Hey guys. I have a 1/4'' ratchet from snap-on and just got the 88 tooth comfort grip from matco. I really like the fine tooth and low swing arc of the matco ratchet. Can you guys tell me how the others hold up? I have a few mac and snap on 3/8'' my dad is giving me, but the catching the next tooth and gears feels kind of rough compared to the 1/4'' matco. I am wondering if it is a good ratchet for when I get out in the field or if it will break often. I was also wondering who makes the best or two best in sockets and wrenches? Who makes a great torx and allen set as my cheap and needed now kobalt set has stripped two different bolts and the fit was "tight." That is not what I had in mind when needing to work on vehicles and small engines. I guess I am mainly interested in Matco and Snap-on. Thanks for any help.
Ratchets, Wrenches, Sockets, and more.
- Thread starter BmwManz
- Start date
1950mercury
Well-known member
I have both snap on fixed heads and matco locking flex heads. I like the snap on ratchets better
GSMotorrad
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2012
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I've had two Snap-On (roto/swivel) ratchets that I've abused since 1996. I've pulled as hard as I could on 'em, at times when I should have used a breaker bar. I remember times I've thought, "Okay, this ratchet should totally break now" but it just keeps asking for more punishment. I've never had to rebuild either one, and they are better than new (like they're "broken-in" now - really smooth). 18 years of abuse, and they're perfect. They even still look good too. I don't think Matco/Craftsman/Armstrong is in the same league.
MatcoDave
Well-known member
It's really personal preference here. I have both snap-on and Matco and have never had a problem with either. I prefer the finer tooth and slimmer head of the matco and if you use a VERY light grease (not oil) in the matco ratchet it becomes smooth as butter. They definitely have a break in period as someone else stated above.
I have Craftsman, Mac, Snapon and Gearwrench. I still prefer my friend's Matco over any of mine. They just feel better in the hand. If I could get him to trade I would.
As far as sockets. I also have multiple brands. I have primarily Craftsman and Proto. I prefer Snapon and Mac.
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chris_1001
Well-known member
I managed to strip a SO 1/4" flex from the 80's (the one with the red plastic on the back housing). I was trying to remove a strut tower brace from a car. Managed to get it off, but the wrench was toast. (I only had a 1/4" set to use as a 3/8" would have been my choice.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Wrenches I use sk and snap on for the most part. I have some gearwrench and blue point as well. Ratchets I use mostly snap on, but have some sk I use from time to time. Sockets are mostly snap on and sk. Impact sockets are snap on, matco, and HF. HF impacts are very good.
I have been eyeing a 3/8 matco ratchet with the orange comfort grip. I have heard good things about them. If you use ratchets enough you will have to rebuild them. The teeth wear after a while.
I have been eyeing a 3/8 matco ratchet with the orange comfort grip. I have heard good things about them. If you use ratchets enough you will have to rebuild them. The teeth wear after a while.
crewchief888
Well-known member
for torx and allen,
SO are the only ones i dont destroy on a regular basis.
as for ratchets, both SO and matco have nice ones, i havent used any of the newer matco offerings, SO are my "go to" ratchets
i've never had any good luck with mac,
i've broken every 1/4" dr SK i've ever owned. 3/8" & 1/2" dr SK's are still surviving after 55+ years.
SO are the only ones i dont destroy on a regular basis.
as for ratchets, both SO and matco have nice ones, i havent used any of the newer matco offerings, SO are my "go to" ratchets
i've never had any good luck with mac,
i've broken every 1/4" dr SK i've ever owned. 3/8" & 1/2" dr SK's are still surviving after 55+ years.
I seem to feel the same with my little 1/4'' ratchet from matco. The thin and light feel (ergonomics) make me like it. I have no idea how it will hold up against snap-on, but eh.
Any reasons why? Feels better in your hand? Lighter? Thinner head? Feel of the teeth going form one to the next? Etc.
Hmm. Good to know. I like the torture tests
. Which Snap-ons did you have? Just the roto ones or fixed heads too?This is awesome! I just am curious as to if one breaks easier or if they both hold up and will have years of abuse before needing to be rebuilt or replaced. I like the feel and design of the Matco a bit better, but I will not contest Snap-on being a good brand either. Plus, I was wondering if Matco comes around the shop and is as common as Snap-on. I haven't seen as many Mac and Cornwell in the area. What kind of VERY light grease are we talking?
I feel the same. I have a few Craftsman, Mac, Snap-on, and a Stanley and the thin design and light weight (gears) feel great in the Matco to me. So the Snappy sockets are better about not rounding off and staying on the fastener? Assuming we are using the correct size.
Haha. I was just about to say...where's the 3/8'' or 1/2'' if desperate?
I can't speak for the 3/8'' orange comfort grip, but I have the 1/4'' one and I LOVE it. Makes me want a 3/8'' for sure. So rebuilding is something you must do as it isn't under warranty?
