What to buy from Matco?

[mikebaker1129]

We had a Matco truck come by our shop today for the 1st time in over 10 years .
I looked around and purchased a set of Witte screwdrivers.
What do they have that I should take a look at?

The 88 tooth ratchets were vapor ware .
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Hammer1963]

I have quite a few Matco pneumatic tools and have been more than satisfied. The black jacketed Mt series tools are very good. I probably have more than 10 tools from this series including .5HP straight die grinders, 90 and 115 degree die grinders and the reversible cut-off tool which is excellent!

The Witte drivers are fantastic as are the ratcheting wrenches. The 88 series ratchets speak for themselves. In short they offer many good tools and a nice variety as well

 

[gdocktor3]

Save your money and buy Armstrong Maxx 88 ratchet. SAME EXACT THING. Their wrenches are Armstrong also. They sell Sunex & Grey Pneumatic impact sockets. Ingersoll Rand & Chicago Pneumatic air tools. Everything is rebadged. Buy something that will need to be fixed by them if it breaks. Then it may be worth paying the extra $$$$

 

[Anarius]

They have a set of double ended, ratcheting box wrenches with two flex joints per side. I never have been able find them anywhere else.

I don't use 'em all that often, but when I do they are damn useful. Wait 'till they go on sale, they are pricey.

 

[Brownsfan]

Pretty much everything Matco can be had elsewhere cheaper. They don't make anything other than tool boxes. Everything else they re-brand. As you know the screw drivers are AWESOME. I have the cornwell versions. The Witte torx drivers are good as well. Now there are versions of the ratchets that only Matco has that Armstrong doesn't. Like the extra long flex heads. Those are not offered in the Armstrong line. Those are nice.

 

[shockwave]

3/8 locking flex ratchet

Pinless impact swivels

Box/ratcheting flex spline wrenches 8-25mm

Locking extension set 1/4 impact

 

[Greg85mcss]

^^^This
They have some good bogo sales. I used to buy things like gearwrench from my old matco guy but the one I have now is unreliable & doesn't seem to give a **** about helping people out. They're both fairly new & were trained by the same guy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jrobb316]

You already bought the best they have to offer. Anything made by Witte (screwdrivers and picks) are top shelf. I put them against snapon as a neck and neck tie in quality, finish, and feel while using. Most other matco stuff is overpriced and rebadged or imported.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have mentioned, MATCO's pinless impact sockets in 1/4 & 3/8 drive are the best made.
I'm also fond of their proswing series of ratcheting wrenches. my favorite being the version with a ratcheting box end on one side, and a fixed boxed end on the other end. Don't confuse these with Gearwrench, these are better.
Their 88 tooth ratchets are sweet!!!
It's important to remember that MATCO doesn't actually make anything but, tool boxes. Everything else is rebadged. It doesn't mean their stuff isn't any good but, it does mean that you might find some tools cheaper under the oem brand.

 

[malykaii]

You can get the pinless impacts at sears. Same oem at one point.

 

[carcajou]

Who is the OEM of their pinless impact sockets? I had a look at them yesterday (1st time on a Matco truck), they looked impressive. Purchased one Witte ph2 screwdriver to try out.

 

[bustdknuckle]

Who is the OEM of their pinless impact sockets? I had a look at them yesterday (1st time on a Matco truck), they looked impressive. Purchased one Witte ph2 screwdriver to try out.

They are made by Apex tools. Can also get them branded Gearwrench.

 

[Skin]

People **** on Matco a lot for rebranding but a lot of things they have are exclusives. Armstrong has 88 tooth ratchets? Sure. Matco sells a lot more styles and comfort grip models though. Craftsman pinless impact swivels same as Matco? By design yes but again Matco sells a lot more sizes and the Craftsman are also a little taller for whatever reason. Just need to pick and choose like any of the trucks.

They have double knurled extensions now like MAC has done for years. May be worth a look if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket.

 

[Thax]

I love my Witte made screwdrivers. The XL length 90 tooth spline reversible ratcheting combo wrench are awesome. They have a flank drive plus/Wrightgrip design in the open end that is nice too.

 

[gdocktor3]

If I had the money, I'd buy the extra long double box end flex wrenches. Those look like they are torque monsters. The ratchet ones would be nice too.

 

[shockwave]

Yes Matco tools are made by other company's but keep in mind a few of them are exclusive to the Matco lines like

Matco 1/4 pinless impact swivel
A lot of the ratchet styles are not available

 

[warmpancakes]

skip the pinless impacts Matco ,craftsman and gearwrench all the same, gearwrench are about 1/2 the price of the others

 

[martin666]

Have 6 long Matco Witte screwdrivers, wouldn't hesitate buying them again