Milwaukee 3/8-in. Socket Sets
It may be tough to believe, but Milwaukee has improved the typical 3/8-in. socket set.
With these new socket sets, Milwaukee has brought new features to a tool category that’s changed little in decades. They’ve taken their round sockets and put square sides on them, so you can grab them with a wrench when you need extra leverage. They’ve also put a new twist on the ratchet by including a swiveling head that allows you to start a nut or a lag screw and then turn the handle over when you want to loosen or tighten it. There is also a set screw you can tighten up to make sure the ratchet has enough tension. The socket sets come in fractional and metric versions.In addition to the eight deep-well sockets, each zipper-cased kit includes an adapter for hex-shank driver bits and 1/4-in. sockets.
Milwaukee 12-Piece 3/8-in. Drive Socket Sets
Product number: 48-22-9000 (SAE); 48-22-9001 (metric)
Price: $70 (SAE or metric)
Senior editor Patrick McCombe has been testing power tools on behalf of national publications for more than 15 years, and he regularly meets with product manufacturers to try out new introductions. In the Tool Tech series, Patrick reviews the latest tools and materials, discusses building technology, and shows time-tested techniques for better, more-efficient home building. Consider becoming an online member to watch other Tool Tech videos.
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Good idea squaring off the bottom of the socket although it can cause an access issue in mechanical applications since the size of the square seems larger than the external diameter of the socket. Might be an overthink since extra leverage on a socket is usually available from a longer ratchet handle. The ratchet design has been around and, from experience, it is a good one. Seems to live up to Milwaukee's reputation but not a set I'll be rushing out to buy.
The roto ratchet has been around for years. Looks to be a Stanley make, also branded as Husky at Home Depot.