These days when the cordless drill seems to have replaced the resevrsing 3/8" corded drill as a standard, a lot of amateurs and even pros may wonder why they need a corded drill. Well, a cordless drill is a wonderfully handy thing, particularly when working on a remote job site, but even the biggest 18 and 22 volt drills are limited in the amount of power they can generate; sometimes you need a really big, honkin' drill. Drilling heavy hardwoods, going through mild steel- these are tasks where a cordless drill starts to bog down or overheat but this 5.5 amp drill just keeps turning. pI was first introduced to the Magnum Hole Shooter by a boatbuilder who called it the single best power tool he owned. Not only was it powerful enough to drill through an oak keel or refasten a few thousand hull screws, it was built uncommonly well. You just can't destroy this drill in ordinary use, and if you do manage to break it or wear out the brushes, it's easily serviced. pCompared to the old 1/2" drills, like my 1950s vintage Thor, this drill is half the size and a quarter the weight. It's not much bigger than a decent 3/8" drill even though it has over half a horsepower. If you're doing serious work in wood or metal and can only own one drill, this should be the one.

First of all I want to say that I am a around the house handy man and not a pro but I know quality when I see it and I have had a very decent amount of experience with power tools.
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br /I am guilty of owning a Craftsmen 3/8 inch, 1/3 horse power, 3 amp, corded drill "I got it because it was on sale for close to half price,I paid $20 for it.
br /When ever I tried to use it as a screwdriver with its so called variable speed trigger,it would almost always rotate to fast which would result in it stripping the screw heads.
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br /Most times when I tried to use it for tightening nuts or drilling metal it would stall,so to make a long story short it was under powered and the variable speed control was almost uncontrollable !! Oh well you live and you learn !!!
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br /So it was time for me to get a "high quality drill".
br /I now wanted a drill that would have plenty of power and have a "very controllable" variable control trigger and most of all I wanted this drill to be able to last me the rest of my life and I wanted it to be the best darn drill money could buy and at a reasonable price,now is that asking for to much ?
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br /So I went on the net and started reading a ton of reviews,I read up on cordless drills first but I was turned off by their overall price along with the "over priced batteries they use",and lets also remember their not the most powerful drills you can buy,they simply cannot supply you with the torque a corded drill can,and when you push a cordless drill it puts a tremendous strain on the battery and in return the same battery that might have held its charge for hours using it for light duty will now lose it's charge in a matter of minutes when you use it for heavy duty use.
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br /I have heard of some of the best batteries losing their charge within 3 minutes after using the cordless drill to do a really tough job.
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br /I still think cordless would be nice for light duty jobs as a second drill if you can afford one!
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br /So after reading mega reviews on the net, I was still having a little trouble trying to narrow it down to one drill,but the Milwaukee 0300-20 and the "Milwaukee 0302-20 a keyless version of the 0300-20" caught my eye with it's 8 amp motor and with the claim that it has the best power-to-weight ratio in its class.
br /All I could think was yum yum,MASSIVE POWER and TORQUE galore, and lets not forget that it's made by Milwaukee!!!!
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br /Now I'm thinking I've got to have this drill no matter what, so I called a local tool store and asked if they had the 0300-20 and they said yes,so out of curiosity I asked them if they felt that the 0300-20 was the best in it's class and to my surprise he burst my bubble and told me no, and he said that the
br /Milwaukee 0234-6 Was The Best In It's Class !!!
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br /Man I was so surprised at what he had said,and the man that I talked to was the owner of that shop, so I'm thinking to myself he must not know what he's talking about,I knew a little something about the 0234-6, I knew that it had a 5.5 amp motor and that it was a very old model, and I also knew that the 0300-20 was a much newer model with an "8 amp motor" and they cost around the same,so I'm thinking to myself "Duh" that sounds like a no brainer to me...old vs new, 5.5 amps vs 8 amps,come on, give me a break!
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br /I was also thinking to myself do the math Mr. Tool shop owner! So I got off of the phone with him and called another local tool shop and talked to the boss who's name was Mike and asked him the same set of questions and low and behold he gave me pretty much the same answer which was the 0234-6 is a much better drill then the 0300-20,then Mike went on and told me that the 0234-6 is the best drill on earth bar none !!!
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br /He said that he has had his 0234-6 for 15 years and he used it as a pro and in 15 years it never failed him once,and it never needed any repairs !
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br /Now I'm thinking I must be in the Twilight Zone and I'm also thinking does Mike not know that the 0300-20 has 8 amps and the 0234-6 only has 5.5 amps and the 0300-20 is a much newer model.
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br /I need to also tell you that some people think the 0300-20 and the 0302-20 are just like the 0234-6 but only with more power......WRONG !!!!
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br /I even called Milwaukee tools and talked to a rep and he told me the 0300-20 was just an updated and more powerful version of the 0234-6...."He Was So WRONG"!!!
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br /After thinking for awhile I decided to get the 0300-20 over the Keyless 0302-20 for these reasons...
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br / Keyed vs. Keyless Chucks
br /Keyed chucks are tightened and loosened with a small hand tool, achieving a tighter and more secure lock on the drill bit than keyless chucks. They also provide greater torque for when you need extra power. On the other hand, keyless chucks require you to manually turn the chuck, making for quick and easy bit changes.
