On 7 May 2006 22:59:24 -0700, "robo hippy" wrote:

If you have followed for a while, I got a cheap Sioux/Milwaukee angle
drill clone last fall. I did an abuse test on it to see how good or bad
it really was. It wore out in less than 2 months, and I did abuse it.
The failure was due to the casing around the drill shaft wearing out,
not the bearings as I thought. If there was metal or other support
around the shaft, it would have lasted longer. I had a few friends who
got them also, and although I haven't heard of any wearing out, there
were some problems with the trigger failing. They were under warrenty,
were returned, and replaced.
The next part of the story is that I next set out to wear out a
Milwaukee drill. It was brand new, and I put it to work as soon as the
cheap one died. The Milwaukee died on Friday. Bearings I think. This is
about a 6 month life span in my shop, which for most other people will
mean a year or five. I run 3 inch discs on it, I blow it out regularly,
I put in some 8 hour sanding days ( yes, I do put some things off too
long and then need to work overtime to catch up). Oh yes, it is the
slow speed model.
$150 for 6 months vs $30 times 4 (I am figuring 1 1/2 months life) is
$120 for the same time span. The cheap one may be the better deal.
robo hippy

Reed... seems like I got my Ebay special about the same time as you got your
drill...

I use it a lot, probably not as much as you do yours as I have 3 drills and use
the one that's closest, but I've put a LOT of hours on the poor clone..

I don't blow it out, brush it off or do any maintenance on it... I abuse the
hell out of it with too much pressure, long sanding sessions on hot days, etc...
I've worn out or over heated several H&L sanding pads but the drill seems to be
like new...
That said, I have to wonder about quality control, especially on the cheaper
tools... I could have got the only good drill in a box of many...

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm