I’ve convinced myself I need a right angle drill for cab installs …
so I’m looking at the smaller 3/8th models out there …
who has what?
the makita with the light looks good … can’t find one local yet to hold …
as much as I hate added lights/lasers … this time a light actually makes sense.
not that I’d pick one over a better model for a silly light …
Have held the Milwaukee … with the bent head. Can’t decide if it’s comfy or hurts my arm.
Have used the DeWalt … buddy has an 18v …. I like the keyless chuck … but I’ll be around power any time I want to use one … so cordless is no big seller to that point … I like a corded tool to rely on ever now and then … usually more power. Plus .. all my other DeWalt stuff is 14.4v … not planning on changing now.
I even got to use the old style Makita Stick Battery drill … so far … that one felt the best! I heard of a place that now makes the old style batteries … maybe I’ll just try to dig up an old one cheap?
anyways … the cordless DeWalt felt too bulky …. so I think I’m sticking with a cord.
How does the Old Mil compare with the Lighted Mak?
anything else out there I’m missing?
will be used 99% of the time for cab installs …. has to be reversible … and a corded/keyless chuck would be great … but I don’t think such an animal exists …
Jeff
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Replies
Hitachi D10YB 3/8" Right Angle Drill
Other products by Hitachi
Might be the Hitachi ...
reversible ... and has an electric brake ...
which is what I didn't like about the DeWalt ... I like having a brake when I'm driving or drilling thru $1k cabinets ...
if it only had a keyless chuck .... I'd be set.
what's with the "saves space" deal/excuse for a keyed chuck? I measured the other day ... no difference to write home about ... if the cordless drills can have the keyless ... why not the corded?
found one with a keyless ... a Souix ... but no brake .. and it may have been discountinued ... why can't I have it all?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
i've got the souix... must be 15 years old now.. the chuck sucks... but it gets the job done..
that hitachi looks very interestingMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Sioux or Milwaukee...
one in the same...
bullet proof...
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!
Gotta agree on the Sioux. The skewed angle and unique handle are easy to put some pressure behind... Comfy and well designed. Been around for years. They offer a cordless now, no experience with that, but they are primarily a industrial supplier, so I'd expect good things. Give one a test drive.PJ
Whatever you can do or dream you can, Begin it Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Goethe
Sioux makes the Milwaukee...
that little drill is one tuff number...
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!
Jeff,
I'm sure you'll get lots of recs for the Souix/Milwaukee. Personally, I like a true right angle head. We used them quite a bit at the boatshop. My buddy Alan had a 14.4 Dewalt and I borrowed it a lot... It would be what I would recommend. I think it's the only way you'll get a keyless chuck.
If you don't need new batteries or charger, I believe Amazon sells just the drill body. I found if I needed the clearance of the right angle drill, not dragging a cord behind was also nice.
-Kit
don't know about a recomendation, I am following with interest - (I do have a 9.6v makita ebay score, which is fine for my purposes)
but about the chuck...you should be able to open the chuck, reach down the opening with a philips or allen wrench and remove the keyed chuck and then replace it with a keyless....
Ya know ...
I've changed a chuck or two in my life ...
never thot about remodeling one to fit my needs ...
humm...
Thanks!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I put a keyless chuck on my Milwaukee angle drill, works great...
greg
gb
Where did you get the keyless chuck?
You don't have to get one specifically for a Mil. do you?
Edited 12/19/2004 6:06 pm ET by Doug@es
Doug-
I believe it was Western Tool Supply in Anahiem, Ca.( used to be Abby Machinery). And this one is a Milwaukee chuck. At least their name is stamped on it...
greg
Thank you
coastaltools.com for Sioux
8050ES 0-750rpm $125.
8000ES 0-1,300rpm $119.
8800ES 0-1,500rpm $149.
2,500rpm is ideal for drilling holes 1/4" or smaller in wood.
If anybody ever said
That I give a damn,
Well they damn sure told you wrong.
