I like the look of Matco ratchets. The handles are nice and the locking flex mechanism is really nice. But the ratcheting mechanism leaves a lot to be desired. I bought a brand new one and there is a lot of anvil slop. I spent way to much money on this to just keep it as a part of my ratchet collection. And from what I’m reading the handles aren’t replaceable either, so I don’t want to use it because it’s the black and blue 3/8 ratchet which looks so nice. But snap on ratchets are the best. And I got plenty of different styles of snap on ratchets to choose from.
I like the Matco locking flex head design and the profile of the ratchet head. That being said ive had to replace the mechanism multiple time on my 3/8" ratchets due to skipping teeth. Ive never had to do that with my Snap On ratchets. Another negative is if you put even the slightest bit too much lube in the Matco it will bind up, Snap On doesnt in my experience.
Interesting video. I was building a short block today and torquing a can phaser bolt, my long 1/2 matco ratchet skipped a tooth. I think when I finish the job I’ll open it up and see if I had the same problem as you
That's ridiculous for a one time use and just think that head on a 30 inch ratchet the same head kit!! Lol man I just don't trust them when it comes down to it.
That’s how I feel. Some say, “it’s just a isolated manufacturing defect” but I’ve never had that occur with any of the Snap-on ratchets I own. I don’t trust them either at this point, especially for any application whereby you need torque, leverage, etc…
SO impact sockets are some of the softest in the market. Even using USA-IUM steel doesn't mean jack when you don't take advantage of its hardenability. More of a safety feature but frustrating given the price. Chromes are totally different story.
Drum brakes,do one side at a time using the other side as a reference.Shows you which parts go where.I never had a problem with my Matco ratchets.I use my 24 inch Matco 1/2 drive ratchet as a breaker bar and never broken it yet.Did break the anvil on my 3/8 flex head once,operated fine when it happened
I have that same ratchet and have not had any problems. I also have the 3/8 locking flex head, and a Gearwrench 1/4 locking flex head. Used these professionally for about a year, and then on my own stuff for about 7 years without a single issue. But people do seem to have issues with the Matcos. All sockets deform like that. The chamfer helps, but impact or chrome sockets get that way pretty quick when used on an impact. The same thing happens to the base of the four corners on the anvil of a ratchet. I look at impact tools as some what of a consumable. They can last a long time, but will get hogged out and wear considerably over time. I tend to go cheaper or used on impact stuff just because it seem silly to me to spend big money on a tool that pretty much gets thrashed in use.
Great video!! I’ve seen several of those ratchets break. If you have any issues with warranty the complete ratchet head is available for 39$ from Matco the part number is CFR8TKHA. Harry Epstein’s has the Wright tool 1/2 flex heads ratchets in stock for 125$ they are pretty beefy the number is 4430
Wheel nuts can be hard on a fine tooth ratchet with 140+ and added corrosion, I break loose with a 24" breaking bar then buzz off with a cordless impact gun. Impact will do it but can mushroom sockets on the drive end. You've got warranty so get it replaced
The Wright impact 3/8 socket that I use the most did the same thing. Most of them do. The only one that has not done it that bad for me has been the SK flex zone ones but don’t think they sell them anymore.
That old Snap on tear drop ratchet is worth a pretty penny if it has the military numbers. My Mac guy was a collector and gave me $100 truck credit for mine.
Shouldve used a 1/2" breaker bar first! I get a kick out of all you guys. You think you can break lugs with a 3/8 flex, then you all get pissed cause you broke the ratchet!.😂 ratchets are meant to speed things up, not break bolts loose!..Thats why they're called breaker bars! Duh!
That's pretty sad that it failed on a lug nut.. that ratchet should easily do 400ft lbs. Drive side takes most of the torque so sockets get ate up pretty bad. would love to see a comparison between wright and snappy sockets. I run tekton sockets and couldn't be happier.
