Wamsutta
Well-known member
For you guys that own them, how do you like them?
If I'm not mistaken, these are the ones made in USA by A.J. Manufacturing.
If I'm not mistaken, these are the ones made in USA by A.J. Manufacturing.
MATCO Locking Flex Ratchets
- Thread starter Wamsutta
- Start date
Duster346
Well-known member
I have one of the older ones as well and really like it. I also have the snap on 80 tooth as well but prefer the matco.
finn
Well-known member
I have a Snapon version. Don’t like the locking feature. The slider is stiff and difficult to move.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
I have the Gearwrench clone in a 1/2, 24” handle version (made in Taiwan and 84 teeth instead of 88). Its a solid ratchet.
I have two Snap On locking fleX ratchets as well. For me i prefer the Snap On lock, especially for use with crows feet, which i use regularly. I also find the Matco style lock is easier to bump to “unlocked” accidentally, at least for me
I have two Snap On locking fleX ratchets as well. For me i prefer the Snap On lock, especially for use with crows feet, which i use regularly. I also find the Matco style lock is easier to bump to “unlocked” accidentally, at least for me
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
They have been my reach for first ratchets for years 
From when they first came out in 60 tooth trim several years ago, I've used them day in and day out without any issues. Thin head, crisp ratcheting action, nice chrome,
A word about the locking mechanism, it's slightly recessed and when engaged, really can't be knocked loose by bumping it because it's pretty tight. I even tried bumping mine to see if I could knock it loose.
I don't know who makes them currently but, they're stamped USA now and are available in a wide range of lengths with or without the comfort handle.
From when they first came out in 60 tooth trim several years ago, I've used them day in and day out without any issues. Thin head, crisp ratcheting action, nice chrome,
A word about the locking mechanism, it's slightly recessed and when engaged, really can't be knocked loose by bumping it because it's pretty tight. I even tried bumping mine to see if I could knock it loose.
I don't know who makes them currently but, they're stamped USA now and are available in a wide range of lengths with or without the comfort handle.
mdnelson86
Well-known member
I had snap on’s Version and switched to the Marco quite a few years ago. I like the Matco much better. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it just feels so much better to me. I’d agree that the dual 80 ratchets are smoother, but again I actually prefer the matco. On the matco, I can feel the teeth in the ratchet mechanism, but it still works extremely smoothly. On the snap on, it’s almost too smooth for me with very little feedback.
My only complaint is that I wish matco had a quick release option. I know people like them both ways and I happen to prefer a quick release, but at least when I bought mine, that option was offered.
My only complaint is that I wish matco had a quick release option. I know people like them both ways and I happen to prefer a quick release, but at least when I bought mine, that option was offered.
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X1 Mike
Well-known member
I have at least one in every drive size and they are absolutely without a doubt my goto ratchets. I bought some Dual 80's and ended up selling them because I preferred my Matco.
My Matco ratchet trick, all my flex heads are green handle and the fixed heads are orange. Easy to keep track of.
My Matco ratchet trick, all my flex heads are green handle and the fixed heads are orange. Easy to keep track of.
For you guys that own them, how do you like them?
If I'm not mistaken, these are the ones made in USA by A.J. Manufacturing.
I have the older hard handle version and love it, so much better than my 1/2" SO locking ratchet.
xin
Well-known member
MATCO Ratchets are by far the best like better than SnapOn ones.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
These are my number one ratchet of choice. I have used all 3 drives sizes since their introduction several years ago. I've replaced one gear mechanism on a 1/4" and that is the only issue that I have had
mn700vforce
Well-known member
I have the Armstrong versions in 3/8” and 1/2” drive size and enjoy using both of them. I have a few non flex Matco 88’s and like them as well. Great ratchets.
plinker
Well-known member
Having a couple Armstrongs and several Matco's from '14 to current production they are my preferred/go to ratchets in general, exception is my 1/4 drive go to is an S-K 40970. My only gripe with the locking flex is on the 1/4 drive, the lever isnt recessed to speak of. It does not unlock with out you unlocking it though.
The Gearwrench locking flex is not the same FWIW, the lock is two sided and easy to trip by accident and the yoke/head is a bit wider.
The Gearwrench locking flex is not the same FWIW, the lock is two sided and easy to trip by accident and the yoke/head is a bit wider.
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
I'm with the others that think Matco has the best ratchets, especially the locking flex head.
