Snap On Flank Drive combos vs. Mac Precision Torque combos

[noahwins]

I have a set of 5.5mm - 32mm Wurth combos that are cool but they're better for tight spaces. Working underneath cars, I want a longer set for more leverage. Should I get the Snap On Flank Drive standard set with 10-19mm or the Mac Precision Torque 6-19mm?

Everyone know how great Flank Drives are. US made, the best steel, great leverage and strength. That's the safe choice. With SEP, I can get them $187 shipped.

The Mac wrenches were originally made by Facom. Does anyone know if these are made in France or the USA or Asia? There was a set of these an old shop. I really liked using them. Nice balance and weight. Lots of mass behind them. But I suspect there's a little less leverage. I can get these for $268 shipped of the Mac website but maybe someone knows where else to look.

What do you think?

 

[noahwins]

Even the extra 6-9mm?

Mac never ceases to disappoint me with their COO. Taiwan for their flagship wrenches? Come on.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Get the Snappys and put the $87 you save toward some other tools you need.

 

[Skin]

Precision Torque aren't really flagship. Their basic combos in short, regular, and long are USA. I think the PT are really nice wrenches, just not worth truck price, although neither are Snap-on. You can grab the 14pc MAC set on ebay in good condition for $130-$150 pretty regularly. As far as steel, I think you'll find high end Taiwan tools every bit the equal of US counterparts. Buy whatever you like best.


If you're eligible for SEP you should be able to get student accounts with MAC and Matco as well.

 

[noahwins]

I guess Knuckle Saver are Mac's flagship then? Wasn't crazy about those.

 

[jimmyin3D]

For long length reliable wrenches get the snap On. The precision torque Macs are nearly the same as Facom and also Toptul but they are rather regular sized. The OEXLM are a perfect length plus the cost benefit of course

 

[Yarpo]

If you can get those for 187, that seems like a SUPER good deal. Id buy that.

That said for length/leverage you should look at the "extra long" offerings from a bunch of manufacters as I think those are longer than traditional long pattern wrenches.

 

[Skin]

For long length reliable wrenches get the snap On. The precision torque Macs are nearly the same as Facom and also Toptul but they are rather regular sized. The OEXLM are a perfect length plus the cost benefit of course

Toptul has a similar wrench design but they're much shorter. Mac PT are longer than Snap-on SOEXM/OEXM by a few mm across all lengths so if anything they're on the longer side compared to most.

 

[patchap]

You already have good quality wrenchs, if you just want long I would look into extra long box wrenchs. The mountain/matco ratcheting flex ones are wicked. Youll get real good value out of them

 

[eschoendorff]

I’m a Facom fan, but for the price I’d get the Snap On set. That said, if you wanted a standard length wrench, I still wouldn’t buy the Facom sourced MACs. I’d get a set of Wright Grip.

 

[Jtels85]

I’ve been using my 6-19mm Precision Torque set for about three years and they’re damn fine wrenches, well-balanced and feel good in the hand.

 

[Fedwrench]

Mac's flagship wrenches are the knuckle savers which are very similar to Proto.

MAC doesn't hide where any of their precision torque items are made. It says made in taiwan right on the label or tag. Now, if the cellophane is gone so, is the label.

As for sizes 7, 8, & 9mm it depends on what you work on as to how often you use those sizes. 8 mm is quite common, 7 mm not as much, and 9 mm seems to be more common in European vehicles.

If you can take advantage of your student discount without incurring debt, i would opt for the snap on set. Doesn't your school have the MAC student program too?

 

[JulianMorrow]

Should I get the Snap On Flank Drive standard set with 10-19mm or the Mac Precision Torque 6-19mm?

Instead of a conventional combination set, you might consider the Snap-on/BluePoint ratcheting boxend wrenches. With the SEP program, you should be able to pick up a set at a nice price point. I bought a 13mm Blue Point ratcheting wrench off the Snap-on truck, been really happy with it. I use it a lot on my Ford Ranger.

The MAC are an interesting design, but made in Taiwan...the additional cost for the MAC is not worth it in my opinion.

Agreed—since the MAC wrenches are made in Taiwan, you should be getting a price point comparable to Tekton.

