Matco hardline sockets USA made?

[shockwave]

So I have searched with answers to this as Matco changes manufacturing because they don’t make there own tools


So the discussion is Matco hardline chrome sockets mostly


As we know Armstrong made there where usa is stamped under Matco name just like older pinless Matco universals

And older than that about 10-15 years old now there was hh under matco name I assume made by Proto at one point. With deep sockets length were closer in size like 6-13mm (semi deep) 14-19mm actually deep

And older matco ratchets look like Wright ratchets but also Bonney was around making there wrenches and not too familiar with older 80-90’s Bonney and there sockets too

So with current sockets I assume would be apex/gear wrench since they hold patents for pinless and 88 tooth from Armstrong and moved production overseas and now no USA made stamping on chrome sockets or chrome even sticker under rail.

And aj manufacturing took over ratchet production and that was it as far as I am aware but chrome sockets for hardline should be usa too

So if anyone has information they would like to discuss as matco hardline is still a great brand even if not usa anymore right now atleast

 

[Xcursion88]

I'll tell you what I know as of 1 year ago. That's when the Matco guy disappeared.
Matco is a tough brand to get a bead on....
You really need to see it first hand on the truck to verify.

ADV...silver eagle are imported.

Genuine branded Matco stuff seems to be mixed between USA and Asian

Example...

That is USA and branded Matco...but not all impact branded Matco is USA. You must really look.

Picks are Witte...i think.
And screwdrivers.

Again...I think...


I wish I had more definitive info for you

 

[shockwave]

Yes hard to say since it is across the board as With there wrenches

Like Bonney era where only stamped on one side of wrenches
Early Armstrong era with v notch open end and stamped on both sides of wrenches
To later Armstrong era with opti torque open end and last of USA
And current wrenches with teeth like flank drive plus and loses the eagle on beam

 

[plinker]

Last I knew, the (chrome) extensions and spark plug sockets are US made, The chrome sockets were either finished in the US or imported (Taiwan likely), Not 100% sure as I dont really have very many of their sockets except for ADV impacts and non-slips. I had heard mention of this in the past but am not sure how current it is and things change often enough. It may be worth an email.

For the wrenches, the newer Kabo MCL series really are nice wrenches, only dislike is the stupid spline box end, but Kabo seems to make a better spline drive than most. I like the Danaher sourced MCL's a bit better in some ways though, mostly in feel.

I do like Matco stuff in general, though it pays to double check the OEM as, for instance, some Astro items they rebrand are just as well to be bought from Astro. Pretty much the same warranty from either source, if that matters, otherwise price difference varys.

 

[zcbauer89]

I got some Matco impact sockets about 4 months ago (not ADV) and USA is not stamped in them nor was their a coo on the package. But my Matco extensions which are about a year old have it stamped and on the foam holder.

 

[AJHD]

Yeah, who the hell knows. Matco and MAC are constantly changing their suppliers and manufactures. Both of them are also not very honest or open about their tools COO. Especially MAC.

 

[VolvoRyan]

If COO is important to you, and you don't have a truck, just go to Snap-On.

As other folks have said Matco and MAC can be moving targets. Even when a given Matco tool is still made in the USA, *where* they're made in the USA seems to change.

To be clear: all the "Matco is GearWrench" thinking is utter bogus. My post-Armstrong Matco ratchets are made in the USA, and are fantastic. The GearWrench equivalents that I have for salvage yard missions is garbage.

-Ryan

 

[Kscardsfan]

If COO is important to you, and you don't have a truck, just go to Snap-On.

As other folks have said Matco and MAC can be moving targets. Even when a given Matco tool is still made in the USA, *where* they're made in the USA seems to change.

To be clear: all the "Matco is GearWrench" thinking is utter bogus. My post-Armstrong Matco ratchets are made in the USA, and are fantastic. The GearWrench equivalents that I have for salvage yard missions is garbage.

-Ryan

I happen to enjoy watching the fan boys run the opposition into the ground with wildly outrageous claims like that.

