MAC tools, worth buying?

[Freakazooid52]

Everytime I search for mac I read a lot of good, and a lot of bad, mainly when stanley bought them.

My question is, there tools still worth buying and using everyday?(in a technical school now)

I got a 2 bay snap on box from my sschool for a little over 1k, but SO only sell tool sets, I have a whole bunch of SK tools for when I needed some, I dont need doubles.

MAC lets you order tools you want at 50% off, theres 4 mac trucks in my area.

There tools still good for the professional use?

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Everytime I search for mac I read a lot of good, and a lot of bad, mainly when stanley bought them.

My question is, there tools still worth buying and using everyday?(in a technical school now)

I got a 2 bay snap on box from my sschool for a little over 1k, but SO only sell tool sets, I have a whole bunch of SK tools for when I needed some, I dont need doubles.

MAC lets you order tools you want at 50% off, theres 4 mac trucks in my area.

There tools still good for the professional use?

The few things I like by MAC are their Sockets and Pry Bars.

JMHO

-BWP

 

[Freakazooid52]

The few things I like by MAC are their Sockets and Pry Bars.

JMHO

-BWP

So there quality isnt totally down the drain I take it?

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

So there quality isnt totally down the drain I take it?

The quality of their sockets has always been good. Without going into a Made in USA diatribe, I will say that they are well made and last. It is fairly well known on this board that I do not like MAC because of the volume of their Chaiwanese made merchandise. Their sockets are one of the few things that I don't think they have outsourced (yet).

-BWP

 

[Freakazooid52]

The quality of their sockets has always been good. Without going into a Made in USA diatribe, I will say that they are well made and last. It is fairly well known on this board that I do not like MAC because of the volume of their Chaiwanese made merchandise. Their sockets are one of the few things that I don't think they have outsourced (yet).

-BWP

Good Info, Thanks

Anyone on here know if their wrenches are still US made? My dad a few older ones but that was way before stanley had them.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I got a 2 bay snap on box from my sschool for a little over 1k, but SO only sell tool sets

Eh? You can buy screwdriver bits individually from SO. Their prices are fairly comparable (if not better) to other high end tool brands. Do you mean you can only buy tools sets at a discount from your school?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My MAC dealer was telling me that in the US, MAC is number one and Snap-on is number two.

i think that a load of ****, and professionals see Snap-on > Mac. can anyone shed any light on this?

i looked through their catalogue, and to be honest, the only thing i really wanted from it was the diesel injector prybar/puller set. i think their ratchets have a c**p design (looks-wise) and really don't think that much of them.

 

[83diesel]

When I went through the Diesel tech program I had the same problem, I went online to Matco's website and you can sign up for their votech problem and order the items online, they have a few rules/guidelines, but much easier than the SO guys. Most tool trucks will not allow or want to give you the tech program prices, so be carefull. Also keep in mind what tool trucks are in the area you live or think you're going to work for warranty and future purchases.

 

[Freakazooid52]

Eh? You can buy screwdriver bits individually from SO. Their prices are fairly comparable (if not better) to other high end tool brands. Do you mean you can only buy tools sets at a discount from your school?

Yeah, with the schools discount I can get only sets that snap on put together, there actually really good deals, just I have some of that stuff.

Guess ill be buying the SO sets, I know I can't go wrong there.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Guess ill be buying the SO sets, I know I can't go wrong there.

Ebay the odds and ends

 

[Merkava_4]

There tools still good for the professional use?

MAC tools are high quality; they're up there with the ranks of Snap-on, Cornwell, Armstrong, and Williams.

PS. I left MATCO/Danaher off the list on purpose.

 

[Zeroek]

damn Merk I have a lot of Matco stuff. =( .. Anyways I'm finding myself buying some mac things here and there. I have a 1/4" drive set that I like a lot. I don't care for the ratchet much though. I have a 3/8" impact, 1/2" drive impact, and a 3/8" drive air ratchet by Mac tools. I like all of those very well. I somewhat like their K2 wrenches. I also own a Mac Tools Tech1000 box which is alright but don't compare to the snap on boxes.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

My MAC dealer was telling me that in the US, MAC is number one and Snap-on is number two.

i think that a load of ****, and professionals see Snap-on > Mac. can anyone shed any light on this?

i looked through their catalogue, and to be honest, the only thing i really wanted from it was the diesel injector prybar/puller set. i think their ratchets have a c**p design (looks-wise) and really don't think that much of them.

hmmm.... Number #1 and Number #2? was this in reference to bodily functions with a toilet?

I would call BS on that. Unless you look at total volume of Sales with MAC being under Stanley (and including Stanley), then technically it could be possible.

