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Matco Tools

dsmnickk90

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Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
711
Like these? http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...EXTRA-LONG-DOUBLE-FLEX-RATCHETING-WRENCH-SET/

Cuz they look a lot like these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YKEW5I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My take on Matco- Mostly overpriced, rebranded junk. Look at their ratchets, they are really not that great and they cost the same and in a lot of cases more than Snap on for a similar one. I stopped buying Matco, their stuff just isn't worth it. I wrench for a living, so I hope I know a little about tools

Matco ratchets are junk? Most love the 88th. Their ratchets and pinless impacts are nice. I would love a set on the long box end wrenches with the flex end. I have the Gearwrench gear boxes and it would be awesome if the ratchet end was a flex head.
 
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Murphy4570

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Feb 27, 2012
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2,821
Location
West Deptford NJ
Matco ratchets are junk? Most love the 88th. Their ratchets and pinless impacts are nice. I would love a set on the long box end wrenches with the flex end. I have the Gearwrench gear boxes and it would be awesome if the ratchet end was a flex head.

Matco 88 tooth ratchets are junk. They strip out and break very often, or at least the long handled ones do. The old 36 tooth ones are OK though, about the same as Craftsman. Very sloppy and loose fit.

Most of the Matco stuff I have is either air tools (rebranded IR stuff), wrenches, or specialty tools. Their wrenches are pretty good IMO. Specialty stuff seems to be all rebranded Lisle, OTC, etc.

Their plastic socket rails are the bomb though. :bounce: I have a lot of Snap-On socket sets on Matco socket rails lol.
 

dsmnickk90

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Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
711
Matco 88 tooth ratchets are junk. They strip out and break very often, or at least the long handled ones do. The old 36 tooth ones are OK though, about the same as Craftsman. Very sloppy and loose fit.

Most of the Matco stuff I have is either air tools (rebranded IR stuff), wrenches, or specialty tools. Their wrenches are pretty good IMO. Specialty stuff seems to be all rebranded Lisle, OTC, etc.

Their plastic socket rails are the bomb though. :bounce: I have a lot of Snap-On socket sets on Matco socket rails lol.

I have the Armstrong 88t flex. Same gear and never had a problem. I Personally wouldnt buy specialty tools of a truck besides the snap on ball joint press. Almost all of them are rebranded and can be had for almost half the price buy the OEMs that make then
 

shockwave

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Joined
Oct 23, 2012
Messages
2,125
Location
Marietta,ga
Like these? http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...EXTRA-LONG-DOUBLE-FLEX-RATCHETING-WRENCH-SET/

Cuz they look a lot like these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YKEW5I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My take on Matco- Mostly overpriced, rebranded junk. Look at their ratchets, they are really not that great and they cost the same and in a lot of cases more than Snap on for a similar one. I stopped buying Matco, their stuff just isn't worth it. I wrench for a living, so I hope I know a little about tools

Kinda like those the ezred wrenches that are offset are very nice but the solid spline and ratcheting flex spline of the matcos as pictured in the thread are only available thru matco and the ezreds are the same as sk gpro from a couple of years ago I believe there is another company platinum aswell I personally have the matcos and ezred set and it covers quite a bit
 

knocker

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Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
220
Location
Peoria, Az
Yeah, I'm not a fan of their new pricing or over pricing of rebranded stuff. But I do really Like their 88t ratchets, haven't had a problem yet. I have one of their badass 15" 3/8 drive 88's and it being so long I put a lot of torque on it and it has yet to fail. Also pinless swivels, the best, no more to say on those. And like I posted before their zero degree flex xl wrenches, there's nothing else like them. Once you use them you will be a believer. You can't forget about their boxes, good stuff.
 

lennoxlennox

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Dec 15, 2008
Messages
1,026
But I do really Like their 88t ratchets, haven't had a problem yet. I have one of their badass 15" 3/8 drive 88's and it being so long I put a lot of torque on it and it has yet to fail. Also pinless swivels, the best, no more to say on those. And like I posted before their zero degree flex xl wrenches, there's nothing else like them. Once you use them you will be a believer. You can't forget about their boxes, good stuff.

