Milwaukee Tool is coming out with 2 new stubby ratchets in 1/4″ and 3/8″ sizes, and also 3 extended length ratchets in 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ sizes.
This isn’t an isolated effort, and is in fact part of a broader expansion deeper into the mechanics hand tool market. Milwaukee Tool is also making a big push into the impact socket and accessories market, which we’ll discuss separately later.
Do you need stubby ratchets? Sometimes nothing else will fit tight spaces, and other times, the smaller for factor is still a convenience, providing one additional way to tackle an fastening or maintenance operation.
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The same goes for extended length ratchets. Sometimes the higher torque capability of longer ratchet handles simplifies an operation, as you might not need a breaker bar to loosen things up, and other times you might simply want the extra reach.
The new Milwaukee stubby hand ratchets feature a 90-tooth design that delivers a 4° arc swing.
As with Milwaukee’s other full-polish ratchets, these have a slim head profile and flush direction level. The all-chrome finish makes for easier cleaning.
Also, Milwaukee ratchets are backed by their Mechanics Hand Tools Lifetime Guarantee.
New Stubby and Extended Length Ratchet Sizes
Milwaukee Tool Stubby Ratchets
- 1/4” Drive 3” Stubby Ratchet 48-22-9003
- 3/8” Drive 5” Stubby Ratchet 48-22-9036
Milwaukee Tool Extended Length Ratchets
- 1/4” Drive 9” Extended Handle Ratchet 48-22-9005
- 3/8” Drive 12” Extended Handle Ratchet 48-22-9037
- 1/2” Drive 18” Extended Handle Ratchet 48-22-9050
ETA: April 2021
Previously Launched Individual Drive Tools
Milwaukee Tool Standard-Length Full-Polish Ratchets
- 1/4″ Drive 48-22-9014 ($30)
- 3/8″ Drive 48-22-9038 ($40)
- 1/2″ Drive 48-22-9012 ($60)
Milwaukee Tool Breaker Bars
- 1/2″ Drive 15″ Breaker Bar 48-22-9011
- 1/2″ Drive 24″ Breaker Bar 48-22-9013
Discussion
It was only a few years ago when Milwaukee came out with a small socket set, featuring a swivel-head ratchet, four-flat deep sockets, and basic accessories. That was all you could get, a small ratchet socket set that they say was put together with contractors and tradesmen in mind, only including the tools and accessories such users might need.
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Now? We have open-stock ratchets and new stubby and extended length ratchets. What’s next? Flex-head and open stock swivel-head ratchets? Cushion grip ratchets? Torque wrenches?
Milwaukee Tool has had strong success with their mechanics tool sets, and I would bet we’ll see an expansion on that front too.
They were very aggressive with promo pricing on some of their sets during the holiday season, and I purchased a couple of products for ToolGuyd workshop use.
And, we can also look forward to more mechanics tools and Packout organizer pairings.
Milwaukee Tool is plowing into the mechanics tool industry at full momentum. Whether you’re fan of the brand or not, competitive pressure is always good for end users.
Are you happy to see new Milwaukee Tool stubby and extended length ratchets? Even if you don’t plan to add them to your toolbox soon, it’s good to know the option will soon be there.
Lance
Looks slippery.
Mike (the other one)
I’ve noticed that this is a trend with tools like this lately. It seems they want to make them look nice, but I for one like a bit of knurling or some kind of texture to keep from losing my grip.
Dave the tool
Milwaukee charging Snap On Pricing has turned me off on their mechanics tool line. I have been purchasing Gearwrench and Dewalt last few years and am happy with tool quality and pricing.
MoogleMan3
Same. I’ve been happy with my tekton ratchets and sockets.
King duck
Same here hopefully they stay on the track of constantly improving
Paul
That’s know we’re near snap-on pricing
Dave P
Milwaukee isn’t cheap but it’s nowhere near Snap-On pricing.
Not even close. I was in a harbor freight today and they had Icon wrench sets priced considerably higher than Milwaukee.
As far as Stubby ratchets, I have done my own service and repairs on dozens of vehicles (owned at any one time) and hundreds of pieces of heavy machinery and I don’t ever remember needing a stubby ratchet. Ever. Heck, I use my crows feet at least once a week… but I’ve never needed a stubby ratchet. Pass.
I want my ratchets to have some knurling or some type of grip and not totally smooth. I think these smooth-as-chrome tools are made to be looked at more than to be used.
George Nichols
This is nonsense. An entire socket set from milwaukee costs less than a snap-on ratchet.
