Whats with the Milwaukee Hand tool hate?

[DieselRiver]

I've seen quite a few people hating on the milwaukee hand tools that have been coming out (Pliers, Screwdrivers etc.) and just curious why that is? I have a few pliers from them and i quite like them, the handles on them are great and grip well. Can't comment on the screwdrivers as i haven't tried them yet, but they look great. So whats with the hate on them?

 

[defektes]

I personally hate the tools because they are Chinese.

 

[nieuport17]

What did you read ? I have a few. They are ok..

 

[kctyphoon]

i have most of them.. the old dykes definately needed some refinement, the lineman pliers were OK but not great - both of these were refined to be more conventional and im sure are great now. everything else seems fine by me..

 

[Ign]

I hear ya OP but whatever. I like 99% of the Milwaukee hand tools I have. They have quality feel, work well and sometimes have thoughtful extra features (sometimes gimmicky or trying too hard). But I'll always consider their hand tools first. The locking pliers are great, love the scissors, 11-in-1 screwdriver has a good feel, and I recently got the offset tin snips. The measuring tapes have not won me over though.

 

[Fedwrench]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, many people here will not accept any tool line that is Chinese made either People's Republic of, or Taiwan regardless of how good it might be.

As always buy what you like and can afford. It's your decision and your choice.

 

[kctyphoon]

I personally hate the tools because they are Chinese.

so in other words, you have nothing constructive to add..

 

[fm2176]

I have a handful of them and like them for the most part. The beer coozies and bottle opener get the most action, though.

 

[Parrothead]

I guess I see both sides, and hating them because they're made in China is just a a legitimate reason as anything.

I have everything in my boxes from Harbor Freight to Snap On, so I'll use what works for said application. That said, I try to buy USA when I can find something that's comparable in quality/price.

Truth be told I've never been too interested in Milwaukee hand tools because I think I can either buy a USA tool for the same price, or buy a cheaper Taiwan version from somebody else.

 

[wiens80]

Personally, I'd pay a few bucks more for Channellock pliers every time.

 

[ADSR]

I've never used them. I'm pretty much stuck on channellocks lineup. I can buy blue for much less than red.

 

[dnschmidt]

I have zero hatred for the Milwaukee handtools but I think Lorddiesel hit the nail on the head. Why buy Taiwan made Milwaukee for more money than I can buy USA Channellock.

 

[BK13]

so in other words, you have nothing constructive to add..

Actually, he pretty much answered the OP's question directly...

I like the locking pliers a bunch, but they are Taiwan. I was looking for some cutters the other day, and ended up buying Channelocks, just because of COO. The Milwaukee cutters did seem a little bulky for something that was going to be riding in my back pocket.

 

[justanengineer]

Why buy Taiwan made Milwaukee for more money than I can buy USA Channellock.

^^^This. I collect and believe Milwaukee to be the best power tools on the market, but Ive told several of their engineering and marketing folks I believe they did the brand a disservice with hand tools.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I've seen quite a few people hating on the milwaukee hand tools that have been coming out (Pliers, Screwdrivers etc.) and just curious why that is? I have a few pliers from them and i quite like them, the handles on them are great and grip well. Can't comment on the screwdrivers as i haven't tried them yet, but they look great. So whats with the hate on them?

Too expensive for what you're getting at least on the bigger sets of drivers. For the demo screwdrivers I think the quality of the metal is kind of sketchy but might be okay otherwise.

I think it's priced wrong, that's my issue with some of the stuff (including the knives and assorted other stuff). The demo drivers are priced okay though. I'm not really a "brand" guy though.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Truth be told I've never been too interested in Milwaukee hand tools because I think I can either buy a USA tool for the same price, or buy a cheaper Taiwan version from somebody else.

My exact thoughts.

 

[DawgPaw]

Well I'll add one more to the Channellock camp. I have and love their power tools. I really wanted to love there hand tools. Not to say that I hate them, but I do not like them as much as the Channellocks.

 

[twertsy]

I have quite a bit of Milwaukee stuff and I can say that the only hand tool I truly use are their pass through nut drivers. Very cool idea and they seem to be great quality.

 

[HairMetal]

Knipex is the quality standard in pliers nowadays,Milwaukee asian made pliers are not up there, they look cool and have some usefull features but quality wise not there.The joint in my lineman pliers is very sticky even with repeated soakings with WD-40 and trying to wear in with back and forth motion.

 

[rice rocket]

Personally, I'd pay a few bucks more for Channellock pliers every time.

You mean a few bucks less?

They're asking Knipex/Klein prices for Harbor Freight quality. And that's not really a knock on Harbor Freight, their stuff has been quite decent as of late. Just why would one pay the Milwaukee tax? Just so all your tools can be red?

 

[HairMetal]

A lot of people swear by Milwaukee power tools -I wouldn't know-I have Hitachi - I just bought a pair of pliers thinking they would be good US made tools.Turns out they were made in asia.I hate that.

 

[wiens80]

You mean a few bucks less?

They're asking Knipex/Klein prices for Harbor Freight quality. And that's not really a knock on Harbor Freight, their stuff has been quite decent as of late. Just why would one pay the Milwaukee tax? Just so all your tools can be red?

