Reviews on the MAC tools 3/8 AXIS ratchets??

[Iowafox]

https://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratc...Drive-Axis-Comfort-Handle-Flex-Head-Ratchet-9

This comfort grip flex head 9" ratchet and the 3/8 bent handle (sparkplug) ratchets are the ones that I am looking at and made me wonder.
The one I shared the link for is the one I will be ordering first eventually. I just wish they offered a non comfort grip model of this ratchet sadly they don't.

Where I work I get a good chunk taken off the asking price so no truck prices thankfully. But I want to know if any of you fine folks have good or bad reviews of these 3/8 AXIS ratchets?
I have the longer 1/2 non flex AXIS and it is becoming my breaker bar ratchet for lug nuts and other stuff where clearance isn't a issue.
I like the looks of the 9" flex head it fills a spot I have open in my mobile tool kit. Also the only other flex head 3/8 I own is the long round head MAC ratchet I need a regular sized flex head.
have been slowly upping my ratchet collection from cheap stuff to quality tools.
I am trying to get a flex head and regular shaft ratchet of each drive size 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. They don't need to be the same brand.
I am a MAC lover long before I worked for Stanley Black and Decker but now that I can get quality stuff for cheaper that makes it possible for me to full fill my wants very slowly.

 

[Outwest]

Proto makes the non comfort grip handle version of the same ratchet if your Stanley discount were able to apply. I like the 90 tooth Protos (same as Mac).

 

[Fedwrench]

I have several of the MAC Axis ratchets in all three drive sizes. They're ok.

I think Proto got the better all metal handle with the two bands of knurling on it.

I don't have the spark plug ratchet but, I do have the 9 inch or so long 3/8 comfort grip handle ratchet. Mine is the first generation version with the gear cover screw heads on the bottom of the ratchet head. I'm not sure if I like the Mac axis comfort grip or not. it has a nice taper to it and doesn't get terribly slick when exposed to coolant or ATF. the red hard plastic quickly becomes grayish when exposed to brake clean and the comfort grip handle isn't serviceable. The flex head portion isn't as thin as say a Matco or gearwrench flex head. There are times when i think the ratchet binds but, it might just be me. However, there are other threads about uneven ratcheting action. I don't modify springs or anything other than adding thin oil and cleaning. I rely on use to smooth things out

I do wish MAC offered a standard length comfort grip 1/4 drive flex head axis ratchet but, that's another story.

In conclusion, I think they're good ratchets but, perhaps not the best thing since sliced bread if that makes sense to you. I think the Proto versions are deliberately over priced but, that's just me. Interestingly, Proto has an all metal handled 3/8 drive flex head ratchet close to 9 inches in length.

Search the threads because, there's been more than a few about the Axis ratchets.

 

[lardy1]

I have a Proto 90 in 3/8" long handle and I love it. Smoother and less back drag than my SK 90. I can't speak for the Mac handles.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I really wanted the MAC.... but the always-locked flex was a turn-off. I went with the MATCO. I love this one.

-Ryan

 

[CS454]

Have a long handled 3/8" and standard config 1/2"...they haven't beat out my Snap On Dual 80's.

 

[BiggityBen]

for Mac USA made Axis i have a long solid handle 1/4", i think it might be 9", and a long flex non-locking 3/8", i think it's 17", both comfort grip. they're both great, never my first choice for basic jobs though, obviously due to their not always necessary length. i like them both a lot.

 

[Cgw1984]

I like the proto 90 tooth i have more than the d80s i have.

 

[Verg]

Own flex versions of Mac(12”) and proto (8”) in 3/8, both new style(through bolts for faceplate)The mechanism feels like it has very little slop, giving the swing a very tight feel. Personally, I very much like the feel of the mac compared to my Matco and (many) snap on. Can’t say it’s better, only different in a good way.


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[measuredtwice]

I'm another happy Proto 90t ratchet owner.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

https://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratc...Drive-Axis-Comfort-Handle-Flex-Head-Ratchet-9

This comfort grip flex head 9" ratchet and the 3/8 bent handle (sparkplug) ratchets are the ones that I am looking at and made me wonder.
The one I shared the link for is the one I will be ordering first eventually. I just wish they offered a non comfort grip model of this ratchet sadly they don't.

