My New Matco Purchase...

[Hiball]

Today being Thursday and All i decided to Hit my Local Matco Guy up and see what Specials they where running for this Period. I Ended up buying a 1/4" Standard Length Ratchet (Birthday Gift for my Brother on Sale) and picked up a 3/8" Stubby for myself.

Im pretty sure everyone is aware that the GearWrench/Craftsman 60/84/88 tooth stuff is Interchangable with the Matco/Armstrong line and Since my Gearwrench stock is Very limited i just assumed that they used the Same head with a Different handle. The Only Gearwrench Ratchet i have to compare is the 3/8" Stubby but Immediately i could tell that the Gearwrench was a bit bulkier in just about every aspect including Head Thickness/Width and Length, Not that i think that these subtle difference make a whole hell of a difference in stubby ratchet, I was suprised to say the least.

Just thought i would share....

 

[plinker]

Quite a difference I would say. I'm suprised the head is that much slimmer.

Matco is running a really good deal on some die grinder's at the moment, cant afford them now though.

 

[Hiball]

Quite a difference I would say. I'm suprised the head is that much slimmer.

Matco is running a really good deal on some die grinder's at the moment, cant afford them now though.

Yeah, I seen those on the flyer BOGO.

 

[Hammer1963]

Huge difference because they are different products all together. The 88 tooth ratchets are great tools. Keep them lubicated with a light weight oil. The are actually assembled with Marvel Mystery Oil. Rebuild kits come with a tube of the oil

 

[NC-Fordguy]

How much did you get those for?

 

[Deafautotech]

i has gearwrench stubby and it is comfort for my big hand.. i do like matco's but just too shorter for me...

 

[OEXL16B]

And it looks like the Matco stubby has a better selector lever too.

 

[Hiball]

How much did you get those for?

The 1/4" was on special for $59 and the stubby was $7?, But my Guy gives me 10% off for Cash Purchases. Its not much of a discount and if i wanted to wait i could probably find them cheaper here or on Ebay but i like to patronize the working man from time to time.

 

[DiscoBerry]

I love all my matco 88's i have a standard handle 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 as well as a 24 inch 1/2 flex head thats a beast

 

[sk farmer]

Huge difference because they are different products all together. The 88 tooth ratchets are great tools. Keep them lubicated with a light weight oil. The are actually assembled with Marvel Mystery Oil. Rebuild kits come with a tube of the oil

not quite so. my formerly 60 tooth gearwrench clicks along just nicely with a matco 88 tooth kit in it. the ratchet differances are mostly cosmetic with interchangeable parts. i actually prefer the gearwrench selector better. i am surprised in the differeance in head size but i am about 100% sure they would interchange. i also have a couple armstrong ratchets and prefer the handle and selector over the matco handles.

 

[OEXL16B]

I guess the GearWrench selector lever is OK after all. When I first looked at the picture, the lever looked like it may have been broken.

 

[Hiball]

I guess the GearWrench selector lever is OK after all. When I first looked at the picture, the lever looked like it may have been broken.

Nah its not Broke, The Lever on the Matco is a hair thinner but both switch direction effortlessly.

 

[OEXL16B]

Nah its not Broke, The Lever on the Matco is a hair thinner but both switch direction effortlessly.

It's that shadow that threw me off I think.

 

[otis66]

I like that Matco 88 stubby ratchet. Is there a USA stamped on the other side of the MATCO stubby ratchet?

 

[TwoInch]

the craftsman 84t mechanism is interchangeable? i did not know that. i always thought it was different design, but i dont own them though..

 

[Skin]

the craftsman 84t mechanism is interchangeable?

no it is not. to accommodate the thicker cover plate they lowered the drive gear. If you stick a 88 or 60 tooth gear in it you'll crush it and bind it up just by tightening the cover plate screws. You can put an 84T rebuild kit into a Matco or GW ratchet though.

 

[TwoInch]

no it is not. to accommodate the thicker cover plate they lowered the drive gear. If you stick a 88 or 60 tooth gear in it you'll crush it and bind it up just by tightening the cover plate screws. You can put an 84T rebuild kit into a Matco or GW ratchet though.

thats good to know!

i might have to give that a try, as the 88t kits have been impossible for me to acquire.

 

[Hiball]

I like that Matco 88 stubby ratchet. Is there a USA stamped on the other side of the MATCO stubby ratchet?

Yes, Stamped USA on the Opposite side.

the craftsman 84t mechanism is interchangeable? i did not know that. i always thought it was different design, but i dont own them though..

Ive never had a 84 tooth Craftsman premium ratchet but i suspect Skin is right being that it uses a cover plate, On a side note just so im not confusing anyone the Craftsman 60 tooth Ratchets all had "Quick Release" so depending on what direction you was trying to go, it would either have a Inoperable QR or a open hole with No button. Im fairly certain that all the Gearwrench (60,84), Armstrong Maxx (60,88) and Matco (60,88) could all be swapped with No problems.

