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My Dad had one of those old all-metal 1/2" drills when I was growing up. And like others mentioned, the switch can stick on. When I was about 16, I was trying to drill a 1/2" hole in a piece of metal that I had in the bench vise. I had drilled a smaller pilot hole successfully with my 3/8" variable speed drill, but had to use Dad's big drill for the 1/2" bit. The big drill had a D handle, a grip handle with the switch on one side and also a steel pipe handle on the other side. When I plugged in the big drill, it started turning. I tried to fiddle with the switch, but could not get it to release. But since I needed to get that hole drilled and I thought I could control the drill with both handles, I set the bit down on the pilot hole. All was well until about half way through the piece of metal, but then the bit stuck. I had been anticipating this possibility and tried to lift it up, but the power of the machine tore it out of my hands. The pipe handle wacked my arm pretty good and actually knocked me down. While I was picking myself up, the cord wrapped around and around the drill bit and finally pulled the plug out of the wall socket. After that we only used the big drill for mixing paint. It mostly sat in the corner of the shop unused until my parents sold the place. I emptied all the old stuff from the shop and along with it, got the old big drill. Later I needed a very powerful drill and decided to see if I could fix Dad's old "widowmaker". I took it apart and took the switch to a large tool store in Spokane. They told me that the switch had been discontinued many years ago, but showed me a similar switch for a completely different brand of tool (I think it was for a power saw). The switch cost about $15, and I had to file the housing a bunch for it to fit and never stick on anymore. But for that $15 and some effort, I now have a VERY STRONG drill that has been totally reliable. And it was my Dad's drill. I also added a heavy duty 3 wire cord and carefully grounded the housing. I only use this drill with a GFI, since the metal housing could shock me if there was a malfunction.
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