New MAC Axis ratchets

[CHI_Tool&Die]

MAC has redesigned their Axis ratchets. They look to be held together by a clip and have a quick change handle. Supposedly the inner parts are completely redesigned but I haven’t found a video going into the technicals yet.

I’m eager to see them. The current ratchets are really nice but I could never get used to the soft grip’s design. I still cannot understand why MAC does not offer more ratchet configurations in the chrome handle.

He talks about the ratchets around the 4minute mark.

Also around the 4minute mark.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Lots of new tools coming down the line, and some rebrands. I already own the bit ratchet combo, got it from Astro products here in Japan. They are available through Vim in the USA. The max90 looks great, they are claiming more strength and less backdrag. Not sure why the chose a snap-ring/plate design. Usually those are weaker, I know from experience they like to blow the ring and the guts fly off.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Lots of new tools coming down the line, and some rebrands. I already own the bit ratchet combo, got it from Astro products here in Japan. They are available through Vim in the USA. The max90 looks great, they are claiming more strength and less backdrag. Not sure why the chose a snap-ring/plate design. Usually those are weaker, I know from experience they like to blow the ring and the guts fly off.

I was also surprised by the snap ring choice. Seems like most people prefer a sealed head with screws.

I’m seeing a whole lot of change going on with MAC’s line-up. It looks like RBRT is growing. Interesting times for the MAC guys.

 

[Hakeem]

Cool to see new ratchets, the comfort grip looks comfortable and the replaceable-handle feature is a good idea. I don’t like the circlip retention but plenty of well-liked ratchets use that design.

Ratchets are a crowded field with lots of competition. I’m curious to see how these stack up and if they can distinguish themselves from the competitors.

 

[cody1325]

Glad to see Mac now has a pocket offering similar to the reversible bit option Snap-On driver. The Mac guy shows up with much more regularity at a relative's shop than does the Snap-On guy at my regular mechanic. And with the Mac Grip-style handle--time to get it on order.

 

[NitroExpress]

Got a pair.




1/4” & 3/8” fixed head.

 

[Fedwrench]

Got a pair.




1/4” & 3/8” fixed head.

Couple of questions, are they still made in the USA? did MAC switch to a snap ring instead of screws to retain the gear cover?
I'm on the fence about those because they're pricey and I often tap things once in a while with the bottom of my comfort grip ratchet handle and I'm not how that would turn out with the set screw there now. Nice looking ratchets

 

[CoThG]

I was also surprised by the snap ring choice. Seems like most people prefer a sealed head with screws.

I’m seeing a whole lot of change going on with MAC’s line-up. It looks like RBRT is growing. Interesting times for the MAC guys.

Using a snap ring to secure the backing plate makes for a less rigid design that leads to flex and play in the anvil. Plus it's way LESS tidy looking and the head is still way too thick. No thanks MAC, or whatever rebranded SBD thing that is, I'm sticking with Snap-On Dual 80 and Koken Zeal for my ratchets.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Got a pair.




1/4” & 3/8” fixed head.

Nice! I just got my hands on these new Max90 ratchets the other day. Way more stout and solid feeling than I thought. The comfort grip feels really good, like better than my beloved Matco or the Snappy grips. Nice crisp action on the lever too. Enjoy!

Couple of questions, are they still made in the USA? did MAC switch to a snap ring instead of screws to retain the gear cover?
I'm on the fence about those because they're pricey and I often tap things once in a while with the bottom of my comfort grip ratchet handle and I'm not how that would turn out with the set screw there now. Nice looking ratchets

It says USA on the package but I did not see any stamping on the ratchets on the truck. The directional lever says 90 tooth instead of USA like the old Axis ratchets did. I saw that the upcoming stubby Max90s will have USA laser etched on the heads so maybe MAC will eventually roll that into the regular and long ratchets. Could be that MAC realized they were getting a lot of pushback online about not having USA anywhere on the ratchet. They do have a snap ring but it’s really big and not round so it applies more pressure over the backplate. The handles seemed really tight from what I could tell. The older Axis ratchets still on the MAC truck seemed a bit more smooth but also had floppier flex joints.

