Looking for a Good Corded Drill.

[TireTracks]

I've decided I want to buy a really good Corded drill, something that will last me for the rest of my life.

Are Milwaukee's still the best, the one's i've looked at are Imports now, kinda dissapointing.
Dewalts? Porter Cable? Makita?

Is there a drill made today that could be concidered a lifetime purchase?

Not sure If I want a 3/8" or 1/2".

 

[HMCFab9]

I've got a 1/2" Milwaukee magnum "holeshooter" & it's the best drill I've ever used.
Very comfortable, great / easy to use trigger, etc. Mine is older & USA made though.
I have a newer Milwaukee sawzall & I like that too. (not sure where it was all made)
My dad had a Makita 1/2" & I hated it.

 

[willhollin]

Rotary, percussion or SDS?

 

[Hogtown]

My family has been in industrial construction for 3 generations . All our drills are Milwaukee. They are used exclusively by union carpenters, ironworkers, pipefitters and the like. We have been perfectly satisfied. Some have to be 40 years old and still run perfectly.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I've got a 1/2" Milwaukee magnum "holeshooter" & it's the best drill I've ever used.
Very comfortable, great / easy to use trigger, etc. Mine is older & USA made though.
I have a newer Milwaukee sawzall & I like that too. (not sure where it was all made)
My dad had a Makita 1/2" & I hated it.

Another one for the Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter, mine is from the early 90's and it gets down. It's been used a handful of times too since I barely use it, so plenty of life still left in it... It's awesome though. Drilled right through a deadbolt without hesitating.

 

[fxgmech]

I
...Are Milwaukee's still the best, the one's i've looked at are Imports now, kinda dissapointing....

They were the best. I think you should find an old one that still has repair parts available. The Magnum 1/2" had a side handle held in with a 3/8" -16 stud. It always tried to kick my *** until I stuffed a pipe ****** in the handle for more leverage. Then it got angry and just broke the handle stud off. The older D-handle versions had a 1/2" NPT thread side handle. That worked better until the tool wore out and my shop bought that Magnum. Then I broke that handle off and learned about Blair Rota-broaches and cutting oil. And the plasma cutter, hole saws, and K/O punches, too.

 

[wmartin]

Is the current Milwaukee 0234-6 still made in the US? Somehow I doubt it.

Unused and barely used ones of those come up on eBay now and again.

What I wish someone built was a really well made close quarters drill. I like the looks of those Craftsman and Blue Point drills, but hate spending the money on Chinesium.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Got a couple old and big Milwaukee's, yeah they are tough as tanks.

Also have a couple Ridgid corded drills, they have held up great over the years driving in I don't even know how many hundreds or thousands of screws....

 

[sberry]

Its hard to beat the magnum.

 

[woody 73]

I swear those people on CL must smell blood or something because every time I try and dicker on the price of a used Milwaukee drill they all keep going higher on their price.

So I had to buy a new one years ago and it is indeed top notch; Now the funny part is that old well used American monster drills (1/2" chuck) go for very little money because the nameplate does not say Milwaukee the people on CL are clueless.

If you can not find a used drill, then look for a sale and pick up a new Milwaukee drill.

 

[neophyte]

If you don't want to go with a Milwaukee drill since they're now made in China, Fein manufactures excellant quality tools. Their drills are manufactured in Germany. Metabo is another brand, and usually has more features, but the Fein drills are likely better built. The Fein BOP 13-2 is their current 1/2" drill. It has a Keyless single sleeve Rohm Supra SK E chuck, and a two speed gear box.

http://www.feinus.com/en_us/drilling/rotary-drills/bop-13-2-0298072/

This is a video shwing the 10mm capacity version of the drill.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0b38E-Yfzpo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are going corded, get a 1/2".

Not always listed in the specs, but you really want one with triple gear reduction. This supplies much more torque than double gear reduction with out a larger motor (yes, the housing is larger, but there is no additional expensive copper winding in the motor itself). With triple gear reduction the max speed is probably less than 700 rpm.

Also with triple gear reduction make sure to use to "assist" handle when drilling large holes and/or heavy material. Your hand/wrist/arm will thank you !

P.S. Get yourself a good 3/8" cordless to complement your 1/2" drill.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Fein BOP 13-2 is their current 1/2" drill. It has a Keyless single sleeve Rohm Supra SK E chuck, and a two speed gear box.

Other manufactures used to offer 2 speed gear boxes, but most have dropped them. Good idea, but I think I would still get a triple gear reduction 1/2" and a light cordless 3/8".

 

[Toolfool]

Another vote for the Milwaukee Magnum. I've had mine for 29 years and it still runs strong. Replaced the cord and brushes a few times. Stay away from keyless chucks.

 

[Burgerkong]

Is the current Milwaukee 0234-6 still made in the US? Somehow I doubt it.

Unused and barely used ones of those come up on eBay now and again.

What I wish someone built was a really well made close quarters drill. I like the looks of those Craftsman and Blue Point drills, but hate spending the money on Chinesium.

No, but I have one and I find it pretty good. I took apart a Chinese and a USA drill to see if the USA made one was better, but I couldn't tell honestly. Go with the Milwaukee.

 

[skruft]

There are probably several fine brands but here's what I do.

