Milwaukee USA-Made Hand Tools are Launching in Mid-2023

Milwaukee Tool has been producing new pliers and screwdrivers in the USA, after opening their new hand tool factory in West Bend, Wisconsin several months ago.

A lot of people have been asking about when the new tools will be available. The new pliers and screwdrivers are not yet available at retailers, but should be soon.

At the start of 2023, I asked Milwaukee Tool for an update and received the following:

We received an overwhelming amount of excitement from the announcement of our new cutting pliers and screwdrivers. Our teams are working hard to deliver the most innovative and highest quality lineman’s, diagonal and long nose pliers, and screwdrivers from our new state-of-the-art production facility in West Bend, Wisconsin.

We are looking forward to getting these new hand tool solutions into the hands of our users in the middle of 2023.

Mid-2023 was the only official ETA I had been given so far.

If this estimate continues to hold true, I expect to see the first wave of new USA-made Milwaukee hand tools as early as May or June. July also counts as mid-year in my book.

The first wave of new USA-made tools will include pliers and screwdrivers. Here are the styles and sizes of pliers that will be included in the initial launch:

Lineman’s Pliers with Dripped Grips

• 9″ (MT500)
• 9″ w/ Crimper & Bolt Cutter (MT500C)
• 9″ w/ Thread Cleaner (MT500T)

Lineman’s Pliers with Comfort Grips

• 9″ (MT550)
• 9″ w/ Crimper and Bolt Cutter (MT550C)
• 9″ w/ Thread Cleaner (MT550T)

Long Nose Pliers

• 8″ Dipped Grip (MT505)
• 8″ Comfort Grip (MT555)

Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Dripped Grips

• 6″ (MT506)
• 7″ (MT507)
• 8″ (MT508)

Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Comfort Grips

• 6″ (MT556)
• 7″ (MT557)
• 8″ (MT558)

The pliers available for on-site testing had an incredibly smooth feel. Milwaukee designed their USA-made pliers to deliver “the smoothest open and close experience with no break-in period required.”

Here are the first of Milwaukee’s USA-made screwdrivers:

Phillips Screwdrivers with Cushion Grips

• #1 x 3″ (MT201)
• #2 x 4″ (MT202)
• #2 x 10″ (MT204)
• #3 x 6″ (MT203)

Slotted Screwdrivers with Cushion Grips

• 1/4″ x 4″ (MT206)
• 5/16″ x 6″ (MT207)
• 3/8″ x 8″ (MT209)

Cabinet-Style Slotted Screwdrivers with Cushion Grips

• 3/16″ x 3″ (MT211)
• 3/16″ x 6″ (MT212)
• 3/16″ x 8″ (MT213)
• 1/4″ x 10″ (MT214)

Demolition Screwdrivers with Cushion Grip

• Philips #2 x 6″ (MT205)
• Slotted 5/16″ x 6″ (MT208)
• Slotted 3/8″ x 8″ (MT210)

ECX Screwdrivers with Cushion Grips

• #1 x 4″ (MT215)
• #2 x 4″ (MT216)

Square Screwdrivers with Cushion Grips

• #1 x 3″ (MT217)
• #2 x 4″ (MT218)
• #3 x 6″ (MT219)

There will be 2 screwdriver sets at launch:

4pc Cushion Grip Screwdriver Set (MT200-4)

• Slotted 1/4″ x 4″ (MT206)
• Slotted 5/16″ x 6″ (MT207)
• Cabinet Slotted 3/16″ X 6″ (MT212)
• Phillips #2 x 4″ (MT202)

6pc Cushion Grip Screwdriver Set (MT200-6)

• Phillips #1 x 3″ (MT201)
• Phillips #2 x 4″ (MT202)
• Phillips #3 x 6″ (MT203)
• Cabinet Slotted 3/16″ x 6″ (MT212)
• Slotted 1/4″ x 4″ (MT206)
• Slotted 5/16″ x 6″ (MT207)

Milwaukee’s new USA-made screwdrivers feature machined tips that are laser-etched for increased grip, high-strength boron-infused steel shafts for increased hardness, cushion grip handles, and clear size markings.

Milwaukee says that their new drivers deliver a “precise fit” for reduced stripping, and “ultimate durability.”

Select screwdrivers will also feature knurled shafts for precision control, and others will feature a hex-ready bolster.

There are also 3 demo drivers, with metal hammer-ready strike caps.

All of the new USA-made pliers and screwdrivers will be backed by Milwaukee Tool’s “complete Lifetime Guarantee.”

Pricing details are not yet available.

Why are They Taking so Long?!

When we toured the new Milwaukee hand tool factory in August, 2022, production was up and running.

Read More: Milwaukee Tool Raises the Bar with New USA Factory

My understanding is that the initial rollout will require many tools, and it’s taking time to build up the necessary volume.

Milwaukee has many independent, online, and retailer tool dealers, with Home Depot the largest. According to Home Depot’s 2021 annual report, they have a little more than 2,000 stores in the USA.

Assuming Home Depot will carry Milwaukee’s new USA-made hand tools, even if not in main aisle promotional displays, the initial offering will involve many thousands of tools.

I have been in the factory, seen the manufacturing cells, and held early production samples in my hand.

The new USA-made Milwaukee hand tools are on the way.