Milwaukee Socket Set Question

[haneyrm]

I’ve been looking at new socket sets lately and am finding lots of people seemingly in love with the Milwaukee sets. Decided that I would give them a try but paused that effort when I saw that the sockets are made in China. Ratchets are from Taiwan but the rest seem to be Chinese. I don’t specifically have an issue with Chinese made tools but would prefer to stay domestic, Japanese, German, Taiwan with China bringing up the rear.

These are not cheap sets and in many cases it looks like there are a lot of other options out there without any Chinese connection for similar money.

I’m specifically looking at the 1/4-3/8 106 piece set for $239.

Are these tools so good that the China connection is meaningless or are they selling basic tools at a premium price because of the Milwaukee name?

I currently own a few mid-grade sets in blow molded cases including Gearwrench, Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, Dewalt, Quinn, and Crescent and just wanted to try something different and hopefully better without going broke in the process.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Milwaukee is a Chinese company.

 

[pbon]

Your gearwrench and craftsman should be good enough unless you are a professional mechanic. HF Iconn is worth a look if you need more. Maybe Tekton. I bought Milwaukee wrenches and they are OK but not anything special. I would not get excited about the sockets.

 

[AJHD]

When it comes to almost all Milwaukee hand tools, I think there are better options available and often cheaper.

For some reason Milwaukee has always charged a premium for their hand tools, especially their sockets.

Their power tools are a different conversation.

 

[haneyrm]

Thanks for the info. I’m going to take a pass and keep shopping for something similar. I forgot that I do already own Tekton and it’s been great as well. All of my impact sockets these days are Tekton.

Now looking at Nepros, Ko-ken, Hazet and a few others. Want something a little different from what I already have.

 

[dnschmidt]

Of your listed alternatives Nepros is the clear winner. Their tools are jewel like in quality. Call Jersey Discount Tools, yes I know Nick is nuts, but hell he lives in Jersey so what's so special about that. They have a good arrangement with Nepros.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Due me the draw (of this is the set I think) are the square sockets and nice storage. But I didn't intend to but them.

Craftsman overdrive huge set is $100 off right now and they work really well with tight torque technology. I built a cabinet to hold them but that is another story.

I hear the Milwaukee ratchets are nice but never tried them.... I have been favoring proto htc ratchets lately, but I own lots of ratchets

 

[Steel_Rain]

I’m specifically looking at the 1/4-3/8 106 piece set for $239.

I’m your guy. I’m a major tool snob and admittedly not a huge Milwaukee fan. That said, I have some other packout stuff and own the 1/4-3/8 106pc set along with the 1/2” set, both in the short packout cleartop cases.

These are decent tools. The rachets are above average. The square sockets…eh. They are ok, not my favorite design but good broaching and highly visible size markings.

My reasoning for purchasing is simple. I wanted a no skip set for mobile use. I find myself wanting more grab and go these days instead packing a heavy toolbox for when it’s needed. I will be working on lawn mower one day, then maybe a forklift or something heavy (telehandler or mini-ex) the next. It’s nice to have everything on my wheeled packout for that and since these lock together, it makes it easier.

I would love to buy some of the KTC or Tone toolboxes that are preloaded in EVA trays, but many of those sets are $1000+ and don’t include SAE / have major skips. They also include many things that don’t really apply to my work scope so it’s wasted money.

I’m shocked this site doesn’t have more coverage on Milwaukee hand tools, especially the wrenches, sockets and rachets. Yes, some of the stuff isn’t great, but what I have is more than enough.

 

[GeoBruin]

If I were in the same position, I would look at the Tekton set in the L-Box. Pretty expensive but very comprehensive, good warranty, and awesome storage option, especially if you would consider expanding down the line.

105-Piece 1/4, 3/8 Inch Drive Socket Set with L-BOXX | TEKTON https://share.google/nmJvzQBZaY8mzsZCV

 

[mngundog]

I think I payed about $85 during HD deal of the day, the tray fits perfectly in my tool cart.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Personal preference... i cant stand the way their deep chrome sockets look. I do like the look of their impact sockets with the white letters on the numbers, easy to read. Imo they are to expensive compared to their competition.

