Armstrong 11-994 3/8-Inch Drive Armstrong MAXX Locking Flex Ratchet

I bought this to replace a Kobalt that is similar in design minus the locking flex head. That feature alone is worth the price difference. The Armstong is much lower profile, the gearset is finer with a more positive engagement, and you can feel the better build quality in it. The last thing which is probably the most important, it's Made in the USA. If you haven't heard of Armstong before they are on par with Snap-on and Matco, and current issue to the Marine Corps. Sometimes you can find surplus sets for much cheaper then retail. I picked up a set of the reversible ratchets (like GearWrench) for less than you could buy a set of the GearWrench for. It also had more sizes and they have proven to be better than the GearWrench for really hard to loosen rusty bolts. Ever since I started using them I now only buy from another company if they don't make the tool I need. That's how impressed I was with the quality, good luck and you won't regret buying an Armstrong tool unless your a socialist ;)

I love the slim head on this ratchet, but the flex head locking system is just O.K. The lock lever is a bit fiddly and has to be lined up perfectly with the teeth in order to mesh with them. Other than that it seems to be a great ratchet, the chrome and overall finish is very nice and the ratchet action is smooth.

For some time, I heard about the quality of Armstrong tools, and many claim to be assimilated to MATCO and SNAPON but at a much lower price. So I purchased the model "11-994" out of curiosity, at first glance you may notice a very good finish in the design, and construction. As the number of teeth has only 60, however for my purposes there is no problem. In addition, partly in terms of quality, I will start testing it.Update 04/30/2012So far I have used several times in the repair of my car, and I really convinced its versatility. Has several advantages over brands like Matco and SNAPON, eg its head is thinner than the Dual SNAPON 80 of the same category, and the locking mechanism of the head is the same used for the model MATCO and this is higher than SNAPON model. On the other hand, does not have as many teeth as the model SNAPON (80) or as MATCO (88), yet offers too good performance thanks to its 60 teeth, and you can also purchase a "repair kit MATCO" and update them 88 teeth.However, yo must not forget that it costs almost half what they cost these other models.

I also own the 1/2" drive version of this ratchet...which led me to buy this particular model to replace a similar Craftsman floppy-head ratchet. The locking feature of the flex head on the this ratchet is very nice. It's either locked or not...some locking flex head ratchets will pop in and out of the free mode into the lock mode (and vise versa) at the most inopportune moments causing busted knuckles and foul language. Not the case with this setup.Armstrong Tools is a subsidiary of the Danaher Corporation which is the parent company of Matco Tools. Very similar build quality in Armstrong tools verses Matco Tools...at a nicer price point. Also, it's made in 'Merica so you know it has to be good! You be the judge.The only concern I have is finding a local Armstrong dealer who can help me out with the lifetime warranty. I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out...but these probably wont ever need warranty work, so it's really a non-issue.

Well basically it's a o.k ratchet. It's made in the u.s.a. and is designed a lot like Matco ratchets. The lock for the flex head broke the first time I used it, however the ratchet works great. I'm a little disappointed in the warranty though. Got a runaround on where to get it fixed. Armstrong didn't want to help and tool topia (who sent it through amazon) wasn't much help either. But if you are at home its a great ratchet,if your a pro technician stay with Matco,Mac,or Snap on.

Nice ratchet, as I've since learned I prefer Proto ratchets though.

I don't like it

The one I received was 88 tooth, same as the Matt co. accept the handle shape, and I like Armstrong's handle better than Matt co.Very versatile, strong, good finish, smooth; locking flex head is amazing.

Yes, these are pricey but they all have the same great features of the regular MAXX ratchets (88 tooth count, slim head, awesome handle, USA made) and more. The more is that these are no compromise flex heads. If you want them to lock, they'll lock. If you want the head to flop around, let it flop around. It does away with those knuckle busting flex heads with the detents.As with my other reviews of the MAXX line, you can use the Matco 88 tooth rebuild kits on these Armstrongs.

Awesome! Same ratchet as the Matco 3/8 flex head. But better price! Also buying the 1/2 and 1/4 Armstrong Flex heads