MAC tools ratchets

[eschoendorff]

Anyone have any MAC ratchets? If so, whaddya think of them? I just had a XR11F 3/8 drive MAC flex head warrantied because the flex head was floppy. Well, MAC's customer service was good and all - they promptly FedEx'd me a new one. But the ratchet is rather coarse (even after lubricating it) and the flex mechanism has to be one of the least positive in the business. Doesn't want to stay put. At all.

Now I also have a Taiwanese Husky ($20 special) extendable locking flex head that seems to be in many respects nicer than the $95 USA made MAC. I'm talking about ratchet smoothness, flex head detents and overall fit and finish.

Or, maybe I'm nuts and just don't appreciate MAC ratchets. In any case, it's shiney and pretty and makes my ratchet drawer sparkle, so I'll keep her. I was just expecting a little more from a "premium" brand.

BTW... here is the ratchet. Mines doesn't have the bent handle, though. Anyone else have any experience with this particular model?

http://mactools.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNum=XR11FS

 

[wythors]

I have one like that with the Comfort Grip handle. It's been my "go to" ratchet for twenty years and is still going strong. I also have a 3/8 drive stubby ratchet from them that is all of four inches long. They are two of my favorite tools in my box. You may (or not) recall that I bought a new SnapOn ratchet that I promptly sold to another member of this forum. My disappointment with it stemmed from the fact that, in my eyes, it couldn't compare to my Mac from a "feel" standpoint. I have ratchets from Mac, Craftsman, S-K and SnapOn in my box and the Mac's are my favorite overall.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have one like that with the Comfort Grip handle. It's been my "go to" ratchet for twenty years and is still going strong. I also have a 3/8 drive stubby ratchet from them that is all of four inches long. They are two of my favorite tools in my box. You may (or not) recall that I bought a new SnapOn ratchet that I promptly sold to another member of this forum. My disappointment with it stemmed from the fact that, in my eyes, it couldn't compare to my Mac from a "feel" standpoint. I have ratchets from Mac, Craftsman, S-K and SnapOn in my box and the Mac's are my favorite overall.

Damn.... maybe I'm just a tool retard. Maybe the ratchet's fine and it's just not what I'm used to. I'm gonna use it for a while and get a better feel for it and see if I think differently about it then.

 

[evildky]

I's suggest a SK, I've been waiting almost a year for the "kit" to fix my new Snap on ratchet that lasted all of a month, the Sk does have a more solid feel than the craftsmans and a a better price than the truck companies

 

[Katbird]

I have 12 ratchets made by mac and the one that you are talking about. so far mine has worked well. my last 1/4" ratchet was made in tiawan but the mac man told me that he guaranteed every tool on his truck.

 

[Thumper]

I've got one...a 3/8ths flex with bent handle and comfort grip that is 10 years old and mine works fine. Maybe its just the newer stuff thats quirky.

 

[BOSS351C]

My dad has an old Snap on 3/8 flex head with the bent handle. I always liked the flex head, but it has NO detent, just flops around. Rachet action is smooth but it has been rebuilt about a dozen times. I bought a Craftsman recently that does have the detents I like it much better, although I have had my fair share of cman rachet problems.

I can't speak to MAC though, so I guess my post is irrelavent here

 

[Katbird]

I bought one of the latest mac tool ratchets. its a 3/8 with locking swivel head and very slim line. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. cost was 118.00

 

[eschoendorff]

I bought one of the latest mac tool ratchets. its a 3/8 with locking swivel head and very slim line. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. cost was 118.00

I've got the el-cheapo Husky version of that one. Not nearly as pretty and only goes to 5 positions, but better than nothing.

 

[wrenchr]

The snap on flex head does not have the spring loaded indent. When the shaft wears out then the head flops around. That ratchet is in need of service. I prefer the locking flex head..

 

[Deafautotech]

i have mac tools spinflex 1/4dr ratchet that i bought new from my same mac tools guy for almost 4 years. i bought it for 100 dollars in 4 years ago. i did destroyed the mechanical inside because i used it much and little over torque on it. but flex head are still strong to me. but when i won mac tool round head flex ratchet from ebay for 10 dollars and i got it cracked the round head frame. then i did gave to my mac tool guy and he said will have it replacement for me but i found that mac tool said it is back order and i had to wait for four months to get it new. so i took it to home where i dont use it much but still need use it for my harley to do tight area.

i bought all three snap on ratchet (standard length, flex head ratchet, and long handle ratchet) all prices was reduced by my snap on guy because he had it sit in his snap on tool truck longer. so i had to bought it because i know it will last longer because i use most 1/4dr than 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets....

