Dual 80 vs. 88 tooth Snap on vs matco

[moronmountain]

So I had SO dual 80 ratchets in 3/8 and 1/2 drive, but I didn't have any fine tooth 1/4" drive ratchets. I do have a 1/4" Cornwell flex ratchet that I think is killer, but that is another topic. Many things about the Matco got me interested, so I went ahead and got their 88 tooth 1/4 ratchet and also got a Snap on 80 tooth 1/4 drive ratchet.

The Matco obviously has a thinner head which is cool, but I'm not sure how often it will matter. I suppose that if my SO is to big to get in a certain spot, I could always put a wrench on it. Anywho, while I find the Matco to be a nice ratchet, I think the SO feels like a much nicer/better built tool. It's smoother, switchets better, etc. The Matco switch is kind of "clunky," and it's not super smooth for a fine tooth ratchet IMO.

I even think my Cornwell is a better built tool FWIW. Just my opinion of course, but the SO and CW ratchets just seem more solid. I think I would own the flex/locking version of the Matco, just because I think their locking mechanism is better than SO, but I will be getting 3/8 and 1/2 versions of the SO flex ratchets first.

Anywho, I'm sure this has been disscussed to death, but I just thought I would share my opinion.

 

[rmsg0040]

everything you mentioned I had in mind, I have both snap on dual 80 and matco 88 in the 3/8 versions.

Matco head is thinner, snap on dual 80 feels smoother, matco 3/8 locking flex is very nice.

Both ways you cant go wrong

 

[moronmountain]

everything you mentioned I had in mind, I have both snap on dual 80 and matco 88 in the 3/8 versions.

Matco head is thinner, snap on dual 80 feels smoother, matco 3/8 locking flex is very nice.

Both ways you cant go wrong

Yeah I think I will have a set of the Matco locking flex heads at some point, but I'm going to get the other 2 Snap-on non-locking ones first.

 

[Rocket1]

I like Matco's locking flex design a little better than Snap Ons, just personal preference.

 

[moronmountain]

I like Matco's locking flex design a little better than Snap Ons, just personal preference.

Yeah I agree with that, and I mentioned it.

 

[rmsg0040]

Also matco 88 tooth are easier to rebuild

 

[SiGmA_X]

I can't comment on the Matco, but I can comment on the SO dual 80 locking flex head. I've had to had the lock replaced 2x so far and its due for a 3rd now, and this is in mostly hobby/home use. 1 year and 2 failures under professional use, and a third failure at home in the last 2. Sadly its way more of a PITA to get fixed now that the truck doesn't come by my work weekly.

 

[jtfc]

I own dual 80s so I can't speak from personal experience but I thought I read on here that the matco 88s are shipped dry with no lube. That could explain the clunkiness. Put some red lube that everyone raves about and see what happens also When I first got my dual 80 1/4 it was a little stiff not clunky but you could definitely hear all the teeth almost like a zipper. Now it is so smooth its crazy it just needed some use. Good luck

 

[moronmountain]

I can't comment on the Matco, but I can comment on the SO dual 80 locking flex head. I've had to had the lock replaced 2x so far and its due for a 3rd now, and this is in mostly hobby/home use. 1 year and 2 failures under professional use, and a third failure at home in the last 2. Sadly its way more of a PITA to get fixed now that the truck doesn't come by my work weekly.

Yeah I won't get the SO locking version. My plan is to get the SO non-locking ones (already have the 1/4"), and maybe get the Matco locking ones later if I feel I need a locking version.

 

[moronmountain]

I own dual 80s so I can't speak from personal experience but I thought I read on here that the matco 88s are shipped dry with no lube. That could explain the clunkiness. Put some red lube that everyone raves about and see what happens also When I first got my dual 80 1/4 it was a little stiff not clunky but you could definitely hear all the teeth almost like a zipper. Now it is so smooth its crazy it just needed some use. Good luck

All my dual 80's came smooth. I guess you could be right about the Matcos coming dry though. They certainly feel that way. The directional switch however is just plain sloppy and clunky IMO. Other than that, I do think the Matco is a nice tool. It just doesn't seem as "fine" if that makes sense?

 

[moronmountain]

I was actually suprised to see that the Matcos are more expensive than SO as well.

 

[canuckian]

i have both and IMHO each has their strong points. As others have mentioned, Matco for the slimmer head and Snap On for the smoother ratcheting action. I think theyre comparable strength-wise and as for the locking mechanisms, I personally prefer the snap on setup. Never had a problem with it and both my 3/8 and 1/4 are used quite regularly. Not in a professional environment, mind you but they do seem to be among my most used ratchets. hardly ever grab a regular flexhead anymore unless it's closer and if it will work in that situation. I find the Matcos lock a little hard to manipulate when my chubby fingers have oil or grease on them. the snap on is just a flick of the thumb. still a small issue in the grand scheme of things i guess.

 

[balane]

Pretty much echoing what others have said here in that you can't go wrong with either. I am basically a Snap On ratchet guy and I have an assortment of the 80 tooth units. I never even held an 88 tooth Matco ratchet until the other day when I bought a 3/8" version. I love it too, I was really surprised how great it was. I'm honestly torn between the two of them and I would be 100% happy with either.

 

[rmsg0040]

I was actually suprised to see that the Matcos are more expensive than SO as well.

matco locking flex bfr128lft brand new on ebay for around $80, website lists for 136

 

[kippieland]

I have both and all the comments are right on in my mind. Though the Matco definetly improves with some good slippery oil. I use MX suspension oil and now the Matco is much smoother. Though not as smooth as the SO....the Matco is sure a lot easier to work on the SO.....I took mine apart once and I plan to never to do it again unless I have to!

 

[billymade]

For those who want to know how to assemble/disassemble a Snap-on dual 80; check out this video:

 

[moronmountain]

matco locking flex bfr128lft brand new on ebay for around $80, website lists for 136

I'm talking about new/retail. It doesn't mean that's what I will pay for it. Just sayin.

 

[moronmountain]

I have both and all the comments are right on in my mind. Though the Matco definetly improves with some good slippery oil. I use MX suspension oil and now the Matco is much smoother. Though not as smooth as the SO....the Matco is sure a lot easier to work on the SO.....I took mine apart once and I plan to never to do it again unless I have to!

Yeah I haven't had a need to take my newer ratchets apart, so that's not even a thought atm.

 

[moronmountain]

For those who want to know how to assemble/disassemble a Snap-on dual 80; check out this video:

That seems easy enough to me.