 

[noahwins]

You already have good quality wrenchs, if you just want long I would look into extra long box wrenchs. The mountain/matco ratcheting flex ones are wicked. Youll get real good value out of them

Hmm, good call. Those are the same are Carlyle. They were on sale on the Napa site for $113 through March, then shot up to $240 something on April 1. Missed the boat. Maybe my boss can sweet talk our Napa guy into getting them for the sale price.

Maybe get those and buy or make a wrench extender? Anyone have any experience with those? I know one day the double wrench trick will fail me and I'll launch my knuckles into rusty exhaust coupler threads at Mach 2.

I’ve been using my 6-19mm Precision Torque set for about three years and they’re damn fine wrenches, well-balanced and feel good in the hand.

A+ ergonomics.

Wright Grip look nice, too.

I wish there was a brick and motar store to try all of these tools side by side in person.

 

[Skin]

Agreed—since the MAC wrenches are made in Taiwan, you should be getting a price point comparable to Tekton.

That's a double standard. No different than saying snap-on should have a price point of SK, Proto, Williams, or Wright.

 

[plinker]

Maybe get those and buy or make a wrench extender? Anyone have any experience with those? I know one day the double wrench trick will fail me and I'll launch my knuckles into rusty exhaust coupler threads at Mach 2.

The boss has a wrench extender, works well enough, certainly better the double wrenching. I'd prefer a plain out longer wrench, but it's not always feasible.

I use 8mm quite a bit, 7mm often enough. 9mm rarely, but needing one once is enough to warrant having one as nothing else will really work.

 

[AS556]

I would never, ever pay what the big boys want for their tools if they were made in Asia. Absolutely ridiculous. I would rather use Pitt Pro for Taiwanese tools.

 

[Handyandy23]

Agreed—since the MAC wrenches are made in Taiwan, you should be getting a price point comparable to Tekton.

That's a double standard. No different than saying snap-on should have a price point of SK, Proto, Williams, or Wright.

Not to mention with Mac or any truck brand you're paying a premium for that 'truck service'. You can go on the tool truck equivalent thread and save money on almost any tool if you buy the generic branded version.

Having someone hand deliver your tools and warranty them on the spot, provide credit, etc. isn't a free service. Is it worth the extra cost? I guess that's up to everyone to decide for themselves.

 

[noahwins]

Having someone hand deliver your tools and warranty them on the spot, provide credit, etc. isn't a free service. Is it worth the extra cost? I guess that's up to everyone to decide for themselves.

They also take weekly payments at 0% interest...

 

[JulianMorrow]

That's a double standard. No different than saying snap-on should have a price point of SK, Proto, Williams, or Wright.

One example you should've omitted from your list: "Williams" = Snap-on.

In regard to your overall point: most guys here are willing to pay a premium for "Made in U.S.A" tools. I doubt most guys here are willing to pay more for a MAC-Taiwan wrench set than a comparable Snap-on set. I think that's the point Angry Joe was making.

Whether MAC-Taiwan is better than Tekton (and worth more)--I honestly don't know. You may be right about that.

 

[Clcartagena89]

Buy the snap on, don’t look back.

 

[Skin]

One example you should've omitted from your list: "Williams" = Snap-on.

In regard to your overall point: most guys here are willing to pay a premium for "Made in U.S.A" tools. I doubt most guys here are willing to pay more for a MAC-Taiwan wrench set than a comparable Snap-on set. I think that's the point Angry Joe was making.

Whether MAC-Taiwan is better than Tekton (and worth more)--I honestly don't know. You may be right about that.

Its not comparing apples to apples though. Firstly Williams Supercombos are not the same as Snap-on. Second the MAC PT wrenches in question are pretty much half the price of Snap-on SOEXMs if you directly compare list or SEP so they are in fact cheaper compared to US made sets.

You cant say "well it should be Tekton priced cause Taiwan" then ignore the fact that Snap-on, or any truck brand, combo wrench price is disgusting regardless of COO. Just because they're US doesn't make $40 or $50 per wrench make sense.

 

[Air21]

If you want to buy them at Taiwan prices then buy them from Toptul, there's even a GJ member who sells Toptul sets.