 

[Tool Life]

I have been wondering the samething I like that the Mac ratchets are 90t compared to the snap on 80t.

 

[skernv99]

I ended up selling all of my non-locking flexhead ratchets and now only have (and will buy in the future) locking flexhead ratchets. The floppiness can be annoying.

 

[uncwstudent]

I had a MAC Axis 3/8" flex head ratchet, which in my cheapness I could not justify keeping, but it was an extremely smooth ratchet. I really wish that I had kept it honestly. Proto basically makes these ratchets (I think) and MAC slaps their name on them. It wasn't a locking flex head ratchet so I ended up with a Carlyle instead but the flex mechanism was so tight that I doubt that it ever would have come that loose (and I believe that you could tighten it with a screwdriver).

 

[eschoendorff]

Wow ... old thread! I went out to the garage looking for that ratchet and I don’t have it anymore. It just wasn’t worth keeping around. Replaced many of my “disappointing” pieces with Snap On 80 series. No issues now!

That’s not to say I only have Snap On. Lots of other great ratchets in my box from FACOM, SK, etc. enjoy them all!

 

[bimmer630]

Wow ... old thread! I went out to the garage looking for that ratchet and I don’t have it anymore. It just wasn’t worth keeping around. Replaced many of my “disappointing” pieces with Snap On 80 series. No issues now!

That’s not to say I only have Snap On. Lots of other great ratchets in my box from FACOM, SK, etc. enjoy them all!

the link to the ratchet is dead.. Im guessing MAC no longer makes it (they have phased out a lot of the 30 tooth ratchets)

I had the bent handle flex head 30 tooth 3/8" and the drive snapped off. I sent it into Mac and they sent me back one of the brand new Axis ratchets, Im guessing because they no longer offer the old 30 tooth bent handle.

 

[BiggityBen]

anyone know if any of the new Mac ratchets are USA made? website doesn't mention COO on any of their ratchets from what i can tell. i'm not a fan of my Snap On locking flex head, it feels like it won't last long. my only Mac ratchet is an extra long 1/4" with USA stamped on the direction lever and i don't see any having that in their online pictures anymore

 

[Fedwrench]

anyone know if any of the new Mac ratchets are USA made? website doesn't mention COO on any of their ratchets from what i can tell. i'm not a fan of my Snap On locking flex head, it feels like it won't last long. my only Mac ratchet is an extra long 1/4" with USA stamped on the direction lever and i don't see any having that in their online pictures anymore

The Mac Axis 90 tooth ratchets are mostly US Made. I say mostly because, the locking flex head version do not have the USA markings on them.

 

[Nero]

anyone know if any of the new Mac ratchets are USA made? website doesn't mention COO on any of their ratchets from what i can tell. i'm not a fan of my Snap On locking flex head, it feels like it won't last long. my only Mac ratchet is an extra long 1/4" with USA stamped on the direction lever and i don't see any having that in their online pictures anymore

The Proto ones are; but they don't make a locking flex head version of the Mac Axis ratchets iirc.

Sidenote: If you do happen to have a Proto Precision 90 ratchet with the gasket that could pop out of the drive end cover, there are NO repair kits for it. Proto's going to ask you to send the entire ratchet in, and they'll replace it. Anyone know if they updated the design on the ratchet at all? Found this information out from calling Proto (the gasket is starting to pop out on my 3/8" flex).

 

[SS5150]

The Proto ones are; but they don't make a locking flex head version of the Mac Axis ratchets iirc.

Sidenote: If you do happen to have a Proto Precision 90 ratchet with the gasket that could pop out of the drive end cover, there are NO repair kits for it. Proto's going to ask you to send the entire ratchet in, and they'll replace it. Anyone know if they updated the design on the ratchet at all? Found this information out from calling Proto (the gasket is starting to pop out on my 3/8" flex).

Which side of the ratchet head are the screws Nero? My Mac 3/8 flex (that had the seal issue) had the screw heads on the plate side; I just got a Proto 3/8 flex that has the screws on the back side. I'm hoping to warranty my Mac to the new head....dealer had mentioned swapping it to the locking flex but I'd prefer the non-locking. Guess we'll see.

