I bought a couple of Milwaukee socket sets a few years ago, and they’ve been great. The tools are decent, but it’s the trays that won me over.
I recently purchased a couple of Milwaukee Packout work tops to go along with my new drawer tool boxes and dollies, and finally got around to installing the tops.
There are 6 screws that fasten into an equal number of lock nuts.
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If I were in my workshop, I’d normally grab the 1/4″ drive ratchet and start with 10mm or 13mm sockets. Since I was in a different room, I would have needed to grab the ratchet, at least those two sockets, and maybe an extension.
Eh, I grabbed the whole tray out of its drawer in my tool cabinet, and walked to the room where the work tops were waiting for assembly.
It was a good idea too, as the nuts were sized for an 11mm socket. Grabbing the whole socket tray saved me a trip.
The screwdriver is Milwaukee’s new USA-made Phillips #2. I bought two sets of them already, also with no regrets so far.
With Milwaukee’s socket sets, you have to make a choice at the time of purchase – do you want a Packout-compatible tray, or portable kit with removable tray. It’s not a permanent choice, as Packout socket set trays are available separately.
I went with the non-Packout option, which comes with a hard shell case and removable tray. I have the carrying case stored away in case I ever need/want the set to be more portable.
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So, the tray lives in my tool box drawer.
This is the 1/4″ set, and I also own the 3/8″ set. I don’t have the 1/2″ set (yet?). I have test samples of Milwaukee’s Shockwave sets, but don’t own a personal set yet either. I don’t use impact sockets as often as hand/chrome sockets, and so I won’t be making space for them in my primary tool box just yet.
I tend to prefer foam trays for more permanent in-drawer storage and organization, but not in this case.
100% I’d buy this Milwaukee socket set again – and the same for my 3/8″ set.
With all this talk about the time and effort-saving tray, I should also mention that the tools are darn good too. The set comes with a 90T ratchet, 27 shallow sockets (SAE and metric), 25 deep sockets (SAE and metric), 2 extensions, and a universal joint.
The sockets feature a 4-flat anti-roll and wrench-ready shape.
The tools are great, but the removable trays – which are solid and durable-feeling in contrast to (yuck) blow molded inserts – helps them stand out and apart from other brands’ also-decent mechanics hand tools.
At the time of this posting, the 1/4″ (48-22-9004) and 3/8″ sets are $99 each. I bought both sets 3 years ago during similar holiday promotions.
mikedt
There definitely are a lot of neat and neater tool sets out there nowadays. Kind of wish they were available when I started my tool collection. But at this point these sets are redundant to me. I now focus more on tool organizers/storage (big shout out to Ernst Mfg) to give me the illusion of new tools.
AlexK
Thanks for the heads up about Ernst Mfg. I’ll be ordering from them.
Jared
That looks like a good solution. Foam-like accessibility, but portable.
It’s very similar to what I’ve done with Ernst socket trays in my tool box. I also frequently lift out an entire set to go work elsewhere. It’s a bit different because the sockets are vertical.
You can buy ratchet holders for those trays too. I keep mine on a couple of separate trays holding ratchets and grab the one I want take it with me, but you could just as easily add the ratchet to a set of sockets.
Jimmie
I’m going to be the nay-sayer and complain that the socket tray has way too much wasted space for my tastes. It’s a shame that Milwaukee didn’t do something similar to an Ernst-style tray which is a lot more space-efficient.
Stuart
I agree, but figured that’s the cost of being able to put it in a low-profile case or shallow drawer.
The benefit here is that you don’t have to go out and find a suitable drawer storage solution. It holds all of the included sockets, ratchet, and drive accessories.
You can still buy and use separate organizers, but you don’t have to.
mla
This is what you’re talking about?
https://www.amazon.com/Ernst-Manufacturing-Multi-Drive-Organizer-13-Inch/dp/B00QUEHVD4/
OldDominionDIYer
I own all 3 (1/4, 3/8 & 1/2) in the non packout kit and they are my go to sets now have retired my Craftsman and some smaller sets in Husky and gearwrench. I prefer the Milwaukee for all the reasons you mention and have been very satisfied when using them, never had any issues.
mla
Do they have no-skip sets?
