Best Right Angle Drill – A Buying Guide
Have you ever been in a tight spot while drilling; literally? Those hard to reach corners can really give you a work out when you’re trying to tighten the screws and nuts in such places, or trying to drill a hole. Conventional drills can be a bit difficult to maneuver in such corners. Even if you do get in there in some cases, you really have to go for a round of hand acrobatics to get the job done. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a specific product, just for hunting down those pesky little tight corners that give you a such a hard time?
Well, congrats! There is a solution – and it’s called a right angle drill.
Right angle drill is a specialized power tool, designed to fit in those awkward places where traditional drills and drivers just can’t. You can also see it as kind of a cross between miniature hand drill and a screwdriver.
The job of a right angle drill is the same as the regular drill, but, the structural difference makes it a specialty tool. In a tradition drill generally, the handle is shorter and the head is longer. The right angle drill is the exact opposite of this, structurally speaking. In a right angle drill, the handle is longer and is attached to a shorter head in a right angle (Ninety degrees), hence the name. This structural detail is added to make this device suitable for reaching the difficult spots with ease. These drills generally have great padding and can be operated with one hand. However, unlike a conventional drill, you can use both hands to maneuver for better drilling in tight spots.
There are a number of power tool manufacturers that offer quality right angle drills you can choose from. Structurally, all these drills are almost similar, but there are a lot of other factors that differentiate these products. Depending on your needs you can pick the right one for you.
A good right angle drill is a tool you must have in your power tool kit.
What to look for in the best right angle drill
Here are a few pointers for when you’re in the market, looking for the right angle drill –
The power factor –
This is the first and foremost aspect of your drill that you should keep in mind. Power can be generalized in two terms for each drill. Torque, and voltage. More the voltage, more powerful the drill. There are different drills with different voltages available in the market. Similarly with torque, which is measured in Newton meters (Nm); more the torque, more power. Most drills have adjustment settings that let you adjust the torque for better control. If you’re working with stronger material, more torque is generally needed.
Speed –
Rotations per minutes determine the speed of the drill. Most drills give you control over speed so that you can adjust the speed according to the task at hand, for eg. 300 rpm ideally means you’re drilling a hole, and 7-800 means that you’re driving a screw. In any case, a drill with variable speed control and a higher speed mark is a better option since it gives you more control.
Features –
You should consider features of the drill while you’re buying like the chuck size of the drill.
For comfort, you should consider how ergonomic the design of your drill is. Buy one that you think is comfortable enough for you. Additional features like LED lights make it easier to work in certain areas.
Battery –
The battery charger, and the Amp hour (Ah) are two aspects to keep in mind. Depending on the model, some chargers do the job quickly, and some take quite a while. Ah is a metric for the storage capacity, and higher value means that your battery will have a longer life.
One of the most popular battery types today is the Lithium ion battery. It is lighter than other battery can be charged in less time. It also has a longer life than most battery types and is a good option.
Corded or Cordless –
You have the option of choosing between a corded or cordless right angle drill. Cordless drills give you more freedom to move around and explore places away from the power source. These are convenient and are great for smaller DIY projects. But, with corded drill, you don’t have to worry much about the battery running out. Since there is no limit to power, you can use it for heavy duty projects and it’s a favorite among professionals. Both are excellent choices and you have the option of choosing of your own accord.
The price range of these drills also varies, and depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you can make the right choice. However, it is a specialty product and you will only gain by investing in a better product.
6 Best right angle drills you can buy
1.) Makita DA3010F 4 Amp 3/8-Inch Right Angle Drill with LED Light –
This corded right angle drill from Makita is one of the top selling, heavy duty, Right angle drill used by professionals and non-professionals alike. With a powerful motor with 4.0 AMP, it weights 3.5 lbs and is quite light and easy to carry. The compact design of the drill makes it ideal for working between framing studs and other such close quarter applications, and an all bearing construction ensures smooth performance and longer life of the device.
It has variable paddle switch with dial switch lets you set the speed which ranges from 0 to 2,400 RPM which can be adjusted to work with wood/metal, and speedy fastening. A side grip handle can be installed for added comfort. There’s hock proof, high performance LED lights built in the device to illuminate hard to see spaces. The paddle switch, with speed limiting dial is there to prevent for working easily with one hand, and to prevent over tightening of fasteners.
2.) Milwaukee 3107-6 7.0 Amp 1/2-Inch Right Angle Drill with D-Handle –
Milwaukee 3107-6 is a great right angle drill, very easy to operate. It is corded and has a powerful 7 AMP motor. A very simple, straight forward design makes it a good device to work with. It is a little heavier, weighing 10.3 lbs, but the ergonomically designed handle disperses the weight evenly resulting in smooth operation. The 1/2 key chuck is heavy duty and with holder, it can provide industrial strength hold during operation. You can use it in two speed settings (0-335, 0-750), and it can be used in reverse as well.
The kit comes with a carry case which you can use to store the kit when not in use.
3.) DEWALT DWD460K –
This device from DEWALT comes with great features Bind up control sensing technology, which gives you more control of reactionary torque. The Motor is DEWALT built, and offer a whooping 11.0 Amp of power, good enough for heavy duty applications. In low speeds, the mechanical clutch provides more gear protection. There are two variable speed options (0-330/ 0-1300) to give you more control. There is an adjustable front handle and two position side handles for maximum leverage and control.
The device weights about 21.7 pounds, perfect for doing heavy duty projects with ease. The integrated REDLINK PLUS technology ensures that the drill runs at an optimal capacity, and protects against overloading. The device has POWERSTATE Brushless motor and Quick Lok Chuck.
4.) DEWALT 20V MAX –
This compact cordless drill form DEWALT is four inches, from front to back. Still, its powerful enough to bore two or three inch hole through a 2x4C or thicker material. It has multi grip, making it comfortable and easier to use. The dual speed ranges between 0-600, and 0-2600, giving user more control and flexibility in those terms. It is very lightweight, weighting at only 3.9 pounds to minimize user fatigue. The device uses a Lithium ion battery for more productivity.
5.) Makita XAD02Z –
This excellent cordless right angle 18V drill from MAKITA uses Lithium ion battery to bring you a smooth and convenient work experience. It has a 3/8 inch keyless chuck provides fast and easy bit removal and its compact 3-1/2 inch total head makes it a suitable tool for drilling in close quarters.
The device has a built in 4 pole motor and weighs in at 4.0 lbs. This set comes with tool only (battery and charger not include), and can be used for wood working, Garage door installment, electrical, steel framing or any other such tasks.
6.) Milwaukee 2615-21CT M18 –
The Milwaukee 2615-21CT M18 is an 18V, easy to use, durable product, good for drilling in hard to get spaces. The drill has 3/8 inch single sleeve ratcheting electronic clutch that designed to provide maximum grip, While allowing easy bit changes. is one of a kind and has 11+1 torque settings, peaking at 125 lbs. It is a lightweight product and drill up to the speed of 1500 RPM. The battery type used in this drill is Lithium ion, which is good for a longer life.
This drill is used by handymen, plumbers, and woodworkers mostly, and is a good option.
