New Mac Tools Worth Buying?

[zbullock]

I have a new Mac dealer that's going to be coming around the shop and was wondering if there were any tools that they excelled at or that were worth buying over another brand? I haven't seen a thread about Mac like this except one that I believe was from like 2010 and I know a lot can change in 8 years. Thanks in advance.

 

[TrailHawkZ71]

Only Mac stuff I have is their 'expert' brand super long dual box end wrenches. Those have been a lifesaver. They also are the only ones i've been able to find who sell weatherhead sockets (designed to fit around brass fittings for air lines and such, if you are working on that sorta thing). I know a few guys who've had good luck with their air guns


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[AA/FC]

Last time I had a MAC dealer (3-4 years ago) the majority of the tools on his truck were made in China or Taiwan. Sure, he had a few MAC main-line tools that are still made in the USA like sockets and ratchets, (which I did buy) but the majority of his MAC brand inventory was made overseas. In my opinion, if I'm going to pay tool truck prices, I'm going to get high quality made in the USA tools. If I want tools from Chaiwan, I will just go to Harbor Freight and get the SAME tools for 80-90% less, but without the MAC name. YMMV.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Extensions with knurled female ends, I have the newer long handle flex head 3/8 ratchet....two things I like from MAC.
Also like the old forked head style breaker bars...I have beat the piss out of mine and they are still fine....I like the old school hard handle too.

 

[xin]

Yes they are good tools and life time warranty no issues with MAC.

 

[Zewnten]

Their new pnuematic impacts are supposed to be smaller but just as powerful as their competitors but I haven't tried them. My Snap on guy has a drawer full of Mac long handle ratchets guys traded in for the Snap On comfort grip, says their usual complaint is comfort

 

[Formula]

The underhood light is very nice

 

[bobcatdan]

The key with mac, tools they have made for ever are still pretty much all USA. It's when you get into edge or precision torque lines and the bit sets in plastic cases that are imported. Specialty tools will very as much is OTC which COO varies. One good thing with mac, drill bits, all sizes warranty and at least my mac guy carry a lot of spare drill bits. Yes they are imported, but the cobalt bits I got so far are awesome.

 

[Wamsutta]

MAC XD619MMR - USA

MAC XD619MMPT - Taiwan

The part numbers tell the story. The USA made MAC sockets will always have an 'R' at the end of the part number for 'Revised'.

The PT at the end of the Taiwan socket is for 'Precision Torque'.

 

[Wamsutta]

MAC CLL219MMKS - USA (original MAC pattern)

MAC MB192KS - USA (Proto pattern)

MAC M192CL440 - Taiwan (Precision Torque pattern)

 

[PartsGuy]

Only Mac stuff I have is their 'expert' brand super long dual box end wrenches. Those have been a lifesaver. They also are the only ones i've been able to find who sell weatherhead sockets (designed to fit around brass fittings for air lines and such, if you are working on that sorta thing). I know a few guys who've had good luck with their air guns


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Snap-on still offers WH sockets, and if you don't mind offshore, so does Sunex. Not that there's anything wrong with the MAC WH sockets or anything, but there ARE alternatives. Have owned all three, S-O had a couple of more sizes in the set than the MAC, and my current set is Sunex, based primarily on the price tag and my infrequent usage.

 

[shanny19]

Did not know the Precision Torque wrenches were Taiwan, thanks. Always assumed they were US due to the resemblance to the US made Proto ratcheting ones.

 

[M6erfan]

Did not know the Precision Torque wrenches were Taiwan, thanks. Always assumed they were US due to the resemblance to the US made Proto ratcheting ones.

They look like Facom 440 style which are made in Taiwan. Nice wrenches

 

[Skin]

Screwdrivers in phillips, slotted, torx, hex, picks (mini, long, radiator), 90 tooth ratchets, magnesium body impacts. All new and quite nice. They also have one of the better cordless line-ups in my opinion-if you have to buy cordless from the truck.

They have a number of new pliers from France that may be worth a look.

I also prefer their chrome extensions since they knurl both the shank and the drive end. Matco offers this now too but I think they're the only two that do it of the trucks. Chrome sockets are nice in the sizes that are necked down at the drive end. Makes removal from a non-QR ratchet and greasy hands easy.

A lot of guys like their pry bars. I believe the actual bar is Mayhew but the handle is unique to MAC. Ditto for the indexable ones though not sure who makes the bar.

 

[Brownsfan]

The screwdrivers are really good. Pliers are hit and miss. They do have a USA made line of pliers that are made by Channellock. They even have the CL part number in their numbers. The new 90t ratchets are getting great reviews from people. Their tool.boxes are nice as well. They also rebrand a lot of stuff so do your research. I have a Mac guy at that comes to a facility i service and his truck is the fullest i have ever seen. Great guy too. I believe it all comes down to the guy selling the tools. All the truck brands will be excellent quality tools. But if the guy selling them ***** then you buy from the guy who takes care of you.

 

[HaroRider]

Those MAC Taiwan wrenches look like toys..

 

[WittHay]

The new prybar handles are good. Antivibe hammers, Axis ratchets, newish Mac/Proto screwdrivers. New line of air impacts

They have a lot of design features on their old line of USA tools that arent well known liked stepped down impact sockets, old school screwdrivers that stand up to hydraulic oil as well as previously mentioned extensions and chrome sockets

Their Facom based line of import tools is different. Good quality, nothing HF about it. But it has a European design to it that might not appeal to everybody. They have a Expert line now that they didn't have ten years ago

 

[BFHtime]

I love the knurl on the thicker female end of extensions. This makes a big difference, all extensions should knurl like MAC’s.

 

[Vicegrips]

I love the knurl on the thicker female end of extensions. This makes a big difference, all extensions should knurl like MAC’s.

