MAC Tools Quality

[moparmuscle88]

i havent bouht mac tools of a truck yet ever, i have some used stuff, but nothing newer, was just wondering if theyre made in USA or are they foreign made since they are owned by stanley?

i usually buy snap on and matco off the truck or in the pawnshops, but i finally met the MAC guy in my area, and was just wondering if its worth doing business with him

 

[chad s]

Not to go off subject, but where did the image in your avatar come from.

 

[classic70]

The tools are good quality tools that get a bad rap here because the imported tools they have the usa made price tag. The hard line tools are made in the usa, the ratchets are lower tooth count compared to snap on amd matco. If your dealer will stick around and is a good guy help him out, i know mac dealers don't get treated the best, and i believe they have been owned by stanley for almost 30 years.

 

[mikevango]

I have some mac drivers, picks and files. They seem to work just as good as any other brand.

 

[DewittMotorsports]

I have some mac drivers, picks and files. They seem to work just as good as any other brand.

How do they compare to the older hard handled drivers?

 

[hammergodthor]

How do they compare to the older hard handled drivers?

It's mostly personal preference. Most people on here seem to prefer the old square handle over the new 2 piece handle.

This handle is prefered:
http://www.mactools.com/popup.aspx?src=/Portals/1/aspdnsf/images/PRODUCT/large/PKRB12AR.jpg


Over this handle:
http://www.mactools.com/popup.aspx?src=/Portals/1/aspdnsf/images/PRODUCT/large/PBM2031AR.jpg


Rumor has it (Mac rep) that the old style handle is still US made (my recent purchase screwdrivers are Taiwanese) while the newer handle is Taiwanese.

 

[hammergodthor]

i havent bouht mac tools of a truck yet ever, i have some used stuff, but nothing newer, was just wondering if theyre made in USA or are they foreign made since they are owned by stanley?

i usually buy snap on and matco off the truck on in the pawnshops, but i finally met the MAC guy in my area, and was just wondering if its worth doing business with him

If you want bang for the buck and don't mind Asian, buy Cornwell. Depending on the item, they run can run about 1/4 the price of Snap-On.

Example:
Cornwell (Asian) 7pc. hex bit set = $34.95
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CBS702S-%252d-7-Piece-1{47}4%22-%26-3{47}8%22-Hex-Bit-Socket-Set

Snap-On USA 8pc. hex bit set = $146.00
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=84&group_ID=275&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Same item Mac (Asian) 7pc. = $89.99
http://www.mactools.com/Product/tabid/120/productid/322079/variantid/312838/Default.aspx


NOT trying to hijack the thread, just trying to answer a question. I prefer Cornwell for cheap(er) Asian tools. I have probably picked the most drastic comparison, but accidentally, not on purpose. Back to Mac.

 

[Merkava_4]

You gotta separate the Taiwanese tools from the U.S.A. made tools; that's the ticket. If in doubt, ask me to judge them for you; I know this stuff.

 

[moparmuscle88]

yah ive heard alot about cornwell, and their double flex ratcheting wrenches, but i dont think we have a truck around here

Not to go off subject, but where did the image in your avatar come from.

found it accidentally in google images, was actually looking for a pic of a tool and found it thought it was pretty cool

 

[Fedwrench]

Mac is like any other mobile tool dealer, it isn't really about the quality of the tool but, the level of service you get from the dealer. Mac tools has winners and losers. It does seem though that most of their stuff is imported these days though. Not just from Asia though, with Stanley's aquisition of Facom, there are rebadged Facom tools showing up on Mac trucks such as, the round head palm control ratchets. A tool's performance under daily stress is more important than where it's from but, that's just my opinion. I would definitely recommend Mac's knurled extensions as they're the only company that puts the knurling where you need it, around the female square drive end.

 

[arkangel06]

Mac tools ****.

 

[moparmuscle88]

i have nothing against MAC, its just that if im going to pay tool truck prices i want to support an american company

so some of their stuff is usa made, and some isnt?

 

[arkangel06]

most is not

 

[eighthd]

I like my mac drill bits, spot weld bits and carbide bits. If I break one or it gets dull My mac deeler will replace it no problem. Snap on and Matco will not replace any of they.

 

[aaron1987]

I Like Mac

 

[d.mcfarland]

From the dead!

