Milwaukee's best/most innovative HAND tools

[Finance Guy]

I'm interested in opinions on Milwaukee's highest quality / most innovative HAND tools.

1) 6-in-1 tool
2) Cheater bar
3) Demo screwdrivers
4) Hollow shaft nut drivers
5) Locking pliers

What about the rest ... adjustable wrenches, combination wrenches, pliers??? Which ones are worthy of mention, and which ones are ho hum?

 

[LXCam]

As much as I am a fanboy of Milwaukee, I don't consider them even remotely innovative when it comes to hand tools.

 

[48548]

I'm interested in opinions on Milwaukee's highest quality / most innovative HAND tools.

1) 6-in-1 tool
2) Cheater bar
3) Demo screwdrivers
4) Hollow shaft nut drivers
5) Locking pliers

What about the rest ... adjustable wrenches, combination wrenches, pliers??? Which ones are worthy of mention, and which ones are ho hum?

The adjustable wrenches have very little play in the head.....

 

[davethorik]

I like the demo screwdrivers a lot, and I'm usually a USA made hand tool fan boy. However recently at HD I saw they changed the handle shape to something sort of like a Wiha handle. They're not really innovative, just a good value at $9.98.

 

[Thumper68]

I like the locking pliers (Vise Grips) and the 11-1 screw drivers. Those are the only ones I have used no personal opinions on their other offerings.

 

[Jarhead0408]

They're not innovative, but I also like the demo screwdrivers.

The hollow shaft nutdrivers are ok, but the size offerings are a bit limited imo.

 

[Finance Guy]

I really appreciate the opinions ... please keep them coming. Anything notable about their aviation snips, hammers, various hand saws, levels, etc.?

 

[Finance Guy]

Recap ... thumbs up for the:
Demo screwdrivers
Multi-bit screwdrivers
Adjustable wrenches
Locking pliers with thumb screw (what about the quick release pliers?)
Hollow shaft nut drivers (limited offerings)

Any other notable Milwaukee likes or dislikes?

 

[stercorarius]

What is this some kind of marketing research study for Milwaukee? I have had a few pair of the locking pliers and a fancy screw didn't change the fact that the teeth were garbage and couldn't grip anything. I did see that they updated them though so they may be better now.

The only innovative hand tool I've seen from the is the cheater wrench. Good concept, but I've heard bad things about the quality of the jaws.

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[Ign]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347927

 

[gdocktor3]

Of those mentioned, I’ve used the demo screwdrivers many times and they’re really well made. I also regularly use their wire strippers, linesmen and diaganol cutters. All good quality. They all have the thicker, red and black comfort grips. They could be cumbersome for some to use at first because the handles are so thick, but once they break in, they’re very nice to use.

 

[rlitman]

Recap ... thumbs up for the:

>Demo screwdrivers
Not at all innovative. Everyone is offering these. I can't say I've got any though. I own plenty of "perfect handle" screwdrivers that are superior for everything but driving screws. A task that none of these tools is ideal for.

>Multi-bit screwdrivers
They have an ECX bit option (I've got that, and like it). Other than that, I see nothing special you can't find elsewhere.

>Locking pliers with thumb screw (what about the quick release pliers?)
I've owned many flea market found locking pliers that were modified in the past by welding a ring to the screw. It's not something totally innovative, though it does seem to be new to store shelves. Still, I'd rather weld a chain link to the screw of an old USA made set than buy an overpriced imported item.

Same idea with the aviation snips. Midwest FTW.

I will say that their insulated screwdriver set brings some nice features to the market that were not available before. Those are a little innovative, and I'm quite happy with mine.

 

[Ign]

{snip}
>Locking pliers with thumb screw (what about the quick release pliers?)
I've owned many flea market found locking pliers that were modified in the past by welding a ring to the screw. It's not something totally innovative, though it does seem to be new to store shelves. Still, I'd rather weld a chain link to the screw of an old USA made set than buy an overpriced imported item.

Same idea with the aviation snips. Midwest FTW.

I will say that their insulated screwdriver set brings some nice features to the market that were not available before. Those are a little innovative, and I'm quite happy with mine.

As a guy who works w nothing but metal everyday I’ll say the locking C-clamps are some of the nicest I’ve ever used. I’ve literally phased out all my old US Petersons and replaced w Milwaukees.

They’re just damn nice, smooth and work well. Period.

This has nothing to do w me being a Milwaukee fan, it’s about appreciating a tool that works which in turn lets me work.

YMMV but my experience says the locking C-clamps are not overpriced import junk, and I’m not just a weekend warrior (NOT saying you are).

 

[98ssuck]

What do you need a demo screwdriver for? I’ve been hammering and prying with my screwdrivers for years. If your hammering on it and you are breaking the handle. You are trying to chesiel too hard of a material that will wreck the tip anyway.

 

[rlitman]

As a guy who works w nothing but metal everyday I’ll say the locking C-clamps are some of the nicest I’ve ever used. I’ve literally phased out all my old US Petersons and replaced w Milwaukees.

