With premium features, 550 inch-pounds of torque and hammer-drill impact speeds up to 27,200 blows per minutes, the 18-volt Milwaukee 0824-24 1/2-inch cordless hammer drill/driver kit is a serious workhorse. This unit offers a low-speed mode (0 rpm to 450 rpm) for maximum torque and control and a high-speed mode (0 rpm to 1,700 rpm) for rapid drilling and driving, so all your bases are covered.

The best word to describe Milwaukee's 18-volt, 3.0Ah lithium-ion battery is awesome. Like most other lithium-ion batteries, this one is compact and lightweight with a long runtime and consistent, fade-free power from start to finish. However, the 0824-24's battery includes a patented reversible casing that can be installed from the front or rear, depending on the space available for the job at hand. The 0824-24's battery also fits and powers all current Milwaukee 18-volt tools, including the company's Ni-Cad tools. Another battery bonus is the versatility of the included universal charger, which can fully charge any Milwaukee 18- to 28-volt lithium-ion battery and any Milwaukee 18-volt Ni-Cad battery in less than an hour. The charger even displays the real-time status of the battery as it charges.

The 0824-24 is evenly balanced, with a comfortable non-slip rubber grip that helps reduce vibration and fatigue. The drill's single-sleeve metal ratcheting chuck and carbide jaws ensure a great grip on bits, so there's no slippage or need to retighten the chuck. This tool has excellent trigger-speed control and zero chuck wobble, and it even sounds smooth while it's working. Twenty-four clutch settings and an additional clutch bypass let you quickly shift between drill, drive and hammer modes while maintaining clutch position. Another impressive feature is the magnesium gearbox, which reduces weight and adds durability.

The kit includes the hammer drill, a pair of 18-volt lithium-ion batteries, the universal charger, a Phillips bit, a side-assist handle and a durable carrying case. For projects big and small, the Milwaukee 0824-24 18-volt 1/2-inch cordless hammer drill/driver kit has an amazing range of power, performance and versatility.


Pros: Powerful, heavy-duty design, evenly balanced, two-speed gearbox, impressive lithium-ion batteries, included universal smart charger can charge other Milwaukee batteries, single-sleeve metal ratcheting keyless chuck with carbide blades, clutch bypass, 5-year warranty
Cons: Not for the budget-conscious buyer

Warranty
2 years or 1,000 charges, battery; 5 years or 2,000 charges, tool