 

[Dieselhammer]

The old school 30 tooth ratchets are fine pieces after getting beat up some, i had my dealer rebuild my xr8pa (30 tooth regular length ratchet with red plastic handle), it was so notchy and had so much backdrag that i hated using it for a few months until it got worn in again. I think their design works better in 1/4" and 1/2" sizes for whatever reason, but all of them need use to loosen up.

 

[bimmer630]

The gasket wouldn’t go back into position on my Mac axis, and I emailed Mac. They said the gaskets are deleted from the ratchets now and sent me a rebuild kit sans gasket

 

[BarryWells]

The gasket wouldn’t go back into position on my Mac axis, and I emailed Mac. They said the gaskets are deleted from the ratchets now and sent me a rebuild kit sans gasket

Interesting. How were the parts in the kit different? Noticeable ?

 

[BarryWells]

I have mine in front of me now and I CAN snag my thumbnail on the lower plate( so I assume there is a gasket under there). This one is about 7 months old.

 

[Wamsutta]

The old school 30 tooth ratchets are fine pieces after getting beat up some, i had my dealer rebuild my xr8pa (30 tooth regular length ratchet with red plastic handle), it was so notchy and had so much backdrag that i hated using it for a few months until it got worn in again. I think their design works better in 1/4" and 1/2" sizes for whatever reason, but all of them need use to loosen up.

I have one of those ratchets. Permatex 81950 is made for that ratchet. Smooths out the mechanism marvelously. All you do is remove the cover plate and drench it with the lube. Don't worry about adding too much because most of it leaks out.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have one of those ratchets. Permatex 81950 is made for that ratchet. Smooths out the mechanism marvelously. All you do is remove the cover plate and drench it with the lube. Don't worry about adding too much because most of it leaks out.

Merk, you can't just sneak in here willy nilly recommending your red lube of love by its part number, and then say it's ok for the red ooze to weep out and get all over everything.

 

[SS5150]

I haven't had my Mac next to my 3 wk old Proto but the faceplate does appear to fit more flush to the ratchet than my Mac does. My dealer told me to toss the gasket. Its skipping again so I'm hoping the head gets swapped out this time. It is my favorite ratchet even though it has been temperamental. I've also got a number of Dual 80s but I just like the handle feel on this one.

 

[Nero]

Which side of the ratchet head are the screws Nero? My Mac 3/8 flex (that had the seal issue) had the screw heads on the plate side; I just got a Proto 3/8 flex that has the screws on the back side. I'm hoping to warranty my Mac to the new head....dealer had mentioned swapping it to the locking flex but I'd prefer the non-locking. Guess we'll see.

The screws are on the side where the square drive and ball-detent are located.

 

[WittHay]

My go to 3/8 Mac Axis short ratchet, like it better than the Dual 80 has had the new kit without the gasket installed by the dealer. Gasket broke and plate became loose

If you eliminate the gasket, the gear will rub on the plate. The replacement kits come with a machined plate for gear clearance

Also on the new 1/4 and 3/8 drive Axis, the screw heads are on on top of the ratchet (Snap-on style) vs. being screwed into the ratchet body on the original Axis

 

[Nero]

My go to 3/8 Mac Axis short ratchet, like it better than the Dual 80 has had the new kit without the gasket installed by the dealer. Gasket broke and plate became loose

If you eliminate the gasket, the gear will rub on the plate. The replacement kits come with a machined plate for gear clearance

Also on the new 1/4 and 3/8 drive Axis, the screw heads are on on top of the ratchet (Snap-on style) vs. being screwed into the ratchet body on the original Axis

I wonder why the MAC version has a replacement kit but the Proto one doesn't? (at least according to the rep at Proto that I called)

 

[bimmer630]

Interesting. How were the parts in the kit different? Noticeable ?

They look pretty much the same


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DaveInPhilly]

anyone know if any of the new Mac ratchets are USA made? website doesn't mention COO on any of their ratchets from what i can tell. i'm not a fan of my Snap On locking flex head, it feels like it won't last long. my only Mac ratchet is an extra long 1/4" with USA stamped on the direction lever and i don't see any having that in their online pictures anymore

I don't know about the new styles, but I just warrantied an old 1/4 flex head (low tooth count with the knurled handle) and got a brand new one as a replacement that is stamped USA. Identical to the one I sent in, which was probably 20 years old.