Recommendation for 1/2 inch Corded Drill

[bookman51]

My cheap Harbour Freight corded 1/2 inch drill bit the dust today. I had not used it much. I thought I would splurge on a good quality 1/2 inch corded drill. I am a home handy man but with a shop with several tractors and implements. I have a drill press for heavier stuff, but everyone once in awhile I find the need for a heavier duty corded drill to drill through metal for which I can not get to my drill press. What are the recommendations? Probably do not need a high end contractor model, but a good one that will last occasional use would be nice. I thought the Harbour Freight might be the ticket but it played out too quickly with occasional use. Thanks in advance.

 

[mike93lx]

I have the now-discontinued d handle low speed drill from harbor freight that I use for mixing thinset, grout and drywall mud. It's worked great through a bunch of projects, but isn't used frequently. This is their current version

7.5 Amp 1/2 in. Low Speed Spade Handle Drill/Mixer

Amazing deals on this 1/2In Low Speed Drill/Mixer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Which one have up the ghost on you?

 

[The Cobbler]

Myself, I would probably look for a good used milwaukee or makita

 

[BrandonV]

Honestly I would probably look used. I see a ton of higher quality drills that look like they never saw heavy use probably replaced with a cordless drill.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have a couple of Milwaukee corded 1/2" drills. They haven't been touched in years, but I used to use them regularly and they performed flawlessly. Which one depends more on what your drilling and how large of a bit.

I have this, it's 700 RPM but there is also a 950.

1/2” Magnum® Drill

The 1/2” Magnum® Drill from Milwaukee Tool is built to handle industrial and construction applications with ease.

www.milwaukeetool.com

This one has run more than it's share of 1-1/8" step drills through panels as well as drilled out many houses. It's a 900RPM but there are also 450 and 650 available.

1/2" Compact Drill

The 1/2” Compact Drill from Milwaukee Tool has the power and versatilty to handle large hole drilling and material mixing applications.

www.milwaukeetool.com

ebay is loaded up with both, get one of each just for the sake of being a Garage Journal member.

I am going to be fabricating some shelves for my shop in the near future. I may have to break these drills out as well as my Bosch Bulldog rotary hammer just for nostalgia.

 

[Coach James]

I have had this one for years. Great drill.

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-0299-20-Magnum-2-Inch-Drill/dp/B00007FPIN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mark-NJ]

Do you need the power of a 1/2"? Or just the chuck size?

I bought an 8Amp Dewalt 3/8" and put a 1/2" keyed Jacobs chuck on it. It serves my needs 100% and cost a lot less than a 1/2". It's got enough torque to do everything I've asked of it.

 

[goldtang]

Avoid the new AEG I bought one a couple of years back for steel it was ok , had to use the hammer function did 10 mm by 75 deep holes in concrete about 80 off , then went to landfill

 

[dogdog]

I have the now-discontinued d handle low speed drill from harbor freight that I use for mixing thinset, grout and drywall mud. It's worked great through a bunch of projects, but isn't used frequently. This is their current version

7.5 Amp 1/2 in. Low Speed Spade Handle Drill/Mixer

Amazing deals on this 1/2In Low Speed Drill/Mixer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Which one have up the ghost on you?

Same I have that grey one and works on mixing drywall mud no issues, as long as I don’t use a giant paddle, just a small and mid size.

used it to drill bolts, these low speed high torque drills works well.

When I was looking, I did consider the ridgid heavy duty drill mixer

RIDGID 9 Amp Corded 1/2 in. Spade Handle Mud Mixer R7122 - The Home Depot

RIDGID Spade Handle Mud Mixer offers you greater control across a variety of drilling or mixing applications. Features auxiliary handle for versatility.

www.homedepot.com

Or almost every brand have a hole hawg drills that are also 1/2”

 

[Wamsutta]

DWE235G

 

[MushCreek]

I still have my old (40+ years) Milwaukee Hole Shooter. I've used nothing but Milwaukee cordless for the last 12 years or so, though, including building my house. Buy a good cordless, and glue a cord onto it. If you really want corded, I agree with others; look for a clean used one. I have a corded Milwaukee SawzAll with about an hour's use on it. When I get around to selling it, someone is gonna get a good deal.

 

[HenryAZ]

Metabo 1300 Bev-2. It has a 6 position gear selection wheel, which together with two speed ranges, allows you to preset a speed. Presets range from 180rpm to 3100 rpm.

 

[pelletman]

Milwaukee.....

 

[Rusted Nut]

Can’t beat a Milwaukee 1/2”.

 

[bob15]

Metabo. The gear-down ability is awesome. Can also remove the chuck and add their 90° angle drive on it.

 

[KnurledNut]

Regular 1/2 drills are usually limited to 700-1000 RPM.
This is fine for bigger twist drills, but a 3/8 is better for smaller sizes that benefit from more speed.
A 1/2 hammer drill with rotation-only and speed-selection gives some benefits of both, commonly running up to 2500 RPM. The trade off is added size and weight.
I have both Milwaukee and Hilti 1/2 hammer drills.
In 3/8, a Milwaukee hammer drill and Bosch regular.

 

[Beauregard]

Milwaukee Magnum is the standard for 1/2" corded.
Quality chuck, powerful motor, and good ergonomics.
For some reason, a lot of these got pushed to the back of the box with the cordless revolution. It's still my go-to in the shop when a lot of repetitive holes in thick metal in tight places need to be drilled. Yeah, we still use a drill press or cordless when called for.
They can be found used on Craigslist, FBMP, or estate sales for cheap. Corded tools seem to have little value these days.

