Well the time as come for me to buy ANOTHER NEW TOOL (oh boy!). I’ve had a Skil 3/8″ drill for a number of years and I got it second hand. It’s starting to wear out as I can move the chcuk from side to side a bit. In my opinion it moves too much. I really wanna buy a newer and larger size drill though.
I was looking through a bunch of online tool companies to see what was on sale this month and the amount of drills on the market by all of the big name tool companies is overwhelming. I think there’s just TOO MANY drill models out there.
So I’d like to know what you guys have used for the last few years in terms of an 1/2″ drill? I don’t want a hammer drill as I already have one. I just want a 1/2″ drill for “plaine ole drilling”. I usually buy Dewalt but have a scatter tool by Makita & Bosch and have been very well pleased with all of them so I don’t prefer one company over another.
I’d like to hear from you guys on what experinces you’ve had with your drill(s). What models number(s) do you have now?
Paul
Replies
PaulGC,
There isn't a anything superior to Milwaukee.
re; Milwaukee ........ Unless you can find an old Sioux brand drill in a thrift shop or at a garage sale.
Have at least one of about every brand (many broken<G> bought for parts) and the old Sioux drills are the very best of all.
Looked to see if they still made any of the type drills I have, their web site shows only pneumatic tools ?
If you can find a Craftsman 1/2 drill from the 70's (100% aluminum housing, 3 prog plug) those are pretty good also.
It won't make you happy, but I think you may see the remnants of the Souix line, wrapped in yellow plastic, in the DeWalt (Black and Decker) section of the store.
I don't care if the tools are made by Keebler's Elves, at night, working second jobs. :D
That said, I do expect more from a name-brand than from, say, Harbor Freight. I also find it interesting to note that I haven't seen any of the US corporate executives - those responsible for sending manufacturing overseas - driving around in Mexican, Chinese, or Indian cars. Maybe the third world isn't quite 'top of the line' after all :D More important, though, is using the right tool for the job. The corded 1/2" drill is, IMO, a tool whose time has come .... and gone.
"More important, though, is using the right tool for the job. The corded 1/2" drill is, IMO, a tool whose time has come .... and gone."
OK. Let's see you cut 2 1/2" holes in framing lumber all day long. How many batteries will you need? ;)
Then I'd get a corded impact driver .... no more arm-twisting!
"I also find it interesting to note that I haven't seen any of the US corporate executives - those responsible for sending manufacturing overseas - driving around in Mexican, Chinese, or Indian cars."
They might well be ........ GM, Ford, and Dodge all build vehicles in Mexico as does VW. International, too. The Chevy Equinox uses a Chinese built motor. Indian based Tatra Motors owns Jaguar. One of my brothers who has had an auto repair business for thirty years shows me a box that says "Genuine GM Parts, Made In India"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. P. J. O'Rourke
I'll have a clever reply, as soon as I get my foot out of my mouth :D
so just how many US corporate executives have you personally seen driving around period?????????
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Personally? I wouldn't know one if he came up to shake my hand. Yet, my work does take me into sundry corporate parking lots, where I park my rig somewhere between the 'reserved' and the handicap' spaces. (One of the nice things about having a work truck). Indeed, for "business" reasons, Nevada seems to attract the sort of firms whose "international" scope involves a local plant, as well as several overseas. I have yet to see a VW Bug (Mexico), Tatra (India), or Xebra (China) anywhere in any of these lots - let alone in the "Reserved for ..." spaces.
Indeed, when my work has me there after hours, and my only company is the 'no habla' cleaning crew .... I don't see these cars either. Lots of Chevy's, though. New one, that I can't afford ... but that's another story. Some of these guys do drive Jaguars ... but those cars, I can guarantee they are made with love in London ... and not beat out on a rock in the Punjab!
"The corded 1/2" drill is, IMO, a tool whose time has come .... and gone."
Funny how I reach for my Milwaukee over anything else. Try and drill steel or masonry or hole saw ...
I have the keyless chuck and it works just fine. Ditto on using the aux handle for anything serious - this drill has enough torque to either (a) jump out of your hand or (b) break something - like your wrist.