I have the Armstrong versions in 3/8" and 1/2" drive which are the same thing with a different handle and are my go to ratchets in these drive sizes. I have a fixed 8" long 1/4" Matco that is my go to in that drive size. I've been thinking of picking up a Matco 12" locking flex head in 1/4" drive. I like my SO ratchets as well, just not as much.
Never had my locking levers switch accidently on my Armstrong ratchets. They are also tucked in nicely out of the way unlike the SO design.
I have the Armstrong versions in 3/8" and 1/2" drive which are the same thing with a different handle and are my go to ratchets in these drive sizes. I have a fixed 8" long 1/4" Matco that is my go to in that drive size. I've been thinking of picking up a Matco 12" locking flex head in 1/4" drive. I like my SO ratchets as well, just not as much.
Never had my locking levers switch accidently on my Armstrong ratchets. They are also tucked in nicely out of the way unlike the SO design.
AngryBeaver
Well-known member
people still buy locking flex heads ratchets? I hate em... doesn't matter the brand
I have the Armstrong versions in all three drive sizes and like others, they're my go-to ratchets.
I think my 1/4" one was a Friday afternoon special. It's missing the ON/OFF markings and when it slipped a few months after I bought it (and Armstrong had shut down) I opened it up and found a bunch of gear teeth stripped off. I put the 84T Gearwrench rebuild kit in and it's been working great ever since.
I'm actually running the 3/8 with a Gearwrench rebuild kit too, since the 88T Armstrong kits are now unobtainium. Don't notice any difference between the two.
I think my 1/4" one was a Friday afternoon special. It's missing the ON/OFF markings and when it slipped a few months after I bought it (and Armstrong had shut down) I opened it up and found a bunch of gear teeth stripped off. I put the 84T Gearwrench rebuild kit in and it's been working great ever since.
I'm actually running the 3/8 with a Gearwrench rebuild kit too, since the 88T Armstrong kits are now unobtainium. Don't notice any difference between the two.
I own the same one with out the soft handle, the BFR128LF, and it's one of my favorite ratchets. The 88 tooth mech has a fairly light backdrag and a very low swing arc. I bought mine brand new from an eBay seller that had a couple of them for sale at around $80, but I see Matco's retail price is a whopping $158.95! I must mention that I also own an entire set of Gearwrench non-locking flex heads in the 120XP configuration. I agree that the 3/8 flex head is essentially a clone of the Matco, and considering the entire set was selling on Amazon for around $90, it'd be especially hard to justify the Matco at retail.
AFAIK, they fit in the older GW ratchets, not sure if they fit the new ones. That's the problem with blanket statements. Do your research.
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Well, I don't doubt it - just like Black & Decker owns DeWalt, but cheaper B&D batteries don't fit into DeWalt drills. I was just doing a quick google and there was another forum post that stated that Danaher owned both Gearwrench and Matco (as well as Craftsman and others) before Danaher spun off all of its hand tool lines EXCEPT Matco. So, at one point, it appears Matco was the more expensive US made brother of Gearwrench - which is now owned by Apex Tools.
At any rate, the dimensions and shapes on the 3/8 flex heads from Matco and GW are almost identical. I love my Matco, but after using the 120XP flex head (part of an entire 4 pc set), it's hard to justify the price difference unless, for ex, you have to have Matco, or you have to have USA made. At the price I paid - around $80, as I recall - it's a reasonable decision. At close to $160, though, there's no way I'd ever buy the Matco over the GW 120XP flex head.
plinker
Well-known member
I had put a 84t Gearwrench kit in an older (60t) Matco ratchet and it would lock up as the selector would go over center (acts as a stop of sorts). Had my Matco guy put a 88t kit in it and it works fine. Slightly different tolerances is all I can figure.
The selector on the GW kits seemed softer as well as I tried two different kits, both were marred up and to the point o0f breaking. I tend not to abuse my ratchets (much), but they do get some hard use.
So I have no experience with the Matco locking flex ratchet but I have tried the Armstrong and Gearwrench versions. On both of these that I have the locking mechanism has stripped out within the first few uses of the tool. The Armstrong was a 3/8" and the Gearwrench is a 1/2", I was able to return the Armstrong to Amazon for a refund but I still have the gearwrench. I also have a 3/8" Snap on that I'm not sure the age of but I purchased it when the dual 80's were just comming out, this ratchet I have never had an issue with the locking mechanism. If the Matco version is made better and does not strip out I would not mind paying the extra money for it as I like the placement of the lock switch much better than on the snap on.
