Got a new Matco ratchet today

[53chevy5]

Are they being made again or did I get a NOS. It is a long 1/2 flex head on sale for $ 160. It says USA on it and I asked him if was a rebranded Gearwrench and he said no, it was a true Matco. Hopefully they are producing them again.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Pics?Would be helpful..

 

[53chevy5]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/182212483215?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

I didnt take a pic of it but here is a link to the identical ratchet.

 

[Joe Dailey]

Those are great ratchets. I have several in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". I love the flex head on them.

 

[6MocoA]

I have that same one - I LOVE it. I got mine from a tech student who used his student discount to give me an unbelievable price.

 

[53chevy5]

So far it sounds like I made a good decision. I haven't used it yet cause I bought it at the end of the day. I was really tossing back and forth between the Gearwrench or the Matco for a long time. I think it was well worth the extra money for a USA Matco . I hope I don't like it too much and end up replacing all my Cornwell 3/8 ratchets $$$.

 

[gdocktor3]

So far it sounds like I made a good decision. I haven't used it yet cause I bought it at the end of the day. I was really tossing back and forth between the Gearwrench or the Matco for a long time. I think it was well worth the extra money for a USA Matco . I hope I don't like it too much and end up replacing all my Cornwell 3/8 ratchets $$$.

Might be a good idea to wait and see what the outcome is with this whole flood thing.

 

[toolman9w]

Apex no longer makes those ratchets. So the flood is out of the picture. It is a new ratchet from the new manufacturer. As far as I am aware, there are no NOS running around on the trucks. At least no where near me.

 

[Joe Dailey]

That's the sad thing. I have a ton of Matco stuff that I have bought and my dad bought as well. And now Matco has went to **** like most everything else. Too bad because I love my older Matco stuff. Mac too for that matter I have twice as much older Mac stuff.

 

[Brownsfan]

Who is the new manufacturer? This is news to everyone here. Apex/Armstrong are the only manufacturer of that style ratchet in the USA. Over seas is a different story

 

[warmpancakes]

place out of chicago, only flex heads right now

 

[toolman9w]

Who is the new manufacturer? This is news to everyone here. Apex/Armstrong are the only manufacturer of that style ratchet in the USA. Over seas is a different story

AJ Manufacturing

 

[toolman9w]

place out of chicago, only flex heads right now

True statement.

 

[shockwave]

Really if looks to be the same 88 tooth design from apex is this only on locking flex?

 

[toolman9w]

It is the same design. nothing about that has changed.

 

[gdocktor3]

AJ Manufacturing

That's right. I do remember reading that. I wonder then if they will eventually start making all of their ratchets?

 

[toolman9w]

All the USA made ones.

 

[Brownsfan]

Is it the same company that makes the sockets for them too?

 

[toolman9w]

No at this time that is still Apex.

 

[Skin]

No at this time that is still Apex.

Only impacts, basic chrome were never made by Apex or Danaher.

 

[53chevy5]

Here is a pic

 

[Brownsfan]

It does appear slightly different than the apex made units.

 

[Brownsfan]

Only impacts, basic chrome were never made by Apex or Danaher.

Are the Chrome sockets made my this company ?

 

[Parabellum]

http://www.ajmanufacturing.com/

http://www.ajmanufacturing.com/twistsocket.html

 

[toolman9w]

Are the Chrome sockets made my this company ?

National machine Co. makes the chromes.

 

[chris142]

I understand the need and want for quality tools. But $160 for a ratchet?

 

[Brownsfan]

Why have all these companies making similar tools. Is Armstrong/Apex making the combo wrenches still? Or is that now a fourth or fifth different company

 

[toolman9w]

Why have all these companies making similar tools. Is Armstrong/Apex making the combo wrenches still? Or is that now a fourth or fifth different company

Dont have an answer on that one.?

 

[53chevy5]

I understand the need and want for quality tools. But $160 for a ratchet?

Yep, what a bargin. Really for the abuse I give it, the 60-70 bucks more for matco from usa vs gearwrench from taiwan, it is worth it. When they break I still get mad cause I still need it.

 

[toolman9w]

They list for well over $200.

 

[Yankee]

place out of chicago, only flex heads right now

Wonder why only the flex. I see on Armstrong's website that the standard ratchets are in stock. Too me it doesn't make any sense?

 

[toolman9w]

Wonder why only the flex. I see on Armstrong's website that the standard ratchets are in stock. Too me it doesn't make any sense?

They are working on the most popular ratchets first.

 

[Know Wosad]

Might be a good idea to wait and see what the outcome is with this whole flood thing.

It took less time to recover from the one with that bigazz boat full of animals and they didn't even have Facebook back them

 

[Fedwrench]

I'd be worried less about flood recovery, obsolete/damaged in the move equipment, and setting everything up again and more about how Armstrong went from 3 or 4 factories to being consolidated into a single production facility shared with other lines
Matco might be smart enough to know that in the long haul, sourcing a US made ratchet from someone else might be a better choice.