I have primarily Milwaukee corded drills (if we're talking about regular 1/2 and 3/8 straight drills). I have a DeWalt and an AEG that have been good but aren't used often. Also an AEG hammer drill that has done well.

I see broken Hitachis around.

Many years ago I tried Craftsman drills and they failed after very little service. I was amazed at how bad they were. Maybe better now.

For close quarters I have a small Makita right angle and a Sioux 45-degree. They are fine but I have not used them enough to say how they stand up.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...ls,default,sc.html?prefn1=voltage&prefv1=120V

 

[TireTracks]

Rotary, percussion or SDS?

Plane jane rotary. I have yet to drill masonery or concrete.

If you don't want to go with a Milwaukee drill since they're now made in China, Fein manufactures excellant quality tools. Their drills are manufactured in Germany. Metabo is another brand, and usually has more features, but the Fein drills are likely better built. The Fein BOP 13-2 is their current 1/2" drill. It has a Keyless single sleeve Rohm Supra SK E chuck, and a two speed gear box.

http://www.feinus.com/en_us/drilling/rotary-drills/bop-13-2-0298072/

This is a video shwing the 10mm capacity version of the drill.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0b38E-Yfzpo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Looks nice, My grandpa has a Fein Multimaster, Good tool.
I can't find any sites that sell that drill though.

If you are going corded, get a 1/2".

Not always listed in the specs, but you really want one with triple gear reduction. This supplies much more torque than double gear reduction with out a larger motor (yes, the housing is larger, but there is no additional expensive copper winding in the motor itself). With triple gear reduction the max speed is probably less than 700 rpm.

Also with triple gear reduction make sure to use to "assist" handle when drilling large holes and/or heavy material. Your hand/wrist/arm will thank you !

P.S. Get yourself a good 3/8" cordless to complement your 1/2" drill.

Nice to know.

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...ls,default,sc.html?prefn1=voltage&prefv1=120V

Thanks for the heads up.

I can get a 1/2" Milwaukee with a keyed chuck for $135 from my local ace, good deal? Not sure if it's the 5.5 or 8 amp version.

I'll also keep my eye on ebay.

 

[jvitez]

Check out this one:

http://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=178&catid=3

I've got one. It's awesome for mixing drywall mud, and will twist my wrist in two if I'm not careful when drilling with big bits.

I've also got this one:

http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21161

I haven't used it much but it was on sale for $40 at a local hardware store a couple of years ago so I couldn't pass it up at that price.

Milwaukee is very well built, even if it's Chinese now, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I've decided I want to buy a really good Corded drill, something that will last me for the rest of my life.

Are Milwaukee's still the best, the one's i've looked at are Imports now, kinda dissapointing.
Dewalts? Porter Cable? Makita?

Is there a drill made today that could be concidered a lifetime purchase?

Not sure If I want a 3/8" or 1/2".

"Lifetime"? Not gonna happen unless you use it once a month to drill into drywall or other light materials if you mean without having to rebuild it/repair it. I don't believe there are any lifetime warranty power tools because they're not intended to last a lifetime.

For the most part I'd assume most of the retail stuff is going to last about the same time. Dewalt would probably be a good choice. Some of the different retail brands are made by the same companies in the same factories though.

Personally, I own a corded hitachi that I picked up refurbed. It was like 30 bucks but the motor is starting to go after about 3 years of moderate use. Don't use it to drill through metal though, it's primarily for wood working/household stuff.

 

[roalco]

Not made anymore, but if you come across a used Wolf (made in England) they are the the best, torquiest drills I have ever used. We used them at sea and in the shipyards, and they are still in daily use.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Yet, another vote for the Milwaukee Mag Hole shooter. Had mine for 20 + years and still runs like new.

 

[monomach]

I have two cheap corded drills that I'm really happy with.

For real drilling:
1) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-3-8-in-2-800-RPM-Tradesman-Drill-0240-20/202101569#.UmdtQXDB0dM

For when I have a lot of screws to drive and don't want to futz with batteries and for wire wheeling:
2) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-3-8-in-Variable-Speed-Clutch-Driver-D47CK/100485417#.UmdvHHDB0dM

People are going to laugh at #2, but it's a pretty legit little drill.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have two cheap corded drills that I'm really happy with.

For real drilling:
1) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-3-8-in-2-800-RPM-Tradesman-Drill-0240-20/202101569#.UmdtQXDB0dM

For when I have a lot of screws to drive and don't want to futz with batteries and for wire wheeling:
2) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-3-8-in-Variable-Speed-Clutch-Driver-D47CK/100485417#.UmdvHHDB0dM

People are going to laugh at #2, but it's a pretty legit little drill.

Doesn't matter as long as it works for what you need it for.

 

[mrtoolfool]

"Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter"

I'll second, third or forth that vote.

 

[MTW]

Magnums come in two speeds, -
800 and 650 rpm. I have 3) 650's
Best you can get for slow speed high torque metal drilling.
Unabused one of these can last a whole career. More likely to be stolen before it's worn out.
I use large HSS hole cutters daily in sheet metal, twist drill and taps. The extra slow speed keeps my bits good for years.

 

[pipsters]

This is a good drill

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1-2-in-Heavy-Duty-VSR-Drill-R71111/100490046#product_description

Comes with Ridgid's lifetime warranty if you register it within 90 days.