Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is the best corded drill that I have ever owned, or ever used, period! It has incredible power and torque, rugged construction and excellent design. The large smooth trigger allows precise control of the variable speed option.

Until now, I have never really been all that excited about a drill as I thought they were all about the same. I was wrong, this drill is far better than I expected. This drill "shoots holes" into metal very quickly, even with cheap drill bits. The keyless chuck works perfectly.

My only "complaint" (if it is a complaint) is that you can't use this drill as a power screwdriver. It's high torque and speed will twist the head off the screw, or you will over drive the screw into whatever material you are working with. The only other "problem" is that once you buy a Milwaukee product, you will become "hooked" on them. I have already replaced my old cordless drill, jig saw and circular saw, that were other brands of lesser quality, with Milwaukee products. I would buy this drill again in a heartbeat.

Excellent handling, life and power. Standard tool in the trade for commercial electricians.

I recently purchased the Milwaukee 0233-20 3/8" Magnum drill. I had first purchased another brand which was on sale. I tried to save a few bucks, and as usual it came back and bit me.The other drill was a real dog. Absolute junk. I returned it, got my money back, and did what I should have done in the first place. I bought a Milwaukee. The Milwaukee gives me slow, smooth starts which is great for starting holes in very precise places. It also gives me the high speed I needed for drilling pocket holes with my Kreg jig. The Milwaukee drill is buttery smooth. Just like my other Milwaukee tools it's built solid, and it WORKS! Another case of "you get what you pay for." If you're in the market for a 3/8" variable speed drill don't waste your time...just buy the Milwaukee to begin with and you'll be happy plus by getting a high quality tool it'll be a long time (if ever) before you have to replace it. No, I don't work for Milwaukee or get paid by them. It's just my 2 cents worth of opinion.

This is a really tough and powerful drill. If you need a drill that will not bog down and have power to spare try this Milwaukee. Have used this exact model in industrial shops.

I am sure it's just me, but I was a little disappointed- if I wanted a copy of a Milwaukee, I would have bought a Makita. The chuck is cheesy (sorry) the cord seems borrowed from a cheap TV, the direction switch feels like it's gonna break each time I use it. Maybe the Milwaukee 3/8 I remember using a while back was an older model. I am sure the essential guts and geabox in this unit are still bulletproof, but the daily details have been neglected and it was this I noticed immediately and unrelentingly. So for another $30 or so I can buy a proper cord and a nice Jacobs chuck and have.. what?

This was my first Milwaukee drill. I liked it so much that I bought a 1/2 in. also. I am happy with both, as they are absolutly quality machines. Don't buy the cheap junk first like I did. These drills will be around long after you are not. I have never seen a better drill.

You won't be disappointed with this Milwaukee drill! I am pleased with the toughness of this tool. The keyless chuck is very easy and quick to use. The screw-in side handle makes it easy for my 8-year-old boy to help with projects too.