You had me at thicker female

 

[zbullock]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate it. I have a set of the Matco Witte screwdrivers right now, would you say there's are as good or better?

 

[ChrisLS8]

Yes they are good tools and life time warranty no issues with MAC.

Chinese tools from a tool truck are okay

 

[M6erfan]

I love the knurl on the thicker female end of extensions. This makes a big difference, all extensions should knurl like MAC’s.

+1! Great design

 

[bobcatdan]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate it. I have a set of the Matco Witte screwdrivers right now, would you say there's are as good or better?

I'd say about on par. Witte are very good screwdrivers so unless you hate the handles, I can't see why to ditch them. The only new style mac screw drivers I have are the extra long ones so it's kind of hard for me to directly compare to my matco standard lengths.

 

[HC33]

MAC CLL219MMKS - USA (original MAC pattern)

MAC MB192KS - USA (Proto pattern)

MAC M192CL440 - Taiwan (Precision Torque pattern)

I have these mac wrenches . They are really nice and high quality not made in chiwan lol but some of Macs tools are and i hate that **** . buy something that looks nice get home to play with them . Then i notice made in china stamped on them and toss it in my junk tools toolbox i keep under my workbench.

 

[HC33]

Best tools are made in USA and germany period.

 

[BK13]

Best tools are made in USA and germany period.

Specifically with regards to KoKen and Nepros, I disagree with you.

 

[Vicegrips]

I’m wondering if used Mac tools are worth buying considering the newer ones aren’t as nice, if you could get them warrantied you’d be getting a lesser tool. There dose seem to be more used Mac tools out there

 

[thin_concrete]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate it. I have a set of the Matco Witte screwdrivers right now, would you say there's are as good or better?

I think it goes down to individual feel. I have some MAC, but much more MATCO because I like the way they feel better. They seem heavier. I also have a couple sets of FACOM wrenches that I really like too.

 

[M6erfan]

I read your entire post and the message I got is that you're of the opinion that there's not much difference in quality between the U.S. made truck brands and imports such as Carlyle. There are so many people out there that get so caught up in the prices that they become blind to the quality differences. Take for example Carlyle with their V-shaped open end with their gimmicky teeth in them. I wouldn't have them if somebody gave them to me.

Not to mention they're not very "flippable"

 

[YouAreClueless]

I’m wondering if used Mac tools are worth buying considering the newer ones aren’t as nice, if you could get them warrantied you’d be getting a lesser tool. There dose seem to be more used Mac tools out there

As long as you are buying the “r” version of USA sockets Mac is quality and the warranty exchange is for the same socket made in USA.

That being said the few MAC tools I have I didn’t pay for, and would highly recommend buying used or Snap-on instead based on the price being within 5%. You’ll pay the difference the first time you have to ship something to Ohio for warranty (Mac), versus a return label for free to Crystal Lake, IL (Snap-on).

 

[Wamsutta]

As long as you are buying the “r” version of USA sockets Mac is quality and the warranty exchange is for the same socket made in USA.

That being said the few MAC tools I have I didn’t pay for, and would highly recommend buying used or Snap-on instead based on the price being within 5%. You’ll pay the difference the first time you have to ship something to Ohio for warranty (Mac), versus a return label for free to Crystal Lake, IL (Snap-on).

I have to have both brands. I love them both. The MAC's "R" version are especially appealing because of the "necked down" design on the drive end and the fastener end. Both brands know precisely where to place the detents which is a huge plus.

 

[YouAreClueless]

I have to have both brands. I love them both. The MAC's "R" version are especially appealing because of the "necked down" design on the drive end and the fastener end. Both brands know precisely where to place the detents which is a huge plus.

I’m a huge fan of my MAC impacts in 1/2”. That VP/VDP series is terrific.

 

[aaron1987]

I have the Precision Torque sockets and wrenches. I love them. Never had an issue with them. Their new pear head ratchets are a little delicate if used incorrectly but that would be your own fault. All power tools are DeWalt just say Mac on them. As for alot of their specialty tools they tend to he rebrands so watch out for that. And actually so is everything they sell. My sockets and wrenches are Proto and you can get Stanley anti vibe hammers on Amazon. But, I like Macs logo so it's cool with me.

 

[marineman]

I have a few mac tools in the box. The only 2 tool guys that still come by us are mac and snapon. Lately the snapon guy has proven that he really can't be trusted so most guys are buying more off the mac truck. He has a few nice things and a few perks to buying from him but someone who's savvy with amazon and google could save a pile of money and get the same tools with a different name.

For me, the tools I use most often or tools that I expect to break I buy off the truck to simplify warranty. Pretty much anything else can be had online with a different name for less money and sometimes the same warranty but it's never as easy as walking on the truck and saying "it broke".

 

[Skin]

I have the Precision Torque sockets and wrenches. I love them. Never had an issue with them. Their new pear head ratchets are a little delicate if used incorrectly but that would be your own fault. All power tools are DeWalt just say Mac on them. As for alot of their specialty tools they tend to he rebrands so watch out for that. And actually so is everything they sell. My sockets and wrenches are Proto and you can get Stanley anti vibe hammers on Amazon. But, I like Macs logo so it's cool with me.

The power tools aren't just rebranded. The bodies are different and are designed to resist automotive fluids. Most things, other than drills and the high torque impact, are actually MAC exclusive.

 

[Tonyuk]

Those precision torque spanners are the same basic design as the Facom 440, much more comfortable in the hand than the standard Mac US made spanners.

Good tools can come from anywhere, the most modern production facilities are now found overseas. Its simply a case of the purchaser specifying that they want a good quality product.

Where do you think snap-on etc.. get their consumables from?