Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment Review: The Ultimate Low-Cost Solution for Water Transfer?

It was a familiar scene after a week of relentless spring rain. That one low corner in the basement, usually bone-dry, was now home to a shallow, but spreading, pool of water. It wasn’t a catastrophic flood, but it was enough to threaten a few storage boxes and create that dreaded damp, musty smell. My options were limited: spend hours with a bucket and sponge, or invest in a bulky, expensive submersible pump for what was essentially a puddle. It’s a common dilemma for homeowners, boaters, and RV enthusiasts alike. You need to move water from point A to point B, but the job doesn’t justify a heavy-duty, single-purpose tool. This is precisely the problem that sent me on a search for a more practical, affordable solution, leading me directly to the tool we’re examining today.

What to Consider Before Buying a Drill-Powered Pump

A pump attachment is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the gap between manual labor and industrial equipment. It turns a tool you already own—your power drill—into a versatile water transfer system. The main benefits are portability, affordability, and compact storage. Instead of dedicating shelf space to a large pump you might use once a year to drain a hot tub or sanitize an RV water tank, you can have a powerful tool that fits in a small toolbox. It’s for those inconvenient but not-quite-emergency situations: clearing a clogged sink, emptying a rain barrel for watering distant plants, or bailing out a small boat. The simplicity of the concept is its greatest strength.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing intermittent, small-to-medium scale water transfer tasks. This includes homeowners with occasional basement seepage, gardeners looking to utilize collected rainwater, aquarists performing large water changes, or anyone who needs a quick-fix pump in a pinch. However, it might not be suitable for those who need to move massive volumes of water daily, require a pump for potable (drinking) water, or are dealing with heavy debris and solids. For continuous-duty or large-scale dewatering, a dedicated submersible or trash pump would be a far better, albeit more expensive, alternative. Understanding your specific needs is the first step to choosing the right tool.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Power Source & Torque Requirements: This is the single most important factor. These pumps demand significant torque. While they might technically run on a cordless drill, our testing and overwhelming user feedback confirm that a powerful, corded electric drill is necessary for any substantial task. A cordless drill will likely overheat or drain its battery in minutes. Look for a drill with a 1/2-inch chuck for the best performance.
• Flow Rate & Lift Height: The advertised flow rate (e.g., 750 Gallons Per Hour) is a maximum calculated under ideal conditions—zero lift height and a high-RPM drill. Real-world performance will be lower. Consider the “lift height,” or how high the pump needs to pull water up from the source. The higher the lift, the lower the flow rate. Ensure the pump’s maximum lift (e.g., 12 feet) is adequate for your needs.
• Materials & Durability: Most drill pump attachments have a plastic housing and a flexible internal impeller, often made of rubber or silicone. While this keeps the cost down, it also introduces a key point of wear. The impeller is the heart of the pump, and its condition dictates performance. Check for build quality and be prepared for the maintenance required to preserve these materials. You can see the simple yet effective construction of this model on its product page.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The setup should be straightforward: attach hoses, chuck the drive shaft into your drill, and go. However, the hidden aspect is maintenance. Many of these pumps require lubrication of the impeller before and after each use to prevent it from drying out, cracking, or taking a “set” shape. This is a critical step for longevity that is often overlooked.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a tool that not only works but works for your specific situation, saving you time, money, and frustration.

While the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, from small attachments to heavy-duty permanent installations, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Deceptively Simple, Surprisingly Robust

Unboxing the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment is an understated affair. It’s a small, lightweight device, primarily constructed of durable black plastic, that feels solid in the hand. There are no complex electronics or moving parts visible from the outside—just the 3/8-inch drive shaft, two 3/4-inch threaded ports for standard garden hoses, and a sturdy mounting base. The design is purely functional. In a world of over-engineered gadgets, its simplicity is refreshing. Our initial thought was skepticism; could this little plastic device really move 750 gallons of water in an hour?

The package contains only the pump itself; you provide the drill, hoses, and any necessary mounting hardware. The included instructions are clear, emphasizing two critical points right away: the need to mount the pump securely to a board to counteract torque, and the requirement for post-use lubrication. We immediately appreciated this transparency. Compared to other gadgets that promise plug-and-play perfection, Milescraft sets realistic expectations from the start. This simple, no-frills approach suggests a tool built for utility, not for show, and for those who appreciate its low price point, the value proposition is immediately clear.

