Replies

1. 
   Sancho | Jun 17, 2004 04:45pm | #1

   Well Jeff,

   I use the milwaukie hammer drill. It at least for me a good multiuse tool. You could also look at their holehog. Its a pretty good drill

    

   Darkworksite4:

   El americano pasado hacia fuera ase la bandera

2. 
   MajorWool | Jun 17, 2004 10:52pm | #2

   I like my Makita 6302. 0-550 RPM and variable speed. $115 at Toolseeker, though it is 6.5A and not 5.2 as they list.

   http://www.powertools.com/Drill/Electric/6302.asp?var1=6302

3. 
   jackplane | Jun 17, 2004 10:57pm | #3

   I agree with Ron T. Milwaukee is a big step up from Skil. Their 1/2" drill has plenty of power and is well-made.

1. 
   gubawatts | Jun 17, 2004 11:46pm | #4

   Milwaukee's 1/2" hole shooter, lots of torque, I've had mine for 4 years, lots of use and no complaints.

1. 
   Scooter1 | Jun 17, 2004 11:54pm | #5

   Hole Shooter. I have two; I use one to mix masonry products. Its over 10 years old and has never died on me.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

4. 
   IMERC | Jun 18, 2004 12:20am | #6

   Milwaukee is the cornor stone to all others....

   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!
   

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jun 18, 2004 01:50am | #8

   Hole Hawg. <grunt>

   http://www.totalgrandrental.com/images/Hole%20Hawg.jpg

   life size photo - 934K

1. 
   IMERC | Jun 18, 2004 01:52am | #9

   Magums <more grunt>

   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!

1. 
   Jeff | Jun 18, 2004 04:02am | #11

   Come on guys, give me a break.

   I need a general use 1/2" drill.

   I have others drills.

   Jeff

1. 
   jarcolio | Jun 18, 2004 04:07am | #12

   Bosch hass a decent 1/2'' that won't quit

2. 
   Sphere | Jun 18, 2004 04:11am | #13

   I'll take few hits here..but..I've had a DW rightangle (or not, the chuck is adapTable) for yrs..works like a champ. Had a holesaw lock up drilling over head, and that drill picked me right up offa a stepladder..175lbs. plus tool belt..motor hummed till I let off the trigger, and eased down again.

   Thousands of large holes, never a complaint 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

3. 
   901Hal | Jun 18, 2004 04:19am | #14

   I have used, and at times abused, the Milwaukee Magnum hole shooter for about 17 years. I think it is a model 234. Mine has the plastic gear housing, and the newer models have a metal gearcase that should be even more abuse resistant. I like the Quickloc cords; I often use my drill with a 25 footer. The trigger is a bit different, it encourages you to use other fingers to control the drill and puts your palm more in the axis of the hole. Motor brushes change out easily as a cartridge, and spares are built in.

4. 
   IMERC | Jun 18, 2004 04:51am | #15

   We did... The top dog here is the Milwaukee... Hands down...

   Milwaukee has a drill to fullfill any desire you have. Ya can't miss...

   GP wise.... Model # series 0200 or 0300. 1/2 or 3/8 chucks. Speeds up to 2800 RPM. Way many to pick from....

   My collection of Milwaukee drills have been at it for over 25 years....

   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!

   Edited 6/17/2004 9:56 pm ET by IMERC

5. 
   IMERC | Jun 18, 2004 04:53am | #16

   Milwaukee has drills that yur kids can handle or put stark terror into the heart of Tim Taylor...

   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!

6. 
   Jeff | Jun 18, 2004 02:32pm | #17

   I'll be at the store today and look at all the suggestions.

   Thank you

   Jeff

7. 
   IMERC | Jun 18, 2004 05:15pm | #18

   Allrighty then...

   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!

8. 
   RichBeckman | Jun 21, 2004 03:08am | #19

   Jeff,

   So what did you buy??

   I got here too late (and it doesn't matter because I do not have the necessary experience to offer an endorsement), but...

   Not long ago when I was at Lowes I closely looked over the 1/2" drills because my current drill (a DW 1/2" hammer drill) seems to be on its last legs.

   I'm thinking that I probably want to end up with a 1/2" drill and a separate hammer drill (though I'm gonna have to reread this thread).

   Anyways, just to look at the drills and read the specs (and this is just amoung the drills at Lowes), two drills were clearly superior. The Milwaukee and the Hitachi. And if I had to buy without plugging them in and drilling something, I'd buy the Hitachi. It really seemed solid.

   So what did you buy?

   Rich Beckman

   Another day, another tool.

9. 
   Jeff | Jun 21, 2004 03:04pm | #20

   End result was the milwaukie.

   I liked the feel and it fit my needs perfectly.  Matches my older Milwaukie hammer/drill.

   I almost took the Porter/Cable, but the Milwaukie balanced better in my hand.

   Can't say the Bosch or Makita were bad, just didn't like the feel as much.

   Jeff

5. 
   WorkshopJon | Jun 18, 2004 12:35am | #7

   Any feelings as to a good choice?

   Jeff,

   I'm a big fan of Milwaukee Tools.  They are Rugged and reliable, and will last a lifetime.  Unfortunately, they often are not as ergonomic and cutting edge as other stuff out there.

   We have what amounts to a MKE 5300 at work.

   rView Image

   Great rugged reliable drill.  That's all I can say about it.  I also own a Makita 6013.

   
   Not as reliable. But I have yet to toast it, and I've abused it, but it is only a matter of time (lots of sparks from the brushes) lately.  Ergonomically, and from a torque perspective,better than the MKE drill. I like that one can unscrew the handles in a bind to get into tight spots.

   Jon

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/17/2004 5:37 pm ET by WorkshopJon

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/17/2004 5:38 pm ET by WorkshopJon

6. 
   joeh | Jun 18, 2004 03:27am | #10

   I have a Milwaukee 1/2", good drill. And  a Holehawg, good drill. And a 3/8" Magnum, good drill.

   Milwaukee's the one if it's got a cord on it.

   Joe H

7. 
   Fonzie | Jul 09, 2004 06:24am | #21

   I have a Makita I bought in early '70's and have used ever since.  I've changed the cord several times and it has broken every side screw-in handle (a couple from other drills fit then broke).  I've always thought it could break a wrist if not held right. 

   I remember the vsr switch went out the first week I had it and Makita had it back within a week and the switch has never went out since (Lucerne brand switch). 

   I pop the plastic seals out of all the Makita sealed bearings and re grease.  Especially the bearing by the brushes is critical.  There is no seal in this bearing, but it will get dry first, then shake, spark at the brushes, and burn out your armature.  I have found about any grease will do.

   Fonzie

1. 
   Jeff | Jul 09, 2004 01:54pm | #22

   Fonz

   I had an old Skill Hammer drill like that.

   Bought it back in the 70's.

   Too bad they don't make them like that anymore.

   Jeff