Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill

by Milwaukee

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

At 7.5 amps this Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Hammer Drill can handle the toughest drilling of 1/2-inch holes in concrete. With Dual Range Speed Control, the operator can choose more power to speed for the toughest applications or more speed and less torque for lighter applications. Equipped with a removable side handle, the side handle also assists in setting the depth rod for pre-set hole drilling. Use for drilling in wood, with Flat Boring Bits, Hole Saws, Auger Bits, and Selfeed Bits. It can also be used to drill in steel with Twist Bits and in Concrete with Percussion Bits. Includes tool, depth gauge, side handle and keyed chuck.

Product Description

This heavy-duty pistol grip hammer drill can handle the toughest drilling of 1/2in. holes in concrete. Cordless: No, Rated RPM: 0 - 2,500, Amps: 7.5, Solid Bit Capacity (in.): 1/2, Hammering Modes: Rotation Only, Hammering with Rotation, Blows Per Minute (BPM): 0 - 40,000

Product Details

Product Manual [2.03mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 7.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004T9RI
• Item model number: 5378-20
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,101 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #94 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Drills > Hammer Drills

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Drill, Great Price (*see comment added at end 7/2010*), January 9, 2001

By 

RC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

4 1/2*. For the money this is a great drill. I am not a contractor, just a busy DIY'r who needed a 1/2 drill, which it is perfect for. It would probably make a very good second 1/2" hammer drill for a contractor who had the even higher-end Milwaukee's or a SDS Bosch for the hired help to set anchors or such. Two different tool-store types recommended this model and mentioned that for around their own places it was what they used. I drilled a half-dozen 6" deep 3/4" diam anchor holes to mount a heavy gate with in an old concrete filled (probably not the old, hardened stuff), rebar reinforced cinder block wall using a Bosch Blue Granite hammer-drill bit. Each hole took a little over 2 minutes, trying to keep the RPM's down like it recommends on the bit packaging (400RPM), and pulling it out several times to get out some of the debris. Also drilled a 12" deep 1" diameter hole straight through a solid Juniper tree stump (as well as a good sized chunk of the water pipe that was directly below the stump) using a Greenlee Naileater auger bit in about 15-20 seconds (email me at [e-mail] if you really must know why. I'd rather not embarass myself here, in this Forum). I called Milwaukee and asked about the suspiciously similar appearance of this drill to the Bosch 1/2" hammer drills (and priced very closely) as well as the "Made in Germany" stamped on the bottom of the handle and the identical chuck, & was told that indeed this model was made for Milwaukee by AEG in Germany. AEG, from what I am told, is owned by the same parent company that now owns Milwaukee, and that AEG also makes some Bosch products. AEG (again, from what I am told by some local tool-types) was very, very well respected in the construction biz here a few years ago, but no longer is sold directly here in the U.S. I have many future use plans, not 'nuff space to get into (ok, real quick. Drilling hole in garage floor for drain pipe (using pilot holes first), anchors in fire place to hold up future mantel, anchors in fire place to mount cap, anchors in patio for foundation studs of patio cover, hole in street curb for drain outlet for flood-prone area of yard (using pilot holes first) etc, etc). Notes: The side handle does not have full 360 degree rotation like most of the others in this class that I have seen. It has about 30 degree settings all the way around that it can be turned to. Also, unlike many other models, the side handle is not moved to a new position by first rotating the handle itself, but instead is loosened via a rotating wing-nut on the other side of the handle. The handle itself is stationary (one of those tool types said it prevented the handle from shaking loose and moving during hammer drilling???) The same wing-nut, loosened only slightly, also allows movement of the adjustable depth bar. There are only 2 things I would have liked added: the Bosch-style depth bar, which is graduated with inch-markings, and I believe the Bosch may have also had a speed control dial on the face of the trigger (or am I thinking of the SDS models? I'll have to double check and edit this review if not so). Overall, I'm very satisfied with this drill. No regrets, and couldn't be happier with the performance, or the value. (And it complements my 11A Orbital Super Sawzall perfectly).

Update: 7/2010 = while I have had nothing but great service from my drill, I have seen many user website comments that Milwaukee and AEG's quality have suffered greatly in the past few years since my review (as well as that of most tool companies). *Reportedly* many of their products (particulary "consumer / hobbyist / light duty use versions) are now made in Asia, and the quality isn't quite what it used to be (particulary AEG's). Tool companies are selling out to each other at warp speed, and it's hard to tell who owns who now. The outer shell and labelling might say one thing, but you really don't know what is being used inside as far as motors, brushes, electronics, etc. Not "buyer beware", but more "buyer get educated". Do your research. It seems most tools we think we know and are familiar with aren't the same ones we might have known a decade earlier. Best of luck!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Monster In Disguise, May 11, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

This drill appears to be somewhat of a normal sized drill. Don't let that fool you. This thing is a monster in disguise. Strong, powerful, and will not quit. I normally use a 14.4 cordless drill. When the drill catches in some material, I am able to release the trigger, with no harm done. On this Milwaulkee corded model running on 110 AC I had an experience I will not forget. I was drilling into some concrete, and must have angled the bit. It caught and although I was holding it very securely it spun so hard that it broke off the depth rod. More importantly, I got a feeling of, I just got bumped by a shark. If I did not let go at the right time, it seriously would have broken my wrist. So the other reviewer who mentioned that is right on the money. I was in a local Milwaukee factory store to replace the broken handle and depth rod, and he suggested I run it at the higher speed which has less torque.
The 1/2" chuck is nice for larger bits, and the metal chuck with a KEY guarantees that you are going to get a no slip bit.
Adjustability is nice with two speeds, and hammer and non hammer options easily swithcable.
If you are drilling concrete for a living all day long, then of course the SDS drills, with bit capacity of greater than a foot, are the way to go. If you are a contractor, who occassionally drills through concrete, and want a drill that will handle most any job then this is the one to buy. This thing will bury a 1/2" x 12" long bit without slowing down.
I don't use the drill that often, but it is a blessing when I need it. Concrete with rocks in them will stop a normal drill. The tip of the bit sits on a rock and spins, the hammering percussion crushes the stone.
Milwaukee makes industrial level equipment, and this drill although a standard size bears that kind of performance. Highly recommended. I will be buying more Milwaukee equipment in the future. I thought at first that it didn't look like the best equipment, but don't let the looks fool you. Go Red-Get a Milwaukee.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the one's to buy!, February 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Hammer Drill (Tools & Home Improvement)

I had to change the header on this as I'd own 6 or 7 drills if I could afford all of them. I took back the DW236 as it just didn't have enough rpm's for me. This tool on the other hand has what it take's in my opinion. Two speeds, weight, and a good feel. I bought it, returned it for the Dewalt and then returned the Dewalt for this model again! Drove my wife crazy! But, this was the tool to own after all. It drilled through the old 2 x 6's with no problem. Quiet too! Has plenty of drive and the option of the hammer drill is nice to have for any concrete work that may come up around the house. The only drawback to it is they don't supply you with a case for it. Milwaukee should upgrade this kit to come with a case. That would make it even better than it it. I'd also like to see the depth gauge in the silver color rather than black as it may be easier to read. Another cool tool now in my collection. Don't pass it up for the money! Similar to the Bosch model 1100 series. nice!