Milwaukee 0375-6 3.5 Amp 3/8-Inch Close-Quarter Drill

by Milwaukee

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Milwaukee's close-quarters drill is designed to make drilling in tight and hard-to-reach spaces as easy as possible. The drill has a stout 3.5 amp motor that provides trigger-controlled variable speeds from 0 to 1,300 rpm. It also comes with a heavy-duty keyed chuck. To prevent loss, a chuck key attaches to the cord via a rubber tie. The two things that make this drill so effective in close-quarters work are the 55-degree chuck angle and the molded grip situated directly behind the chuck, two features that combine to put the user's pushing force directly behind the bit. This is key, of course, because you tend to have less strength to offer when you're holding a drill in a tight or hard-to-reach space. By making efficient use of the strength you do put into the operation, Milwaukee's drill makes the job that much easier. Lastly, we also really like the convenient location of the trigger switch, even if it is sometimes a little too easy to pull before you intend to. This drill comes in handy for electrical work and cabinetry. Milwaukee also makes a 1/2-inch chuck for use with bigger bits. --Brian Trinen

Product Description

Includes 3/8-in Close Quarter Drill, 0-1,300 RPM - 0375-8, Chuck Key with Holder, Product Manual

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Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000223HN
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 3756
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,166 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Medium Duty RIght Angle Drill Showdown, August 31, 2003

By 

Bob Feeser "MillCrafters.com" (Springfield, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Milwaukee 0375-6 3.5 Amp 3/8-Inch Close-Quarter Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

Milwaukee makes great tools. I did a lot of research on right angle medium duty drills and here is what I found. The Makita for slightly more money has: A more powerful 4-amp motor instead of the 3.5, while still maintaining a slightly lighter operating weight. (3.1 lbs, instead of 3.5) An LED light brightening the way that is guaranteed to last the lifetime of the tool. Variable speed of 0-2400 instead of 0-1300. Also the Makita has a speed-limiting dial to prevent over tightening of fasteners. Also the Makita has only a 2 5/8" head height instead of 4 1/2" for right angle drilling when working deeper than the first few inches of your project. For close to the edge work, the Milwaukee has a small head height, but if you need to go deeper into the project beyond a few inches, the angled body creates a 4 1/2" height, and that is for making 55 degree angle applications, if you need to make a 90 degree hole, you have to tilt the body, making the overall head height out of control. Look at the picture to see what I mean. For making joist holes in 2x10s this is not a problem because their is plenty of clearance, but if you are making cabinetry, and for example want to secure drawer guides in drawer openings, that are closed panels, the Milwaukee will not get the job done.
I went into the local home center, and got my hands on the Milwaukee close quarters drill. Please understand I am crazy about Milwaukee tools, but ! Holding onto this drill is strange. The only way I can relate to it is to say, think of holding onto a 1.5 litre bottle of wine. You know the kind that quickly mushrooms out at the neck. Your little finger, second, and third fingers are holding onto a large body, while your index finger and thumb are wrapped around the neck. Now imagine trying to force the neck of the bottle into something. Albeit, the Milwaukee has a mushroomed head, it is a tiny head nonetheless. Difficult to put into words. Go into your local home center and pick one up. You instantly will know what I mean. In a few words, it is uncomfortable. I don't know what Milwaukee was thinking with this one. For a little more money, get the Makita DA3010F 3/8" Angle Drill with L.E.D. Light.

Two other mentionables for competition are the Porter Cable air driven, and the Dewalt DW160. The Porter Cable air driven comes in at half the price and has a keyless chuck. It does reverse as well. The one drawback is that you don't get the degree of torque out of small air driven tools (monster impact guns excluded), and you need to have air. Lugging the compressor for a big job is not a problem, but for those small adjustments, it can be a nuisance.
The Dewalt DW160 3/8" drill has an oversized paddle switch, according to the manufacturer. Reviews were pretty emphatic about false start problems while changing bits. Also it does not have variable speed, nor does it reverse.
It is rare that you can narrow a tool choice down to yeah this, and boo that. If I had to chose just one, and I did, it would be the Makita. More power, greater speed range, least amount of overall head height in the greatest range of applications, and that lifetime LED light to constantly shine the way. They call it the new Eluminate line of tools. I know that if I get in a situation of needing the 55-degree angle, I will wish I had the Milwaukee. Additionally, I know I have a hankering for the Porter Cable air driven at those times when I have air. For the price, I might wind up with one of those also. The Dewalt, is an inexpensive drill that I know I would be cussing at, every time I needed to reverse out a screw, since it doesn't have reversing capabilities, and it doesn't have variable speed, so it will strip out the screw heads as well. Enough said: I like the first three very much. I have learned that if you go for a little more on the price, you often get a tool that is a lot more in the long run. Hope this was helpful.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Just Feels Right, January 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Milwaukee 0375-6 3.5 Amp 3/8-Inch Close-Quarter Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

If you want to drill masonry, get an SDS hammer. If you are running a house full of wire and pipe, get a Hole Hawg. But if you install cabinets or do other finish work that requires drilling or fastening in confined spaces, there is no substitute for this drill. One word: ergonomics. You'll hang onto this tool like your child hangs onto his or her favorite plush toy. Put a vix bit in and you can drill pilot holes all day long -- the drill just hangs from your fingers while the ball shape of the head provides a comfortable platform to apply needed pressure. This tool had a design change in the past year. Old design or new - they are both great. I did prefer the old style because of the hard, dense plastic shell. (I'm sure that's not the correct term - trust me it's plenty tough). The forward/reverse switch used to be on the bottom of the tool. It was a little indefinite in operation, but I've never had a problem. I bought a couple of the old models with a clutch and keyless chuck when I heard the design changed, but the new tool has the same essential features that make the tool great for its intended jobs. The new model has a "rubberized" or soft grip outer shell. Most people will probably like that better. The forward/reverse switch has also changed design and placement. What has not changed is the perfect balance and function of this great tool. This drill is an extension of your hand. I reach for it first and rarely need anything bigger.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Its Purpose, March 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Milwaukee 0375-6 3.5 Amp 3/8-Inch Close-Quarter Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

When doing some wiring in my old house, I decided I needed a new tool when I had to break out 16" of plaster to drill a hole for a cable through a firestop. I tried to get by with a right-angle attachment for my regular drill, but it was very awkward, and I gave up on it and bought this. I have to say it's one of my favorite tool purchases. I've used up to 2" spade bits in it without any problem. Obviously, one can't use it a with a 4¼" hole saw - that's what the Hole Hawg is for - but neither is there any danger of its giving the user a good sock in the jaw. The trigger is convenient, and it slips off the finger very quickly if the bit catches. I find it has plenty of power. With a sharp bit, I can drill through a joist in less that ten seconds. It's easy to slip a hand behind the head and put some force on the bit. The 55º offset makes it handy for sneaking around pipes and other obstructions. Like another reviewer said, it makes judging the angle of the bit to the wood a bit tricky, but it's not for fine work after all. I've put my drill through the paces, and it's come up a winner.