In another post, someone mentioned whether Milwaukee offered any impact sockets. While they don’t have a very rich lineup of impact sockets and drive accessories, they do have a couple of deep thin-wall sockets.
To start, there are 3/8″ and 1/2″ starter sets, both with 1/2″ and 9/16″ sockets, and 1/4″ hex to square drive adapters.
I have a few sockets that were bundled in Shockwave bit assortments, but also a few packs of these same 3pc sets. Sometimes a nut drive doesn’t provide the best results for longer lag screws, but these do the trick.
Buy Now(1/2″ set via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(3/8″ set via Home Depot)
There’s also a 1/4″ drive set, and according to Milwaukee Tool, it’s a metric set. I have yet to find a listing of its socket sizes.
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Some retailers carry this 3/8″ 8pc imperial socket set. It features thin-wall deep sockets like the other sets, but a socket rail instead of a carrying case. Socket sizes include:
- 5/16″
- 3/8″
- 7/16″
- 1/2″
- 9/16″
- 5/8″
- 11/16″
- 3/4″
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Lastly, a set that will probably find its way off my wishlist and into my toolbox this holiday season, is a 9pc 1/2″ drive Shockwave impact socket set.
It includes a hex to 1/2″ square drive adapter, and the following socket sizes:
- 3/8″
- 7/16″
- 1/2″
- 9/16″
- 5/8″
- 11/16″
- 3/4″
- 7/8″
Buy Now(via Acme Tool)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Home Depot’s price is better on the 1/2″ set, and Acme Tools’ price is better on the 1/4″ drive. (Don’t forget about the Acme Tools coupon code that’s active right now.)
By no means are these the best impact sockets money could buy. But they’re good. Construction brands’ impact sockets tend to be a one-size-fits-all solution. Sometimes you want shallow sockets, other times deep, and occasionally you might want a replacement or extra socket for just one size – good luck with that.
I’ve bought Milwaukee Shockwave impact sockets before, and can guarantee that I’ll buy more. Part of the reason is how they’re conveniently widely accessible.
So, to sum it up – yes, Milwaukee impact sockets do exist. They don’t really shine a light on them often, but they’re out there, and they don’t suck. That last part isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement, I know, but I thought it to be a fair and accurate description.
Is This a Test?
The two 3pc sets – okay, those are common construction fastener socket sizes in 3/8″ and 1/2″ drive. A 3/8″ socket set with metal organizer rail? Sure. Metric 1/4″ socket set with a nice-looking case? What about imperial? 3/8″? Finally, there’s the inch 1/2″ socket set, also with a similar good-looking case. What about metric?
Are they testing the market?
My understanding of how Milwaukee Tool operates suggests that their Shockwave impact socket product offerings each target very specific users and audiences. But that doesn’t quite help me feel any baffled at the lack of consistency.
So either they’re testing the market, they’re targeting very specific users, or there are more offerings that simply aren’t listed on Milwaukee’s website or retailers’ catalogs.