I've had ramblin' fever all along.
- Merle Haggard
I have the Makita stick battery one. It didn't originally come with a keyless chuck, but I swapped in one later. I mostly use it inside cabinets also, for which it is great. The only annoying thing about it is that it has an overload button which pops when heavily loaded. Not a real gutsy tool, but great for what it does. The small size is nice to be able to put in pouch or pocket if you have to climb to get to the screw location.
Hope this helps. Rich.
I find the Milwaukee very comfortable and convenient, but mine lacks a clutch and I think most of the others do too. Sioux, who I think makes the Mil offers one with a clutch, that would be nice.
Mine was essential for installing Deckmaster.
Got mine on eBay, new, warranty, - $65. Nice to have around.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42269&item=4343214458&rd=1
Edited 12/17/2004 7:24 pm ET by Jeff2
I was wanting one for cabinets a while back and was looking at the Makita with the light or the off angle Milwakee just like you are.
Got my impact driver and that is compact enough that I haven't needed a right angle.
Know you don't like Crapsman but they had a real interesting right angle - very compact http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00927996000
that little Craftsman was recommended by the two old cab guys I was working along a coupla weeks ago ... they also hate Crapsman ... but gave it 2 thumbs up.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
The Milwaukee drill is a good one, Craftsman has a good one as well but it wasn't the one linked to in this thread. The design was similar to a palm nailer with a drill chuck attatched for the one I'm thinking of, it was very solidly made and performed great. If I was to buy another right angle drill I'd definitely buy it if I had a need for a dedicated right angle tool but I've been making doing with right angle attatchments and those flexi-bits to eliminate clutter in the truck. Milwaukee's offset bit is great for angles.
-Ray
If you think you might like that Craftsman -
I was at Lowes today and they had one that looked like the Craftsman, but is labled GMC. 3/8 keyless chuck, 3.5 amp, 0-1600 RPM with 25 piece accessory kit for $89. With their 20% off all power tools sale going on now till the 21st - that would leave you at just over $70 - at that price it might be worth a try.
I heard things at General Motors wern't that great lately--- is that them making those drills???
You talked about your compact,what brand is it and would you recomend it? My 14.4 dewalt is on its last legs.....its been good to me but I have not compared other brands. I looked around but can,t find a decent drill bit set for the 1/4" (hex chuck)compact.Although they are meant more as a fastening tool its sure nice how quicly you can go from drill bit to screwdrivere bit. Anyone know of a good set??Never enough time to do it right but always enough time to do it twice
I have a first generation Panasonic 12 volt impact driver - can't remember the model number and not going to run out to the van to check as it is 11 degrees on the negative side of zero here right now and the wind is blowing about 25 miles and hour
I have been real happy with it
I think the newer generation of Panasonic 12 volt looks even better, 3.5 amp hour batteries rather than the 3 amp hour I got, - also has 2 power settings and an LED light and a built in belt clip that mine doesn't
As for the bits - I just buy cheap twist bits for the little bit I need them and have some hex shank spade bits as well - suprised how well that thing will drill a hole through studs with a 3/4" spade bit, and your wrist doesn't get twisted when the thing jambs it just starts impacting
If you don't have on yet - you really need to get an impact driver
I've got a pair of the Souix 8000 that are both about 10 years old. I've used them for building and installing hundreds of cabinets, and they're perfect for that... especially stuff like getting inside a 12" or 15" base cab to install drawer slides. The way they fit in the hand is perfect. You very quickly get used to having the drill bit or drive tip close to the hand, and you have a lot more precise control that way. After using them a while any other 3/8 drill will seem clunky. They're some of the very best tools I've got.
Guy I work with has a DeWalt miniature right angle drill, cordless. It's an OK tool but would be a drag for regular use... he just gets it out when there's one or two screws to put in somewhere ridiculous.
When i worked at the cab shop, we had a couple little Hitachi 9.6 v cordless right-angle drills. The batteries lasted quite a while, they were tough and lightweight. I bought one. The drill, charger and two batteries were less than two hundred bucks.
