Mac tools

[young_buck]

I know they lost a huge chunk of there fan base when they stopped being made in the US but I myself like their ratchets, especially the roto head
Though I like SO a lot more (as most everyone does ), they are just too expensive when first starting off. Mac seems to be a little more on budget and seem to be quality even though they are manufactured elsewhere. I like them personally, just want to see what you guys think.

do you like the sockets? screwdrivers? wrenches? anything?

**sorry if this has been asked before, I am a relatively new member and haven't seen this thread before**

 

[joedodge]

I loved there ratchets and wrenches and sockets its a shame there's no Mac dealers in my area anymore I really liked there stuff a lot it held up well and ain't quite as pricey

 

[mopar01]

I love there stuff. I have sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, wrenches ect from them. All there stuff holds up great. There screwdrives is about the only ones ill buy.

 

[Turbo_Prop]

I too really like Mac tools and have a bunch of stuff from them, including a double stack box. When did they begin making stuff overseas? I was just on a Mac truck yesterday. Bought some scredrivers and looked at a couple sets of hex sockets. the sockets I know were marked USA. Not sure about the screwdrivers but will check. Hmmm...

 

[Firestarter Fred]

A lot of the Mac Edge stuff is made over seas. I still love Mac tools, although I have to buy them at estate or garage sales.
Here is my most recent acquire today, Mac Edge metric swivels impacts.
View attachment 230490 View attachment 230491 View attachment 230492


Sent from Fred's iPad, now whether or not it was Fred is up for debate.

 

[young_buck]

i lucked out and have a dealer who lives in town I plan on picking up a 1/2" ratchet next week

 

[young_buck]

on a related note, they have expert boxes, who are they made by? and are they any good?

 

[Hammer1963]

I lost my dealer about 7 years ago and until then, I purchased MAC tools on a weekly basis. I don't really know much about their current or recent offerings other than i read a lot of negative post on the GJ, due to MAC sourcing many tools from Asia. Hopefully a new dealer will pick up the route in the near future.

I'm a big believer in "your money, your choice"

 

[Roland-5.0]

I just bought a 20 pc screwdriver set from them cheaper than a 6 pc snap on set sells for. Hope they are good. Oh well he's in every Friday if the break often.

 

[Roland-5.0]

These are the ones I bought. Anyone else have them? Are they good?

 

[gatewaysysop]

I haven't got much MAC stuff, but my beefiest breaker bar is a 1/2" MAC and it is the stoutest 1/2" drive I have ever seen. It's a shame they've lost their ways and their reputation over the years, or I might have more of their stuff.

 

[CWP1616L]

Nothing wrong with MAC tools -- it's all top drawer stuff just like the other truck brands.

 

[young_buck]

Nothing wrong with MAC tools -- it's all top drawer stuff just like the other truck brands.

this has been my opinion ever since I used a mac wrench but other people give me funny looks when I tell them that because they have bought only snap-on and have been fed biased opinions about mac, but I lend them a ratchet and they realize that they are great tools (not quite SO but great tools non the less)

 

[chris142]

I riecently bought a 13mm knuckle saver wrench. Made in usa still. In the past I did have lots of trouble getting stuff replaced or repaired under warranty.

 

[young_buck]

I riecently bought a 13mm knuckle saver wrench. Made in usa still. In the past I did have lots of trouble getting stuff replaced or repaired under warranty.

I have heard about difficult warranty but around here I have heard great things about our mac guy and warrantying anything that hasn't been hit with a hammer or used as one

 

[Conductor562]

Never bit on Mac when I could get equal/greater quality tools in Proto for less money and still say USA on it in 99% of cases.

 

[genevabuck]

A lot of people rag on MAC, but I have bought from them since I was 16 years-old, and I am loyal. I have bought several grand in Snap On, as well. A lot of guys here rag on MAC, but let's face it, they are the only company to keep Snap On from doubling in price again. Anyone who doesn't support MAC to some extent, is looking for a monopoly. I really like their sales, as well.

 

[dodge610]

I use to but from Mac but lost my Mac Guy years ago wish I could find another mac guy.

 

[quattrojon]

on a related note, they have expert boxes, who are they made by? and are they any good?

The expert range stems from when Stanley bought out Britool, and changed the name to Britool Expert, and now they don't put the Britool name on many things at all. In England, the expert range is sold by Mac dealers, independents and some stores. In answer to your question, are they any good? Put it this way, i'm an independent dealer and there are no expert brand tools on my truck. Just stick with the regular Mac line if you like their tools.

 

[mopar01]

These are the ones I bought. Anyone else have them? Are they good?

Ya I have some of those type and the are good. Had them for about two years and use them a lot.

 

[zbadass28]

The only MAC tools I owen is an magnetic tray and there 11 pcs magnetic 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 extension set. I dig them both.

 

[amlv20]

I like Mac, I have a lot of tools through them.i bought a lot when I got out of tech school as it fit my budget and still does when I get in a hole. I think some of the haters haven't taken the time to see what's USA and what's not, a lot of my stuff is USA stamped and I have as much so/bp and matco non USA tools as I do Mac.i personally am not big on the coo USA thing as long as it does what it's supposed to do and is not overpriced it doesn't bother me much.i never have had any issues with warranties, hell I even got my tech 1000 replaced with a whole box and they gave me a stainless top and box cover for the troubles and was also contacted by the plant manager to make sure I was satisfied. Consider me a Mac fanboy...