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Jeff
Edited 8/9/2008 9:53 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke
Try an impact driver .... you might choose to edit your post afterwards.
I was just trying to point out that YOUR experience was limited enough that the whole corp world should not be judged by it.As I read corp reports and articles about leadership and review such things from an investors POV, I see lots of times where the CEO drives a 6-8 YO modest car and carries a peanut butter sandwich in a brown paper bag, emblematic of how frugally they manage their businesses. I know a couple of them right here who have cars older than mine and simply do not put on airs about what they drive or how they dress.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I agree with Frenchy. I have a Mil magnum Hole shooter 1/2" and 3/8" and a drywall gun. all top shelf. the 1/2" installed eye lags daily for 7 years. It finally needed a new case from dragging it around by a 14' screw pole. But it's still going strong as ever.ML
Edited 8/7/2008 2:04 pm by MSLiechty
To me different tool manufacturers excel with individual types of tools. For corded drills it's Milwaukee.
Guys are Bosch drills reliable? Everything else they make has excellent reviews.
Paul
prefer mil for drills. Have owned other brands, but keep coming back to Mil.
PaulGC
Buy whatever you want.. Most have stated their preferance for Milwaukee and with good reasons as well.
Now I believe that not everything one color is the best.. I like Mikita but not for everything I like some Hitachi but again not everything.. I hate Porter Cable but they do make the best routers..
etc..
I have a Dewalt 18V, a Ridgid LI 18V, and a Bosch 12V - all 1/2". The Bosch is the best. The DeWalt and Ridgid each have their own advantages. I get 90% of my work done with these. I probably use the Ridgid the most now if the job is not too heavy because the batteries charge so quickly. Any one of those is just fine.For heavier work, I pull out the Boschhammer SDS-Plus. I bought the chuck that fits into the SDS slot for this hammer drill and have never regretted it. When the other drills bog down, this one always gets the job done. It's big and heavy, but when I need it, it is there.All of them have proved to be quite reliable. I wore out one DeWalt 18V after about eight years.The Bosch 12V seems to me to be just as powerful as the other 18V drills, even more powerful that the Ridgid LI. The problem with the Bosch is the charging time, but with two batteries, it has not been a problem. I just pull the other battery off of the flashlight while the other one is charging.
Milwaukee. Without a doubt. Never buy the keyless chuck though. There are 2 models that have the same motors but one has more RPM. I would go with the lower RPM, it has more ballz. Watch your wrist though, it will break it in a hurry.
"It is what it is."
I'm still using the corded Bosch I bought when I was a newbie, so that is well over twenty years, and I think it was recondidtioned when I bought it. I used to be a fan, but experience with current Bosch stuff is mixed. PC and Milwaukee make good drills.
Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
I'd second Milwaukee.
I have a Dewalt corded drill, and am very underwhelmed. The jacket on the cord started to disintegrate in a relatively short amount of time.
i bought a milwaukee 1/2 and I haven't managed to get it stuck yet, it doesn't have the speed needed for drilling doors or other high speed applications. however it is indestructable, and i haven't been able to stop it yet. My dad has the same one probably 10 years old.
My partner has a cheapy makita 1/2 corded,keyless chuck drill and it is small and has lots of speed for doors and euro hinges and lots of predrilling. I burnt through a 3/8 ridgid drill in less than 6 months.
Milwaukee....
nothing like them...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Paul,
Check out ebay. A lot of people bought Milwaukee tools being clearanced at Lowes recently and are now selling them on ebay. I think you can find a drill at a pretty decent price. Saw lots of 1/2" drills for sale.
Milwaukee Hole Shooter I've got one for at least twenty years. Can't beat it for power Its not extremely fast,(Due to gear reduction,) but
that pup will drill through steel concrete and hard wood with minimum of heat build up.
Great for hole saws. Comes with detachable line cord which only was replaced once. Also, has a removable grip handle for use when two hands are needed.(and wrists are in jeopardy). Safe drillers swear by them.
Mine cost me A hundred bux new and nowadays they're a bit more. I expect to use it another twenty years, then sell it on eBay for more than I paid for it. Steinmetz.