Julian Tracy
No doubt. The way companies decide you don’t need a 16mm or 11mm, etc is just plain silly
NoDak Farming
I also agree. With factories all over the world shipping products to the US, you never know what you’ll need. With SAE, ISO, China’s ISO and GB, & Germany’s DIN, I’ve used each and every wrench size I have. Not to mention that some bolt heads aren’t always made with the greatest “up to spec” care anyways. The other times that the extra sizes come in handy is when restoring cars or equipment. Bolt heads can be corroded and missing some material. Or be flaky and have extra material built up on them.
(I believe these two sets mentioned are full sets. But generally agree that is an attribute that I look for when buying tool sets)
The sets do look handy for organization. The Packout compatible sets are tempting.
Stuart
What sizes are you looking to not be skipped? I’m pretty convinced these are no-skip.
The 3/8″ set skips 11/32″, but that’s typical; I’m only worried if it’s not included in a 1/4″ set.
Mitherial
These are very good sockets for the money. Milwaukee does sell matching individual loose stock sockets going up and down to all kinds of sizes—I ordered a bunch to round out my collection, but it took a good bit of digging to find part # on MWs website and I had to order from several different stores to find everything in stock.
They obviously won’t sit in the included plastic case—the Ernst style holder recommended elsewhere on the page is very good—but I ended up using this Olsa/OEM style:
https://www.amazon.com/Olsa-Tools-4-Inch-Magnetic-Organizer/dp/B09ZYX4T3N/
Nathan
I was going to comment surprised there was an 11mm. Also lightly surprised the nut was 11mm
Nathan
Also another plus one for the Ernst/tekton socket holders. So far so good. How you divide up what’s on a rail is a bit important. Ie. All the metrric shorts on one, metric longs on another. Different color for sae. Etc etc
Fits in a shallow drawer takes less space and portable
IronWood
I use the Ernst rails and love them. For 1/4 and 3/8 I put short on one side and deep on the other side. Just order a rail with pegs plus a set of extra pegs. Mine live in tool bags and it works awesome.
Scott K
Can you explain the need for 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2” sets? I understand that 1/4” are smaller and likely better for work that doesn’t require as much force while 3/8” and 1/2” are larger and better for applying more torque. Is there more to it than that? Is there that much of a difference between 3/8” and 1/2” to need both? [This is a genuine question]
Andy
Yes, there are differences in torque required for each fastener size and therefore the different ratchet handle lengths are helpful.
A smaller faster can’t handle as much torque so the shorter handle and lighter construction of a 1/4” drive ratchet is better not only in terms of access but also in terms of limiting how much torque you can apply to the fastener.
Drive size is partly influenced to the size fastener / socket being used. At a certain point the fastener size becomes so mismatched from the drive size that the design of the socket becomes impractical.
1/4” drive sockets typically range from about 4mm to 13mm and/or about 5/32” to 1/2”.
3/8” drive sockets typically range from 8mm to 19mm and/or from 5/16” to 3/4”.
1/2” drive sockets typically range from about 10mm to 36+mm and/or from 3/8” to 1 1/2”+.
You can absolutely find sockets outside of those drive / size ranges, but that’s what’s commonly available from most manufacturers in my experience.
Andy
There is the ANSI/ASME B107.10 standard that defines the proof torque minimums for different ratchet drive sizes. The data below is taken from Tekton’s website:
1/4” = 37 ft. lbs.
3/8” = 150 ft. lbs.
1/2” = 375 ft. lbs.
3/4” = 1000 ft. lbs.
That chart should help illustrate the point I was making in my first comment about the correlation between drive size and fastener size.
Scott K
Thanks! I wasn’t aware that typical size offerings varied between 1/4” and 1/2”. I have a craftsman set that I bought as a local Sears was closing about 10 years ago- it has a nice selection of 1/4” and 3/8” plus a bunch of fillers. I haven’t encountered anything around the house that I haven’t been able to tackle with a 3/8” (yet?). The deep sockets have really come in handy a few times. The blow molded case is a pain.
