Milwaukee Tool recently announced a huge automotive tools expansion, and this will include a substantial push into the impact socket market.
Prior to this expansion, Milwaukee only offered a couple of impact sockets, which you can usually find in the power tools accessories section of home centers and online retailers.
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Now, they’re introducing what looks to be a full range of impact sockets aimed at automotive maintenance professionals and other such users.
The new Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Duty Sockets will be launching in 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″ drive sizes.
In addition to the sockets, Milwaukee is also launching:
- Impact extensions
- Adapters
- Universal joints
- Reducers
- Customizable socket rails & clips
- Retaining rings
The new Milwaukee Shockwave impact socket sets will ship in slim cases that have a removable hinge pin, for flat storage inside of tool box drawers. The cases will also have extra storage pockets to provide room for additional small parts or accessories you might want to keep with the socket sets.
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Milwaukee has a strong claim for their new Shockwave impact sockets, that they deliver the boldest longest-lasting markings, and also extreme durability. The size markings are deep stamped, and then ink-filled for easy readability and socket identification.
The sockets feature a dual-hole design and a retaining ring groove. The working end has a 6-point hex design and can withstand high torque applications.
Milwaukee has said that they are launching 390 new socket and accessories SKUs.
Milwaukee adds that:
All new SHOCKWAVE™ IMPACT DUTY™ Sockets and socket accessories meet ASME industry standards to ensure proper fit to the fastener and both the impact sockets and impact socket extensions are backed by Milwaukee’s Lifetime Guarantee.
They have been emphasizing their Lifetime Guarantee to be a “no questions asked” policy, which covers defects in material and workmanship.
In addition to their customer service phone number, Milwaukee Tool has set up a special no-hassle email address:
email [email protected] with the product description, a photograph of the product, and your name and shipping address
The launch looks to include a mix of socket sets, accessories, and open stock options.
ETA: May 2021
Discussion
Milwaukee’s goal here is to be a full fastening solutions provider, and with features like the “boldest longest-lasting markings,” they aim to provide a superior user-friendly product.
They have come a long way in a few short years, but this was an inevitable progression. With the very many different M18 and M12 cordless impact wrenches they offer today, and the expansion into the mechanics hand tool market as well, it was only a matter of time before Milwaukee offered a competitive selection of impact sockets and accessories.
Milwaukee launched their first hand tools ~11 years ago, and their first mechanics tools ~4 years ago.
In 2017, I expressed my surprise that Milwaukee did not make impact socket sets outside of a couple of basic options.
Well, it seems I wasn’t the only one who thought there was potential for more.
What did surprise me with this launch is that Milwaukee isn’t just stopping with 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ sizes, they’re going into truck and heavy equipment 3/4″ and 1″ drive size categories as well. But, this is a good thing – it means they’re not testing the market; this is a move of high confidence.
Here’s what their older limited-range Shockwave sockets looked like.
And again, here’s a look at the new deep impact sockets. I think they could be right about the “bolded longest-lasting markings claim.
OldDominionDIYer
Nice, very nice, I would be interested in the cost and hopefully a Packout equipped case is in the near future! Looks like they’re serious about getting into the hand tool market and the “no hassle” lifetime guarantee is refreshing (if it works that way)
Jared
Highly visible size markings are very useful. Milwaukee’s look great!
I don’t necessarily love seeing skipped sizes in sets, but I understand the rationale – I hope this means the individual sockets will also be available. Drives me nuts though, when I buy a set with a molded tray that’s missing a size – and if I buy it, there’s no where to add it (though Milwaukee’s trays do seem to have some room…). Call me a “completionist” but there’s been too many times I needed a size that wasn’t in my set (admittedly, sometimes that’s because I’m trying to cheat with a metric socket on an imperial fastener).
I also like that these appear to be “low profile” impact sockets as evidenced by the steps up and down in the sidewall. Lots of impact sockets are thick for strength, but it can limit their use.
