Thoughts on the Mac axis line ratchets

[jonti48310]

Idk about the flex head line up but the origianls are made in Dallas. My buddy at the dealership bought the 24" 1/2 comfort grip (fixed head) and it skipped teeth the first time he used it. The Mac guy took it back and he bought the locking flex head 24" Matco that I let him borrow a time or two. I liked my Matco so much that I had the regular chrome model and bought the comfort grip the second it was on the truck. Think I paid $220 for the comfort grip. Worth every penny. Will never buy another breaker bar in my life, I mean 1/2 ratchet. Lol. Here's the link to the Matco 88. (Mine is orange.) https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...IGHTY8-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-GREEN-ERGO-RATCHET/

 

[Snaparxon]

I like Matco's locking mechanism over Snap on's

 

[jonti48310]

I like Matco's locking mechanism over Snap on's

I've only used the 1/4" and 3/8" version of the Snap-On but I agree. The Snap-On tend to stick and require you to move the head of the ratchet to release tension and give it play before you can enable the locking mechanism. No problems out of the Matco 88's.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Southpaw, for the price, why not get a Snap On? Honestly they are comparable in price but the Snap On is tried and true. The MAC isn't necessarily bad, but not many around Garage Journal seem to get excited about them.

 

[xjfish]

In my honest experience, the snap-on holds up better. Axis is a smooth ratchet. Just my 2c

 

[bimmer630]

The snap on does NOT hold up as well as the Mac! This is why I ended up with an axis ratchet. The flex head is much stronger on the Mac. I did however end up getting the new extra long flex head snapon (fllf80?)which has a beefed up flex


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[fang123]

I think the Proto precision 90 all metal handle is shaped better with the two bands of knurling than the Mac version.
I have a few in 1/4 & 3/8 drive shapes & sizes. I like them. I am concerned about the delicate, paper thin RTV like gasket between the gear cover & ratchet guts though.

I have every chrome precision 90 proto except for the 26 in. 1/2" drive. None of the 1/4" ratchets even came with the gaskets, not all of the 3/8" did, and all of the 1/2" did. One of the 1/2" gaskets were deformed and I just chucked it in the trash. Those ratchets without the gaskets will go through life just fine. I will never tell them about the gaskets.

 

[Skin]

Didn't want to make a hot deals thread for this but if anyone wants a 1/4" long flex this guy will take $50 + postage.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-1-4-Fl...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055359.m2763.l2649

I'd buy it based purely on principal of tool addiction, and mulled it over a couple times, but I need to move tools out, not in. Its a good deal though.