Matco Tools

[hossc]

Hey guys i'm in need of some new tools and I'm debating if I should get snap on or matco. I want them all the same brand. I've heard both sides... looks like matco may be a little bit cheaper... what are you guys experience with the two? We do work mostly on diesel pick-up trucks

 

[hossc]

ill be making a huge purchase for a couple mechanics in my shop... so I want to make sure I get the right brand

 

[OHMS LAW]

I like my Matco adv impact sockets. They come in a nice plastic set and and makes them super portable. Other then that I can't say much else. I had a hook and pick set that was pretty brittle.

 

[tbaggz]

Snap-on no hesitation.if you want the same brand name across the board,Matco doesn't have that.if you are OK with badge engineering,paying more for a name ,Matco is your guy.

 

[jim1987]

Snap on. Some.of matco tools are the same as gearwrench.

Then again, don't stick to one line. Not everyone makes the best of everything.

 

[hossc]

I just want all the same tools boxes and alot of the big tools to be one brand... im sure we won't get by with every single tool being the same brand

 

[OHMS LAW]

Yea also are you hiring? Lol jk. But however you are Very generous for dropping that sort of coin for you workers. My boss bought the guys some duralast tools. I have my own but something is better than nothing

 

[hossc]

i originally planned to by snap on cuz i havent heard much bad from them but i also may be able to work out a big trade with a guy that used to be a matco dealer and he has lots of left over tools... so he may make a trade with me which would be in my favor

 

[ClineWrench]

Exactly what Jim said. For example: I love me some snap on wrenches, but the Cornwell makes the new stubby wrenches around. Another example is ratchets. I like dual 80s as much as he next guy, but my standard tooth ratchets are Cornwell.

 

[hossc]

i appreciate all the help you guys are awesome... also do you guys have any reccomendations as far as tools boxes? i know i could probably drop $50k on 4 tool boxes so i'm wondering if theres gonna be any difference between matco and snap on and then also just something i could pick up at home depot for a lot less... I have a matco box that i paid 6k for and don't see a huge difference but just wondering on what you guys think cuz im no expert

 

[jim1987]

Does the matco guy have any boxes left over? If not, Ruger556 got a proto box a few months back and loves it. Says its the same as a Mac. If you have cash, get good used boxes off Craigslist and replace the slides if needed. That will save a huge amount of $$$ up front

 

[hossc]

good to know... its possible that ill be getting a few boxes from the matco guy im still working out a deal with him... we're thinking of trading him one of our built trucks for some tools but im just trying to get educated a little bit before i make a deal with him. and i'm sure we'll probably be buying alot of other stuff as well

 

[CamarosRus]

WHY NOT but quality tool boxes from www.strictlytoolboxes.com

WHY spend $50K on boxes and see $$$ in instant depreciation !!!!!!!

 

[Loscaldazar]

WHY NOT but quality tool boxes from www.strictlytoolboxes.com

WHY spend $50K on boxes and see $$$ in instant depreciation !!!!!!!

You can get some good toolboxes for much cheaper than Matco/Snap On from that site (good brand names too).

As far as handtools go, I would get Snap On over Matco. I'm far from a Snap On fan boy/lover, but if I were purchasing off the tool trucks (snap on, Mac, Matco), I'd go Snap On in a heatbeat and not look back.

 

[hossc]

good to know about that site thanks guys... ill most likely be buying any extra boxes from them that i cant get from the matco guy. Anyone have any experience with air tools? One of my mechanics swears by his matco 1/2" impact gun, he says it outperforms the snap on impact

 

[d.mcfarland]

The new matco impacts looks (visually) appealing. As long as your driver comes around often to warranty anything, either would be fine.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Snap on without a doubt. I really don't know why anybody buys Matco as they are all rebadged tools. The only way I could justify Matco is if that was the only truck that came by the shop.

Honestly though, I wouldn't be buying my guys expensive tools as they will just disappear with time.

 

[Jrsixx]

I've had 2 Matco boxes, the first i bought in 88. I still have it at home, 25 years of professional use at roughly 8 different shops and NO issues at all! Never replaced a slide, all drawers work great. (damn sounds like I'm writing a CL ad ). As far as tools go, I have both SO and Matco, each has it's pluses and minuses. The bad thing now is that Matco mostly rebadges their stuff. Whenever I see something on the Matco truck, I find it online for half the price. As far as impacts, I have all IR, Matco rebadges these as well, they're great tools. If you're getting a really good deal, I wouldn't hesitate to get anything from Matco, just don't pay full retail.