agreed

so much hate going on so close to valentines day

i have their 88T ratchets and never had a problem and like them - I really like my 24" 1/2 88T, and agree on the pinless...they are sweet.... also good experience with their locking impact extensions and 30" breaker bar
 
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wafrederick

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Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,044
Location
Holton,Mi
I like their pinless impact swivels.I only had to replace a couple of them so far.One was binding up badly and the other was extremely loose due to the spring gone.
 

ClrkLndeKmt'su

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Joined
Dec 11, 2012
Messages
179
Location
Dayton, TN
And I do like matcos witte screwdrivers the best of all the truck brands I have tried feel nice in my hand

I have had a set about 14 months now, feel great in my hands, but I believe the fitment of the Phillips is not all that great. The flat heads are good, but doubling them up by putting another thru the hole in the handle has usually lead to me breaking the tip. They just seem brittle almost.
 
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OHMS LAW

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Joined
Jun 8, 2012
Messages
927
Location
Houston TX
Im not a tool snob. if it gets the job done and i trust my instructors word,that these are more than adequate to get the job done. Im not one to abuse my tools but if you use your tools the right way they will be fine no matter make, unless they are absolutle cheapos then yes. but as far as matco goes ill buy what i deem a good deal from them but also go with snaps on critical tools. thanks for all the input
 

bobcatdan

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Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
I have had a set about 14 months now, feel great in my hands, but I believe the fitment of the Phillips is not all that great. The flat heads are good, but doubling them up by putting another thru the hole in the handle has usually lead to me breaking the tip. They just seem brittle almost.

I find my those screwdriver bite phillips better them my SO hardhandles. The SO's are my normal first grab, but if I fell a slip coming, I go grab the matco.
 

firebox40dash5

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Joined
Mar 19, 2012
Messages
4,185
I've only got 7 of the 88T ratchets, including the 15" 1/2" and 3/8", 8" 1/4", and flex 1/4" and 3/8". I've had 3 problems, all with the 1/4". First one was when I used a bottle jack handle as a breaker bar on the AFR88, snapped the anvil. Second was when I repeated this trick with the AFR68LFT. Third was a 60T pawl in the rebuild kit for one of them. Yep, total ****. :lol:

I wouldn't waste my money on their ADV/Silver Eagle sockets by the set, I'd rather buy probably the exact same socket from Gearwrench for 1/2 price or less. They definitely go way heavy with rebrands in everything else too, and some of those prices are truly outta whack. I know they have to get theirs, and the driver has to get his, but damn. I guess if you had the money and really wanted the service for it it might be worthwhile, but I don't see it.
 
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CWP1616L

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Aug 31, 2012
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USA
5y3upesu.jpg

Those are the only ratcheting wrenches on the market that make any sense.
 

NissanTechWill

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Joined
Nov 2, 2012
Messages
181
Location
Raleigh, NC
I find my those screwdriver bite phillips better them my SO hardhandles. The SO's are my normal first grab, but if I fell a slip coming, I go grab the matco.

I totally disagree. My Matco Phillips heads are JUNK. I bought the 10 piece screwdriver set about 2 months ago because I like their handles better than my SO Instincts, but the Matco Phillips heads do nothing but slip.

IMHO, DO NOT waste your money on Matco screwdrivers. SO screwdrivers are 100X better.

-Will
 
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OHMS LAW

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Joined
Jun 8, 2012
Messages
927
Location
Houston TX
I have the instinct hard handles and I love them. Precision tools ill opt for the snaps but beater tools, I will get Some matco. Don't worry tho i will balance out my matco order with a healthy snap on order.
 

knocker

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Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
220
Location
Peoria, Az
Im not one to abuse my tools but if you use your tools the right way they will be fine no matter make, unless they are absolutle cheapos then yes.

