Mac Tools must haves.

[Brownsfan]

Like the title says. What in the Mac tools line is a must have. I have a Mac guy I just met and we are going to swap products. I am going to do some work on his boat and in return I get cash or better yet tools. I will say the one thing I don't need is screwdrivers. I am all set there. So any Mac users here have any insight?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Hmm...tough to say. All depends what you need or what you're looking for...or what kind of money we're talking about.

 

[CWP1616L]

MAC P9S nose pliers. The only 9 inch nose pliers in the world.

Their picture makes them look short, but they're much longer.

http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/322461/variantid/313220/Default.aspx

 

[GTA Matt]

Mac's 9 piece spark plug socket set. Not to say nobody else has a similar set, but I haven't run across another in my travels.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Knurled extensions, HANDS DOWN. They have the female end as well as the shaft knurled, AWESOME extensions. Only problem is they only offer that feature in 3/8 and 1/4, no 1/2.

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ proto has the same ones as well, can be found on ebay for decent price

1/2 knurled also

 

[Buckgnarly]

^^ proto has the same ones as well, can be found on ebay for decent price

1/2 knurled also

Where?....all the ones I just searched on Fleabay show the two bands of knurling, but nothing on the female end. I would love to have that style in 1/2....

 

[Fordman7795]

MAC P9S nose pliers. The only 9 inch nose pliers in the world.

Their picture makes them look short, but they're much longer.

http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/322461/variantid/313220/Default.aspx

If it matters to OP, those pliers are china

 

[rmsg0040]

my bad, misunderstood you

 

[Brownsfan]

I was looking at the 5pc long reach pliers set in the newest flier. $99 for all 5. I am pretty sure they are imports but seems like a good value. I don't have any pliers this long yet. The are all 16" long.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Locking extensions, 100th roto ratchets, and the new impact gun line.

 

[rmsg0040]

The new mac electric impacts look promising, anybody have specs on them?

12V 3/8 ?

thanks

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Locking extensions, 100th roto ratchets, and the new impact gun line.

+1
I will only add...I love my locking extensions with the screwdriver handles. I've been eyeing the MAC impacts as well...next week if I meet up with my guy I will discuss a trade potential I have, I am hoping to land the AWP050 in my toolbox. If he doesn't bite on my trade, It will be between the Proto version and MG725

If you're doing a BIG job on his boat..the Macsimizer MB1305 is a helluva cart..

 

[Brownsfan]

Locking extensions, 100th roto ratchets, and the new impact gun line.

I have the Cornwell version of those. I am pretty sure they are made by the same oem. The only screw drivers I don't have at the moment are tamper proof torx. I am looking at the snap on set and Mac now. My Cornwell guy just called it quits last week. So it's now snap on and Mac. There is a Matco guy around but I have never really liked their stuff. Anyone have the red hard handle screwdrivers? I can get rid of a set I have if these are good. I was going to get rid of my Taiwan made Cornwell set.

 

[crewchief888]

i'd ask for the phone number of the closest SO dealer...




but then i am kinda an ***....


i have a couple of older MAC flare nut combo wrenches that are on par with my SO wrenches.

other than that i got nothing....

i was never impressed with mac tools, or their dealers

 

[richfinn]

I still like my old 3/8 spinflex ratchet

 

[CWP1616L]

If it matters to OP, those pliers are china

How do you know? I have a pair with USA stamped on them.

They were made by KAL Tools in California.

 

[devoncoolman]

The new battery impacts are good. Just got the 1/2 20v & 3/8 12v. 3/8 is light and alot of power for the size and weight. Same with the 1/2 very powerful and light both have anvil brakes also good feature.

 

[rmsg0040]

The new battery impacts are good. Just got the 1/2 20v & 3/8 12v. 3/8 is light and alot of power for the size and weight. Same with the 1/2 very powerful and light both have anvil brakes also good feature.

specs if you got em, please

Thanks

72 tooth ratchets are nice, facom design

 

[Brad54]

I know you said you're set on screwdrivers, but I really like their hard plastic, square handle screwdrivers.

Knuckle-saver combination wrenches are nice too.

And I love my MAC gasket scraper.

-Brad

 

[rusty65]

How do you know? I have a pair with USA stamped on them.

They were made by KAL Tools in California.

Not anymore unfortunately they switched OEMs to a Asian company same goes with Proto if I'm not mistaken.


Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.

 

[Brownsfan]

I know you said you're set on screwdrivers, but I really like their hard plastic, square handle screwdrivers.

Knuckle-saver combination wrenches are nice too.

And I love my MAC gasket scraper.

-Brad

I may actually get them. I have to get rid of my 8pc Cornwell made in Taiwan set. I didn't know until after I bought them. The box was gone and they were just in a tray. They are actually quite nice. Everyone raves about the Mac hard handles so I may try them out. I just wish they made more than just the Phillips and standard. They only make nut drivers and torx/hex in the macsimiser series.

