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Discussion Forum

angle drill-driver suggestions

Pierre1 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on September 12, 2006 06:40am

Time to add a right-angle drill/driver to the tool crib. Use will be light reno/remodel rather than full-on plumbing/wiring work that hole-hawgs are made for.

I think I’ll stick to corded as it will only get occasional use and I don’t want to keep track of the charger, batteries, etc. between uses.

The drills I now have are: 12V cordless drill/driver by DW; 1/2″ 5A Makita 0 to 2800rpm VS hammer-drill; 1/2″ 6.3A Makita 550rpm for mud. I always rent the big ones.

Something corded in 1/2″ reversible VS that runs up to 3000rpm or so would probably be fine. A keyless chuck is not absolutely necessary but would be easier on the hands.

Any recommendations on angle drill/drivers that work for you?

 

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Replies

  1. cap | Sep 12, 2006 07:50am | #1

    Any one of the Milwaukee D-handle right angle models.

    Different models are available with different RPM.  If you use large self-feed bits (GT 4") go for lowest RPM (500 IIRC).  The RA attachment can be flipped, and gives you a slight increase or decrease of the drill motor RPM.  So with a 500 RPM drill motor, you could get 350 RPM and 700 RPM or something like that. 

    I think a 600 RPM motor is a good general purpose one.

    For heavy duty use, get a keyed chuck and tighten the chuck at two places.

    Watch the reaction torque if the bit binds.  The drill motor will throw you or break a hand if it gets pinched 'tween handle and wall or break your jaw if it's in the way.

    Have fun.

    Cliff

  2. User avater
    IMERC | Sep 12, 2006 08:33am | #2

    nothing like it

    View Image
     
    HOLEHAWG

     

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!

    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    1. Pierre1 | Sep 12, 2006 08:39am | #3

      Sure is a beaut. Form and function. Got to heft one a couple years ago.

      Too much drill for light to medium duty though. 

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Sep 12, 2006 08:46am | #4

        three to pick from..

        HD, please stand back and ya'll watch this now ya hear...

        did you go to the webb site?? 

         

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

        Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

        1. Pierre1 | Sep 13, 2006 04:11am | #13

          Yes, I did check out the Milwaukee site. Those pics you posted made me slobber all over the keyboard. Those are all good plans that's for sure, but likely more power than is realistically needed for my modest job requirements.

          Plan D - the Mil Magnum version - might be more down my alley. I've used a regular Mil Magnum before for a few holes and was impressed because of the torque in a small package.

          Thanks again. 

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Sep 13, 2006 05:13am | #15

            but likely more power than is realistically needed

            CHOKE!!!!

            with talk like that you and yur card may be put on probation... 

             

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

          2. Pierre1 | Sep 13, 2006 05:36am | #16

            Ooooops, wrong choice of words there. Un-American in fact.

            Those Hole Hawgs don't come with 1/4" chucks do they?  Huh, still wrong.

            lol.

            IMERC, I've long had a hunch that the expression "too much power" has never crossed your lips.

            Actually, I'm really looking for an angle drill powered by a Stihl chainsaw engine, modified to burn AV gas with nitrous oxide feed. Can I still play?

              

          3. User avater
            IMERC | Sep 13, 2006 06:13am | #17

            IMERC, I've long had a hunch that the expression "too much power" has never crossed your lips.

            not that I can recall...

            Actually, I'm really looking for an angle drill powered by a Stihl chainsaw engine, modified to burn AV gas with nitrous oxide feed. Can I still play?

            that's us...

            welcome back....

            BTW...

            would this get you by...

             

            BT 45 Wood Boring Drill

            View Image

             

            or would this be more to yur liking..or should up the ante.. 

             

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

          4. Pierre1 | Sep 13, 2006 06:53am | #20

            Phew, I thought I'd be shunned until such time as I produced a notarized receipt for a Hole Hawg.

            I recall seeing your name on the credits for "Home Improvements". You were the show's power tools consultant, on loan from the Binford Tool Co. 

            I liked the over-the-top scenes where Tim Taylor would fire up the likes of a V8 powered Binford garage door opener, or some such inane contraption. 

          5. User avater
            IMERC | Sep 13, 2006 06:35am | #19

            The Milwaukee Mag drill comes in a wide range of speeds and torque levels..

            pick one and add the attachment...

             

            BTW...

            found that basic drill motor that you really want... ditch the bar and chain.. add a chuck and make those fuel modifications..

            good to go...

            MS 880 STIHL Magnumâ„¢ Chain Saw

            View Image

            Our most powerful professional saw. Precision-balanced to provide excellent handling and reliability under the most strenuous cutting conditions. Other features include a lightweight flywheel and a dry, easy-to-maintain air filter. Includes decompression valve for easier starting. Wrap handle version (R) also available.

