matco 88 vs gearwrench 120xp

[alpaca]

I've got a student discount through matco and can get the 12" flex head 3/8" 88 tooth for $77 and the 17" 1/2 inch drive for $100.

Are they really worth the money over the gearwrench 120xp (4 for 100)?

I mean I know we are talking US built vs taiwan but all the reviews of the gearwrench I'm seeing seem to be nothing but positive.

 

[jim1987]

Id go matco for sake of the easy rebuild. The 120s are a small pita on the inside. Double pawls that are stacked and clocked. Can you get Armstrong with the discount? Being it the same thing as the matcos?

 

[97tbird]

I love my matco 88's. I also love that student discount that I get as well. My tool guys hate me for it.

 

[1950mercury]

Id buy em.

 

[alpaca]

No discount on the armstrong.

Thanks

 

[DTB]

Id rather have the Matco just for the locking mechanism.

 

[jim1987]

Then definitely 88>120. 84t gearwrench would be a toss up for me

 

[alpaca]

Then definitely 88>120. 84t gearwrench would be a toss up for me

Why 84t>120? Do they accept matco guts or something?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5G7LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

can get the set of 4 for the price of a matco 3/8"

 

[impactsocket]

GearWrench 4pc 120XP Flex-Head Ratchet Set $99.99 @Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BTEXPDK/?tag=atomicindus08-20


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250565

 

[jim1987]

Why 84t>120? Do they accept matco guts or something?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5G7LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

can get the set of 4 for the price of a matco 3/8"

Iirc, yes they do..plus they're easier to rebuild. Also iirc, my 1/2 84t gw has like 15 teeth on the pawl engaged at once

Your link is for the 60t. Still should be good, but idk if better then the 84t or if they accept the matco kits.

 

[1950mercury]

Armstrongs are nice but most people buy them and and upgrade to the 88 teeth. Buy time you do that you are spennding the same as YOU can buy the matco.

Plus it sounds like you are going to work somewhere that is serviced buy the truck. That in ots self would be worth buying them at list price.

 

[ADSR]

Buy both! But the armstrong handles are more comfy IMO.

The GW for 99 bucks is a no brainer. All 4 for 99 is a gift.

 

[rice rocket]

Armstrongs are nice but most people buy them and and upgrade to the 88 teeth. Buy time you do that you are spennding the same as YOU can buy the matco.

Plus it sounds like you are going to work somewhere that is serviced buy the truck. That in ots self would be worth buying them at list price.

Really? I've been looking at the 3/8" locking flex, and it's $62 at Amazon, 88T Matco rebuild kit is $10.

The Matco is double that?

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR128LFT/3-8-DRIVE-88-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET/

 

[ADSR]

Really? I've been looking at the 3/8" locking flex, and it's $62 at Amazon, 88T Matco rebuild kit is $10.

The Matco is double that?

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR128LFT/3-8-DRIVE-88-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET/

Where can you buy the rebuild kit? Truck only?

 

[rice rocket]

Hmm, I thought I found it earlier but I guess not.

The Gearwrench 84T is $9 on their site or $12 on Amazon.

http://www.gearwrench.com/ratchets-...ive-non-quick-release-ratchet-repair-kit.html

 

[impactsocket]

gearwrench 120xp flex head vs matco vs craftsman video:

 

[1950mercury]

really? I've been looking at the 3/8" locking flex, and it's $62 at amazon, 88t matco rebuild kit is $10.

The matco is double that?

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/bfr128lft/3-8-drive-88-tooth-locking-flex-ratchet/

did you read the op he can get the matco for 77.00 and the matco kit is like 17.00 thats why i said what he can buy them for

 

[1950mercury]

Hmm, I thought I found it earlier but I guess not.

The Gearwrench 84T is $9 on their site or $12 on Amazon.

http://www.gearwrench.com/ratchets-...ive-non-quick-release-ratchet-repair-kit.html

Hmm maybe not

 

[kippieland]

120 has to much drag for me

 

[1950mercury]

gearwrench 120xp flex head vs matco vs craftsman video:

That is an old matco ratchet not the 88 tooth. Thats apples and oranges

 

[jim1987]

If that's the vid I think it is, its not vs. Anything. Its a comparison of tooth counts. Which this video shows going from 60 clicks to 120 clicks, is minimal reward. Backdrag makes or breaks a ratchet.

 

[impactsocket]

kippieland, What do you mean by drag?

 

[jim1987]

kippieland, What do you mean by drag?

When a bolt is feels loose on the ratchet but not yet finger loose. So you have to hold the socket to ratchet back. Low back drag is good.

 

[1950mercury]

If that's the vid I think it is, its not vs. Anything. Its a comparison of tooth counts. Which this video shows going from 60 clicks to 120 clicks, is minimal reward. Backdrag makes or breaks a ratchet.

You are correct it is not a comparison video. I was just clarifying that it was not an 88 tooth matco ratchet. I think its a 120 gw a 36 tooth matco and a craftsman rp

 

[impactsocket]

When a bolt is feels loose on the ratchet but not yet finger loose. So you have to hold the socket to ratchet back. Low back drag is good.

jim1987, thanks for the explaination. What brands of ratchets offer a low back drag?