I would recommend doing a Full Tilt BMW video..... The Matco ratchet......when you replace it get one with a lower tooth count. Half Drive long handle ratchets are going to take abuse they should not be such high tooth count. And your impact sockets are going to deform. Just dress them with a file or leave them alone just watch your fingers. All the camferring does is keep that deformed metal away from your your fingers. And yes brake fluid it's literally acidic when it gets old. it'll eat up everything. you got to clean that stuff off the minute you can when you're done. That's why I don't like the new soft rubber handles. I look for the tools with the hard handles or just steel handles. And yes drums. drums are always fun. I started working on stuff in the 80s. Drums were everywhere and yes they aren't exactly fun and yes they can be nasty. I usually start by cleaning them up with any kind of heavy Degreaser I can find. scrape them ,wash them, whatever you can to get that trash out of the way.
I think the matco is a nicer ratchet than snap on especially in 1/4 and somewhat in 3/8 because of the slimmer head, better locking flex head mechanism and imo Matco's soft grips are nicer. But I use a snap on for 1/2 purely because I believe they are stronger and the 1/2 only really comes out when I have to really yam on something. I think you just had bad luck with that specific ratchet. A 1/2 matco should be more than capable of 400+ ft lbs. But that's why there's a warranty. Hopefully your new guts hold up better.
I'm just a do it yourselfer too and I also have too many cool tools and ratchets (none of them Matco by choice) but realistically i don't use fine tooth ratchets much. A quality course tooth ratchet like used for decades in the past by so many pros will rarely fail you. The need for all these super-duper fine tooth ratchets is mostly a marketing race between tool companies. I've never had one of my course tooth ratchets get in the way of getting a job done.....as a do it yourselfer. Do it yourselfers don't really need them although they may look or sound cool and shiny. I've never skipped any teeth with my 36 tooth ratchets. They work as well as a breaker bar for me. Just sayin. But fine tooth ratchets although may have some torque, fail more often than course tooth ratchets. I'm not a pro but my professional course tooth ratchets think I am. Nobody really needs a fine tooth ratchet. . Just ask the real men that used course tooth rachets since the beginning. Just sayin.
Personally I like the Matco 3/8 flex slightly better than my Snap On flex head. That is the only Matco ratchet I own, the rest is Snap On and a 1/2 long handle Mac. Regardless a 1/2" ratchet should not have failed under the conditions you described. FYI, you you haven't tried them yet, the Tub O Towels brand of cleaning wipes is excellent.
I never use Matco ratchets for anything serious. They always give on me. Actually only have one left traded in all my other Matco ratchets. Snapon by far is strongest gearing I have ever used Only broke a Snapon ratchet one time in the 27!years I have been a tech and was using a cheater bar.
Should’ve handled it but first time use, I’d chalk it up to a defect. Get it rebuilt, because it’s free and use it again. Then if it fails again, I’d say your claim would be more validated. Just an opinion
I use tools each and everyday for work. I’m a mechanical engineer, and we breakdown hydraulic actuators for airliners, so I see and use a lot of impact sockets. Snap-on has softer metal than others, which includes MAC and Matco. In my opinion, Wright Tool is the very best in terms of wear and reliability
I've seen this over and over again with these Matco ratchets - they look identical to my Gearwrench 90 tooth ratchets - I love them, but they don't seem like they hold up very well.
They do look very similar but are manufactured by different companies. The Matco is made by AJ manufacturing in the USA and they are junk. The older 88 tooth Matco ratchets were made by Apex for Matco which is who owns Gearwrench and did own Armstrong tool both were 88th.
@@Toolaholic7 There are videos of people installing the matco replacement anvil and pawl directly into the new Gearwrench ratchets - so, I'm just guessing that you are wrong.
@@glenndavis2762 Go on Koon Trucking's channel,he has a video of his Matco dealer taking apart a gearwench and a Matco ratchet and they are completely different.The differences are the length,head thickness,handle,pawl,pawl spring,anvil,the locking head design,selector and selector spring.Put a Gearwrench kit in a Matco,will lock up. Here is the video, ua-cam.com/video/p8rJGvdaF7w/v-deo.html
@@Toolaholic7 I've seen it - It doesn't change the fact that the matco pawl and anvil fits inside the gearwrench ratchets. Or that the Matco ratchets are pretty much junk even though they are made in America - Not defending gearwrench as they are foreign junk as well.
