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Matco Virgin: What's Their Best Tool?

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Bolster

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Taking stock of my tools I realized I own nothing Matco. That's a shame. Being a proud graduate of Uncle Buck's school of toolostitution, I try to own a little of lots of different brands.

So what's Matco best at? What are they known for, what Matco tool should I first own, to dip a toe into the Matconian waters?
 
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billymade

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Aside from the USA made hardline; I don't think they make much but just oem rebadge everything else... right? Their ratchets seem pretty good but I prefer my Snap-On, over the Matco. I tend to find Matco stuff used cheaper; then Snap-On used tools.
I have a 36 tooth Matco 1/2" swivel head ratchet; I was actually impressed with the heft, build quality and when I took it apart, the internal gears/parts... were built like a tank!

cr17lft.jpg

Matco CR17FTA 1/2" 17" long Drive FLEX Heavy Duty Ratchet

This particular ratchet is great for front end work and taking off the caliper brackets on front brakes.
Too bad I don't like the shape of the handle and the selector is a little irritating to use... the shape could be improved. Anyone want to trade for a Snap-On equivalent? :)
 
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billymade

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cr17lft.jpg

The "hump" on the end of the handle is just a little too big for me to grip well but I have small hands; it is all slick/smooth without any machined indentations, aside from lines. I find having some sort of machining helps stop your hand from slipping off the handle and keeping your hand in place. The selector is a little on the small side and is short; the flickability is not as good, with it being designed small/flat. The lever action is loose and not positive (there is quite a bit of movement, before the pawl gear is actually moved); I have a 1/4, 3/8 and they seem to be the same. Again, my small hands may be a factor in my usage of the ratchet.... just my opinions with my small paws! :)
 
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ossaguy

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I bought a set of their premium drill bits,and really like them.They have stayed sharper than the Fastenal magnum bits,and a zillion times better than the SO cobalt bits.I've been using them for months,and haven't had to sharpen them yet.If if understood right,the larger sizes are lifetime guaranteed even.The downside though is since they are so hard,if one breaks in your work it's a major pain to get removed,though.The price seemed ok.
I'd love to own one of the 6 series boxes punched up on their configurator.

Steve
 
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Rickster

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I bought several of their comfort grip hard handle ratchets off ebay and I'm happy with them.
 
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sk farmer

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can't say on the newer stuff but i really like the older wrenches. i beleive the bonney style wrenches. a better feel than my s-o or mac wrenches.
 
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billymade

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daveblank, can you confirm what Matco/Danaher actually makes in the Matco line? It is just primarily the hard line tools (ratchets, sockets, wrenches, etc.) and the rest rebadge? Also, of the "true" Matco/Danaher tools; what do you sell the most of and your customers really like/appreciate for their quality?
 
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Fedwrench

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Any brand's best tool is in the eye of the user. However, these are my favorite Matco Tools:
1. Pinless impact swivel sockets- strong, low profile, wide range of sizes, and that joint design really rotates well.

2. 60 Tooth ratchets- thin heads for improved access, smooth action engages every 6 degrees, I like the handle shape and I like their newer comfort grip too.

3. High visibility marked sockets- their markings actually work and they made fade a little eventually but, you can still read them after years of use. They're also strong and fit well.

4. Proswing ratcheting wrenches- before Gearwrench became a household name, Matco was the first on the street with these. I especially like the ones with a fixed box end on one side and the ratcheting end on the other. You break a fastener loose and perform final tightening with one end and speed it off with the other. I rarely use an open end so, they work great for me.
 
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X1 Mike

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I started buying Matco by dumb luck, I found a deal on ebay for 8 ratchets in good shape for $150 and snapped them up. Within 6 months I traded all them ratchets in for brand new ones. I never payed more than $20 extra but most often $5 or even up. Now I have a complete set of ratchets that I love. I like the thin head style and the new S-O to me doesn't feel any better than my 60 tooth. Another great thing if your are **** like I am you can color co-ordinate, all of my flex heads are green handle while fixed heads are orange.
:beer:
 
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bushhawg73

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Columbia, Missouri
I really want a set of their screwdrivers. I have a Snappy set and I do like them but I want to try out the Matco ones. I have heard great reviews about Matco screwdrivers.
 
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fordracing200

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My brother inlaw has a set of matco and snappy screwdrivers, he loves htem both, says the matco are real good, just like the snappy
 
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Mr.Nutcase

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I have a 24 in breaker bar... nice to beat people who do not pay you...(tru windshield) lol
I have a couple metric sockets I found in box, 5 sockets... for 5 bucks... what deal....
 
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psychoclaw84

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As for me these are my favorite Matco Tools:

1: Impact sockets with easy to read laser markings and the socket fit, form and function.

2: Screwdrivers, they feel very nice in hour hands and the tips are nicely machined.

3: Ratchets, 60 point ratchets. They are very smooth and have the lowest profile of any ratchet on the market. Ultimate low clearance ratchet/socket combo is the 60 point matco ratchet and Mac Tools Super Short sockets.

:thumbup:
 
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plinker

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I have a set of long combo wrenches That I like. Mostly MCL series with some RCL & WCL series wrenches.
 
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Bolster

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psychoclaw84 said:
3: Ratchets, 60 point ratchets. They are very smooth and have the lowest profile of any ratchet on the market. Ultimate low clearance ratchet/socket combo is the 60 point matco ratchet and Mac Tools Super Short sockets.:
Click to expand...

I would love to see a profile shot of this combo...I like thin.
 
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Joelfke

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Fedwrench said:
4. Proswing ratcheting wrenches- before Gearwrench became a household name, Matco was the first on the street with these. I especially like the ones with a fixed box end on one side and the ratcheting end on the other. You break a fastener loose and perform final tightening with one end and speed it off with the other. I rarely use an open end so, they work great for me.
Click to expand...

x2!!!! ive been using the other guys at work...i want a set soooooo bad
 
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