SEMA 2025

[Outahere]

See if Milwaukee has introduced anything new. NPS this year was dogshit.

Milwaukee has upgraded their M12 cordless ratchets.

New Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless Ratchets are a Huge Upgrade

toolguyd.com

.....The new Milwaukee cordless ratchets will be available in 1/4″ (3052), 3/8″ (3053), and 1/2″ (3054) drive styles.
They feature a new brushless outer rotor motor that allows for both high speed and power.
This means that you don’t need to choose between torque or speed, you get a combination of both.....

 

[drokihazan]

I would be interested to know more about the new Vim line of American made tools.

Saw a video showcasing them. They were showing off a drill index that was unmistakeably a 29pc Norseman Vortex Point Magnum Super Premium with a green sticker on the case.

I'm completely unimpressed with VIM's US line, so far it really seems to just be rebrands. If I wanted to pay a markup for a logo on tools I can buy off Amazon I'd shop Matco.

 

[dnschmidt]

Milwaukee has upgraded their M12 cordless ratchets.

New Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless Ratchets are a Huge Upgrade

toolguyd.com

They announced this at NPS 2025 and my opinion of these is YAHN! DeWalt's current ratchets have more power and are cheaper and only slightly slower. The 20V version can use the mini 1.7 A-hr Powerstack battery. Same is true with Snap-On's ratchets. If Milwaukee had a brain they wouldn't have wasted engineering resources on these but instead upgraded their right angle impact using the new Stubby's motor giving it a 500 ft-lb capability so that it could finally do brake caliper bolts which is where such a tool is needed.

 

[dnschmidt]

Apparently, Milwaukee has filed a patent on an IMPACTING ratchet like the SPAir. Now that would be worthy of fanfare. Changing from a lever to a button is hardly a revolution.

 

[mikey03]

Koken has the z-series 3/8 drive sockets in fractional.

that’s cool but what about 9mm? They skip that size in metric and make every ocd tool guys head explode.

 

[Vinny]

Any site have a good overview of all the tools shown? I find a lot of sites showcasing the cars but not the tools.

 

[Wrench97]

that’s cool but what about 9mm? They skip that size in metric and make every ocd tool guys head explode.

9mm won't be in anybody's fractional set.

 

[mikey03]

9mm won't be in anybody's fractional set.

lol I’m saying if they want to get people excited make a z series 9mm

i picked up a z series set on the cheap a while back but it’s missing 9 so I took out the 11 too because if it ain’t gonna be complete might as well make it just have the good stuff.

 

[BonzoHansen]

I haven't gone in a few years. Maybe its time to go again.

 

[PhantomEB]

One day I would love to plan a boys only trip down for SEMA.

 

[liliysdad]

I'm completely unimpressed with VIM's US line, so far it really seems to just be rebrands. If I wanted to pay a markup for a logo on tools I can buy off Amazon I'd shop Matco.

This is my opinion with VIM as a whole…

 

[WhataTool]

This is my opinion with VIM as a whole…

VIM: We added a questionably useful do-hickey to an existing tool in order to 1.5X its price

Has always been my take.
This years SEMA footage is really supporting that as well

 

[Fedwrench]

For what VIM is charging for their version of the SK LP90 ratchets, I hoped they worked all of the bugs out of them.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I'm completely unimpressed with VIM's US line, so far it really seems to just be rebrands. If I wanted to pay a markup for a logo on tools I can buy off Amazon I'd shop Matco.

Any thoughts on who makes the vim vhc77?

Amazon.com

Or does vim make that one?

 

[drokihazan]

VIM: We added a questionably useful do-hickey to an existing tool in order to 1.5X its price

Has always been my take.
This years SEMA footage is really supporting that as well

I have absolutely no desire to buy a VIM torque wrench, but I actually thought it was kind of cool that they can pair the wrench with your watch - I like seeing the number on the screen, sometimes I feel like a bolt is slipping instead of torqueing and seeing the number move up and down can tell me more than the lights sound and wiggle - and sometimes I'm using a torque wrench at an angle where I just can't see the screen but can see my own wrist.

I would probably use this feature once every year or two, but it's clever.

 

[drokihazan]

Any thoughts on who makes the vim vhc77?

Amazon.com

Or does vim make that one?

I know they make (or pay someone to make) some tools themselves in Taiwan, the halfcuts might be a VIM original. There aren't any exactly like them. I mean, for all we know Astro makes them, they make a ton of private label stuff that they don't talk to us about or advertise.
If you're looking for US made alternatives, Mayhew makes half-cuts but I don't know if they're any good.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I know they make (or pay someone to make) some tools themselves in Taiwan, the halfcuts might be a VIM original. There aren't any exactly like them. I mean, for all we know Astro makes them, they make a ton of private label stuff that they don't talk to us about or advertise.
If you're looking for US made alternatives, Mayhew makes half-cuts but I don't know if they're any good.

We don't make anything for VIM, and VIM does make a fair amount of their own stuff and largely private label as well just like we do, in the sense they will have their own designs, tooling, exclusives they are asking their factory side to make.

 

[Andres26tnt]

For what VIM is charging for their version of the SK LP90 ratchets, I hoped they worked all of the bugs out of them.

There prototype was just a LP90, they since change some of Internal design to eliminate most of the issues the original had.

 

[dscheidt]

Apparently, Milwaukee has filed a patent on an IMPACTING ratchet like the SPAir. Now that would be worthy of fanfare. Changing from a lever to a button is hardly a revolution.

I have absolutely no desire to buy a VIM torque wrench, but I actually thought it was kind of cool that they can pair the wrench with your watch - I like seeing the number on the screen, sometimes I feel like a bolt is slipping instead of torqueing and seeing the number move up and down can tell me more than the lights sound and wiggle - and sometimes I'm using a torque wrench at an angle where I just can't see the screen but can see my own wrist.