              

             

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

      2. User avater
        IMERC | Sep 12, 2006 08:50am | #5

        PLAN "B"

         

        View Image

         

        PLAN_B 

         

        Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

        Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

        1. User avater
          IMERC | Sep 12, 2006 08:55am | #6

          PLAN "C"

          View Image

           

          PLAN_"C" 

           

          Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

          WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

          Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

          1. User avater
            basswood | Sep 12, 2006 02:40pm | #9

            I have "Plan C", perfect for the occasional use I give it...a great mud mixer too. Milwaukee corded drills are bombproof.

  3. nikkiwood | Sep 12, 2006 12:16pm | #7

    Here is a "Plan D":

    http://tinyurl.com/r7dny

    This Milwaukee model will work just fine on any holes up to about 2 1/2", using self-feed bits.

    I have one, and I like it a lot. I also have the big Hole Hawg; it is heavy and powerful, but overkill for running electrical and supply pipes for plumbing.

    ********************************************************
    "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

    John Wooden 1910-

    1. User avater
      MarkH | Sep 12, 2006 01:09pm | #8

      Love mine too.  It's light and very powerfull.

    2. User avater
      basswood | Sep 12, 2006 02:41pm | #10

      You gonna make the JLC live this week?

      1. nikkiwood | Sep 12, 2006 04:37pm | #11

        I did get the (free) tix for the Expo part, but havn't been certain I would be able to go. Now it looks like I will be able to go onThursday. If you are going to be there, give me a call on my cell phone -- 651-341-8441 -- and maybe we can meet up. BTW, I grew up in Wabasha.********************************************************
        "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

        John Wooden 1910-

    3. Pierre1 | Sep 13, 2006 04:22am | #14

      Your Plan D sounds good so far. Powerful enough and yet compact and prolly more affordable than IMERC's plans A, B, and C. Not as good looking as the Hole Hawg though (as if that was a consideration)  ;)

      I see Makita (yes, I already have 2 Mak drills but I own tools of all brands) has a couple models:

      1/2" Angle Drill Model DA4000LR, 7.5A, two ranges: 0-400 and 0-900, drives up to 4 5/8" self-feed and 6" hole saw in low range. It will fit in an opening as small as 5.5" without a bit in the chuck. Edit: performance specs of this Mak are practically identical to the Mil Plan C.

      3/8" Angle Drill Model DA3010F, 4A, 0-2400, but is limited to 13/16" in wood and 3/8" in steel. Too small.

      Thanks Nikki

       

      Edited 9/12/2006 9:27 pm ET by Pierre1

      1. nikkiwood | Sep 13, 2006 06:21am | #18

        Another thing I like about that Milwaukee I was touting is you can remove the right angle attachment and use it as a conventional drill. I did all my right angle drilling with a Hole Hawg for years; it is powerful -- so much so it can break your arm if it snags while cutting a hole (there is no clutch on it). I don't even see the plumbers around here using one. They all seem to use one of the D-handle models.********************************************************
        "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

        John Wooden 1910-

        Edited 9/12/2006 11:24 pm by nikkiwood

        1. Pierre1 | Sep 13, 2006 06:56am | #21

          The Magnum's convertability is a nice feature.

          I also like the real metal box, with bit storage. 

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Sep 13, 2006 07:47am | #22

            ya know Milwaukee and Bosh both sell right angle adaptors for their drills..

            maybe that is all you need...

            like so...

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image Right Angle Drive

            View ImageClose Window View Image

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image

            View Image 

             

            Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

            Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

          2. onder | Sep 13, 2006 05:58pm | #23

            I have the little 3/8th" Makita.
            A lot more powerful than you'd think.
            Nice LED light too.

  4. LeeLamb | Sep 12, 2006 05:00pm | #12

    Try a Milwaukee Close Quarter drill. Small, powerful, and well built. Look at it here:

    http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product3_27_40027_-1_284265_281140_189333_362

     

    Good luck!

    1. davidmeiland | Sep 14, 2006 06:57am | #25

      I have two of those. I sleep with them under my pillow.

  5. renosteinke | Sep 14, 2006 04:09am | #24

    For light duty, that does NOT involve hole saws, or bits encountering nails, a Sioux drill is a good choice. The ergonomics can't be beat. It looks a bit like a sparrow; it is also sold by Milwaukee as a "close quarter drill." The small gears in the head do not survive shock loads very well at all!
    Also, Harbor has begun selling a corded right angle drill for about $30. Again, for light duty.

    The next step up is anybody's drills that come with an "L" shaped head. Those are what I suggest for general construction work.

  6. splintergroupie | Sep 14, 2006 07:24am | #26

    If you don't actually need 1/2" capacity, Dewalt has a 12V right angle drill. I've used mine pretty hard for all my plumbing and wiring plus fencing for my house and it's still working perfectly so far. I have a regular Dewalt 12V drill, as you do, and bec batteries are interchangeable, you can always have a fresh one ready to go in the rotation.

    I got mine off ebay for less than a hundred dollars bec it came with only one battery instead of the normal two-pack.

    1. Pierre1 | Sep 14, 2006 07:37am | #27

      Hmmmm. Interesting suggestion. Thx. 

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