 

[Xcursion88]

I got some Matco impact sockets about 4 months ago (not ADV) and USA is not stamped in them nor was their a coo on the package. But my Matco extensions which are about a year old have it stamped and on the foam holder.

Those are Taiwan.

I own one item in a SO box that isn't USA made or German made (aside from electronics) and it's a matco no slip impact socket set
Zero markings on it...
But there is a sticker underneath the rail that removes all mystery.

Made in Taiwan

 

[Xcursion88]

Yeah, who the hell knows. Matco and MAC are constantly changing their suppliers and manufactures. Both of them are also not very honest or open about their tools COO. Especially MAC.

That is not true. While Mac sources tools from many places...they let you know.

 

[Xcursion88]

I can tell you this...
And this goes for all brands
SO, MAC, MATCO, Cornwell

If it's USA made it will be stamped USA. Some place, some how, it will be stamped USA.

If it's not stamped USA it definitely isn't made here.

 

[AJHD]

That is not true. While Mac sources tools from many places...they let you know.

********. They won't even tell you if you contact them about it...

Example; I had a set of their metric Precision Torque wrenches a few years back, the 7mm-32mm set I think. Nothing stamped on the wrenches or the plastic carriers or the package or the website.

I contacted them with one simple question, are they made in Taiwan or USA? They literally refused to answer my question. Kept changing the topic. We went back and fourth before I finally gave up. It was like they are told to not answer COO questions.

Most of their products won't even list COO on their website. My only assumption is that if you don't see USA, assume it's not USA. Beyond that, who knows.

 

[Xcursion88]

********. They won't even tell you if you contact them about it...

Example; I had a set of their metric Precision Torque wrenches a few years back, the 7mm-32mm set I think. Nothing stamped on the wrenches or the plastic carriers or the package or the website.

I contacted them with one simple question, are they made in Taiwan or USA? They literally refused to answer my question. Kept changing the topic. We went back and fourth before I finally gave up. It was like they are told to not answer COO questions.

Most of their products won't even list COO on their website. My only assumption is that if you don't see USA, assume it's not USA. Beyond that, who knows.

Have you been on a Mac truck as of late?
If not I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll take a picture of the packages and you can see the COO.

Moreover...if you don't see USA or Germany...
It's not made in USA or Germany.

Those tools... unless something like thin grip scribes and or picks with no room to stamp anything...always get a USA or Germany stamped, etched whatever on them.

Asian stuff is about 50/50 on seeing it or not.

As far as calling in...you probably got someone in customer service that hadn't a clue where anything is made.

A precision torque 18mm wrench is 35$

A mac knuckle saver (which absolutely is USA) is $47 or $86 for extra long

Just by looking at the cost difference there's no precision torque is USA.
It's actually Taiwan.
Expert is Asian as well.

If MAC is USA...they put USA on it.
Just like
SO, SK(all USA), Matco, Cornwell etc etc

 

[2ndGearRubber]

For most products, if it's made in a country worth bragging about, the product will do so.

I have yet to see MADE IN CAMBODIA presented with pride. If the product makes zero mention of COO, its typically not a selling point.

 

[AA/FC]

Matco doesn't manufacture any of their own hand tools. none. At one point when there was many tool manufacturers located inside the US, it was a good chance that Matco tools were also made in the US. However, nowadays with very few tools being made here, it's fairly safe to safe that new Matco tools are NOT made here, either..... Unless Snap-on, Wright, Cornwell, or MAC/Proto/SBD are making the sockets FOR Matco, then I would have to say they are most likely made overseas. I can't really think of any other companies still making sockets here in the US.... Maybe SK but last I heard they were struggling to stay alive and they were recently purchased by a Chinese company.