I would probably use this feature once every year or two, but it's clever.

 

[dscheidt]

I have absolutely no desire to buy a VIM torque wrench, but I actually thought it was kind of cool that they can pair the wrench with your watch - I like seeing the number on the screen, sometimes I feel like a bolt is slipping instead of torqueing and seeing the number move up and down can tell me more than the lights sound and wiggle - and sometimes I'm using a torque wrench at an angle where I just can't see the screen but can see my own wrist.

I would probably use this feature once every year or two, but it's clever.

Pair it to your watch, give the wrench to the apprentice, and have them crawl under the machine.

 

[whateg01]

Pair it to your watch, give the wrench to the apprentice, and have them crawl under the machine.

I bet this would be handy when overseeing the electrical contractor installing your EV charger!

 

[T VETTE]

So you went to SEMA and didn't post any SEMA girl pictures, you kidding me! SEMA is famous for them.

 

[T VETTE]

Let me help you out.

 

[whateg01]

So you went to SEMA and didn't post any SEMA girl pictures, you kidding me! SEMA is famous for them.

Tbh, I would rather have those pics from the AVN!

 

[dnschmidt]

So you went to SEMA and didn't post any SEMA girl pictures, you kidding me! SEMA is famous for them.

Not like it use to be. Few are far between. Ten years ago every booth had a hottie in it. Apparently, times are tough all over.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I know they make (or pay someone to make) some tools themselves in Taiwan, the halfcuts might be a VIM original. There aren't any exactly like them. I mean, for all we know Astro makes them, they make a ton of private label stuff that they don't talk to us about or advertise.
If you're looking for US made alternatives, Mayhew makes half-cuts but I don't know if they're any good.

I own that particular set. I heard once that it is they're best seller and really well liked by guys who work car interiors.

I would need to check my notes, but I have used some vim bit wrenches that I did not like. The wrench in this set I consider better than they're others I tried.

What I really like is a tiny titan bit ratchet, but a few bits in the set are 5/16 and the included but wrench has a 1/4 end and a 5/16 end. Have not used it on a while so I might be misremembering

 

[neophyte]

Things I forgot to mention: Koken has the z-series 3/8 drive sockets in fractional. Met Shaviv, which is a deburring company. They had some interesting looking stuff for sheet metal guys. I didn’t spend much time talking to Harbor Freight. Vessel says their electric ratchet is coming out in December (maybe). Also does anyone use parallel jaw pliers? They had some from England that looked nice but their niche and kinda expensive.

I know I sort of crapped on Maun earlier in the thread.
I still think some of my complaints are valid, but I was just checking the Main website, and it looks like in the past several months they might have come out with products that might be useful.
I still think the prices are sort of high.
That said;
These long nose pliers are new, and they look somewhat more precisely made than the Maun pliers I’ve seen in the past.
For the past few decades or longer, Maun only offered “long nose” or “needle nose”, ir whatever you want to call the type of pluers, in the small sizes, maybe 125mm, and usually the only readily available versions were the smooth nose versions, even though Maun also made serrated ones.

Long Nose Pliers: Accurate, Durable & UK-Made

Reach where others can’t. Maun long nose pliers deliver precision tips, parallel jaws & UK-made durability for pros in every trade.

www.maunindustries.com

Now Maun is offering 200mm (8”), and 160mm(6-1/2”) versions, as well as Combo versions with wire cutters.
Sargent may have been offering similar pliers up until the 1970s, but I’m unsure, and these are even scarse on eBay nowadays.
These would definitely be useful, and seem to have a decent mix of finer and then courser serrations, although I presume just cross serrating the jaws rather than checkering like older models, (or the Snap-On pliers).
The versions with springs are usually handier, and while springs aren’t always desired, it’s easier to remove springs, than to add springs to this type of plier that wasn’t made for springs.

The 1000v insulated pliers also interest me.
I was actually thinking of trying to insulate a pair of parallel for myself, but buying pre-insulated and certified versions would probably be better.
I don’t know that this is your normal business though.

Insulated Pliers

Certified 1000V insulated pliers. Built to protect, engineered to perform - trusted by pros for safe, uncompromising electrical work.

www.maunindustries.com

If you do get these in, maybe get the versions with the return springs, they make using the pliers easier and more pleasant.

Sorry if I screwed up timing with bad advise or late advise.
I didn’t realize Maun had actually come out with anything new lately.
It looks like most of these items came out within the past 6 months or so.

This is the Maun industry YouTube channel.

Maun Industries

We've been making pliers since 1944. But not ordinary pliers. Our pliers have a unique feature - the jaws always move in parallel. Parallel Is Better Our parallel pliers are better than conventional pliers that have a scissor action. They grip better, especially nuts and bolts. They make...

m.youtube.com

These are the long nose pliers.

They might be an alternative, with actual parallel jaws, to the Snap-On or Icon long nose pliers that have bern vehemently debated on GJ.

 

[jsackin]

Just got those Koken SAE z-series socket sets in stock. 15% off with discount code “Koken”

Koken 3/8" Drive Z-Series (Super Shallow) 7 to 19MM 6 Point Socket Set

Koken 3/8" Drive Z-Series (Super Shallow) 7 to 19MM 6 Point Socket Set

www.harryepstein.com

 

[jsackin]

So you went to SEMA and didn't post any SEMA girl pictures, you kidding me! SEMA is famous for them.

I didn’t really understand what SEMA was all about when I went. I assumed it was a business to business convention of deal making. Didn’t realize it was an influencer bonanza.