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MATCO tools - show us your MATCO tools!

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Ralf11

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Feb 29, 2016
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I thought this would be a good thread since the similar MAC thread is doing well.

especially interested in Matco stuff that is better than SnapOn - and IIRC, some like the Matco locking flex ratchet lock buttons/mechanism better

also, aren't some Matco ratchet heads thinner than Snappie?
 
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2ndGearRubber

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The matco 88, and gearwrench 84, are both thinner than a dual 80, regardless of drive size. Matco non-slip impacts, a 6 lobe spline design, are very nice.
 
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Xcursion88

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Apr 18, 2013
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My matco issue is...to be frank...my issue with all of them is reliability.
In other words will the tool truck still be coming around in 5 years?

Matco to me seems like the least reliable of the bunch. Especially with this new resurgence of Mac.

Snap on is by far the most reliable tool truck out there.
There's sonething to be said about that.

Ohhhh...for the thread....

20210726_132012.jpg
20210726_132045~2.jpg
These no slip deep sockets work well...but just learned last week they're NOT USA made.
I definitely can't have them hogging up my beautiful non asian filled box.

I have a busted stubby air gun no pic needed.

Knipex with matco on the handle count?
 
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Xcursion88

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clientgraphics said:
Definitely showing Matco, but here is another Matco ratchet picture. I can count on one hand the number of Matco tools I own. Just don’t have a truck that has ever been in route and the price to value/service isn’t there for me.
8280CAA3-CE64-47C9-87C1-2D240CFF2804.jpeg
Click to expand...
I know but i had to throw a dig after seeing icon out the *** in that drawer. Even the damn mat is Icon
 
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Xcursion88

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1foxracing said:
Sure that counts and matches the rest of their line up perfectly since they don't manufacture ANY tools themselves.
Click to expand...
I'd say no because they've absolutely zero input into those pliers. They're 101% knipex idea and mfg with a matco silk screen logo on the vinyl grip. Maybe a laser etch too ...
 
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2ndGearRubber

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Xcursion88 said:
My matco issue is...to be frank...my issue with all of them is reliability.
In other words will the tool truck still be coming around in 5 years?

Matco to me seems like the least reliable of the bunch. Especially with this new resurgence of Mac.

Snap on is by far the most reliable tool truck out there.
There's sonething to be said about that.

Ohhhh...for the thread....

20210726_132012.jpg
20210726_132045~2.jpg
These no slip deep sockets work well...but just learned last week they're NOT USA made.
I definitely can't have them hogging up my beautiful non asian filled box.

I have a busted stubby air gun no pic needed.

Knipex with matco on the handle count?
Click to expand...
Dont give up on the non slip impacts. Top notch. Only thing I've found better is flank drive xtra. I haven't had a matco dealer in years, so I just get ebay stuff if they have something I truly have to have. Now with flank drive xtra, the non slip impacts sit in my box.
 
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darkzero

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Xcursion88 said:
My matco issue is...to be frank...my issue with all of them is reliability.
In other words will the tool truck still be coming around in 5 years?

Matco to me seems like the least reliable of the bunch. Especially with this new resurgence of Mac.
Click to expand...
That's how I felt about Mac. The Mac guy didn't always come around & was so inconsistent. He was also an old ***** so I never gave him any money. I felt their stuff was overpriced too & the their tools just never apealed to me. But that was 20 yrs ago & of course doesn't mean that all Mac dealers are that way.

Our Matco guy was very reliable. He was also very cool & treated me well since day one. When I started out buying my own tools I bought a lot of Matco cause I couldn't afford Snap-on yet and again my Matco dealer treated me very well. Our Snap-on guy treated me well too but I didn't start giving him money until I settled in at the shop & started making some money.

I don't work at a shop anymore but to this day I still don't see very many Mac trucks around here. Snap-on & Matco I see often. Cornwell I still have never seen one in person in the past 25 yrs since I started wrenching. I still think they are a myth! :ROFLMAO:

But if I were buying today I don't think I'd be buying much of Matco. They no longer interest me & nor do I think they are a good value anymore.
 
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darkzero

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Here's most of my Matco & branded stuff, from the early 2000s.

The slim head ratchets were my favorite & most used. Later on I converted them to fine tooth with Armstrong kits when they came out.
20210726_175816.jpg

20210726_181558.jpg

My 1st Matco ratchet, "Special Forces" pass through. Used the hell out of this one but never used the pass through sockets, they were pretty much useless to me. The ratchet was very handy cause I would often pop out the adapter & use it as a spinner with oily or greasy hands. The 2 pieces from the pouch were extensions for the pass through sockets, again they were useless to me.
20210726_180035.jpg

Thin wall impacts for lugnuts. Thin wall impacts weren't around like they are today. I worked at a performance shop so I often dealt with aftermarket wheels. Had to use chrome sockets before I got these. Speaking of chrome sockets, the Matco chrome sockets looked cheap IMO back then. I went with with all Snap-on chrome sockets & still use em to this day. Long socket is a spark plug socket, very handy & still my favorite to use.
20210726_180146.jpg

Imperial & metric long combos, USA. I heard they later stopped making them in USA?
20210726_181043.jpg

20210503_201159.jpg
20210227_141717.jpg

20210726_183313.jpg

20210726_181905.jpg

20210726_182252.jpg

10 photo limit....
 