 

[Steel_Rain]

105-Piece 1/4, 3/8 Inch Drive Socket Set with L-BOXX | TEKTON

Good choice and I really like Tekton’s new offerings. $400 seems about the same as the Milwaukee sets totaled together. I have no experience with Milwaukee’s warranty, but I know that Tekton is great with that.

One thing I forgot to let the OP know is the pricing. I feel like Milwaukee is all over the place on price and nobody is paying MSRP for sure. I was able to score both my 1/2” and 1/4 - 3/8 set on on FBM for $140 / $175 respectively, both new and still having the Home Depot ship labels on them.

 

[Gangly]

I’m specifically looking at the 1/4-3/8 106 piece set for $239.

I have that set and its a great set for mechanics. Pricey, but worth the price.

People who don't do a lot of mechanic work think the square ends are marketing, but they aren't, they are worth their weight in gold if you turn a lot of wrenches. In tight areas, certain bolts and nuts are extremely hard to reach, and even if your able to get an open end wrench on them, the wrench wont sit flush because the bolt or nut is recessed. A socket wrench wont fit because there isnt enough height above the nut or bolt to fit a socket and ratchet. About the only option left is to place the socket over the bolt/nut, and put an open end wrench on the square end of the socket, and turn it that way. In some instances, being able to turn a socket with an open end wrench saves me a lot of time, and a little $$.

Second, on jobs where I run out of room on my magnetic trays, having sockets that don't roll off of fenders and grill supports is a HUGE bonus. I cant tell you how much time is wasted chasing down sockets that roll off of a component and disappear down into the abyss. When its been a loooooong day, and that happens, I tend to lose my mind and go a little crazy. Its the little things like flat sides that add a tremendous value to me, and will help keep me sane after a long day.

If you aren't doing a lot of mechanic work, there are other sets out there that will suit your needs just fine. However, I do quite a bit of mechanic work in various locations, and this set is perfect for throwing in the truck and going. Its a solid base kit, its narrow and packs away wonderfully, the wrenches have great throw, and the sockets are very durable. I liked it so much I picked up the 1/2" drive version as well.

As far as their warranty is concerned, I had an issue with a ratchet and gave them a call. They asked that I send them a picture of the tool to verify I actually owned one, and then shipped out a new ratchet to me that day, no questions asked, no hassles, nothing. I was pleasantly surprised with the customer service and how easy the process was. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another set from them again if this one ever got stolen/misplaced/damaged.

 

[retDAC]

... I cant tell you how much time is wasted chasing down sockets that roll off of a component and disappear down into the abyss. ...

And all these years I thought it was just me that drops tools.

 

[Gangly]

And all these years I thought it was just me that drops tools.

Unlike me, I bet you actually find them though

 

[Ohio Andy]

Unlike me, I bet you actually find them though

I can have a totally clean bench or table, set something down, and then it disappears when I turn around and does not show up until I order a replacement.

 

[merkyworks]

IMO the only reason to go with Milwaukee socket sets is if your doing a mobile packout setup, otherwise there are better options for less.

Just off the top of my head you could get a full 1/4-3/8 Quinn (taiwan made) socket set for $90 with current sale going on.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

I have that set and its a great set for mechanics. Pricey, but worth the price.

People who don't do a lot of mechanic work think the square ends are marketing, but they aren't, they are worth their weight in gold if you turn a lot of wrenches. In tight areas, certain bolts and nuts are extremely hard to reach, and even if your able to get an open end wrench on them, the wrench wont sit flush because the bolt or nut is recessed. A socket wrench wont fit because there isnt enough height above the nut or bolt to fit a socket and ratchet. About the only option left is to place the socket over the bolt/nut, and put an open end wrench on the square end of the socket, and turn it that way. In some instances, being able to turn a socket with an open end wrench saves me a lot of time, and a little $$.

