Any experience with MAC wrenches?

[GreaseMonkey45170]

I was just wondering what ppl thought about MAC wrenches, weather they were Knuckle savers or precision torque combo wrenches. Anybody whos ever used any are more than welcome to comment!

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Yeah I got a metric set of the Knuckle savers 10-19mm combos, they are alright, but they weigh lighter compared with my snap on metric set & do just as good a job as...

Paid over a hundred pounds sterling for them back in 2005 & they are doing the business to this day.

 

[Wamsutta]

They're very nice, but the older ones with the V cut open end can have some sharp corners on the beam handle. The corners on the beam handle don't bother me on every size though; it depends on the size since each size will have a different sized beam. One example would be the 14mm, it'll get me, but the 19mm feels fine.

The new generation are totally different. They have a wide rounded beam like the PROTOs and they're very comfortable.

 

[zcbauer89]

I've got the new generation set in SAE. knuckle saver 2 I believe. I love them. They are some of my favorite wrenches to use.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have the original knuckle savers in metric. Good wrenches as far as I'm concern. I bent my 12mm slightly, but that was being very mean to it removing ford drive shaft bolts. Never broke one in over 15 years.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Had sets of the old style, in metric and SAE. Haven't broke one yet, in 20 years of wrenching.
My 12mm is bent to hell too, also from Ford driveshaft bolts!
Got same sizes / sets in Snap On, and find myself reaching for the MAC ones more often.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Love the original Knuckle Savers, my favorite feeling wrenches besides my Williams SuperCombos. My hands really don't like overly thin wrench beams (that's why I sold my Snap-On set)

Haven't messed with the Knuckle Saver 2s though.

 

[Skin]

Good wrenches. As stated the original squared beams could be uncomfortable to torque on and the open ends are on the fat side. They migrated some of the sets over to a more modern style which are identical with Proto 500 series wrenches. I think the stubby and extra longs are still manufactured in the original beam style though. Fantastic box ends.

Precision Torque wrenches have a fairly loyal following. People like the forged offsets a lot. I believe the design was ripped off straight from Facom (also owned by Stanley). They come in a nice little wrench holder that you'll actually want to keep too. The only downside, if you can consider it one, is they're made in Taiwan-but so are the Facoms.

 

[Wamsutta]

I think the stubby and extra longs are still manufactured in the original beam style though.

That's interesting; I didn't know that.

 

[SantaAna12]

I have the originals. They are smaller than most wrenches. I use them for low torque stuff mostly, as others have said they can be hard on the flat of your hand. I like them alot. One thing: you can get specific set roll-ups for a decent dollar to put them in off Ebay.

Great wrenches!

 

[sonvolt]

I remember using them as I moonlighted as a mechanic in my college days, good quality wrenches

 

[1950mercury]

I have the old sae cw series and cll metric and like them alot

 

[DiscoBerry]

i have some knucklesaver stubbys and there nice but the open ends are to tight for my likeing

 

[methomas70]

I bought a set of SAE combos new off the truck in '91. Old style with the V-cutout.
Not the stubbies and not the long ones. Finish and workmanship were first rate. But the "feel" in my hand was bad, sometimes even painful. Thin, sharply-angled beams.
Yuck.
It's unfortunate that what should have been a top-notch, "go-to" wrench set ended up getting replaced by a set of Bonney wrenches.

(PS- I wouldn't have known about Bonney if it weren't for GJ!)

 

[GreaseMonkey45170]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

[AV tinker er]

The flare nut wrenches are second to none, IMHO.

 

[MikeF2316]

I'm a little late to this thread, but I finally have a pic. My buddy's apprentice has this set of MAC wrenches, his mechanic has Snapons. Either of them has no problem with me using their tools in the shop, I'll grab the MACs every time.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The V opening is **** on a wrench in my opinion.

 

[davethorik]

I picked up this set not too long ago, only used a couple times. The beams aren't too sharp, but it would be nice if they were more like the Wright grips, but it isn't a deal killer. I think they are nice wrenches imo.

 

[stage20]

i love mac wrenches. cornwells are very similar but are going to me more costly, new or used.

i go to my mac's before anything. i dont like mac sockets though. im a snap on/craftsman socket guy.

 

[bmwpower]

Love them as well. I like the squared sides. Prefer them over snappy.

 

[ArtDeco]

I have a fondness for the older ones - have some angle full polish Matco - not sure if they still make 'em for MAC

 

[jsaw]

I have a set of knuckle savers in the long 6point version. I really like them.the newer ones have a thicker beam and are easier on the hands.

 

[Wisers]

Do these come in a stubby version. google didnt reveal much.

 

[Wamsutta]

Do these come in a stubby version. google didnt reveal much.

Yes they do. All truck brand wrenches will be available in stubby.

Some brands might call them midget.

 

[rockinacummins]

I like the macs. The older ones anyway. I like the ones right before the knuckle savers and if course the sabinas and the ones before them. Never seen one like mikef posted, but that thing is killer sweet and I want some like that!

 

[ex-x-fire]

The flare nut wrenches are second to none, IMHO.

Yep, they are thicker then snappys.

 

[Wamsutta]

Never seen one like mikef posted, but that thing is killer sweet and I want some like that!

Those are Facom 440 series branded MAC. They're available with ratcheting box ends too.

 

[stage20]

On the flare nut wrenches I've got a mix of blackhawk nd mac. They are near identical. Im sure they come from the same origin seeing they are family. SOmetimes I wish they had an offset but I've got a set of craftsmans as well hat are offset

 

[vandezand]

This is a knuckle saver we have at work. The end is spread, but then again we use it on the back of impacts. Still works fine though

 

[chris6278]

Some of my favorite wrenches are my mac zero degree high performance wrenches. Love those things!

 

[gearhead61189]

i have the precision torque in both metric and standard. i have all of the modules they come in. i was skeptical at first because of their design but they are my favorite wrenches ive ever owned. they feel great in the hand when putting pressure on them and the way the angles are of the open end and box they really give you nice access for tight spaces. and the length of them are awesome and give you really good leverage for those stubborn bolts and fastners.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

I have the long version in metric set 13-19 MM. They arent as long or as comfortable as a cornwell set, the edges of the beams is too sharp. They do look nice though. I would have went cornwell if I did it over again.

 

[mypov]

I have the precision torque in both metric and standard. 6 or 8mm-24mm and 5/16-15/16 love how they feel in the hand, much more comfortable then snap on. However, the flank drive Snap on has works much better - I have had the open end of a 7/8" wrench fail to move a fastener that the Snap On was able to - the mac one kept wanting to spread where Snap on remained true. I hate that this happened, because I seriously much prefer the mac for comfort.