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#12983 08/22/02 05:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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pauluk Offline OP
Member
I've decided it's time to invest in a new drill, and thought I might get a Milwaukee unit sent over to me.

This kit looks a reasonable 3/8" hammer drill.

Anyone have any comments for or against Milwaukee drills?


[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 08-22-2002).]

#12984 08/22/02 05:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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Member
Paul,
i've the very same one.
i've abused it terribly for 6 years, and it's still around.

#12985 08/22/02 05:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
Paul, Porter Cable has been quite the competition for milwakee around here lately, i'm unsure why.....
[Linked Image from internationaltool.com]

I'm busy abusing this model here...

[Linked Image from internationaltool.com]
great for tight places, but has that S type drill chuck......rather exclusive

BTW,
it's refered to as the 'hamster drill' round my way.... [Linked Image]



[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 08-22-2002).]

#12986 08/22/02 06:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 840
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Member
Paul-

A good choice. My Dad has that drill, and its 15+ years old.

A few questions come to mind. Is this available in 240 volt? Are there service centers/parts stores over there? Just out of curiosity, are American brand tools available there? I was watching Junkyard Wars the other night and they were using a De Walt grinder.


Peter
#12987 08/22/02 06:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 53
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Member
When I started buying tools over 30 years ago, I asked advice on buying tools from several tradesmen from my hometown. Almost to a man they all said Milwaukee was the way to go for the following reasons:
1. Parts and service are available all over North America.
2. They can be severely abused and keep running.
3. They use common parts that can be replaced. The Magnum series have replaceable/removable cords.

All of the Milwaukee's that I bought are still running. I have replaced cords, chucks and such to maintain them. I am not knocking the other brands such as Makita, DeWalt, or Porter Cable as I have some of those too. The problem I find with those is they change models and parts get hard to find. The Milwaukee's are heavy and robust.
Almost too heavy but I am willing to put up with that as I have never replaced one in the middle of a job. I don't like their cordless equipment but the AC powered equipment are worth the money.

#12988 08/22/02 06:23 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22
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I was watching Junkyard Wars the other night and they were using a De Walt grinder.

Have you seen the episode in which the grinder sent a spark into a lot of impact adhesive ?

Most DIY TV programs in the UK use Dewalt equipment and it's sold everywhere as is Black & Decker (Dewalts parent)

Chris

#12989 08/22/02 07:04 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
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Thanks, Chris. No, didnt see that episode, but I can imagine what happened!


Peter
#12990 08/22/02 09:49 PM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 717
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Paul,
I've got 2 that are over 20 years old. Love that Milwaukee. BUT just replaced my B&D battery drills with Porter Cable, they've been around probably longer than B&D.

I can no longer get, or order parts for the old B&D's, seems like after 5 years, you're outta luck, which is why I would not buy a Dewalt either. There is a B&D repair shop 25 miles from me, said MAYBE they could get parts if I drove over they'd look, I really don't need that c@#p, so Porter Cable or Milwaukee it is.

#12991 08/22/02 10:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Paul:
First off Milwaukee tool are first rate.
A comment though:
If you are going to drill masonry with this tool exclusivly, have you ever tried a "rotary hammer drill" type.
We used Hilti hammer drills. I had a job that required 3000 masonry anchors in ceiling
for fluorescent channel fixtures, and 5k+ for conduit supports. The Hilti was heavy.
THe Bosch salesman stopped at the job, said "try this drill", it was light. Well, after about 10 min, I hunted him down, and bought three drills. ($285 ea +/-)

The tool does the work, you do not have to "push" like a regular drill.

(Bosch 11224 VSR) $249.00 WW Grainger
US model, 120 volt. Must be available in Europe, damn it's a German Company.

HotLine1
John


John
#12992 08/23/02 05:50 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
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pauluk Offline OP
Member
Thanks for all the recommendations guys. I thought the Milwaukee stuff just looked solidly engineered and built (hey, they even still use a metal gear casing!).

I wouldn't want this one for a lot of masonry work, but it's handy to have the hammer facility just in case. I know Milwaukee does do 240V versions as I've seen them listed in the Jensen Tools catalog. I'll just go with American 120V though, as xfmrs are no problem.

DeWalt tools do seem to be quite popular here these days. I have only one DeWalt - a DW62 circular saw that I bought a few years ago (made in Slovenia, would you believe?).

By the way, a lot of the non-DIY-type tools are available in 240 and 110V versions here (the latter for commercial building sites). The British/European versions are fitted with different cord sets, but also some of them have different switches, suppressors, etc. to satisfy the various European approvals bodies instead of UL/CSA.

I still have a couple of older B&D drills at home, one about 15 to 20 and the other at least 30 years old. I'm not too keen on their modern range though.

Bosch and Makita are also quite popular.

Re spares, I know the problem. Trying to get any here generally means a 40-mile+ round-trip into the city, and that's if they have any in stock. No Milwaukee stuff here at all, but I'm sure I could get any spares sent from the States in less time and with less expense than it takes to chase parts down here. Crazy or what?!



[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 08-23-2002).]

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