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darkzero

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Continued....
20210726_180750.jpg
20210726_180843.jpg

This jack used to have outboard wheels in the front (like skateboard wheels) but they annoyed the hell out of me so I took em off.
20210726_180637.jpg

These Cobras were the very first Knipex I ever bought. They're a bit different than the current ones. The newer Cobras have more notches for finer adjustability. After these 2 Knipex, I didn't buy any more Knipex until 10-15 yrs later. Now I own way more Knipex than I need.
20210726_181225.jpg
 
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Xcursion88

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The above post reminded me...
I also have two floor jacks...one low profile and one that isnt...
Ford Triton broken plug remover
Several knipex with a matco name on the vinyl...but that shouldn't count..

I really think that's about it
 
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darkzero

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Ralf11 said:
Do you have the head dimensions on the slim head ratchets?
Click to expand...
Mine are older models so not sure how the newer stuff compares.

The 3/8" BFR8T head is 0.47" thick (not including the anvil) & 1.23" wide.
Shown next to a F80 & NBR390.
20210728_203136.jpg

The 1/4" AFR5T head is 0.36" thick (not incl anvil) & 0.96" wide.
Shown next to a T72 & NBR290.
20210728_203225.jpg
 
OP
R

Ralf11

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Thanks - I get a hair under 12mm thick ("3/8" BFR8T head is 0.47" thick") which is thicker than the low profile Ko-ken ratchet, but thinner than the their regular 3/8 ratchet.

palmac.net

Koken Z-Series 3725Z-72T | Reversible Ratchet | 3/8" Sq. Dr.

Palmac Tool Company offers the Koken Z-Series 3725Z-72T | Reversible Ratchet | 3/8" Sq. Dr. to order online with a best Price Guarantee. Fast Shipping Available.
palmac.net palmac.net

I see the big advantage of Matco in those thin ratchet heads.
 
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Mr Ratchet

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I don't have a lot of Matco branded tools even though I like this brand. I do have a Armstrong long handle locking flex head in both 3/8" and 1/2" which are the same thing except for their handle shapes and some tooth count differences.

My box.
Box.jpg

8" long 1/4 drive ratchet and 1/2" drive 1 1/4" impact socket.
Matco.jpg
 
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plinker

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Northern Wi
1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 ratchets, I have others I use regularly not pictured, Armstrong & S-K mostly with some Snap-on & a couple Gearwrench rebrands.

The orange grip 3/8 was originally a 60tooth, bought it for the head (to put on a torque wrench) and ended up keeping it as is. Probably the most used of the 3/8 ratchets I have. The grip is actually the only plastic one I like using. Dont care for their soft grip handles. The 24" 1/2 locking flex, 3/8 shorty & 15" 3/8 were ones my Brother had, there are a couple more at home from his stuff too now that I think of it.

Planning on a getting another 9" 1/4 drive locking flex to put a 3/8 kit in sometime, Possibly an 18" locking flex.
 

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CHI_Tool&Die

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My only Matco tools so far. I really am liking the ratchet mechanism on these Eighty8s. Super smooth. The handles, to me, are also the most comfortable.

Only issue so far has been the Matco guy. I worked really hard to bring a truck to work and now he’s been MIA since July. He’s got a big order from me, but I haven’t seen or heard from him since. May try again today since I saw this thread. My wife keeps telling me to spend my money on MAC or Snappy since both those drivers are consistent and friendly. 😆
 

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ecotec

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Mr Ratchet said:
I don't have a lot of Matco branded tools even though I like this brand. I do have a Armstrong long handle locking flex head in both 3/8" and 1/2" which are the same thing except for their handle shapes and some tooth count differences.

My box.
Box.jpg

8" long 1/4 drive ratchet and 1/2" drive 1 1/4" impact socket.
Matco.jpg
Click to expand...

I have the same toolbox. Mine is so overloaded that I fear the top drawer is going to break.
 
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bonneyman

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I have a few Matco pieces.
A 15mm angle wrench next to a Bonney. Almost identical. Guess a Bonney-made Matco.
And an ergonomic 1/4" drive ratchet. Very comfortable to hold, very fine action. Wouldn't mind having a 3/8" drive rat in this style.
 

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sk farmer

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bonneyman said:
I have a few Matco pieces.
A 15mm angle wrench next to a Bonney. Almost identical. Guess a Bonney-made Matco.
And an ergonomic 1/4" drive ratchet. Very comfortable to hold, very fine action. Wouldn't mind having a 3/8" drive rat in this style.
Click to expand...
you can , that is a wright made ratchet,
 
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