They’re just damn nice, smooth and work well. Period.

This has nothing to do w me being a Milwaukee fan, it’s about appreciating a tool that works which in turn lets me work.

YMMV but my experience says the locking C-clamps are not overpriced import junk, and I’m not just a weekend warrior (NOT saying you are).

I'll have to keep that in mind. I didn't say that the locking pliers were overpriced imported junk, but I've heard complaints about the teeth being inferior to the good old stuff. However the c-clamps don't have teeth. Anyway, the overall construction of their hand tools is quite good. I find that their insulated screwdrivers made in China are as well made as the best stuff coming out of Europe for example.

They do make a high quality product (regardless of COO), and while it is priced accordingly, I think the value is there. I just don't find them very "innovative", if that matters at all.

 

[Ign]

Nah, the innovative and “disruptive innovation” they love to claim is simply marketing jargon. That said, my wife decided she wants to start waxing her vehicle and wanted a polisher so I of course order the 2738 M18 today. That’s kind of innovative, solely for being cordless, but it’s also not a hand tool which is the focus of this thread.

 

[IndyGarage]

Interesting Finance guy, I looked at your posts, and you really must be a finance guy in the industry.

Do you work for Milwaukee? If so you should probably point that out before you ask the question on the message board.

Personally I've used a few of the hand tools - I've use the knipex knockoff pliers - they work fine - a little more bulky and not as ergonomic as Knipex - not as expensive, though.

I've used the folding knives and fastback cutters and they are fantastic.

I have the folding recip saw blade holder and it works good - I've only had to use it a couple times.

I have one of the 11 way screwdrivers that I use pretty frequently - It's OK, not any better than the other brands, but I'm not looking to swap it out with anything.

 

[jakemac]

The only "Milwaukee's Best" that I know is a cheap beer made by Miller.
I only drink it at camp or when mowing the lawn.
My family compares it to being like "making love in a canoe". Effin close to water.

 

[Finance Guy]

Interesting Finance guy, I looked at your posts, and you really must be a finance guy in the industry.

Do you work for Milwaukee? If so you should probably point that out before you ask the question on the message board.

I am indeed a finance guy ... that's why you won't find me posting many opinions about tools. However, I work in the oil & gas industry, not the tool industry.

Regarding this post, I have read much about the quality and innovation offered by Milwaukee's hand tools ... but some tools must be more notable than others. Which ones make the cut?

And I thank all for the shared opinions.

 

[sk farmer]

I am indeed a finance guy ... that's why you won't find me posting many opinions about tools. However, I work in the oil & gas industry, not the tool industry.

Regarding this post, I have read much about the quality and innovation offered by Milwaukee's hand tools ... but some tools must be more notable than others. Which ones make the cut?

And I thank all for the shared opinions.

At the risk of offending the red crowd i see nothing special about them other than a way for them to get your money.

I prefer yellow and feel the same way about them. And their hand tools.

They are all decent but rarely are they the best choice with so many other options unless all you care about is a color scheme.

 

[Ign]

I’m also not crazy about the spline drive on the nut drivers. Sometimes the splines seem too shallow and it won’t grab the fastener.

I’ve got one of the 26” plastic tool boxes (ie hand carry). I like it quite a bit but not much innovative there. The corner pockets for drills are kinda nice. I initially thought the “V” in the lid for holding round stock (ie like hold a closet rod down w your foot while you cut to length) was innovative until I saw it on other, older plastic tool boxes.

I think the old black and red linesman pliers were somewhat innovative w the integrated machine screw cutters and it chased the threads as you backed it out after cutting. Honestly not sure if other brands have ever done that w linesman pliers? But then Milwaukee stopped making that model, so so what.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I’m also not crazy about the spline drive on the nut drivers. Sometimes the splines seem too shallow and it won’t grab the fastener.

I’ve got one of the 26” plastic tool boxes (ie hand carry). I like it quite a bit but not much innovative there. The corner pockets for drills are kinda nice. I initially thought the “V” in the lid for holding round stock (ie like hold a closet rod down w your foot while you cut to length) was innovative until I saw it on other, older plastic tool boxes.

I think the old black and red linesman pliers were somewhat innovative w the integrated machine screw cutters and it chased the threads as you backed it out after cutting. Honestly not sure if other brands have ever done that w linesman pliers? But then Milwaukee stopped making that model, so so what.

I've seen that on wore strippers but not linesman pliers

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[Farmall 1066]

Got a pair of Milwaukee electricians pliers I really like.

 

[eyeball]

I really like their locking C clamps. I have about 30 of various sizes. Some with pads others with solid points and exactly zero complaints.

 

[jgromada]

I don't really work with electrical conduit much but i saw where the outside surface of the pliers also acts as a reamer for the pipes. That is kind of neat. They have other features that are kind of interesting.

I have the 6 in 1 screwdriver (i think that is right) and besides the ECX support, it has a mini stripper and a bending form for wire. I can't think of anyone else trying to incorporate these neat features albeit small.