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mac tool thread

mjl44

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May 6, 2012
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My MB9000 that I got off CL for $100. Trying to find information on this when I was considering getting it brought me to garage journal.
 

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KEH

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Jan 31, 2010
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Re the needle nose Mac pliers shown by RR261 and the statement by Brownsfan that they are made by Channelock, I was in Sears today and looked at the Channelock pliers and they appear the same, except that the Channelocks has the name, model number, and the made in USA statement laser etched rather than engraved like that Mac pic appears to show.

Sears pliers next to the Channelocks are made in USA also, don't know who makes them.

KEH
 

knocker

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Jan 10, 2011
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Location
Peoria, Az
Here's a few of mine... 3/8" Ratchets to start off with..
375Ratchets_zps5092cce8.jpg

Man I really wish I had a Mac truck at my shop, those hardhandle ratchets look awesome.
 

CWP1616L

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Man I really wish I had a Mac truck at my shop, those hardhandle ratchets look awesome.

They're a good handle and very comfortable, but they're no longer being put on the ratchets. They've gone to those oval shaped soft grips.
 

jebutler

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Nov 26, 2011
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Location
California
they used to be as common as dirt. (never as cheap as dirt though LOL)
they came "stock" that way right off the truck.
They used to sell a version of those with a longer handle and a flex head that the handle would spin on the handle, they called it "Spinflex" took a bit to get used to but once I did I loved using it. I paid $80 for mine like 15 years ago, and lost it to that Mac tool rep warranty debacle I have described elsewhere a few years later
About 4-5 years ago I was in a Grainger for "other things" and saw a PROTO display that looked familiar; yup the same exact ratchet as I had lost several years ago spinney handle and all, for $40 same exact head identical except for saying "PROTO" on it instead of "MAC" No markings today as they wore off the handle they were just basically an ink stamp. it remains my "go to" when I need a 3/8" hand ratchet.

I got the same proto spinflex 3/8. Got it off amazon for around $16 about 2 years ago on a closeout. At first i thought it somewhat gimmicky but it has become my go to 3/8 now just took some time getting used to. I love the old mac 30 tooth ratchets.
 

redline380

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Jan 30, 2013
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st. cloud, minnesota
They're a good handle and very comfortable, but they're no longer being put on the ratchets. They've gone to those oval shaped soft grips.

i saw a few of them on the truck today. had orange handles that said spinflex right on them. could be old stock but my mac guy has a couple of them

edit:should mention it was flexhead. didnt look close enough at the other one to see if it was flex head or not
 

zoso

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My MB9000 that I got off CL for $100. Trying to find information on this when I was considering getting it brought me to garage journal.

Awsome deal! The list price in 2011 was over $1900 and it looks like its in great shape.
 

CWP1616L

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i saw a few of them on the truck today. had orange handles that said spinflex right on them. could be old stock but my mac guy has a couple of them

edit:should mention it was flexhead. didnt look close enough at the other one to see if it was flex head or not


They're still making the spinflex, but they quit using the red hard handles on ratchets.

-
 
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4speedfun

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Jun 1, 2013
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I just received a Mac 1/2" metric impact socket set I purchased off eBay. $66 shipped and only two sockets show use. On the rail a sticker says Made in Taiwan. I hope that is just the rail and not the sockets. Does anyone know?
 

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DTB

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Those look like the MAC Edge series from what I can see of the inside of the sockets,which would not be made in the USA.
 

KoJo

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May 22, 2013
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Some MAC 1/4 ratchets:
attachment.php
 

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crewchief888

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When it comes to mac tool boxes how do they compare to snap on? Price wise I mean, not quality. Not trying to start a brand war

i had a couple of mac boxes in the distant past, as did a few co-workers.

i was never impressed with the quality, especially the paint, but matco had the same paint issues.

both mac and matco's prices (at the time) were less than a comparable sized box from snapon.

theres usually some room to negotiate on prices from the dealer, but that ultimately depends on the dealer.

:beer:
 

rusty65

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Pekin,IL
I'm not very educated on Mac tool boxes but from what I have seen they are cheaper compared to snap on boxes.
 

wafrederick

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I just received a Mac 1/2" metric impact socket set I purchased off eBay. $66 shipped and only two sockets show use. On the rail a sticker says Made in Taiwan. I hope that is just the rail and not the sockets. Does anyone know?

That is not the original rail,had a metal tray you still can get from Mac.
 

Piles

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Apr 22, 2013
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119
When it comes to mac tool boxes how do they compare to snap on? Price wise I mean, not quality. Not trying to start a brand war

Slightly cheaper. Though they have lesser resale value as well. Atleast the ones around here seem to be for sale for a long time before they sell where as even high priced snappys sell quick. But as others pointed out it all comes down to what your dealer is like. My Mac guy gave me a smokin deal whereas my snappy guy said he could maybe take a thousand off with trade in. That was pathetic compared to what mac gave me.

Quality wise I think the top tiers are about the same. But you will hear different opinions by everyone. I know some like to complain about the drawer detents on the mac. I find they work well once your box is loaded up.
 

karrbass4life

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Aug 5, 2010
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91
Location
Cincinnati
e4tb.jpg


Master pick set

c63a.jpg


Terminal tool set

6ykq.jpg


Got these as a BOGO deal.

n4b2.jpg


Very nice Made In USA stubby wrenches and Made in USA master snap-ring plier set. Those wrench racks are Mac as well.

u6im.jpg


Had to get the other set of stubby wrenches. Those hose clamp pliers are Mayhew and those are Expert brand wrenches on the right. All were purchased from the Mac guy. I also have a 32oz ball-peen anti-vibe hammer.
 
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Adam McLaughlin

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Oct 13, 2008
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1,843
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
I really love the MAC extra long end wrenches, have the SAE editions and am piecing together the Metric set

Their extra extra long wrenches are something that neither MAC nor Snap On can compete with.
Merkeva did get that one right

Adam
 
OP
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young_buck

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Jan 1, 2013
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Alberta, Canada
Have you had a chance to use em? I was eyeing them in the last sale flyer...fondled them on the truck..ALMOST got em but didn't. Interested to hear any feedback on em.

I have (i replaced my channellock long nose with them for a day) and honestly they are great, spring loaded, comfortable grips and being able to see what you are working on without holding them in odd angles is nice as well.

Too bad the are made in china :(

but for under $60 definitely worth adding to the box
 

JordanFX4

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May 29, 2012
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10
Location
Southern IL
I don't have many MAC Tools yet, but I'm working on expanding the collection with the torque wrench being the latest edition to the set. I love the handles on the SPINFLEX ratchet and the screwdrivers, definitely the some of the most comfortable tools I've used.

IMG_0038.jpg
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young_buck

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Alberta, Canada
I love my spinflex but mac's price was too high, I bought the proto (made by MAC anyways as they are both stanley companies) for $60 brand new, only difference is the name on the handle, I am considering the 3/8" now as I use the 1/4" so much.
 

DTB

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Jun 12, 2011
Messages
541
I have the Proto version of the MAC spinflex as well in the 3/8 drive..don't use it so much because of the ball detent setup but also have a MAC XR8.Really didn't care for it but I have been using it alot lately and now that it's broke in it really doesn't seem to bad for a coarse tooth ratchet.
 

JordanFX4

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May 29, 2012
Messages
10
Location
Southern IL
I agree the Spinflex is kind of on the pricey side new, but I bought mine used for around $50 while I was looking for the red handle XR11's so I figured it wasn't to bad of a deal.
 
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