I love when the UPS man shows up

[JWink]

Hey all. My names Tony, I'v been lurking for a while and finally decided to sign up.

I am an automotive student, trying to throw as much money twords tools as I can before pops kicks me out.

So being a broke college studen I just had to sign up for the student tool prgrams.

And I finally made my first purchase.

I bought a 3/8 88 tooth matco ratchet with the green comfort handle.

I just couldnt pass it up for 38 bucks.

I guess I was just curious to see how well they hold up?

This is my first decent ratchet i have owned. Before this I used mostly craftsman which I thought were decent untill i felt this thing.

they are pretty new right? so maybe theres not to much info out there

but i dont know what do you guys know?

 

[chadster1]

Welcome to the forum!

Congratulations on your first professional tool purchase. I still have the first Snap-on ratchet I ever bought over 20 years ago. There is a thread not far back about the Matco 88 tooth. From what I read, this ratchet has only been on the market for about a month.

 

[pjcforpres2020]

Congrats! You will be happy with that ratchet! Treat it well, and it will treat you well! A great way to build up your professional tool stock without breaking the bank is to buy used, either from sites like this, or locally. Local, check out garage sales, auctions, and estate sales. eBay is a good resource as well. Of course, when buying on the interwebs, buyer be ware, and trust your gut.

Also, new is always great, especially with your 50% off student discount! Don't be afraid to try several different brands. Before you spend a couple hundred on a set of combo wrenches or sockets, get one in a common size and see how you like it. Nothing worse than spending $300 on something that you are not 300% satisfied with.

 

[ImportTuner]

Welcome JWink to the GJ .. wow, $38 for a Matco 88-teeth ratchet .. too bad Matco doesn't have a senior discount ..

 

[nate379]

I about dropped kicked my UPS guy in teh balls the other day.

Came by and was pushing the door bell like it was a damn whack a mole or something. I don't know WTF his issue was, but since I work at night I was sleeping.

I opened the door in just my underwear and just said... strike one... and closed it. I hope is thinking... oh ****... what happens at strike 3?

 

[Fedwrench]

Welcome to the forum!!!
The Matco 88 is an improvement over their 60 tooth ratchet. I have several of those and they have served me well. I'm waiting for my 88 to show up. A good selection of basic tools is essential for an auto tech. However, don't forget that time is money and that means working quickly with air or cordless power tools. make sure in your tool purchase plan you've included a good 1/2 impact, and a 3/8 air ratchet at a minimum. I would also recommend a 3/8 impact and 1/4 air ratchet too. Plus common impact sockets and a set of 3/8 metric swivel sockets. Good luck in your future endeavors,

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Hey Tony and welcome.

Congratulations! I would expect it to hold up very well. In thirty years you should still be using it. I still have all the SO ratchets I bought new and still use them and this should hold up at least as well.

 

[daveblank]

Welcome to the forum!!!
The Matco 88 is an improvement over their 60 tooth ratchet. I have several of those and they have served me well. I'm waiting for my 88 to show up. A good selection of basic tools is essential for an auto tech. However, don't forget that time is money and that means working quickly with air or cordless power tools. make sure in your tool purchase plan you've included a good 1/2 impact, and a 3/8 air ratchet at a minimum. I would also recommend a 3/8 impact and 1/4 air ratchet too. Plus common impact sockets and a set of 3/8 metric swivel sockets. Good luck in your future endeavors,

Fed, you are a wealth of knowledge as always.

 

[JWink]

thanks for all the advice

i have a decent start as far as tools go but as money comes i plan on expanding of course and replacing some of the lesser quality tools with better quality stuff

the ratchet came first because I was getting really tired of the old craftsman ratchets

not that they havent served me well but those squared off handles bug me

 

[Major Ramifications]

Welcome! I think there is a place for you to introduce yourself officially.

 

[bchee]

I bought a 3/8 88 tooth matco ratchet with the green comfort handle.

I just couldnt pass it up for 38 bucks.

Is that the standard student deal? Sounds like you got a deeper discount than is typical....

I really like my 88. It's real smooth and the ratcheting torque is low. I put wheel bearing grease inside and it feels good. Most seem to avoid heavy grease for a fine tooth but it seems to work fine.

 

[tw33k2514]

Is that the standard student deal? Sounds like you got a deeper discount than is typical....

I really like my 88. It's real smooth and the ratcheting torque is low. I put wheel bearing grease inside and it feels good. Most seem to avoid heavy grease for a fine tooth but it seems to work fine.

yeah the model he got I can get for $44 so I dont know how he got it that cheap.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

yeah the model he got I can get for $44 so I dont know how he got it that cheap.

I guess shipping... Matco will sent, Snap On can deliver to you(*no charge,
I heard snap on is coming with a 100 ratchet.. sweet.
I like Matco too, I have a breaker from them.. nice....

 

[JWink]

It was a student special. Im think it runs all month or at least for a couple weeks.

I have been working on getting into the snap on program but its been giving me problems. Im going to have to try and talk to my rep and see what I can get going.

Free shipping with the matco student program helps alot.

I was worried about the shipping charges untill I figured out it was free.

 

[fordracing200]

I used my snap on student discount and bought alot of 80 tooth stuff along with some other nessecities like 1/2" and 3/8" impact swivels