Using a snap ring to secure the backing plate makes for a less rigid design that leads to flex and play in the anvil. Plus it's way LESS tidy looking and the head is still way too thick. No thanks MAC, or whatever rebranded SBD thing that is, I'm sticking with Snap-On Dual 80 and Koken Zeal for my ratchets.

Yeah snap rings are hit or miss. I do like how much easier it is to service my Matco ratchets because I’m not dealing with tiny screws. But I also hate how any minor machining discrepancies can make the backplate and gear become loose and sloppy. I’d definitely agree that Snap-on ratchets are the best built of the truck brands even if I prefer Matco ratchets overall.

 

[Mr_B]

No usa stamping on the ratchet no buy .
I wouldn’t be willing pay the MAC brand premium if no stamped coo .
The ratchet design is still nothing remarkable and it pretty chunky head/switch.
so many quality ratchets out of Taiwan and Japan at pretty sensible money with great usable design features that absolute no point paying premium unless it above and beyond in design/features .
Warranty not that important either, professionally I not broke that many ratchets and when I have my personal self warranty is faster and better than even snap-on lol ...

 

[seber]

I think MAC took two steps back with that proprietary o-ring. First, just the fact that it is an o-ring and second that I would have to track town a truck to replace it. I also am not a fan of bulky handles. I'm 79 years old and still have no use for it , in spite of what the salesman is pitching. I don't know what might be inside, but as far as I am concerned, MAC blew it with this one.

 

[NitroExpress]

- Made in USA of global materials.
- Snap ring cover plate

 

[NitroExpress]

I have Mac axis ratchets that I’ve been satisfied with. I have a bunch of Proto ratchets that I really like. Comparing the 1/4” versions of the Max90 and Proto, the new Mac is larger in head dimension and not nearly as smooth feeling as the Proto. The new Mac handle is quite nice and would be easy to replace.





Mac on the right:

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I think MAC took two steps back with that proprietary o-ring. First, just the fact that it is an o-ring and second that I would have to track town a truck to replace it. I also am not a fan of bulky handles. I'm 79 years old and still have no use for it , in spite of what the salesman is pitching. I don't know what might be inside, but as far as I am concerned, MAC blew it with this one.

I think MAC is trying to find a solution to keeping everything tight, together, and somewhat sealed. I believe that is why they have the o-rings. My initial impression was that the MAC ratchets are more solid than my Matco ones in relation to gear slop. Their design seems to seat the snap ring better.

I have Mac axis ratchets that I’ve been satisfied with. I have a bunch of Proto ratchets that I really like. Comparing the 1/4” versions of the Max90 and Proto, the new Mac is larger in head dimension and not nearly as smooth feeling as the Proto. The new Mac handle is quite nice and would be easy to replace.





Mac on the right:

Yeah the new Max90 feels more substantial than the Axis ratchet.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'll be honest, it looks like a cheap, dated design. There's a bunch of Taiwan imports I'd buy first. The head and selector look unnecessarily large, and the roll marks look like something from a discount brand. Looking at the picture of the MAC next to the Proto, it's hard to believe the MAC is their flagship line. I'm not a comfort grip guy, but the replaceable grip feature is nice for those that are.

 

[CoThG]

I'll be honest, it looks like a cheap, dated design. There's a bunch of Taiwan imports I'd buy first. The head and selector look unnecessarily large, and the roll marks look like something from a discount brand. Looking at the picture of the MAC next to the Proto, it's hard to believe the MAC is their flagship line. I'm not a comfort grip guy, but the replaceable grip feature is nice for those that are.

Agreed. Not impressed at all, especially priced the same as a SO.

 

[Fedwrench]

- Made in USA of global materials.
- Snap ring cover plate

Great detailed photos, thanks for sharing!! The photo of the ratchets internals worries me a bit. The pintle between the direction switch and the pawl gear is hollow and a failure point on Proto premium pearhead ratchets. My fear is it seems slightly longer than on previous versions and may become a weak point in this ratchet version. Time will tell. Thanks again,''

 

[65k10]

The re-design might be good for the Mac 1/2 ratchets. On mine the small cover plate screws tended to get loose in short order. Also in one case when I was using a 26" Proto on a stubborn bolt one of those cover screws sheared off. I liked some aspects of the ratchets compared to my Dual 80s, so hopefully improving one of the deficiencies on the Mac will make it more worthwhile.