 

[sdguy55]

For 20 some years all we had was snapon in town. About 6-8 months ago we got a mac and matco dealer. Haven't seen hide nor hair of the matco dealer but the mac guy is awesome always willing to work with you on stuff and I buy a lot of mac stuff. Mostly stuff that I know all three truck brands sell and mac is usually the cheapest. Will probably be buying one of there boxes

 

[crewchief888]

i havent bought anything from mac in almost 20 years.

i do like their (old) hard handled screwdrivers.

FWIW, every mac dealer i've had since '84 has been pretty much a ****, it was always a hassle getting warranty replacements.

 

[Turbo_Prop]

I too really like Mac tools and have a bunch of stuff from them, including a double stack box. When did they begin making stuff overseas? I was just on a Mac truck yesterday. Bought some scredrivers and looked at a couple sets of hex sockets. the sockets I know were marked USA. Not sure about the screwdrivers but will check. Hmmm...

Was just in the garage looking through the screwdriver door for COOs. The long Mac screwdrivers I purchased on Friday are not marked with a COO. But neither are any of the Snap-On, or Matco screwdrivers in my box. Funny, all of my Craftsman and Cornwell screwdrivers are marked USA.

 

[wafrederick]

Had a new Mac tool dealer in my area,gave it up in 2 weeks throwing in the towel.I like thier hard handle screwdrivers,I have one at work I call disappear and reappear.I put it some place and forget where I put it.I have sent in broken tools to Mac,been good to me sending replacements.Only had 2 that were on back order,a ratchet and a punch so far.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Mac Tools you say?

Just buy from Horrible Feight and you will basically get the same Mac Tools at a huge savings....

 

[zbadass28]

Was just in the garage looking through the screwdriver door for COOs. The long Mac screwdrivers I purchased on Friday are not marked with a COO. But neither are any of the Snap-On, or Matco screwdrivers in my box. Funny, all of my Craftsman and Cornwell screwdrivers are marked USA.

Check your snap-on again. All my snap-on screwdrivers old or the brand new ones I just bought, all are marked USA.

 

[Roland-5.0]

The only MAC tools I owen is an magnetic tray and there 11 pcs magnetic 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 extension set. I dig them both.

My friend at work bought that extension set and the first time using a 1/2 one the magnet dissapeard and then again with the 3/8 one. First time using the 1/2 one he got under warranty the magnet came out.

 

[zbadass28]

My friend at work bought that extension set and the first time using a 1/2 one the magnet dissapeard and then again with the 3/8 one. First time using the 1/2 one he got under warranty the magnet came out.

Use mine all the time. No issues with the magenets falling out. Maybe a bad batch?

 

[Roland-5.0]

I haven't witnessed it I've just seen the aftermath. I wonder if he's using them on his impact now that I think about it.

 

[zbadass28]

I haven't witnessed it I've just seen the aftermath. I wonder if he's using them on his impact now that I think about it.

I could see the magnets falling off, using them with an impact.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

I used to purchase quite a bit of MAC really like there extensions and hard handled screwdrivers.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

These are the ones I bought. Anyone else have them? Are they good?

They look descent. what do you think of them?

 

[Skin]

Mac Tools you say?

Just buy from Horrible Feight and you will basically get the same Mac Tools at a huge savings....

no need to troll, but there is certainly some blurring with the Stanley and Proto brands at far more reasonable prices.

The problem with MAC, as I see it, is they don't innovate anymore. Its all hand me downs. Their new wrenches are essentially rebadged Proto ASDs and they'd still be using coarse tooth pear head ratchets if it weren't for Stanley buying Facom, which added a healthy dose of "new" product designs to the MAC catalog (really just Facom products).

Really only 2 things come to mind as kind of neat. 6pt ratcheting wrenches, and the mac edge line. Oh and their Chrome is some of the nicest in the industry, easily the best out of any of the truck brands.

It would be nice if they brought some products back as well. Their high performance wrenches are made in Taiwan which is a bit sad. I don't mind ratcheting wrenches from Taiwan because its the norm for most everybody, but a basic wrench design being outsourced is certainly a step back.

 

[Roland-5.0]

They look descent. what do you think of them?

They feel good in my hand and the tray is nice but I just got them Friday and didn't get a chance to use them yet.

 

[SantaAna12]

Just a FYI...their returns are pretty liberal in my experience. A couple months ago I sent in a few 1/4 metric swivels the pins had been misplaced on forever and a day (over 20 years). They took care of me on those and a few cracked sockets. Didn't ask me for a receipt...which was good because I bought them from some new service writer who was convinced he would never need tools again. lol Something to consider if your looking to try them. I am still looking for a deal on some red handles in my spare time on Fleabay.

Edit: I would not consider HF tools quality to be anywhere close to MAC tools.

The suggestion that they are is nonsense. Period.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

I love Mac Impact extensions, great price and have the detent ball unlike Snap On with their friction ring. But like all Mac dealers I come across they come and then they go.

 

[genevabuck]

MAC has some real nice BOGO sales going on this month. The flyer is on their website.

 

[Turbo_Prop]

Check your snap-on again. All my snap-on screwdrivers old or the brand new ones I just bought, all are marked USA.

Z - I have looked all over the couple of Snap-On screwdrivers that I have and I cannot find a USA marking.

Will add to the general discussion that I used to have a set on Knuckle Saver wrenches from Mac and really liked them. So did someone else....