Jared
I’m not directly answering your question, but I figured this might be relevant context. There is a workaround if you’re trying to avoid different drive sizes: buy a wider range of sockets in that size and different sizes of 3/8″ ratchets.
E.g. my 3/8″ socket set goes from 5.5mm to 21mm – basically spanning standard 1/4″ to 1/2″ socket sizes that come in most kits. It’s hard to find the extreme ends of those sizes from some brands. I bought mine from the Williams USA line.
I also have some ratchets with 3/8″ drive anvils in 1/4″ ratchet bodies – Wright Tool 13430, Proto J5248S & SK 45173 (I don’t need three, I just thought they were neat…). Long-handled 3/8″ ratchets are more ubiquitous, so I won’t mention those.
For me the point wasn’t to eliminate 1/4″ and 1/2″ sockets, it was just so that if I grab a set out of my toolbox to go work elsewhere I won’t have to run back for another set if I come across something smaller or larger than normal.
3/8″ sockets in small sizes still have to taper up to fit the larger anvil, so while they’re close to the same size as many 1/4″ sockets, there are times when 1/4″ might be handy. The 3/8″ drive is also necessarily weaker than 1/2″, so even with a long-handled ratchet you might not want to be yarding on it for the larger sizes. Nevertheless, 3/8″-only can do most things, most of the time.
Stuart
That’s pretty much it, and sometimes ratchet and socket sizes (height, outer width) are a selection criteria, such as when there isn’t a lot of clearance.
I feel that 3/8″ is a good starting point, then 1/4″, and 1/2″ for higher torque work. Adapters can be used in a pinch.
Depending on the task, 1/2″ drive tools can strip out smaller fasteners.
For what I tend to use mechanics tools for – general assembly tasks, installations, and such – there’s no hard rule about sizing.
I don’t use 1/2″ anywhere as much as 1/4″ and 3/8″, but there are times when 3/8″ just isn’t enough torque-wise.
Scott K
This makes sense. I bought a 108 piece 1/4” and 3/8” SAE/metric set from a Sears that was closing about a decade ago. I was pretty uninformed at the time, but it seemed to offer a nice assortment. It came with a bunch of fillers that I don’t use like hex keys without a holder to help identify sizes and some driver bits. It’s served me well for house projects and other tasks. I do tend to reach for the 3/8” most often. It has a nice assortment of deep sockets which have come in very handy over the years.
Dave P
Do you use the same pair of scissors to cut notebook paper and corrugated cardboard? If you have a sliver to remove, would you use a small tweezers and a 12” needle nose pliers interchangeably?
Sometimes it’s about the torque needed, sometimes it’s about size (wall thickness on sockets in a very tight space for instance), sometimes it’s about weight.
I can’t very well tighten up a nut that takes a 36mm socket with 1/4” or 3/8” or most likely even 1/2” drive… something like that probably is torqued to 200 ft lbs.
I probably can’t get a 1/2 “ drive (thicker walled) socket down along the side of an engine block to change a fuel pump, either.
Next I might need to work up under the dash of an old truck loosening a 5/16” self-tapping screw. That’ll take my 1/4” drive stuff for sure…..
Koko The Talking Ape
Change my opinion: 1/4″ hex drive is better than 1/4″ square anvil ratchets. There are 1/4″ hex drive versions for most 1/4″ sockets, as far as I can tell. And the same bits and sockets can work in your screwdriver and impact driver.
Can 1/4″ square anvil handle higher torque than hex?
Andy
A bit late on the reply here, and not a direct answer because I don’t know if 1/4″ hex vs. 1/4″ square has been directly tested.
However, Torque Test Channel tested the 2853 M18 Fuel impact driver (1/4″ hex drive) that had a 1/2″ impact wrench anvil installed by ManCaverTools. Dyno testing showed the square drive version made more power than the hex drive. The test concludes that the power transmission from tool to socket is more effective using the square drive anvil than the hex collet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nWztRe0yNs
MM
In terms of simple torsional strength, yes, a 1/4-inch square shaft is stronger than a hexagonal shaft measuring 1/4 inch across the flats.