 

[sk farmer]

The re-design might be good for the Mac 1/2 ratchets. On mine the small cover plate screws tended to get loose in short order. Also in one case when I was using a 26" Proto on a stubborn bolt one of those cover screws sheared off. I liked some aspects of the ratchets compared to my Dual 80s, so hopefully improving one of the deficiencies on the Mac will make it more worthwhile.

i never quite get the dislike for snap rings holding ratchets together. a thin plate may be an issue but i haven't really seen that either


the only times i have seen issues with ratchets coming apart is with ones with screws.

cmans, sk's, matcos, gearwrench, etc with snap rings not a problem.

i have had sk tuff1 and palm controls come apart or fail because of looseness. i have also had proto big dawgs fail. about 99% of failures in them can be attributed to loose fasteners. i will go out on a limb and say that if the proto big dawgs would have had larger, heavier screws or a snap ring they would have been a success instead of a flop. i still use them on occasion but i am diligent with making sure they are tight.

 

[Steve_P]

i never quite get the dislike for snap rings holding ratchets together. a thin plate may be an issue but i haven't really seen that either


the only times i have seen issues with ratchets coming apart is with ones with screws.

cmans, sk's, matcos, gearwrench, etc with snap rings not a problem.

i have had sk tuff1 and palm controls come apart or fail because of looseness. i have also had proto big dawgs fail. about 99% of failures in them can be attributed to loose fasteners. i will go out on a limb and say that if the proto big dawgs would have had larger, heavier screws or a snap ring they would have been a success instead of a flop. i still use them on occasion but i am diligent with making sure they are tight.

Agree. PF has broken many snap ring equipped Gearwrench and Matco ratchets in his failure tests and they've all broken the anvil; none have dislodged the snap ring.

 

[MaverickDMD]

Nice! I just got my hands on these new Max90 ratchets the other day. Way more stout and solid feeling than I thought. The comfort grip feels really good, like better than my beloved Matco or the Snappy grips. Nice crisp action on the lever too. Enjoy!

It says USA on the package but I did not see any stamping on the ratchets on the truck. The directional lever says 90 tooth instead of USA like the old Axis ratchets did. I saw that the upcoming stubby Max90s will have USA laser etched on the heads so maybe MAC will eventually roll that into the regular and long ratchets. Could be that MAC realized they were getting a lot of pushback online about not having USA anywhere on the ratchet. They do have a snap ring but it’s really big and not round so it applies more pressure over the backplate. The handles seemed really tight from what I could tell. The older Axis ratchets still on the MAC truck seemed a bit more smooth but also had floppier flex joints.

Yeah snap rings are hit or miss. I do like how much easier it is to service my Matco ratchets because I’m not dealing with tiny screws. But I also hate how any minor machining discrepancies can make the backplate and gear become loose and sloppy. I’d definitely agree that Snap-on ratchets are the best built of the truck brands even if I prefer Matco ratchets overall.

There is no USA stamping because they are not American. KISS.

 

[Wamsutta]

This one looks interesting but I'm not crazy about detent flex joints.

JRZF12XLP - 3/8" Drive 18" Z-Series™ Flex-Head 120-Tooth Handled Ratchet, Purple

Ratchet body is proudly forged, machined, heat-treated, and finished in the USA from 100% USA made premium alloy steel. 120-tooth ratchet design provides an exceptionally low 3° swing arc. Sealed head stops contaminants from entering the ratchet mechanism. Ball detent flex-head design engages in...

webcat.cornwelltools.com

 

[CoThG]

There is no USA stamping because they are not American. KISS.

Why would you pay tool truck price for a Taiwanese made ratchet? Especially a MAC, which has very spotty tool truck coverage in most areas.

 

[CoThG]

This one looks interesting but I'm not crazy about detent flex joints.

JRZF12XLP - 3/8" Drive 18" Z-Series™ Flex-Head 120-Tooth Handled Ratchet, Purple

Ratchet body is proudly forged, machined, heat-treated, and finished in the USA from 100% USA made premium alloy steel. 120-tooth ratchet design provides an exceptionally low 3° swing arc. Sealed head stops contaminants from entering the ratchet mechanism. Ball detent flex-head design engages in...

webcat.cornwelltools.com

Here is what it says on the Cornwell website...