br /* Keyed chucks are especially advantageous when removing screws
br /* For those who may be prone to losing a key, a keyless chuck would be a sound selection !
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br /So today I went to Lowes and had already decided in my mind that I was going to buy the more powerful 0300-20, which is supposed to be "the so called newer version of the 0234-6".
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br /When I got to Lowes, their they both where side by side the 0234-6 and the all powerful 8 amp 0300-20,but wait just a minute the 0300-20 does not have the same rock solid sturdy side handle that is screwed into the metal frame of the 0234-6 so when I held the 0300-20 in my hands and put a lot of pressure on the side handle it flexed and I said to myself "Oh No" I don't like this handle and most of all I hate the way that it is attached to the drill,I think it is attached in a very tackie and not very strong manner!!!
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br /The side handle on the 0300-20 was almost a deal breaker for me ,I could not break the handle ,but I sure did make it flex more then I think it should have!
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br /Now on the other hand I tried to make the 0234-6 side handle flex or bend, no such luck it was rock steady , and the entire 0234-6 is built like a tank and I'm not kidding.
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br /Next I tried out the trigger on the 0300-20 and the action of the trigger was not smooth at all, it was very choppy at best,let me tell you their is no way on earth for you to use a drill as a screwdriver if you don't have smooth trigger action.
br /I will go one step further and say I feel that it is potentially dangerous to try and use a super powerful drill when its side handle is not very steady and when its variable speed control trigger is choppy.
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br /You cannot control the speed with a choppy trigger...so that was the deal breaker for me, a bad handle and a choppy trigger !!!!
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br /Next I tried the trigger action on the 0234-6 and it was super smooth, I was truly impressed with the 0234-6 and very disappointed with the 0300-20,so I took the 0234-6 home with me.
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br /When I tried out the 0234-6 , I was so thrilled and shocked by the super high quality of this work of art !!! The speed control when using the trigger was superb ,you can use this drill as a super screwdriver any day of the week, I could get it to spin at the slowest speed imaginable,and when I pulled the trigger in all the way this high quality drill spun with such smoothness and power that I found myself laughing out loud and thinking to myself this drill is a master piece.
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br /Speaking of power, the 0234-6 has a whole ton of power and I can't ever imagine it stalling on me or anyone else for that matter"Just read all the write ups on it"!!!
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br /Don't be fooled by the other drills that have 8 and 9 amps, to many of the high amp monsters have a short life span and none of them not a single one of them can hang with the 0234-6 as far as quality and durability is concerned.
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br /So as far as the 0234-6 vs The 0300-20 or the 0302-20
br /their really is no challenge here, the 0234-6 is the King of all drills and the 0300-20 and the 0302-20 are no competition what so ever, the poor trigger action and the bad handle on these 2 super high powered drills should make them some hard to control monsters!!!
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br /Before I did my homework I was impressed with the larger number of amps the 0300-20 has, "8 amps sounded so much better then 5.5 amps, but now I know a lot better!!!
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br /Be smart and consider the overall picture when buying anything!!
br /Quality is far more important then pure power alone, and let the truth be known, you could hurt yourself badly with a very powerful tool if you don't have complete control over it and use it with extreme caution.
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br /Since the 0300-20 and the 0302-20 have such a poor side handle and a choppy trigger,in short that means you could never have full control over the 0300-20 and the 0302-20,and with all that power they have, you better watch out.
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br /I am a very strong and large 300 pound "body builder" and I simply don't trust the 0300-20 and the 0302-20 !!!!
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br /Now on the other hand, when speaking about the 0234-6,I simply and truly love this drill so much, that I don't even want to get a scratch on it! I might buy a second 0234-6 for use and put this 0234-6 in a picture frame or in my trophy case,because it is truly a mechanical work of art ...a real master piece and oh what a prize!!!!
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Don't be mislead by the gimmicks and styling of other 1/2" drills out there. This beast is all you need for truly heavy duty work like running large hole saws, mixing drywall mud, or just drilling monster holes with big bits! This machine is the standard by which others are judged and has been for years. It is ridiculously overpowered and its durable engineering hasn't changed. It's still the best.
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br / Milwaukee makes a keyless chuck version of this drill, but I do not recommend it. For the types of tasks this drill is designed to handle, you will want no possibility of slippage. The keyed chuck on this drill is as beefy as they get and is up to any task. Milwaukee also makes an 8 amp version of this drill. Such a machine seems like it would almost be dangerous, as this 5 amp version is perfectly capable of wrenching your arm. More amps isn't always better. This drill does not slow down, and would probably blow a circuit before it stalled.
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br / The removable cord is a nice feature, as is the removable and ambidextrous side handle. The only thing this machine lacks off the shelf is a good case, but the genuine Milwaukee steel case is available from various distributors for about $35. A very wise investment, this excellent case will protect your tool for years to come.