 

[daveblank]

And it looks like the Matco stubby has a better selector lever too.

I like the feel of the Gearwrench lever myself. It seems to be raised just a little mor & that makes it easier for my fat fingers.

 

[otis66]

Yes, Stamped USA on the Opposite side.



Ive never had a 84 tooth Craftsman premium ratchet but i suspect Skin is right being that it uses a cover plate, On a side note just so im not confusing anyone the Craftsman 60 tooth Ratchets all had "Quick Release" so depending on what direction you was trying to go, it would either have a Inoperable QR or a open hole with No button. Im fairly certain that all the Gearwrench (60,84), Armstrong Maxx (60,88) and Matco (60,88) could all be swapped with No problems.

Sold. I'll be getting one as soon as I see my MATCO dealer.

 

[TwoInch]

Yes, Stamped USA on the Opposite side.



Ive never had a 84 tooth Craftsman premium ratchet but i suspect Skin is right being that it uses a cover plate, On a side note just so im not confusing anyone the Craftsman 60 tooth Ratchets all had "Quick Release" so depending on what direction you was trying to go, it would either have a Inoperable QR or a open hole with No button. Im fairly certain that all the Gearwrench (60,84), Armstrong Maxx (60,88) and Matco (60,88) could all be swapped with No problems.

well, you both are correct. the low pro CM ratchets are the same design also, but with a quick release. i pulled a 1/4" LP 60t apart to check, and it is the same mechanism.

also, i stopped at sears today after work, and talked the guy into finding me a 3/8th premium kit, and after a little haggling, he went back and got me one

the 84t CM kit absolutely does work in the GW ratchets. the only thing i notice is that the snap ring is not tight, and spins freely in the groove with the 84t kit, but it is so close to tight that it does not allow any slop in the plate or mechanism.

i have always used superlube in these mechs, and the 84t is no different. it works great, and is much smoother than the 60t it replaced. you just have to use less SL than in a normal ratchet, and the pawl wont stick. if it sticks, pull the cover and wipe a little out. it will work fine. the kit came with a tube of blackish lube which is not oil, but thinner than #2 grease. looks like #0 or similar grease... i always wondered why CM ratchets lube was so black in brand new ratchets....

 

[Pro-Painter]

I put a craftsman 84t kit in my 1/4" Gearwrench flex head and it worked flawlessly. Even the snap ring is nice and tight. I assume that the tolerances are so close on the 1/4" vs the 3/8 & 1/2" that it dose not matter?

I did notice something. The Craftsman 84t only uses one spring & "bullet" for the selector switch/pawl, where the Gearwrench/matco/Armstrong uses two. I believe this is why so many people with the 1/4" craftsman premium ratchets have issues with them auto reversing and binding up. They don't have the back pressure created by the 2nd spring on the pawl like the matco/Gearwrench/Armstrong.

When I first put the 84t kit in the Gearwrench, I only used the single spring and it would auto reverse. Since I added the 2nd spring, it has not reversed once.

craftsman 84t kit in gearwrench flex with normal gearwrench.

 

[Hiball]

I put a craftsman 84t kit in my 1/4" Gearwrench flex head and it worked flawlessly. Even the snap ring is nice and tight. I assume that the tolerances are so close on the 1/4" vs the 3/8 & 1/2" that it dose not matter?

I did notice something. The Craftsman 84t only uses one spring & "bullet" for the selector switch/pawl, where the Gearwrench/matco/Armstrong uses two. I believe this is why so many people with the 1/4" craftsman premium ratchets have issues with them auto reversing and binding up. They don't have the back pressure created by the 2nd spring on the pawl like the matco/Gearwrench/Armstrong.

When I first put the 84t kit in the Gearwrench, I only used the single spring and it would auto reverse. Since I added the 2nd spring, it has not reversed once.

craftsman 84t kit in gearwrench flex with normal gearwrench.

Do you mind snapping a picture of the "Craftsman premium" Gear? For some reason I remember a thread wher it was different than the gw,matco and Armstrong version along with the back spacing in the head. Just to clarify? That is a craftsman premium ratchet kit and not the new Gw 84 kit, correct?

Maybe they changed something... Dunno.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Do you mind snapping a picture of the "Craftsman premium" Gear? For some reason I remember a thread wher it was different than the gw,matco and Armstrong version along with the back spacing in the head. Just to clarify? That is a craftsman premium ratchet kit and not the new Gw 84 kit, correct?

Maybe they changed something... Dunno.

It is A USA Craftsman premium 84 tooth guts in a normal 60 tooth Gearwrench ratchet. The kits are the same. The only difference I noticed was the single and dual springs mentioned above. Other then that, they are the same, and a very simple upgrade.

