Matco Tools question

[Brownsfan]

I was on the Matco truck and was looking at a few things. First is who makes their sockets? Not the Silver Eagle but the regular non impacts. Also who makes their pliers? Not the obvious Knipex rebrands, the orange handle ones that feel just like craftsman and look and feel like HF handles. I do remember seeing USA on the sockets but don't remember seeing anything on the pliers. They are really expensive some more than snap on

 

[bobcatdan]

The actual matco impacts are made by apex, just like their ratchets and chrome sockets. The impact should be USA, but for some reason the USA stamping is really hit or miss. As for their pliers, they use to be channellock, but almost 10 years ago, they pretty much all became imports. If they still offer USA made pliers, I havn't seen them.

 

[Brownsfan]

Wow they are expensive for imports. So Matco chrome sockets are similar if not the same as Armstrong then therefore USA made Craftsman? Matco prices are the same if not more than Snap On in some things. I could not spend $180 on a set of 4 t&g pliers when I can buy something MUCH better for less or the same money. I understand the whole truck tool thing because I buy a TON of Snap On but I feel Im getting a better quality tool for the same money

 

[3baygarage]

Wow they are expensive for imports. So Matco chrome sockets are similar if not the same as Armstrong then therefore USA made Craftsman? Matco prices are the same if not more than Snap On in some things. I could not spend $180 on a set of 4 t&g pliers when I can buy something MUCH better for less or the same money. I understand the whole truck tool thing because I buy a TON of Snap On but I feel Im getting a better quality tool for the same money

Exactly. The chrome sockets with the large blue size stampings on them were just fancied up Craftsman (USA) or Armstrong. The long chrome ratcheting box wrenches, same as Armstrong.

 

[chris142]

Ive noticed that matco is often more than snappy!

 

[Skin]

The actual matco impacts are made by apex, just like their ratchets and chrome sockets. The impact should be USA, but for some reason the USA stamping is really hit or miss. As for their pliers, they use to be channellock, but almost 10 years ago, they pretty much all became imports. If they still offer USA made pliers, I havn't seen them.

Wow they are expensive for imports. So Matco chrome sockets are similar if not the same as Armstrong then therefore USA made Craftsman? Matco prices are the same if not more than Snap On in some things. I could not spend $180 on a set of 4 t&g pliers when I can buy something MUCH better for less or the same money. I understand the whole truck tool thing because I buy a TON of Snap On but I feel Im getting a better quality tool for the same money

This is pretty much all wrong.

Matco's chrome sockets are not made by Apex nor were they made by any ex-Danaher company, they're made under contract by National Machine Group and have been since the late 80s. What is true is the USA stamp has been removed from at least the 1/4" drive stuff (last I checked which was about 2 years ago) as apparently the steel used in manufacturing was being imported.

Their long needle nose and hose grip pliers, high leverage side cutters, as well as their precision needle nose set with the orange handles are all USA. Fedwrench knew the name of the OEM on those if I remember right (might of been T&G?)-also not an Apex supplier. The same company supplied MAC their pliers for a time before MAC switched to Asian copies.

 

[DTB]

I do not know who makes the Matco chrome sockets. However,If they are made by Apex, they don't look to be the same sockets under the Armstrong and Craftsman,Napa,etc,etc brands. I've never seen any Craftsman sockets that look like these.

 

[Skin]

I do not know who makes the Matco chrome sockets. However,If they are made by Apex, they don't look to be the same sockets under the Armstrong and Craftsman,Napa,etc,etc brands. I've never seen any Craftsman sockets that look like these.

See my post above.

 

[DTB]

See my post above.

Caught your edit right as I posted my post. Lol

 

[bobcatdan]

This is pretty much all wrong.

Matco's chrome sockets are not made by Apex nor were they made by any ex-Danaher company, they're made under contract by National Machine Group and have been since the late 80s. What is true is the USA stamp has been removed from at least the 1/4" drive stuff (last I checked which was about 2 years ago) as apparently the steel used in manufacturing was being imported.

Their long needle nose and hose grip pliers, high leverage side cutters, as well as their precision needle nose set with the orange handles are all USA. Fedwrench knew the name of the OEM on those if I remember right (might of been T&G?)-also not an Apex supplier. The same company supplied MAC their pliers for a time before MAC switched to Asian copies.

