What has happened to Armstrong Tools?

[drink]

Can anyone tell what is going on at Armstrong? Who owns them? Since Sears went offshore with Craftsman the USA line has had less work. The last I have heard Bain Capital sold Armstrong and broken machinery in the new location had caused production to halt. Both warehouses in SC and TX had been flooded. Orders on some items are backordered currently until January of 2017. The backorders were supposed to be filled in February 2016, then March 2016, then June 2016, and now 2017 is the latest word.

Do you think it will mean the end of Armstrong unless somebody buys it and sells the line successfully?

Have you been able to get any Armstrong orders filled for anything?

What can you tell us about Armstrong?

 

[TheGrooveking]

Goes to show who is producing the majority of Matco's ratchets and sockets. I too am worried about Armstrong. I've been locking for a few Armstrong pieces and they are out of stock everywhere. The recovery time for these manufacturing plants is ****, what I suspect is they are raking in the insurance (F.M.Global or equivalent who pays for the damage and the lost profit, especially on lucrative government contracts (which were going to dwindle with the war downsizing) money, and laid off staff to maximize profit.

Because I can tell you I worked at a company who was flooded in 1989 for over a week, we shut down for a week after that was it. We had a huge amount of German and Italian machinery, I can remember working 45 hours overtime for two weeks in a row. We rented industrial ovens as we disassembled every motor, every transformer and anything else that we had to cook the moisture out of.

There are platoons of MBA's out there that are trained to capitalize on flooding and other disasters.


TheGrooveking

 

[jrobb316]

I know you are a huge Armstrong fan but you know as well as I do they're done. Apex will slice them up, cheapen them up, and ship em out. Other than wrenches, I've never been impressed with anything they've made in recent history. And with that said I would put them about 5th on my list if I needed a wrench set. With other good USA options out there, who really cares. Support a company that's committed to domestic manufacturing, and Armstrong isn't it.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Goes to show who is producing the majority of Matco's ratchets and sockets.

In the interest of accuracy, Armstrong doesn't actually make Matco USA sockets. I was surprised to learn that!

http://www.nmgaerospace.com/about-us/history/

 

[gdocktor3]

I know you are a huge Armstrong fan but you know as well as I do they're done. Apex will slice them up, cheapen them up, and ship em out. Other than wrenches, I've never been impressed with anything they've made in recent history. And with that said I would put them about 5th on my list if I needed a wrench set. With other good USA options out there, who really cares. Support a company that's committed to domestic manufacturing, and Armstrong isn't it.

That's harsh, but I agree with everything you said. I've never been a Matco or Armstrong fan, but it still *****.

 

[Askme42]

I'm sure glad 2-3 years ago when I was deciding which USA brand to make a majority of my set I didn't go with Armstrong.

 

[ku17]

Don't discount the power of their contract to supply the GMTK for the Marine Corps. Not to mention that when you walk into the MSC on Camp Lejeune, for example, the only individual hand tools you can buy off the racks are Proto and Armstrong. I know both companies have been taking a bit of a beating on the forums lately but the military has very deep pockets. I personally stopped purchasing Armstrong tools at work because everything useful was on back order for 6 months, the Marine mechanics don't get that choice though.

 

[maxpower_hd]

We still have Armstrong ratchets in our tool crib in a government contracted R&D facility where I work. But they are probably old stock. I think we get them through either MSC or Grainger. But I did notice they went from smooth handled ones to round handled one recently. So maybe that is why.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I know you are a huge Armstrong fan but you know as well as I do they're done. Apex will slice them up, cheapen them up, and ship em out. Other than wrenches, I've never been impressed with anything they've made in recent history. And with that said I would put them about 5th on my list if I needed a wrench set. With other good USA options out there, who really cares. Support a company that's committed to domestic manufacturing, and Armstrong isn't it.

It makes me sad, but it's all true.

 

[jrobb316]

I'm a proto fan. I use them and snapon almost exclusively for hex sockets and a lot of other things. I have some NOS Armstrong stuff from cripe because it was so cheap, mostly just oddball wrenches. Proto, sk, and snapon are so easy to warranty if needed. Proto will live on to fight another day, Armstrong is headed to the dustbin of history.

 

[neonlazer]

Sad, I love my Matco(Armstrong) reversible ratcheting wrenches. I probably should tell my friend he may not be able to get them warrantied soon as he has broken one before from sheer force. Lol

http://www.armstrongtools.com/wrenc...rsible-ratcheting-combination-wrench-set.html

 

[OSULemon]

I ordered their locking flex ratchets from Zoro almost two months ago. Still haven't shown up.

 

[anndel]

I went to the GSA store last year with my co-worker as she had to pick up office supplies. I went to the tool section and it was full of Proto, Snap On and other USA-made tools. I tried to buy a ratchet with my personal credit card but they wouldn't let me for personal use.

