MAC tools - show us your MAC tools!

[Shelbylex]

It seems to me that MAC is somewhat unpopular on GJ (except for toolboxes). As with each company, there is good, there is bad. Same as with our current world. Lets concentrate on good...

Lets share our MAC tools. I decided to post it here instead of the vintage tool thread as even though older MAC tools are all USA made and mostly good quality, there are some modern tools as well which are great as well. MAC tool boxes, carts, etc are welcomed as well.


I will start with some old and some new

...Not sure if the 4th wrench (7A) is factory bent like this or PO bent it. Please let me know if you have/saw one like that...

 

[crewchief888]

that bent wrench is probably for diesel injection pumps, truck air compressors, or possibly starters.



my biggest problem with MAC tools in general, ( i have a few i bought over the years) were the dealers i had during that time...

i still have an old MAC side box i use in my service truck

 

[1982fxr]

Does anyone remember when Mac first started? Was it a big roll out with tons of advertising, race car sponsorship, etc?

Duh, disregard. I was thinking of 1979/80 when Matco spun off. I meant Matco.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Crewchief888!

Post your favorite tool or side box!

1982FXT - company started in 1938 as Mechanics Tool and Forge Company in Sabina, Ohio. It changed it's name in 1962 to MAC tools. There was a nice write up somewhere on the board. I think it was done by Woody, but I can not find it now

 

[four.cycle]

Does anyone remember when Mac first started?

Mac / Mac Tools, 505 N. Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43802 / https://www.mactools.com/en-us / http://alloy-artifacts.org/mac-tools.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/mac-tools.html#history / http://toolarchives.com/index.php/node/225 /


(* the LIST is HERE: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478206 *)

 

[Basskiller]

Still looking for the metric set......

 

[lugnut71]

Oh yes Mac micro turn , I have that set in metric , when nice ones pop up on eBay they bring top dollar

 

[ChefRex]

Do you want the stuff that still works or the stuff I need repaired but the truck never shows?
Yes I know I can mail it but that's not what I paid for and possibly be told that it isn't covered.
If this thread continues I have a great pic to add, I knew I should have stopped and clicked!

 

[Basskiller]

There’s a set up now for $230. I want them but not that badly.

 

[MikeF2316]

One of the techs at my buddy's old shop had one of these. I had to have one too.

Not mine, but one of the techs at his new shop has this set of wrenches, my favourite wrenches.

 

[Zewnten]

Never seen a mac dealer but I have odds and ends that I've ended up with. I liked the knurling they used? to have on their extensions.

 

[wrenchr]

I have a great mac dealer. I'll get some mac pics tomorrow. in for the night now.

 

[woody 73]

I never heard of Mac Tools...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278029&highlight=mac

 

[3baygarage]

I never heard of Mac Tools...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278029&highlight=mac

This is a great existing thread of vintage Mac.

 

[ecotec]

Most of my MAC tools are from estate sales.

The only MAC tools that I ever bought new, are the pocket pry bars.

Here are some of the MAC (the ones that I could gather up fast).

I have about 100 MAC sockets (also from estate sales). Probably 1/3 of them, are extra shallow impact sockets. I have a hard time leaving those, even when it is just absurd to buy them. I probably have 8 9/16 MAC swivel sockets.

I even have some MAC specialty tools, in blow molded cases.

 

[ecotec]

The extra shallow MAC sockets are just a little bit longer than the Cornwell extra shallow sockets. They are really nice to use.

 

[ecotec]

I have rebranded MAC Knipex, too.

 

[ecotec]

I have just as much Cornwell, probably half as much Matco, and a LOT more Snap-on.

I love estate sales.

 

[Marvin Hagen]

I think I have more MAC then SnapOn and Cornwell

 

[Shelbylex]

Post your tool pictures, ladies and gentlemen!

 

[d.mcfarland]

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Is it normal for MAC tools to cost more on the truck than listed on their website?

 

[lbpd716]

This was easy as I don't have much Mac stuff..

