Is my new Mac Tools ratchet defective?

[pdxgearhead]

Hi GJ,
I bought a Mac Tools 1/4", chrome handle fine tooth ratchet back in 1995. It sat broken in my tool box for years until I finally got motivated and warrantied last month from Mac's mail-in service.
I was given a comfort handle 1/4" dr ratchet in return. Immediately, I noticed that the handle is offset about 20 degrees from the shaft of the ratchet. It looks crooked basically. Is this normal or did I get a defect?

I notcied that when I do hold it in my hand, the ratchet head points straight, so maybe the offest handle is some kind of ergonomics thing? I do find it annoying as my other comfort handle ratchets line up straight with the ratchet shaft.
<a href="http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn148/wineguy26/Mac%20Tools/?action=view&current=mac2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn148/wineguy26/Mac%20Tools/mac2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn148/wineguy26/Mac%20Tools/?action=view&current=mac1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn148/wineguy26/Mac%20Tools/mac1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Toolhorder]

Looks taiwan to me. You couldn't have replaced the guts on the old one?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

it would probably drive me nuts too getting a ratchet back with a crooked handle. i guess you could always call cust serv and see if they think it classifies as defective. if not you could try to straighten it. if those two options don't work just try to get by with it, or sell it and buy a different ratchet.

good luck.

 

[Hiball]

Looks taiwan to me. You couldn't have replaced the guts on the old one?

Facom and Italy if i Recall.

 

[Kirbot]

Thats not Taiwan, thats Italian Facom. An excellent ratchet.

The handle is definitely screwed up though.
I would try and straighten it out, if that doesn't work, send it back in and get it replaced.

edit
Hiball beat me to it

 

[Brentocool]

May not be taiwan!!! But allot of there tools are now a days!!! Its a shame!!

 

[treasureseeker]

Interesting the one Mac part on the ratchet is screwed up. Facom are good ratchets.

 

[Hiball]

May not be taiwan!!! But allot of there tools are now a days!!! Its a shame!!

This is why you need to be a informed consumer, MaC still makes alot of there Hardline tools here in the US. I have some Mac Long pattern Wrenches that always seem to be the First ones i grab.

Unfortunately Yes.. Mac tends to Switch Design, Coo Often.

 

[pdxgearhead]

There is no marking on the ratchet, but the packaging stated "Made in Italy". Personally, I wish they would've just rebuilt my old ratchet and/or sent me a rebuild kit. My old ratchet had a much slimmer head and I prefered the knurled hard handle.