Only issue I have with the Mil. Hole Shooter is the trigger is the full length of the handle- hard to release in a hurry when it binds and starts to break your wrist!Bill
That is the issue I have with them. I had one spin on my with a 2 1/2 inch hole saw. The trigger kept getting hit by my hand before I could get it away. After that we always use the side handle.
I bought the milwaukees because you can't tear them up.
I lucked into a deal and got the half inch for 80.00 and the three eighths for 60. The three eighths is a keyless though.Webby
Corded....Milwaukee still is king. I have 2 of them and a right angle triple gear plus their full line of 18v cordless.
Bosch's hammer drill is awfully good.
Milwaukee here too but with a caveat; buy one of their older design drills such as the 0234-6. I've use a couple of their new generation drills and came away disappointed. Gutless wonders, easy to stall and I don't like the ergonomics, the drill body is longer and they feel nose heavy. The newer design drills have a more powerful motor (8 amps vs 5.5) but less gear reduction.
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P. J. O'Rourke
Once you're in the industrial rated drills and you've decided what specs you want I say buy what feels best in your hand.
Do you do just drilling, or do you do mixing as well with your drill?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
Just some scatter drilling. I really don't use my drill that often, it's just that I want something reliable and will last me for years to come.
paul
I have a Milwaukee Magnum 1/2" corded drill.
Very nice, no complaints- but I have had it for a while.
That said, Milwaukee is owned by the same company that owns Ryobi- ITI Holdings or something like that.
Home Depot has inked a deal with Milwaukee and Makita to become exclusive retailers of those brands- don't know if that also includes online sales or just brick and mortar stores. There is "exclusive" signage in some stores in my area.
Milwaukee is moving production to China.
Makita has moved production to China. I have not seen any new corded Makita tools that are US made. All of their 18V LXT line is now outsourced.
The quality that both are known for may no longer exist.
I bought my Milwaukee drill over 10 years ago and paid good money for it- over $120.00. The retail price has stayed about the same, but they have eliminated things like the Quick Lock cord that mine has compared to new models. I don't know what other changes have been made inside the housing.
New Milwaukee tools say "Milwaukee USA" on them, not "Made in USA".
I would have a hard time paying premium dollars for something made in China. I would personally buy from Harbor Freight before I paid for the Milwaukee or Makita name on a Chinese sourced tool. If DeWalt is still made in Mexico, that would be my first choice.
Heck, even HILTI is making stuff there... the company I work for got me a brand new HILTI rotary hammer, and it is Chinese. Big disappointment.
Edited 8/7/2008 6:29 am ET by danski0224
I really don't think you're going to get around the made in China thing. Remember "Made in Japan" and what that meant?
If large companies like Milwaukee or Makita maintained quality control I don't understand why being made in China makes a difference.
I think that no matter where it's made, it's ultimately the companys decision to modify the product for better or worse.
USA is just not a big manufacturing country for this type of thing anymore.
Today's "Made in China" is so much larger in scale than yesterday's "Made in Japan".
Look at the wholesale environmental destruction being wrought by the desire for cheap goods and inflated profits created by low wholesale prices.
Adding insult to injury, the "savings" from outsourcing is not being passed to the consumer in the form of lower prices. Makita and Milwaukee ship manufacturing to China and the retail prices stay the same.
Makita didn't lower the price of the 18v LXT tools when production went from Japan to China.
Milwaukee didn't lower the price of their close quarters drill when production went from USA to China.
"Adding insult to injury, the "savings" from outsourcing is not being passed to the consumer in the form of lower prices. Makita and Milwaukee ship manufacturing to China and the retail prices stay the same."Look at the prices of similar tools from 10 - 15 years ago. Price are usually the same. Compare that with other other items..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
You are partially correct...
Consider that the Makita LXT kit was made in Japan when it was first released a couple of years ago, but now it is made in China and the price stayed the same.
And, as consumers, most do not know what corners were cut inside the tool over the years to maintain pricing.
maybe not so much as to maintaining pricing but to increasing profit margin...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
What has happened to the cost of the copper in the motor during that time period..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
up but I'm sure that has been offset by a large margin by the lower cost of off shore labor...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"the "savings" from outsourcing is not being passed to the consumer in the form of lower prices."yes and no...
