Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck

by Milwaukee

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

For day in, day out drilling and driving in wood, steel, or plastic, there might not be a better tool than Milwaukee's Magnum hole shooter. The aluminum/magnesium alloy on the gear case cuts down on the tool's weight, and the glass-reinforced nylon handle makes it a bit lighter, too--but let there be no doubt: when it comes to results, this is the same heavy-duty, ridiculously powerful, no-nonsense tool it's always been. The shooter is built with a stacked design--meaning the drill's interior parts stack on top of each other--which makes replacing parts (like a switch) much easier to do as the whole drill doesn't need to be taken apart. The handle is designed so you can hold it two ways--either pistol-grip or with the palm of your hand resting on the top back portion--making the drill an extension of your arm. As a result, you can really get behind it while still easily reaching the trigger with your fingers; the finger slots add comfort. The carbon brushes are easy to access and change. And this model comes with a convenient and reliable all-metal, two-sleeve keyless chuck.

If you're looking for a serious, long-lasting drill, you can't go wrong here. Milwaukee's hole shooter is a very high quality tool that will serve you for years and years and years. --Dori Anvinson

From the Manufacturer

This drill features a 3/8-Inch keyless chuck and trigger speed control with reversing from 0-2800 rpm. with its 5.5-amp heavy-duty Milwaukee-built motor, it Packs plenty of power.

Product Details

Product Manual [2.63mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000223HD
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 0233-20
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,654 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The one and only, May 8, 2000

By 

Smaug "Jeremy" (Round Lake Beach, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck (Tools & Home Improvement)

Milwaukee makes the best hand drills, PERIOD! It's miles better than others in its range. It's the only one in this price range with a metal gearbox. I had a Makita that was made by screwing 2 plastic pieces together, and eventually, the grease seeps thru and discolors the enclosure. This Milwaukee includes a side handle which is much more helpful than you would imagine. The drill is front-heavy and has a lot of torque, so you'll be happy you've got it. It also includes an extra set of brushes (which you will probably never wear out) that are user-changeable. The keyless chuck can be tightened at least as thoroughly as a keyed one. The hinged trigger is very nice and allows precise control of the speed. This drill was designed for industry and being constantly beaten up, I'm sure it will outlast me. I use it every weekend in the wood shop and have never found it lacking in any way. (And I'm picky!) Also, it's got grooves in the top sides for your thumb and index finger so you can get your palm right behind the chuck to push straight towards the work and squeeze the trigger with your pinky and ring fingers. If you're deciding on whether this is worth the $30 or $40 extra over an equivalent DeWalt or Makita, it is. The only way I'd consider getting a drill other than this one is if you drill nothing but large holes. If you plan on using it as a screwdriver, forget it. It's too fast by the time you get enough torque up. You'll twist off and strip screw heads, gaurunteed. You're best bet is to get a good cordless (DeWalt or Makita here) for that and keep this as your main drill. I cannot recommend this drill highly enough.

Long-term addition: I've had this drill for a few years now and there is one thing I should mention. If you may need it for the type of work where you need to have one hand holding your work while drilling with the other, you may want to get something lighter and smaller. I think Milwaukee makes a Holeshooter that is not called "Magnum". It has a smaller motor. Anyhow, between this drill and my Makita 12V 3/8" Ni-MH cordless things are pretty much covered. If I were to do it again, I would probably get the Milwaukee with the 1/2" chuck & side handle for the heavy duty stuff and a good 12 or 14.4 cordless for everything else. Just keep in mind that the 1/2" chuck on the Milwaukees won't take super-small bits.

Feb 23, 2008 Update
Well, I've had this drill for 8 years now, and I still love it. It still looks and performs as new. The speed range is perfect for woodworking. The only thing missing is one of Milwaukee's famous hard cases. The drill itself is easy enough to put on a shelf, but the damned side handle will not stay put if you put it down somewhere; it rolls all over the place. Milwaukee would do well to make the flared guard area hexagonal or something that wouldn't be so prone to rolling.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The last high speed drill you'll buy., May 13, 2002

By 

Lifelong Reader "Jon" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck (Tools & Home Improvement)

Using this drill is shear bliss! The balance, the comfortable grip, the genius power/speed ratio, the extreme durability, the butter-smooth operation... In other words, it's a typical Milwaukee tool. This drill is made for drilling fast holes and driving screws. It is not made for conrete, stone, thick tile, etc. drilling. Get Milwaukee's 1/2" hammerdrill for that with more power and less speed. It also is not for drywall screw driving. Get Milwaukee's drywall screw shooter for that with it's super speed and clutch. I have used it for those purposes as well, however, and it performed exceptionally considering it wasn't made for those purposes. I have even used it with 2 1/2" masonry hole saws.
Previous to this drill I owned a Craftsman. I burned it up quick rebuilding my home. I burned up several other craftsman tools as well. I bought this drill on some advice from a carpenter tradesman, and since using this drill have replaced my other wimpy craftsman tools with Milwaukee. You'll do the same after the first Milwaukee tool you use.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't kill it, October 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Milwaukee 0233-20 Magnum 5.5-Amp 3/8-Inch Drill with Keyless Chuck (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have the key chuck version of this drill and can not kill it. I started out buying Craftsman power tools. A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away they used to know what quality was. No longer. Do not buy any power tools from Sears. They buy only on who can produce the cheapest tool for them and it shows. This Milwaukee will outlive 10 other drills. The keyless chuck only adds to the value.