Matco Tools

[Fastfish]

Hello, Saw an advertisement for Matco tool truck franchise. While thinking about it I realized I have never seen any Matco tools. Are they any good compared to Snap On? Appreciate all replies.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I really like them. some say they are rebadged Gearwrench, but I do not believe that. I really like their sockets. Been better for me than snap-on.

 

[uncwstudent]

The Matco ive come across have been pretty good. Ihave a Matco 88 tooth ratchet and so far really like it. I do think that Snap On is better in terms of quality and COO but if you're looking for quality USA tools with great customer service, I would check out SK.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I really like them. some say they are rebadged Gearwrench, but I do not believe that. I really like their sockets. Been better for me than snap-on.

Umm not all of their stuff is rebadged GearWrench. But aside from their toolboxes, it is all rebadged something or other...

 

[Parrothead]

I know their Silver Eagle line is at least partially rebadged Husky. There’s a post on here showing the socket being double stamped with both emblems.

 

[bimmer630]

I know their Silver Eagle line is at least partially rebadged Husky. There’s a post on here showing the socket being double stamped with both emblems.

Husky and silver eagle/matco both hire a place to make their sockets, and that place screwed up and stamped both names on a socket.
I dont think Husky "makes" any tools

 

[bimmer630]

I really like them. some say they are rebadged Gearwrench, but I do not believe that. I really like their sockets. Been better for me than snap-on.

Better for you how? Just the price point?

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Matco tools are OK, they are very aggressive price wise on their tool boxes and carts.

Are you going into an area that had a Matco dealer, or a new area? Problem if there was a dealer and hasn't had a dealer for a year or two you get beat up pretty bad handling all the warranty of tools. Talk this over with you rep before signing.

I know guys that are Matco dealers and are pretty happy with the program, I knew some that weren't happy. Those guys got spread too thin on money on the street. Letting guys buy a couple thousand in tools and collecting $20 a week. If you are not turning your money in 4-6 weeks you are spread too thin.

Also watch for new guys in the trade or shop, they buy a bunch of tools and disappear taking your tools with them.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Husky and silver eagle/matco both hire a place to make their sockets, and that place screwed up and stamped both names on a socket.
I dont think Husky "makes" any tools

Both are made by Apex, which is in bed with Matco (Fortive).

 

[dr_clyde]

I have a Matco dealer I really like. Its a shame he sells Matco and not Mac or Snap-On, because I really don't care for Matco. I probably would like them more if they actually made tools, instead of just re-badging them.

They don't make anything except toolboxes. Their boxes are really nice, though.

The Matco branded hand tools used to be made by Armstrong, and were great. You paid the premium for truck service and financing. Now, they are imported.

I haven't bought anything from Matco I couldn't get elsewhere for less money. I was willing to buy it from my dealer because he is a great guy running a small business and that was worth a few extra bucks for me.

Generally, I prefer Snap-On for my truck tools.

I am not a brand guy, but I like nice things. I have a box full of Wright, Proto, SK, Snap-On, Mac, Williams, Armstrong, and yes, some Matco.

 

[Parrothead]

Husky and silver eagle/matco both hire a place to make their sockets, and that place screwed up and stamped both names on a socket.
I dont think Husky "makes" any tools

Husky doesn’t make any tools, but as someone later pointed out, they’re made by Apex, as is Gearwrench, Husky, Silver Eagle, etc.

 

[Empty Pockets]

In my area, I haven't seen a Matco truck since the beginning of time. Before you sign up, you might want to check out your proposed territory to see how well you will be received. If there has never been a Matco truck in the area, you'll be competing with established friendships, as well as the other tool company's product.

 

[Zewnten]

Really like Matco ratchets but probably won't buy them due to the problems a year or so ago with getting rebuild kits because there is no in house manufa turing. A lot of their tools aren't made in America, but they want ridiculus prices for them or in the case of VIM and Sunex, the Matco distribution charges the driver so much for them he can't be competitive with Amazon (like with in $50).

That being said I have some Matco tools that I bought on a good sale, sales seem to be the one thing going for it none of the other tool trucks that stop by do, usually buy one get one. Or I bought it because the driver cut me a deal on something I needed. I really like my driver, I just wish he sold a different brand, for me the tools have a hard time justifing the price and their lack of in house manufacturing keeps me from investing in them as a buyer.

 

[Bigwheels]

Around southern idaho matco is the one tool i hardly ever see i dont know why if i run onto some i throw them in my mac drawer

 

[Michael_in_DE]

Better for you how? Just the price point?

Price yes. My local dealer is also way better than my snappy dealer. But the real reason I like it better was because when I used a snap-on deep socket. the inside shoulder of the socket was not deep enough to allow the socket to seat on the nut. It hit the end of the bolt. A Matco worked easily in its place.

