how long do drills last?

[street131]

I have been looking for a used wired drill to buy. I have been using my dads old sears drill for years, but thought its time to buy my own. Now...generally do wired drills usually have a long lifetime where its worth it buying used?

 

[Trucky]

I've found that the only thing that usually gets screwed up with age is the cord... maybe that's just reckless owners. If I was you, I'd just grab about 120-140$ and go grab a pretty nice Milwaukee or DeWalt corded from the store and be done with it. You'll have it for a LONG time, if you don't abuse it.

Now if you're set on buying used, you'll wanna try it out and everything before you hand over any $, but I've never had to go that route. Just make sure the chuck and everything is good, and the motor works fine.

 

[ibedayank]

you get what you pay for
cheap=limited life

 

[cortez]

I've been using Milwaukee's 1/2 inch Magnum on the job almost daily for over 20 years (contracting) and it is an awesome drill.

Very powerful and replacement cords and brushes are available at your local Industrial supply house.

 

[hifi_hokie]

I have been looking for a used wired drill to buy. I have been using my dads old sears drill for years, but thought its time to buy my own. Now...generally do wired drills usually have a long lifetime where its worth it buying used?

Just IMO, I have a Hitachi 1/2" chuck corded drill that I got from my dad, and he had it for nearly as long as I've been around (I'm 25). The only thing that's been replaced on it is the cord, as previously mentioned - due to an unfortunate meeting with a paint mixing attachment

It's awkward and heavy and wants to dislocate my shoulder every time I fire it up, but for situations where you really don't want to get stuck halfway through...it's the one I grab first.

 

[blue dog]

I've been using Milwaukee's 1/2 inch Magnum on the job almost daily for over 20 years (contracting) and it is an awesome drill.

Very powerful and replacement cords and brushes are available at your local Industrial supply house.

ditto

 

[willyk57]

I will gladly throw in my support for Milwaukee's 1/2 in Magnum drill. I grew up using the 1/2 in Milwaukee my dad has had for 25 + years. My 1/2 in Milwaukee was the first power tool I bought when I moved out.

It never lets me down, the piece of mind is worth the money.

Best,
Willyk57
(First Post)

 

[diggerrick]

I highly recommend the 7.8A 1/2" DEWALT.

Lowe's has it for $90.

 

[W650Mike]

Milwaukee's 1/2 inch Magnum - 8 amps

Replaceable cord and enough power to do anything – if you can hang on.

 

[Trucky]

I highly recommend the 7.8A 1/2" DEWALT.

Lowe's has it for $90.

+2 on that. I have the 10A version, but they're both rather stout and very capable. I've only used smaller Mil's and they've never disappointed either, so I'd imagine the 1/2" should work quite good as well.

 

[2oolhound]

I've had a makita 9/16th for 10 years but it hasn't had much use. It's a hammer drill too so I bought it for installing concrete anchors. I've been using it lately for drilling an 18" 5/8th wood auger through some logs and it suckholes bad when the bit gets a little dull (salvaged logs off the beach). I can stall it by forcing it too much. After one hole it's too hot to hold and I've had it smoking. If I fry it I look at it like it's a cost of doing this job as there is a tool allowance built in to the contract price.

I'll give you a good deal on it as the project is near completion.

My point is, although the next day it seems fine and ready to go, all that over heating has to be damaging the integrity of the cooper windings and hindering their ability to conduct at full capacity. Buying used is a gamble. You save money up front but every job you ever do with the tool afterward you may not be getting full duty cycle from the tool so your work is slower and less efficient.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

My Milwaukee Magnum Hole Shooter is around 25 years old and runs like new. It does not look so new though. Low RPMs but, lots of torque.

Get one of these and it's more than likely the last one you will ever need to buy.

 

[nate379]

My free Black and Decker Industrial works great. Pulled it out of the trash cause it didn't work anymore. Brush holder broke and brush fell out. Little JB weld and that's all it took.
I don't use it often though cause it scares me. I dislocated a thumb with it a few years ago. Hole saw in 1/4" metal and it bound up. Spun right around, about broke my wrist too. I put a handle on it for the next time.

 

[dmw56]

I have my dad's old Crafsman 1/2" drill that's at least 45 maybe 50 years old. But it was made back when they built things to last. This one will also break your wrist it has so much torque.

I also have a Milwaukee 1/2" drill thats 30 years old and works fine.

 

[Chief]

When I bought my last corded drill 8amp c-man, I was looking for a hammer drill. Weighs a little more than 10lbs and has decent power. I use it mainly with wire brushes, grinders and drilling into masonry. Anything where I'll be drawing power for a while. Does not see a lot of action, most time I'll reach for cordless drill or impact driver.

 

[antinym]

I have a B&D cheapie corded... smells bad when I use it and has low torque.
Don't buy the $30 drills. just don't.

 

[justanengineer]

Another vote here for Milwaukee. I have found that they make the best corded power tools available today.

 

[Creditor]

2308.6 hours of use

 

[JimDon]

Milwaukee 1/2 inch Magnum. Use the side handle always. If it binds up,(without side handle) it'll break your wrist. This is NOT BS. Learn to respect it.
Cheers, JimDon

 

[Kirbot]

I would look for a used American made Milwaukee Magnum.
I'm not so sure where they are made now.

I see them at auctions every now and then.

 

[american lockpicker]

Get a Swiss made Bosch for $125 at Lowes.

 

[Ritter4.0]

Get a Swiss made Bosch for $125 at Lowes.

I got one of the $99 deals to replace my Hitachi with the crappy chuck hoping to get a Swiss one, but mine is a Malaysia one. I think I'll get another one on Monday after work if there are any left, maybe it'll be a Swiss one, if not, then I'll just use it for at home.

 

[american lockpicker]

The Swiss drills have a German made chuck.

 

[Jzytaruk]

I have a mastercraft hammer drill and a skill drill.. skill is 10+yrs old, mastercraft is 5, both work great, never had any problems.

 

[Trucky]

The Swiss drills have a German made chuck.

For ~120 bones? Heck no. They'd never sell anything of quality for a decent price..

But now I have to go look....

might have to think of some BS reason to buy it if it's there...

 

[treasureseeker]

My Lowe’s has the Bosch Hd19-2 for $120. It is Swiss and very heavy and isn't listed on their site. Here is one listed at another store.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/bosch/hmrdril.html

How long a drill will last is depended on the quality of the drill and what it is used for. I killed a Milwaukee in about five years, two years on a DEWALT and ten on a Bosch which all were 3/8”. I have an all metal Thor drill that with a cord change will probably out live me.

 

[Vicegrip]

Another strong vote for the 1/2 Mil mag, it is a very good drill regardless of the cost and a great drill for the money. I have been using one at work for many years and it may look well worn but it still runs great. A cord and a set of brushes is all I have done other than use and abuse it. My first one lasted a week before it was stolen from a job site after I left it alone for 5 min. The second one has lasted 25 years and counting. My brother bought one a few weeks ago and it looks and feels the same. He paid something like $109.00.

It got the cord after I dropped it into an uncovered RTU condenser fan.