 

[trackwelder]

What kind of service work are they doing? Are there any dealers in your area for warranty service?

 

[K-Dog]

Just to say the same thing as every one else ( well not every one but.... )
If I had to pick ONE it would be Snap-On, but there is no reason to stick to one exclusively.

 

[Wamsutta]

Go with Lista boxes and all Snap-on tools.

 

[1950mercury]

80% of my sockets are matco. I got them for pennies on the dollar. If money was no object id own so sockets.

I think so has changed there socket design twice in the last fifty years were matco has changed them countless times. So if you have even slight ocd get so. It ***** when your replacement socket dont match the rest

 

[shockwave]

Go with snap on they are hands down a better product imo but matco does have some nice exclusive tools like there ratcheting flex/box end wrenches are awesome and no one else sells them

 

[sonvolt]

I have both brand of tools and I would go snap on

 

[dsimatt]

I have a bunch of both and really liked matco but lately it seems like they are cheapening their tools and also alot of their stuff is rebadged so just buy the oem brand for cheaper also their "deals" aren't that great.

 

[Jsnyder93]

i have a lot of snap on tools and i do have a decent amount of match. to me tool quality is a big concern and its obvious that matco lacks it compared to snap on. but you also pay more for snap on

 

[Askme42]

Snap on. Some.of matco tools are the same as gearwrench.

Then again, don't stick to one line. Not everyone makes the best of everything.

This is key. I'm by no means a professional mechanic I know if you want the best you're gonna have a hodgepodge of stuff in your box.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I'm OCD as hell, and my box is also a mish-mash. Matco impact sockets, Craftsman chromes and combos, some Gearwrench, ADV, and Craftsman impact sockets, Sunex spark plug sockets... even a bit of the Snappy. My OCD only tells me the set of tools has to match.

Some things Matco does better, some Snap On does better, some neither make anything appreciably better than others like GW or Sunex for the money, some (SAE tools for me and many other auto guys) I don't use enough to justify truck price. As you can probably tell, I jave a good bit of Matco stuff, and it all lives in a Snap On box, because I just can't dig Matco boxes. To my knowledge, they don't get jealous or anything.

I will say if you throw down cash on a few boxes (which should get you close to 50% off list) you can probably get some good deals on tools from whoever's mortgage you're paying for a couple months.

 

[MattPersman]

Snap on can provide you with work center solutions (boxes etc), and provide you with possible industrial account prices for all the tools as well. Just call them and ask for an industrial rep that you want to outfit your business. It will be worth your while.

 

[vga]

I have and use both brands. Like them both and I would say you cant go wrong with either brand.

 

[Bruce57]

I have both but prefer Snap On hands down.

 

[Ruger_556]

i appreciate all the help you guys are awesome... also do you guys have any reccomendations as far as tools boxes? i know i could probably drop $50k on 4 tool boxes so i'm wondering if theres gonna be any difference between matco and snap on and then also just something i could pick up at home depot for a lot less... I have a matco box that i paid 6k for and don't see a huge difference but just wondering on what you guys think cuz im no expert

Proto 450 series boxes are the same as MAcsimizer's but with the older styling and cost less than half. Tough to beat Did a review on here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243355 That said, if the guys have assigned bays in the shop go with Lista cabinets.

Does the matco guy have any boxes left over? If not, Ruger556 got a proto box a few months back and loves it. Says its the same as a Mac. If you have cash, get good used boxes off Craigslist and replace the slides if needed. That will save a huge amount of $$$ up front

Someone call my name?

 

[efb16acrx]

Who do you think will be around for long term service of whatever they sell you? Sounds like your matco guy is already out of the picture there.

 

[stikman56]

The new matco impacts looks (visually) appealing. As long as your driver comes around often to warranty anything, either would be fine.

The new Matco MT2769 isn't a rebadged IR, it's made by PTP for Matco, and I can tell you, I think it's the strongest 1/2" impact I've ever tested, was very impressed. They copied IR's design for sure. They make impacts for Cornwell too, and also they make the Matco MT2138 that's a 500 ft' lb. 3/8" .I guarantee you they will walk all over anything Snap-On has. I tested the MT2769 against a good strong MG725, it wasn't even a competition.

 

[espyking83]

Snap on. Some.of matco tools are the same as gearwrench.

Then again, don't stick to one line. Not everyone makes the best of everything.

100% correct.