Here’s what arrived this week – new Milwaukee MT500 lineman pliers! They were made in the USA with USA-sourced materials!
They feel broken-in and ready for use. The pliers arrived sans packaging, but it looks and feels like a final production sample.
I still cannot get over how great the pliers feel to open-and-close, far better than any lineman’s pliers I’ve ever purchased new before, including Klein, Channellock, and others.
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There’s a reason for the smooth feel – the pivot rivet is inserted robotically, with measurements taken as the handle is open and closed and the rivet set. (We saw this firsthand during a tour of Milwaukee’s new USA hand tool factory – oh how I wish I could have taken some photos to share with you!)
Thank you Milwaukee Tool!
If I rough them up a little, that will just add to their character. I’ll try not to abuse them too much though – I’ll save that for when I can get my hands on non-personalized retail samples.
Yup, I love my job.
Gady
Can you please post close ups of the jaws and possibly take some measurements?
Ben
Wow, Very interested in these!!
Ben
Especially if you say they feel better than Klein!
Jerome
That looks to be a very well made and great looking pair of pliers.
Very glad to see Milwaukee putting Americans first instead this being yet another imported product as unfortunately a large portion of their products are. So very important to see this in action. This is what professionals in the trades want and after 15 years in the trades I can tell you the tradesmen I know want quality American made products. Our domestic manufacturing is the best of the best and what makes our country great hard work.
Good going Milwaukee, we need to see MUCH more of this from other companies and in general.
MM
I couldn’t agree more. Seeing more quality USA made tools is always a good thing, and honestly more competition is great for the industry in general. In my opinion most of the American pliers makers have done very little innovation in recent decades, it’s just been more of the same thing. For example, Klein and Channellock make fine pliers but have they improved over the years? Have they really offered anything innovative recently? I’d say not really, they’re quality but they’re stuck in the past. Then you had European brands like Knipex and NWS really innovate and offer new and improved pliers while it seems that most other makers were just stuck selling the same ‘old designs…at least until the new design patents ran out and then they started copying Knipex–think about how many companies make copies of Cobras and Pliers Wrenches now. Or the forged “electrical installation” style pliers. It’s really nice to see serious effort happening in the US again, and hopefully this new competition will force their competitors to innovate and improve too.
The only US brand which I can think of that has done any real improvement of their pliers over the past 20 years is Snap-On but even then most of their pliers line is quite standard.
Stuart
Channellock made some changes around 10 years ago, not so much in how they construct their tools, but in where they were placing the pivot to create greater leverage.
https://toolguyd.com/new-channellock-368-8-high-leverage-linemans-pliers-review/
https://toolguyd.com/channellock-e-series-extreme-leverage-pliers/
Wilde also came out with flush-fastener slip-joint pliers around 10 years ago.
https://toolguyd.com/wilde-flush-fastener-pliers-review/
While not huge differences, these design improvements benefited the user experience.
MM
Channellock has done a few things but I felt they either fell into the category of “good idea but shoddy execution”, like their convertible inside/outside snapring pliers from 20+ years ago, or they were relatively insignificant improvements that the Euro brands figured out decades ago, like moving the pivot for “high leverage”.
Peter Fox
To be honest I have not been impressed with legacy manufacturing in the USA for a long time either.
On the subject of moving the pivot point to increase leverage while it may make sense on a cutter or lineman’s style. I see its as nothing but marketing wank on a long nose style. It wouldn’t have any appreciable impact on leverage for the primary gripping section and the cutters are generally not suitable for heavier tasks that would benefit from additional leverage.
Regarding flush fasteners on slip joints while a great idea and slight improvement, Wilde did not pioneer it, I have several pairs of western forge made craftsman slip joints that have a forged flush joint that are 20-25 years old. Not really a recent idea, more of a why has it taken so lone to become more common.
Any innovation and domestic manufacturing by Milwaukee is quite welcome as legacy manufactures have definitely fallen way behind. It is unfortunate that is took a foreign ownership to push domestic manufacturing forward, but you have to take what you can get I guess.
Ryan
A very similar thing happened with cars! The American auto industry was getting extremely complacent until foreign manufacturers like Toyota started upping the ante. In this scenario it was more focused on quality than innovation but it sure started putting the hurt on American companies. People blame unions for the past decline in American car companies but it was company leaders getting complacent!
Chris
We need to go back to basics and only buy American made only!!!!
Stuart
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that, if there are two comparable tools on the shelf, one imported at $15, and one USA-made at $25, that store is going to sell a lot more of the less expensive tool.
