Matco Impact Swivel Differences

[SALEEN961]

Lately I've been researching a lot of different tools and this site keeps popping up in my search results with the exact information I've been looking for so I'm hoping you guys will be able to answer this question for me because my local Matco dealer doesn't have these on his truck for me to compare them myself.

I'd like to know the differences if any between Matco ADV impact swivel sockets, and their standard USA made impact swivel sockets. The ADV 10pc 10mm-19mm set (SBUPM106V) retails for $214, and the standard Matco 10pc 10mm-19mm set (SBUPM106TB) retails for $424. Normally I'd gladly spend the extra money to buy something made in the USA but in this case the price gap is so large that I'd like to know if the USA made set has any advantages over Matco's ADV set other then its COO, because if it doesn't then I'll just buy the ADV set and save myself $210.

 

[purplezr2]

ADV appear to be the pin style, where the USA mades ones are the flute style.

 

[Wrench 2201]

I haven't checked out the swivel sockets but i do know that the ADVs are slightly larger in diameter when compared to the USA non-ADV sets. It hasn't been an issue for me except for the fact that the 3/8 deep set 7mm will not fit on a Hansen Global try on the 7mm peg with out pushing up on the other sockets. I just keep my 7mm on the 6mm peg. Flute style is definitely superior to pin style in my opinion though.

 

[pipsters]

I believe these are the same thing, just in Craftsman lettering and not Matco, both made by Danaher, and for what the ADV ones cost ($214 - see below):

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915397000P?prdNo=11

You'd just have to buy a 19mm or 3/4" to complete the set for the same as the Matco ones. Use coupon code "Sears2012" for another $5 off so around $214 + tax.

See this thread for more info, pinless vs. pinned:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131665

 

[SALEEN961]

ADV appear to be the pin style, where the USA mades ones are the flute style.

I couldn't tell from the pics on Matco's site but I think your right since the universal adapters included in my ADV impact socket sets are pin style now that I think of it.

I believe these are the same thing, just in Craftsman lettering and not Matco, both made by Danaher, and for what the ADV ones cost ($214 - see below):

I would get those but the way Sears has been going lately I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get quality replacements if I break a socket. Lately I've heard a few complaints about old Craftsman USA made tools being exchanged for Chinese versions that don't match the quality or dimensions of the old USA versions despite carrying the same part numbers in some cases. The customer service at my local Sears has also gone downhill lately which leaves me appreciating my Matco dealer's service more and more.

 

[pipsters]

Certainly a valid concern just remember that the company that makes Craftsman makes Matco, so going overseas is always a possibility with them as well.

 

[SALEEN961]

Certainly a valid concern just remember that the company that makes Craftsman makes Matco, so going overseas is always a possibility with them as well.

I'm not concerned about Matco outsourcing because they already have 3 tiers of impact sockets, their premium USA made Matcos, their quality ADV imported line, and their cheap Silver Eagle line. IMO Matco doesn't show any signs of discontinuing their premium tools and only selling their imports; however, Craftsman on the other hand has replaced some of their premium tools with imports and no longer gives you a premium option for a small but growing number of tools.

I used to be a big Craftsman fanboy, but over the last year I saw a few good tools disappear from their catalog only to be replaced with a low quality import, and my local Sears has gone downhill. I went to Sears a few weeks back to buy a 3/8DR extension and replace a 1/4DR socket that cracked while loosening an intake bolt with a 1/4DR ratchet, this visit left a very bad taste in mouth. First they couldn't replace the socket that cracked under light use or give me an ETA on a replacement, I was simply told to come back next week and see if they had the socket in stock again. Then I went to buy the 3/8DR extension I needed and out of the 10+ they had on the shelf I could only find one that wasn't significantly bent.

 

[Fedwrench]

The biggest differences between the Matco pinless and their ADV swivels would include overall lower profile, ease of rotation, and a cv joint design without a pin.
The ADV have a collar protecting the pin making the width of the socket base fatter. If you're considering the AGV versions, save yourself some money and go with the Gearwrench versions. They are very very similiar to the ADV version.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-84918.aspx

You would also be served well with Sunex and Grey Pneumatic versions but, not as well as the Matco pinless.

What's up with you Matco dealer that he doesn't have a set of pinless impact swivels for you to see?

 

[DodgeZ]

I'm not concerned about Matco outsourcing because they already have 3 tiers of impact sockets, their premium USA made Matcos, their quality ADV imported line, and their cheap Silver Eagle line. IMO Matco doesn't show any signs of discontinuing their premium tools and only selling their imports; however, Craftsman on the other hand has replaced some of their premium tools with imports and no longer gives you a premium option for a small but growing number of tools.

