This Milwaukee 56pc mechanics tool set, 48-22-9008, has become my most-used socket set, and it’s on sale at Home Depot for the holidays.
I was planning on posting about this Milwaukee socket set as part of a later deal roundup, but a reader brought it up and I thought a quick post might be a good idea.
The 3/8″ drive tool set comes with a 90-tooth ratchet, 27 shallow sockets, 25 deep sockets, 2 extensions, a universal joint, and a removable tray.
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Both the removable tool tray – which fits nicely within tool chest and roller cabinet drawers – and the slim carrying cases are sturdy and well-made. They’re nothing like the blow molded cases you might be used to.
This is a very low-frills set, and it also doesn’t have any “fillers” such as screwdriver bits or short hex keys.
I don’t think I’ve ever taken advantage of the sockets’ 4-flat wrench-ready feature.
It doesn’t skip any sizes (except for 11/32″, which is typical).
I plopped the set in my tool cabinet, along with the similar 1/4″ drive set that I also purchased. Several tool boxes later (they go in and out of different test sample cabinets), and I can say that it’s been my go-to and most-used socket set for most tasks befitting of a ratchet and hand socket.
I’m not as attached to the designs as I am with others. But, they just plain work. The tools have been reliable. I keep the cases in a storage box, just in case I need them.
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Sometimes I grab a different ratchet, but that’s mostly to change things up – unless the situation calls for a specialty ratchet, breaker bar, or similar.
I have test samples of the same Milwaukee tools but in a Packout organizer, but I like and reach for this set better. Both options have removable trays, but I like the one that comes with this set better.
Besides, I can always upgrade my set with a Packout-compatible tray and case later, but I don’t believe the reverse to be true.
I like the idea of the lifetime guarantee.
The tools have proven to be reliable (in my experience), comfortable, and space-efficient. They’re not my favorite, only because I am more sentimentally attached to some of my other tools.
I would 100% absolutely buy this set again, and with zero hesitation.
Price: $99
Is this the best price? $99 is the typical holiday season “special buy” price for this set. There are sometimes later-season bundle deals that might offer a better value. For example, when I bought my set from Home Depot 4 years ago, it was bundled with a screwdriver set for a lower price than the sum of the parts. There’s a chance that could happen again this year.
OldDominionDIYer
That’s a great set at a great price. I’ve had mine for years and love it and I won mine so you can’t beat that!
fred
Maybe not as good as Home Depot deals – but Canadian readers might try Mississauga Hardware for 15% off Milwaukee Tools – using code M15OFFNOW. The sale end 11/3
Mark. M
That seems like a screaming deal. I bought a similar Tekton set for $80-ish to keep in my truck. If this had been available at the time I would have bought this instead, no shade on Tekton.
Evan
This looks like a nice set! I am slowly building out and upgrading (from a $20 HF set) my mechanic tools. I just purchased a bunch of the V-series tools from your recent post. Would you say these Milwaukee 3/8″ and the 1/4″ set would be better quality than the V-series? How do they compare?
Plain+grainy
That looks like a very nice socket set. I tend to only purchase impact sockets though( Shockwave).
James
My truck set is the Packout version 3/8” & 1/4”. I’m no mechanic, just a technician, so my needs are limited, but these are my favourite sockets of life so far. (Maybe my 7th or 8th set through the years). I like the finish, I like the feel, the ratchets are fine (not amazing), and the anti roll square feature is excellent for me on site.
Chuck Forster
While I’ve also not utilized the square wrench feature, I find that the square sides work well for turning the socket by hand. Works beautifully for starting a nut or rapidly threading one before cinching down with the ratchet once it’s snug.
Julian Tracy
Crazy – the MW sockets have the opposite problem of the Craftsman V-series sets. The MW favors a 6 and 7mm instead of the handier 21 and 22mm, the Craftsman sets on sale at Lowes STARTS the metric lineup incredibly at 11mm.
Same oddball thinking in the otherwise very nice V-series screwdriver sets – they for some reason, see fit to give you a slotted 1/8 driver and a no.4 Phillips driver (bet most people didnt realize that’s a thing), yet didn’t bother to include the handiest of all, an extra long no.2 Phillips.
Shawn Yuan
Are there use cases for having a chrome socket set if you’ve got a thin-walled impact set?
The most common responses was (mostly from garagejournal), “I just find myself grabbing the chromes.” One guy did note the bulk of regular non-thin walled sockets makes it difficult for tight spaces.
Shawn Yuan
No one? = (
I’m trying to decide whether to have a set of chromes and a set of thin-walled impacts. Is it that impacts will wear out quicker if you use it for everything, including hand ratcheting?
Shawn Yuan
Nm. I just answered my own question: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/impact-sockets-verses-regular-chrome.366467/
Michael G
Everyone loves to talk about how good Tekton’s warranty process is, but how is Milwaukee’s? Gearwrench?
I’m curious because warranty claims for in house brands at the orange and blue stores is easy, but what about the prosumer brands they sell?
Stuart
Milwaukee’s looks pretty quick and easy: https://survey.milwaukeetool.com/jfe/form/SV_2gaIYc1HpUw7O86 .
Before the form, one could email with description, photo, name, and shipping address.
Chad F
I love this socket set so far. I bought it last year at this sale price, and I leave it in SUV. So far so good