If Dirty Harry worked in the trades this would be his gun. I have drilled, screwed, mixed, and sanded with Makita, Bosch, BD, and Craftsmen (it was a desparate moment). The majority performed well. Makita and Bosch had pretty good power and got the job done. I didn't care for the keyless chuck or the adjustable handle on the Bosch that I used. BD and Craftsmen struggled with big bits in big wood and usually got hot enough to put them down and leave them alone for a while, (and the bits were sharp).
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br /Which leads to the hole shooter. Which leads to power.
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br /From big buckets of thinset, to drywall mud, plus some augers and lags thrown in for good measure, the hole shooter performed with flying colors. The only time it "gave up" was a delibrate test of my own curiousity. 1/2" x 3" lag, with an 1/8" pilot, into a 4x4. Even the hole shooter needs the right size of pilot. But I should say it broke the socket arbor "fighting the good fight."
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br /The fixed handle (right or left) at 90 degrees of the trigger, provides a tremendous amount of stabilty and control. This is especially handy when mixing mud, or punching through plates when you need to brace it against something. It's nice to be able to focus on the task at hand without having to worry that your support handle isn't going to slip.
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br /Keyed chuck. The only way to secure the monster bits or paddles. Keyless in this arena just don't provide enough bite.
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br /The trigger is great. No one or two finger triggers here. It runs almost the full length of the handle. Again,one less thing to worry about when your picking up your tool and getting down to business. The variable speed is just senstive enough and it's consistent.
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br /Quick lok cord is nice. I was a bit skeptical on just how secure is was going to stay in place, but so far its performed flawlessly, which is now over 2 1/2 years old.
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br /The low rpms is the only drawback for high speed drilling. But I can overlook this, because what you gain elsewhere significantly outweighs this minor issue.

..who's only weak link is it's cord. I have owned mine for 2 years now and when I do use it, I'm usually drilling long pilot holes with auger bits, or using large self feed bits (1 1/2" or 2"). I have used it the past week to drill out mortises for timbers joining into large log posts. As you may have noticed from the other reviews, this drill has power to spare and if you don't hold on tight it will twist right out of your hand. I HIGHLY recommend using the grip attachment when drilling with self feed bits or when drilling into microlams. Anyhow, I have had this drill twist out of my hand and fall 10 feet more times than I care to recall. Well, this week it twisted out and fell over 30 feet to the ground. I climbed down to go get it, half expecting to see it broken. When I picked it up, one of the housing screws was out about 1/4" and a seal was protuding from a seam in the housing. I tightened the screw, climbed back up to try her out again on the log and, IT WORKED! Kept right on driving that 2" self feed bit like it had before. I am impressed! The one draw back is that I am on my third cord. I have yet to cut one, but if the twistlok portion gets slammed enough times, it will not work. At least it is a simple fix, twist off the old cord and replace it with a new one in seconds. The premier feature of this drill has to be the trigger. It is SO sensitive to subtle changes in pressure, which makes precision work much easier. An excellent tool that will not let you down.

I have owned this drill for a couple of years now and agree with other reviewers' comments. You have to respect the power abd durability of this drill.
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br /I dropped the drill about 6' to 7' down onto the opposing side of a roof I was working from. As the drill was still plugged in, I pulled it up the roof by the cord. There were a few scratches in the case (from impacting the shingles), but that was all as far as damage was concerned. It still ran like a top.
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br /This drill is not one I use often; my cordless drills get most of the day-to-day action. But when you need what this drill can deliver--incredible torque, and relatively low speed, this is the tool to go with. A co-worker recommended this to me before I bought it and I must say he was right.
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br /If you drill metal or run big diameter hole saws, your search for a drill is over.