I used to be a big Craftsman fanboy, but over the last year I saw a few good tools disappear from their catalog only to be replaced with a low quality import, and my local Sears has gone downhill. I went to Sears a few weeks back to buy a 3/8DR extension and replace a 1/4DR socket that cracked while loosening an intake bolt with a 1/4DR ratchet, this visit left a very bad taste in mouth. First they couldn't replace the socket that cracked under light use or give me an ETA on a replacement, I was simply told to come back next week and see if they had the socket in stock again. Then I went to buy the 3/8DR extension I needed and out of the 10+ they had on the shelf I could only find one that wasn't significantly bent.

The sets are the same, You could buy two of the craftsman sets for the price of that matco, then you'd have a spare. Or you could just buy matco replacements IF you broke one and IF you couldn't get a US replacement. I have been eyeballing this set for a while and there is no way I'd waste the money on the Matcos.

People are going to have to get over this China tools thing anyways. There are tons of products made in china we have no issues with on the quality. Say the iPhone in your pocket. lol or may a $1,000 flat screen. Do we really think they can't make the same tools as us in this day and age? It comes down to if the company paying them to make the tools is paying them to make good tools or cheap tools.

 

[SALEEN961]

The biggest differences between the Matco pinless and their ADV swivels would include overall lower profile, ease of rotation, and a cv joint design without a pin.
The ADV have a collar protecting the pin making the width of the socket base fatter. If you're considering the AGV versions, save yourself some money and go with the Gearwrench versions. They are very very similiar to the ADV version.
http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-84918.aspx

You would also be served well with Sunex and Grey Pneumatic versions but, not as well as the Matco pinless.

What's up with you Matco dealer that he doesn't have a set of pinless impact swivels for you to see?

Since it's a matter of pinless vs pinned I'll spend the extra money to get the Matco pinless because that is worth the price difference for the amount of use they'll get at work. As for my Matco dealer not having them on his truck, I think he sold the set he had earlier that day because he has just about every metric socket set on the truck.

 

[battlegraduate09]

i have the metric set of those, i really like them, i also have the snap on standard set with the pins, and iv replaced a few of those before

 

[SALEEN961]

The sets are the same, You could buy two of the craftsman sets for the price of that matco, then you'd have a spare. Or you could just buy matco replacements IF you broke one and IF you couldn't get a US replacement. I have been eyeballing this set for a while and there is no way I'd waste the money on the Matcos.

Actually the Matco and Craftsman sets are not the same, although they are currently made by the same manufacturer some searching on this forum led me to a post where someone pointed out that the Craftsman swivel sockets are physically larger then their Matco counter parts, and the larger size is a downside because it limits the areas that the socket can fit into. To each their own, but with how much I plan on using these it just seems sensible to pay the extra money for better customer service and an arguably if just slightly better tool.

People are going to have to get over this China tools thing anyways. There are tons of products made in china we have no issues with on the quality. Say the iPhone in your pocket. lol or may a $1,000 flat screen. Do we really think they can't make the same tools as us in this day and age? It comes down to if the company paying them to make the tools is paying them to make good tools or cheap tools.

There are two sides to this story and let me just start by saying that I'm positive that there are plenty of honest Chinese companies selling quality products; however, there are certain things you just don't want to buy from China and as a general rule metal is one of them, and in the same respect I wouldn't buy raw oysters from the best hotdog cart in Philly.

 

[DodgeZ]

Actually the Matco and Craftsman sets are not the same, although they are currently made by the same manufacturer some searching on this forum led me to a post where someone pointed out that the Craftsman swivel sockets are physically larger then their Matco counter parts, and the larger size is a downside because it limits the areas that the socket can fit into. To each their own, but with how much I plan on using these it just seems sensible to pay the extra money for better customer service and an arguably if just slightly better tool.

Looking at this it ebay write up, looks like the newer matcos have a taller sockets also.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matco-Tools...185?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebde536b1

Does anyone have new and old - Matco and Craftsman to put side by side?

There are two sides to this story and let me just start by saying that I'm positive that there are plenty of honest Chinese companies selling quality products; however, there are certain things you just don't want to buy from China and as a general rule metal is one of them, and in the same respect I wouldn't buy raw oysters from the best hotdog cart in Philly.

Thinking about this led me to a rather funny thought. Isn't kind of ironic that a lot of techs make sure to buy high dollar USA made SnapOn products because the china stuff is too cheap... Then they work on Hondas and Toyotas which are.... China made. (yes I know some of that stuff isn't made in china... give me a break on the joke).

They have hotdog carts in Philly? I thought that was New York? I wouldn't by a hot dog from a Philly cart, I'd have to go to New York. I would buy a cheesesteak from a Philly cart but not one from a New York cart. I wouldn't buy raw oysters from anywhere.

 

[ChrisF250]

A sensible new member, welcome to the forum