I could be wrong about the chrome socket being a Danaher product because the matco chrome sockets do differ in design from most Armstrong and all of USA craftsman. I own several 3/8" impact sockets and USA stamp is totally random on them. I bought those in 2004. As for the pliers, I know 100% for sure most of their pliers are import. I bought a 16" long orange handle needle nose in 2000 or so, it was USA. I broke it in 2006 or so. The replacement was of different design and made in Tawian. About that time I was looking at a plier set. My dealer had a USA set, I put off buying it for while. At some point he sold the set and restocked, that set was marked Taiwan. So unless matco has changed back to USA, they are most likely imports.

 

[Brownsfan]

This is pretty much all wrong.

Matco's chrome sockets are not made by Apex nor were they made by any ex-Danaher company, they're made under contract by National Machine Group and have been since the late 80s. What is true is the USA stamp has been removed from at least the 1/4" drive stuff (last I checked which was about 2 years ago) as apparently the steel used in manufacturing was being imported.

Their long needle nose and hose grip pliers, high leverage side cutters, as well as their precision needle nose set with the orange handles are all USA. Fedwrench knew the name of the OEM on those if I remember right (might of been T&G?)-also not an Apex supplier. The same company supplied MAC their pliers for a time before MAC switched to Asian copies.

That's why the ? was used. Also Mac uses Channellock for its USA made offerings. They even go as far as using the CL part number in the Mac part number. Just seems Matco has a lot of import tools they are charging a premium for. I know Cornwell does it as well but at least they charge accordingly. I thought Wright made sockets and some ratchets in the late 80's and early 90's. I could be wrong. With Matco it seems you really have no idea what you are getting each time you step on the truck?

 

[Skin]

I could be wrong about the chrome socket being a Danaher product because the matco chrome sockets do differ in design from most Armstrong and all of USA craftsman. I own several 3/8" impact sockets and USA stamp is totally random on them. I bought those in 2004. As for the pliers, I know 100% for sure most of their pliers are import. I bought a 16" long orange handle needle nose in 2000 or so, it was USA. I broke it in 2006 or so. The replacement was of different design and made in Tawian. About that time I was looking at a plier set. My dealer had a USA set, I put off buying it for while. At some point he sold the set and restocked, that set was marked Taiwan. So unless matco has changed back to USA, they are most likely imports.

These are USA made

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/PNG3SB/3-PIECE-EXTRA-LONG-GREEN-NEEDLE-NOSE-PLIERS-SET/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/HGG3SB/3-PIECE-GREEN-HOSE-GRIP-PLIER-SET/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/PAMO3T/3-PIECE-MINI-PLIERS-SET/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/PSJN11B/11-SLIP-JOINT-NEEDLENOSE-PLIERS-45-DEGREES/ (Plus a straight pair that are not listed online)

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/PAOD11O/11-OFFSET-DIAGONAL-CUTTING-PLIERS/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/TCT22A/9-CRIMP-TOOL/

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/TCT11A/NON-INSULATED-WIRE-CRIMPERS/

Most everything else is Knipex rebrands or Asian.

With Matco it seems you really have no idea what you are getting each time you step on the truck?

Same can be said for all the brands. You do your research and pick and choose what you like best.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm not going to start a ******* match, but I know the last time I was on a matco truck, any pliers that was not knipex, was made in Tawian. Now matco could very well offer USA pliers and that dealer may very well not stock them and that could lead me the wrong conclusion. All I know when I broke that pliers, he had to order the new one in and it was imported. Also where on any of those link did it say those products were USA?

 

[Skin]

Matco does not list COO on their website. Again those are USA and have been for a number of years. Of course that's subject to change since Matco has no control over their suppliers but if you order any of those right now you'll get USA manufacture unless something has changed very recently.

 

[redwrench60]

Sorry Skin but you're wrong here. I just as of last Monday handled the very first green handle plier set you linked along with the extra long handle needle nose set and the 3 Pc hose gripper set and I'm positive it was marked Taiwan. Want me to take a pic next Monday? They may have changed since you last researched.

And yes, Matco is sneaking in lots of import hard line hand tools in and charging USA prices. A month ago I bought a 48 oz Matco ball peen hammer that I was sure was a Trusty Cook only to see a small and well hidden 'taiwan' on the handle. I returned it unused. I'll link it if anyone's interested.

 

[warmpancakes]

Matco needle nose with the green handles are Tiawan

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/PNG3SB/3-PIECE-EXTRA-LONG-GREEN-NEEDLE-NOSE-PLIERS-SET/

used to be USA I had to warranty mine, replacements come in a bag that says made in taiwan

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I would have to have the world's greatest dealer to buy anything from Matco.