I used to work in a machine shop. I used one of these just about every day. I used it for Power Tapping. I would run this drill for hours with a 3/8 or larger tap in it, tapping Cast Iron or Boilerplate. I would use it for hours continually under super heavy loads. I abused it way beyond what anyone would ever reasonably or unreasonably use it for, and it would continually come back for more with no degradation in performance. For a 1/2 inch drill it is very compact and easy to use. It's slightly larger than most 3/8 drills and smaller than most other 1/2 drills, but outperforms all.

Great drill! Unquestionably Milwaukee makes the best, most durable, and comparably powerful drill motor on the market. The gear housing is metal, not plastic. The pistol grip is thick plastic, and very comfortable for larger hands. ( Its a pretty good stretch to hold this drill with your hand high on the housing while trying to drill a hole and toggle the trigger ). Speaking of the trigger, it is very sensitive accurate, again seems to be of a better quality than most. The Quick-Loc cord is a nice feature, but really should be of the twist lock variety, particularly for working at heights. The replacement cords seem pricey at first; however, when you figure on taking the housing apart to access the set screws . . . as you normally would, it is well worth the price, particularly if on the job. What more can you say about a drill, this one is powerful, well made, should last a very long time (even under heavy use)and will drill holes with any bit you can fit in the chuck. The side handle is must with all the torque this drill has, and the threads are coarse enough that they usually don't clog with dust alone, dirt will do it though. The only drawback to this drill is its weight, which is good and bad. It is good, because of all the reasons listed above, but if you use this drill all day, you can really feel its heft ( I have the 75th Anniversary model,which is even heavier). One other comment, for 1/2" drill motors the keyed chuck makes all the difference, keyless chucks just don't hold the bits tight enough, especially when drilling in tough materials. I doubt very seriously, you can buy a better drill than this one.

It's sooo smooth. When you get yours out of the box, plug it in and gun it up for the first time, you WILL grin. I think it's impossible not too. So smooth. And there's this high-pitched whine of the gears. Know why? They're all metal - not plastic. One other reviewer pointed out that the 8 amp version is over-powered. He's right. This baby only burns 5.5 amps but you better hold on! I only wrote this review to add my kudos, however redundant. You can stop shopping around, you found THE ONE! It's so smooth!

Before I bought my magnum hole shooter I had gone through several skil and crapsman drills and saws. When I got the milwaukee My tool buying changed forever. No more junk ever! That was many moons ago and it just keeps on going and going. I will never sell my old magnum drill. They have a new one out with even more power and torque and a nice rubber grip which I'll probably buy but I'm still keeping my magnum. It runs as smooth today as it did 15 years ago. I've done everything with it from drilling wood and steel to Mixing concrete.It won't drill concrete but it will sure mix it like no other.It also mixes drywall mud very well. As others have said it is very powerful and it will hurt you if you are not careful. I got thrown off a ladder once when the bit caught and I wasn't going to let go. I thought it was going to rip my hand off. but it didn't . After that I always treated it with more respect. This unit comes with a lifetime warranty . No other manufacturer that I know of stands behind their tools like milwaukee. It's no wonder when you consider their incredible track record.

I have owned this drill for about a year. There is nothing I can add to the rave comments about this "old school" power tool...I suspect it will run forever. Powerful, smooth, not heavy, balanced...did I mention I love it? I attended a tool event today and spent some time with a Milwaukee Sales Rep working the event. He told me the 0234-6 is being discontinued this year. The design is too old to satisfy some in Milwaukee's management. If this drill is too "old school"...then I must be too old school myself. This is a tremendous drill. Get one before they are all gone. You will love it!
br /10/17/08 Update
br /As is obvious, Milwaukee did not dicontinue this drill. A Milwaukee rep told me that dealers went into such an uproar, that Milwaukee decided to keep this beauty available. I wish I loved all my tools as much as I love this drill. Buy one!

I was getting no where with a 1" spade bit in my cordless drill, and I needed to drill a lot of holes to run the wiring in my basement. So I tried a self-boring bit, and my cordless drill quickly started smoking. That's when I went and got this drill. It blasts through studs effortlessly with a 1-1/8" self-boring bit. This thing saved me hours of tedious drilling.