 

[Xcursion88]

Matco doesn't manufacture any of their own hand tools. none. At one point when there was many tool manufacturers located inside the US, it was a good chance that Matco tools were also made in the US. However, nowadays with very few tools being made here, it's fairly safe to safe that new Matco tools are NOT made here, either..... Unless Snap-on, Wright, Cornwell, or MAC/Proto/SBD are making the sockets FOR Matco, then I would have to say they are most likely made overseas. I can't really think of any other companies still making sockets here in the US.... Maybe SK but last I heard they were struggling to stay alive and they were recently purchased by a Chinese company.

Yes and no. And yes and no...

Matco makes tool boxes. That's it.
Everything else is contracted out. Sometimes it's just putting their name on some pliers like Knipex with Matco screen printed on the handles...or like using Witte picks or screwdrivers and putting Matco name on them as well...

Sockets...you really have to physically look. I mean right at them in your hand.
Some are USA, some are not. It's not like exact though where all siver eagle or AEV is imported but genuine Matco is USA. Nope. Even genuine Matco can be imported too...but not always. You must look in your hand.

SK...I've got it via a good source that SK's normal hard goods will continue being made in USA. Sockets, wrenches, ratchets will keep on keeping on being made in the United States.

 

[AA/FC]

.

 

[AA/FC]

Yes and no. And yes and no...

********! Everything I typed is accurate. Please point out one thing that I typed that is wrong.....

Matco makes tool boxes. That's it.

Correct. Now go back and read what I originally typed. I said "Matco doesn't make ANY of their own hand tools. None." Which is 100% accurate!

Everything else is contracted out. Sometimes it's just putting their name on some pliers like Knipex with Matco screen printed on the handles...or like using Witte picks or screwdrivers and putting Matco name on them as well...

Obviously EVERYTHING else is contracted out or it wouldn't exist. They don't make hand tools, remember!

Sockets...you really have to physically look. I mean right at them in your hand.
Some are USA, some are not. It's not like exact though where all siver eagle or AEV is imported but genuine Matco is USA. Nope. Even genuine Matco can be imported too...but not always. You must look in your hand.

Yeah, some are USA..... but those are old sockets. From back when APEX (and other companies) had manufacturing facilites located in the the USA. Like I said, unless they have one of the few USA companies that I listed making sockets for them in 2022, then they ALL HAVE to be made overseas today. Also, you keep talking about "genuine Matco"..... there is no such thing. They don't make hand tools, remember! And besides, are we talking "Genuine Matco" today, or "Genuine Matco" from 15 years ago??? Big difference!

SK...I've got it via a good source that SK's normal hard goods will continue being made in USA. Sockets, wrenches, ratchets will keep on keeping on being made in the United States.

Great...... But I never said where future SK hand tools will be made. All I said was... "Last I heard they were struggling to stay alive and they were recently purchased by a Chinese company."

So, now..... what part of my post were you referring to when you said.... "Yes and no, And yes and no"????? Where was I wrong???


.

 

[setfocus]

You kinda sound like a Mac truck driver, the Mac and matco guys are always hating on the other brand

I've got some matco hardline tools, bought 5ish years ago off the truck. Have a set of 3/8 semi deep impact sockets, stamped usa. 1/2 locking impact extensions also stamped usa. A 26mm combo wrench also stamped usa. Others I just checked weren't stamped. I know the 88t ratchets are made in usa but those aren't stamped.

I know that matco only makes toolboxes and contracts everything else out but so did craftsman before they were bought by Stanly b&d

 

[VolvoRyan]

The latest 88T ratchets are stamped with a USA.... IIRC.

COO doesn't matter to me as much. I *like* seeing "Made in USA", but I do have MAC and Blue Point tools from overseas, and they work just as hard as any USA-made tool truck tool. MAC tends to put the COO on the packaging, so once you toss it, you'll never know. Bluepoint put their branding and model number on the "wrong" side of the hose grip pliers, so you just have an oversized "CHINA" staring at you at the joint.

-Ryan

 

[Xcursion88]

********! Everything I typed is accurate. Please point out one thing that I typed that is wrong.....

Correct. Now go back and read what I originally typed. I said "Matco doesn't make ANY of their own hand tools. None." Which is 100% accurate!

