Milwaukee 0300-20 8 Amp 1/2-Inch Drill

When I first unpacked this drill I thought it looked very long and unwieldly, but after comparing it to my 3/8" drill I found it to be only 1/2" longer. Milwaukee did the right thing by providing the side locking handle and steel keyed chuck with this drill it is needed to control the torque it puts out when drilling thru steel of any thickness. The drill has a lot of torque for its size, yet it's feather smooth starts and operation makes it well suited for drilling in wood and other delicate materials. The only complaints that I would have with the drill is its balance, it is a bit front end heavy, also I have other Milwaukee tools with the Quik-Lok cord system on and this would make the drill easier to store in the case which I purchased with it.

My primary drill is an 18-volt cordless. I felt that I needed a corded to supplement my cordless. I do have 2 smaller corded drills but they are old and not variable speed and rather low amp.

I have the need to mix some joint compound, not regularly but just for a couple of rooms. I didn't want to rent a mixer if I didn't have to. I have used the 18-volt cordless but being battery operated it's not a great idea and I don't really want to spring for a second dedicated mixing drill for a couple of small jobs.

I do have an old spade handle but it's one speed and too fast for mixing compound.

I began looking around at different corded drills to see if I could find a high amp one that I thought might be up to the job of mixing compound in a limited capacity. This is 8 amp and the same size as the 5.5 amp drill. Dedicated mixers, spade handle drills are 7.5 amp. heavier geared and made more heavily for day in and day out mixing so therefore recommended for continued mixing. I again am looking to get away with an occasional mixing. Hitachi makes a small drill with a bit higher amperage but it doesn't look as substantial as the Milwaulkee plus Milwaulkee has a reputation for making really good drills.

This drill is a heavy duty substitute for my cordless. Used when I need more drilling power, something that doesn't have a battery in the way, something where i need to go back and forth between drills and don't want to keep swaping bits and occassional mixing. Also, I saved some money by not getting the keyless chuck. I have one on my cordless but don't really need it here.

So far it has been a wonderful, no frills value added addition that does what I need it to do.

I have had DeWalts, Makitas, Black and Deckers, and Chinese pieces of junk. The Milwaukee (I have two, a 1/2 in. and a 3/8 in.) are simply the best, and nothing else is close. Don't waste your money on the others and be disappointed, and then buy the Milwaukee, buy it first and save.