A Deep Dive into the Milescraft DrillPump750’s Performance

A tool’s true worth is only revealed through hands-on testing. We put the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment through a series of common household and outdoor scenarios to see if its real-world performance lived up to its promising specifications. From draining barrels to simulating a flooded utility closet, we pushed this pump to understand its strengths and, more importantly, its limits.

The Power Question: Why Your Cordless Drill Won’t Cut It

The first and most critical lesson we learned is about power. The box says it works with any electric drill, but that’s a generous oversimplification. We started our test with a fully-charged, high-end 18V cordless drill. The pump engaged, and water began to flow, but within 45 seconds, the drill’s overload protection kicked in, shutting it down. After letting it cool and trying again, the battery was nearly depleted after moving just 10-15 gallons. As one user aptly noted, “you can pretty much forget using a cordless drill, unless you’ve got a very small pumping task.” We found this to be absolutely true. Moving water, especially lifting it vertically, requires immense and consistent torque, which is something cordless drills are not designed to deliver for extended periods.

Switching to a standard corded 1/2-inch drill transformed the experience. The pump hummed to life with a confident roar, and the water flow became forceful and steady. This is the intended power source, and the difference is night and day. The pump generates significant counter-torque, enough to violently twist a drill out of your hands if you’re not prepared. Heeding the instructions and user advice, we mounted the pump’s base to a simple 2×4 piece of wood. This created a stable platform that completely neutralized the torque, making the operation safe and effortless. This step is not optional; it’s essential for safe and effective use. The smooth, round 3/8-inch shaft can slip in the chuck under heavy load if not tightened securely, but with a firm grip from our corded drill’s chuck, we experienced no issues. This small tool leverages the power of a much larger motor in your drill, a clever design that makes it an incredibly effective accessory for anyone with a corded drill in their workshop.

Pumping Speed and Self-Priming in the Real World

With our power source sorted, we focused on flow rate. The advertised 750 GPH (12.5 GPM) is an impressive number. To test it, we set up a simple trial: draining a 55-gallon rain barrel with a 4-foot vertical lift. Running our corded drill at a steady, high speed, the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment emptied the barrel in just under 5 minutes. This calculates to roughly 11 gallons per minute, or 660 GPH—remarkably close to the maximum claim and exceptionally fast for such a small device. We were genuinely impressed. One user reported draining a 5-gallon bucket in under two minutes, a claim our test fully supports.

The self-priming feature is another key selling point. The pump is rated to lift water up to 12 feet. We tested this by placing the pump on a workbench and dropping the intake hose into a bucket on the floor, a vertical lift of about 6 feet. The pump sputtered for about 10-15 seconds as it purged the air from the line, and then a strong, steady stream of water began to flow. It worked exactly as advertised. This feature is invaluable for situations where you can’t place the pump directly in the water source, like emptying a window well or a sump pump pit. We even saw one user who successfully used it to pull water through 600 feet of garden hose to fill a water trough, a testament to its surprising capability. It’s this level of performance that has many users, including us, saying it delivers power far beyond its small size and price.

The Catch: Maintenance and Long-Term Durability

If there’s a trade-off for the low cost and high performance, it’s in the maintenance. This is not a tool you can use and forget. The instructions, and the experiences of long-time users, are very clear: you must lubricate the internal components after every use. We followed the process, which involves removing a few screws to open the pump housing and applying a small amount of silicone grease to the flexible impeller and the inside of the housing. The process took less than five minutes and was straightforward.

Why is this so important? The flexible impeller works by squeegeeing water through the pump chamber. If run dry for too long, friction can cause it to overheat and get damaged. More importantly, if stored for a long time without lubricant, the rubber-like material can dry out, crack, or deform, taking a “set” that renders it ineffective. One user noted that upon disassembly, they found small cracks on the impeller blades, which raises concerns about long-term durability if maintenance is skipped. However, another user reported using their pump for over three years without failure, having bought a backup that is still “collecting dust.” This tells us that with proper care—specifically, consistent lubrication—the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment can be a reliable and long-lasting tool. The minimal time invested in maintenance is a small price to pay for the utility and incredible value this pump offers.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across hundreds of reviews, a clear consensus emerges: the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment is a surprisingly capable tool that punches well above its weight class, provided you respect its operational requirements. The majority of positive feedback comes from users who were initially skeptical but ended up impressed by its performance.

