Sioux 8000ES 3/8" Variable Speed Close-Quarters Drill

Comment: Here's the deal... hopefully you can still find this drill or something with its form-factor, because it is indispensible if you're installing cabinets and doing other finish chores. NOTHING else on the market will get you in as close as this form-factor.

Now - to the guy who had it fail. Look at the gear head... it's obviously going to be fragile. I've ruined a couple of these drills trying to torque big bits through tough materials, stir drywall mud, etc. They are also VERY torque-ey, and will snap your wrist (or their gears) if you're not careful. Still - even for drilling out studs for wiring, etc. , this is the drill I grab. With the right auger bit nothing beats it. I saw a couple of the offshore importers had knock-offs... I'm going to grab a few while they're still around.

Comment: Purchased this drill and it failed 35 days later. Sioux refused to replace and had me send it to third party repair company. It has now been at the repair facility for two months. It appears from Sioux's response to my complaints that they consider this adequate service.

Comment: I've had both the Sioux and Milwaukee brands of this drill. I use the 1/2" chuck exclusively now to drive 3" screws in the new Simpson holdowns in my framing business. Lots of torque and pretty good longevity. Hint: check the screws in the case at the gear head and tighten if they loosen. The bevel cut gears don't like the play.

Comment: Best I can tell, this drill is the same as the Milwaukee 3/8" close quarter drill. Looks identical in the pictures, right down to the pattern of the slotted air vents in the housing. I figure one of these outfits (or possibly someone else) is making this drill and the others are selling it with their name on it. One important difference is that the Sioux is ... cheaper. So either I'm a real smart guy or I missed some important detail.

Overall the drill is very solid looking and appears to be well made. I was impressed to see it had a Jacobs chuck, more than I can say for my Delta drill press. However, don't be deceived by the picture and think this is a small tool. The motor part acually has quite a large girth and it is not particularly light. I really haven't used it yet, but based on the other reviews (including the Milwaukee) I'm sure it will perform just fine. Can't give it 5 stars since I haven't put it through its paces yet, so I'll give it 4 stars based on appearance, feel and a dry run.

Comment: I first used the Sioux drill at a woodturning class. The instructor let us use his Sioux to sand bowls we were making on a Lathe. This drill with the Wave sanding discs does a grest job on finishing projects on the Lathe. I think about half the students purchased one of these, after using it in class. The Sioux is also handy for drilling in tight spots.