Derek
I’m not trying to be a smart$@/ but you know Milwaukee is owned by a Chinese corporation.
Ryan
Not exactly. The guy who co-founded TTI (and I believe is still the largest individual stakeholder) is a German ex-pat living in Hong Kong.
Brenda Holley
I wish it were that simple Chris I’m always looking for USA made but there’s not much out there I really don’t like buying from other countries but it’s either that or do with out and I’ve started to do without, Thanks for sharing
svtrader
When you stop shopping at Harbor Freight, we’ll believe you.
AlexK
“Yup, I love my job”……. Stuart, it makes me happy for you, seeing the pliers with TOOLGUYD (printed? etched?) on it.
I would love to see a post on “Yup, I love my job”, with comments from people saying what they love about their job.
I work part time at a Transfer Station aka “The Dump”. Last shift, I got a Troy Built gas string trimmer in perfect condition. The guy upgraded to a large Husqvarna and just passed it on. The week before, a Ryobi blower with 2ah battery and charger in like new condition. Also a small Stihl gas blower. It needed a carb, and “Sarge”, a vietnam vet is one of our wonderful customers who will fix things with small engines for free and give them away. Bosch barrel grip jigsaw, craftsman scroll saw, older Stanley block plane, 2016 macbook, Carver amp, NAD CD player etc. I luuv passing on good condition items to people who are in need. Great condition crutches and walkers to a lending closet, child booster seats to grandparents, saddles for family that home schools their kids…… on and on. Plus, I get to meet many people in the community. I LOVE MY JOB!
Stuart
The logo seems to be etched and has a nice physical texture to it. Seems indelible, compared to what I thought I knew about laser markings.
I try to avoid an “ooh, look at my new toys” attitude, but I am just too excited about these.
Mark
Looks like it is laser marked. Laser marking has lots of parameters that can be adjusted and affect the outcome from a discoloration on the surface all the way to a hole (etching) in the part.
Ryan
Alex, the joy it gives you to help people is really touching. A good reminder that there are caring people out there. You want some stories about people loving their jobs and I’m fortunate enough to have a story to share-
I’ve had a lot of jobs. Childcare, security, billing and invoicing, concrete removal, nursing student for 2 years, dispatching, health insurance broker… none ever felt right. Then I did a mobile oil change for an HVAC tech’s van and chatted with the guy. We talked about his job some.
Four years later and I’m now a commercial service HVAC technician and I LOVE MY JOB. I get to help people and keep my community running- grade schools, offices, churches, universities, hospitals, and more. People are usually happy when I show up. I get to work with my hands some days and strain my brain other days. I’m out in the sun and humidity and snow so others don’t have to be. When I get home and I’m worn out, someone else is better off because of it
I LOVE MY JOB.
AlexK
I didn’t see a price on the pliers. My Klien lineman are fine, but it doesn’t trigger the “feel good” part of my hand and brain, like when I pick up my knipex diagonal cutter. I’m not sure what the “magic number” is for me to consider buying these, once I pick them up and see how they make me feel. How a tool (or camera) feels in my hands is one of my pleasures in a life that isn’t always easy. A tool is a tool, and if I’m using someone’s equipment, anything is fine if it does the job, and is safe.
Wayne R.
All of my Klein nines trigger an “aah” every time.
928'er
I was fortunate to score a pair of Knipex VDE linemen’s pliers a couple of years ago when Lowes was clearancing them out to make space for their new line of Southwire chinese junk. Don’t remember what I paid for them but they were discounted to something like 70% off! Jaws just fall open and closed.
Sales person working the tool aisle asked me if Knipex was any good. I just gave him a kind of raised eyebrow look…
To borrow a line from Risky Business: Knipex, there is no substitute.
Stuart
I don’t have a price yet, other than “they will be competitively priced.” So, probably around the same as Klein.
OldDominionDIYer
Officially jealous! Dang they look nice!
Badger12345
Awesome! Stuart, please let us know how you like them in use. Cut some wires please!
NB
My assumption is that Milwaukee wants GSA contracts
Joe E.
Look at Milwaukee doing what Craftsman should have done already… make quality pliers here in the USA.
I’m on board. Milwaukee has earned more of my business.
What do you have to say, Stanley Black & Decker? Nothing I’m sure. Your customers only deserve poor quality, dollar store pliers from China.
Chris
SBD is literally working on that right now lol
Joe E.