Mostly a repeat of others, so bottom-line: BUY THIS, and you won't have to buy another (unless it's stolen, like mine).
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br /I bought mine YEARS ago, and it was just stolen, so I'll be buying another one....not even going to shop around for another brand/ model!! Plenty of power (use the removable side handle, and keep a good stance when doing high torque applications where the bit can grab). Very rugged construction. Comfortable grip and control (although not at the lowest end...but I don't use it for those applications anyway). The removable cord and easy access to replace the motor brushes are nice touches. The handle threading into both the left and right-hand sides makes it easy to share with left-handers at the jobsite.
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br /What else can I say....
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I own a 234 Holeshooter and also a Magnum 302. I have had the Holeshooter a short time (EBAY purchase) I have had the Magnum 302 for 4 years. I respect both drills and either of these drills will fly from your hands if you are not careful. ,I performed some simple tests on some scrap wood,,I have found that the Magnum has more overall power. I have "leaned into" each drill my biggest bits. The holeshooter slowed down (a little), the 302 didn't slow down at all.
br /I agree with the previous reviewer that the Holeshooter has better trigger control,and it feels smoother.
br /The Holeshooter feels more solidly made,and chunky. The Holeshooter is much lighter than the 302,
br /but to me it feels heavier, probably because the Holeshooter is more compact. I also prefer the screw in side handle on the Holeshooter,as opposed the sleeve mounted handle on the 302. I never had any flex in my 302 hande. I like the keykess metal chuck in the 302,it is convenient and it holds bits tight, this chuck has never slipped.
br /The Holeshooter is a classic,geared to contractors who use their drill hard every day. Both are pro grade drills,but the Holeshooter is more likely to survive WW3. The Holeshooter is also easier to service.
br /I have an old Milwaukee 1101 D-handle drill, that was owned by a contractor, its body looks terrible, but the drill works like it is brand new. When a tool takes a day after day beating like that and still run well ,it it's a great tool.
br /I give five stars to both of these drills ,the 234 Holeshooter,snd the Maguum 302. They are both great drills.
br /As far as corded drills,Milwaukee rules.
br /I wish they could put a bigger motor in the Holeshooters body.
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br /Frank(not Pam)
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I have had one of these for 5 years now. It can't be kilt. The construction is superb from the heavy, long, replaceable cord to the chuck and bearings. It will hog out one inch holes through layers of wood studs and flooring with an auger bit and not even flinch. I have used it in long duty cycle jobs like mixing paint, pancake batter for the scout troop pancake breakfast and wire brushing and barely get it to warm up. It will drive 3" long #14 screws, although I drill a pilot hole now to prevent the top of the screw from getting twisted off. About the only difficulty I have had is learning when to let go if the bit gets stuck. Otherwise it break your wrist if you are not carefull.

This is one tough drill. I've used it for everything from driving 4" lag screws to mixing mortar, and everything in between. You just can't slow this drill down. But as one of the other reviewers mentioned beware of the torque, this thing CAN hurt you if you're not paying attention(it's nearly gotten me quite a few times).

I have used my Magnum industrially for over 20 years. Never needed service (I did replace the cord) and never lacked for power. The variable speed works well. The chuck holds well.
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br /Do realize that this drill has a lot of power and if the bit catches the drill will twist violently and could hurt your wrist. Use the side handle! Keep it with the drill so you will not get lazy and try to do without it cuz you don't want to go and find it.
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br /The 1/2-inch chuck is a real blessing as there are lots of bits, especially those included in the good sets, that require that size. Also, many specialized industrial bits are 1/2-inch only.
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br /Corded drills are still required for most heavy-duty tasks and they certainly are more affordable. This is the drill I know I can recommend to anyone who needs the power.

I knew there would be a long list of satisfied Magnum Hole Shooter customers for this review. I have owned this tool for 5+ years and use it for installing plumbing, electrical, sub floors and mixing. The Magnum Hole Shooter is second only to my Milwaukee Super Sawzal as the two work horse tools in my shop. The Hole Shooter instantly gained my respect one day when it slammed my hand into a exterior sheathing nail while drilling a 2" hole for a vent pipe. I will never give up the power this tool has but after that event I grab on to it like I'm going to wrestle a bear.pThe Quick-Lok power cord on most of the Magnum line of electric tools is a great feature. I have seen many old tools that people just wrap the power cord around it which over time causes cracks, splits and the strain relief seems to pull out of the handle. I recommend purchasing the longer Quick-Lok cord which eliminates the need for a extension cord in most cases. pThe ½" Magnum Hole Shooter is a high torque low RPM motor that works excellent with Milwaukee's self feeding bits (I did a review on the self feeding bits also.) and concrete bits but is too slow for small diameter drill bits. I'm going to purchase the 3/8" Magnum Hole Shooter some day to cover the higher RPM requirements for smaller drill bits and some how I'm going to adapt the Quick-Lok cord to the 3/8" Hole Shooter's handle. pMilwaukee also has a 7+ amp ½" Hole Hog drill motor. I shutter to think what this tool could do to ya.