 

[wild cowboy]

who did we finally decide actually manufactures Matco's chrome and impact sockets?

and just to catch me up with y'all gurus, who manufacturers Mac's, Cornwell's, and Snap-On's for that matter?

good info here!

 

[Brownsfan]

Mac Cornwell and Snap sockets are all USA made by themselves. Matco makes NOTHING other than tool boxes. They just rebrand everything. I think that's why I have not bought anything from them

 

[bobcatdan]

SO makes SO. Cornwell makes all their sockets except bit sockets in Ohio. USA made Mac is made in Dallas in their owner's Stanley's factory. Matco doesn't make anything other then boxes. They rebadge everything else. Bonney and wright have been suppliers in the past. Closest thing matco has to in house is what they share with Armstrong.

 

[wafrederick]

The best Matco pliers Matco sells are the rebranded Knipex pliers.I have the snap ring plier set,cobalt pliers,needle nose pliers and diagnal cutting pliers.

 

[devoncoolman]

Matco has two lines of hammers. I just bought a trusty cook made dead blow from my dealer that he ordered for me. I told him specifically i dont want the overseas ****. He searched hard and found it and ill be damned it came and was usa made and had the trusty cook label on it but said matco usa on it. Mind you he had the hammer i wanted on his truck but it said made in taiwan.

Matco is slowly turning everything into imports.

 

[redwrench60]

Matco has two lines of hammers. I just bought a trusty cook made dead blow from my dealer that he ordered for me. I told him specifically i dont want the overseas ****. He searched hard and found it and ill be damned it came and was usa made and had the trusty cook label on it but said matco usa on it. Mind you he had the hammer i wanted on his truck but it said made in taiwan.

Matco is slowly turning everything into imports.

Here's the lowdown: The green ball peen hammers are USA made Trusty Cook and the red ones are Taiwan. Decent hammers but not at that price. And scroll down to see the....get this.....30 day warranty! BOO!! A $92 Taiwan hammer with no warranty?? Piss on that.

Tell me this isn't a near perfect Trusty Cook knock off.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CDBP40/40-OZ-DEAD-BLOW-BALL-PEEN/

 

[Brownsfan]

Damn I am glad I bought my Trusty hammers from my old Cornwell guy. Prices were MUCH better than Matco even their Taiwan version. Hell Snap Ons hammers are close.
Heres mine http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTH40BP-%2d-40oz.-Dead-Blow-Ball-Pein
Less than $70. Glad I got the full set

 

[MattPersman]

I have been trying to tell people that Matco is many times higher than snap on for just relabeled import stuff. At least Cornwell and Mac sell it for reasonable. Mac is trying to make more stuff in house and USA.

 

[redwrench60]

Damn I am glad I bought my Trusty hammers from my old Cornwell guy. Prices were MUCH better than Matco even their Taiwan version. Hell Snap Ons hammers are close.
Heres mine http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTH40BP-%2d-40oz.-Dead-Blow-Ball-Pein
Less than $70. Glad I got the full set

Yup. $69 for a USA made Cornwell branded Trusty with a warranty, or $92 for a Taiwan knock off with a 30 day warranty.....

I've also noticed more often than not Matco is higher than Snap-On on a lot of their pricing if you actually compare apples to apples.

 

[Brownsfan]

Yep pretty much just told the Matco guy I will call him if I ever need anything. Man I wish my Cornwell guy was still in business.

 

[redwrench60]

Case in point using 40 oz. USA made dead blow ball peen hammers:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675296&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BH40DB/40-OZ-DEADBLOW-BALLPEIN-HAMMER/?source=igodigital

 

[Brownsfan]

I think the GLARING difference is the Cornwell vs Matco for the same hammer.
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTH40BP-%2d-40oz.-Dead-Blow-Ball-Pein
vs
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTH40BP-%2d-40oz.-Dead-Blow-Ball-Pein
vs
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CDBP40/40-OZ-DEAD-BLOW-BALL-PEEN/

$12 dollars less for the USA made real deal from Cornwell vs the Taiwan knock off

 

[Ruger_556]

Mac Cornwell and Snap sockets are all USA made by themselves. Matco makes NOTHING other than tool boxes. They just rebrand everything. I think that's why I have not bought anything from them

I'm gonna disagree with that... Most of their products are made by their parent company "tool group". While there isn't a "Matco" factory making their hard line tools it's still made by them. You could argue that Armstrong makes none of their own tools also... Yeah it's re-brand but it's re-branded within the same company so the argument is kind of invalid. Matco tools are not the same as Craftsman USA tools though.

