Matco ratchets
- Thread starter Jarr3tt_G
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Askme42
Well-known member
Are you thinking locking flex heads? If so check out armstrong. They are essentially the same ratchet.
JDon99
Well-known member
I'll second that Armstrong suggestion. If you do go with Armstrong, I would strongly suggest Trident Supply.
Same heads, but that's where the similarities end. Matco has different handles and many more lengths. Most importantly Matco will support you directly. With Armstrong you get to find a Fastenal and hope the people there will help you.
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JDon99
Well-known member
I'd also like to add, I personally prefer the Matco handles over the Armstrongs, but they are both fine ratchets. I have a combination of the two brands.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
I like both Armstrongs and Matcos, but I do prefer the Matco grenn handles.
Hands down the best Matco ratchet IMO is the green handled 24" incher. My favorite "big" ratchet. It has replaced my breaker bar.
Hands down the best Matco ratchet IMO is the green handled 24" incher. My favorite "big" ratchet. It has replaced my breaker bar.
Alienbaby17
Well-known member
I have the 88 tooth 1/4" ratchet. I also have a MAC and several 1/4" SO ratchets. The Matco is by far my favorite. I like the slim body and fine tooth count on it. I have had some problems with teeth stripping on it but I use it pretty hard. My biggest problem is getting the Matco guy to show up consistently at the shop. If he made a habit of showing up every week, or even every other week, I would probably have bought more of his ratchets.
bsaint
Well-known member
I have both and the flex head Armstrongs don't come in 88 teeth
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
yea...but you can drop the Matco 88 kit in it and still be ahead $ wise. I did. GJ said you won't feel 60 to 88 in the 1/2". And they were right. So now I got a 60t kit for back up in the drawer.
Eric Nordstrom
Well-known member
I have a 1/2dr. flex head. And it is nothing more than a over priced Craftsman
I haven't tried the 88's.
I haven't tried the 88's.
bsaint
Well-known member
yea...but you can drop the Matco 88 kit in it and still be ahead $ wise. I did. GJ said you won't feel 60 to 88 in the 1/2". And they were right. So now I got a 60t kit for back up in the drawer.
True or you can just buy an 88 one. I was just saying it for people who thought they were identical. I have both and they are fine.
cgv69
Well-known member
I have the Matco 88 locking flexhead ratchets is 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 and love them. I paid a little more for them then the Armstrong's but they came with the 88tooth mechanism and I strongly prefer the handles on the Matco's.
I would definitely buy them again
I would definitely buy them again
JBradley500
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Maybe I'm different because I have big palms or something but I like the Armstrong handles at least as much as the Matco comfort grips. I own the Armstrongs but I use/have used the Matcos a ton so I'm not biased either way.
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rice rocket
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If Apex made their GearWrench flex head a locker, I'd be all on that as I'm relatively brand agnostic...but alas, I had to pony up for the Armstrong.
joebachor
Well-known member
I love my matco 88's and matco is a good company when it comes to warranty work
JDon99
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rice rocket
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GutsnGlory
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I work at a dealership and I have the Matco 88 tooth ratchets and I love them. Work great and feel awesome.
espyking83
Well-known member
I agree. The Armstrong handles get a bit uncomfortable after prolonged use, but they are great ratchets for the money.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I have the Matco 88 locking flexhead ratchets is 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 and love them. I paid a little more for them then the Armstrong's but they came with the 88tooth mechanism and I strongly prefer the handles on the Matco's.
I would definitely buy them again
Is that the plastic handle or the chrome steel handle?
Eric Nordstrom
Well-known member
The flex heads aren't even close to all of the Craftsmans that I have
Hear is my Matco. Look at the reverse lever, now the paul, the gear without qr.
I don't have a c-man ratchet to show.
It sounds like a craftsman too.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
The Matcos are pretty popular in our shop.
I do plan on getting some of the locking flex heads but I get a pretty sweet discount that makes the price a whole lot more reasonable. Off the truck the longest locking flex heads are $200+, which is quite a bit high IMHO.
I do plan on getting some of the locking flex heads but I get a pretty sweet discount that makes the price a whole lot more reasonable. Off the truck the longest locking flex heads are $200+, which is quite a bit high IMHO.
JDon99
Well-known member
I'll agree with you there, but the 60 and 88 tooth locking flex ratchets are way above any Cman ratchet out there.
Hear is my Matco. Look at the reverse lever, now the paul, the gear without qr.
I don't have a c-man ratchet to show.
It sounds like a craftsman too.
That must be the old 36 tooth design Matco..I'd say they aren't much different than the standard Danaher 36T design. However, there's not much comparison between it and the newer locking flex ratchets.
Eric Nordstrom
Well-known member
Yea, it's a 36t. When I sent in the old one I was hoping for a 88 in return but it's ok.
tellis84
Member
I love my matco 88, I have both fle and reg in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2. Pretty expensive, but zero regrets.
96snma
Well-known member
Where's your favourite place to shop around you. We've got a place in whitefish.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The old Matco 36 tooth ratchets weren't anything to get excited over. They were basically the same design as Craftsman and other Danaher brands except for not having a quick release. Matco introduced the 60 tooth ratchets in 2001 and then the 88's like in 2005 I think. Similarly, I don't care for the 36 tooth Armstrong ratchet but, love the 60 tooth Armstrong Maxx series.
Dust Devil
Well-known member
The headstamps on the matcos and armstrongs is bitchen.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
until you realize that Sata tools in the PRC uses the same logo.
http://www.satatools.com.sg/site/?m=100&f=100
rice rocket
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It's all Apex, who cares.
MatcoDave
Well-known member
Jarr3tt if you're looking for some matco ratchets or matco warranty stuff send me a PM and i'll be glad to help out!
MrJason
Well-known member
MatcoDave
Well-known member
Hahah! I'm sorry i didnt mean it like that! I'll help anyone out as best as i can and as long as i'm not stepping on any other distributor's toes. I'll ship anywhere i need to as long as the buyer is paying shipping