drill/hammerdrill

[Laz]

My Milwaukee 1/2 inch drill/hammerdrill needs a $130.00 repair. It's ten years old but has not had much use. Should I get it repaired or replace it with a new one? Thanks.

[wrench spinner]

what does kind of repair does it need? there isnt that much that goes wrong with them?

[Laz]

It always ran hot and finally burned up while stirring drywall mud. I hadn't really used it that much over the years.

[Velosapien]

burned up while stirring drywall mud.

Thats why it failed. Never use a hammer drill as a mixer. Mixing should be done with a drill with lots of torque. Hammer drills are geared very high with little torque so the motor probably ran close to stalling speed and burnt out.

[Woussko]

Laz

If you need to mix mud please get a nice heavy duty 1/2" slow speed spade handle drill. A Milwaukee 1660-6 comes to mind. Get one and have it for a loooooong time. They are workhorses. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_27_40028_-1_684303_192161_192137

If you think this is overkill then maybe a Dewalt model DW130V or if you can find one in nice condition a Dewalt DW131 is better. http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=19

Sometimes you can find a good used (or new) Milwaukee 1660 on eBay but bid low as you never can be sure it is good. Even if you ended up needing to spend some $$$ fixing one up, a good tuff spade handle drill is a nice investment. Another idea would be a HoleHawg type right angle drill like the Milwaukee 1675 but that's only if you find a great deal on one in really nice condition. If not the $$$ is just too much.