Assuming everything is the right size and fit snug, should a allen or torx ever strip a bolt? I mean my buddy was using the cheap Kobalt set and he said it felt like soft metalfor torx and allen,
SO are the only ones i dont destroy on a regular basis.
as for ratchets, both SO and matco have nice ones, i havent used any of the newer matco offerings, SO are my "go to" ratchets
i've never had any good luck with mac,
i've broken every 1/4" dr SK i've ever owned. 3/8" & 1/2" dr SK's are still surviving after 55+ years.
. Is this an issue with the allen set, user (wrong size), or bolt? SO torx it is.For the price of matco I have never been happy with their stuff. Mostly snap on for me if I am buying premium. For the record, I had a fair amount of matco in the mod 90s. I traded/sold it all for snap on. Ratchets and wrenches only. To me the snap on does not feel as smooth......but in a tight spot and a loose bolt, the snap on has less resistance to get to the next tooth. This is as true today as it was in the 90s in my opinion. I have an 88 tooth armstrong that feels nice, but does not do as well as my snap on ratchets for me. I wanted to like the armstrong, and I gave it a fair shot.......about 6 months everyday use. Just didnt do as well, It didnt fail.....but for me the snap on is better. I have use only a few newer matco wrenches......but I do alignments often, and nothing beats a flank drive plus open end for that type of work.
go and grab a few and choose, I prefer the feel and comfort of a Matco ratchet, but like a blue-point wrench (very comfortable) an top it off with a mix of sockets. Snap-On sockets appear to break slightly less often (guy i worked with broke 4 Matco's and 3 Snap-Ons) but he got a replacement from Matco the same day, took almost a month for 1 Snap-On socket to be warrantied. it's a toss up really. I'll probably get a nice assortment of both of them again in the future. (mostly Matco due to the comfort of their stuff)
For Allen bits, the snap-ons have never steered me wrong, i still have a Snap-On T35+ (TP35) and a Matco HVLP spray gun in my tool box as a kind of memento of my first tool truck purchases.
For Allen bits, the snap-ons have never steered me wrong, i still have a Snap-On T35+ (TP35) and a Matco HVLP spray gun in my tool box as a kind of memento of my first tool truck purchases.
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Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Some ratchets may never end up being rebuilt. It's just one of those things that happens occasionally. Typically rebuild kits are free under warranty and can be sent directly to your home. It's an easy process. I think I saw your 1/4 in the new tools section. Not sure if it was yours. I like it a lot. There is a 3/8 for $70 brand new on CL near me.
Good to know. I heard flank drive plus are good, but can leave unwanted "teeth marks" and such. Will flank drive do just as good?
This is exactly the stuff I was looking for. If both are good and comes down to who can get your tool warrantied faster and is more about personal preference than who is KING.
Does it matter which torx being grey or gold? I know the gold are supposed to be heavier duty.
Thanks guys for all the replies. Obviously I am not in the field (yet) and appreciate any experience and advice. I am a student, have worked on my own stuff (engine and ****** swaps, etc.), own my own landscaping business (mowers need fixing too
)It sure was mine if it was a side shot and head/body shot. I'm going to PM you really quick.
Yes, flank drive plus wrenches leave teethmarks. Everytime. You dont want to use them on chrome fasteners that are exposed, they would not be good for motorcyle use. I have been doing this work for years, no one has ever complained that a mechanic left teeth marks on their bolts. I have been on both sides of the counter. They leave marks, but do not render the fastener useless at all. The non fdp wrenches are top quality as well. You might not need the fdp......but I specialize in suspention work. I use the alignment rack at least twice a day. Tie rod jam nuts are an open end wrench only thing. North dakota uses tons of road salt so stuff gets rusty and stuck. I need them.......and they get me out of a jam in other ways from time to time as well.
RedneckEngineer
Member
I think the 1/4" Matco ratchet you got is the same one that I have. So far I love that ratchet. I even bought a used 3/8" ratchet off the truck and so far I have not had any problems with it. Recently I have bought some Carlyle tools from NAPA. Today I finally got to test the open end on one of the wrenches and it did not round or slip which I am used to others doing for the torque I had. It was also their non-slip wrenches which is SO flank-drive plus. I have compared it with SO wrenches and they are the same length, the grooves are in a different spot.
For me Matco was the faster warranty, but it may change depending on who runs the truck, a good salesman will swap it out on the truck and deal with the warranty in his own time, a bad one will ***** and whine about it. Talk to them and see what they say about warranty time, don't be afraid to ask how long! Best of luck to ya!
MatcoDave
Well-known member
I used to work in a truck shop - we installed automatic greasers on the trucks that used a "0" or "00" weight grease made by gradus. It worked awesome in my ratchets. only problem was that it came in 5 gal buckets. I wish I could get it in smaller quantities to keep on my truck for when I repair ratchets.