The difference in the action is amazing. It was like going from a course tooth ratchet to a fine tooth all over again. The Gearwrench 60t is rough and has a lot of drag compared to the craftsman 84t. This came as a surprise to me. When I upgraded my 3/8" Gearwrench to matco 88 I did not notice much of an improvement.

Craftsman USA 84t on the left(red O ring), Gearwrench 60t on the right (black O ring)

 

[Hiball]

It is A USA Craftsman premium 84 tooth guts in a normal 60 tooth Gearwrench ratchet. The kits are the same. The only difference I noticed was the single and dual springs mentioned above. Other then that, they are the same, and a very simple upgrade.

Craftsman USA 84t on the left(red O ring), Gearwrench 60t on the right (black O ring)

For Some reason i recall the Gear being thinner or one of them having a recessed area built into the Ratchet head.. Are both gears identical on the Back side?

 

[TwoInch]

For Some reason i recall the Gear being thinner or one of them having a recessed area built into the Ratchet head.. Are both gears identical on the Back side?

you are correct, the craftsman gear has a recess on the gear where a quick release would be on other ratchets. it is recessed about a 1/16th" roughly, and about 1/8" or a little more in from the outer diameter of the gear. i didnt look to see if the gear was actually thinner than the 60t GW gear, just forgot, but with the snap ring being slightly "looser" i would guess its just a half hair thinner, but not enough to cause ANY slop or movement of the mechanism. im guessing the CM ratchet has a raised section in the ratchet head for the gear recess.(?)

i appreciate the heads up on the compatibility of the CM guts, i have been trying to get matco kits, and they dont like to give them out easily when you dont have a dealer apparently. 84t is more than plenty for me

and the CM kit is much smoother than the 60t GW kits, not tooth count wise, i mean the feel of the teeth themselves. very smooth even action.

 

[TwoInch]

quick google search produced a thread on GJ that included this picture. apparently there is a raised part of the inner ratchet head of the CM design.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

So in the 88T Armstrong or Matco, they recommend that we use MMO? I was going to open my ratchets up and use Super Lube to reassemble... now I'm thinking about something lighter weight like the Red Assembly lube. Thoughts?

 

[sk farmer]

marvel mystery oil on these.

mostof my other rathets get rrl.

i cannot stand super lube. i have tried and do not recomend it but that of course is my opinion. your results may vary but to get on track the mfg recomends mmo on the 60, 84 and 88 tooth danaher ratchets(armstrong, gearwrench, matco and craftsman) and i agree fully with that.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I did notice something. The Craftsman 84t only uses one spring & "bullet" for the selector switch/pawl, where the Gearwrench/matco/Armstrong uses two. I believe this is why so many people with the 1/4" craftsman premium ratchets have issues with them auto reversing and binding up. They don't have the back pressure created by the 2nd spring on the pawl like the matco/Gearwrench/Armstrong.

.

The Armstrong Maxx in 3/8" and 1/2" only have one as well. I don't know on the 1/4" Armstrong Maxx or the Matco 88's though.

 

[TwoInch]

the CM 84t kits come with a black colored grease, which i would guess to be of around the #0 or #00 nlgi rating. definitely less thick that nlgi #2 but far from a liquid oil.

i use superlube in these mechs with no problem. tried MMO, and RLL, both leaked out in my experience. it seems the o-rings dont seal well.

 

[daveblank]

I did notice something. The Craftsman 84t only uses one spring & "bullet" for the selector switch/pawl, where the Gearwrench/matco/Armstrong uses two.

As a former Matco distributor, I never saw one with 2 springs.

So in the 88T Armstrong or Matco, they recommend that we use MMO? I was going to open my ratchets up and use Super Lube to reassemble... now I'm thinking about something lighter weight like the Red Assembly lube. Thoughts?

From the factory & in the repair kits, the Matco uses MMO. I used the Permatex red assembly lube. NOTE---1 drop is plenty. You only want enough to lightly coat the gears & reduce friction. Too much will cause poor ratcher performance & leakage.

 

[TwoInch]

As a former Matco distributor, I never saw one with 2 springs.




From the factory & in the repair kits, the Matco uses MMO. I used the Permatex red assembly lube. NOTE---1 drop is plenty. You only want enough to lightly coat the gears & reduce friction. Too much will cause poor ratcher performance & leakage.

the only version that i have seen with two springs are older gearwrench versions. all of my GWs have two springs, but they are all older taiwan ratchet that i got NOS. they are probably 5 year old manufactured

 

[kiatech]

my gearwrench 60th only has 1 spring

 

[TwoInch]

my gearwrench 60th only has 1 spring

whats the COO in your GW and how old is it? i am not sure if they are still taiwan or china.

 

[kiatech]

whats the COO in your GW and how old is it? i am not sure if they are still taiwan or china.

Its the bent handle spark plug ratchet bought earlier this year when sears was blowing them out. I don't remember COO I remember there is a -K- stamp on it.