Locking flex ratchets are over-rated IMO although I do have a few. I sold my Matco's and now have a couple Snap on and a couple MAC's. I didn't like the Snap on button until I flipped the handle 180 degrees to put the button on the bottom side of the handle.
JustToolStuff
Member
I use my 3/8 12" everyday. Probably my favorite ratchet I've owned. The comfort grip has held up great over the last two years, it's a smooth ratchet and genuinely feels nice. I will say the lock for the flex head has recently slipped a few times. I'm sure Matco would warranty it no problem but it's not that bad yet. I would like to get the 1/4 equivalent.
I also own the 1/2 version which has held up very well too.
I also own the 1/2 version which has held up very well too.
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xin
Well-known member
I would go ahead and trade in my SnapOn ratchets as well for all Matco 88's the slimmer head and recessed lever make a lot of difference.
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
The Armstrong Maxx and Matco ratchets are the same except for their handle shapes. My Gearwrench 84T and Armstong Maxx guts interchange fine with out any issues.
wafrederick
Well-known member
The Mac Axis locking head version is a full locking version,stays locked in
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I have yanked aggressively on my couple-month-old flex head matco. No issue. No idea on testing to failure, but it's a nice ratchet.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Matco locking flex heads are the best. Even the new Snap-on design to me is no good but it’s an improvement over what they had for sure. Matco will always be my go to for the locking flex heads though especially when they have the blue handle. I haven’t used a Mac one but have looked at them and they seem better than Snap-on as well. Nothing against Snap-on but everyone has good and bad tools and Snap-on is one that has bad locking flex heads their other ratchets beat everyone but their locking flex heads fail.
Thanks for the feedback fellas. I have the 3/8" 15 inch version that I've put to the test while loosening a caliper bracket bolt, so agreed, love the thing, but I'm about to pull the trigger on an order for like 3 of them in different lengths and drive sizes. Thing is, I bought said 15 inch one about 4 years ago when they stamped the model number etc. instead of laser etching, so I'm hoping they not cutting corners on the internals or other parts.
plinker
Well-known member
I've not noticed any difference quality wise, between the different vintage ratchets I have, which range from around '12-ish to present. They have far more model variations now in the last couple of years then they did under Apex/Danaher era, which is great. I'd rather them be stamped than laser etched, but whatever.
IME they can skip when doing really stupid stuff, where a Snap-on 80 tooth may not, but the Snap-on isnt exactly "thin" in profile. Not really a problem with normal use.
Also, using a grease instead of oil in the Matco's will cause headaches with potential skipping, BTDT.
IME they can skip when doing really stupid stuff, where a Snap-on 80 tooth may not, but the Snap-on isnt exactly "thin" in profile. Not really a problem with normal use.
Also, using a grease instead of oil in the Matco's will cause headaches with potential skipping, BTDT.
Yeah, I as well definitely prefer the stamped, but maybe the etched will grow on me. Anyhow, I'm satisfied with my 15" one after it noticeably bent but bent back to shape, and nothing broke, eventually getting that caliper bracket bolt loose. Couldn't use a fixed because I needed the angle.
Just ordered the 3/8" 18 inch in blue and a 1/2" 27 inch in red. Excited, but the wallet is crying.
Just ordered the 3/8" 18 inch in blue and a 1/2" 27 inch in red. Excited, but the wallet is crying.
assassin10000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2022
- Messages
- 370
Shouldn't be an issue. I have both stamped and laser etched and they all hold up well. The laser etched are slightly lighter as they do have somewhat thinner handles. So my 18" long 3/8" has some flex when I'm really pulling on it.
I've got 6-7 of them currently. But have had 10+. Definitely my favorites over snap on, gear wrench, cornwell, etc.
My brother in law ended up wanting my 9" 1/4" drive and 3/8" converted 12" long 1/4" and a co-worker now has my 15" 3/8".
Wish they did a 1/2" drive in 3/8" head tho.
assassin10000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2022
- Messages
- 370
Only the part of the handle in the middle, where it comes up and meets the locking flex mechanism. The older ones tapered wider towards the head, where-as the newer are straight.
The handle ends themselves are pretty much identical in diameter. Minus a couple grooves.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
The Matco is my fave in 3/8". Snap-On's heads are much thicker... and there's simply no way around that, even with the new design. For 1/2" I have the Snap-On. It's a monster.
-Ryan
-Ryan