It seems like some manufacturers have cornered the market on certain things and have the "Best in Class". Milwaukee has certainly done that with the 0234-6. What sold me was the metal gears, nice feel, good trigger, obvious to the point of "art" quality, and of course power.
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br /This drill will last decades for the average user and the quality of the drill will bring a smile to your face everytime you use it.
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br /It has been a long habit of mine to lock down the bits while holding the chuck on my cordless drills. Don't try this with the 0234-6 (or be very careful). The power can rip the skin off your hands. And you do want the keyed chuck for the gripping power.
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br /The quality of the 234-6 is like art, it is built like the tight finely tuned incredibly strong machine it is.

This Milwaukee 1/2" drill is as good as it gets in all respects.
br /I've had over a dozen drills come and go over the past 40 years. I still have my Milwaukee 3/8" drill I bought in 1973, and except for a new cord and brushes it is still going strong. This new 1/2" drill gives me larger chuck, variable speed and plenty of power for serious, heavy duty work. Yet, due to its small size and relatively light weight, it it also useful for smaller jobs. The detachable cord is a great feature. It would have been even nicer if it came with its own case.
br /For lighter duty I use a DeWalt cordless, which I've had for over 10 years, but I've had to change and recharge batteries during a project many times, and the batteries do not last long.
br /As usual, Amazon gets 5 stars for the shopping experience.

I bought this drill in Jan. of 2008. I use it everyday for my job. I have used several drills over the years and this is by far the best one I have used. I am impressed everytime I use it. I was so happy with it I bought me another one, in Nov. of 2008. It is a very powerful motor, it has the quick removable cord, and has a strong handle that screws into the METAL body. I looked at Milwaukee's Drill 0299-20 the 1/2" 8 amp Magnum drill, and it is not built as good as the 5.5 amp drill featured on this page. The 8 amp did not have the removable cord when I first looked at it (they now have a newer model with a removable cord on the 8 amp). The removable cord is very handy because all my milwaukee tools have the same cord, and if I cut the cord I can just change out the cord, and continue working. It also has the quick change brushes which are very easy to change (I took it apart to see how easy I would be able to change them out and to see the quality of the inside of the drill.) and let me tell you, they are easy to change out. The drill is high quality on the inside. The handle is not as strong on the 8 amp. and the quality was not as good. The 5.5 amp is top of the line, and is overall the best drill that money can buy. But I do have to say that this drill is not for the weak. It will break your arm if not careful. I just ordered another one today, so I will have three total. On this new one I also ordered the keyless chuck and I am going to change the chucks out. The sad part is Milwaukee is phasing out the 5.5 amp motors and they are being replaced by the 8.0 amp drill. So I would buy this while you can still get them. The one that I wanted today (the 5.5 keyless one was sold out and are no longer made. Luckly they still had some keyless chucks so I could change it out.
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br /Overall This is one great drill. I would not buy any other drill.the Plus side is the powerful motor, strong well built handle, quick change cord, and easy to change brushes.
br /The negative (if YOU want to call it that) is it is so powerful it can break you arm. Now thats the type of power I like.

Cordless drills have come along way in the last 20 years. The first one that I used a 7.2V battery and was great at drilling and screwing into...pine... for about 20 minutes but not much else. Todays Lithium Ion drills have considerably more power and battery life. However, they are still limited.
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br /With the Milwaukee 0234-6 the only limit is what the drill-bit can handle. This drill has the power to drill into brick, oak, and steel - things that you will be severely limited by any cordless drill. The Milwaukee 0234-6 is the one drill that you can pull out to do any job,
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br / Quality - in all likelihood you will pass this drill onto your kids. This is a tough industrial type drill that is perfectly suited for job sites.
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br / Inserting the bits into the chuck- it is not as easy as the "twist" that is standard with most of the cordless models, but it still is not difficult.
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br / I would still recommend that everyone own a cordless drill, since the Milwaukee 0234-6 is a bit heavy and cumbersome to use for basic jobs ( hanging pictures, putting together toys and such).
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br /Final tally - 5 stars the only corded drill that I will own.