Sockets, wrenches and ratchets. Not pliers.
Daniel L.
Super Slick!
Speaking of European brands like knipex, it certainly looks like milwaukee is taking a bit of inspiration from our friends across the pond.
It seems fair to say from your first impressions that milwaukee may have elevated USA-manufacturing above the likes of klein and channel lock…of whom it’s no secret that they make perfectly serviceable tools, but have certainly cut corners over the years. TBH, with how much Chinese manufacturing has improved over the past decade, it seems like some of those brands are limping by on their “USA” labeling. Or in the case of klein…on chasing an increasingly wide market share by branching out into hit-or-miss novelties.
Is it safe to say that we here in the states now have a solid alternative to the likes of gedore, NWS, Knipex, et al, that’s made domestically? It would certainly be nice to see a resurgence of a manufacturing ethos in the US with an eye towards quality, rather than the seemingly endless spiral to the bottom of cost cutting in service of margins and margin cutting in service of competition. Rinse, repeat.
TomD
There’s also the “airline problem” which is that a late comer to a market gets to buy all the latest and greatest equipment and process knowledge while the earlier companies usually keep using the equipment they’ve already purchased. So a new airline will be flying brand new jets that everyone loves, and the old airline will still be working off the capital spent ten years ago.
Something similar happens in poorer countries that are going from nothing at all to 5G wireless and fiber in the ground, because they never ran copper wire.
So Milwaukee, if they want (and it seems they do) have a bit of a built-in edge they can take advantage of.
Robert
Can generalize about the block obsolescence phenomena beyond airlines. Germany and Japan painfully had their industrial base flatten by us in WWII. So after the war, with a free trade life line from us, what industrial infrastructure they bought was cutting edge, while we had block obsolescence of our huge mass of industry, something like 40% of the world at that point. There’s drawbacks to both being the pace car and the drafting car.
Ryan
When can I buy them?
Ball_bearing
If when they start selling them, they do feel broken in, I will get a pair. I hate using valve grinding compound, as I fear it could lead to premature failure of the pivot, due to excessive wear if not properly cleaned.
Wayne R.
I use a lot of Liquid Wrench to flood that grit out, never had a problem.
I did loosen a couple pliers a bit too much though…
Chris
Are they available for purchase yet? If not do you know when?
A W
I’m super excited for these.
Ryan
Milwaukee or Dewalt: who has more tools manufactured in the USA?
Stuart
That’s a tough one.
I believe Milwaukee has more power tool accessories made here, plus corded Sawzall saws, and also some layout tools made at the Empire Level plant. Dewalt has… certain ToughSystem tool boxes and select cordless SKUs are made at one facility. There must be more, but I’m drawing a blank.
Justin
Just saw this show up in my news feed. I just ordered $500 worth of Milwaukee sockets and wrenches and misc hand tools. I cannot wait for the made in USA line to release, I didn’t buy any of the existing pliers or screwdrivers in anticipation of these new tools releasing. I am definitely going to buy them all as I’m rebuilding my mechanic tool box right now.
Stuart
The mechanics tools are not made here, but they’re excellent quality nonetheless. I bought a few sets 2 years ago to replace test samples, and have been loving them so far. I also still have Milwaukee-supplied tools that I enjoy using too.
I am extremely eager to get my hands on more of the new pliers and screwdrivers. We had some time with them at the factory, and I wish I could have taken some home with me.
Derek
(Electrician here) I like my Milwaukee linemans, but they are getting dull, want to replace them, but I new ones no longer have the 8/32 & 6/32 cutters…why did they get rid of that?!
Lukas
They didn’t. Click the link to the new plier lineup
Kevin
Can’t wait for these to hit the streets. Very eager to try them out. I love that Milwaukee is being smart about this and sticking to hand tools for domestic production. The early model with the bespoke laser marking is a nice little touch. Definitely looks like a keeper.
S. Patterson
You should pass them on to a electrician, we could help you with your review. Dexterity is great, but how do they cut?
Stuart
Sorry, this one has my name on it. =)
Cuts well, no complaints at all, but first few cuts don’t tell much. We abused the demo units, and they handled all manners of residential wires and cabling with ease. I’m eagerly waiting for production samples of the entire line for long-term testing.
Ct451
They look like well made quality pliers. The overzealous marketing of “these are the best” type is not making them more attractive.
NoahG
Really eager to try out the diagonal cutters.
Mike
Look nice – but do they hammer as good as Klein’s do????