-BWP

 

[wrenchr]

The quality of their sockets has always been good. Without going into a Made in USA diatribe, I will say that they are well made and last. It is fairly well known on this board that I do not like MAC because of the volume of their Chaiwanese made merchandise. Their sockets are one of the few things that I don't think they have outsourced (yet).

-BWP

The mac edge series is made in taiwan.

 

[Merkava_4]

damn Merk I have a lot of Matco stuff. =( ..

The main thing that ticked me off about MATCO is when they quit having there own screwdrivers and started having WITTE supply the screwdrivers to them. Another thing that is a shame is when Bonney went out of business and a MATCO wrench is no longer a Bonney wrench.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

The mac edge series is made in taiwan.

I suppose we should inform him about MAC tools made in USA, marked as MAC and are made for Professionals and MAC tools marked as MAC, made in Taiwan and sold in sets like the Jesse James set.


Discussion about REAL MAC TOOLS and NOVELTY MAC TOOLS


-BWP

 

[Moose-LandTran]

hmmm.... Number #1 and Number #2? was this in reference to bodily functions with a toilet?

I would call BS on that. Unless you look at total volume of Sales with MAC being under Stanley (and including Stanley), then technically it could be possible.

-BWP

My guess would be he was reffering to the professionals' choice. but i really can't believe people overall see MAC as being above Snap-on. i think it's a load of old tat, and would take Snap-on over MAC any day of the week.

 

[Deafautotech]

So there quality isnt totally down the drain I take it?

mac tools starting to make oversea tools but the hard line tools like hand ratchets, wrenches, sockets and few things are still in usa...

FOr myself, i dont buy any thing from mac tools..... i do own mac tools because my last mac tool guy quit and sell tools for much cheap so i bought what i need for my jobs....

 

[Freakazooid52]

I suppose we should inform him about MAC tools made in USA, marked as MAC and are made for Professionals and MAC tools marked as MAC, made in Taiwan and sold in sets like the Jesse James set.


Discussion about REAL MAC TOOLS and NOVELTY MAC TOOLS


-BWP

Very good read BlackNWhitepit, I had no idea mac would be cheating people out, From what im reading its not Mac doing it, stanley made them do it.


Im just gonna go with snap on, I mean I see atleast 2 of their tool trucks every week.

Thanks for all the info guys, hope to see you around here again

 

[wrenchr]

mac tools starting to make oversea tools but the hard line tools like hand ratchets, wrenches, sockets and few things are still in usa...

FOr myself, i dont buy any thing from mac tools..... i do own mac tools because my last mac tool guy quit and sell tools for much cheap so i bought what i need for my jobs....

They are making ratchets overseas as well, Be carefull of what you buy.

 

[eschoendorff]

Very good read BlackNWhitepit, I had no idea mac would be cheating people out, From what im reading its not Mac doing it, stanley made them do it.


Im just gonna go with snap on, I mean I see atleast 2 of their tool trucks every week.

Thanks for all the info guys, hope to see you around here again

Good call. I, personally, have no real love for MAC tools. The things that I have had or used branded "MAC" (USA) just don't strike be as being all that special. MAC's customer service is fantastic though.


And don't mind Merkava... he's entitled to his opinions, even if they don't make any sense.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

The mac tools I've used have been excellent quality. 'Course, they were bought back in the seventies/eighties by my girls father. But the knuckle saver wrenches are awesome, and I like my mac screwdriver. Their older impact wrenches are nice as well. If it's made here, it'll be good stuff. If not, then don't get it, it'll just be stanley trying to make a buck.

 

[krusty the clown]

myself i won't but mac tools. the sockets seem to break more often than snap on and if you compare prices snap on is usually cheaper. for example 1/2 drive impact 12 pt socket.......$11.90 from snap on........$12.99 from mac.

 

[krusty the clown]

The main thing that ticked me off about MATCO is when they quit having there own screwdrivers and started having WITTE supply the screwdrivers to them. Another thing that is a shame is when Bonney went out of business and a MATCO wrench is no longer a Bonney wrench.

matco has never made thier own screwdrivers. the witte's are far better than the ones matco sold in the past, but i won't buy them because there are better quality us made screwdrivers ( like snap on ). i will agree with you on the bonney made wrenches though!

 

[krusty the clown]

MAC tools are high quality; they're up there with the ranks of Snap-on, Cornwell, Armstrong, and Williams.

PS. I left MATCO/Danaher off the list on purpose.

better leave armstrong off too then...........also a danaher company

 

[ImportTuner]

I have a small collection of MAC screwdrivers; I like'em.