 

[bimmer630]

Price yes. My local dealer is also way better than my snappy dealer. But the real reason I like it better was because when I used a snap-on deep socket. the inside shoulder of the socket was not deep enough to allow the socket to seat on the nut. It hit the end of the bolt. A Matco worked easily in its place.

Ironically, Snapon sockets cost more money BECAUSE of that. They broach the socket closer to the end (shallow broaching), which in most situations is a benefit because you can actually put pressure on a bolt or nut, say with the air ratchet you are using, to get it to line up in the hole or whatever, while its turning.
Your matco socket will cause the bolt to just push itself into the socket itself, and if the socket is longer than the threads of the bolt, you aint getting that bolt to thread in.
I suppose its good to have both versions of sockets kicking around for both reasons (your reason, and my reason)
But I think on that same fastener you talked about, if you stepped up to a 1/2" drive socket that was snapon, it would have worked.. maybe

 

[Fastfish]

Really appreciate all the replies, especially the insights on what it would be like being a sales rep/truck driver.....I know every time I find a snap on truck and go ask for replacements for any of my broken stuff (DIY here not professional mechanic) the driver seems misrable. Wondering if it would be a good job ......

 

[cvairwerks]

You might want to look around on here a little bit. There was a long running thread by someone that got into the business and the ups and downs he had before giving it up.

Here you go: garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217037&showall=1

 

[buffalobill]

I have a few matco items, my bit set is good, my 1/4 drive ratchet is ok, and my 3/8 breaker bar is a joke. If I could get sk as easily as matco, I wouldn't have any of it. As it is, I'd rather get carlyle from napa, napa stores are everywhere...

 

[Fastfish]

Thanks again for all replies and links. Really appreciate all input on this important matter for me. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Always had a Matco dealer around me. Stopped them more than once and bought some things from them. No issues with any Matco tools that I own. I won't hesitate to buy more Matco products if something catches my eye. Fpr example, if I wanted an ultra long 1/2" locking flex head ratchet (which I don't), I would likely get their 30" model.

 

[Poltax]

If you do decide to Franchise... make sure you read the contract and understand it. Some of the programs make you purchase a very large percentage of the tools on your truck from the contract company. Some others are not as concerned.

Pay attention to the part of the contract on renewal. Some of the companies will automatically reduce your territory by a certian percentage, make you purchase a new truck for the new contract, ect ect.

The hardest part about being a Franchisee is that you are the bank with your customers. You can quickly roll out thousands and have several of your customers walk, leave thier job, or get fired, never to see the money or tools agian. Just be careful.

 

[zbullock]

As far as the tools go its all we have in our shop boxes at work and its extremely rare for something to get broken. And that's with guys that didn't pay for them using them lol. They get "lost" quicker.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I don't think there tools are up there with SnapOn and Mac but the price is. I have gone years without a Matco dealer. Last place I worked at I had two different Matco dealers. One had been a dealer for five or six years and gave up on Matco and went out on his own. The other dealer lasted only about a year before he gave up. I know that this second dealer lost a boatload of money trying to make the Matco franchise work. Now he is in his early sixties, lost a lot of his retirement money on the job he chose as his retirement job and now has to work full time to make ends meet. I have heard this story more than once from Matco dealers. I did have one Awesome Matco dealer for awhile. This dealer has been selling Matco for close to 30 years and is still doing well. With that said I personally only deal with the SnapOn truck for truck brand tools, for the simple reason of in twenty years of being a pro wrench I have never been without a SnapOn dealer. I have gone over a decade without a Cornwell dealer, Matco was not much better. Mac was pretty consistent but never came close to SnapOn. There is a reason Matco is flooding FB and email in boxes with their sails pitch and that is they need dealers. You need to ask the question "why does Matco need so many dealers?", they have been around over thirty years, you would think they would have a decent dealer network by now. Now SO on the other hand has waiting lists for franchise routes but they require you to have considerably more cash to start a franchise. But I have never seen a SO dealer not be able to order a tool and get it the next week because he is on credit hold with corporate.

 

[Ji m]

my 2c about Matco stuff

I have a lot of different brands in my box
but the Matco wrenches and ratchet handles are my go-to tools.

Just feel comfortable to me,
and other than an 8mm wrench I snapped at the 'V',
and a worn out socket or two I've never had any problems with them.

Tho the last thing I bought off a Matco truck was 15+ years ago so who knows what they're selling now.

 

[toolman9w]

Hello, Saw an advertisement for Matco tool truck franchise. While thinking about it I realized I have never seen any Matco tools. Are they any good compared to Snap On? Appreciate all replies.

