Armstrong Tools?

[AntiBling]

At work today I went to the tool crib today to get a wrench and a screwdriver to adjust my head gear on my helmet, and they gave me Armstrong tools.

I've never heard of them before, but I liked the finish on the wrench, it was a rough black powdercoat.

I would like to pick up a set like this, I don't care for chrome ones. Anyone know the quality of these tools?

[Jokeman]

Not sure about their new stuff. Their old stuff was always strong. Im fairly sure people have said their stuff is good.:cool:

[wm-webb]

Here is their web site...armstrongtools (http://www.armstrongtools.com/index.jsp)

Quoting their site...
"In December 1994, after 105 years of private ownership by the Armstrong family, the company was acquired by the Danaher Corporation. Danaher's family of brands includes Allen and K-D Hand Tools, Allen Hex Keys, Holo-Krome Fasteners, Jacobs Chucks, Matco Hand Tools, and JS Technology Torque Tools, among others. The Danaher (LINK here) Commitment to continuous improvement will ensure the strict adherence to the high standards of quality, delivery and cost upon which Armstrong was founded."

:fsg:

[97Silverado]

The finish is black oxide. Pretty cool.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/images/catalog/cat_images/lviews/30-636.jpg

[Bob T]

The finish is black oxide. Pretty cool.

http://www.armstrongtools.com/images/catalog/cat_images/lviews/30-636.jpg
I used to work in a shipyard. We used black oxide finish tools in some nuclear power plant work to avoid any flakes of chrome getting into the plant if a conventional wrench chipped. I think there are other industries that use them for similar reasons. As I recall this is also the reason impact sockets are usually oxide finish instead of plated.

[wm-webb]

I thought the reason impact sockets are not chrome plated was the plating process weaken or made the metal more brittle.:dunno:

:fsg:

[Eric Guidry]

Armstrong also makes Crafstman tools!

[Kidney]

Armstrong also makes Crafstman tools!


Not exactly...They are both owned by the same company. However, you will see a lot of the similarities between all the tool companies Danaher has acquired. I have a full set of 1/2" drive Armstrong sockets. They have the same etching as Craftsman, but they are also stamped, unlike the Craftsman. I also have a small set of Armstrong wrenches. They are about the same as the Craftsman Professional series. I have yet to really compare the two, but I would suspect they would be similar in appearance. That's not to say that there isn't more done to the Armstrongs to demand the higher price.

As for the industrial finish, I would pass on them and pick up the polished ones. Unless you will use them all the time, they do start to rust (actually if I remember correctly the black coating is actually a form of rust). I think after a couple years of use you would be disappointed in how the finish holds up. Take a look at a well used impact socket and that is what they will end up looking like.

[wrenchguy]

You have to get a good layer of oil/dirt worn into an industrial finish, otherwise it will start rusting as soon as it's exposed to moisture. Kind of like an iron skillet.