Jared
These look nice. Easy to clean too.
I’d like to see a stubby 3/8″ drive square in a 1/4″ body. The heads on these seem relatively compact anyway – a little bit like my Proto premium pear head ratchets, but less rounded on the edge between the top of the head and sides.
Extended-length ratchets, by the way, are my go-to. You sacrifice speed sometimes, since you can swing a shorter ratchet faster, but I like the control they offer. Not only do they reduce the chance of knuckle-damage when a fastener lets go, but I find it easier to feel when a fastener is properly torqued (“proper torque” being relative of course, since I’m talking about all the times I skip the torque wrench). The only caveat is that I might not recommend them for a beginner since it’s also easier to strip a fastener.
Plain grainy
I like the directional reverse lever.
Matt
I’m sure they have their place but I’d rather just have a small ratcheting wrench at that point. Those come in a few different sizes as well.
Al
They look beautiful. The bad thing, as said by Lance and Mike, is the lack of texture on the handle. Once your hands get sweaty or greasy they become a pain to use.
Curiously, the cheap, dollar store ratchets tend to have really good knurling on the handles.
Nathan
SO I biggest issue with Milwaukee hand tools is really who is the maker/designer of them. Are they made in Taiwan, China or ? I mean a few cues looks like they called up Neiko for some designs. And honestly if I was sitting at TTI I would do that.
But TTI doesn’t own a hand tool maker that I know of – do they? Where a Dewalt mechanic tools has some background as they are SBD. Hell they are attached to MAC. Not that they replicate any MAC designs which makes me a sad. (I mean for the love of pete sell me a cheaper locking flex head like the MAC please)
So that always gives me pause in my head. Picking them up, – feel of them – use under load. I don’t have any issues with them . They are pricey though. NOw I also think the Dewalt is pricey too.
Why is why I point more and more people to Tekton stuff.
I don’t really see the benefit of Milwaukee’s squared off sockets – I get the idea but gee I don’t have an issue with my current sockets rolling away from me. I think most mechanics know to set them on end. At least that’s what I’ve always done.
But for packaging. I like their packaging – I like the Pack out box. I think Dewalt needs to look harder at that. But if I was Milwaukee – I’d packaing a cordless ratchet kit with one of these. Just to do it I guess.
I’m a fan of competition so I like the premise but I don’t know I’d buy them
Mike (the other one)
It wouldn’t surprise me if these are made in the same factory as the DeWalt sockets and wrenches. I forget the name of the company, but they make tools for a wide number of well-known brands.
As such, I imagine the quality would be similar, so price and availability become the more important factors.
I have no issues with Taiwan-made tools, since they are usually quite high quality at a reasonable cost, and Taiwan is a US ally, unlike China, who is trying to control the world economy. I try to avoid anything made in PRC if possible, but sometimes that is unavoidable.
That said, I’d prefer US-made tools, but sometimes the price difference makes that hard to do. If it’s a tool I use everyday, then it’s worth it, but tools I use once-in-a-blue-moon are harder to justify. I do like to hunt for new-old-stock or used US-made tools. That in itself is quite fun.
Stuart
Infar looks to have been a past and current partner for some product categories, and might be the manufacturing partner here.
Mike (the other one)
That’s the company I was trying to think of. Thanks!
Patrick T
I thought the same thing about the squared sockets. Ended up buying two to use replacing some car struts. Figured they would be better/easier to work with than buying one of those ratchets with the through-sockets for tightening the strut to the mount. I have a set of long sockets with a window cutout that is supposed to be for this sort of thing. But, it doesn’t give you much swing before you need to reposition everything and is a little janky trying to get the Allen wrench to fit. Haven’t used them for this purpose yet but, keeping my fingers crossed they work better than what I had.
Do agree that they were pricey. I think they cost more then Wera sockets and finding them as open-stock was a bit of a pain. Had to be special-ordered as it was.
aerodawg
I use a stubby more than a normal length these days. Just so much easier to handle
Matt
I’m a fan of big red, and I’d be lying if I said that stubby didn’t look pretty cool. But Milwaukee has two challenges as I see it: 1) If they are expensive without being US-made, a lot of ppl will spend a similar amount or just a little bit more to get that “USA” engraving (Wright Tool immediately comes to mind); and 2) Their value competitors are ridiculously good. I have some ‘low end’ Tekton and even Alltrade ratchets that punch way, way above their weight class. And then there’s Gearwrench. IDK, the mid-tier hand tool market seems very crowded.