Where I work I get a good chunk taken off the asking price so no truck prices thankfully. But I want to know if any of you fine folks have good or bad reviews of these 3/8 AXIS ratchets?
I have the longer 1/2 non flex AXIS and it is becoming my breaker bar ratchet for lug nuts and other stuff where clearance isn't a issue.
I like the looks of the 9" flex head it fills a spot I have open in my mobile tool kit. Also the only other flex head 3/8 I own is the long round head MAC ratchet I need a regular sized flex head.
have been slowly upping my ratchet collection from cheap stuff to quality tools.
I am trying to get a flex head and regular shaft ratchet of each drive size 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. They don't need to be the same brand.
I am a MAC lover long before I worked for Stanley Black and Decker but now that I can get quality stuff for cheaper that makes it possible for me to full fill my wants very slowly.

Glad to see you back Iowafox. They are great ratchets I love them I have used my coworkers several times. My Mac dealer is giving everyone 50% off this year to make sales because he has been struggling to sell stuff and he has 4 student loans to pay off from his kids so I have been buying a lot from him my next purchase will likely be one of those as I need a fixed head ratchet in 3/8 because my vintage ones are getting worn out.


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[Skin]

I really wanted the MAC.... but the always-locked flex was a turn-off. I went with the MATCO. I love this one.

-Ryan

Plus Matco wins on head thickness. With the MAC you lose the flex joint strength with the locking models also since it reverts to a standard design while the non locking are revised (reversed and beefed up) making them extremely strong.

 

[Iowafox]

Glad to see you back Iowafox. They are great ratchets I love them I have used my coworkers several times. My Mac dealer is giving everyone 50% off this year to make sales because he has been struggling to sell stuff and he has 4 student loans to pay off from his kids so I have been buying a lot from him my next purchase will likely be one of those as I need a fixed head ratchet in 3/8 because my vintage ones are getting worn out.


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Yeah i've been gone due to work being ****** and busy as hell due to being short staffed and people wanting to fake being sick for 2 weeks off. I've busted my *** to slowly catch back up.

 

[Iowafox]

For me it's not about head thickness or locking flex heads. I want the MAC flex head because my other 3/8 flex head is long and I want a standard length flex head 3/8.
I would love to get a Snapon Dual 80 flex head hard handle in green. But the $170 price is to much considering I could spend $50 (not actual price due to work I can't say but cheap) and get the one threw work and have a MAC USA flex head ratchet. I have no experience with Matco or Gearwrench for there ratchets so I couldn't agree or disagree but I head good things. Plus there comfortgrip ratchets look weird to me.

 

[Cgw1984]

For me it's not about head thickness or locking flex heads. I want the MAC flex head because my other 3/8 flex head is long and I want a standard length flex head 3/8.
I would love to get a Snapon Dual 80 flex head hard handle in green. But the $170 price is to much considering I could spend $50 (not actual price due to work I can't say but cheap) and get the one threw work and have a MAC USA flex head ratchet. I have no experience with Matco or Gearwrench for there ratchets so I couldn't agree or disagree but I head good things. Plus there comfortgrip ratchets look weird to me.

Gearwrench ratchets ****. Matco are pretty dang similar. Youll like the mac.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

For me it's not about head thickness or locking flex heads. I want the MAC flex head because my other 3/8 flex head is long and I want a standard length flex head 3/8.
I would love to get a Snapon Dual 80 flex head hard handle in green. But the $170 price is to much considering I could spend $50 (not actual price due to work I can't say but cheap) and get the one threw work and have a MAC USA flex head ratchet. I have no experience with Matco or Gearwrench for there ratchets so I couldn't agree or disagree but I head good things. Plus there comfortgrip ratchets look weird to me.

I agree on the Snap-on hard handles those are my favorite. The Matco and Gearwrench are the same design just one is rebranded.


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[Iowafox]

I agree on the Snap-on hard handles those are my favorite. The Matco and Gearwrench are the same design just one is rebranded.


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I've heard that as well. I want a new snapon ratchet real bad because the only one I own is a old 70s-80s era low tooth count long handle hard handle 3/8. I love it for breaking oil plugs loose and brake caliper bolts loose. Since low tooth counts are stronger then higher tooth counts. Plus I just rebuilt the head and internals thanks to snapon. I want to give it my wear marks. I like it alot as it's my only snappy but after breaking stuff loose I go to my MAC fine tooth ratchets or my regular handle non flex 3/8 NAPA Carlyle ratchets which I have 2 of and like them alot. They are my snapon clone ratchets right now lol. At $25 each rebuild-able if needed. I am happy with them but the toolaholic in me wants USA made and the others go home as my back ups lol.
I think I will see what the Proto version of the flexhead 3/8 cost me threw work and then the one that cost less will be my choice.