Stuart
Oh, yes! That’s always my first test with new pliers. =)
1day@atime
As someone who has professional experience in several trades and who owns quite a few decades old American made hand tools, I’ve never quite gotten that degree of satisfaction from using them as opposed to my newer tools that are not American made. I have several crescent and channellock pliers that are older than myself along with some sheffield pliers out of England that still function well to this day. I have others that are so old that the name is no longer legible except for a few letters and several have the grips forged into the handles. That’s that old school American made tool quality that just can’t be replicated no matter how much technology improves. They’ve all stood the test of time and function very well after four generations of wear and tear. But that was to be expected of tools from back in the day no matter where they were made in the world. I could go on and on about how the nostalgia is supposed to mean something to me, but I would be lying if I said that it matters. It doesn’t. There’s no difference in how any of those tools functions compared to the recent tools that I use from outside of the United States. Truthfully, I don’t care where the tools I use are made. It makes no difference to me whether they were made in Malaysia or Indiana. I have several pairs of pliers that have faltered due to misuse both American made and foreign made. These don’t appeal to me any more than the tools that I already own and use. They’re no more special than the ones that I have that are older than myself which I rarely use with the exception of a few tools that can’t be replicated no matter how hard they try. Namely the wire strippers that I use. Nobody can come close to how well my vintage ideal automatic wire strippers work. I’ve tried them all and they all suck. There’s nothing fancy about them. There’s nothing to gloat or be boastful about. They don’t make me love my job any more or less than if I were to use a different style of pliers. They make my job easier for me but I could get by using something else if I had to. My tools are not a reflection of my skills. My tools are a reflection of my being too broke to afford cheap tools. Where your tools are from doesn’t make you a better tradesmen. What brand they are doesn’t make you a better tradesmen. Nostalgia for older tools certainly doesn’t make you a better tradesmen. Your skill set should be able to adapt to getting the job done using the worst tools as much as they should be able to adapt to using the best tools to get the job done. That’s what makes a skilled tradesman. This brings me to my next point :how many of you are going to buy these tools because you need them as opposed to you wanting to own a pair of American made pliers? You certainly should have a purpose to owning them besides their being made in the USA. At least I would hope so. If you already own seven pairs of linesman pliers, what possible reasons could you have for wanting to own these? It’s certainly not to serve a need being that you already own seven pairs of the same tool which is a bit excessive in its own right. So why would you buy them? Does that made in the USA factor compel you to want them even though you know that you don’t need them? Keep in mind however that Milwaukee is not an American brand of tools. They are headquartered in Hong Kong and traded publicly on the Japanese stock market. Not the NYSE. And as much as everyone wants to believe that they’re supporting a domestic brand in Milwaukee, the facts state otherwise. I really wish that I was wrong about this. But unfortunately I am not. It doesn’t matter that the ceo is German and moved to Hong Kong. It doesn’t matter that they have an American name for their brand. They are not American. You can’t purchase Milwaukee electric tool stock on Wall Street. Just as you can’t purchase ryobi stock on Wall Street. That’s the determining factor in whether or not an American corporation is an American corporation. Not the name brand.
Stuart
“Your skill set should be able to adapt to getting the job done using the worst tools as much as they should be able to adapt to using the best tools to get the job done.”
Ideally, sure. Realistically? No. Have you tried cutting dovetails with a low quality chisel that takes hours to get almost flat and only kind of sharp?
“The tools don’t make the craftsman” is true, but better tools can make one’s work better or easier.
Their HQ might be overseas, but they’re creating jobs HERE, paying taxes HERE, and all of their thousands of workers are buying homes HERE, paying taxes HERE, sending their kids to school HERE, and giving back to economies HERE. Buying USA-sourced materials sends money to other domestic businesses, who also support jobs and spend money HERE.
MM
I have often heard the phrase “only a poor workman blames his tools”. When I was younger I understood that statement in its most literal sense: that a good workman should be able to get the job done regardless of what tools he has, and that he should be able to produce good work without top-notch tools. One doesn’t need fancypants tools to do good work.
But the older I get the more I have a different interpretation of that statement. Now I think of it more like “a good workman maintains his tools and ensures he has the correct tools for the job”. Only a poor workman blames his tools because a good workman would not get into a position where he has the wrong tools for the job. Using the wrong tool for the job is usually counterproductive. It wastes time, it quite often risks damage to the work and the tools, and it is very often unsafe.
Derek
Is there a release date for these yet? I keep looking online but not seeing anything.