MAC sockets

[rhandwor]

I have some U S made Mac and I like them better than Snap On. They are slightly longer and thicker than some Snap On I have.
I have some 3/8 inch drive extra long impact and they have held up well. My 9mm and smaller are Snap On and they are shorter.

 

[Paladin]

I only have a handful of Mac sockets, but I've never had any complaints about them. I've never broken one, and I have been known to put excessive torque on a socket rather than step up a drive size...

 

[paramudduck]

I've had more Snap on sockets crack then Mac. Even had one Snap on lose about 1/4 of the side. This was a 10mm on a 1/4 drive Mac ratchet. Yep the socket broke not the ratchet.

Now mine are all older stuff. I haven't seen a Mac truck for a few years now. So I have no ideal about the past few years production.

I've used mine on farm and construction equipment with no problems.

But personally if you have a good supplier for Proto and get a good discount I'd go that way.

 

[kartracer55]

Like any other brand, some things are good, some aren't. Personally, I'd rather buy snap on sockets than MAC sockets. If I remember the little snap on display better, they had thinner walls than MAC and they handled more torque. I can't really say I have had a bad experience with their sockets. I've broken a few impact swivels but I break tons of those.

Like I said, with any tool brand, know what your buying. I'd prefer Snap On for sockets, however.

 

[VOMA07]

I know the original post was about MAC sockets. I know that some members of this forum have not cared for the MAC tools that they have purchased. I just wanted to add to this thread, that if you are not a professional auto tech, and you have a MAC dealer that you like, and easily does business with you that IMHO it should carry a lot of weight in your choice of tools. In my area Snap on is just terrible to deal with, but they have great tools none the less. The Matco dealers I have contacted are seemingly only interested huge sales to techs that they see every week, and both I spoke with didn't follow up with me on a little problem I had. Cornwell is hard to find I haven't dealt with them at all. So I mostly buy MAC. Why because I like the tools I have and the dealer is easy to work with. He even said the he would warreny my Proto tools. I think if you find some one you like, work with them!

However I fully respect every one's opinion on the subject and love to read all of your views on this type of subject. Thanks!

 

[zuspiel]

I really like the knuckle saver wrenches, and I do have a 1/2" drive 18" long ratchet from them that is a job to use, but other than that I don't have anything any more.

Knuckle Saver 2 is a great wrench, doesn't mess up your hand like a Flank Drive Plus wrench.

Adam

I definitely second that! I love my extra long KS2s. But I don't have any MAC sockets, so I'll shut up now

 

[stricht8]

Just bought some MAC impact sockets today and chatted with the dealer about stuff for about 1/2 hour.

I know the original post was about MAC sockets. I know that some members of this forum have not cared for the MAC tools that they have purchased. I just wanted to add to this thread, that if you are not a professional auto tech, and you have a MAC dealer that you like, and easily does business with you that IMHO it should carry a lot of weight in your choice of tools. In my area Snap on is just terrible to deal with, but they have great tools none the less. The Matco dealers I have contacted are seemingly only interested huge sales to techs that they see every week, and both I spoke with didn't follow up with me on a little problem I had. Cornwell is hard to find I haven't dealt with them at all. So I mostly buy MAC. Why because I like the tools I have and the dealer is easy to work with. He even said the he would warreny my Proto tools. I think if you find some one you like, work with them!

However I fully respect every one's opinion on the subject and love to read all of your views on this type of subject. Thanks!

 

[onecheck]

I own the MAC EDGE 1/4 set Taiwanese. Excellent set very happy. Get them you wont be disappointed

 

[fatfillup]

I have no problem with older Mac products actually have had great luck, but the key is who is going to give you good service. If you have to meet up with the dealer next week and you have another dealer calling on you regularly, give him ( the regular dealer) the business). If you have no dealer calling on you because of your location, buy used or mail order. The only reason to pay premium price for tools or anything else is for premium service.

 

[Hawk321]

Had MAC in the US...not what I prefer...
Screwdriver broken...
Terminal tools...bent...

Have 2 E-Torx sockets of Mac here...

All are E-5, left is a Genius, middle Ko-Ken and right MAC

The MAC socket is the biggest...that's not ok, because E-5 bolts are mostly in tight areas where small tools are required. MAC is more expensive than Snap-On...so ...not a deal for me.

 

[jerk_chicken]

INteresting thread. I was figuring out which way to go on a new set of sockets between Snap On, Mac, Matco, Proto, or just pick up some newer Armstrongs and be done with it. They would be a supplement to a Wera, Wiha, or Heyco socket set due to abuse and warranty. That's why I kept my Craftsmans. I figure if I break them, I can bring the broken stuff back to the US on vacations and get them replaced.

It's probably an apples to pears comparison, but it's one of those things where I'm not a trade mechanic, but appreciate good tools, low failure rate, good construction and usability. I had luck with Armstrong, and love their ratchets. I don't know if they'll be comparable to this level. Hell, I do know pro mechanics that use Craftsman

 

[Jwilliam]

I have a 3/8 set and 1/4 set of short and deep Mac Edge sockets. I've had the 3/8 one's for almost two years now and haven't broke any of them, they are really good sockets despite where their made. I just recently bought the 1/4 ones and so far my only complaint is that after I've tightened a bolt down the socket no matter what size I'm using seems to stick to the bolt head and I have to sometimes tap it to come off. I try to stay away from Cornwell and Mac Torx though, both brands tend to bend if a bolt is really tight and I've been waiting for our Mac guy to get me a new T-30 for months now, it's hell getting anything warrantied from our Mac guy he always has an excuse of how it's on back order, he's having problems with Fed-ex, etc... Cornwell to me doesn't seem to be as high of quality as SO but at least the guy shows up every week and warranties without a problem. Our Snap-On guy has come maybe 3 times since November.

 

[Vyse]

I have Mac ratchets, screwdrivers, air tools, tool cart, etc.. I'm happy with the quality. I've used Snap-On and Matco and to each his own. They are all good companies, but I think that the big "X" factor is your distributor. The main reason I have Mac is because the Snap-On, Cornwell and Matco dealers, for whatever reason(I'd like to think they aren't too stuck-up to come to a stereo shop), won't come to my shop. It's on their routes, I see them drive by, why not stop? I've asked the Snap-On guy four times, please come to my shop. No dice. Cornwell and Matco have only been asked twice. Oh well, I'll give my money to the Mac guy and that works for me.