Ohms Law, not always true, I never abuse my tools and have warrantied plenty of snap-on, matco sockets. I just don't want you to think that if you do buy premium you will never have problems with them breaking. You will just have the advantage of having someone coming to your shop every week to fix or replace it.
 

wafrederick

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Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,044
Location
Holton,Mi
I know someone that breaks tips of #2 phillips screwdrivers,good brands such as Snap On and cheap ones.My neighbor Ken does this a lot,my father watched him do this to 6 of them in a row once.
 
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OHMS LAW

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Joined
Jun 8, 2012
Messages
927
Location
Houston TX
Okay guys an update, heres what i ordered


ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION LIST DISCOUNT NET QTY EXTENDED
MPS700 OBD II & ABS SCAN TOOL $349.95 30.0 % $244.96 1 $244.96

MSC4SVA HEAVY DUTY SERVICE CART - SV $819.95 30.0 % $573.96 1 $573.96

OF29700 ADJUSTABLE FILTER PLIERS $41.75 52.0 % $20.04 1 $20.04

PNG3SB 3 PC XL GREEN PLIER SET $175.55 52.0 % $84.26 1 $84.26

PSG4 4PC HVY DUTY HOOK/PICK SET GR $69.25 52.0 % $33.24 1 $33.24
SBP422V 42PC 3/8DR IMPACT SKT SET $225.90 52.0 % $108.43 1 $108.43
SBXPB3TA 3 PC 3/8" IMPACT EXTENSION SE $71.95 52.0 % $34.54 1 $34.54
SCXPB3TA 3 PC 1/2" IMPACT EXTENSION $100.64 52.0 % $48.31 1 $48.31
WT330A CRIMPING TOOL $29.50 52.0 % $14.16 1 $14.16
 

Brownsfan

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Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
Okay guys an update, heres what i ordered


ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION LIST DISCOUNT NET QTY EXTENDED
MPS700 OBD II & ABS SCAN TOOL $349.95 30.0 % $244.96 1 $244.96

MSC4SVA HEAVY DUTY SERVICE CART - SV $819.95 30.0 % $573.96 1 $573.96

OF29700 ADJUSTABLE FILTER PLIERS $41.75 52.0 % $20.04 1 $20.04

PNG3SB 3 PC XL GREEN PLIER SET $175.55 52.0 % $84.26 1 $84.26

PSG4 4PC HVY DUTY HOOK/PICK SET GR $69.25 52.0 % $33.24 1 $33.24
SBP422V 42PC 3/8DR IMPACT SKT SET $225.90 52.0 % $108.43 1 $108.43
SBXPB3TA 3 PC 3/8" IMPACT EXTENSION SE $71.95 52.0 % $34.54 1 $34.54
SCXPB3TA 3 PC 1/2" IMPACT EXTENSION $100.64 52.0 % $48.31 1 $48.31
WT330A CRIMPING TOOL $29.50 52.0 % $14.16 1 $14.16
I would really recommend these crimpers if you plan on doing electrical connections on a regular basis. Especially with the discount. I have a set and use them daily and could not be happier. They are just branded thomas and betts instead of Matco. http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/TCT11A/WIRE-CRIMPING-TOOLS/ Oh and make sure we get pics when they come in. I wish I could have taken advantage of a discount like that when I started out.
 
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markduncan93

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Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
168
Location
CA Central Valley
Has anyone tried to get rebuild kits for when a ratchet does break or just wait and let the dealer fix it? I sent an email to Matco but I got a reply back wanting about $28 for two rebuild kits.
 

Brownsfan

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Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
I find my those screwdriver bite phillips better them my SO hardhandles. The SO's are my normal first grab, but if I fell a slip coming, I go grab the matco.

I feel the same way. I have the Cornwell(same driver slightly different handle) and the Phillips seem to "bite" better than any other Phillips I have ever used. I know most don't like the snap on instinct and prefer the hard handles I think the instincts are the best. If I could put the witte shank on the instinct handle that would be great.
 
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