 

[Iowafox]

Gearwrench ratchets ****. Matco are pretty dang similar. Youll like the mac.

That is what I am kind of thinking as well just from what I hear locally here about Gearwrench.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Matco and Gearwrench are the same design just one is rebranded.

Yes & no. Most of the Matco 88 tooth series are US made whereas, Gearwrench is Taiwan or PRC made. Although both share the same floating pawl design, there are minor differences such as the locking flex design that Gearwrench uses pales in comparison to Matco's. However, starting with the new Gearwrench 90 tooth models, the shape of Gearwrench's gear cover is different along with the pawl & drive gears being shaped differently so, no more interchanging Matco kits into Gearwrench. Of course that never made any sense to me aside from the 3/8 drive in a 1/4 body repair kit but, that's just me. I feel the new Gearwrench 90 tooth ratchets are made in the SATA plant in China, peoples republic of because, the new gear cover is the same shape as those found on current Husky ratchets as well as other Apex clones. Additionally, on the new 90 tooth compact ratchet set from Gearwrench, the packaging states "Product of Taiwan, finished in Mainland, China"

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Yes & no. Most of the Matco 88 tooth series are US made whereas, Gearwrench is Taiwan or PRC made. Although both share the same floating pawl design, there are minor differences such as the locking flex design that Gearwrench uses pales in comparison to Matco's. However, starting with the new Gearwrench 90 tooth models, the shape of Gearwrench's gear cover is different along with the pawl & drive gears being shaped differently so, no more interchanging Matco kits into Gearwrench. Of course that never made any sense to me aside from the 3/8 drive in a 1/4 body repair kit but, that's just me. I feel the new Gearwrench 90 tooth ratchets are made in the SATA plant in China, peoples republic of because, the new gear cover is the same shape as those found on current Husky ratchets as well as other Apex clones. Additionally, on the new 90 tooth compact ratchet set from Gearwrench, the packaging states "Product of Taiwan, finished in Mainland, China"

Yes I have noticed Gearwrench moving all of their production to China which really *****. I was at Advance Auto a month or so ago and seen the sockets from Gearwrench now made in China I was super disappointed.


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[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I've heard that as well. I want a new snapon ratchet real bad because the only one I own is a old 70s-80s era low tooth count long handle hard handle 3/8. I love it for breaking oil plugs loose and brake caliper bolts loose. Since low tooth counts are stronger then higher tooth counts. Plus I just rebuilt the head and internals thanks to snapon. I want to give it my wear marks. I like it alot as it's my only snappy but after breaking stuff loose I go to my MAC fine tooth ratchets or my regular handle non flex 3/8 NAPA Carlyle ratchets which I have 2 of and like them alot. They are my snapon clone ratchets right now lol. At $25 each rebuild-able if needed. I am happy with them but the toolaholic in me wants USA made and the others go home as my back ups lol.

I think I will see what the Proto version of the flexhead 3/8 cost me threw work and then the one that cost less will be my choice.

I really want one of the Snap-on hard handles lol but my dealer never has them in stock in any color so that really *****. I’ve never been a fan of the soft grip from Snap-on it gets sticky very quick. Proto has some good ratchets from what I hear I know the rest of their tools are good. The Carlyle ones are too. My Matco is getting weak after all this use the last year and it’s a 40th anniversary edition so my dealer ordered me a rebuild kit for it and a new screw since the head is starting to move even in the locked position. Then sometime I’m going to buy the Mac ratchet to help my dealer out.


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[VolvoRyan]

I agree on the Snap-on hard handles those are my favorite. The Matco and Gearwrench are the same design just one is rebranded.

Similar design... and the Matco IS NOT the GearWrench rebranded.

-Ryan

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Similar design... and the Matco IS NOT the GearWrench rebranded.



-Ryan

Really? My Matco rep told me they were lol.


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[measuredtwice]

Mac USA manufacturing:

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Matco USA manufacturing:

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Snap-On USA manufacturing:

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