With its burly 7.8 amp motor, Porter-Cable's 1/2-inch drill enters the market as a powerful contender. Backed by 100-percent ball-bearing construction, this drill's burly motor is geared (variable speed from 0 to 850 rpm) to supply maximum power for demanding applications. The drill feels right in the hand, too, with good balance, a comfortable grip, and a nicely integrated groove for your thumb and forefinger, making it easy to operate the tool with your hand directly behind the bit. This keyless 1/2-inch chuck handles large bits and makes changing from bit to bit quick and easy: to tighten, simply hold the chuck with two hands and ratchet down. A removable side handle provides maximum control when drilling with large bits. A handy adjustable belt clip mounts to either side, for righties or lefties, and lets you quickly hook the drill to your tool belt when you need to free your hands up, a more comfortable arrangement compared to the top-mounted clips you'll find on other brands. The tool is built to last, too, with a strong, lightweight magnesium bearing plate, steel gears, and a tough cast-aluminum gear housing. There's no secret to creating a solid corded drill. Just build it tough. With its new line of corded drills, Porter-Cable certainly did that. --Jon Groebner
