Calling Dave Blank

[garfunkle24]

Dave

I really appreciate that you don't push your products on us, nut now I'm going to ask you too.

What products do you sell that in your opinion are superior to the versions available from Mac and Snappy?

What do you consider Matco's 'must have' products?

Having never touched or seen a Matco tool, I'm very interested to know.

Thanks

 

[Merkava_4]

When you get up into the truck brands, the differences don't lie so much in quality as much as the shape. Some guys will like the shape of one particular tool within a brand better than another.

 

[Fedwrench]

Not a dealer but as someone who spends more on tools than food and gas and uses tools daily for over 40 hours a week, I think the Matco pinless impact swivel sockets are vastly superior to any swivel impact socket from any other tool truck. They're the strongest ones I've used. they have a lower profile, and their cv joint design rotates better.
I also think the high visibilty markings on Matco sockets are better than anything else out there. They may fade slightly after years of use but, are still legible. Matco also pioneered the ratcheting wrench movement before Gearwrench appeared to the masses.
Matco tools have always served me well over the years. As Merkava has pointed out, it's more a matter of personal preference for a specific feel, fit, balance, style, and finish. Truck brand tools break too, they just usually hold up alot longer before failing.

 

[Stuey]

When you get up into the truck brands, the differences don't lie so much in quality as much as the shape. Some guys will like the shape of one particular tool within a brand better than another.

So far, at least as far as this forum is concerned, I've only heard one person complain about tool shape... =P

Although, now you've got me checking the "sharpness" of any new wrenches that I buy.

 

[fatfillup]

Stuey, I don't agree with only one person complaining about tool shape, or maybe I missed your point. I read many preferences on handles, wrench thickness, comfort etc.

I do agree, because of this forum, I pay more attention to how a tool feels.

 

[daveblank]

The pin-less impact sockets are my top choice for my favorite tool. The 1 thing that I really like about them is the fact that there is no retaining collar to come loose.

My personal box at home is a Matco MB8545 with a hutch which is the equivalent to the new 6428R box. I've always been a fan of Matco boxes. I prefer the extra bracing. Don't get me wrong, Snap On boxes are great units, but, I never could get used to the Lock & Roll.

Screwdrivers, I have them all. I like the feel of the older Snap On hard handle. I have some in black & green. The one problem that I had with them was lack of handle warranty. I had a shaft that kept falling out. The distributor "re clocked" the handle to the shaft to fix it. This repair lasted 6 months before it was loose again. I like our idea. Replace the whole thing.

For power tools , I'm an Infersoll & a Makita fan.

 

[Stuey]

Stuey, I don't agree with only one person complaining about tool shape, or maybe I missed your point. I read many preferences on handles, wrench thickness, comfort etc.

I do agree, because of this forum, I pay more attention to how a tool feels.

Well, yes, but thus far I have only heard one complaint about the radius of curvature of wrench edges. Sorry, I should have clarified, especially since my comment was mostly meant to poke a little fun at Merkava.

 

[bchee]

The pin-less impact sockets are my top choice for my favorite tool. The 1 thing that I really like about them is the fact that there is no retaining collar to come loose.

My personal box at home is a Matco MB8545 with a hutch which is the equivalent to the new 6428R box. I've always been a fan of Matco boxes. I prefer the extra bracing. Don't get me wrong, Snap On boxes are great units, but, I never could get used to the Lock & Roll.

Screwdrivers, I have them all. I like the feel of the older Snap On hard handle. I have some in black & green. The one problem that I had with them was lack of handle warranty. I had a shaft that kept falling out. The distributor "re clocked" the handle to the shaft to fix it. This repair lasted 6 months before it was loose again. I like our idea. Replace the whole thing.

For power tools , I'm an Infersoll & a Makita fan.

Thanks for your opinions dave. Any news on the 88 tooth Matco ratchet?

 

[fordracing200]

hows a pinless impact swivel work?

 

[daveblank]

Thanks for your opinions dave. Any news on the 88 tooth Matco ratchet?

I checked last week.

Scheduled release dates.
3/8 in August
1/4 & 1/2 in October

 

[daveblank]

hows a pinless impact swivel work?