Brian A
Its interesting how they have expanded socket offerings over the past few years, not really a segment where I thought they would expand so much, especially at the premium price. I have one of the swivel ratchet sets they first came out with and its a good house set. Also have the shockwave sets in the molded cases because they were included in deals, never understood why in some sets they only had SAE and no metric. Got the newer 3/8 & 1/4 non impact sets, I like them but I didn’t need them only got them because of my tool addiction and deal was too good to pass up.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee most people already have enough sockets. I may get some when there are deals of 50%+ off. Only thing I really need is some deep 1/4 sockets.
Wish their resource shift to hand tools would of been after they made a lawnmower. Gave up and ordered the Makita last month on a good deal, first non Milwaukee power tool purchase in 8 years.
John
Based off of your statement, I am sure you are not aware that Milwaukee has been pumping a lot of money and adding jobs to the US market. If anything, Milwaukee is more USA made then most of their competitora.
John
As far as I know none of milwaukee’s hand tools are made in the USA.
Adam
Didn’t see any mention, or details in any pic, that indicate the composition of the sockets. Cr-MO?
BrewCityRider
You’re right, it would be nice to know, but really it doesn’t matter. The metallurgical difference between Cr-Mo and Cr-V is insignificant in these applications. Instead, the consistency of the material, the tool geometry, the hardness to which it is heated, and the design and implementation of the manufacturing process control the differences in quality. Many people think of Cr-V as only used for chrome sockets, but when heat treated and manufactured for impact duty, the Cr-V are just as good as Cr-Mo.
Kentucky fan
Anyone that says buy American should never touch these with a ten foot pole. You don’t have to spend more to get great quality American made tools compared to the Milwaukee hand tool line up.
Stu
Name them? Reasonable priced usa impacts. Full lifetimenwarranty. Not truck brands.
skfarmer
milwaukee is on my short list of brands to never own.
Jim Felt
As Milwaukee employs thousands in the US and I believe has multiple actual factories here as well what exactly is the basis for your post?
Just curious as I use Hilti, Bosch, Dewalt, old Craftsman, Fein, Milwaukee (old and new) and others.
fred
Milwaukee could have gone the route of many other American companies ending up in the dustbin of history with nothing other than some nostalgic remembrances and certainly not USA based jobs to remind us of their heydays. When they seemed near bankruptcy in the late 1980’s and Merrill-Lynch bought them up – I thought that that would be the end of the brand – once the Wisconsin Cow – so to speak – was milked dry. But then they were sold to the Swedes (Atlas Copco) who seemed to muddle along. It was not until TTI bought them that they seemed to be reinvigorated. So now I have mixed emotions> I would like to see a company bearing the name of a US City and having its roots in the USA – being fully USA-based. But rather than seeing it out of business, I guess I’m glad that its seems to be thriving as the flagship of a publicly traded Hong-Kong based company that has seen fit to locate a good portion of its operations in Milwaukee’s old turf.
I also think it a bit better than what became the fate of Skil – once a head to head competitor of Milwaukee when Emerson owned the brand. When it was sold to Bosch – it seemed to go into a long period of decline – and finally what was left was sold off to Chervon.
skfarmer
i don’t like them should be good enough but since you asked.
i have never liked the ergonomics of the power tools. they just don’t feel right.
the hand tools? they just seem like over priced asian tools. they may have a few milwaukee inspired tweeks but still nothing special (at least to justify the hype) unless you like square shaped sockets. i don’t if you can’t tell.
then there is the milwaukee fans. the guys that live and breath the tools that used to be from wisconsin, usa. a lot of them, they just rub me the wrong way. if you like em that’s fine, just don’t give me shit because i don’t.
Stu
You could just not read or comment on brands you don’t like instead of coming to them to stir up drama, but you don’t. You spew shit, you get shit spewed back. You do the same nonsense on gj.com too, so it seems to be a pattern.
Argie
Mechanic here.
Milwaukee hand tools are generally “Good”. They’re pricing seems to be slightly messed up though for what you get.
If they’re trying to market more towards the professional crowd they need to change their COO to USA or be a bargain price vs performance – which compared to Tekton they’re not.