Second, on jobs where I run out of room on my magnetic trays, having sockets that don't roll off of fenders and grill supports is a HUGE bonus. I cant tell you how much time is wasted chasing down sockets that roll off of a component and disappear down into the abyss. When its been a loooooong day, and that happens, I tend to lose my mind and go a little crazy. Its the little things like flat sides that add a tremendous value to me, and will help keep me sane after a long day.

If you aren't doing a lot of mechanic work, there are other sets out there that will suit your needs just fine. However, I do quite a bit of mechanic work in various locations, and this set is perfect for throwing in the truck and going. Its a solid base kit, its narrow and packs away wonderfully, the wrenches have great throw, and the sockets are very durable. I liked it so much I picked up the 1/2" drive version as well.

As far as their warranty is concerned, I had an issue with a ratchet and gave them a call. They asked that I send them a picture of the tool to verify I actually owned one, and then shipped out a new ratchet to me that day, no questions asked, no hassles, nothing. I was pleasantly surprised with the customer service and how easy the process was. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another set from them again if this one ever got stolen/misplaced/damaged.

I do a lot of mechanic work i would grab a mid length socket before I ever grabbed that square head nonsense!

Imo Milwaukee hand tools are not marketed for mechanics but rather other skilled trade industries more specifically those who buy their packout systems. Its no different then guys with Snap-On boxes want all SO tools!

 

[Ohio Andy]

I do a lot of mechanic work i would grab a mid length socket before I ever grabbed that square head nonsense!

Imo Milwaukee hand tools are not marketed for mechanics but rather other skilled trade industries more specifically those who buy their packout systems. Its no different then guys with Snap-On boxes want all SO tools!

I like it for a couple of very specific reasons, understanding that I have many sets in many different packages.

1. First, a negative, only useful when I do NOT need something larger than 1" or 19mm (since I do not have the 1/2" set) and I think that the 1/2 goes to 24mm and maybe 1-1/4 (not sure). So still handles most things.
2. If you are already using the pack-out, great.
3. If you sometimes can get the socket on there but then have space issues with the ratchet (rare but it does happen).
4. If you are tired of the round sockets rolling away. I don't usually have this as a serious problem, but they are much less prone to rolling away.

I often take my tools to the project and I usually have to carry them (no rolling cart) and so I often grab a set that I can toss into a vehicle of some sort and haul them where I need to be. With my newer sets, almost everything is 6 point except for my Protos (mostly metric) and Wright Tools (mostly SAE), which are mostly 12 pt, some 8 pt, and very few 6 pt.

I bought a set mostly for those few times where things are really cramped and I want to just use a wrench to grab the socket.

Resisting the urge to post memes of why mechanics hate engineers (and I am neither really).

 

[Beerhippie]

Good choice and I really like Tekton’s new offerings. $400 seems about the same as the Milwaukee sets totaled together. I have no experience with Milwaukee’s warranty, but I know that Tekton is great with that.

One thing I forgot to let the OP know is the pricing. I feel like Milwaukee is all over the place on price and nobody is paying MSRP for sure. I was able to score both my 1/2” and 1/4 - 3/8 set on on FBM for $140 / $175 respectively, both new and still having the Home Depot ship labels on them.

Nope, nothing suspicious there... "They fell off the truck".

 

[Steel_Rain]

Nope, nothing suspicious there... "They fell off the truck".

The cardboard cover on the packout still had blood on it. The seller said "ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies".

SOLD!

 

[Skellyii]

I can have a totally clean bench or table, set something down, and then it disappears when I turn around and does not show up until I order a replacement.

Normally, I would laugh at this post and tease the poster.

However, this same scenario has happened to me too many times.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Normally, I would laugh at this post and tease the poster.

However, this same scenario has happened to me too many times.

The first question you should ask is..... when exactly is your work area completely clean?

 

[Skellyii]

The first question you should ask is..... when exactly is your work area completely clean?

As near as I can remember..back in 2023 when I completed the build.

Since then, please don't ask.

 

[DarryT]

Tekton is great.

CAT (Snap-on) and Koken sockets are slightly better. The Koken z ratchets are really, really nice, by far my favorite.

