Mac ratchets, how do you like them?

[mspecperformance]

One of my guys grabbed a nice kurled handle ratchet off the Mac truck. Im not particularly a fan of the lower tooth ratchets but it began to peak my interest. I am assuming these are still US made, what are thoughts on strength and longevity? If i get a few of these i plan on kicking the **** out of them.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I have a few of the low tooth Mac/Proto ratchets (USA) they are tough ratchets and I doubt they will ever fail. I also have their new 100 tooth ratchets (Taiwan) and I love them, strong and smooth.

 

[tjmonsen5]

I have an old 3/8 round flex head Mac ratchet. It was my favorite ratchet until I bought a Dual 80. It feels archaic compared to a new Snap-on.

 

[mspecperformance]

I really like the kurled handle, thats whats selling me. Im also hoping the low tooth count makes it a more robust ratchet. We've been snapping matco 88s left and right

 

[TheGrooveking]

I love my MAC ratchets but stopped using them for fear of breaking them and not being able to warranty them with USA replacements. I know they are still US made but worried. So I went with Matco and Snap On for my daily users. I love knurled handles and if MAC had more teeth in the same design I'd be all over it.

TheGrooveking

 

[Skin]

One of my guys grabbed a nice kurled handle ratchet off the Mac truck. Im not particularly a fan of the lower tooth ratchets but it began to peak my interest. I am assuming these are still US made, what are thoughts on strength and longevity? If i get a few of these i plan on kicking the **** out of them.

All metal 30 tooth are still USA made and the only ratchets they sell with a COO stamped into the ratchet.

Comfort grip 30 tooth models are likewise USA made however they are not marked because the handle is imported. Previously these were 100% USA with a hard handle. Only indication of this is a sticker that states made in USA of global components.

Spinflex ratchets are made in USA with global components.

I believe all quick release ratchets, regardless of tooth count, are made in Taiwan and are exact copies of Stanley ratchets at about 4x the price.

72t round heads are made in Italy but have no COO marking on the ratchet itself.

Not familiar with their 100 tooth models that John is speaking of but they haven't updated their online catalog in 2 years. Wish they'd adopt their sister companies' (Proto) 45 tooth pear head ratchets. Those are USA made. A bit of a head scratcher why they didn't since MAC has always been behind the times in ratchet development and certainly were back in 08 when those 45t proto pear heads first came out.

 

[mspecperformance]

I was definitely interested in the us made coarse teeth ratchets

 

[wrenchr]

I like them and have quite a few since I have a tool acct it is easy. They also have some nice monthly deals as well. Right at time I picked up a 44pc 3/8 socket and ratchet set for right over $300.00

 

[CWP1616L]

I was definitely interested in the us made coarse teeth ratchets

They're nice ratchets and can be very smooth if lubed up with Permatex 81950. My favorite feature of the ratchet is the direction lever; it's real easy to operate with my thumb.

 

[billymade]

Depends on the vintage; the older pear head ones, tended to have problems with the screws backing out of the gear cover, then destroying the gear. This was a continual problem; didn't seem to matter how many rebuild kits that you put in them (I experienced this in the 3/8, 1/4 drives)! Am I the only one? I believe they are the 30 tooth gear ones; looks like they still sell that design, I wonder if they continue to have the same issues?

http://www.mactools.com/productdetails/tabid/119/c-23209-chrome-ratchethandles.aspx

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Wish MAC would bring back their hand handled ratchets!

 

[bimmer630]

Those hard handled spinflex Proto badged ratchets can be bought through Grainger for like 25 bucks IF you still want that handle

 

[toolstools]

I love my MAC ratchets but stopped using them for fear of breaking them and not being able to warranty them with USA replacements. I know they are still US made but worried. So I went with Matco and Snap On for my daily users. I love knurled handles and if MAC had more teeth in the same design I'd be all over it.

TheGrooveking

I had a 17" flex head 1/2 drive My friend gave me with a missing selector switch. Called mac with ratchet part number. They sent me a rebuild kit and I was good to go. If you have them use them. No fear of not being able to warranty them. I now have a 10" 1/2 drive and 11" 3/8 drive
Sold the 17" for $90 all I had to do is rebuild it.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Those hard handled spinflex Proto badged ratchets can be bought through Grainger for like 25 bucks IF you still want that handle

Got a link?

 

[billymade]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Spin-Flex-Head-Ratchet-5TH38

Looks like NLA.

 

[dirtydogintex]

I like what Grainger suggests as an 'alternate product'....

 

[70NOVA]

I bought a MAC 3/8" ratchet off the truck one day when my other took a ****. I walked back to my bay, removed 5 fasteners with it, and the head fell out of it. I gave it back to the MAC guy the following week and got my cash back. It was probably just a fluke but it put a bad taste in my mouth for their ratchets. I stick with my Snap Ons.

 

[bimmer630]

I guess everyone snagged them all up, they used to have alot of them.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I had a 17" flex head 1/2 drive My friend gave me with a missing selector switch. Called mac with ratchet part number. They sent me a rebuild kit and I was good to go. If you have them use them. No fear of not being able to warranty them. I now have a 10" 1/2 drive and 11" 3/8 drive
Sold the 17" for $90 all I had to do is rebuild it.

Thanks for the info because I haven't had a MAC dealer for years. I just went out and snowblowed the driveway when I was done I took my MAC 1/2" ratchet and took it from my collection drawer and moved it to service cart, right next to my old Snap On S713 1/2" ratchet.

TheGrooveking

 

[billymade]

If you call or email mac; tell them you don't have a dealer... they will send you ratchet rebuild kits for free.

 

[toolstools]

Thanks for the info because I haven't had a MAC dealer for years. I just went out and snowblowed the driveway when I was done I took my MAC 1/2" ratchet and took it from my collection drawer and moved it to service cart, right next to my old Snap On S713 1/2" ratchet.

TheGrooveking

Not a problem. I love mac ratchets. That's the purpose of this place after all, share info so others can know.

 

[tomshep]

I have pear head hard handle ratchets that are about 12 years old in all drives and various lengths. I also have the 1/4 and 3/8 spinflex. Very satisfied with them. I have used them hard. Only problem was the 1/4 spinflex drive gave problems and had to be rebuilt but going strong since. Never had screws back out. I now have some SO hard handle but actually prefer the mac. I really hate the way the SO direction lever sticks up compared to the mac.

Tom

 

[richfinn]

I love my 20 year old spinflex, I have a snappy dual 80 as well but for spark plugs and stuff where I don't need a fine tooth It's still the best design for me as I can use it as a speed brace once I crack the fastener loose.