Matco has a new flank drive plus style wrench

[KBATN]

I used my student discount to check out these new matco wrenches.. you can check out the pictures below, I used my Carlyle 19mm wrench to compare with the matco 19mm wrench. You can see both the open end and the box end has changed vs the old matco design.

I have not yet used these. I am debating if I want to keep them since these are no longer usa made. for around 60$ more I could of bought the SOEXM710 of course without the 8 and 9mm wrenches. The matco set came 8-19mm.

just by handling them side by side Carlyle vs matco. The Carlyle has a more comfortable beam. The matco has a similar feel to my SAE snap on wrenches. The outside diameter on the open end on the matco is a little smaller vs the Carlyle.

 

[DerekV]

The Carlyle looks nicer.

 

[woody 73]

Not to hijack this very nice post, but could someone tell me are all the new matco tools now being made in Taiwan ? Are any Matco tools still made in the USA ?

 

[Firebrick43]

I normally don't pimp Snap on (I own a few sets but but prefer wright) but for 60 dollars difference? I would but the snap on do to better service, more consistant trucks, and if it come down to it later better resale. I think I see 50% of the new techs leaving the field now. What are you planing on working on? I would a set to 24mm personally. Lack of 8 and 9 mm wouldn't bother me. I never use mine as I have a little double box end snap on to covers that size and is shorter. Pretty handy compared to the long combos.

 

[DTB]

I suppose it's not surprising that they had to source a new mfg for their wrenches with the Apex Armstrong plant shutting down. However if I wanted a nice set of offshore wrenches I'd take the Carlyle any day over the Matco considering the price. Are they spline drive on the box end?

 

[KBATN]

yes these are spline drive

 

[71firebird400]

Taiwan. That's a shame.

 

[oldtools]

Not to hijack this very nice post, but could someone tell me are all the new matco tools now being made in Taiwan ? Are any Matco tools still made in the USA ?

I bought a set of Matco combination spline ratchting wrench and it turn out to be Taiwan as well. Still nice tools though. Seem like Matco hardline tools are being offshored.