 

[haneyrm]

Impulse bought a Craftsman Overdrive set last night. Got it for 50% off. The Mac style RBRT sockets are very nice and the 1/4 ratchet was like butter.

The 3/8 ratchet had way too much back drag and the case was impossible to open without cracking the little plastic tab.

Returned it today. This is fun.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Impulse bought a Craftsman Overdrive set last night. Got it for 50% off. The Mac style RBRT sockets are very nice and the 1/4 ratchet was like butter.

The 3/8 ratchet had way too much back drag and the case was impossible to open without cracking the little plastic tab.

Returned it today. This is fun.

Yeah, the back drag on the 3/8 and the one half is a little high. The quarter is really really nice.

The set you really want though is this one which is currently $100 off

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

a.co

That's the big set with no skips.

 

[Ohio Andy]

If I wanted to get back on track about the Milwaukee...

The ratchets are nice and the back drag is low. They are not quick release so if you like quick release, sorry. No I 10 towards quick release if it's available, but these don't have that. The back drag seems like it's okay. I have not opened a wrench to see what it looks like on the inside.

I don't know the stated tooth count but it looks to me like it's probably 90 which I just determined by counting the clicks to go halfway around and I was at about 45. So happy with that.

There's a good range, especially when you consider the fact that this is only 1/4 and 3/8 in ratchets and it literally starts at 5/32 and then it also includes 9/32 seconds. 7/32 and 11/32. Most of my socket sets do not include all those. Then again I don't normally need those but I have them now in this particular set.

And the set goes all the way up to 1 in. The deep socket stop at 7/8 for SAE . That's pretty good for only having 3/8.

In metric it starts at 5 mm this includes 5.5 and then goes up to 19 mm.

If you really want an expanded range with the same set, you need to go to the half inch but that doesn't give you a whole lot of extra and I did not do that. For standard sockets it'll take you to one and 1/8 in so it'll add two more sockets and for metric it takes you all the way up to 24 so that's a nice improvement.

For deep sockets however, you only get one additional size in deep and that's 15/16. I mean don't get me wrong, you do get some 1/2-in deep sockets but they all overlap the 3/8 in deep sockets.

Someone could argue that the set with quarter inch and 3/8 in are kind of The Sweet spot for this set.

Ironically, I believe it is my SK set. That does a really good job with this and that there's not a lot of overlap. Between 1/4 in 3/8 in and half inch sockets, they give you an expanded range with little than an overlap so it all fits in one container. It's still pretty heavy but when you have a lot of overlap you just have a lot of extra weight.

An SAE, the 3/8 in sockets go all the way down to 1/4, so there's a six six size overlap in SAE which means 12 extra sockets between shallow and deep. And metric 3/8 goes all the way down to 6 mm. So you have a 10 size overlap. So that means an extra 20 sockets. More specifically, it would have been easy for them to have expanded the size and gone all the way up to 24. Probably if they'd made better use of sizes and they could have had all the way up to 1 in deep for sure

I will admit that overlap can allow to have a ratchet on each side of a bolt....

But still it seems to have decent coverage. It's nicely packed and then if there are certain issues with respect to getting things to fit and I can use a standard wrench on the socket.

 

[bwringer]

I haven't tried them, but I'm curious. The square socket thing really does seem to me that it's a damn good idea that would be useful in real life mechanickery, and indeed that's what @Gangly reports.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I haven't tried them, but I'm curious. The square socket thing really does seem to me that it's a damn good idea that would be useful in real life mechanickery, and indeed that's what @Gangly reports.

I've had screwdrivers where you could put a socket over the handle... I've had screwdrivers where the driver itself was shaped in a way that allowed you to put a wrench over it and I have screwdrivers with bolsters that allow me to wrench them if I need extra torque.

It's kind of the same thing, but you also can use it when you don't have room or space to actually use the ratchet

Sometimes you can even take a deep socket. Drop it over the head of a bolt or not. That is recessed and if you need to you can just use a wrench to hold it even when a ratchet would fit it