Derek
I do like the look of these sets. If I didn’t already have the ToughSystem it would be an easier push for the Packout versions of these kits. I hope Dewalt makes shallow ToughSystem cases like the Milwaukee one.
Semi-related note, I’m struggling a lot lately with upgrading tools. Sure these Milwaukee sets are nice, but are they that much nicer than my Craftsman set (made in USA for those who care)? Maybe if I was buying a set for the first time it would be an easier choice.
Should I just blow $600 on the full Tekton set with rails or buy new/used Snap-on individual sockets as my needs arrive or save my money until something breaks and needs to be replaced.
A W
I have the 1/4″ set from Milwaukee (SAE + metric) and the 3/8″ metric set. My SAE sockets in 3/8″ are mostly SK that I was using with Craftsman USA ratchets. The nice things about these sets are the organization (pick up the whole set and go) and the 90 tooth, low drag ratchets. The squared sockets are nice, but not noticably better than the Craftsman sockets.
What is very noticeable is the quality of the ratchets. They just feel so much nicer to use than my old Craftsman USA ratchets. Having said that, I also picked up the husky 144 tooth ratchet set recently on clearance for $37 and that’s a much more affordable upgrade path.
Derek
Thanks for the feedback. I recently bought a used Snap On 3/8” long handle ratchet. It’s so much nicer than the Craftman raised panel ratchets.
Might get that Husky set. If not the Gearwrench 90t ones.
Richard
I kinda like the trays. It’s frustrating that they don’t work with Packout. I don’t want to carry 3/8 and 1/4 together in one behemoth of a case. I want to grab just what I need and wish they had a 1/4 organizer that fit the slim Packout. I found one selling a 3d printed version but it seems meh. I started to design my own file but it’s a lot of work for marginal gain.
Andy
There are packout-specific sets and the trays are available if you already have the sockets / ratchets. The empty trays are inexpensive and elegible for 15% off at Acme Tools thru 1/15.
https://www.acmetools.com/milwaukee/all/?q=packout%20socket&pmin=0.00&pmax=100.00
Stuart
Right, but as Richard said, the trays are for 1/4″ + 3/8″ and separated by SAE/metric.
You can’t have just a 1/4″ or 3/8″ set in a Packout case.
Andy
Good point, I missed that – thanks for clearing that up.
Blythe
Im not 100% sure, but I would guess that you could buy SKU# 48-22-9482T and SKU# 48-22-9481T and they would fit in the full width shallow organizer. You might just have to make a wood/3d printed spacer to make them fit tight
Stuart
Yes, but going back to what Richard said, he wants a 1/4″ tray that fits the compact low-profile Packout organizer.
I suspect that there are too many tools to be able to do that, but perhaps one day we’ll see a standard depth Packout organizer with the same set organized in 2 levels of inserts/
eddie sky
Maybe off topic but I like how companies now, like GearWrench, Wiha, SPtools, are including sets in eva foam liners.
Question: how is the noise on the Milwaukee set as far as leaving under a truck seat or under-seat storage?
Dave P
An INCREDIBLE amount of wasted space. . . I have 3 large roll around boxes filled to the brim using Alien Space Saver wrench holders, You can get 5 times as many wrenches in the same space compared to that Milwaukee stuff…..homeowner stuff for sure…..
kent_skinner
I wonder if it’s available without the ratchet. Over the past decades I’ve had enough sockets go missing that I should buy a new set. I somehow picked up a handful of ratchets, and certainly don’t need any more.
jayne erin defranco
I have way too many socket sets. Even my first jcpenncraft sets which I still have. I am drooling over the 3\8 sets I want it so bad…./ Thanks for posting….
mark
Stuart- for tool organization, have you ever checked out toolgrid for toolguyd? It’s become my ultimate solution for in-drawer storage. I love that I can quick screw & unscrew everything to rearrange, update tools etc. haven’t found a tool that’s incompatible yet.
I haven’t seen much as space efficient as toolgrid either. Cost is of course the downside is say.
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/tool-grid-drawer-organizer-system/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Not yet.