Not that I am any fan of stuff made in china, but prices for tools have been relatively the same in dollars for twenty years now. I bought circ saws for 125-145 back then and that is about what I'd pay now.Sawsalls around 125 still too.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I've had zero need for a corded 1/2" drill for at least the past decade.
Naturally, when I finally gave in, bought a Milwaukee, the dang thing broke on the second hole - leading to an absolute nightmare trying to get warranty service. It seems the folks at Milwaukee consider drilling into 2x4's to be 'abuse.' Therefore, I cannot join the chorus on this topic.
But, back to what has replaced all need for a corded 1/2" drill ....
My cordless drills were once perfectly adequate; yet, they also see little use.
The tool that replaces the drill in the vast majority of applications is my cordless impact driver. Drilling wood to 1 3/8", drilling sheet metal to 1 1'8", driving screws ... the impact driver leaves the drills in the dust. It fits in tighter spaces, too.
Anything in masonry larger than 1/4" gets the roto-hammer.
If I need to use large hole saws or auger bits, my Harbor Freight clone of the Hole-Hawg gets the nod.
Harbor Freight? Yup. When I had one of their tool fail after a very few uses, THEY exchanged it right away, no problem. Ironic, isn't it?
"The tool that replaces the drill in the vast majority of applications is my cordless impact driver. . . . Anything in masonry larger than 1/4" gets the roto-hammer."
I'm with you so far (tho' I still prefer a drill for making holes & the ID for driving), but what about mixing mortar and mud? That 1/2" corded is pretty much the only thing that'll do it.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
That's why I asked about his application for it earlier. Keep in mind though, you really have to know the required mixing RPM of the material BEFORE you buy the drill. Some materials require a very low RPM for mixing.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
I knew there was a reason I avoided masonry! Actually, though ... for mixing heavy stuff, the 1/2 drill is a bit over-fast and over-taxed. If you're not going to use a hole-hog, perhaps you ought to consider a dedicated task-specific tool for the job. Here's one example:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93841 Please note the handle design, which is SO much easier on the wrists!
"for mixing heavy stuff, the 1/2 drill is a bit over-fast and over-taxed."
Well, a regular drill is. I use my Milwaukee right-angle. Just right.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
How do you run bits over 3/8" in the Impact Driver? I know paddle bores go up to a certain size... you use those in metal?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
For drilling in wood, I use the Irwin Speedbor Max bits. These are sort of like a cross between a paddle bit and an auger. Even my 9.6v impact driver can easily bore several 1 3/8 holes through a 2x4 on a charge. Fro sheet metal, I have a 'Unibit" with the requisite 1/4 hex shank. Superb control. use an ordinary bit for the pilot hole (with a hex shank, though).
You can also get a three jaw chuck with a hex shank adapter for impacts. I have one for my makita and one for my dewalt. The dewalt will fit both, the Makita won't fit the dewalt. It fits but the ball detent wont grab. It is handy but adds to the length and is only a 3/8 chuck.
Webby
Edited 8/7/2008 10:19 pm ET by webby
I bought a Makita for about $129. forget the model but I have had it for 11 years and it still works perfectly! I have even dropped it from a roof and nothing happened.
I am sold on it.
My $59 Ryobi impact driver got dropped off the roof an average of twice a week for about 3 months.
I bent alot of bits, but it still works perfectly.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
"My $59 Ryobi impact driver got dropped off the roof an average of twice a week for about 3 months."That takes the meaning of klutz to a whole new level!;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
sounds like Mil wins.
I just bought a new Mil sidewinder (my 20 year old one finally is retired) and new Mil Sawzall. (The guy I work with was ready to throw it out the window cause every time he needed to change the blade he had to get the allens wrench) I miss the HIT.
I am really happy with both Mil products but I gotta tell you my old Hitachi 1/2" drill has been real good to me. It is still running strong so I wont be replacing for a while, I hope.