Jared
I agree that many people shopping in this price range are looking at USA-made products. I assume Milwaukee is banking on the value in their brand name to motivate purchasers. That’s not terrible if their products live up to the brand reputation – e.g. they make lots of foreign-made power tools that are still pro grade offerings, so maybe they are hoping consumers will view the hand tools the same way.
Williams also makes quality USA-made tools at good prices – though a lot of their catalogue is Taiwanese produced now (still good though). Williams lacks the brand recognition Milwaukee has with regular retail customers though.
Kunkel
The convenience of a packout set might swing some folks too (when it inevitably arrrives). Hell I’m just hacking on shit in my house/shed/car, and soon to have a rental home if all goes well…. but I have a major clutter problem and I’m thinking of overspending on a number of things just to shortcut my disorganization issues. Seems like a good way to get premium money out of folks who otherwise wouldn’t look at premium tools, cuz otherwise I wouldn’t think of going much above the bargain bin for stuff like this.
blocky
I’m firmly in the category of “uses these tools regularly but does not need top tier”; however, I see tremendous value proposition for the Milwaukee sets in their excellent cases -which is THE pain-point of most portable socket sets IMO.
Joe
That is stupid
A W
I upgraded to Milwaukee from an old set of Craftsman USA ratchets, and I really like these. The portable case design is nicer than anything else I have, and they have a smooth ratcheting mechanism with great sockets.
They definitely feel more premium, on par with my old SK or Proto sets than with the Craftsman, Gear wrench or Kobalt tools.
Nathan
I would point out that for alot of people just the high tooth count feels like more quality. I hear that alot when I hand someone my tekton ratchet. It’s smaller head 90th. Like the upper tier gear wrench or the new kobalt etc etc.
Just going to higher tooth count squares up the anvil to pawl interface and to be smooth requires just a bit of polish. One thing I notice between say a gear wrench or a dewalt vs a SK is the noize. But you have to use an SK 80Th or the LP90.
TL:DR – tooth count plays alot into ratchet quality and feel.
Jim Felt
I’ve a question.
Are all Milwaukee ratchets friction fit (non quick release) only? And not quick release?
If so I wonder why that’s their decision?
Tom D
They are – i assume there’s a durability question but I’m not sure. Quick release would be nice.
Mr. X
I like the full polish design. Anyone wanting more grip could apply any number of different coverings from hockey tape to Plasti-Dip. I missed the discussion about country of origin, but these would be much more attractive to me if they had a Made-in-USA label on them.
Ky
Looks good. I’d be interested it it came in a small compact set and case.
r
is any of this new hand tool stuff part of a official press thing? I saw a YT with all kinds of pictures but the milwaukee site hasn’t update with that stuff and none of the other resources seem keen on linking to it.
Stuart
Most of the tools in their automotive tool expansion were introduced with recent press releases. More details on these ratchets and other remaining tools will likely be available soon, as well as preorder pages at online retailers.
riskin
I have the pig set ()SAE and metr) in 3/8 drive. It works great and the square drive does more than prevent roll away, it allows you to grab the socket with a wrench. with the shorter sockets, this creates a very low profile.
OldDominionDIYer
I own several of the Milwaukee hand tool offerings and each one is really great quality. What separates them from the high end brands is their lack of options such as the stubby and XL length ratchets they now offer. They have a long way to go but if they are truly interested in getting in to the game in a serious way they will need to do a lot more of this, and for now I think they are very serious. I love their flat sided sockets, I mean what a wonderful world if every time you set down a socket it was on a perfectly flat surface, but we know that’s at best only half the time, these have been great for my backyard mechanic forays, makes the task just a bit more enjoyable. Needless to say I’m a fan.
Harry
What, no Flex Heads? I can’t believe they would introduce stubby and long ratchet versions without any flex head ratchets.
eric
Look so slippery!
Tmedina
Looks like I’m in for an extended 1/4 ratchet after scuffing my knuckles because some idiot mounted a power distro box in front of a motorized roller and the control card.
I wish Tekton had more of a 1/4 offering, but oh well.
JDubNC
I won a set of 1/4” & 3/8” at a supply house raffle, went ahead and bought the 1/2” set to satisfy my OCD. They are just okay. No way I would have paid full price for them. My go to sockets are Matco Eagle (Taiwan) & Wright impacts (USA). My favorite ratchet handles are Carlyle extended cushion grip (which are exactly the same as GW 90T). Weekend warrior, I work on ATV/SXS & tractors mainly because I enjoy it.