Milwaukee is coming out with a slew of new hand tools, most notably fastener driving tools, such as screwdrivers, multi-bit drivers, and nut drivers. These tools are said to have been designed with a focus on user-driven innovation to provide real solutions to jobsite challenges.
All of these new sets will be available starting in May 2013.
Demolition (Heavy Duty) Screwdrivers
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I don’t do a lot of demolition work, but love using demo drivers. These drivers are often strong, tough, durable, and built to stand up to the heaviest of use. Who can argue against screwdrivers that are designed for misuse and abuse right from the drawing board?
Milwaukee says that these new demolition screwdrivers are engineered for extreme jobsite conditions and designed to take a beating. Sounds good to me!
The new demo screwdrivers feature anti-roll barrel-style handles for user comfort, hardened tips, forged shanks, and heat-treated steel striking caps. Although it’s not mentioned in the product documentation, I imagine that the shafts are full-length all the way to the strike cap.
The demo drivers will be available as a 2-piece set and as part of a larger 8-piece set. The 2-piece set (48-22-2002) includes PH #2 and slotted 5/16″ drivers, both with 6-inch shanks.
General Purpose Screwdrivers
Milwaukee will also be releasing a new lineup of general purpose screwdrivers. While these aren’t demolition screwdrivers, they are still robust enough to stand up to demanding usage. The new screwdrivers are designed with durability, ergonomics, and versatility in mind.
The new screwdrivers will be available as a 6-piece set or 8-piece set.
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6-Piece Set (48-22-2006)
- Slotted (steel-capped) 1/4″ x 4″, 5/16″ x 6″
- Phillips #1 x 3″, #2 x 4″
- Slotted (Cabinet Style) 3/16″ x 3″, 3/16″ x 6″
8-Piece Set (48-22-2009)
- Square drive (Robertson) #1 x 4″, #2 x 4″
- Slotted (steel capped) 1/4″ x 4″, 5/16″ x 6″
- Phillips #1 x 3″, #2 x 4″
- ECX #1 x 4″, #2 x 4″
Insulated Screwdrivers
Milwaukee is also releasing new insulated screwdrivers, which they say are the first and only UL® Classified 1000V Insulated Screwdrivers tested to IEC 60900:2012, ASTM F1505-10, and NFPA 70E standards. These drivers meet all OSHA insulated tool requirements.
Milwaukee’s UL® Classified 1000V Insulated Screwdrivers provide a best in class safety rating to our users who demand a solution for working on energized & high voltage equipment. Our partnership with UL® gives users peace of mind on the job and promotes a safety first mindset and workplace. – Ryan Schwoegler, Milwaukee Product Manager.
Flame-resistant insulation is bonded to the tool shank, and is covered by an outer layer of insulation. The drivers also feature a visual wear indicator that warns users when it’s time to replace them.
3-Piece Set (48-22-2202)
- Slotted 1/4″ x 6″
- Phillips #2 x 4″
- ECX™ #1 x 4″
4-Piece Set (48-22-2204)
- Slotted 1/4″ x 6″, 3/8″ x 8″
- Phillips #1 x 3″, #2 x 4″
- Extra capacity tool pouch
10-Piece Set (48-22-2210)
- Slotted 1/4″ x 6″, 5/16″ x 7″, 3/8″ x 8″
- Phillips #1 x 3″, #2 x 4″, #3 x 6″
- Square drive (Robertson) #1 x 3″, #2 x 4″, #3 x 6″
- ECX™ #1 x 4″
- EVA Foam Fitted Case
Multi-Bit Drivers (Standard and Ratcheting)
What would be a screwdriver and fastener-driving tool expansion without a couple of new bit drivers?
There will be 7 new multi-bit drivers in total: 2x general purpose multi-bit drivers, 2x ratcheting multi-bit drivers, 3x hex and Torx drivers.
Each tool features chrome plated bits for marine-grade rust protection. The bits are 3-1/2″ long with power grooves, so you can use them with your cordless drills and drivers as well. Additional or replacement 3-1/2″ bits should be fairly easy to find for most bit styles and sizes.
Each 10-in-1 multi-bit driver features a 1/4″ hex bit holder that serves double duty as a 1/4″ nut driver, a built-in wire stripper function, a built-in wire looper, and 7 included power bits.
