Great review and history, thanks. I've wondered what happened to Armstrong, now I know. I have a couple of Armstrong tools from back in the day; they're real work horses. I like'em.
I was able to find original NOS Armstrong machine tool/lathe wrenches on Ebay for a large lathe restoration project. The prices were reasonable, but shipping cost is getting ugly. I gathered my first set of tools at a young age in the 1960s at secondhand stores all these old brands mixed. I use them now on my antique machine tool channel! I enjoy these videos!
These history videos are awesome. Thanks for linking all your sources; makes for a good read. If you get around to it I'd be interested in knowing more about Billings. I have a massive 2-3/4" (16) Billings wrench (still looking for a bolt/nut to match).
@@ballinator just remember your Serenity Prayer. God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed. Because what can any of us really do?
This was a great video. I really appreciate all of your efforts in composing these. My favorites are the history of tool companies. Keep up the great work and thank you!
Armstrong got solidly established in WW2 when darn near every military branch issued them, and the GI's who used them found out how good they were. After the war ended there were lots of duffel bags which 'clanked' from the Armstrong tools in them which were better than what most of the GI's had back home. I have a few Armstrong tools myself and they're top-notch, neither wearing out or breaking even when used with extreme stupidity. The closing of the plant here in SC practically forced the other brands they had been making to go overseas which made it even more shameful.
FFFFFF.... I said the same thing about the Bain figure right before you, f*ck Apex Tool/Bain Capital/ Mitt Romney. Cripe Distributing has a lot of nos Armstrong and I'm pretty sure they still have a warehouse full and just pull out pallets to list as time goes on... Thank you for the video
You're welcome! Yeah, I thought Bane was an appropriate avatar for Bain Capital... I think I got a bunch of my Armstrong Tools from Cripe after the shutdown.
@@ballinator you are right about some people asking for a very high premium of some of the tools, it's actually quite ridiculous. I just scored a nos 1/2" digital torque wrench for $165 which was retail $451 (2011 price)
Apex is selling three Armstrong branded tools on Amazon and has for months. A socket set, a wrench set, and a pair of screwdrivers. Any idea why they would do this?
OMG you're right. $140 for a made in Taiwan socket set with "Armstrong" stamped onto the ratchet. Maybe they think some of Armstrong's old industrial clients will pay that much, and not realize they're rebranded import tools...
I worked in a steel mill and then I worked in a power plant and I have two and three roll of tool chest full of Armstrong wrenches and believe it or not. I’ve never broke one they were built like tanks and I still have all my original sets open and wrenches all the way up to 3 1/2 inches and sockets to boot, so yes, they made great tools and they’re gone because of capitalism and business they rather manufactures them overseas and shut down Plantier, or a shame. This country went sad.
The fact they wanted to focus on civilians when everyone else was only interested in goverment contracts was pretty damn "based" as they say these days. Makes it even more of a shame they are gone and only fuels my love/hate relationship with apex tool group
Yeah I found that interesting. They knew taking the contract would have kept them from expanding their product line. And by not taking it, were able to capture market share from the companies that did take the contracts.
I loved my Armstrong tools and it’s an incredible shame that this was the fate. Best ratcheting wrench set I have ever owned.
Great review and history, thanks. I've wondered what happened to Armstrong, now I know. I have a couple of Armstrong tools from back in the day; they're real work horses. I like'em.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Ya most of the great American tool brands are gone. Shame man.
Yeah, so many of them got bought out, just to be killed off shortly after...
Fun video. I've always wondered where my mix and match yard sale tool finds have come from.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
I was able to find original NOS Armstrong machine tool/lathe wrenches on Ebay for a large lathe restoration project. The prices were reasonable, but shipping cost is getting ugly. I gathered my first set of tools at a young age in the 1960s at secondhand stores all these old brands mixed. I use them now on my antique machine tool channel! I enjoy these videos!
Glad you're enjoying the videos. I'll have to check out your channel.