I don't mind buying Taiwanese tools, they've been fighting the communists their whole lives ****

 

[Skin]

If you want to buy them at Taiwan prices then buy them from Toptul, there's even a GJ member who sells Toptul sets.

I don't mind buying Taiwanese tools, they've been fighting the communists their whole lives ****

Again Toptul does not offer a similar product. Their forged angled combos that look similar are inches shorter than the MAC/Facom. Dennis also stopped selling due to Toptuls non-desire to seriously expand into the US so I think there is just Mike Wren and 1 website.

 

[JulianMorrow]

the MAC PT wrenches in question are pretty much half the price of Snap-on SOEXMs if you directly compare list or SEP so they are in fact cheaper compared to US made sets.

The OP quoted the Snap-on set at $187 and the MAC set at $268. Whether these two sets are "equivalent"--I just took the OP's word for it. It appears the OP is getting a student discount for the Snap-on set. Not sure if he's getting that discount with the MAC set. One would think that MAC would have their own budget line for their Taiwan made tools, like Snap-on's Blue Point line.

You cant say "well it should be Tekton priced cause Taiwan" then ignore the fact that Snap-on, or any truck brand, combo wrench price is disgusting regardless of COO.

As a weekend DIY guy, I can't justify the truck tool prices. I use the "Truck Tools Equivalents" thread to buy my tools, so we're in agreement here. But a lot of mechanics on this board buy the truck tools & swear by them. They like the service, warranty, and convenience of the tool trucks.

 

[Tallpilot]

The Snap-on are the better deal. They are also smaller for the best access in confined places. As was mentioned earlier be very careful with debt but the SEP is an excellent opportunity, especially for everyday use items like ratchets and wrenches.

 

[Mattwrotethis]

My 8-19, 21, and 22mm wrenches at work are SnapOn.

My 20mm is a Mac Precision Torque bought because the Mac guy happened to be there when I needed one (only Ford and GM seem to use it, and only on brakes).

I love that Mac Precision Torque design, but I don't like the fact that it awkwardly fits in my wrench holders, and is made in Taiwan for more than the price of a US-made SnapOn. The Mac wrench has a lot to recommend it, but when the SnapOn is made here, and actually cheaper, it'd be my choice. (Not to mention I've had the same SnapOn guy for three years and our Mac guy was flaky when we had him, and has since quit.)

 

[Wamsutta]

Working underneath cars, I want a longer set for more leverage.

You know that Snap-on also makes a long version of their standard length wrench; right?

 

[Skin]

The OP quoted the Snap-on set at $187 and the MAC set at $268. Whether these two sets are "equivalent"--I just took the OP's word for it. It appears the OP is getting a student discount for the Snap-on set. Not sure if he's getting that discount with the MAC set. One would think that MAC would have their own budget line for their Taiwan made tools, like Snap-on's Blue Point line.

He's not, that's full list. The MAC set is about $130 through their student program (and has 4 more wrenches), that's why I mentioned if hes eligible for SEP he should be able to get similar discounts from MAC and Matco.

and is made in Taiwan for more than the price of a US-made SnapOn. The Mac wrench has a lot to recommend it, but when the SnapOn is made here, and actually cheaper, it'd be my choice. (Not to mention I've had the same SnapOn guy for three years and our Mac guy was flaky when we had him, and has since quit.)

More untruths. $54.50 vs $31.99.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Hmm, good call. Those are the same are Carlyle. They were on sale on the Napa site for $113 through March, then shot up to $240 something on April 1. Missed the boat. Maybe my boss can sweet talk our Napa guy into getting them for the sale price.

Maybe get those and buy or make a wrench extender? Anyone have any experience with those? I know one day the double wrench trick will fail me and I'll launch my knuckles into rusty exhaust coupler threads at Mach 2.



A+ ergonomics.

Wright Grip look nice, too.

I wish there was a brick and motar store to try all of these tools side by side in person.

The wrench extender works but it is a little
cumbersome. I used one in combination with a 30mm wrench and then I had to add my 3 ft breaker bar to get some stupid tight hydraulic pump bolts loose.

 

[Mattwrotethis]

More untruths. $54.50 vs $31.99.

I didn't pay anywhere near that for any Snappy wrench in my box.