I have used many Milwaukee tools in the past and have always been very satisfied with their quality. Never more so than with this Magnum Hole shooter Milwaukee 0234-6 Magnum 5.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Drill. Great stuff! Truly the way corded drills SHOULD be made. I have done enough tight angle drilling (electrical and plumbing work) to realize the necessity of the right tool for the right job (RTRJ as a my brother's father-in-law always says). While I've have used Milwaukee's right angle drills (and you can't pass them up for their pure power), however I really don't need one day-in and day-out to justify an expensive single-use right angle drill. Plus after having finally pushed my trusted old Bosch 1005VSRK 5.5 Amp 3/8-Inch Drill the breaking point, I was in the market for a straight corded drill too. Not wanting to spend so much on a dedicated tool and looking for the flexibility of a convertible drill I found a perfect solution in the Milwaukee 48-06-2871 Right Angle Drive Unit Attachment for Milwaukee Drills 0234-6 and 0244-1 Only. This right angle drive unit can be fitted onto either of two drills: this drill the 850 rpm Milwaukee 0234-6 Magnum 5.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Drill or the 600 rpm Milwaukee 0244-1 Magnum 5.5 Amp 1/2-Inch Drill. While yes, on paper the 5.5 amps of power is not the same as the 7 amps in the Milwaukee right angle drills, but I have to say that I have found that it is unstoppable! This right angle drive unit is the EXACT same head/right angle unit that is used on any of the dedicated right angle drills... all you are doing is putting it on a different drill/power unit. And best of all it has the flexibility of using as a regular drill or take 3 minutes to install/remove the right angle drive unit and you are ready to drill tons of holes in any number of tight areas! As is Milwaukee's reputation, both the drill and the right angle drive unit are solidly built and have a good feel. I would highly recommend the drill to anyone and (unless perhaps you are a tradesman) I would suggest saving the $100 plus giving yourself added flexibility and buying the drill and right angle drive unit to solve any and all of your drilling needs.

So far, the two Milwaukee tools I have purchased (the 12v compact driver as well as this drill) have impressed me. The things that have impressed me most of all have been the trigger control, although the power and solid feel are right up there.
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br /I really value a drill/driver that I can fine-tune the controls to the point that I can use it as a ratchet with the trigger. The magnum does that very well, with plenty of power to spare on tap if I just squeeze.
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br /The magnum is quite heavy, but it has an all-metal gear housing as well as a very solid 1/2" chuck...I don't mind it because it isn't a cordless tool and cordless are the only tools I really care about being really light.

Did anybody notice this?...
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br /When I ordered the 0234-6 drill, the box stated 0234-6, BUT the drill itself stated 0234-1.
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br /1. Did anybody else have this happen to them?
br /2. Anybody explain what is going on?
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I don't think I ever smiled the first time I used a power tool prior to the Magnum. WOW. It sliced through 1/8 inches of steel with a 1/2 inch bit in about three minutes. If the longevity is as good as what other reviews have reported I will have this wonderful tool for a lifetime.

For a 5.5 amp drill, this unit offers lots of power. The build quality is nothing short of what we expect from Milwaukee. Everything from the professional grade 1/2" chuck to the heavy duty detachable cord shows Milwaukee's committment to reliability and longevity. I ordered this through Amazon and received the 75th Anniversary unit and it came with a steel case. Wasn't expecting the additional amenities, but you get lucky sometimes, I guess.

This is the second time I have purchased this exact drill. I am still using the old one and bought the new one in case Milwaukee ever stopped making it. It is the most used piece of equipment I own and the BEST. All the power you could ever need and packaged in a normal size. I have used it for every building function you can imagine. It NEVER quits!!! The quick disconnect cord is great and with the 20' long cord option I rarely need an extention cord. Every aspect of this tool is first class. It work very well for driving screws as it stops when you want it to, not a couple of revolutions later. If the fuctional features weren't enough, just how roughed the unit is should be a reason to select this tool. I will NEVER be without this drill.

I have 7 1/2 in drills, including a Milwaukee 299, a Dewalt, and a Haitachi. This sets the standard. It is so smooth, it is a joy to use.

This is THE drill motor when you're through playing around. Over the past few years, I have put my Magnum Hole shooter through it's paces and it is still a joy to own. I have used it on some pretty rough projects such as putting a 4" hole saw through 1" aluminum plate and 25, 7/16" holes through 1/2" 304 Stainless Steel plate. The only time it stopped was when the loose nut behind the trigger (that would be me..) had to take a break.
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br /It is the most rugged, hard working, dependable power tool in the [...]

Was looking for a corded 1/2" drill to support my cordless drill. This drill is perfect in a LOW cost HIGH value package. Always liked the Milwaukee brand and this drill is built very well and definitely lives up to the reputation! Would highly recommend this product to others looking for a good 1/2" drill for their toolbox!