If they’re marketing to people that wrench on the weekends – again much the same. COO would help but they could sell them like hot cakes with reduced pricing. My home box is 50% old USA craftsman from my dad (I’m 32), with the rest of it being Tekton and a splattering of the box truck brands.
To make it clear I’m not saying there is anything wrong with them – besides the square sockets I bought used that have clearance issues in tight spaces sometimes but are a neat idea – just that they may be trying to fill a niche that I don’t think exists – “Premium Box store brand”? -. I do think they’re the best you can get from the stores.
Anyways sorry for the rambling just wanted to make a quick post.
Aaron
These look cool but nearly every hand tool that I own is made in the U.S. and I have have no intention to change that…
A W
I wonder how these will compare price wise to the DeWalt DWMT19243. I’ve had that set for a couple years now and it’s been a really useful set. I do like the high contrast markings on the Milwaukee photos on this article, but I think quality should be fairly comparable.
Philip
Shock wave. Tests revealed this did nothing for hex to square anvil adapter. It makes sense for hex screw bits… to save bits and screw heads.
I am pretty sure this will do nothing for the sockets. Unless I am missing something?
Neighbor Joe
They should be called “price shock” not shockwave.
Eric
I like the labeling, but at the prices they’re sure to charge it’s not compelling enough to justify replacing all of my current impact sockets.
Chris
Milwaukee is getting WAY ahead of themselves here with their pricing. If they think anyone that’s not a miLWauKEe tool homer is going to spend that kind of money on their Taiwan hand tools you can get from anyone else for less, they have another thing coming. Their Flex ratchet wrench pricing is ridiculous, it’s touching truck brand pricing for Taiwan tools vs USA
BrewCityRider
Speaking of their imapct socket pricing, these Milwaukee’s are actually in the ballpark of other name brand taiwanese-made socket sets such as Gear Wrench. The GW are priced the same, Tekton’s 20 bucks less, Sunex 30 bucks less. I actually ended up going with the 19 piece set from Sunex.
JD
I can’t tell by the pictures if they are actually even stamped. I hope they are. The previous version you show absolutely are not. They are complete garbage. I have the 1/4″ metric set and the laser etched markings are completely gone with very little use. The newer version look good but that means nothing if they aren’t actually stamped. I agree with others, there is very little benefit to these versus other brands at that price point. Grey Pneumatic and Sunex would be much better options.
Stuart
I mentioned this in the post – the sockets are deep-stamped and ink-filled.
Paul
Man these look an awful lot like the Harbor Freight Icon impact sockets. Just much better paint job.
Then again as others have commented, when is the last time you broke an impact rated socket? I’ve stripped out lots of chrome-moly non-impact sockets with an impact wrench and broken more than one adapter (even the Milwaukee Shockwave branded ones) but other than that, I haven’t broken any sockets.
Greg
Skipped sizes on hand tools drives me up a wall. I could care less who makes them. Most aren’t going to need 22mm or the ones skipped here but I do. I work on many different things with oddball size fasteners. I hate having to stop a job because I’m missing one tool size.
If Milwaukee offers all the missing sockets in singles then that’s better but at this price it should be a complete set. If that’s what it is like HF Pittsburgh impact sets skipping sockets then hard pass for me.
Joe
The latches at the corners make it look like it’s a Packout case, but probably not, since it wasn’t mentioned in the article.
Regardless, I like the idea of the removable lid/ hinge-pin design. It would be pretty cool if they were to design it so that the top half was also a useful component to keep in a drawer, but that would be difficult since “useful” is subjective. Call it an ashtray and let the market decide?
Stuart
To my knowledge, this is not a Packout case.
Flotsam
maybe a nit for some, but i had been seeing a convention from a number of manufacturers (gearwrench comes to mind) that the color for metric is blue and for SAE Red.
Is this just Milwaukee’s infatuation with the color red?
Stuart
Maybe?
I’ve seen SAE and metric organizational accessories and some hand tools color-coded red and another color, but not impact sockets yet.
BrewCityRider
SAE indicators should always be red, that is correct. Metric should be blue or black. Most companies follow this color-coding, but some have it reversed.