Looking at one will better fit what I'm trying to tell you, but here goes. Imagine an impact wobble in 2 pieces. The socket end has 4 grooves & 4 teeth. The drive end also has 4 grooves & 4 teeth. The teeth are cut at an arch to allow them to pivot in a smooth 360 degrees. The pin type bind at one end of the pivot due to increased resistance.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Looking at one will better fit what I'm trying to tell you, but here goes. Imagine an impact wobble in 2 pieces. The socket end has 4 grooves & 4 teeth. The drive end also has 4 grooves & 4 teeth. The teeth are cut at an arch to allow them to pivot in a smooth 360 degrees. The pin type bind at one end of the pivot due to increased resistance.

So along the lines of a CV joint without the balls and the cage?

 

[bchee]

Is it like the universal adaptors that Craftsman has?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00923766000P

They are advertised as pinless

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I like how here dealers will take the time to put up with all the questions we toss at them, Just want to say thanks for all the support Dave

 

[garfunkle24]

I like how here dealers will take the time to put up with all the questions we toss at them, Just want to say thanks for all the support Dave

Agreed. Thanks for the responses Dave. I'm going to be on the lookout for some of those swivels now!

 

[daveblank]

Is it like the universal adaptors that Craftsman has?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00923766000P

They are advertised as pinless

Same design.


Thanks for all the kind words guys!

 

[Deafautotech]

Same design.


Thanks for all the kind words guys!

hey.. I did bought impact swivel reduction adapter as 3/8dr (male end) and 1/2dr (female end) and i use it more than often but swivel are very rough and sometime it make bad binds. even i had my matco tool dealer warrantied twice... it still be same problem..

 

[Merkava_4]

Stuey,

Do you have any truck tools?

I never hear you talk about truck tools.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I checked last week.

Scheduled release dates.
3/8 in August
1/4 & 1/2 in October

Are going to be any flex heads? are they the thin ones?

 

[rhp]

I have some matco sockets - very good.
One thing I do not like are the plastic flip levers on the torque wrench bidirectional ratchet heads. I much prefer the metal lever of the SO's or on some of the SK's. A small detail but enough to sway a purchase having had the plastic break once and it is something I look at when shopping torque wrenches and ratchets. Dave, maybe you can pass this on & suggest a change to metal flip levers?

 

[daveblank]

Are going to be any flex heads? are they the thin ones?

They are supposed to be offered in flex & fixed head.

I have some matco sockets - very good.
One thing I do not like are the plastic flip levers on the torque wrench bidirectional ratchet heads. I much prefer the metal lever of the SO's or on some of the SK's. A small detail but enough to sway a purchase having had the plastic break once and it is something I look at when shopping torque wrenches and ratchets. Dave, maybe you can pass this on & suggest a change to metal flip levers?

The reverse levers that I have here are made of metal. These are spares from ratchet rebuild kits. I just checked 2 by scraping the paint off.

 

[rhp]

Metal lever:

Plastic lever:

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Plastic lever:

Is there a clearer picture? its hard to tell that its anything but "Gery" colored Stick a hot flame on it, if it melts its plastic and we will all know for sure

 

[daveblank]

Plastic lever:

Those are the levers that I have on the truck. I used my knife to remove the paint, & the ones that I have are a silver colored metal. They aren't magnetic, so, they aren't steel, but the ones that I have are metal.

 

[rhp]

I find that they get sloppy with use. One once popped off and I believe it was a plastic housing. This lever seems to be a feature in some of the CDI-made torque wrenches. The style in the first picture showing the metal lever is preferable, IMO, and worth an extra buck.

 

[rhp]

Stick a hot flame on it, if it melts its plastic and we will all know for sure

Good one!, got a chuckle.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Could be Magnesium, shows a metal appearance very soft and light and is non magnetic.
I find it on a lot of smaller part or some cases were weight is an issue, i think $ value plays a part as well.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Could be Magnesium,

Oooo, Stick a flame on it, stick a flame on it.

Sparklers

 

[fatfillup]

I like how here dealers will take the time to put up with all the questions we toss at them, Just want to say thanks for all the support Dave

+1 on that, Dave we appreciate you help.

I don't know if these are Matco exclusives but in a tool lot I purchased there were 2 impact extensions. They were 1/2" on the drive end and 3/8 on the socket end. The guy said he used them often and were quite handy

24" CXP24BB

12" CXP12BB

 

[daveblank]

+1 on that, Dave we appreciate you help.

I don't know if these are Matco exclusives but in a tool lot I purchased there were 2 impact extensions. They were 1/2" on the drive end and 3/8 on the socket end. The guy said he used them often and were quite handy

24" CXP24BB

12" CXP12BB

If you r&r a lot of transmissions the 36" will come in handy.