I have a Makita right angle drill. My drill is not variable speed,a pain for drawer slide installation. Bought used for $50.00 so I can't complain. I would think variable speed would be an asset.
mike
Jeff I have the milwaukie. Im happy with it for what It does but dont use it to drill holes in studs with auger bits for elecctrical work..i did it and got a funny smell... :>)
"I mean, what kind of a twit makes a big deal out of having someone on ignore?
And, OTOH, there is no doubt that some of the idjits here are, in fact, the most ignored" ..Bob Walker
Ron, about the only reason that I've got left for attending any church, any organized religion at all, is to improve my chances that God will hear my prayers, most of which are for bigots like you...
I understand perfectly how I have insulted Ron... Theodora.
In a way, my religious positions are an anomaly or perhaps self-contradictory.- Bob Walker
I used to have the milwaukee, didn't much care for it, just didn't like the fact that the head wasn't at a true right angle. I got a dewalt 12V. mostly because I already had a standard dewalt 12V. I'm sure there're plenty out there that are better for one reason or another, but it has worked fine for me. I would think that if you already have a 14.4 then I would go ahead and get a 14.4 right angle. I've always been a big fan of battery sharing . and judging from the preponderance of cordless kits on the market today, I'm not alone in this philosophy.
I also am not a fan of corded tools with cabinet installation. they just seem too powerful and run at too high rpms. for the "touch' required.
All of this is just my own humble opinion.
I have the Makita corded rt angle, with the paddle handle. Paddle is annoying, but does allow fine speed control. Keyed chuck is also annoying--I like that idea of remodeling it.
I've used it for a few years after blowing apart one of those right-angle attachments. It's been great for light and medium-duty stuff.
Jeff,
Lee Valley has an accessory right angle head that is inexpensive. I have no experience with it, although I've always found their stuff to be good quality. If you've got a small corded drill kicking around that you can dedicate for this purpose, it could be an alternative worth checking.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=32271&category=1,180,42334&ccurrency=1&SID=
Wally
If you want to go for a 90 degree attachment, this one appears to be the best built and smallest, for those tight places. I just picked on up but I haven't used it yet.
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/accessories/drill/right_angle_drive.htm?L+coastest+fbwf3438ff30f730+1103638705
But if you use it a lot then I agree you need a dedicated drill.
Billy
I was reading a plumbing mag the other day (killing time at a supplier) and saw Ridgid now has a cordless R/A impact driver. I often use the hex end drill bits in my impact for a few holes so you might consider this.
I have used the sioux and the craftsman. As others have said the sioux is bullet proof but I was very surprised at the craftsman. It was an electricians who was retrofitting cans in a ceiling with DW. He had one of those long flex bits (either 1/2" of 3/4") and the craftsman chewed right through the joists. I remember thinking they must have copied a good tool company like they do with their worm drive, etc.
Jon Blakemore
I've had a Chicago Pneumatic aluminum housing with steel front cover and single dog clutch. Packs a good punch and is small enough to fit in tight spaces. I mainly use this on crankshaft bolts.
I use the Milwaukee right angle attachment on my impact driver. works great. I also use Torx screws so I don't have a problem with cam out on screws. A 9" cabinet can be a challenge.
Most of the comments are from 2004.
How about more from 2021?
Ok, I have a 15 y.o. Festool driver kit that has a few different heads including an offset (so the drill or driver is more inline with the various body egdes. Then there’s the 90 deg head that allows 360 deg movement in relation to the drill body.
Downside, the charger popped a resister and Festool couldn’t repair nor could I find said resistor. Since that was a gift at a giveaway I spent the way too much to get another Festool kit on sale.
Prior to those I had a 9v real old (late 70’s) Makita right angle drill.
All of these tools have a place and to have one on hand when you need it (professionally) is the ticket. Non professional? Maybe just one of those add on heads.