looking to buy the ridgid heavy duty drill, but havent used one in person. any experiences?? what about the right angle super hawg?? or other drills that your guys like.

[This message has been edited by kojunho (edited 06-29-2006).]

All time favorite is Milwaukee right angle with the 30" extention....

The best answer I can give you is that I have been able to burn out standard Milwalkee right angle drills, but not my trusty hole-hawg. It is more difficult to control when the bit encounters one of those nasty shiny things the carpenters throw all over the floor than the right angle jobs however.

What kind of abuse are you giving to burn out (more than one?) right angles?

Even with sever abuse, I have only ever seen one go to the shop for new brushes, and it was 20 years old.... My personal one gets a lot of use, and only 10 years old. The only problem I have is loosing the chuck key...

Many a wrist and ego have bruised by a hole hawg they are not for the faint of heart. If you plan on putting a 4 1/2 in hole saw on it you better hang on. No drill can compare to the power of a hawg.

depends on what kind of drilling you are doing. If you are just trying to get through joists and plates with a 3/4 to 1" ship auger style bit, then you cant go wrong with a 1/2" Makita. This is not the right angle version, I have used them for my 20 years in the trade. Also works for larger hole saws etc.

i was just interested in the ridgid b/c it has a clutch to prevent the kickback. but, i dont know how effective it is.

I tried using a Right-Angled drill a few times, but it just didn't have the "Same Feel" as a "Good 'Ol Hole Hawg" does!

However, when coming across

it was a much different experience with the Right-Angled guy, as compared with a "Standard" Hole Hawg.

But then again, I was "Apprenticed" with a Hole Hawg in Low Gear, which gives you a crash course in "How Not To Become A Propeller" Principles!!!


Scott35

I'm with Scott35 on this.
All through my apprenticeship and afterwards I used an Auger Bit (kept sharp under the Tradesmans directions) on the end of a Metabo Drill unit.
My advice to anyone new to using a drill, is watch what you are doing, don't be distracted and start off slowly, speed up as the screw bites the wood.
If I can give you one piece of advice, make sure you don't hit the trigger lock.
I'm still missing skin off of my knuckles, 12 years later.
Drills are the single most dangerous tools for apprentices, DYK?.

I keep a Milwaukee Hole hawg in the truck as my heavy duty drill of choice.

Just note when buying a hole hawg, they are not all the same.

Milwaukee makes the hole hawg with three RPM ranges.

900

300/1200

450/1750

I have the 300/1200 RPM version with great torque but be ready it will take you for a ride if your not paying attention.

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 06-30-2006).]

quote"What kind of abuse are you giving to burn out (more than one?) right angles?"

18" x 7/8" ship auger bits (dull I'm sure) thru rough cut large width beams repeatedly will pretty much do the trick after a while. In fairness it's only happened to me twice in 30 years. And I have also discovered something about hole-hogs. They have a tendency to grow legs if not carefully watched over.

The most important thing to do is to have a clear idea as to what you are going to use the drill for. As computer geeks say, GIGO.

The "Hole Hawg" drill, and it's clones, have a couple of advantages. Besides having lots of power, the general shape allows them to fit between studs, and actually is well balanced, allowing pretty good control. The best part, however, is that the type of gearing used seems to prevent drilling forces to be transmitted back to you; this really helps with control- especially when the bit hits a nail.

The other drills have the advantages of fitting into tighter spaces, and being much easier to lug up a ladder. But, when the bit grabs, you're going for a ride!


When in doubt, or considering a new type of tool, my practice is to go to the local Cheap Import place and buy one. I use their POS to both proove the concept, and to learn which features are important to me. When the El Cheapo has done it's part, then I save up for a quality tool of the type I prefer.

Agreed! It's great for drilling vertically or horizontally overhead without a ladder, and down without bending, which is a real back-saver.

It's especially good for drilling up or down through the top or bottom plate, because you can tilt a short auger quite a bit back toward the inside of the building.