Milwaukee 0234 6 Magnum 5.5 Amp 1/2 Inch Drill

Customer Reviews

Quality features, quality craftsmanship

2007-12-30
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.

the butter knife

2007-12-09
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.

Well Built

2007-10-22
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.

Best in class

2007-08-19
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.

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.

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.

The quality of the 234-6 is like art, it is built like the tight finely tuned incredibly strong machine it is.

Don't be lazy

2007-08-03
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.

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.

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.

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 have yet to find a better drill

2008-07-19
We use these drills until they get so hot they cannot be held onto and the red plastic starts to go brown from the heat. Even then you go and grab another one and use it until the first one cools down. Even with slamming them from forward to reverse they last for years and years.

If only they could add batteries it would be a dream come true.

hard working drill & great option to expensive right angle drills

2008-06-20
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.

plan on having this for a long time...

2008-05-15
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.

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.

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.

The best drill I have ever used

2008-03-08
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

Exactly what I needed

2008-01-20
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!