M1314BXL - special tool for adjusting valves on VW's
S170 - Special 10mm for VW type 3/4 distributor adjustiments
M10CL - Long 10mm
PN2B - Mini pry bar straight
PN2C - Mini pry bar angle tip

 

[lbpd716]

There have been a few different MAC dealers in my area, but all of them have been real flakes unless you were currently working at a shop. No interest in business from the regular public (even if you want to NOT carry a balance on the truck and pay cash).

I really don't understand how some people make it in the tool business with that attitude, but I guess that's why I've see so many dealers out there. I was trying to get a large breaker bar warrantied for almost a year with the current guy - gave up and going to mail it in.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I have rebranded MAC Knipex, too.

I own that too. It’s crazy useful in all sorts of situations

 

[Skin]

Is it normal for MAC tools to cost more on the truck than listed on their website?

No. That can happen with any of the truck brands. List prices are suggested prices so the franchise holder can do whatever they want. It would be kind of dumb to further mark up already overpriced tools though.

Ask about it. If they get defensive just bail. They probably wont last long.

 

[metalhead212121]

I got a handful of large MAC screwdrivers I picked up at an Estate sale dirt cheap. If anyone wants them please shoot me a PM. Just stole a pic of the internet so you guys can see the style that Im talking about...

 

[rmack898]

I got my first paying job turning wrenches when I was 18, I’m now 62 and still turning wrenches. These are the first pro tools I bought when I was 18 and they still see regular use in me shop


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[ChefRex]

This is the only Mac truck I see in my area,

 

[Wrench97]

There have been a few different MAC dealers in my area, but all of them have been real flakes unless you were currently working at a shop. No interest in business from the regular public (even if you want to NOT carry a balance on the truck and pay cash).

I really don't understand how some people make it in the tool business with that attitude, but I guess that's why I've see so many dealers out there. I was trying to get a large breaker bar warrantied for almost a year with the current guy - gave up and going to mail it in.

They make more on the interest then the tool sale.......................

 

[Spike01]

Here are some of my Mac tools:















The most interesting is the non plated combination wrench set. (I have two) Purchased in the 1940's I believe and at a hardware store or auto parts store in the Midwest (Illinois or Indiana). Although the 24 carat gold plated unused ratchet is a little unique.

 

[Spike01]

Forgot this:

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/ssJP5Zx/IMG-4469.jpg" alt="IMG-4469" border="0" /></a>

 

[Shelbylex]

That's a really nice collection, Spike01!
In the first picture you have wrench rails - are those Snap On or MAC makes them as well?
(took me a while to get red SO rails - they do not make them red anymore...)

 

[macgee]

Does this count? Not mine but has 46 drawers full of Mac tools; Its at a friends shop.

Admittedly I don't come across a lot of Mac tools but my favorite 3/8 ratchet is an older fine tooth one, it's my daily user. Has a beautiful finish and feel. I prefer it over my Snap-On's.

I wish I can across Mac more often.

 

[ridervfr]

I got my first paying job turning wrenches when I was 18, I’m now 62 and still turning wrenches. These are the first pro tools I bought when I was 18 and they still see regular use in me shop


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Love that 1/4 ratchet, my favorite go to ratchet over the other 8 I own.

 

[Shelbylex]

Macgee, this is the biggest MAC cabinet I ever saw and what is even more interesting is the double handles on side cabinets. I saw them only with single handles

 

[Spike01]

That's a really nice collection, Spike01!
In the first picture you have wrench rails - are those Snap On or MAC makes them as well?
(took me a while to get red SO rails - they do not make them red anymore...)

Those are just cheapo plastic rails. I can't remember where they were purchased.

 

[Spike01]

Macgee, this is the biggest MAC cabinet I ever saw and what is even more interesting is the double handles on side cabinets. I saw them only with single handles

I had never seen those side cabinets before either. Nice set!!

 

[Shelbylex]

If you look at the distance between two handles, it looks like it's exact size of the handle. I suspect PO just drilled holes on the sides and doubled his handles to make it look unique. Nice job!

 

[macgee]

Have no idea about the handles or history of box but he loves it. An I love it in person the extra handles makes it more boss.

Today I was at a huge vintage car swap meet that is mostly parts and tools, I looked for Mac and most of the vendors had very little of it and several said it's not in demand which I thought was odd.