dailydriven1
Well-known member
how are peoples opinions? Only have ever bought from snap on and Mac and never heard good or bad about Matco
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Matco tools?
- Thread starter dailydriven1
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Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Mostly rebranded danaher stuff except the hard line items. The few things I have are decent
I've purchased four MATCO 88 tooth ratchets and love them. I did break my 8" long 1/4 in ratchet but I put way more torque on it than I should have.
I also have 3/8 MATCO ADV sockets and they are okay. Kind of a thick wall.
Metric and SAE wrench sets. Not bad, I prefer the Snap On wrenches.
Have a double bank 6S roll cab and really like it.
My MATCO dealer is a great guy and will deal while the Snap On guy was retail price on everything. However, we just got a new Snap On guy who is more flexible on prices. Now I have two weekly tool bills.
I also have 3/8 MATCO ADV sockets and they are okay. Kind of a thick wall.
Metric and SAE wrench sets. Not bad, I prefer the Snap On wrenches.
Have a double bank 6S roll cab and really like it.
My MATCO dealer is a great guy and will deal while the Snap On guy was retail price on everything. However, we just got a new Snap On guy who is more flexible on prices. Now I have two weekly tool bills.
ihateminimumwage
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- Jan 26, 2012
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That pretty much nails it.
They like to stamp their logo on things and double the price (Armstrong, Lisle, Gearwrench/KD, Ingersoll Rand, Witte, Knipex, Star, Craftsman, OTC, etc...).
This thread covers a good amount of it:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120
They sell a lot of good stuff, but I usually write down the part number and tool name and just search out the original or cheaper re-brand version.
I've been waiting for those to go on sale. My set of Genius swivels are wearing out.
Chrome isn't as nice as SO and specialty tools are frequently re-brand but usually decent quality.wafrederick
Well-known member
Their taps and dies are made by Irwin with a lifetime warranty.I have broken one Matco tap and dulled two of them which were replaced under warranty.Their air chisel bits and burrs for the die grinders have a lifetime warranty also.I have bought their tools that I have a dealer that comes around every Friday.My dealer knows I pay on the spot and says I am a great customer.He has been going after the dead beats that owe him money lately.My dealer does ask if I have anything broken on the spot and his service is great.I purchased the MT2858 Pitbull air ratchet recently and like it now.
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They don't sell anything (except tool boxes) that you can't buy the exact same product from someone else for far, far less money. They don't make tools, they buy tools and resell them, just like any internet tool sales site. Good tools, just stupid expensive for the product you get.
OP
dailydriven1
Well-known member
So what are the opinions on toolboxes versus snap on?
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Matco boxes are nicer IMO... Those are one thing that Matco does very, very well.
Fastbird
Well-known member
The few Matco tools I have are decent. I got a good price on their axle nut socket set last year, but it was sadly rebranded Taiwan. But they work, and have held up. Getting support for a warranty (flashlight) from my (now former) matco guy on the other hand.......not so good.
I'd take a 6S Matco box over a snappy box any day. They just feel better to me.
I'd take a 6S Matco box over a snappy box any day. They just feel better to me.
not-required
Well-known member
Bought a lot of Matco tools when I was in school. I like them dont have any complaints about the tools themselves. When I got into a shop ans working everything on the matco truck was a bit more expensive than snap on so I dont buy much matco anymore.
I like the Matco 88 ratchets. Yes,you can buy some similar Armstrong ratchets but I've yet to see a Armstrong 24" flexhead or a 8" long 1/4 drive or 15" 3/8 drive ratchet. As far as the rest of it,well just depends on if you have a good dealer that will work with you on deals. Without a dealer, or a good dealer, I wouldn't see a point in buying from them if you can get off better with MAC or Snap On.
davesnothere
Well-known member
ive got a matco 6s box, and it is the bees knees. i cant justify spending money on their tools, though, for reasons previously stated by other folks. which *****, because my matco dude is awesome.