Obviously EVERYTHING else is contracted out or it would exist. They don't make hand tools, remember!

Yeah, some are USA..... but those are old sockets. From back when APEX (and other companies) had manufacturing facilites located in the the USA. Like I said, unless they have one of the few USA companies that I listed making sockets for them in 2022, then they ALL HAVE to be made overseas today. Also, you keep talking about "genuine Matco"..... there is no such thing. They don't make hand tools, remember! And besides, are we talking "Genuine Matco" today, or "Genuine Matco" from 15 years ago??? Big difference!

Great...... But I never said where future SK hand tools will be made. All I said was... "Last I heard they were struggling to stay alive and they were recently purchased by a Chinese company."

So, now..... what part of my post were you referring to when you said.... "Yes and no, And yes and no"????? Where was I wrong???


.

I understand you don't know the tone or intention of text but from your reply it seems like you thought I was being malicious with my reply. Nothing could be further from the truth.
That said I'm talking about present day.
"Genuine Matco" meaning stamped Matco. Not ADV, Not Silver Eagle....
And yes even today they have some genuine Matco that are made in USA. But not all.
As I posted earlier Matco is tough to get a bead on with COO. You have to verify in your hand because they have stuff labeled Matco that is USA and again some that are imported.
All the tool trucks have a secondary line. SO and Blue Point, Mac and Expert/precision torque, Matco and Siler Eagle/ADV..
For the most part genuine MAC stuff is USA made...but not all. Consumabkes and such maybe,maybe not. But the main hard goods like knucklesaver wrenches, sockets, ratchets if genuine Mac are USA.
SO and Blue Point are the same way. Most of the Blue Point label is imported (most but not all, see the automatic wire strippers I posted above that are Blue point but definitely made in USA...albeit with red handles....go figure)
I didn't mention Cornwell as I know the least about aside from they have/use two tool making plants. One in Ohio and the other in PA. I know they also have imported items and probably under a secondary label like the others.

 

[AA/FC]

And yes even today they have some genuine Matco that are made in USA. But not all.

Of the 4 or 5 tool companies who still own and operate socket making machinery located inside the USA, which one is making sockets for Matco?

 

[Xcursion88]

Of the 4 or 5 tool companies who still own and operate socket making machinery located inside the USA, which one is making sockets for Matco?

No idea..

That is USA and recently purchased...branded Matco...

But...

These...


Are branded Matco but made in Taiwan...

The who....who knows.

I can verify they still have some USA but it's not straight across the branded Matco board. You have to physically see it

 

[dstblj52]

Of the 4 or 5 tool companies who still own and operate socket making machinery located inside the USA, which one is making sockets for Matco?

its probably the same people making their ratchets aj manufacturing

 

[AA/FC]

No idea..

The who....who knows.

I can verify they still have some USA but it's not straight across the branded Matco board. You have to physically see it

I suspect the random Matco USA sockets sold today are old stock.

Example: I bought several Craftsman wrench sets from the Sears website (about 2 years before they closed) and when they arrived the wrenches had USA stamped on them. It had to be over 10 years (at that point) since Sears Craftsman had ANY wrench sets produced in the USA.... that's how long these sat in inventory before I got them. They were long pattern double box end wrenches, not your standard combination wrench. Also, the local Sears store near my house had single USA sockets hanging on the pegs until the day that store went out of business..... and agin, it had to be at least 10 years (or more) since Craftsman sockets were made in the USA.

Another example, The home improvement store called Menards sells their own hard line of tools called "Masterforce". At one point, before APEX closed all USA production, the entire Masterforce line was USA..... I can STILL buy random USA tools today at their stores near me, and it's been almost 10 years since APEX made those sockets for Menards. The USA stuff is mostly the single hanging sockets but the point is.... just because a tool is sold today doesn't mean it was made yesterday. Finding random USA Matco sockets today sounds like the last few of the USA inventory is finally hitting the surface.