WOW ... they are as clean as your wrenches ...

 

[Deafautotech]

WOW ... they are as clean as your wrenches ...

clean but they will make sound like grip on screw like flank drive plus wrench to do make grip on bolts..... ha ha ha ha i am sorry...

 

[Merkava_4]

better leave armstrong off too then...........also a danaher company

Armstrong is the only branch of Danaher I have any respect for.

 

[krusty the clown]

Armstrong is the only branch of Danaher I have any respect for.

the product line is already being watered down with corporate designs. have you seen the new maxx ratchets?

 

[sharpe427]

I buy MAC, have no trouble with them. I started using them when my old SO guy retired and they brought in a SnapperHead that thought he owned his customers. I make a point to show him all the nice, shiny and new MAC stuff I buy.

 

[Merkava_4]

have you seen the new maxx ratchets?

No I haven't; maybe I shouldn't either.

 

[Merkava_4]

I make a point to show him all the nice, shiny and new MAC stuff I buy.

I like that.

 

[eschoendorff]

Armstrong is the only branch of Danaher I have any respect for.

: That doesn't make any sense....

Armstrong and Matco have a lot of shared items.

 

[wrenchr]

: That doesn't make any sense....

Armstrong and Matco have a lot of shared items.

Yah most are just restamped for either brand, KD as well.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yah most are just restamped for either brand, KD as well.

If Armstrong and Craftsman were the same product, I'd be at Sears way more often.

 

[eschoendorff]

If Armstrong and Craftsman were the same product, I'd be at Sears way more often.

The Cman Pro wrenches are the same... actually a little nicer than some of the full polish Armstrongs I have.

Craftsman standard and Armstrong nut drivers are the same.

The pliers are the same.

Do you really think that they differentiate the sockets between Craftsman, Armstrong and MATCO???? The only difference taht I can see is that the Cman sockets are generally nickel pl;ated while the Armstrong/MATCOs are chrome....

Wait... what was that you were saying?

 

[Merkava_4]

The Cman Pro wrenches are the same... actually a little nicer than some of the full polish Armstrongs I have.

They are now, but they didn't always used to be. When Danaher was using SK to make the C-Man Pro's, they were still making the wrenches for Armstrong themselves. Why that is, I have no idea, but I do know that Armstrong never had an SK wrench.

Craftsman standard and Armstrong nut drivers are the same.

C-MAN nut drivers are the only C-MAN tools worth a hoot. IMO

Do you really think that they differentiate the sockets between Craftsman, Armstrong and MATCO????

C-MAN sockets have those weird detents right now that are goofy. IMO

Wait... what was that you were saying?

I don't know ... you tell me.

 

[vssjim]

I know that if a MAC tool doesn't say USA stamped in it like the older tools did most likely it is Taiwan or China, just was on a tool truck last week and in my tool mans hand was a MAC long double box wrench 17X19 that he was giving to a guy to replace a broken MAC wrench and he showed me the bag it came in and it said MAC Tools Made in Taiwan on sticker but only had MAC stamped in wrench no other marking but the size on tool. He used to be a MAC dealer but he changed brands but still helps people out cause there are no MAC dealers in northern Virginia. Lots of the MAC hard line have Taiwan on packages but not on tools as he showed me but some of his old friends that were MAC dealers said in the last ten years since he changed that a whole lot of hard line tools change to overseas manufacturing but kept the high dollar US type of pricing. He told me that alot of warrenty hard line lately has come through like this. I don't mind if people want to buy Taiwan tools but it should not be a price that is the same as a top US made tool and you are not telling people that you changed country of origin and just kind of trick them in to thinking it's still a US product is fairly wrong in many ways. MAC has changed alot where they have tools made in the last fifteen years. If you own MAC tools that are older than ten or fifteen years you will probably not get a US tool to replace it if lost or broken. What I don't get is how a company says they need to go overseas to make a item because it cost's too much to make the item in the US but by magic the price of these items stay the same or go up in price after they have them made offshore, seems funny but I guess the only people that still make huge money don't care if they ruin thousands of US workers lives as long as they get the huge bucks in their perfect world.

 

[krusty the clown]

They are now, but they didn't always used to be. When Danaher was using SK to make the C-Man Pro's, they were still making the wrenches for Armstrong themselves. Why that is, I have no idea, but I do know that Armstrong never had an SK wrench.

danaher had sk making craftsman pro wrenches? i doub't it, it's my understanding sk and danaher are bitter enemies. SEARS had sk make those wrenches............

 

[Merkava_4]

SEARS had sk make those wrenches............

You're right ... I stand corrected.