 

[devoncoolman]

Snap-on guarantees their hammers forever.

 

[redwrench60]

I'm very carefull and selective when it comes to buying Matco. I like many of their tools but you gotta watch them or they'll stick you with a well disguised import tool for the highest prices in the mobile tool business.

 

[devoncoolman]

I'm very carefull and selective when it comes to buying Matco. I like many of their tools but you gotta watch them or they'll stick you with a well disguised import tool for the highest prices in the mobile tool business.

This is very true. My dealer (great guy by the way) was hocking a balljoint press not the otc made one. Some other Taiwan **** looked identical to the harbor freight one for like $380 or something. He said it was a great deal. But its ****? Hows that a great deal. I gave him a hard time over that. My otc has served me well. I picked the whole master kit up off of usa tool for $230 nrand new 4 years ago cant beat that.

 

[shockwave]

Matco painless universal impact sockets are all USA made but the regular impacts are hit or miss I have not seen USA on any before

 

[Ruger_556]

Matco painless universal impact sockets are all USA made but the regular impacts are hit or miss I have not seen USA on any before

USA

 

[belu0501]

I true "professional" mechanic would be the first to admit its not the name on the side of the truck, or how fancy your tools look. But how well the driver takes care of you and services your tools, ie: replacing broken tools, getting tools you ordered.

All tool companies are slowly converting their hardline to imports. A lot of the Mac hardline is re branded sunex, or astro.

Matco is a great company. They don't hide the fact that a lot of their stuff is made by "outside" companies and is Matco branded. Example their cordless tools and made by PTP with matco's R&D and design. PTP also makes cornwell, mac and some snappy stuff.

Bottom line, you can have 20k in Snappy but if your dealer is constantly on credit hold and can't get your tools to warranty, or the Mac guy runs out of the same 1/2" repair kit for the $200 ratchet you keep breaking, or the Cornwell guy stops coming because his route is so large that when you stop buying he goes somewhere else so your SOL when your tools break. The tool guy that has the tools, warranties the tools, and is willing to wheel and deal is the dealer worth buying from.

-Luke

 

[Ruger_556]

Well said ^^^ MAC hard line is made by MAC though... Hard line being their USA basic stuff (Not the "Edge" sockets... I don't know where those are made but I suspect not here).

 

[1950mercury]

Most of my matco tools are older made in usa tools and i have no problem with them.

 

[Skin]

Sorry Skin but you're wrong here. I just as of last Monday handled the very first green handle plier set you linked along with the extra long handle needle nose set and the 3 Pc hose gripper set and I'm positive it was marked Taiwan. Want me to take a pic next Monday? They may have changed since you last researched.

And yes, Matco is sneaking in lots of import hard line hand tools in and charging USA prices. A month ago I bought a 48 oz Matco ball peen hammer that I was sure was a Trusty Cook only to see a small and well hidden 'taiwan' on the handle. I returned it unused. I'll link it if anyone's interested.

No need for a picture, I believe you. Bobcatdan it seems you're right afterall. Bummer, just another strike against Matco. Just before the Apex spinoff, which granted wasn't exactly yesterday, they were still USA sets. Taiwan is fine and all but who are they kidding asking nearly $200 for 3 Taiwan pliers. That price is bad enough for domestic.

I'm gonna disagree with that... Most of their products are made by their parent company "tool group". While there isn't a "Matco" factory making their hard line tools it's still made by them. You could argue that Armstrong makes none of their own tools also... Yeah it's re-brand but it's re-branded within the same company so the argument is kind of invalid. Matco tools are not the same as Craftsman USA tools though.

Use to be true, hasn't been in a few years which is part of the reason we're seeing COO shifts. I hadn't known about the pliers but they overhauled their ratcheting wrench line and eliminated everything that was supplied by Armstrong, for some reason they outsourced their dead blows as well.

Armstrong, GW, Allen and Matco were all owned by Danaher. Danaher went into a "joint venture" with Cooper Industries and both spun their tool related divisions off which created Apex Tool Group, that venture was then sold outright to Bain Capital which included the tool manufacturing facilities. Danaher retains Matco apparently but all their tool manufacturing facilities are no longer owned within the same company. They quite literally have the capabilities to make nothing other than tool boxes, the rest is contracted out.

 

[Ruger_556]

Taiwan is fine and all but who are they kidding asking nearly $200 for 3 Taiwan pliers.

Yes ^^^ The pliers actually seem fine and I don't know anyone that's had problems with them... Just a bit steep for imported