 

[zbadass28]

The 11pc magnetic socket extension set. (1/4, 3/8, 1/2)

 

[CWP1616L]

Not anymore unfortunately they switched OEMs to a Asian company same goes with Proto if I'm not mistaken.

I wonder if they're the same specs

 

[genevabuck]

I started with MAC Tools when I was 16. Went to Snap On for a short time, the went back to MAC. I just love most of their tools and no problem warranty. Plus my guy isn't a **** like the other guys. When it comes to MAC,their best stuff is their hardline tools, locking extensions with screwdriver handles, hard handle screwdrivers, and this bad boy. it is badass:

 

[bobcatdan]

If this was 2000, I'd say the whole catalog. I bought a lot of mac back then, bought a SO box and filled it with Mac. The hardline is still good, but the overall line has gone way down hill my book.

 

[Rezeppa]

If this was 2000, I'd say the whole catalog. I bought a lot of mac back then, bought a SO box and filled it with Mac. The hardline is still good, but the overall line has gone way down hill my book.

I couldn't agree more. If this was 15 years ago I would have said Mac was the cream of the crop but that isn't the case anymore just get cash and, buy something else. Mac doesn't have anything in my opinion that is so far superior that other brand can compete. The best stuff Mac has is rebranded.

 

[Fast LT1]

Mac's 9 piece spark plug socket set. Not to say nobody else has a similar set, but I haven't run across another in my travels.

This!!!! Snap ons are ridiculously pricy. This set is 129 for all the sockets snap on wants $70 for just the long 9/16th socket

Sunex makes a similar 6 piece set. The you can buy a 4 piece set that has the swivel sockets.

 

[Brownsfan]

I use a lot of 1/4 drive and this ratchet looks pretty nice. Anyone have this one?
http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/319573/variantid/310332/Default.aspx
If so how do you like it
Also this one has me really intrigued. http://www.mactools.com/SearchResults/tabid/79/Default.aspx?Search=Mri8
It is a left to right indexable ratchet

 

[AV tinker er]

I still reach for my XR8, I even bought another on recently. I have a couple dual 80's also but that mac ratchet (low teeth count) still feels great in my hand.

I've also heard the impact driver is better (doesn't break bits as often) as other major brands. Is it rebranded?

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/productdetails/tabid/119/c-22867-specialty-impact-sockets.aspx

 

[Skin]

The impact driver is made in Taiwan.

Only things exclusive to MAC are the Edge 6pt ratcheting wrenches and Edge sockets. They've also got some new extensions that have a comfort grip screwdriver handle at the end that intrigue me. Im sure they're imported but still kind of neat.

Hand tools nice but not exclusive to MAC (basically shared production with Proto-all of this is USA made)
Knurled chrome extensions
Swivel impacts (pinned, but they have a nice low profile)
Chrome Universal Sockets
Chrome Standard 12pt and 6pt sockets.
Impact sockets
Basic combination wrenches
HP Box Wrenches
Flare Wrenches

 

[AV tinker er]

The impact driver is made in Taiwan.

The ones I've seen/heard about are older USA stamped on the driver. But MAC isn't want it used to be. Sad to say.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

The new mac electric impacts look promising, anybody have specs on them?

12V 3/8 ?

thanks

My dealer told me that the 12v is 150 and the 20v has 725 of breakaway torque. I am not sure of working torque on it. They also share batteries with the Dewalt line and the chargers are compatible.

 

[chris142]

Knuckle saver wrenches. I bought a 13mm short one cause I needed it. Feels great in my hand and don't slip.

Made in USA but that may change.

 

[SS5150]

If this was 2000, I'd say the whole catalog. I bought a lot of mac back then, bought a SO box and filled it with Mac. The hardline is still good, but the overall line has gone way down hill my book.

Disappointing but agree here too. Lots of high quality tools back then, kind of sad to look through those old catalogs.

Back to the topic, sadly the only thing I'd recommend anymore is the 1/4 locking extension set. My 3/8 all slip now.....but they've had a ton of use. I don't have faith that my dealer will swap them out for new.

 

[chris6278]

I absolutely luv Macs zero degree offset high performance wrenches. A lil pricey but well worth it in my opinion

 

[ex-x-fire]

I prefer mac's line nut wrenches over the others.

 

[jeffmoss26]

They have a whole bunch of MAC tools mounted to the wall at Quaker Steak and Lube down the street from my office

 

[383novamike]

+2 on these awesome set no coo on mine,i am sure they r not usa made but still worth the bucks.As others have said 20 years ago the whole catalog.There is one thing i miss dearly and that is the old school mac.

 

[jmm]

I like their impacts and 1/4" chromes a lot. I know you don't need screwdrivers, but I love theirs. Their XL wrenches are nice. Their top line boxes are among the best on the market, I'm told (don't own one). Any of their Facom designed ratchets are probably first class.

My MAC and Proto impacts have held up better than any other brand impact I've ever used. That includes Snap-On, Matco, and a few of the best-regarded Taiwanese wonder-brands.