MATCO history, 1979 split from MAC?

[1982fxr]

If I understand it right, the company that split from MAC to form MATCO had been around for decades.

http://alloy-artifacts.org/mac-tools.html

Did that company, prior to 1979, make only toolboxes or did they offer a full tool line? Was everything they sold offered by MAC, prior to 1979?

One thing I found said the company that spun off to become MATCO was the original toolbox manufacturer for MAC.

 

[1982fxr]

If a mod sees this could you move it to the main tool forum, I probably should have put it there...

 

[1982fxr]

Nobody?

 

[ooba tooba]

Sorry I can’t help answer your questions exactly, but I have a few pics of a brochure that was inside my late 70s early 80s Matco side box. My bottom cab is earlier obviously so I’m not sure when it was from.

 

[ooba tooba]

Oops

 

[bimmer630]

Sorry I can’t help answer your questions exactly, but I have a few pics of a brochure that was inside my late 70s early 80s Matco side box. My bottom cab is earlier obviously so I’m not sure when it was from.

What’s the difference there between “imperial” and the regular style chests? Did the imperials have bearing slides?

 

[bimmer630]

I just ordered 1979 catalogs from Mac and Matco off of eBay because I’m trying to learn more about this era of Mac/matco..
if they split off of each other, and Matco had a brand new catalog in ‘79 (which we can assume was their first ever catalog?) … were the Matco and Mac boxes still coming out of the same factory?
Most people speak about Matco being the box builder for Mac before branching out on their own.

Was there bad blood involved in the split? I would guess that if there was bad blood, Matco would probably choose a different brand name, one that wasn’t so closely related or misspoken in relation to Mac..

And they would also choose to NOT use the Mac cuRVed style font on the stamp at the back of their toolboxes? This is my 1979 Matco chest. I’ve never gotten an answer from anyone as to what exactly was going on in those days with the two tool brands and the tool boxes that they both seemed to share (I HAVE heard stories of old dealers having to change Matco box handles over to Mac handles or vice versa)

Anyway.. can anyone else on GJ offer some insight ??

 

[bimmer630]

Having issues posting pics here

 

[mike93lx]

What’s the difference there between “imperial” and the regular style chests? Did the imperials have bearing slides?

That poster hasn't been around for almost 2 years, fyi

 

[1982fxr]

What’s the difference there between “imperial” and the regular style chests? Did the imperials have bearing slides?

Good question

 

[four.cycle]

Mac / Mac Tools, 505 N. Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43802 / https://www.mactools.com/en-us / patent 4651598 Mar 27 1987 & 4662252 May 5 1987 William A. Warheit / http://alloy-artifacts.org/mac-tools.html /

Matco / Matco Tools, Stow, OH / https://www.matcotools.com/ / patent 4651598 Mar 27 1987 & 4662252 May 5 1987 William A. Warheit /

^ These patents apply to the "Quick-Jaw" pliers marketed contemporaneously by both MAC and Matco. I have no clue about their boxes.

MAC Tools at International Tool Catalog Library

search for "MATCO" at ITCL turns up ZERO.

23 listings for "Matco catalog" on ebay today

95 listings (mostly erroneous) for MAC TOOLS on ebay today

 

[RTM]

History between MAC and Matco...

I checked out Wikipedia and read what little they have about Matco being Mac Allied Tools, but what was the reason for the break off, meaning Matco producing their own tools? Not that I am complaining, have a lot of both brands, just want to know. TheGrooveking

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Little pre research on the topic. There are more threads, but a PITA on the phone.

 

[SElliott45690]

Bought catalog from same year as date I found on upper left rear of box. The slot was for a time card. The hat shaped bracket, was for the current MAC catalog..for mechanics, that totally makes sense .