Socket Sets

The Armstrong Bros. Tool Co. was founded in1890 by four brothers, the sons of a Scottishimmigrant black-smith. Initially the companymanufactured and distributed bicycle parts, together withtools and equipment that were used in the manufactureand repair of bicycles.In 1895, as part of their manufacturing program, thebrothers introduced lathe tool holders. By 1900 thisproduct appeared to have such promise—and the bicycleparts business had become so unprofitable—that thedistributing portion of the business was closed out andthe company began to devote full time to manufacturing.So it was that the company’s foundation was built uponthe tool holder. These holders replaced the heavy,individually forged cutting tools that until then had beennecessary for lathe work. With the Armstrong system, aforged permanent shank was used with various shapes ofsmall, interchangeable cutting tools.As advertised, the Armstrong system did indeed save “allforging and 70% of grinding,” and by the mid 1900’s theuse of forged cutting tools in machine shops wasvirtually unheard of, replaced instead by the ArmstrongSystem of Tool Holders.The company’s first manufacturing facilities were locatedin a wooden structure built across the back of two of thebrothers’ adjoining yards on Edgewood Ave. in Chicago,Ill. During the same time a store was maintained indowntown Chicago. In 1900, when the decision wasmade to devote full time to manufacturing, the store wasclosed and manufacturing operations were moved to anew plant at 617 Austin Ave.The Armstrong StoryArmstrong family members and employees outside the Edgewood Avenue plantOn April Fools’ Day in 1902, theAustin Ave. plant burned to theground. But the company salvagedand re-conditioned its inventory,rebuilt the plant (doubling the floorspace) and continued to grow. In1905, needing still more space,property was purchased at 317 N.Francisco Ave., Chicago, and a100,000 square foot, 3-story brickfactory was built. At that time, thecompany was still involved only inthe manufacture of tool holdersand related machine tool accessoryitems.In 1909, with the building of aforge shop, Armstrong began theirown forging operation andintroduced a line of drop forgedwrenches. From its modestbeginning selling bicycle parts, thecompany had now launched into aline expansion that has continuedthrough the years. Today the line includes nearly 5000items of mechanic’s tools, pipe and tubing tools, machineshop accessories, and cutting tools.The company remained on Francisco Ave. until 1948,at which time it moved to its present headquarters at5200 W. Armstrong Ave. on Chicago’s northwest side,a plant covering about 216,000 square feet. A secondmanufacturing facility was built in Fayetteville, Arkansas,and began operations in 1974. Fayetteville boasts one ofthe most modern drop forge shops in the World, plusheat treating and various specialized machiningequipment.In December, 1994, after 105 years of private ownershipby the Armstrong family, the company was acquired bythe Danaher Corporation. Danaher’s family of brandsincludes Allen and K-D Hand Tools, Allen Hex Keys, Holo-Krome Fasteners, Jacobs Chucks, Matco Hand Tools, andJS Technology Torque Tools, among others. The DanaherCommitment to continuous improvement will ensure thestrict adherence to the high standards of quality, deliveryand cost upon which Armstrong was founded.Armstrong Tools are still, and will continue to be, madein America. They are designed and manufactured forprofessional tool users and, from our very beginning, wehave refused to compromise our quality.It has been gratifying that over the years increasingnumbers of people throughout the world, recognizing thistradition of excellence and its inherent value, have cometo specify and demand Armstrong Tools.