All I'm saying is, few bucks more, a few bucks less; doesn't matter to me. It's an easy example of keeping my money on this side of the Pacific. Considerably better tools at a similar price, while made in the USA. It's a no brainer.

 

[tube_guy]

Back when Milwaukee Electric Tool was actually Milwaukee Electric Tool, they made really good electric tools. Now that Milwaukee is just a brand name of many that are owned by basically a Chinese company, they’ll put their name on just about anything to make money. That’s the real problem I have with the Milwaukee hand tools. Not just that they’re Chinese, although that alone would make me buy the superior Channellocks instead. The Milwaukee hand tools are more of a symbol of what America has become lately, and that statement reflects both the sellers and the buyers of those tools.

 

[chrisexv6]

Any time a power tool manufacturer has put their name on hand tools, it throws up a red flag to me. DeWalt hand tools? Milwaukee hand tools? etc.

I had a pair of the old version (black and red handle) 12" linesman pliers in my hand at HD, they were $18.00. I put them back on the shelf figuring Id rather put the $18 towards a brand that normally specializes in hand tools (Channellock, Knipex, NWS, etc).

Even if they are that much more expensive, Id rather go with a proven brand than something that feels like a brand name slapped on a lesser quality piece.

 

[woody 73]

When I first looked at the following video I think the OP will enjoy it very much:

I enjoy Sparky hope you like this video:

 

[JMLangford]

Back when Milwaukee Electric Tool was actually Milwaukee Electric Tool, they made really good electric tools. Now that Milwaukee is just a brand name of many that are owned by basically a Chinese company, they’ll put their name on just about anything to make money. That’s the real problem I have with the Milwaukee hand tools. Not just that they’re Chinese, although that alone would make me buy the superior Channellocks instead. The Milwaukee hand tools are more of a symbol of what America has become lately, and that statement reflects both the sellers and the buyers of those tools.

Bingo!.....Well said

You're buying the name but not the quality the name once stood for....

 

[Ign]

When I first looked at the following video I think the OP will enjoy it very much:

I enjoy Sparky hope you like this video:

LOL, I don't do much wiring but now I wanna go buy the Milwaukees. And as for the extra features I sometimes said are gimmicky? He liked them and said they are "important to him" (as an electrician). Cool.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have a pair of the button lock pliers, which are pretty good - not as good as knipex, but pretty good.

I have one of the 4 way screwdrivers - which in this case is 6 way, because 1 end has two double end bits in it - I would say it is excellent, one of the best of that type I've used.

 

[kythri]

Now that Milwaukee is just a brand name of many that are owned by basically a Chinese company, they’ll put their name on just about anything to make money.

I don't own a single Milwakee hand tool. Not defending them by any means, but:

Milwaukee is far from alone in slapping their name on stuff, and it has nothing to do with the fact that they're owned by TTI, a Chinese company.

Channellock has been doing this for a while - they licensed out their brand name for all kinds of imported stuff. Snap-on does this, too.

I'd be surprised to find a single traditionally domestic brand that doesn't have their logo plastered over imported products.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Too expensive for what you're getting at least on the bigger sets of drivers. For the demo screwdrivers I think the quality of the metal is kind of sketchy but might be okay otherwise.

I think it's priced wrong, that's my issue with some of the stuff (including the knives and assorted other stuff). The demo drivers are priced okay though. I'm not really a "brand" guy though.

First off...I would tend to agree with this...BUT the one good thing about it is if you watch the sales and promos, great deals can be had if you know what you want and patiently wait. I think the one and only Milwaukee anything I bought at full price was when I pre-ordered my Fuel Drill/Driver. I've got a bunch of the Milwaukee hand tools and I love em all.

Secondly...one of the first things you need to learn about GJ folk is COO matters above all, UNLESS its off a tool truck....then its too expensive, HF is better, and tool trucks are an out of date business model.

I like my Channellock pliers, but I like my Milwaukee pliers better. The only thing I DONT particularly care for is the bent neck of the side cutters...makes for great lever action/prying but I like side cutters to be straight..its kinda awkward.

If you have a political agenda, then so be it, but I'm in the crowd where I will let the tool stand on its own merits, not COO. Too many good imported tools from all over the globe to be COO blind.

 

[Kracin]

they advertise all kinds of innovation with them, but honestly i don't see it. i just see an attempt at getting into a market with gimmicks instead of just making a good tool.

i have tons of money invested in milwaukee stuff, but i doubt i'll invest in the hand tools because i don't enjoy gimmicky stuff, i don't need a fancy look, or an edgy feel, or some "you have never seen a tool like this!" talk before. (The NEW milwaukee pen!, the NEW milwaukee tape measure!!, the NEW milwaukee washing machine!)

their pliers are multi-use, but farmboy pliers are multi-use and have been for decades, co-worker uses them for everything, ream inside and outside conduit, cut wires, grab, twist, pull. they are simple and effective, and don't require a special edgy looking casting, a bunch of rubber that once worn will leave a nasty handle underneath kind of look. they just work and they do it for a reasonable price.

i'll stick with channellock for the cheap well made stuff and knipex for the high end stuff, neither of them go to the aesthetics department to make sales, they do it purely on how well the tool works.


i'll say it again as i've said it before, if somebody is buying into one brand and one brand only i wouldn't trust any of their decisions on tools. there is no one company that does everything the best, so i tend to stray away from the brand guys who say X brand does it best for everything and they can't wait to have the new X coming out from Y

 

[tube_guy]

I don't own a single Milwakee hand tool. Not defending them by any means, but:

Milwaukee is far from alone in slapping their name on stuff, and it has nothing to do with the fact that they're owned by TTI, a Chinese company.