Matco ratchets are the most overrated/overpriced tool out there. Since Matco doesn't actually make tools these ratchets are probably made in Taiwan at the same facility as Carlyle ratchets. If your spending that kind of money stick with Snap-on.
One bad batch ratchet nothing I’ve SEENED many Snapon ratchets blow and I’ve had done so also. Consider you would had better leverage. But granite that ratchet is not it’s intended use. I’ve never had any issue with them it just how it goes sometimes. This is why we have warranty.
I see you have an old ratchet at the back of your hutch. What year is it from? I have one of my great-uncle's from 1933
I’m not sure, but I’ll check for a date code
I like the look of Matco ratchets. The handles are nice and the locking flex mechanism is really nice. But the ratcheting mechanism leaves a lot to be desired. I bought a brand new one and there is a lot of anvil slop. I spent way to much money on this to just keep it as a part of my ratchet collection. And from what I’m reading the handles aren’t replaceable either, so I don’t want to use it because it’s the black and blue 3/8 ratchet which looks so nice. But snap on ratchets are the best. And I got plenty of different styles of snap on ratchets to choose from.
I haven't had any issues with mine, my locking flexheads from Matco are my go to ratchets in every situation
Yet ANOTHER AWESOME TOOL VIDEO!!! I truly appreciate how much you respect your tools! I can definitely relate brother!!! 👍👍👍💯💯💯😃😃😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🍻🍻🍻
I like the Matco locking flex head design and the profile of the ratchet head. That being said ive had to replace the mechanism multiple time on my 3/8" ratchets due to skipping teeth. Ive never had to do that with my Snap On ratchets. Another negative is if you put even the slightest bit too much lube in the Matco it will bind up, Snap On doesnt in my experience.
Hopefully Wright introduces their new pear head ratchets, sooner than later, that were teased on one of HJE's UA-cam videos.
Interesting video. I was building a short block today and torquing a can phaser bolt, my long 1/2 matco ratchet skipped a tooth. I think when I finish the job I’ll open it up and see if I had the same problem as you
That's ridiculous for a one time use and just think that head on a 30 inch ratchet the same head kit!! Lol man I just don't trust them when it comes down to it.
That’s how I feel. Some say, “it’s just a isolated manufacturing defect” but I’ve never had that occur with any of the Snap-on ratchets I own. I don’t trust them either at this point, especially for any application whereby you need torque, leverage, etc…
Exactly why I don’t like soft handles.
I’m not a fan of Matco
I'd say the thing had a bad heat treat batch. Kit it and see of you can blow it out again. I've gotten down hard on my 3/8 Matcos...for 6-8 years
SO impact sockets are some of the softest in the market. Even using USA-IUM steel doesn't mean jack when you don't take advantage of its hardenability. More of a safety feature but frustrating given the price. Chromes are totally different story.
Have the same matco handled gearwrench and broke mine 3 times all within a year. Broke on lug nuts and twice on superduty caliper braket bolts
I got tired of warranteeing out my 3/8” Matco locking flex ratchet and sold them all. Replaced with Snap-on, couldn’t be happier
Drum brakes,do one side at a time using the other side as a reference.Shows you which parts go where.I never had a problem with my Matco ratchets.I use my 24 inch Matco 1/2 drive ratchet as a breaker bar and never broken it yet.Did break the anvil on my 3/8 flex head once,operated fine when it happened
I have that same ratchet and have not had any problems. I also have the 3/8 locking flex head, and a Gearwrench 1/4 locking flex head. Used these professionally for about a year, and then on my own stuff for about 7 years without a single issue. But people do seem to have issues with the Matcos. All sockets deform like that. The chamfer helps, but impact or chrome sockets get that way pretty quick when used on an impact. The same thing happens to the base of the four corners on the anvil of a ratchet. I look at impact tools as some what of a consumable. They can last a long time, but will get hogged out and wear considerably over time. I tend to go cheaper or used on impact stuff just because it seem silly to me to spend big money on a tool that pretty much gets thrashed in use.
Great video!!