Do your homework extensively!! It's not for everyone. I saw earlier you eluded to a "good job" that it ain't. It's a lifestyle. It will bring you up one stop slam you the next. Gotta be tough and thick skinned. If you are afraid of gambling and losing money. Just pass on it. I talked to another older distributor the other day he has slowed down to 55 hours a week. He's 63. Just some insight.

 

[Wamsutta]

Matco is an office and a warehouse. They don't make any tools.

 

[Mikeske]

I been wrenching aircraft for the last 40 plus years before I retired earlier this year and we would see the Snap-on dealer weekly. The others well just say here today and gone tomorrow. Matco has always been a bit on the shady side with the way they handle the dealers. I seen several get the route that I was on and then lose everything, their home, car, savings everything. In the last few years my former employer finally had enough and started a complete tool control program and provided all the tools we needed to do our job.

It was actually all related to controlling foreign object damage (FOD). In the entire time I wrenched after I bought my initial set of tools I was pure cash and carry but that was because I always got the cheapest possible price for the cash. but that is unrelated to be a tool truck dealer. I am going to say run from this idea as quickly as you can as Matco is possibly the worst of the lot. The best is Snap-on for the dealers then Mac, Cornwell are kind of neck and neck then independent trucks. Of course this a opinion and I have seen over the years.

 

[Skin]

I would never touch a truck franchise in this age. The whole game is 85% failure but they're your bank so when you fall on your face they still make bags of money off the loans you're stuck with.

If you want a franchise open a Panera or Starbucks.

 

[Wamsutta]

Husky doesn’t make any tools, but as someone later pointed out, they’re made by Apex, as is Gearwrench, Husky, Silver Eagle, etc.

I still think of Apex as the screwdriver bit division of Cooper Tools - even though that's not currently correct in the corporate world.

 

[yjWrangler]

If it wasn't for me liking the Matco guy I probably wouldn't buy anything. The prices usually aren't worth it for me

 

[xjfish]

Locally, my Matco dealer is doing well and just bought himself a nice new truck. His wife quit her previous job and is now selling tools off another truck/route. His customer service has been good = I buy quite a bit from him.

Personally, i think it would be a hard gig and it does not interest me. Do your research!

 

[wornoutoldman]

Snap on used to offer a deal where you drove one of their corporate owned trucks and you got paid a salary. Maybe see if they still do this. You could test the waters and see if this is really something you want to buy into.

 

[Wamsutta]

Locally, my Matco dealer is doing well and just bought himself a nice new truck. His wife quit her previous job and is now selling tools off another truck/route. His customer service has been good = I buy quite a bit from him.

Personally, i think it would be a hard gig and it does not interest me. Do your research!

They both have their own Matco truck with separate routes?

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Locally, my Matco dealer is doing well and just bought himself a nice new truck. His wife quit her previous job and is now selling tools off another truck/route. His customer service has been good = I buy quite a bit from him.

Personally, i think it would be a hard gig and it does not interest me. Do your research!

There is a local Cornwell dealer that the husband runs the route 3 days a week, the wife runs it the other 2, while the husband stays home and handles the business you normally do in the evening.

It beats one person working 80 hours a week.

 

[toolman9w]

Matco is an office and a warehouse. They don't make any tools.

And a tool box manufacturing facility.

 

[graffix000]

I have 3 pack of ratchets from matco in the 88t variety. I really like the 3/8" & 1/2". All work buttery smooth after adding superlube to the mechanism. The 1/4" annoys me as the directional switch can move when using it.

 

[Htscheg]

My 2cents, I have owned a matco box for over 10 years, awesome box and Im not afraid to recommend them, Traded it in on a New SO box recently as Matco doesn’t make parts for my old one. As far as tools go, most are rebranded tools made by someone else, If I see something I like I usually just look online for the tool and buy the non Matco tool. Much cheaper and the warranty is about the same.

My current Matco guy is just startting out and he does not have a huge selection, but seems to be a great guy and I am willing to get as needed stuff from him. compared to the last guy we had who would only show up once a month or every other month...

just my opinions

 

[chris142]

I have some older Matco stuff and its good stuff. The newer stuff not so much. All their stuff is reboxed and you can buy the same thing from the original supplier much cheaper. Matco seems to be more expensive than Snap-On too.

 

[chris142]

I have 3 pack of ratchets from matco in the 88t variety. I really like the 3/8" & 1/2". All work buttery smooth after adding superlube to the mechanism. The 1/4" annoys me as the directional switch can move when using it.

I had the same problem with the 1/4 ratchet. I had Matco man replace it and rebuild it with no improvement. I got fed up with it and sent it to the recycler.