10-in-1 Multi-Bit Driver Sets
- ECX (48-22-2101): ECX™ #1, #2; Phillips #1, #2; Slotted 1/8″, 1/4″; Square #2
- Square Drive (48-22-2102): Square #1, #2, #3; Phillips #1, #2; Slotted 1/8″, 1/4″
- Ratcheting ECX (48-22-2301): ECX™ #1, #2; Phillips #1, #2; Slotted 1/8″, 1/4″; Square #2
- Ratcheting Square Drive (48-22-2302): Square #1, #2, #3; Phillips #1, #2; Slotted 1/8″, 1/4″
- Torx (48-22-2103): Torx® T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30
- Hex SAE (48-22-2104): 7/64″, 1/8″, 9/64″, 5/32″, 3/16″, 7/32″, 1/4″
- Hex Metric (48-22-2106): 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm
Nut Drivers
Last, but not least, is Milwaukee’s new 4-piece SAE nut driver set. These nut drivers feature universal driver heads – the first we’ve seen – that fit 6pt, 12pt, spline, and hex fasteners. Spline/universal sockets typically fit better on rusted, stripped, or damaged fasteners as well, compared to 6pt sockets.
These nut drivers feature 3-inch hollow shafts, which allows users to drive fasteners on longer bolts and threaded rod without having to bust out a wrench. Each nut driver also has multiple size markings for quicker tool identification.
The 4-Piece hollow shaft nut driver set (48-22-2404) comes with 1/4″, 5/16″, 7/16″, and 9/16″ sizes.
First Impression
It has been nearly three years since Milwaukee first launched their hand tool line. There are similarities between their original screwdrivers and the ones that are coming out now, but also noticeable improvements. For one, the new 1/4″ and 5/16″ demo drivers aren’t just steel-capped – every aspect looks to have been strengthened.
Milwaukee screwdrivers were good in the past, and now with the redesign they look to be even better. It’s also great to see an expanded selection of styles. Insulated drivers, multi-bit drivers with marine-grade corrosion resistant bits, and universal socket hollow-shaft nut drivers? Kudos to Milwaukee for thoughtful and practical designs.
fred
How do you think the spline drivers will be on square nuts that we find to be still pretty common on older garage door hardware ? In theory 12 point sockets should fit some square nuts – but they tend to slip and round them off – so we still carry 4 and 8 point sockets and driver handles (and/or speeders) to speed up this work – replacing with hex nuts where we can.
Stuart
It’s hard to say, but seeing as these are nut drivers with smallish inline handles you would want to break the 4pt fasteners free with something else first, maybe an adjustable wrench. If you come across a particular size often, the 4pt and 8pt sockets will probably still be your best bet.
Javier
I might pick up a ratcheting screwdriver if the price is right. Also the new m12 fuel 5/8″ sds rotary hammer looks awesome, includes 2 4.0 xc packs!!!! Now thats a nice tool to have.
jesse
Do you know the country of origin of these new tools? A couple might be of interest to me, but not if they’re made in China.
fred
The older Milwaukee multi-tip screwdriver ( 48-22-2113) was made in Taiwan- but some of their other handtools (e.g. 48-22-1901 utility knife) are made in China
Tyler
Stu, have you heard about the new m12 brushless rotary hammer? It has a 5/8 capacity and Ohio Power Tool has a pre-sale starting at 299.82
Mike
Sorry guys, all the screwdriver in this line are made in either Taiwan or China… 🙁
Robert
If you’re buying American to support American jobs and our economy, that’s a noble goal. If however you purchase products on the notion that they’re superior by sheer virtue of being made in the US, that’s misguided at best.
It’s no different than saying that a product is substandard simply because it was manufactured in China. Many of the “substandard” products that are made in China, are created to distinctly American specs. Some are even made under direct American supervision.
We like to point our fingers at China, but we are our own worst enemy. China is only doing what any country under similar circumstances would do. They are putting their people to work because of OUR decisions to outsource everything.
I have both of these drivers by the way. One is nice, the other I wouldn’t recommend to anyone. The one I wouldn’t recommend however, isn’t a problem simply because of where it’s made. It’s a problem because Milwaukee simply stuck it out there without considering the target user and getting it right before putting it on the market.