Milwaukee 0379-1 3.5 Amp 1/2-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 750 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 3/8-inch chuck with a higher top speed. --Brian Trinen

From the Manufacturer

This drill has a unique 550 angled keyed chuck for close-quarter drilling and easy access to tight places. Its powerful 3.5 amp 0-1300 rpm motor provides for 1/2-inch capacity in steel. Features comfortable grip, efficient paddle switch, and high-impact housing.

Product Details

Product Manual [1.73mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223HO
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 0379-1
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,473 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beware of plastic trigger, February 12, 2000

By 

"jkdll" (Wood-ridge,New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 0379-1 3.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Close Quarter Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is an excellent drill but be careful of plastic paddle trigger.I managed to break it on month after purchase.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Killer drill, June 13, 2001

By 

M. J. Nicholas (Brighton, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milwaukee 0379-1 3.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Close Quarter Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

My buddy and I refer to this drill as the killer drill after he almost lost a finger from using it. What had happened was that he was changing bits, the key was still in the chuck, and he grabbed what he thought was the neck of the drill to get better leverage for loosening the chuck key; when in reality he grabbed the paddle switch and depressed it to the full on position. The chuck key whipped around and cut his finger open.

The problem with this drill is the paddle switch is unprotected, and twitchy. There is almost no control over the variable speed motor with it. The direction control switch is a cheesy push-pull design on the back of the unit which is awkward, and there is no neutral switch to make bit changing safer.

Should my friend have unplugged the drill before changing bits? Yes, but the reality of the job site is that doesn't happen often when time and money are one in the same.

It's too bad a competitor doesn't offer an alternative to this drill. The ability to get in relatively tight areas is good, but the drill has problems.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars LOW Torque Applications ONLY, May 19, 2004

By 

L. Tingley "lct233" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milwaukee 0379-1 3.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Close Quarter Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

Purchased this product instead of Magnum 3300 because I only had a few hundred holes to drill for running wire and figured that afterward it would be more applicable to a variety of home rennovation uses. High torque application made mincemeat of the helical gears. If you plan to run a lot of wire or pipe, buy the right tool for the job-not, as I did, this product. I will try to find a rebuild kit for the gearing--and buy the big guy as well. I have also used the little drill to work under sinks and etc and have been pleased. I just think that there should be a warning on the outside of the box "NO LARGE DIAMETER BITS OR AUGER BITS."