I am buying some flex-head ratcheting wrenches and since I like the feel and look of my friends Mac combination wrenches I figured, why not just spend way too much money and get the Mac Edge wrenches. Anyways I got a little discouraged when I read that the Mac Edge wrenches are made in Taiwan like most other ratcheting wrenches. Additionally I am wondering how useful the non-slip open-end will be. It might be great at breaking loose rounded bolts, but most bolts aren�t rounded so does it fit as well on good bolts? And does it mar up the hardware more than a standard open end? Anyways I know most people on here are in love with the gearwrench brand but I would really like to hear from some people who own or have at least used the Mac Edge wrenches. Thanks.

 

I only have experience with the flank-drive plus open end from Snap On... and yes, it will mar a fastener. If you want MAC ratcheting wrenches, skip the high price and go buy some Husky ones from Home Depot....

 

the open end on the edge wrenches doesn't mar none rounded bolts generally every once in a while. I bought the metric set because of a rounded fuel line on a cadillac i was working on the open end broke the line loose no problem. if you use them everyday like i do you'll appreciate being able to break loose fasteners that are stuck without rounding them off and being able to break loose fasteners that other guys round off and give up on. if you use them regularly then you will develop of love for them but if you have never used them then you don't realize how nice they really are. never heard of them being made in taiwan but they are quality have only had to replace one but that was because I accidently dropped it across battery terminals and melted the **** off one side. i have both a metric and standard set have had both nearly 2 years.

 

I am a big fan of MAC Tools and am currently building up my tool collection with MAC and Snap ON. However, the only ratcheting wrenches Im buying are Gearwrench brand Ratchet Wrenches. They make the Matco brand Ratchet wrench too.

 

Mac=Stanley

Overpriced Stanley tools in my opinion

 

Nothing that has the Mac name on it is worth the money.

 

I just got my gearwrench pivot ratchet wrenchs and the only ones I have used that I like better are some 225 for 7 or 8 stanley's.

they seem pretty damn good for the money

 

Snap-on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

im glad you realized how corporations work, but please dont post that BS in here.

lexus =scion too, but when they charge you 60k for a ls400 they arent selling you a 16k scion tc.

 

for ratcheting wrenches, you really cant go wrong with gear wrench, but as far as the rounded nut/bolt freindly thing i have no experience with that.

 

I have a set of Gearwrenches. They are a quality tool; I think they were the first to make gear wrenches; right?

I also have cheapie Stanley tools from WalMart. They are holding up well, however.

Are MAC and Stanley the same?

 

Many people seem to dislike the MAC tools. The only MAC tools I have used are combination wrenches and they seem as high quality as any other brand. But these wrenches are from an older generation when their quality might have been better.

I am not opposed to gearwrenches, but I like to get infomation on all the options. Anyone using the SK ratcheting wrenches? They seem nice and they have a unique locking flex-head design.

 

Oh, please! MAC is not what it used to be and everyone knows it. Save some money, buy the Stanley wrenches (or better yet the GearWrenches) and move on...

 

And since you don't know how to get a rounded bolt off, don't post that bs either

Having been an Auto Tech for over 23 years, I have used most of the tools out there. I have broken almost every kind of tool also, I know where the quality is.

 

I beg to differ I've had alot fewer complains with Mac's tools than I have snap on's. Mac is the only company that will warranty a wrench because the chrome is chipped. They also will warranty their taps, dies, drill bits, and extractors Snap On doesn't come close thats why I don't buy from them very much. about all i buy off snap on are ratchets and unique products that only they sell. all my wrenches are Mac never have broke one yet which means alot when you consider the fact I'm a full-time oilfield mechanic. broke several snap-ons and craftsmans in the past before going all mac with my wrenchs. I once turned a craftsman professional 15/16 into a half moon shape trying to get a bolt loose never have been able to do that to a mac.

to someone that just wants a ratchet wrench and doesn't intend to run into rounded fasteners very often then buy the cheaper sets from whoever. If you plan on needing an open end that can get rounded fasteners on fuel and brake lines loose then you need a set of edge wrenches.

As I stated above if you have never used a set of them you simply do not know what you are missing. when you encounter a rounded fastener and need them as often as I do then they are more than worth the expense. anyone that looks at a mac wrench and says, oh its an overpriced stanley is wrong. look at how much thicker a mac wrench is compared to a stanley for one, its nearly twice as thick. saying mac is overpriced stanley is the same as saying snapon is overpriced bluepoint and matco is overpriced craftsman.

back to main topic

pros of mac edge wrenches.
ability to grab rounded off fasteners (best open end design out there)
stronger ratcheting mechanism (I've stripped gearwrenches out before)
more comfortable to the hands

cons of mac edge wrenches
price (if you have a truck account it's not no big deal)
the lever to switch directions is kinda hard to switch at first due to how tight the clearances are on the ratchet mechanism.

 

I have used the gearwrench and not had much luck. I work on heavy equipment so its a lot more HD than used on cars. The best ratcheting wrenches I have found are the BluePoint. I dont care for the Snap On myself...I know its the same design but the snap on arent made in large sizes. I have had the blue point for about 10 months now and only had to turn one in because it was sticking.

 

I work on Heavy Equipment too and haven't found much use on big trucks. I dont use my gear wrenches to break torque, but just to remove quicker. I personally dont like the snap on or mac ratchet wrenches, but thats just me. I've used my gear wrenches on passenger car applications for over a year now, not one problem.

 

im die hard snap on but for some reason i like the blue point ratchet wrenches better. and i agree on not spendind the money on the edge for ratchet wrenches, when it comes to open end i really like my flank drive plus wrenches. wich i have yet to mark up a fastener with them (that i've noticed).

 

i've had mac ratcheting wrenches for quite some time and have yet to have a problem with them. I'm not a big fan of snap on, but i guess theirs will be alright (never used them). I bought them because they are comfortable in my hands, being more squared off. but everyone will have their opinions and the best way to decide is to try them all, if you work in a shop you are sure to find a few different types, so just try them and see.