I’ve seen several of those ratchets break. If you have any issues with warranty the complete ratchet head is available for 39$ from Matco the part number is CFR8TKHA.
Harry Epstein’s has the Wright tool 1/2 flex heads ratchets in stock for 125$ they are pretty beefy the number is 4430
My 1/2" wright ratchet still works like the day I got it. 2 years so far, I only own one 1/2" drive ratchet.
Wheel nuts can be hard on a fine tooth ratchet with 140+ and added corrosion, I break loose with a 24" breaking bar then buzz off with a cordless impact gun. Impact will do it but can mushroom sockets on the drive end. You've got warranty so get it replaced
The Wright impact 3/8 socket that I use the most did the same thing. Most of them do. The only one that has not done it that bad for me has been the SK flex zone ones but don’t think they sell them anymore.
That old Snap on tear drop ratchet is worth a pretty penny if it has the military numbers. My Mac guy was a collector and gave me $100 truck credit for mine.
Shouldve used a 1/2" breaker bar first! I get a kick out of all you guys. You think you can break lugs with a 3/8 flex, then you all get pissed cause you broke the ratchet!.😂 ratchets are meant to speed things up, not break bolts loose!..Thats why they're called breaker bars! Duh!
I used a 1/2”, so what the duk are you talking about…?
I got to tell you though, I've been running Snap-on sockets for 25 years and I almost never have to warranty them. Daily use in HD applications
That's pretty sad that it failed on a lug nut.. that ratchet should easily do 400ft lbs.
Drive side takes most of the torque so sockets get ate up pretty bad.
would love to see a comparison between wright and snappy sockets.
I run tekton sockets and couldn't be happier.
Been using tekton impact sockets as a lube tech for 5 months now and they are in better shape considering I use the 21 multiple times a day
Brake fluid and diesel and calibrating oil will eat those soft grips .good video
I had that happen on my 3/8" drive Marco ratchet as well the flange broke while taking a caliper bolt out
that chrome plating sure is pretty though. at least you know where the cost went on this tool.
I would recommend doing a Full Tilt BMW video.....
The Matco ratchet......when you replace it get one with a lower tooth count. Half Drive long handle ratchets are going to take abuse they should not be such high tooth count. And your impact sockets are going to deform. Just dress them with a file or leave them alone just watch your fingers. All the camferring does is keep that deformed metal away from your your fingers. And yes brake fluid it's literally acidic when it gets old. it'll eat up everything. you got to clean that stuff off the minute you can when you're done. That's why I don't like the new soft rubber handles. I look for the tools with the hard handles or just steel handles. And yes drums. drums are always fun. I started working on stuff in the 80s.
Drums were everywhere and yes they aren't exactly fun and yes they can be nasty. I usually start by cleaning them up with any kind of heavy Degreaser I can find. scrape them ,wash them, whatever you can to get that trash out of the way.
That’s why I traded in all my Matco ratchets for Snap On, Matco don’t make their ratchets like they use to, all they are is a fancier Gearwrench 💯
Wrong, ua-cam.com/video/p8rJGvdaF7w/v-deo.html
I love my Snap-on soft grip ratchets and I have been on the fence about getting some matco in 1/4 and 3/8 but for the price they are pretty expensive
I think the matco is a nicer ratchet than snap on especially in 1/4 and somewhat in 3/8 because of the slimmer head, better locking flex head mechanism and imo Matco's soft grips are nicer. But I use a snap on for 1/2 purely because I believe they are stronger and the 1/2 only really comes out when I have to really yam on something. I think you just had bad luck with that specific ratchet. A 1/2 matco should be more than capable of 400+ ft lbs. But that's why there's a warranty. Hopefully your new guts hold up better.
I'm just a do it yourselfer
too and I also have too many cool tools and ratchets (none of them Matco by choice) but realistically i don't use fine tooth ratchets much. A quality course tooth ratchet like used for decades in the past by so many pros will rarely fail you. The need for all these super-duper fine tooth ratchets is mostly a marketing race between tool companies. I've never had one of my course tooth ratchets get in the way of getting a job done.....as a do it yourselfer. Do it yourselfers don't really need them although they may look or sound cool and shiny. I've never skipped any teeth with my 36 tooth ratchets. They work as well as a breaker bar for me. Just sayin. But fine tooth ratchets although may have some torque, fail more often than course tooth ratchets. I'm not a pro but my professional course tooth ratchets think I am. Nobody really needs a fine tooth ratchet. . Just ask the real men that used course tooth rachets since the beginning. Just sayin.