This is the best drill I have ever used. It is incredibly powerful and will drive large bits and hole saws with ease (Be sure to use the side handle and hold on tight or it can twist your arm if the bit binds). It will drive an auger bit through a 12 inch barn beam often in one try. Also great for driving long screws. The limited speed compared to many other drill makes it work better and makes it easier to control. Great for everything except drilling in concrete or masonry (you need a hammer drill for this). Highly reccomended

When I went looking for a 1/2 inch drill to mix thin-set mortar I mistakenly bought a mikita and was stuck with a one speed drill. So many mixes require a slow speed mix that i had to look for a variable speed drill. The Milwaukee fit the bill. Its rugged construction and durability allow it to slow speed mixes without burning up brushes and stands up to the rigors of the jobsite.

Bought this drill to replace same type, earlier model on which the chuck got stuck (it's a long sad story). This drill is quieter and smoother running than my old Magnum. It is heavy, and super heavy duty. It can crank out the power for long periods of time without overheating. I almost smoked my battery powered drill doing some drilling through a header beam, but was able to finish the drilling with the Milwaukee with no problem whatsoever. It has torque to spare - be sure to use the handle attachment when using large bits, or the drill will have you spinning in circles!

I have had this drill for about 4 years now, and it still works great. It has been dropped many times, and looks terrible from all the ware, but nothing has come loose, and there are no cracks on the exterior. The power is incredible, but if you are not careful you will break many screws. I plan on buying many more Milwaukee tools.

A dream come after using these drills for 10 years would be make them rechargeable. That's it no other changes required and please don't make any.
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br /We use these drills until they get so hot we can't hold onto them. Even when they have been so hot the red plastic has turned brown from heat they keep running an running.
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br /We have a Milwaukee Hole Hawg also. When it will not get into a spot we have to put a 4" or 5" or 6" hole saw on the 234 and it performs every time.
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br /When threading holes we end up slamming them from forward to reverse they still last for years. The drill will run a 1/2" NC Tap though 1" aluminum.
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br /We did try 2 of the models that ran at the slower 650rpm. The gear case broke in both of them.
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br /We use to use the Makita 6013 and found them to power full. The Milwaukee has just enough power for any job but it will still stall out before it wraps ones arms up like pretzels.
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I have owned this drill for the past two years and have to say it out-performs any corded drill that I have used to date. Although my Craftsman drill still performs well, I wanted a drill with a significant upgrade in torque and that had a 1/2" chuck. Not only does the Milwaukee deliver on the power, the build quality is excellent, and the electric motor is extraordinarily quiet and smooth. Given its price and the fact it's a corded drill, the Milwaukee probably shouldn't be on the shopping list of the average homeowner, but it is a must-have for the serious DIY'er, contractor, and industrial worker. This is an American-made Milwaukee product that truly lives up the corporate credo: Nothing But Heavy Duty.

This is absolutely the best drill of this type that you can get. It is extremely powerful, the trigger is very sensitive, and the quik-lok cord is an amazing and useful feature. Buy one and I'm sure you will agree.

I have had my hole shooter going onto 15yr. and use it extensively on the job. I am an electrician and need a drill I can count on to do the job. I have other Milwaukee tools on the truck but the 1/2" comes into use more often than not. I repair my own tools and have not had a problem getting parts. Problem is that my source of parts has petered out and can not supply anymore. The guy says he has had so much trouble getting the proper parts that he threw out his microfish and doesn't deal in repairing milwaukee anymore. Says he sends his stuff out for repair. Is he handing me a line? Can you direct me to a parts source for this drill? I appreciate it? jerome donner

I've done industrial maintenance for years. my Milwaukee Hole shooter was the first and only drill I have ever purchased for this job. We've burnt out Dewalts and Black and Deckers all the time but The Milwaukee still plugs away. Most electricians and contractors we hire have a hole shooter in their box. there is only one drawback for smaller people. This one will twist your arm if it gets caught. Be prepared to let go.

For the novice to the pro, I have many drills that I use however if you don't have this one in the tool box your going to eventully need it. Do yourself a favor and buy this one before all others. You'll keep using it no matter what the project.

This drill is the best in it's class. No other matches its power for its size and weight. As others have said, watch out for its torque. Used it with a 3" Holesaw .......it fetched up and put my arm through some drywall. Built to last with easily replaceable brushes ........ a lifetime tool.

Our High School shop teacher found that this was the only tool the kids couldn't break.