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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.
Now, they’re introducing what looks to be a full range of impact sockets aimed at automotive maintenance professionals and other such users.
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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
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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 SHOCKWAVEImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.IMPACT DUTYImage may be NSFW.
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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 mechanicshandtools@milwaukeetool.com 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.
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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.
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Here’s what their older limited-range Shockwave sockets looked like.
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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.
