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Matco MT2138

Appleyard

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
203
Location
Elkhart, IN
I haven't seen a thread anywhere else on this 3/8 impact, so I thought I'd write an ongoing review.

I'm still pretty new to this site, but anyone who's seen my posts anywhere else has probably realized that I like Matco tools. Well earlier this week when MotherMatco stopped by my shop, I asked what kind of 3/8 impacts he had. I told him I was considering the Snap On MG325 since I was so happy with the 1/2 counterpart. Of course the MatcoMan said he's got something better. He takes a payment and retires to his rolling fortress. He comes back with a Matco MT2138 3/8 impact demo gun. This thing looks rough because it's a demo unit, but I actually think that was better because if more techs have put their hands on it and abused it, it proves to me it's durability.

Dummy me forgot to snap a picture before I left work, so I'll shamelessly copy the picture from Matco's website =]

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=15wl6k0" target="_blank"><img src="http://i54.tinypic.com/15wl6k0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Matco wants about $285 but I bet I could talk my dealer down a bit. I do a lot of brakes and suspension work at my shop and this thing kept impressing me all day. Busted the lug nuts no problem. Caliper mounts came off like it was nothing. And this way I dont have to put my ratchet on the bolt and break in loose first, then put my air ratchet on it. Plus I dont have my air ratchet screaming in my ear anymore.

Today was kind of light duty. We'll see what comes up tomorrow. I'll grab a picture of the actual demo unit and I'll make a decision on whether to buy it or not by next Tuesday:)
 
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bigsteve1969

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2008
Messages
222
cornwell has the same exact gun nothing special to it. btw i have a mg325 and wouldnt trade it for anything
 
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Appleyard

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
203
Location
Elkhart, IN
cornwell has the same exact gun nothing special to it. btw i have a mg325 and wouldnt trade it for anything

I've been wanting a MG325 for a while now. The only problem is that Snap On doesnt come to my shop anymore. Ever. So I either have to buy it off Snap On's website or go through a buddy of mine who works at a local Chrystler dealership.
 

DrkMtnDew

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 24, 2010
Messages
1,465
nice review. cornwell does have a similar gun and i do like them. they are light, pack a lot of punch, a lot quieter than an mg325. the guys than i know that have them are very pleased with them.
 
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Appleyard

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
203
Location
Elkhart, IN
Who makes it?.... Scary how close it looks to the Craftsman.

If Craftsman makes one with nearly the same specs for much cheaper, I'd be sold on the Craftsman. I love the way this Matco performs. It's light, pretty quiet I guess. It's got a muffler on it and it's quieter than my C'man professionals 3/8 air ratchet.

Found Matco's MT2138 specs in my hand catalog:

Performance rating: Super Duty
Maximum torque: 370ft lbs breakaway
Torque range: 25-265ft lbs
Weight: 2.4lbs
Material: Composite
Warranty: 2 years ("bumper to bumper")
Sound dBA: 93.5
Type: Pistol
Air Inlet: 1/4"
Min Hose Size: 3/8"
Avg Air Consumption: n/a
Power Management: 3 Position FWD
Fwd/Rev controls: Front
Impact Mechanism: Twin Hammer
Free Speed RPMs: 11,500
Overall Length: 5.75"

Retail: ~$289
 

Damian

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
428
Location
Auburn, Georgia
Do yourself a favor and don't buy it. Here's why:

-The IR 2115ti has more *** than that gun, and it's cheaper.
-I've tried the Cornwell version of that gun both in 3/8 and 1/2. I've come to the conclusion that the newer style impacts with the strength setting right behind the trigger is the biggest POFS design known to man. Pure junk.

Find a used IR 2115 and don't look back. I've used mine every day for 8 years, and it's as strong as ever.
 
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Appleyard

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
203
Location
Elkhart, IN
Been working with it a little more these past few days. Still love it. Did an idler arm and pitman arm with it the other day and it broke the bolts loose like it was a half inch. Glad I had it too, because a half incher wouldn't have fit up there. The only thing I really hate is that it doesnt have an anvil stop and it's already thrown a couple sockets. Heres a few pictures of the demo
<a href="http://s850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/?action=view&current=photo4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/photo4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>.

<a href="http://s850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/?action=view&current=photo5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/photo5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
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tw33k2514

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
1,034
Location
Chicago
If you like it that is all that matters right? Plus you have a matco truck that comes by. So that adds convenience. I personally love my MG325, but I have not tried that gun so I cannot say anything about it good or bad.
 

Hammer1963

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
2,048
Location
Kentucky
Great Gun. I have one and I've had the Snap-on as well. This gun is quite compact and works well in those cramped areas. If you like it, buy it. It's your money. PERIOD
 
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Appleyard

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
203
Location
Elkhart, IN
Great Gun. I have one and I've had the Snap-on as well. This gun is quite compact and works well in those cramped areas. If you like it, buy it. It's your money. PERIOD

And I did :bounce:
<a href="http://s850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/?action=view&current=80a096d0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/80a096d0.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
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Appleyard

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
203
Location
Elkhart, IN
Congrats! Nothin like a new tool to brighten up your work week.

Yep! Matco must be running a promotion right now. Bought a $3000 sweatshirt and they gave me a free tool box:thumbup:

<a href="http://s850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/?action=view&current=758919da.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/akombuchamushroomman/758919da.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 

furbis

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
116
Location
Hudson, Colorado
I just bought the cornwell 2150 today, looks like the same gun only mines blue. I paid $240. a friend has this gun and the 1/2" cornwell 4150 I have been borrowing them and liked them real well so I have the 4150 coming next week. I think the the selling point to me was the guns are powerful, light weight, and I have a really good cornwell dealer who treats us well. I'll be right under $500 for both these impacts so can't complain.
 

showmetoo

New member
Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
2
Location
MISSOURI
My Matco dealer has a special next week buy the MT2138 and the MT1857 for $311.50, I ordered a set cant wait until it is in..:rocker:
 
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