color makes me want to clean it ...

 

[Fedwrench]

I prefer silver for a more uniform appearance. Although the inside of my sockets are generally greasy except for when they get done with a bath in the cuda. Are you guys thinking of using one color for SAE and another for metric? I am an industrial user.

 

[toolfreak]

I'm an industrial user, I work on heavy equipment. I prefer silver since it is easier to see if there is dirt inside the socket. The reason I say that is when working on hydraulic valves, steering clutch and brakes, and other critical components, I like to make sure they are clean so that there is no contamination in the system.

 

[Jiffycake]

Color isn't an important characteristic of a socket in my opinion. As long as the socket is strong it is fine in my book.

- Not an industrial user

 

[Papawswrench]

Makes no difference to me. General mechanic, not an industrial user. I do own some vintage Armstrong wrenches.

 

[billymade]

Hey, I am not an industrial user; I voted silver, my concern is more with internal rust resistance then color. I have many different brands of sockets and internal rust seems to be a problem with most of them; a differing color could differentiate between different types (eg. metric/standard etc) and another main concern for me is the outside MARKINGS! Very few companies have CLEARLY marked sockets that are easy to read and identify quickly. Many companies seem to mark their sockets as a afterthought; just thought I would throw that in there as well! Most seem too small or not clearly visible as is the trend with the "laser etched" styles; I prefer a larger/clearly stamped socket.

 

[bchee]

I'm not an industrial user. I voted for silver. It seems to provide the best color contrast, so it might be easier to clean the inside if you need to.

 

[tatra]

either or, makes no diff.............i am an industrial user

 

[wrenchr]

Paint the inside Pink for esch!!!!!

 

[Frank Elson]

Not an industrial user.
Can't say it makes any difference to me but I do like to read the outside easily. Need spectacles these days though.

Wonder how much it will cost to ship my prize to the UK

 

[78fj40]

I want whatever is not going to wear off after a few uses......


Not an industrial user.

 

[magick]

I votes doesn't matter.

I think that silver might give it a better overall look but the champagne might make it easier to spot metal particles etc etc and make it easier to clean.

But then again, silver would make it easier to clean dirt

 

[krusty the clown]

all of my sockets are dirty on the inside from use so i don't think it matters. i do think that the silver looks more normal.......not an industrial user i'm a profesional auto technician.

 

[klswvu]

I voted that is does not matter to me. Overall finish and tool feel are what I usually notice; however, to me the champagne does appear to be less finished than the silver. I am not an industrial tool user; however, I own a few Armstrong tools (along with about a half dozen other brands).

 

[l_bilyk]

I would say silver

I think silver is the most common anyways

 

[Stuey]

Not an industrial user.

I think I might prefer silver, but I wouldn't pay extra for it, so I voted that it doesn't matter. What I don't like to see, though, is inconsistent finishes or flakiness.

Glad that we can help!

 

[lauver]

I'm not an industrial user and it doesn't matter what color the inside of the socket is, as long as it's not rust! Thanks for asking though.

 

[eschoendorff]

I like the silver. The champagne looks corroded or something at first glance. The silver is basic, yes, but I think you will find most people, including myself prefer sockets of one color.

Industrial Tool User- nope

RD

He said it better than I would have. Gotta agree....

 

[eschoendorff]

Hey, I am not an industrial user; I voted silver, my concern is more with internal rust resistance then color. I have many different brands of sockets and internal rust seems to be a problem with most of them; a differing color could differentiate between different types (eg. metric/standard etc) and another main concern for me is the outside MARKINGS! Very few companies have CLEARLY marked sockets that are easy to read and identify quickly. Many companies seem to mark their sockets as a afterthought; just thought I would throw that in there as well! Most seem too small or not clearly visible as is the trend with the "laser etched" styles; I prefer a larger/clearly stamped socket.

Damn, another great suggestion that I wish I had thought of first!

That laser-etched marking that is currently en vogue is a load of ****. I have a Snap On 3/4" impact socket that is both stamped and "laser etched." That laser etching has long since rubbed off... same with my Craftsmans, etc. Here's an idea... either actually laser etch the metal so that the markings are burned into the metal, or stamp the sockets in REALLY BIG font so they can be more easily read.

Quite honestly, when it comes to sockets, I find taht most sockets by most brands work quite well. My money would go to a well-market socket...

 

[Coach James]

I've never really looked to see the color inside a socket. As long as it isn't rusty, I'm content.

Coach

 

[Dodgepu360]

it dosent matter to me, and thats what I voted
in the picture the champagne color looks dritty IMO
but I wouldnt not buy them because of it
as long as it is durable who cares what color it is

I use tools in a R&D lab

 

[locoman]

Silver We use all snap on at the railroad. No crome, It might flake off and hurt your little pinkie finger!

 

[mankiew]

the gold looks a bit odd. like other have said it looked corroded at first glance.
silver would be just fine

Not in industry

Craig

 

[Armstrong Brand]

I like the silver. The champagne looks corroded or something at first glance. The silver is basic, yes, but I think you will find most people, including myself prefer sockets of one color.

Industrial Tool User- nope

RD

Thanks everyone for all the insightful comments! As promised, we will send a GearWrench tap & die set to our random winner:


SCguy

We will contact you via private message for your address.

Thanks again!

Steve

 

[wrenchr]

Congrats SCguy!!

 

[thundercow]

champagne "looks" more expensive. Sad, but true, I'd probably go for the champagne color.

 

[tanda4]

Silver... But, it's going to look Champagne colored after a few uses anyway.

 

[qdvuu]

I prefer silver. Although I know better, the champagne looks like it is contaminated rather than aesthetically attractive.

 

[txz28]

It really does not matter to me. Accurate size and durability matter most.

I am just a weekend warrior and am not an industrial user.

 

[SCguy]

I am really psyched!!!! This is my first time winning, well, anything! Thanks guys for the great forum, and thanks Armstrong and the other tool companies that frequent here for actually reaching out and touching the customer!

RD

 

[ratchet_gear]

Congratulations SCguy for not only winning the prize but also the very coveted

“YOU ****” award!!!!​

 

[Brad54]

I voted "Does not matter" but I'd have liked to see "Other" as a choice.
It'd be nice if you could do the interior in black, like you coat impact sockets with. It would mask grease and grime, and keep the tool box looking cleaner. Most of us wipe off the outside of our tools when we're doing using them, but not many of us whip out the bottle brush and scrub the inside of the sockets (or stick our finger in a rag and swab it out). If they were all black inside, it'd have a nice, uniform appearance, whether they're dirty or not.

-Brad

 

[eschoendorff]

I am really psyched!!!! This is my first time winning, well, anything! Thanks guys for the great forum, and thanks Armstrong and the other tool companies that frequent here for actually reaching out and touching the customer!

RD

I can barely conceal my jealousy...

 

[bimmerZ5]

voted silver. looks cleaner to me. not an industrial user, just a DIYer.

 

[Steve_S]

"Does not matter". Quality is the first thing I look at in a socket, followed by price, country of manufacture and warranty (not necessarily in that order). To be honest, I've never noticed a colored socket interior and if I did see one, I would assume it was simply a gimmick. I would also assume that I was paying more for the added color, and that it would wear off eventually. With this in mind, I might be less inclined to buy such sockets over those with the same color inside and out.