Armor Tool, which specialized in workbench clamps and accessories, specialty jigs, and other woodworking products and accessories, appears to have been shut down.
Their website has been taken down and there hasn’t been any updates to their social media profiles for a long time.
Here’s a screen capture of what Armor Tool’s website looks like today.
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Ox Tools bought the Armor Tools company about a year ago – see Ox Tools has Been on an Expansion Spree. Months earlier, they acquired Affinity Tool Works, including Bora, Portamate, and Centipede – see Ox Tools Acquired Bora Tool.
It has become difficult to find many Armor Tool products, such as their pocket hole jig – see New Armor Tool Pocket Hole Jig.
Some Armor Tools products have been relaunched under the Ox Tool’s Bora brand on Amazon.
However, many Armor products seem to no longer exist, such as their workbenches and MFT (multi-functional table) clamps and accessories.
From Ox Tool’s acquisition press release:
As we continue to deliver our strategy of building a product portfolio that supports our vision of Foundation to Finish, we are excited to welcome the Armor Tool family into our company.
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The Armor Tool IP portfolio is impressive and fits our leading by innovation strategy and we look forward to bringing these exciting products to our customers.
Rob Poole, Armor Tool’s founder, said:
I am very happy to have reached a deal with OX Group Global. With its worldwide distribution and highly qualified global sales team we will be able to grow the Armor Tool business to achievements I have always dreamed of. Combining the current BORA work stands with the Auto Adjust Armor Tool clamping system is one example where the product offering will improve the performance of our users.
It’s not clear what happened, but it appears that Armor Tool no longer exists.
Andy
Taylor Toolworks sent out a message saying Armor Tool was closing and has some pretty big discounts on their remaining Armor Tool inventory
https://taytools.com/collections/armor-tool-workbenches-and-accessories
KokoTheTalkingApe
Yep. I got some of their self-adjusting C-clamps (like big vise-grips), bench dogs and hold-downs. So far they work fine, though one C-clamp is stiffer than the other, I can’t figure out why.
Rob H
Are these a good value? The $99 combo set seems like a good deal on paper but I’m unfamiliar with their products.
Steve
Stuart, have a look at the Bora tools on the Timbecon website. It lists a lot of what were previously Armor tools as Bora, so it looks like they’ve rebranded Armor as Bora.
https://www.timbecon.com.au/collections/bora-tool
Stuart
But not the workbenches or full line. There are a bunch of Bora-branded copies on Amazon, and even with the clickable discounts the prices are higher. Armor products weren’t very appealing to me, but I know some readers liked them.
Steve
Yes, they might be coming still, but in the case of benches Timbecon, which is an Australian retailer, have just launched their own range under their Torqata house brand which look similar to the Armor ones. The Armor clamps are nearly identical to the Rockler ones.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Hoo boy they’re expensive!
Dallin Sorensen
If the product line was already somewhat small, it’s weird to acquire it and reduce it even more. And I’m surprised they let go of the Armor tools domain. They could have just redirected it to the Bora site.
TomD
They still own it, but it’s parked. Strange they didn’t bother to redirect it; Godaddy will do that for free and as easy as parking.
Robert
I didn’t see rebranding Armor Tools under Bora coming.
For the pocket hole jig I guess it sort of makes more sense to name something that drills holes “Bora” than “Armor.”
S
What patents did Armor tools hold?
That’s likely where the right answer is. Ox just wanted some or all of what they held the patents to.
Jingle enough money in front of anyone, and most people will cut bait and sell.
Jason
I bought that Armor Tools pocket hole jig and tired to sell it after one project. Without fail the depth setting was wrong; every hole hole drilled too deep every time. Nice idea, poor execution. It’s still sitting around here somwhere because I couldn’t find any taker even at $25.
LGonToolGuy'd
Dang, saw it on stumpy nubs last week and thought it was cool as anything.
Glad I read up here, thanks.
Jim
I checked out Armor tools website and pickup a couple of their fences that mount into dog holes. $7.99 each?
Thank you Stuart for the heads up