These history videos are awesome. Thanks for linking all your sources; makes for a good read. If you get around to it I'd be interested in knowing more about Billings. I have a massive 2-3/4" (16) Billings wrench (still looking for a bolt/nut to match).
Thanks! I'll be sure to add Billings to my list.
Great video. I love the history behind the tool company's and the style of tools they provided. Thanks for sharing and keep the video coming 👍👍👍🔧🔧😀😀
Thanks! More videos are coming. I have a big list of companies I want to cover.
@@ballinator I am looking forward to seeing the new video.
Interesting history as always, even though Armstrong is the first brand you've covered that I'd never previously heard of.
Thanks! Yeah I hadn't heard of them until the plant closed and all the NOS tools started showing up on the secondary market.
Armstrong will live on forever in our hearts and in our toolboxes.
Just found out they're selling a few rebranded import tools on Amazon, under the Armstrong brand. Looks like they're pulling an SK...
@@ballinator just remember your Serenity Prayer. God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed. Because what can any of us really do?
This was a great video. I really appreciate all of your efforts in composing these. My favorites are the history of tool companies. Keep up the great work and thank you!
Thanks, man. More history videos are coming.
keep the tools coming thank you
Will do. Thanks for watching!
Armstrong got solidly established in WW2 when darn near every military branch issued them, and the GI's who used them found out how good they were. After the war ended there were lots of duffel bags which 'clanked' from the Armstrong tools in them which were better than what most of the GI's had back home. I have a few Armstrong tools myself and they're top-notch, neither wearing out or breaking even when used with extreme stupidity. The closing of the plant here in SC practically forced the other brands they had been making to go overseas which made it even more shameful.
That was one of the last plants making "affordable" tools here in the US. So many brands were killed off or went overseas when it closed.
Sad,
But a great video. tHanks for posting
You're welcome. Yeah, a lot of these brands ended up with sad endings.
FFFFFF.... I said the same thing about the Bain figure right before you, f*ck Apex Tool/Bain Capital/ Mitt Romney. Cripe Distributing has a lot of nos Armstrong and I'm pretty sure they still have a warehouse full and just pull out pallets to list as time goes on... Thank you for the video
You're welcome! Yeah, I thought Bane was an appropriate avatar for Bain Capital... I think I got a bunch of my Armstrong Tools from Cripe after the shutdown.
@@ballinator you are right about some people asking for a very high premium of some of the tools, it's actually quite ridiculous. I just scored a nos 1/2" digital torque wrench for $165 which was retail $451 (2011 price)
Typical venture capital activity. Buy a successful company, extract every bit of cash you can out of it, let it collapse, walk away.
Do you plan to cover the history of Allen Tool ?
@EdAtoZ At some point yes. I'll make sure they're on the list.
great video
Thanks!
Apex is selling three Armstrong branded tools on Amazon and has for months. A socket set, a wrench set, and a pair of screwdrivers. Any idea why they would do this?
OMG you're right. $140 for a made in Taiwan socket set with "Armstrong" stamped onto the ratchet. Maybe they think some of Armstrong's old industrial clients will pay that much, and not realize they're rebranded import tools...
I worked in a steel mill and then I worked in a power plant and I have two and three roll of tool chest full of Armstrong wrenches and believe it or not. I’ve never broke one they were built like tanks and I still have all my original sets open and wrenches all the way up to 3 1/2 inches and sockets to boot, so yes, they made great tools and they’re gone because of capitalism and business they rather manufactures them overseas and shut down Plantier, or a shame. This country went sad.
Yeah, it's sad how many of these once iconic brands suffered a similar fate.
Bain Capital was Mitt Romney
Yup... Mittens...
The fact they wanted to focus on civilians when everyone else was only interested in goverment contracts was pretty damn "based" as they say these days. Makes it even more of a shame they are gone and only fuels my love/hate relationship with apex tool group
Yeah I found that interesting. They knew taking the contract would have kept them from expanding their product line. And by not taking it, were able to capture market share from the companies that did take the contracts.