Matco's newest tool cart

[Toolhorder]

Well that's the best I could do with a BlackBerry camera.
The socket tray is kinda lame actually..I glued some magnets to the bottom but quickly found that since they are attracted to each other they jump together making a mess of superglue and magnets...Doesn't really matter because the tray holes are too shallow and the socket bottoms don't fit it well.

In the pics you can kinda see how I used pegboard hooks from HF to secure some of the tools. I haven't figured out everything yet. I'm still playing with ideas I guess. So far just being able to lock it up fast and go home is saving me tons of time. When I get in to the shop in the morning I pop it open and my most used stuff is ready to go. Saves at least 10 mins. of prepping my tool onto my old cart. Sounds kinda dumb but I'm saving time with that alone.
In one picture you can see a belt tensioner tool I use often bungied to the inside door on the bottom. That seems like a good spot for it. There is a welder in the bottom right now and a case. Plently of room.

Anyone notice the 3/8 C-man flex head ratchet in there? I LOVE that ratchet and I don't care what anyone thinks! I have a huge snappy box and work with that cheap 3/8 c-man all day it's a great little ratchet. It holds up well. Only one rebuild but I did use a cheater bar on it.

 

[Toolhorder]

Here you can see what the bottom drawer will hold. Plenty of room here too. I'm storing all my air and cordless tools in here now that are commonly used. I still have my air hammer, cut off wheels, etc.. in my main box but the common stuff is in the cart drawer now.

 

[daveblank]

Lets get back to the socket "pocket" issue. I have to assume that they made them this depth for a reason. If they were too much deeper, my little sausage fingers would not be able to grab a shallow socket. I'm going to make a recommendation to Matco, but, I need your help. Get me some better pics of the tray with your sockets in it. Try & get some of the bottom & the mods that you've done to try & remedy this. Tool Expo is in 3 weeks. There will be people there who's job for the week is to listen to these types of concerns. I'll print the pics & for them.

 

[fatfillup]

Dave, thanks for stepping out on a limb and bringing us this info. You took alot of abuse and kept on answering.

Toolhoarder, thanks for your input and pictures. That really helps us see what this cart is about.

As far as $900 for a cart. Considering what tool boxes, and other carts cost, it doesn't seem out of line. Remember, these are designed for pros who make a living with their tools. I only wrench a little for $ and lots of you guys do it for a hobby, so it might not make sense for us. My pressure washers start at $1000 and go up from there, quite quickly. Do I expect homeowners to buy them to use 4 times a year, no. But on the other hand, if it gets used everyday, often many hours a day, you better spend the money for a pro unit and buy it from someone who can fix it quickly.

 

[Toolhorder]

Hey Dave I'm not trying to abuse you or anything. You didn't make the cart. I'm just giving my opinions of it.

The problem with the socket tray is it's too small for some sockets and too big for some sockets. It's hard to explain. It's a hair too small of a hole to put the correct size socket into. It's kinda annoying. One thing I noticed is my 3/8 long SO 10mm which I use A LOT on the 3/8 cordless doesn't fit in the 3/8 slot. It's too small so I have to flip it over to fit it. If you could forward ideas to them that would be great. I would be stoked to help them out so other techs aren't unhappy. If I had a CNC machine I would machine a block of alum. with the correct size holes and on the bottom recess the back of the holes and add magnets. With a recessed hole the magnets can't snap into each other solving that little fun issue.

 

[Toolhorder]

I'm not working today or I would get you close up pictures...Tomorrow I can

 

[daveblank]

Dave, thanks for stepping out on a limb and bringing us this info. You took alot of abuse and kept on answering.

Hey Dave I'm not trying to abuse you or anything. You didn't make the cart. I'm just giving my opinions of it.

I don't feel abused at all. Trust me, If I can forward these ideas & possibly make it better I will.

 

[daveblank]

PM sent to Toolhorder.

Red/Black & Orange/Black are the 2 additional colors that they released. I think I like the orange the best.

 

[Toolhorder]

PM sent to Toolhorder.

Red/Black & Orange/Black are the 2 additional colors that they released. I think I like the orange the best.

That's the bee's knee's right there. Damn I should have waited.

 

[sonexer]

Dave, Any other exciting Matco news form the Matco Expo?

 

[Toolhorder]

Dave, Any other exciting Matco news form the Matco Expo?

Yes please tell.

 

[RIVERWEST AUTO]

i thing it looks weird

 

[Rickster]

If that socket tray can be removed, get yourself some of those Machanic's Time Saver socket holders. They have a magnetic base that holds them in place and also holds the sockets in.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/tool-storage-magnetic-holders-socket.html

 

[daveblank]

Dave, Any other exciting Matco news form the Matco Expo?

I think the biggest (& best to me) news is that we will be carrying scanners made by people other than OTC. We've been able to get Launch & Innova for a while but we had no information on them. They were there showing us the product. Innova will be making some of the Matco branded scanners that will be released soon. We'll have a OBD2/ABS/Airbag scanner in the $399 price range in a few months. There was a lot of excitement around this one. Innova will be building a Matco customer service hotline with the phone # on the face of the tool. They promised a max hold time of 5-7 minutes which is far better that OTC.

Matco had a picture of a rotating head 100 tooth ratchet that will be released later this year.

The 1/4 Pitbull ratchet seems to be a beast with 45LBS of torque. If anyone remembers the 88 tooth demo tool that I posted pics of, there are now palm ratchets of the same design.

 

[Toolhorder]

I heard something about a 1/4 impact cordless?

 

[daveblank]

I heard something about a 1/4 impact cordless?

They were there. I looked at them. I'll wait till they have been on the street for a while before I pass judgment.

 

[Toolhorder]

They were there. I looked at them. I'll wait till they have been on the street for a while before I pass judgment.

What volt battery does it use? I'm interested but not if it's the 10V battery. I absolutely love my 1/4 cordless ratchet but the power isn't there so I have to turn to my air ratchet for some jobs.
As of late I've been using it to screw in timing cover bolts and it's getting in there way easier than my air ratchet can.

 

[Toolhorder]

If that socket tray can be removed, get yourself some of those Machanic's Time Saver socket holders. They have a magnetic base that holds them in place and also holds the sockets in.

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/tool-storage-magnetic-holders-socket.html

You know I thought about those but I see two problems that would be a deal breaker for me. They don't hold enough sockets (a full set would be nice) and they are too expensive.
I just got a screwdriver holder from them that's the best so far that I've seen but expensive.

 

[daveblank]

What volt battery does it use? I'm interested but not if it's the 10V battery. I absolutely love my 1/4 cordless ratchet but the power isn't there so I have to turn to my air ratchet for some jobs.
As of late I've been using it to screw in timing cover bolts and it's getting in there way easier than my air ratchet can.

They are the 10.8v. In the Infinium line there is 10.8, 14.4, & 18 volt batteries. Anything other than the 10.8 would make the impact too pig to be practical if you know what I mean.

 

[Toolhorder]

They are the 10.8v. In the Infinium line there is 10.8, 14.4, & 18 volt batteries. Anything other than the 10.8 would make the impact too pig to be practical if you know what I mean.

Yeah I hear ya. I'm not thrilled at the power in the 10.8V. It's okay but I wish it was more powerful.

 

[MK1]

Matco had a picture of a rotating head 100 tooth ratchet that will be released later this year.

QUOTE]

Rotating head 100 tooth ratchet - I'm assuming it is something like the gear wrench swivel round head?

Thanks for the info.

Mark