Ratchet body is proudly forged, machined, heat-treated, and finished in the USA from 100% USA made premium alloy steel.

Where are the rest of the components of the ratchet made?

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Why would you pay tool truck price for a Taiwanese made ratchet? Especially a MAC, which has very spotty tool truck coverage in most areas.

It’s made in the USA per MAC. I’m sure there is some component that isn’t and that is why it’s not stamped USA. They did the same thing with their previous locking ratchets.

As to why, the Taiwanese are great tool makers and they seem to have a big chunk of the ratcheting tool designs nailed down. Many of their tools can go toe to toe with US, Euro, and Japanese stuff. So it’s not crazy to pay tool truck prices for imported tools especially if it’s an exclusive or you have access to the truck for warranty. And despite all the fanfare, there are plenty of us around that aren’t fans of Snap-on ratchets.

 

[NitroExpress]

There is no USA stamping because they are not American. KISS.

Why would you pay tool truck price for a Taiwanese made ratchet? Especially a MAC, which has very spotty tool truck coverage in most areas.

Can you guys point me to where you find these are made in Taiwan or “not America”?
I’m curious to understand the detail, and have not made contact with SB&D to inquire.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Can you guys point me to where you find these are made in Taiwan or “not America”?
I’m curious to understand the detail, and have not made contact with SB&D to inquire.

If you get on the truck or order one online, you’ll see that it says Made in USA with global components on the back of the cardboard tag. Everyone says they aren’t MiUSA because there is nothing physically stamped on the ratchet. But they are MiUSA per MAC.

 

[NitroExpress]

If you get on the truck or order one online, you’ll see that it says Made in USA with global components on the back of the cardboard tag. Everyone says they aren’t MiUSA because there is nothing physically stamped on the ratchet. But they are MiUSA per MAC.

I posted a picture of the tag.….




I’m assuming that since it’s ”made in USA with global materials”, that @CoThG and @MaverickDMD have discovered more detail on where component production and assembly occur.

 

[NitroExpress]

Finally got to my Mac Axis equivalent to the Max90. Here are some side x side pics.

Both are 1/4” drive.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Finally got to my Mac Axis equivalent to the Max90. Here are some side x side pics.

Both are 1/4” drive.

Dang! Seeing those ratchets next to each other…the Max90 is just thicc. Not necessarily a bad thing but it’s noticeably larger in every aspect. Also, the internals look about as simple as my Matco ratchets which is great for servicing them.

 

[NitroExpress]

Dang! Seeing those ratchets next to each other…the Max90 is just thicc. Not necessarily a bad thing but it’s noticeably larger in every aspect. Also, the internals look about as simple as my Matco ratchets which is great for servicing them.

They are! I’ve made a point of using both Max90’s for the past two days and they are nice. The handle is pretty darn good.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

They are! I’ve made a point of using both Max90’s for the past two days and they are nice. The handle is pretty darn good.

Since you have had some time with the new ratchet, would you say it’s sealed? Like if you put lube or oil in it would it deep out or not? MAC claims that it’s a sealed head design.

 

[Snaparxon]

Since you have had some time with the new ratchet, would you say it’s sealed? Like if you put lube or oil in it would it deep out or not? MAC claims that it’s a sealed head design.

Appears if a guy was to silicone the cover plate on then it would indeed be sealed.

 

[NitroExpress]

Since you have had some time with the new ratchet, would you say it’s sealed? Like if you put lube or oil in it would it deep out or not? MAC claims that it’s a sealed head design.

So far, it seems to contain the factory lubricant well and I haven’t noticed any of the lubricant weeping out. It came with a light oil (as opposed to something thicker like a Superlube grease).

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

So far, it seems to contain the factory lubricant well and I haven’t noticed any of the lubricant weeping out. It came with a light oil (as opposed to something thicker like a Superlube grease).

Cool beans! My only complaint with my Matco ratchets is the leaking oil every time I lube them up. It seeps through all the openings and gets everywhere. Not the end of the world but they need to be serviced/lubed way more than my Snappys because they aren’t sealed. I was worried the MAC ratchets were going to have a similar problem.