The 3/8 are not bad but the 1/2 has a lot if flex in the handles and the gear and pawl break that why I prefer snap on especially in 1/2 inch
I do have some wright tools sockets that look like your Snap-on
Awesome Video
Personally I like the Matco 3/8 flex slightly better than my Snap On flex head. That is the only Matco ratchet I own, the rest is Snap On and a 1/2 long handle Mac.
Regardless a 1/2" ratchet should not have failed under the conditions you described.
FYI, you you haven't tried them yet, the Tub O Towels brand of cleaning wipes is excellent.
Matco has the best rachets
That is a bummer with that ratchet, I only have one matco but it was big bucks and I'm not overly impressed
I never use Matco ratchets for anything serious. They always give on me. Actually only have one left traded in all my other Matco ratchets. Snapon by far is strongest gearing I have ever used Only broke a Snapon ratchet one time in the 27!years I have been a tech and was using a cheater bar.
Should’ve handled it but first time use, I’d chalk it up to a defect. Get it rebuilt, because it’s free and use it again. Then if it fails again, I’d say your claim would be more validated. Just an opinion
I warranty one 4 times vs snap-on that I never did. I hate match ratchets.
You ready to sell me that orange ratchet yet? I’ll buy it as is
Make an offer
@@MidwestToolReview we’ve been down that road already. Tell me what you want for it.
You not used to seeing tools that have been used that’s how impact sockets work because they are a softer metal than chrome sockets
I use tools each and everyday for work. I’m a mechanical engineer, and we breakdown hydraulic actuators for airliners, so I see and use a lot of impact sockets. Snap-on has softer metal than others, which includes MAC and Matco. In my opinion, Wright Tool is the very best in terms of wear and reliability
That’s crazy
Send it in
IF YOU DONT HAVE SNAP ON YOU AINT GOT NO TOOLS
I've seen this over and over again with these Matco ratchets - they look identical to my Gearwrench 90 tooth ratchets - I love them, but they don't seem like they hold up very well.
They do look very similar but are manufactured by different companies. The Matco is made by AJ manufacturing in the USA and they are junk. The older 88 tooth Matco ratchets were made by Apex for Matco which is who owns Gearwrench and did own Armstrong tool both were 88th.
None of the parts interchange,completely different
@@Toolaholic7 There are videos of people installing the matco replacement anvil and pawl directly into the new Gearwrench ratchets - so, I'm just guessing that you are wrong.
@@glenndavis2762 Go on Koon Trucking's channel,he has a video of his Matco dealer taking apart a gearwench and a Matco ratchet and they are completely different.The differences are the length,head thickness,handle,pawl,pawl spring,anvil,the locking head design,selector and selector spring.Put a Gearwrench kit in a Matco,will lock up. Here is the video, ua-cam.com/video/p8rJGvdaF7w/v-deo.html
@@Toolaholic7 I've seen it - It doesn't change the fact that the matco pawl and anvil fits inside the gearwrench ratchets. Or that the Matco ratchets are pretty much junk even though they are made in America - Not defending gearwrench as they are foreign junk as well.
Matco ratchets are the most overrated/overpriced tool out there. Since Matco doesn't actually make tools these ratchets are probably made in Taiwan at the same facility as Carlyle ratchets. If your spending that kind of money stick with Snap-on.
wrong Matco ratchets are made in the USA.. USA flag right on the ratchet...
@@QueenCityHornets You are correct! A J Manufacturing makes Matco ratchets in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Made in Taiwan
Matco tools r junk
One bad batch ratchet nothing I’ve SEENED many Snapon ratchets blow and I’ve had done so also. Consider you would had better leverage. But granite that ratchet is not it’s intended use. I’ve never had any issue with them it just how it goes sometimes. This is why we have warranty.