Channellock has been doing this for a while - they licensed out their brand name for all kinds of imported stuff. Snap-on does this, too.

I'd be surprised to find a single traditionally domestic brand that doesn't have their logo plastered over imported products.

Yeah, but I wouldn't buy that junk either. And that stuff also gets quite a bit of hate.

 

[LordPsychon]

I have their demolition drivers (made in Taiwan) and these are pretty good as are their ratcheting screwdrivers (I know some people have had issues with these but not me) but their new pliers just don't...feel right. I looked at them and couldn't for the life of me figure out why until I looked at the COO and that was enough to make me say "uh, thanks but no" to them. Their Taiwanese stuff is pretty good and some other companies' Chinese stuff is decent but Milwaukee's Chinese stuff isn't that great.

 

[pepi]

I do not buy the labels, my tools are mixed brands. No one size fits all, I think it is a mistake to get stuck buying labels. For instance Miller makes welders, I buy them, it they start selling cordless drills ................... not thinking I would jump on that wagon. The point is, know the company and where their R&D stems from, buy those items. For me you have a better shot of having a wider variety of good preforming tools over all.


Another way of saying all the above.............. Do not drink the Kool Aid..

 

[Brownsfan]

I have a few of the red/black handle stuff in my road bag. I like them a lot. Keep in mind now. The new red handle cutters and needle nose are now china mad and more conventional. No more screw cutters and reamers. The slip joints seem unchanged other than the handles. Now the locking pliers are GREAT!!! Much better than the Irwin stuff. Now I will say I didn't buy any of the cutters or linesman or any of them besides the locking pliers at regular price. Im glad I bought them at closeout prices. I have Klein and Channellock stuff but in my road bag I like to have stuff a little cheaper because the tend to get lost and loosing Klein pliers of any kind hurts the wallet. Now at the shop I use mostly Klein. The Milwaukee stuff I do have gets abused and holds up great.

 

[rice rocket]

The guy who installed my kitchen counter tops last summer had the magnetic Milwaukee tape measure. I played with it a little and I was impressed. It's on my "to buy" list.

Is that the tape that's so heavily curved for extra standout, that you can never mark it accurately because it's about 1/2" down to the surface you need to mark?

 

[Ign]

I don't know about the curvature but I don't think stand-out is that impressive on the Milwaukee tapes. But the magnetic tip actually winds up being a hinderance in a metalworking shop (the one place you might think it would shine) because it picks up chips and abrasive dust. I bump the tip up against my bandsaw blade and it threw off a whole batch by 1/16" because I didn't realize what was clinging to the magnet. Also the winged hook is just too stupid large, especially for metalworking (maybe it's good for carpentry, I wouldn't know). Note the "revised" tapes did away with the magnetic tip and the stupid wings on the hook, and fixed the problem of the tape not standing up on it's own.

The original tapes were an example of Milwaukee trying too hard with gimmicks. Magnetic tips that don't help, huge hooks that get in the way and a tape that falls over if you try to stand it up. I have one and it's the last tape I grab.

edit: Stu's write-up on the "revised" tapes. I believe HD still sells the magnetics next to these. The magnetics are $3 to $7 more IIRC. I wouldn't pay the extra, but I just don't like the lack of crispness in the markings so I don't use any Milwaukee tapes now as the blades between the two appear the same when I compared in-store
http://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-tape-measures-for-general-contractors/

 

[Vpick001]

I have some of their locking pliers, and I like them a lot for the loop to run a screwdriver through to tighten up. I'm sure you could get this feature on a tool elsewhere, but when I some them at Home Depot I snagged 'em up and never looked back.

For general pliers though I typically just get Channel Lock since they're less expensive and decent quality.

Milwaukee or otherwise, if a tool is reasonably priced and feels good in the hand, I'll probably give it a shot.

 

[Wizzard]

I do really like their Taiwan locking pliers which sell for ~$13 depending if you get the curved or straight jaw. I feel the rest of the tools are average and you just pay for the red branding. For pliers, etc I will buy Knipex or Klein (depending on specific tool) any day.

 

[back2class]

Been so long since I wandered the tool isle as HD that these were a mystery to me. Went in today and because of this thread stopped in that isle. Look like typical homeowner import stuff. Interesting display as the Crescent, Channellock and Milwaukee all side by side. Why anyone one choose one of them over the Channellock in similar forms is beyond me seeing as the USA high quality stuff was priced better. Guess I am not so much wondering why the hate....but why is there any love for this line?