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Matco Tools Must Haves

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BJ42LX

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Dec 29, 2010
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WNY
This past spring a new neighbor moved in up the street. I haven't met him yet but it might be time. Last week this truck showed up in his driveway along with a bunch of boxes and pallet scraps. Looks like he's a new Matco dealer.

I'm thinking I might stroll on down there this weekend and introduce myself. It would be neighborly to buy something off his truck - new neighbor, new dealer - sounds like a great way to make friends.

I don't know much about Matco and I've already got a full tool box so simply buying a socket set isn't going to work for me.

What does Matco have that stands out above the rest? Hose clamp pliers, circlip pliers, locking extensions? What is special about Matco?

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DodgeMech

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ALL matco, besides their big boxes, are re brands, and more and more are rebrands from over seas...

anyway, one of the best and most versatile of these re brands would be a set of 10 inch Knipex Cobra pliers...if you haven't heard of those, look them up
 
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RedneckWelder

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Nov 12, 2013
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The Ghetto Kingdom of Methlandia
Guns R Tools said:
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...DEGREE-FLEX-RATCHETING-EXTRA-LONG-WRENCH-SET/

This is very handy. I used it in where other wrenches couldn't quite reach.
Also able to remove BMW e-torx bolt for starter in inline 6.
Click to expand...

These or the Gear Wrench version are great to have


Most of what Matco does is sell rebrands of Armstrong, Craftsman, and Gear Wrench stuff.

I do like the long handled flex head ratchets

The pinless impact swivel sockets are awesome, but you can get the same thing from Craftsman and Armstrong, but Matco has better size availability I think.

I buy a little from the Matco guy, the one that services our shop is a good dude.
 
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JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN

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Oct 20, 2010
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Bremerton, WA
I really like Matco's boxes. As far as tools go, the wrenches are very comfortable and their sockets are some of my favorites. I really want to buy a set of screwdrivers even though they're re branded Witte.
 
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Hiball

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Apr 30, 2009
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Location
Missery
DodgeMech said:
ALL matco, besides their big boxes, are re brands, and more and more are rebrands from over seas...

anyway, one of the best and most versatile of these re brands would be a set of 10 inch Knipex Cobra pliers...if you haven't heard of those, look them up
Click to expand...

Not Exactly true.. but for the most part you are correct, They still offer Ratchet Styles/lengths that are "Currently" Brand specific. @OP While I don't have any, the Pinless Impacts generally get the Most Rant and Raves here at GJ, Yes you can (or could) find them via Craftsman/Armstrong but ive heard some people complain about available sizes.
 
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Jwych

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Mar 30, 2014
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335
Location
Sioux city Iowa
We have a set of the stubby ratchet wrenches on my service truck and I like them. Also have a set of combo wrenches that are pretty nice also if you need an upgrade on wrenches!
 
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zkling

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Jan 23, 2007
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Rebaged Knipex stuff such as snap ring pliers. I wonder how long it will take before one of the neighbors complains about the large truck. Hoping no HOA for his sake. :beer:
 
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monomach

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F

firebox40dash5

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Mar 19, 2012
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monomach said:
Matco's the worst of the trucks. :/
Click to expand...

I haven't even seen a Mac truck in ages to be terrible, and they're selling rebranded Stanley... their air tools are friggin' Aircats for chrissakes. :lol_hitti

We just got a Cornwell truck again a few months ago. Last one quit a couple years ago to further his inflatable bounce house business... just did his usual "show up less during the summer busy season" and then just quit showing up. Poor new guy keeps wondering why no one buys squat from him.

Oh, and the new GW long ratchet/swivel box wrenches aren't identical to Matco. My boss has the Matco set, I just picked up the GW set last week... from the Matco guy. Same length, lots of similarities, but not 100%. The GW heads don't have the screw to service the ratchet mech. But not bad thus far for 1/3 less money.

If you want warranty service, Matco is the best place to buy the impact swivels. I have 0 faith in CM selling them in the future and not sure if Apex/Armstrong/Matco would cover them. Armstrong probably will keep selling them, but you're probably mailing it out if it breaks. I can tell you there's a good bit of markup in them through Matco, I got a pretty nice cash deal on mine. I really, really like them, at least in 3/8 and 1/4... never bothered with 1/2s since the spots calling for those sizes are rarely that tight.

The long 88t ratchets are sweet. The locking flex ones are the same as Armstrong, but you can get the 1/2 in 24"... I have that one, the 15" 3/8, 8" 1/4 and use the hell out of all five. A kit doesn't seem to last as long as a Dual 80, but the heads are slimmer, and they're easy as hell to lube and rebuild.
 
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shockwave

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Oct 23, 2012
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2,125
Location
Marietta,ga
The long 3 piece Torx driver set t15,t20,t25 has saved me a few times

And there pinless universal impact sockets are the best out there
 
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shaggymutt1

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Nov 10, 2013
Messages
124
The 11in matco 3/8 ratchet I have has slimmest head! I can fit in spots my snap on breaker bar head won't even fit!
 
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