 

[Know Wosad]

LOL. What the hay. Good timing I suppose. Mac has a new ratchet series out called Axis that's very nice stuff and I haven't run into much chatter on it on this forum.Like most truck stuff it winds up way overpriced due to "convenience" = YEP ! pay by the week. A lot of it is Proto stuff so it's no slouch. Shop away. Just use your head. Only a fool would pay double for a prybar because a machine stamped another name on it from original.
One of the best threads on here is "truck tool equivalents". It's a real eye opener for many.It could save a smart buyer literally thousands in a large kit.

 

[Fedwrench]

From the dead!

Why?

Ok' Let's see what has changed from MAC in the last 6 years?

New line of Air powered tools that really powerful, new cordless tools, new 90 tooth ratchets (US Made) that are great, New Duratek screwdrivers (same as bolstered Proto but, in cooler colors), Possibly the knuckle saver 2 wrenches came out in the last 6 years that are similar to the current PROTO 500 series.

I think MAC might be doing better in the last 6 years. They still have a lot of imported tools on the truck but, that doesn't necessarily make the tool bad. There a lot of product sharing between Proto, Facom, and a little Stanley. New product is being released and most of it seem quite good. As always, buy what you like and are happy with.

 

[wafrederick]

There is a Mac tool dealer in the northern Michigan area telling his customers not to buy Mac tools anymore after he retires.He is retiring and saying Mac tools are becoming junky now.

 

[wafrederick]

I like my mac drill bits, spot weld bits and carbide bits. If I break one or it gets dull My mac deeler will replace it no problem. Snap on and Matco will not replace any of they.

Matco does have a lifetime warranty on their drill bits,down to the 1/4 inch drill bits and and carbide bits too

 

[toolaholic]

I have one Mac tool a 10mm wrench

 

[stevenhs]

I like the Mac guy. Hes actually easier to deal with than snap on guy.

 

[redwrench60]

I'm becoming a big fan of the Mac/Duratek bolstered screwdrivers.. They are a really good, ergonomic and tough design. They are fast becoming a favorite of mine.

Handle toughness/chemical resistance is out of this world.

Blade steel is very good.

Finger tip spinning is excellent.

Power turning is excellent.

Product coverage is deep.

Price is reasonable.

 

[gdocktor3]

Mac also has their Dewalt powered cordless tools in some cool colors. I like Mac more than most other big name brands. Maybe because some of my first top tier tools were made by them, or maybe because I can buy second hand tools for really cheap. Unlike some other companies....

 

[wafrederick]

I do like the hard handle screwdrivers,I do misplace my biggest slotted screwdriver finding it somewhere else.I forget where I put it basically.I have a few of the ratchets and a 3/8 drive socket set I bought on Ebay although I had to put a little money into.Had a cheap throw away ratchet,3 inch Matco extension bar,a 9mm Matco shallow socket.Did straighten it out and had the ratchet and 3" extension bar luckily.Had to buy a 15mm deepwell socket that was missing including a 6" extension bar.A few more items more as well.

 

[Farmall450]

I like my mac drill bits, spot weld bits and carbide bits. If I break one or it gets dull My mac deeler will replace it no problem. Snap on and Matco will not replace any of they.

I wouldn't warranty a dull drill bit either

 

[Farmall 1066]

Our area has had a lot of different dealers, 10+ in last 20 years. Most were really decent guys, who tried hard, but they all ended up getting shitcanned by Mac. Low sales volume was the reason I kept hearing.
Problem was, nobody bought, because they knew there may not be a dealer tomorrow.
Bought a lot of MAC stuff, new and used, and it's all been good stuff.

 

[toolaholic]

I have one Mac tool a 10mm wrench

.

[/URL][/IMG] it's actually a 10x11

 

[Wamsutta]

Toolaholic, that wrench is a beauty!

 

[Tool_Crazy]

I haven't had the best of luck with MAC screwdrivers or ratchets. The antivibe hammers are nice though.
When I bought mine I went ahead and bought the Stanley tools anti-vibe hammer. They are after all the same thing.

 

[toolaholic]

Toolaholic, that wrench is a beauty!

Thanks! It's my only MAC. I'm partial to my hazet and stahlwille wrenches. Scored it in eBay for around $20. Filled a hole in my double box collection