 

[bobcatdan]

My small assortment of Armstrong has not impressed me at all. Sockets are 100% the same as USA craftsman. The breaker bar while a nice looking piece has the exact same weak as drive as craftsman. The 36 tooth pearhead ratchet once again looks nice, but the ratchet action *****. As far as I'm concerned, if you already have a box full of USA craftsman, you are wasting your money to buy basically the same tool with a different name stamped on it. While I hate to see another classic American name go down the drain, based on the tools I have seen, I won't really miss them.

 

[zcbauer89]

My small assortment of Armstrong has not impressed me at all. Sockets are 100% the same as USA craftsman. The breaker bar while a nice looking piece has the exact same weak as drive as craftsman. The 36 tooth pearhead ratchet once again looks nice, but the ratchet action *****. As far as I'm concerned, if you already have a box full of USA craftsman, you are wasting your money to buy basically the same tool with a different name stamped on it. While I hate to see another classic American name go down the drain, based on the tools I have seen, I won't really miss them.

+1

I have maybe two Armstrong tools, a 3/4 23mm socket, and a 1-1/2 socket. Exactly the same as USA Craftsman.

 

[Fedwrench]

The GMTK (general mechanics tool kit) has been sourced from a variety of suppliers over the years from snap on to SK. Once the current Armstrong contract ends, I'm sure someone will take up the slack. SK would a natural choice with other ideal brands but, I don't think SK wants to get into government sales. Proto would also be a great choice.
As for Armstrong, they may not be dead yet but, I think they're in the intensive care unit and the medical examiner is on standby.

Armstrong's Maxx ratchets, locking impact extensions, 72 tooth ratcheting wrenches, & pinless impact sockets are great but, the rest of their line is mediocre. Consolidating into a single Apex Tool Group production facility in South Carolina to me is the beginning of the end to me but, that's just me.
Email Armstrong customer service and ask them if they're making tools at the new facility yet.

 

[ike]

They are making Armstrong tools currently. I have bought two ratchets recently that had dates on the bags and they were from May 2016.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Apex/Danaher

a company that has produced some respected tools in the past...
Armstrong, KD, Kobalt, Allen, Craftsman.. ?????????????????????

I have put Armstrong in My flea market tool group... I have scored some GOOD buys on Cripes/eBay... They can keep their goofy double detent sockets, but the rest I like... Will I buy more of their USA produced tools???? I will not be standing in line waiting for them to be produced,,, but I will consider buying them when offered on the www flea markets such as Amazon and eBay..

 

[jrobb316]

Not completely true. KD and Allen were danaher brands. When it merged to become apex they neutered both of them to non existence basically. I have a mixed lot of Allen/kd/kobalt USA wrenches from cripes and they stack up amongst the best value out there period. I use them daily at work.

 

[LXCam]

I ordered their locking flex ratchets from Zoro almost two months ago. Still haven't shown up.

Well you might not be missing out on anything. I'm very disappointed with the 3/8" locking flex head I bought last year. The ratchet mechanism is good and I like the handle feel but the lock which is one of two things I specifically bought it for ***** a big set. It will not hold a locking position. The other rat I bought last year was the 1/2" fixed head extra long handle. Where I screwed up is it was a 36 tooth rat and not the 72? I thought I was getting. I tried to like it but hated the mechanism so much I gave it to a friend of mind.

Anyhow back on subject. I hope they can save themselves.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Not completely true. KD and Allen were danaher brands. When it merged to become apex they neutered both of them to non existence basically. I have a mixed lot of Allen/kd/kobalt USA wrenches from cripes and they stack up amongst the best value out there period. I use them daily at work.

Ya, when they had their big split up/reorganization, things changed... I was another buyer of closeout KD, USA Kobalt, Allen, and Armstrong wrenches from Cripe Dist., and pieced together five or six "sets", and have zero regrets..

Ya, Danaher was the parent company at the time of the split.[updated my post to reflect on this]
.. Thinking of the results of this split leaves me with a numb feeling..

 

[drink]

Wow! Several of you have really dished out a lashing to Armstrong while a few others have said positive things. During the past several years I have watched several owners switch hands. Years ago Armstrong had warranty statements on different types of their tools and tool storage. When I compared the warranty statements with other manufacturers the Armstrong brand sounded pretty good. Not only did the tools have a lifetime warranty but the tool storage had a limited lifetime warranty also. I don't know if another brand had as good of a warranty. When APEX took over the limited lifetime warranty on storage was downgraded to a one year warranty. IMO that was not a good way to do customers that bought their products at prices that might have been higher and then back out of it. A lot of warranties are not worth the paper they are written on anyway.

Personally I do not have a problem with double detents and I do like some of the other brands like Allen they used to produce. Hopefully they will be able to recover and get things going again. I think they make a lot of nice tools but they do need to stick with what they sell like warranty and other things instead of take their money and screw'em over.

 

[mjoekingz28]

I ordered a 1/4 ratchet from Fastenal. Was told it would be there the next day, ai arrived and it was not so I gave up. A month or so later I got a voicemail and a little later than that I went and picked it up. It was sealed in plastic (I was hoping for a case with care instructions hehe). I am very happy with the ratchet, Fastenal and Armstrong. I think we need to help Armstrong as they gave us a dollar a socket tools thru Craftsman for a very long time, I hear. Solid homeowner grade at a tenth of Snappy. It has probaly been a rough road for Hoffman Estates, Illinois and Armstrong Industrial and not very lucrative for them either. Reach your hand out

 

[Southernbuild]

It's sad to hear that Armstrong is having these troubles. Over the last few years I've bought their 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" flex head ratchets which I'm quite fond of.

