MAC tools?

[czgunner]

We haven't had a Mac guy in quite some time and a fellow recently started up in our area.
He is seriously the nicest guy and always stops by on schedule.
I have one or two things from Mac that I bought at a 50% discount while in school.
I have the midget reverse ratcheting wrench set, twist extractor set, and brake caliper compression set.
After spending time on here and learning the real deal on COO of manufacturers, and who owns who I consider myself a wiser buyer now.
I just don't know if there is anything worth getting from Mac.
The whole Stanley thing kind of turns me off from spending lots of money on his truck.
Not that it isn't nice stuff, it's just if I can buy the same thing w/out "name" on it from our independent tool truck guy, that's what I do.
If I was to support this guy, what's a great deal/must have from Mac?

 

[WRX/Z28]

Personally I like Mac's Hard handle screwdrivers a lot. The USA made red ones with the hard plastic handles. They run specials on them sometimes with a free scraper/pick set.

Their normal line US made impact stuff is is great (not the Taiwan edge stuff), and priced a bit less than Snap on.

They have a good deal on a rebadge IR air hammer right now. $80 and comes with a lifetime warrantied bit set for free.

MAC still has some great stuff. You do have to pick and choose a little more than on the Snap on truck, but even on the Snap on truck you have to pick and choose. Cheapest air hammer Snappy has is a blue point for nearly $200.

 

[GoBlue]

Mac has nothing to do with Dahner. There are some good things on the Mac truck. Sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers etc... They also sell rebranded Aircat impact guns that are tops imho. You can also buy the non tool items like gloves and magnets etc... I cant stand Mac tools but still buy other stuff from my Mac guy all the time and for the same reason...i get good service.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

+1 on the hard handled screwdrivers and still made in the USA.

 

[czgunner]

Nabbed a set of their hard handle screwdrivers with the free mini pry bar set.
Also got one of their 3/8 impact guns on sale.
Thanks for the info!

 

[bobcatdan]

Deep down Mac is a good tool. Just stick with USA made hardline that has been made since before Mac was a dirty word. Mac has added so much imported junk to their line and a lot of it is as gimicky as craftsman. Just watch the COO and that it is not something rebadge that can be had for 1/2 the price and you are good to go. Look for, 30 tooth ratchets, course by todays standards but strong, sockets, wrenches, hard handle screwdrivers, all good.

 

[cotjocky]

I've never been a "Mac Fan", but I've bought several things from my Mac guy. Rex was always a cool guy so that helps. About the only hard tools I've bought from Mac have been a couple long screw drivers, a couple panel poppers, a stubby lock button flex head 3/8 ratchet, a 4 piece hose puller pliers set, matching 3 piece long straight, 45 and 90 degree needle nose pliers set and a set of flex head 6pt "Edge" metric ratchet wrenches (8-19).

I bought the long screw drivers because he had them in stock and they were way cheaper than the Snap-on versions (hard orange handle chrome shank). I liked the ends on the Mac panel poppers better than the Snap-on versions (hard orange handle industrial shank). I friggin love the small ratchet and use it constantly. It was the finest geared ratchet that anybody had for sale at the time. The gears will lock up sometimes and you have to tap the head on something to get it to release. I had it made up a couple times for this and the last time I tried, they no longer carried that ratchet. I opted to keep it and deal with it as opposed to going with something else. Those hose pulling pliers kick *** and get used regularly. Snap-on/Blue Point didn't offer anything like them at the time when I bought them. The ratchet wrenches I bought because it was the only quality branded 6pt ratchet wrenches I could find.

I've bought several "kits" from Mac. Bolt grip pullers and such. Most of what Snap-on had to offer was Chinese/Taiwanese made Blue Point kits and saw no reason to pay extra for what appeared to be either identical or just as well made Chinese/Taiwanese Mac kits.

My angle die grinder is a Mac (IR) and has been worth every penny.

Most of the stuff I bought/buy from Mac is if they offer something that Snap-on doesn't offer or I personally find it to be better than the Snap-on offering. To put it simple, I usually buy odd ball stuff from Mac. Trailer hitch plug testers, push button starter switch, fuel line disconnects, specialty stuff, etc...

The Snap-on and Mac truck are the only trucks I've seen regularly so I can't give a comparison on Matco or Cornwell. We definitely don't have a "Independent" tool truck so I have no clue what one would offer or the quality of that trucks tools. That being said, there is no way I can compare that "Independent" trucks tools to Macs and therefore can't give you an honest representation that "Mac" tools are or are not better than what the "Independent" truck offers. It's all a matter of opinion anyways.

 

[Gabastone]

I like MAC. Their wrenches (NOT Edge) are decent and made in Dallas, TX. Also, the 3/8 spinflex ratchet is excellent; I prefer that ratchet to anything by Snap On or Matco.

 

[ol'Red]

I'm snapon man myself but the pear head flex ratchet with the red HARD handle (now it is a comfort grip) is one of my favorites. The handle has fallen of but the Mac man can only offer the comfort grip so I epoxy it back on.
The only reason I prefer it to my snapy flex is the detent in the flex joint.