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Matco 88 tooth 3/8

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idubvdub

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Jan 25, 2008
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The brown delivered my new ratchet last night and I am blown away. :bowdown: This ratchet is the nicest I've ever used, I'm sad in a few months I'm gonna lose my student discount 'cause Matco has been good to me. :beer:
I just got moved up from lube tech to tech and my apx. 8" snap on ratchet (part of their ayes starter kit) is pretty cumbersome. I love the locking flex head. I'm pretty excited lol. :beer:
 
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Bull

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This is one of those threads that really needs......PICS!
 
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idubvdub

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lol awesome, no one in the house really cares but at least they humor me. pic's are coming
 
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idubvdub

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arkangel06 said:
:needpics: I wanna see the ratchet!!
Click to expand...
:thumbup:

I got my sister to take some pic's from her blackberry. My digital camera broke a few months ago, and tools take president in my budget.
 

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Mr.Nutcase

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Nice but I would bought the one with out the grip.........(the one with the grip, has no USA markings, the one without has it..,
I was thinking buy it, but ended up buying snap on...thru the student discount,,,
Maybe I will the matco's too,
The one ratchet I want is the snap on 100 tooth ratchet.. sweet!!!
 
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idubvdub

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Jan 25, 2008
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I honestly, prefer the grip. Personal preference I suppose. The grip is not as bulky as I thought it was, based off Matco's web pic. Huge plus to me. I know it's been discussed that the all metal ratchets are allowed to be stamped U.S.A. because they are and the ones with the grip handles are not. However, I think it's a stretch imho, that the ratchets with grips are not made at the same plant.
If the idea that despite only the grip was "imported" makes the tool any less made in USA, well it would be hard pressed not to appear to be a hypocrite. I'm not saying that is or isn't your stance. Just how I feel about it.
The one think I do like about a co-workers similar (be it a couple years used) snap-on, was that the flex head lock button was just above the handle. Allowing one to change angles w/o removing the ratchet if the angle needed to be changed while wrenching.
I'm impressed, and almost don't want to put it down lol. I don't have an air ratchet yet. So I've been putting a lot of miles on my breaker bar and "starter" ratchet. I'd recommend checking one out if you haven't and pulling the trigger if you've been on the fence. Anyone else own one yet and care to share?
 
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Merkava_4

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Somebody said the grips are imported is the reason way the ratchet is not stamped USA -- might've been daveblank that said that.

That's a nice ratchet and the grip looks to be real comfortable. :)
 
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Hiball

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Merkava_4 said:
Somebody said the grips are imported is the reason way the ratchet is not stamped USA -- might've been daveblank that said that.

That's a nice ratchet and the grip looks to be real comfortable. :)
Click to expand...

If thats true that is Terrible marketing on there part to Past and Future clientel. If i was gonna build a quality product here in the states, I damn sure would jeapordize the USA stamping just to save some pennies on the handle. I hope thats not the case.
 
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Merkava_4

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Hiball said:
If thats true that is Terrible marketing on there part to Past and Future clientel. If i was gonna build a quality product here in the states, I damn sure would jeapordize the USA stamping just to save some pennies on the handle. I hope thats not the case.
Click to expand...

It might not be to save some pennies; it might be because of environmental law factors.
 
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Hiball

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Merkava_4 said:
It might not be to save some pennies; it might be because of environmental law factors.
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Possibly, but i would think there would be a way to make a handle that was enviromentally friendly to make.

Nice looking ratchet btw, Im waiting for some 1/2" 88tooth kits myself.
 
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R

rc201

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Jun 7, 2009
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Wow! Nenver heard of a 88toother, but I love my snapon f80=) and my craftsman 60 toothers=)
 
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Hiball

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mrshaun said:
same guts as the kobalt for 29.95 is what i was told
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Rest assured Kobalt doesnt have a 88tooth ratchet. Kobalt Ratchets "may" be manufactured by Danaher (I dont see them on Danahers website)but that doesnt mean they are equal where it counts.
 
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Fedwrench

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ManicMechanic said:
Not sure how true it is, but i have heard that the matco ratchets have the same guts as the craftsman.
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mrshaun said:
same guts as the kobalt for 29.95 is what i was told
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Lies and more lies. have you ever seen a Matco ratchet with a quick release?
I don't think so. Does Kobalt offer a 60 or 80 tooth ratchet? No.
Craftsman does offer a 60 tooth ratchet but, not without the quick release.
Now if you want a Danaher made ratchet that is real close internally to the Matco 60 tooth ratchet, look no further than the Gearwrench 60 tooth ratchet or Armstrong Maxx ratchet. However, right now Matco has the point with the 88 tooth ratchet and they are sweet. Quit raining on the Matco 88 tooth ratchet parade. :beer:
 
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JWink

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Sep 16, 2009
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I have the 8 inch with the comfort handle as well as a non comfort handle with a swivle head and I will say I love them both almost equally. That swivle head has taken me to the point that I dont remember how I used to do things without one. They are really great ratchets.
 
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idubvdub

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Jan 25, 2008
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Thanks everyone. Sat.'s been the only day I've worked since it arrived. Only had a few cars that day, (this last month has been absolutely dead) but I got to use it doing spark plugs on a 4runner and I am impressed w/ this ratchet to say the least.
 
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CamarosRus

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J Wink, Just to clarify.........In your above post are you saying you have MATCO or GEARWRENCH rachets ???

Is your reference to the Swivel head, same as the Rotating heads, versus Flex Heads ???

Fedwrench, Do the GEARWRENCH 60 Tooth rachets, NOT have the Quick Release ???

It seems that certain G.W. rachet models come with their "Red/Black grip handle" and some do not.

May I assume this to be correct and a buyer must own both styles, if wanting misc handle configurations ??

Thanks
 
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CamarosRus

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Merkava, Are you calling me out ????

I understand I'm a freshman nobody at this site, so just lay out your rules so I can follow them

You can SEE my Email.........please communicate how you really feel

Glad to give you my phone # also if you feel the need

regards, Chuck
 
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Rnz520

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Oct 13, 2009
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I dont think Merkava was really making fun of you man it was just a light joke, your bold words did make your statement stick out, which is good because if it didnt it would probably go unanswered.
 
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Fedwrench

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CamarosRus said:
Fedwrench, Do the GEARWRENCH 60 Tooth rachets, NOT have the Quick Release ???
Click to expand...

The Gearwrench 60 tooth models do not have a quick release.
If you visit Gearwrench.com click on the catalog links, and you can browse their catalogs and see the various models avaliable and their specifications.
 
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bchee

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Aug 20, 2007
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Location
Texas
I have this ratchet in orange.
One thing I don't like is that the reverse lever switch and the switch to lock/unlock are the same shape.
I have often mistakenly switched one or the other
 
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Sterff

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Feb 8, 2010
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Nice ratchet! I now have several of them and love them. Here is my largest and smallest :lol_hitti...
 

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Teken

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That 1/4 drive looks like a little toy next to his big 1/2 drive brother! What is the over all length of that 1/2 drive?
 
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