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one tool from mac / matco /sk / wright

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ddo

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Looking to give a few more brands a try. Of the listed brands, what is the "gotta have" tool - if u could have one matco tool, which one, and same for other brands. Not looking for one brand vs. another, just a great starter tool from each brand. Looking for hand tools only. Preferably not sockets or combination wrences - something a little more interesting to play with than that - ratchets, pliers, cutters, etc.
 
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blackz26

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The gotta have tool from every manufacture is the one you never need. Now, looking at tools to get jobs, because everything breaks eventually, depends on what you have, what you do, and how deep you get into it. No use getting an engine hoist if you never rebuild or swap engines.
 
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redline380

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st. cloud, minnesota
i dont know about the others, but as far as matco goes you gotta have an 88 tooth ratchet with comfort handle and locking flex head. i alreadyhave the 1/4 and 3/8 and i really really want the 24inch 1/2 drive. my buddy has one and it is a beast.

as for mac, the gotta have it for me is their knuckle saver line of wrenches. i dont know what it is about them but i sure do like them. also, the x6 series of sockets are pretty good. both can be had for good deals on the classifieds on here or wait till a solid deal comes up on ebay

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firebox40dash5

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Badasssapper67 said:
Matco is famous for their ratchets.
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DTB said:
Any of the Matco 88 tooth ratchets...
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Both of these... I've got 7 Matco 88s. I started with a pair of Dual 80 flexes, but sold them and switched to Matco. I'll admit that the Dual 80s are well built, probably a little better than Matco (or whatever Danaher brand) but what really sold me on the Matcos are the compact heads. It's not much smaller, but that little bit can make the difference between being able to get it in a tight spot, and having to use something else. The variety is awesome too, the AFR88 (8" long 1/4) and BFR158 (15" long 3/8) are freakin' awesome. I find myself wanting bigger 1/4" and 3/8" sockets because the smaller ratchet with the longer head is so much easier and more convenient.

Only thing I've broken on any of them have been the anvils on the 1/4s, and that was using a short cheater pipe on them. I've put a 2' pipe on my CFR158 without a problem.
 
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RCStocker

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SK tools are tops. Used Wright tools sell cheap for some reason. You can find many good deals on good used Wright tools on E bay. Yes some ask a huge price but they can be picked off for 20 cents on the dollar every week. Great tools. I have full sets of Snappies and SK I like my SK just as well if not better. I have wrenches in all brands and I just picked up a new set of SAE Wright wrenches in a rool. The set is 5/8" to 1-1/4" I paid $50 at the swap meet last summer for them and they are very nice. Not as nice as My SK but very good . I put them in my delivery truck tools box as a back up set.
 
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cgv69

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TheGrooveking said:
Wright sockets are some of the best, seriously they made Matco's sockets from 1979 to 1994. IMO they are equal to Snap On, and don't overlook S-K, I've never had an issue with any tool from either brand.
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Based on my own experience, I would disagree. They may have been all that at one time but based of the recent examples I've seen, I would put them on par with SK at best and both slightly behind Snap-On. Don't get me wrong, I think Wright and SK sockets are fine and I find the SO sockets hard to justify price wise but forgetting price I think SO sockets are superior to both.

I am a big fan of Matco's 88t locking flex head ratchets.
 
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mrborohachi

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Berdoo Route 66
i'm a huge fan of the Autozone Duralast ratcheting wrenches. I have yet to have to warranty one, but if i have to it's way more convenient than going to Sears, I would literally pass 5 Autozones before I could get to my local sears
 
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braol

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blackz26

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mrborohachi said:
i'm a huge fan of the Autozone Duralast ratcheting wrenches. I have yet to have to warranty one, but if i have to it's way more convenient than going to Sears, I would literally pass 5 Autozones before I could get to my local sears
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Amen to that. I've also never broke one of their sockets. I have a good bit of duralast in my box. If I had to start over, duralast would almost exclusively fill my box. Especially getting $20 every 5th purchase. I just wish them ratchet wrenches in their set were the full polish ones like the singles.. and that they sold e flare nut crowfoots..
 