I think it was only last year that they sponsored Epstein's day.... Which by the way is happening again in a few days, so get ready to buy some great tools, for a good cause!

 

[Fedwrench]

I think it was only last year that they sponsored Epstein's day.... Which by the way is happening again in a few days, so get ready to buy some great tools, for a good cause!

I don't think Armstrong has ever sponsored Epstein's Day. Now a lot people bought Armstrong ratchets from Epstein's but, that's another story. Channellock, Wright, & SK have stepped up to the plate for Epstein's Day but, I don't remember Armstrong. I could be wrong though.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

I'm glad I bought all three Maxx locking flex ratchets just before everything went on backorder. Those are my favorite flex ratchets. I hope they keep selling them.

 

[kball]

I don't think Armstrong has ever sponsored Epstein's Day. Now a lot people bought Armstrong ratchets from Epstein's but, that's another story. Channellock, Wright, & SK have stepped up to the plate for Epstein's Day but, I don't remember Armstrong. I could be wrong though.

I don't remember if they sponsored it but I did get an Armstrong shirt with my order.

 

[Southernbuild]

I don't think Armstrong has ever sponsored Epstein's Day. Now a lot people bought Armstrong ratchets from Epstein's but, that's another story. Channellock, Wright, & SK have stepped up to the plate for Epstein's Day but, I don't remember Armstrong. I could be wrong though.

"Sponsored" was probably a bit strong, but Armstrong did provide the 2015 Epstein's Day T-Shirt, that has the Armstrong logo on the front, and Epstein's day graphics on the back. With a minimum Armstrong purchase of course. Which, by the way, I love the Bayside USA made T-shirts that Epstein's have printed for these events, they are quality shirts that fit well and hold up.

 

[drink]

I'm hoping Armstrong will recover soon and get things going again. Some say they will be shipping some things by September 2016 and others say it will be January 2017. That is a long time to be at a standstill.

 

[Rjaws29]

I've always been a fan of Armstrong tools, but I recently had a brand new 13mm wrench snap like a twig under normal use. Looks like a defect in the steel caused it, very disappointed to say the least. I will be contacting them for a replacement, but it has definitely shaken my faith in the brand.

 

[guy48065]

Is Armstrong spread out over several locations or consolidated into one?
They just moved into a building down the block from me in Troy, MI

Larger building than their previous home a block away.

I'm hoping they'll have a "blem" table... ;-)

EDIT: Ack!! Wrong company--it's Wright that moved in down the street.

 

[Sco Deac]

EDIT: Ack!! Wrong company--it's Wright that moved in down the street.

Some would say that's even better.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a few Armstrong sockets, to "fill in" what did not come with my (old) made in USA Craftsman sockets. all the way up to 1-1/2".

My biggest complaint is Craftsman/Armstrong 3/4" breaker bar is the same length as the 1/2" ! Go figure !!

 

[Avplayer]

I just picked up my first set of armstrong tools....3/8 drive 10-19 mm swivel impact sockets

Love em so far.

 

[Spdfreak91]

Those impacts are awesome, I have the craftsmans, im just missing that 19mm

 

[davethorik]

I'm glad I bought all three Maxx locking flex ratchets just before everything went on backorder. Those are my favorite flex ratchets. I hope they keep selling them.

I got lucky too, managed to grab a 3/8 locking flex 88t right before ppl started posting here about backorders. I already had a 1/4 locking flex 60t which I am a big fan of.

Like LXcam, I also got a long handle 1/2 ratchet and I hated it. I flipped it for a profit.

I also had one of the 1/2 indexing ratchets from cripe, neat ratchet (used SK/Facom Tuff1 72t mechanism) but somebody wanted to pay me more than I had paid, so it's gone too.

 

[anndel]

The only tool I have from them is a 1/2 inch breaker bar and I used it to break bolts holding the front diff, harmonic balancer and cross-members. It's great and still just as good as when I bought it. I'm buying a 3/8 inch version soon.

 

[Spdfreak91]

I just get confused on the part numbers, I ordered a 3/8 socket handle got a 36T thinking it was a MAXX 88T so now im stuck with that, I know now to be more careful with the numbers.

 

[Plombob]

This is disappointing. I have several Armstrong tools, from the 80s or earlier. A full set of rats box wrenches and socket sets. They've always been good tools. I just bought a couple of really nice 3/8 rats from the 1970s that need some repair, but the parts are no longer available. The weird thing is, the screws holding the rats together is an odd thread pitch that I can't match in either SAE or metric.

 

[buckslayer5676]

This does ****...I just purchased a Maxx Flex 1/2 ratchet and am pretty impressed with it. Now I'm on the hunt for the 3/8 version.