 

[dnschmidt]

Can't really go wrong with any of the major manufacturers. I've got at least a dozen corded Milwaukee, A couple true Metabo (not the rebranded Hitachi) A Black and Decker Industrial (which they renamed DeWalt) and a BOSCH. All work fine. The comment to look used is probably the way to go as I haven't used a corded drill in forever and if I ever sold mine I'd probably get pennies on the dollar in spite of the fact that they are nearly brand new. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CUT THE CORD and basically great corded drills should be a dime a dozen on the used market. The sole exception might be mud mixers which still tend to be corded although cordless versions are made by Milwaukee, DeWalt and I believe FLEX.

 

[bookman51]

I have the now-discontinued d handle low speed drill from harbor freight that I use for mixing thinset, grout and drywall mud. It's worked great through a bunch of projects, but isn't used frequently. This is their current version

7.5 Amp 1/2 in. Low Speed Spade Handle Drill/Mixer

Amazing deals on this 1/2In Low Speed Drill/Mixer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Which one have up the ghost on you?

Mine was model 61741. it said "heavy duty drill 0-1200 rpm, 6.3 amp. Chicago Electric

 

[Ben Buck]

I have 2 Milwaukee’s 0234-1.

Quality units, not used that often- but when needed they do the job.

 

[Rinspeed]

Milwaukee Magnum is the standard for 1/2" corded.
Quality chuck, powerful motor, and good ergonomics.
For some reason, a lot of these got pushed to the back of the box with the cordless revolution. It's still my go-to in the shop when a lot of repetitive holes in thick metal in tight places need to be drilled. Yeah, we still use a drill press or cordless when called for.
They can be found used on Craigslist, FBMP, or estate sales for cheap. Corded tools seem to have little value these days.

I agree on the Magnum.

 

[finn]

I have a right angle Milwaukee and a Craftsman Industrial. Haven’t used the Milwaukee in years, and finally pulled out the Craftsman to mix some grout and scratch coat this fall.

I wouldn’t even consider buying, or recommending someone buying a corded drill at this point.

I consider corded drills obsolete.

Corded grinders, yes, but nothing else

 

[jeffmoss26]

Milwaukee!

 

[bookman51]

I only do occasional work and then in my shop, and it is a real pain to keep up on the batteries for tools. I have a collection of batteries that have been rebuilt several times, and I have been slowing switching back to corded or gas tools. Sure, battery tools are handy, but also batteries are pricy. I recently looked at getting a battery powered chain saw and decided nope. No doubt I am in the minority.

 

[Wamsutta]

Milwaukee!

I was going to recommend the Milwaukee 0300-20, but the picture wasn't as good as the DeWalt.

 

[finn]

I only do occasional work and then in my shop, and it is a real pain to keep up on the batteries for tools. I have a collection of batteries that have been rebuilt several times, and I have been slowing switching back to corded or gas tools. Sure, battery tools are handy, but also batteries are pricy. I recently looked at getting a battery powered chain saw and decided nope. No doubt I am in the minority.

Are your tools Lithium? Big technology improvement over NiCad.

 

[seber]

Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter was industry standard forever until cordless came along. They just can't be hurt. I have one that was used for stirring asphalt until they couldn't work the trigger through the mess. Cleaned it up and used it ever since.

 

[Nutria]

Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter was industry standard forever

Yet another vote!

 

[bookman51]

Yes, Lithium is a big improvement. I have corded and battery impact wrenches and drills. When I want mobility, I go with the battery ones. When I want power and durability on a job, I go with the corded ones. I am sure if I were building a house, i would go with battery. However, I am working in my own shop and never far away from a plug in, plus, if need be I do have a portable generator.

 

[jonesg]

a reminder, its a felony to use corded drills when battery powered is available.

 

[Dagny]

It takes a man to hang on to a magnum when it catches.

 

[Steve_P]

We used this DeWalt at work with a 2" hole saw to cut holes in stainless steel plate, and it's definitely a beast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007W1K9G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tarbellb]

This just screams quality used purchase

 

[908Jim]

Look for a good quality used 1/2 Milwaukee Magnum "Hole Shooter" drill. Replaceable cord, USA made, and 0-850 RPM speed range with an excellent variable trigger and more torque than you'll probably be able to control.

 

[Outahere]

Makita DP4002

 

[roofdweller49]

Are new Milwaukee corded drills still USA made? Or has that ship sailed a long time ago?

 

[Trapps]

Another plug for the Milwaukee Magnum. New or used (not abused) will serve you well for a long time.

 

[bob15]

Are new Milwaukee corded drills still USA made? Or has that ship sailed a long time ago?

That shipped sailed years ago. I went with the German-made Metabo, with zero complaints.

 

[bookman51]

I finally purchased a Bosch 1/2 corded variable speed hammer drill at Menards on Friday. It was on sale for $79. Yesterday I did not get even two holes drilled in 1/4 steel before the variable speed quit. I took it back today, and they gave me a full refund no questions asked. Now I am looking at the 2 speed, MasterForce 1/2" two speed drill. Not high end but I need something I can use occasionally to drill through 1/4 steel that I cannot put on my drill press. Only $89.88. Thoughts?

 

[sparky 1971]

To be honest, from my experience, hammer drills don't do anything well. The RPM's are too high for them to have enough torque to drill through anything remotely close to tough, and other than concrete block, don't hit hard enough to drill masonry. If I was limiting myself to Menards, I would go with one of the D handle mud mixer type drills, preferably the Bosch but if $190 is out of the budget, the Masterforce for $80 is better than a hammer drill.