I highly doubt SO is making Matco sockets
I highly doubt Cornwell is making Matco sockets
I highly doubt MAC/Proto/SBD is making Matco sockets
That leaves Wright, or SK....
Wright would be the ONLY possibility in my opinion as I'm pretty sure they've made tools for Matco in the past. Either Wright is making sockets for Matco, or Matco is still selling old stock.

 

[AA/FC]

its probably the same people making their ratchets aj manufacturing

Thats a good thought.... I forgot about them. However, I didn't think thay made any ratchets..... just various types of sockets. Their stuff is usually fairly high quality.

 

[dstblj52]

Thats a good thought.... I forgot about them. However, I didn't think thay made any ratchets..... just various types of sockets. Their stuff is usually fairly high quality.

Aj manufacturing is a contract manufacturer they make a lot of different things for a lot of different people its not different from how tsmc makes basically everyones processors or how foxconn and pegatron (asus) do assembly for a huge percentage of global electronics

 

[plinker]

The latest 88T ratchets are stamped with a USA.... IIRC.

COO doesn't matter to me as much. I *like* seeing "Made in USA", but I do have MAC and Blue Point tools from overseas, and they work just as hard as any USA-made tool truck tool. MAC tends to put the COO on the packaging, so once you toss it, you'll never know. Bluepoint put their branding and model number on the "wrong" side of the hose grip pliers, so you just have an oversized "CHINA" staring at you at the joint.

-Ryan

Actually now they are laser etched. Picked up an 8" 3/8 dr locking flex a couple months ago and it was etched.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Actually now they are laser etched. Picked up an 8" 3/8 dr locking flex a couple months ago and it was etched.

Mine is only two years old, IIRC. This shows how quickly things change!

-Ryan

 

[AA/FC]

Aj manufacturing is a contract manufacturer they make a lot of different things for a lot of different people its not different from how tsmc makes basically everyones processors or how foxconn and pegatron (asus) do assembly for a huge percentage of global electronics

Right, I understand that. I just didn't know they even had the ability to make ratchets. AJ manufacturing shows the products they make on their website and they don't list ratchets. At least I didn't see any. I'm sure it's possible they don't list (show) EVERY item on their website...

 

[dstblj52]

Right, I understand that. I just didn't know they even had the ability to make ratchets. AJ manufacturing shows the products they make on their website and they don't list ratchets. At least I didn't see any. I'm sure it's possible they don't list (show) EVERY item on their website...

That website doesnt even have https, so it doesnt exactly look well maintained so i wouldnt bet on the listing being up to date

 

[Xcursion88]

********. They won't even tell you if you contact them about it...

Example; I had a set of their metric Precision Torque wrenches a few years back, the 7mm-32mm set I think. Nothing stamped on the wrenches or the plastic carriers or the package or the website.

I contacted them with one simple question, are they made in Taiwan or USA? They literally refused to answer my question. Kept changing the topic. We went back and fourth before I finally gave up. It was like they are told to not answer COO questions.

Most of their products won't even list COO on their website. My only assumption is that if you don't see USA, assume it's not USA. Beyond that, who knows.

Was on the Mac truck yesterday and took a picture for you...



As I said...Mac let's you know.

That being said....

Almost every tool out there that isn't USA or German from any mfg... is missing the COO stamping on said tool itself.
Not all but most...
If it's Asian made it's usually missing the COO stamping.

If it's USA...no matter how small the tool oh you better believe they find a way to get those three letters stamped on that tool.

 

[wafrederick]

There were people saying Matco's ratchets are rebranded Gearwrench which is not true.I watched a video on Koon Trucking's YouTube channel on this.His Matco dealer tool dealer shown the differences taking one of each apart.AJ Manufacturing makes their ratchets

 

[Kscardsfan]

Around my area it’s easy, you can buy Snap-On or Mac. There’s a new Cornwell guy who started up about a year ago and I hope he gets established. Seemed like a nice guy and competition is always good for the consumer. And with me he was very up front about which tools of his were imports.