Get Hammered.... Drilled.... or Just Screw It!
Written: Nov 20 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tough, versatile tool for the box.
Cons: N-O-N-E!!!
The Bottom Line: Why jack around with a light weight drill for the heavy jobs? Make the investment and make life easy.
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| tammyinmiami's Full Review: Milwaukee Tool Milwaukee 5374 1 1/2 Inch Magnum Ha... |
Well, it is tough to know which tool is the best, but the Milwaukee Magnum Hammer Drill is up there in the top 3. I previously wrote about the Porter Cable finishing nailer (Bad Boy of the Tool Box), that would take one of the other two positions. The third position goes to the Sawzall.
What is a Hammer Drill you ask? A hammer drill looks like a beefy drill. The motor housing seems to be slightly larger than your standard consumer fare. It is definitely heavier. A hammer drill is designed to execute heavy duty drilling. The main difference is the "hammer" part. This is a rapid pulsing action that causes the bit to move up and down while it spins. This is so rapid that it is virtually imperceptible to the user, thus you feel a standard vibration instead of feeling like you're holding on to a wild cat! What this extra movement does is enable the drill to make quick work of extra hard surfaces. Drilling solid concrete with a standard drill/masonry bit combo is cumbersome. Drilling the same with a hammer drill/masonry bit combo is like cutting through butter with a hot knife!
The hammer drill configuration is: 5.5 amps, 120 volts, and an rpm of 0-2500!
The drill can also function as a standard drill. All you have to do is turn the adjustment bezel behind the chuck to the drill position. This is a great feature since sometimes you don't need all that power. When it is set on "standard drill" the sound is very normal. When it is set on "hammer drill" it is much, much louder. I would recommend using ear plugs to protect yourself if you plan on using this tool all day.
It has a keyed chuck (vs. a keyless that doesn't require a chuck key). The chuck key is attached to a tough leash on the cord, keeping it handy. For those of you that are not aware of how this works: there are three holes in the chuck (the round part that holds the bit). Under those holes is a tightening gear. The key fits in the round hole and has teeth that match the tightening gear. You turn the key to turn the gear tight. The only negative that I can say about this drill is the fact that I tightened the bit by hand, then I couldn't un-tighten it by hand. I must have wimpy hands. My husband was able to release the bit.
Other features that may come in handy: The hammer drill is also reversible. This is really handy when one is screwing and unscrewing things on the job. It is also helpful if the bit gets caught in the medium you are drilling. The forward/reverse switch is located just above the trigger for easy access. Also the power cord is easily released from the base of the drill. I guess this would be handy if you were using many tools with this feature.
Versatility: This drill is magnificent. I have used it to drill solid poured concrete, concrete block, wood, metal, and a variety of other surfaces. Recently, I even used it in my garden. I had a large palm tree stump underground. I put in a ½” x 8” bit and drilled a bunch of holes in the stump to promote rotting. Worked like a charm!
I have personally owned this drill since 1993 w/o fail or service. It has been used fairly often, especially during house renovations.
So if you’re looking for just the right heavy duty drill for your tool box, check out the Milwaukee Magnum Hammer Drill. They make a great product and you won’t be disappointed. Oh yeah, don’t forget to invest in some quality drill bits, too!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tammyinmiami
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Location: Miami, FL USA
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 10 members
About Me:
"Love yourself unconditionally, exist peacefully, and cherish friends and family."
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