Hi All, Looking to buy my first "good" drill. I have a cheapie 12v 3/8" cordless Firestorm drill that I got as a gift several years ago. It is still kicking but lacks the power if you want to do more than drill some small holes and put in screws around the house. I think I have decided on a corded drill as they are cheaper and I really don't mind having a cord around as I am not a pro who is using it all day. Have recently needed to use 1/2" drill bits and needed to borrow. Got me to thinking that I should get a 1/2" drill instead of a 3/8" drill. I know it will be heavier and bulkier but seems like I could cover lots of ground with it. Small bits, big bits, etc as I get into more projects. Does this sound like good reasoning? I want to buy something that I will have for a long time. Have read some really good reviews on the Milwaukee 0234-6 1/2" drill. Seems like it would do the trick but am I missing something? Thanks for all replies as usual! DryFly

Hello and Welcome Aboard Everyone... :) Welcome to My World! You have a dull question? Post it here. I may have a sharp answer! :D My name is Tom and I really do sharpen tools. I have been sharpening, as a vocation & part time business for well over 20 years and have my own small shop. I gather many of the tools from local lumber yards, building material yards, hardware stores, fabric shops, where homeowners bring in their tools. Lumber, building material yards and equipment rental yards, where contractors bring their tools. I also have a selected number of direct contact custom cabinet builders and wood working customers. These customers are some of my businesses best customers. They appreciate service provided and pay me dearly too! Other pickup locations in my service area include several small non related retail shops, like fabric stores, shoe repair and fix-it shops. The vast majority of items I get turned in for sharpening are the tools customarily found in and around the home, garden shed, barn and garage. To name a few tools, knives, scissors, mower blades, pruning shears & snipers, hedge cutters, drill bits, both hand & power saw blades, mower blades, router bits, end mills, assorted cutting tools both steel and carbide. Many of the cutting tools found in the home, used in the garden, shop, shed or found in the garage, can be sharpened by the homeowner with a few basic skills, learned talents, two or three basic machines, lots of practice and patients. In this forum, I hope to assist you to accomplish the basic sharpening tasks for your everyday type of tools. In the coming weeks, months and years ahead, I will be posting sharpening tips, hints, general shop and sharpening safety articles. Therefore, I invite you to return often and should you have any questions on sharpening tools commonly found around the house, do post them. I will be glad to hear from you and offer as much technical advice as possible and help needed. Understand of course, that in context of text (words) alone, like that found here in this forum, there will be many tools that just cannot be explained how to sharpen using plain simple text only instructions. However, feel free to ask and it shall be my pleasure to offer you any tips, hints and advice I can. A suggestion would be to purchase a generic sharpening procedures basic book and learn the sharpening basics. A general word of CAUTION working around any machinery and especially with blades, may be in order here. Most importantly, wear eye protection. Dress for the occasion. Never wear long sleeve shirts, excessive jewelry or work in a dimly lighted area. Have a first aid kit handy. Allow NO distractions and always consider the fact that an accident can happen working around machinery. Be prepared for nicks, cuts, bruises and occasionally slivers. So now you must be wondering what the sharpeners industry saying is? I can sharpen anything except your "mind and your wits"! :D Sincerely, Sharp Advice. Web Site Host, Forums Manager, Monitor & Multiple Topics Moderator. Accurate Power Equipment Company. Complete Saw and Tool Sharpening Service. [This message has been edited by Sharp Advice (edited December 17, 1999).] [This message has been edited by Sharp Advice (edited December 20, 1999).] [This message has been edited by Sharp Advice (edited August 28, 2006).]