DSLTECHMEDIC360
Well-known member
The few matco stuff i have is ok. The chrome is coming off a few of my wrenches. It just seems to me that they are always more over priced compared to the other trucks. We used to have a matco truck come but he sadly went under.
echo above.some good most rebranded.gearwrench,kabo wrenches,trusty hammers etc.cordless are not as good as snap on.pneumatics either.how is mac? I wish we had one here.adv sockets are similar to grey pnuematic.silver eagle is there value line and is junk imho.but I do have a double bank and roll cart from them and they are solid.but full of snappy tools lol.
firebox40dash5
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- Mar 19, 2012
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- 4,185
This... while it's true they don't really "make" anything, they do sell some things you just can't buy elsewhere... all the above ratchets included. Try finding those pinless swivels in >19mm or in 1/4" drive from another Danaher brand.
Outside of hardline stuff, most of what I buy from Matco is things I think I'm likely to break and need to warranty. Plus greasing the wheels with some purchases gets me warranty service for GW stuff.
Stroked383
Well-known member
I'd say the majority of my stuff is MATCO. My MATCO guy is super cool and the service is great. Always works a deal and everything seems to be cheaper when comparing to the last 3 snap in trucks that came by for a while. He's there every week and will show if you text him.
I'm sure if I had a SO rep with the same service 7 years ago it could be a different story. I have plenty of Snap on, Mac, and cornwell also and don't really have a preference as far as quality. I use a chrome 1/4 MATCO socket set everyday on a impact and havnt warrantied a socket for as long as I can remember.
The MATCO guy keeps showing up and getting my money for that reason.
I'm sure if I had a SO rep with the same service 7 years ago it could be a different story. I have plenty of Snap on, Mac, and cornwell also and don't really have a preference as far as quality. I use a chrome 1/4 MATCO socket set everyday on a impact and havnt warrantied a socket for as long as I can remember.
The MATCO guy keeps showing up and getting my money for that reason.
100% agree
AV tinker er
Well-known member
I have a set of Matco flare wrenches. Worked well thus far. I don't know if they are rebranded...
Go snap-on, in the long run I think they are cheaper not only up front (matco stuff is crazy expensive, more expensive than snap-on IMO) but also if for what ever reason you would plan to sell or trade your tools I think SO commands more money on the used end.
MattPersman
Well-known member
I have had both Matco and snap on boxes and carts. I like the lock and roll and or epic detent drawers much better than the Matco cheap slides. The powder coat in standard colors on the Matco (Meaning not silver vein) is worse quality than the snap on, it chips easier and scratches and swirls easier.
The tools are all acceptable but generally anymore they are MORE expensive than snap on and are all just relabels. Sure there are some "exclusives" they have but still not made by them or usually not in a US or Canadian factory. It used to be you could buy Matco and save quite a bit from snap on like 20% or so but they have crept them past now. They gotta pay the drag racers and tv shows money to advertise there relabeled stuff.
The tools are all acceptable but generally anymore they are MORE expensive than snap on and are all just relabels. Sure there are some "exclusives" they have but still not made by them or usually not in a US or Canadian factory. It used to be you could buy Matco and save quite a bit from snap on like 20% or so but they have crept them past now. They gotta pay the drag racers and tv shows money to advertise there relabeled stuff.
Matco hasn't been more expensive than Snap-On for years. The last few Snap-On price increases have put them in a league of their own.
While its true Matco only makes boxes they do have many exclusives- ratchets, sockets types, wrenches, cordless lineup ect... That can't be purchased elsewhere.
Deal with Matco directly and stop feeding a bad dealer (all brands have them). Matco will absolutely warranty chrome peel no questions asked, you just need to setup an online account so you can fill out RMAs.
While its true Matco only makes boxes they do have many exclusives- ratchets, sockets types, wrenches, cordless lineup ect... That can't be purchased elsewhere.
Deal with Matco directly and stop feeding a bad dealer (all brands have them). Matco will absolutely warranty chrome peel no questions asked, you just need to setup an online account so you can fill out RMAs.
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Bruce57
Well-known member
I have a set of Matco metric combination wrenches. Pretty nice wrenches, I am happy with them. They look identical to Armstrong wrenches, which are good quality as well.
Tarheelgarage
Well-known member
I have their 88t ratchets, very nice quality.
About anything else they sell is just overpriced rebrands from other manufacturers.
About anything else they sell is just overpriced rebrands from other manufacturers.
chris142
Well-known member
I started out with matco. My favorite wrenches are a set of sae matco ones i bought in the early 90's. But lately the price of matco stuff is out the roof.even the snappy guy carries a matco catalog to show that so is now cheaper.ive taken most of my matco stuff home