One user, who has been using it for over three years to pump water into an off-grid mobile office, noted, “I bought a second one because I assumed this would fail rather quick. It has never failed me and the second one is just collecting dust lol. Highly recommend.” Another user successfully used it for the demanding task of flushing a tankless water heater with vinegar in 20-minute cycles, stating it “performed great for the entire time, it built enough head to move fluid through about 5-ft of tubing and uphill about 4-ft.”

Conversely, the negative feedback almost universally centers on two points. First, the immense power requirement. A user with a high-end cordless drill lamented, “I connected to a battery…Milwaukee…and in less than 30 sec it pulled it down and stopped.” The second major point of contention is the maintenance. As one disappointed buyer stated, “Imagine my dismay when the first thing I read is ‘for longer life prime pump before using’…Another fun bonus is you are supposed to take it apart and re-grease it every time you use it.” This feedback is crucial; it highlights that the product’s success is directly tied to using the right power source and committing to the simple but mandatory maintenance routine.

How Does It Compare to the Alternatives?

The Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment occupies a unique niche. It’s not designed to compete with heavy-duty, dedicated pumps, but rather to offer a portable, low-cost alternative. Here’s how it stacks up against other types of pumps you might consider.

1. SIMPSON 3400 PSI Pressure Washer Pump Kit

This is an entirely different class of tool. The SIMPSON pump is a replacement part for a gas-powered pressure washer, designed to output water at extremely high pressure (3400 PSI) but at a relatively low volume (2.5 GPM). It’s built for stripping paint, cleaning concrete, and other intensive cleaning tasks. In contrast, the Milescraft DrillPump750 is a high-volume, low-pressure transfer pump. If you need to move a large quantity of water quickly from one place to another, the Milescraft is the right choice. If you need to blast dirt off your siding, you need a pressure washer pump like the SIMPSON.

2. Red Lion RL-SPRK150 1.5 HP Sprinkler Pump

The Red Lion pump is a permanent or semi-permanent installation designed for irrigation systems. With a powerful 1.5 HP motor, it moves a massive 71 GPM (4260 GPH) and is built from cast iron for continuous-duty operation. This is the kind of pump you install to run a multi-zone sprinkler system for your entire lawn. The Milescraft DrillPump750 is a portable, occasional-use tool. You would use the Milescraft to empty the rain barrel that feeds your garden; you would use the Red Lion to *be* the source of water for the entire garden’s sprinkler system. It’s a matter of scale, permanence, and power.

3. Little Giant LG-APCP1700 Automatic Pool Cover Pump

The Little Giant is a specialized submersible pump. Its primary job is to sit on a pool cover and automatically turn on to pump off accumulated rainwater, preventing the cover from collapsing. It’s an automated, set-it-and-forget-it solution. The Milescraft is a manually operated tool that requires your direct involvement with a drill. While you could certainly use the Milescraft to pump water off a pool cover, you would have to stand there and hold the drill. The Little Giant offers convenience and automation for a specific task, whereas the Milescraft offers versatility and portability for a wide range of manual tasks.

Final Verdict: A Must-Have Tool for the Prepared Homeowner

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Milescraft DrillPump750 Water Pump Attachment is an outstanding value and an incredibly useful tool, but it comes with important caveats. This is not a heavy-duty, commercial-grade pump, nor is it a substitute for one. It is, however, perhaps the best low-cost, portable water transfer solution on the market for occasional tasks. For emptying a hot tub, clearing a flooded patch of lawn, or quickly moving water from rain barrels, its performance is nothing short of exceptional for its price point. Its ability to turn a tool you already own into a powerful pump is a stroke of genius.

We highly recommend it for any homeowner, RVer, or DIY enthusiast who owns a corded drill and is willing to perform the five minutes of required maintenance after each use. If you understand its limitations—the need for a corded drill and regular lubrication—you will be rewarded with a tool that consistently over-delivers. It’s the perfect emergency pump to have tucked away in a toolbox, ready to save the day when you least expect it. If you’re looking for an affordable and surprisingly powerful solution for your intermittent water transfer needs, this is undoubtedly the tool to get.