I have never really thought about this before. I never considered drills especially unique. Put a motor on the end of a chuck and turn it on. But as I read thru this thread, I have been doing inventory present and past.I have had two skill drills that died an early death and left me unhappy.One old Sears( the top D handle monster) That drilled an awfull lot of steel roofing panels and a fair amt of mixing before it died. For $49 I got my money's worth out of it.another sears that sh!t the bed within a month. I upgraded to their 'industrial' model 3/8" in the warrantee exchange. still have it, but it has a lot of arbor wobble so haven't used it much in the last ten years.I had a Bosch 1/2" that I burnt out - mixing mud so I can't fault the drill - except that the Milwaukee 1/2" I replaced it with has mixed twice as much since then.I also have a Mil 1/2" hammer drill and a PC same. Like the Mil better.So after thinking it through, I have to say Milwaukee has the best in my experience.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
One more vote for the Milwaukee magnum. I just used it today and it reminded me of what a real drill should be.
I have the cordless Makita, Milwaukee, and a corded dewalt and they seem like toys compared to the Milwaukee magnum. Alot of torque for a small 1/2" drill, so the side handle is used for serious drilling.
I bought the 99' Anniv. special made in US. for about $150.
I have the same anniv. model which came with the metal case (now used for hole saw, auger, and bit storage), paid $120. It has drilled (and sawn) many holes, mixed a lot lot of mud. This drill rocks.
I feel lucky to have the Magnum and Sawzall, both made in the USA, call 'em 'vintage', because I have the distinct feeling that we will never see Milwaukee tools made like this ever again.
I got the anniv. sawsall at the same time too, both have the black metal case. I use totes for both tools, the metal cases are for storage, etc. I have used the magnum for mixing mud a few times, but I just couldnt stand to see the mud get on such a nice drill, so I bought a bigger 1/2" el cheapo drill for mixing mud. I havent tried the newer Milwaukees made overseas, so I cant really compare the two. I think your right, the made in USA Milwaukees are vintage tools, unless they decide to make a USA 100th anniv. special in 2024.
Kenhill3
ahve you had a chance to use Milwakee's self feeding bits?
What a wonderful way to make holes! I built my whole house using them and that means thousands of inch and a half holes drilled into white oak and balck walnut. Obviously that sort of wood is highly finished and in my case will eventually have wooden pegs installed. The holes wind up smooth and finished so it's simple to glue in the peg and have the result come out looking great!
They have them in sizes up to 4 5/8ths wich requires you to brace the drill or plan on a trip to the hospital for a cast.
But you should see how nice the hole was thru 14 inches of black ash!
Want to avoid the twisted shoulder? Milwaukee makes an impact driver with a larger chuck, just for driving the self-feed bits.
I have the Milwaukee 0299-20. This is a great drill with alot of torque. Bought it after reading the tools of the trade article on 1/2 inch drills. The only drill that came close was the Makita DP4000. Both of these drills will easily mix mud, drive lags, bore large holes up to 2and 9/16 with a self feed bit, and drill large bits and augers.
I couldn't be happier with my drill. The Hitachi did well in the test too. You can read the test results on the tools of the trade website under the tool test tab. Also check reviews on Amazon and E-pinions. Good luck.
This is probably the question I have seen the most agreement on - especially regarding tools. Millwaukee. As JC21 mentioned, there are lightweight models that you don't want out there. The Magnum Hole Shooter may outlast you.
But if you want a monster to wrestle, check out the Hole Hawg.
I am very suprised that no one has mentioned Metabo/Walter.
They are bulletproof.... I have had mine since about 1980. They also have a slip clutch that negates the need for casts on your wrist
http://www.metabo.com/Product-catalogue-handheld-powertools.24048+M5790d971754.0.html
On a hill by the harbour
I'll second that....my buddy had a Walter hammer drill, I loved. I hadn't realized they had morphed into Metabo last time I bought a hammer drill, or I would have got that one. I have one corded Metabo in the shop here; excellent tool.
Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Hey Adrian,
Like all tool companies their tools are not all perfect.
That being said I think their drills and grinders are the best out there. Only problem is they are expensive............ You get what you pay for I guess.
On a hill by the harbour