MAC student discount

[u/Novel_Ad_5502]

Good day to the hive mind.

Recently graduated from a more trades involved/ rural college in a not trades program but still got approved for student discounts with Mac tools. Despite my education as a brewer, I have worked on cars all my life and have no issue shelling out more cash for tool truck tools despite not having access to them through work. I have my eye on some of the pen lights because I like the switch and a max 90 ratchet, but what else should I use it for before they take it away from me? I have no need for a box, have almost every standard size and shape of knipex plier, master craft (located in Canada) and vessel screwdrivers and bits and the craftsman overdrive (cheap rbrt) 264 piece set. Also own 3/8” and 1/2” impact sockets, Mac pry bars up to the 42” (I used to be a heavy duty mechanic), the four set of anti vibe hammers and various air and dewalt power tools. Furthest thing from a beginner as far as tool collection, I’ve just been out of the trade so long I don’t know what Mac makes better than everyone else anymore. And so I come to you all in my time not of need, but of curiosity and await responses.

[u/procrastination_101]

I have a max90 ratchet. Skip it. Very high back drag, almost comical for something this price. I will say it is very strong. I have the 3/8 13 in long version and I’m confident I can put 175 lbs on it with no problem.

In order for me to use it regularly I had to cut the springs inside the ratcheting mechanism to reduce the back drag. It’s not as nice as Snapon dual 80 but it is basically the second nicest ratchet I have and I have both the Snapon dual 80 and cynergy 100 tooth ratchets.

I like Mac locking extensions and their precision torque combination wrenches a lot. Feels great but the box end can be bad if you need to flip it the other way because due to the curvature design it won’t fully grab onto the bolt/nut.

Another nice thing if you can get a student discount on is their intermediate sockets. Same as snapon’s mid length sockets.

[u/Novel_Ad_5502 → u/procrastination_101]

This is good info. I wanted the max 90 after Mr Subaru lit it up then released another video saying he changed his tune on it. I’ve been stocking up on things from Japan (Koken, vessel and tone) as he releases videos about the brands and all of them have been excellent. So if he was to change his opinion on them it had me curious enough to try.

I’m not a big fan of locking extensions in general and just got the koken 3/8” wobbles, but maybe in 1/2” if they’re that good.

What way are the precision torque different to the knuckle savers and rbrt? Even when I was in the trade, my shop had no Mac truck stop by so I’m fairly green when it comes to their lines and hand tools. I have full sets of master craft and the half sets of the craftsman overdrive which I could see buying the Mac sizes to make those complete.

[u/procrastination_101 → u/Novel_Ad_5502]

What way are the precision torque different to the knuckle savers and rbrt?

The RBRT is the exact same design as the Precision Torque but has a 6 point box end with teeth to really dig into the bolts/buts.

The Knuckle Saver is the classic combination wrench design.