This is going extinct, just a heads up!

[Spacecataz]

So, I dabble in various tool lines, and I'm a minor seller of tools on ebay. I have seen often any socket sizes that are listed on a hanson tray and aren't "normal" home wrencher sizes are very good sellers. So when I go to order some for resale, and I see them drying up on Ebay and Tool sites, I know something is up.

The USA Armstrong 1/2" Drive, 3/8 12 Point is one of them.

http://www.etoolpros.com/automotive...JMIF202jQp2Te_e4-MfC8mthrHekGbXieMaAsxd8P8HAQ

(note I'm not paid by etoolpros I just like their people and service)

My sales rep got the straight dope directly from Armstrong. As of my order an hour ago, there are 60 of these sockets left. They will be discontinued and delisted everywhere after. Some sites have already marked their stock up to 30 and 40 dollars a socket, from 9 dollars.

Get 'em while you can lads!

 

[jakemac]

Somewhat old news. Apex recently announced that the Armstrong brand was being discontinued by the end of March and the plant would be closed. Everything is being rolled into the Gearwrench brand.

 

[WWheeler]

Everything from Armstrong (and Allen) is going extinct. Apex decided that "production of the Allen and Armstrong lines of hand tools will end by March 31"

www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350027

/ jakemac beat me to it.

 

[woody 73]

Oh so sad I picked up an Armstrong heavy duty striking wrench this week 1 1/4 for $1.50, outstanding quality and now they want to drop the name for gearwrench, I will never get smart the way some companies operate; it sounds like the almighty buck philosophy.

 

[Gmonkee]

Ahh the ebb and flow of business.

If it is a key item another brand will pick up the slack and they will be available again. If not it goes the way of the dodo and no one cares in half a year.

One socket size is hardly a crisis is a world flooded with used 12 pt sockets.

 

[dnschmidt]

I never thought Armstrong was all that good to begin with. Their passing is of little concern to me.

 

[rhandwor]

I use mostly metric and my sae sizes less and less.

 

[four.cycle]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why on earth would you need to put a 1/2" drive breaker or ratchet on a bolt with a 3/8" head?
Both Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh have 3/8" bolt heads all over the place, but I've yet to run into one I couldn't remove with a 1/4" drive breaker or ratchet.
Am I missing something here?

 

[FlushingDIYer]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why on earth would you need to put a 1/2" drive breaker or ratchet on a bolt with a 3/8" head?
Both Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh have 3/8" bolt heads all over the place, but I've yet to run into one I couldn't remove with a 1/4" drive breaker or ratchet.
Am I missing something here?

Was thinking the same thing.

 

[454ragtop]

It's for the people who can't bear the thought of an open peg on their Hanson tray, even if they will never ever use the socket.

 

[Schurkey]

Break the pegs off. Problem solved.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why on earth would you need to put a 1/2" drive breaker or ratchet on a bolt with a 3/8" head?
Both Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh have 3/8" bolt heads all over the place, but I've yet to run into one I couldn't remove with a 1/4" drive breaker or ratchet.
Am I missing something here?

^^^ What he said, although, out of convenience, if I am away from my shop, I generally grab a 3/8 drive set. A good quality 3/8 set can do most of what the average working squid will ever need

 

[Fedwrench]

I have no use for a 1/2 drive deep 3/8 12 point socket so, they can go the way of the dinosaurs
Aside from their MAXX ratchets, locking extensions, proswing ratcheting wrenches, and their pinless impact sockets there wasn't really much else I liked in the Armstrong line up.
What I do find sad, is the extinction of all of the former USA made brands that Armstrong made before Apex killed them off. What comes around, goes around so, Apex's day will come when they're replaced.

 

[MWEric]

I never thought Armstrong was all that good to begin with. Their passing is of little concern to me.

It's not to the people who lost their jobs.

 

[Spacecataz]

This thread was not about Armstrong closing its doors, perse'. Its about one of their products that's now confirmed to be in low quantity, even if the product doesnt make sense or isn't really all that useful. Figured the resellers on here, the hanson tray guys, (I am Sparticus) and the random person who might use the socket might like a heads up. Besides, posting "old news" on a forum is akin to typing "first" in a youtube comment.

 

[bigdav160]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why on earth would you need to put a 1/2" drive breaker or ratchet on a bolt with a 3/8" head?

TH400 transmission center support bolt.
A long handle 3/8" drive or impact will usually do the trick but 1/2" drive always works.

 

[Infinia]

Am I missing something here?

remember OP said Hansen Tray

edit< Kudos to '454ragtop'

 

[M_George]

Wait until you start adding on the years and get a touch of arthritis.. You'll use the 1/2 inch a hole lot more.

 

[Cope]

Wait until you start adding on the years and get a touch of arthritis.. You'll use the 1/2 inch a hole lot more.

Back in 1980 Chrysler used a bolt on their A/C compressor that had a 10mm head, but the bolt itself was much larger diameter. I broke 3 3/8" drive Cornwell 10mm sockets and a 3/8" drive Wright deep socket trying to remove the bolt. Finally I remembered I had a 1/2" drive Snap-on 10mm impact socket that did the job.

 

[Chief919]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but why on earth would you need to put a 1/2" drive breaker or ratchet on a bolt with a 3/8" head?
Both Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh have 3/8" bolt heads all over the place, but I've yet to run into one I couldn't remove with a 1/4" drive breaker or ratchet.
Am I missing something here?

My truck tool boxes keep just a 1/2 or 3/8 ratchet (Jeep carries 3/8, pickups 1/2) and a 1/4 set, and the 1/4 often is not enough for fasteners that are in areas exposed to lots of rust and crud.