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jmm

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Mac hard handle screwdrivers. I'm a big fan of the Snap On hard handles, and feel the Macs are a close second. Besides ease of use, they're sturdy as hell too.
 
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Fedwrench

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Mac is the only manufacturer that places the knurling on their knurled extensions where you really need it, around the female square drive end. I would recommend MAC's knurled extensions. Their locking ones are the best.

Matco is known for many tools even though they only make Tool Boxes. Their pinless impact swivel sockets are the best on the market.:thumbup:

As for wright, they have a small 3/8 drive ratchet in a 1/4 inch size body that's pretty sweet. Their full polished wright grip wrenches are worth looking at too.
 
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crewchief888

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jmm said:
Mac hard handle screwdrivers. I'm a big fan of the Snap On hard handles, and feel the Macs are a close second. Besides ease of use, they're sturdy as hell too.
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Fedwrench said:
Matco is known for many tools Their pinless impact swivel sockets are the best on the market.:thumbup:
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^^ i agree with both these previous posts.

i'll add
SO for torx and allen sockets, flare nut wrenches, crowsfeet in open end & flare nut, in addition to line sockets/

most of my mac stuff is at least 20 years old, (as are most of my "working tools") the newer tools i have werent made to the same level of quality as the older stuff...

so many choices to make..
it's mostly what feels best in the hand, followed by amount of use, and quality vs. price is what gets put in my toolboxes.

kinda why when you look in an old timers toolbox you'll find a wide variety of tool brands..

:beer:
 
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zkling

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Jan 23, 2007
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Thank you for giving me a new excuse to explain why so few of my tools match.

I don't just shop used / at garage sales. I "purchase the best from each brand" :lol_hitti At least that is what I will say from now on.

I have, use and like. Not because I purposely bought that brand, but it was available at a price I could afford when I needed it.

Wrenches --> SK and my base set is craftsman RP USA
Screwdrivers --> Craftsman Pro, I have the old black hande ones
Pliers --> Again craftsman Pro I think. Mine are probably 10 years old, look plain with black rubber handles, but are really good pliers IMHO.
Ratchet --> Snap on or Matco, although I have an old SK that is super smooth. Anything has to be better than my craftsman with plastic range selector

Ratcheting wrenches--> It seems that lots of folks like the gear wrench ones, not too expensive, but I could never fully justify the cost of a full set.

Breaker bar--> I really like the round snap on's, but could only afford a used 1/2" and had to buy a new 3/8" craftsman. It's nice, but kind of a different square profile.

Impact --> Ingersol Rand
 
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D

ddo

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Oct 29, 2012
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Richland
Any opinions on wright double pawl ratchets? Thinking that might be my selection from wright after a bit of time on their website. Is the small 3/8 a double pawl model?

Is it true that the matco 88 tooth is the same as that in armstrong aerospace ratchets? Cant justify the retail on that, especially as im likely looking at 1/2" drive. I got flex and straight so dual 80's in 1/4 and 3/8 as well as wera zyklops for rotator ratchets so theres not a ton of room for improvement in small drive sizes.

Looks like thumbwheel ratchet from sk might be what i give a shot on that front.

Liked the suggestion on knurled locking extensions from mac. Exactly type of info im after and a pretty cheap way to add a little variety.
 
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TheGrooveking

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cgv69 said:
Based on my own experience, I would disagree. They may have been all that at one time but based of the recent examples I've seen, I would put them on par with SK at best and both slightly behind Snap-On. Don't get me wrong, I think Wright and SK sockets are fine and I find the SO sockets hard to justify price wise but forgetting price I think SO sockets are superior to both.

I am a big fan of Matco's 88t locking flex head ratchets.
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Fully understand, but that is where after 30 years of use of the Wright (Matco) sockets I do not see what the extra money spent on the Snap On would justifiably buy you. The difference in price will buy you those 88 tooth Matco ratchets.

TheGrooveking
 
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