RIGHT ANGLE DRILLS – for studs, joists..
toolbear
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
RIGHT ANGLE DRILLS – for studs, joists..
With this remodel, I might have to break down and get a 1/2 right angle drill for all the studs. Got somewhere over 40 can lights.
What works for you? Milwaukee? DeWalt? Other? forward only, reversing, one speed, multiple speeds?
The ToolBear
“Never met a man who couldn’t teach me something.” Anon.
Replies
My advice... if you're drilling 2" or less using augers and self-feed bits, go with the Milwaukee RA drill. If you're much over 2" go with the Hole Hawg.
RIGHT ANGLE DRILLS ...
We've got the company Hole Hawg on the job. We have the utmost respect for it's ability to break things: Bit stuck, drill spins. Sure does. I drill the top plates from the deck with an extension and 18" ship auger. No ladders to fly off.
I would love the Super H Hawg or similar with a clutch. However, as I would like to keep the price in the 200-300$ range for myself, I am looking at the RAD.
But, which Milwaukee? There are versions. I am leaning to the electrician's kit with forward, reverse and trigger-variable speed.
BTW - what bits work for you drilling holes for romex?
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have a reconditioned Milwaukee 1107-1 bought about 10 years ago. Forward, reverse, VS trigger, top quality chuck. The RA transmission can be loosened slightly to rotate the chuck to a convenient angle--I almost always use it at about 135 degrees to the handle and I keep a ratchet in the case just for making that adjustment (needs to be zeroed out to go back in the case). I've drilled a mind-bending number of holes with that thing, lots of them using 1-3/8", 2", and 2-9/16" self-feed bits. It'll drive the 3-5/8" self-feed thru a joist but it doesn't want to do it all day.
Want to buy a lightly used DeWalt 124 plumber's drill with a clutch? I don't use it enough to justify keeping mine. Comes in a big steel kit box with room for bits. E-mail me through the site if you are interested. Clutch is only in low gear (300 rpm). High gear is 1200 rpm, good for small bits.Bill
Want to buy a lightly used DeWalt 124 plumber's drill with a clutch?
Drat. Needed one Monday for more holes, so broke down and got an 1107-1.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
If just one or maybe two cables, a 1" self feed bit for romex. I think even 7/8" works.
16-18" greenlee or milwalkee self feed augers. 3/4 "-7/8" diam.
Edited 4/6/2007 10:41 am by dovetail97128
16-18" greenlee or milwalkee self feed augers. 3/4 "-7/8" diam.
Got one with the 24" extension so I can drill top plates with both feet on the ground. That way I can get jerked off my feet, not my ladder.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
a hole is a hole.......I used some bits called Planetor years ago....everything was replaceable they also had a chip ejector spring that clamped onto the shaft ,and it appears that these are the latest evolution of thosehttp://www.wlfuller.com/html/woodchuck_drills.htmlas far as the drill, your choice of the electricians kit would be a good onealso, Ideal makes a set of "Mini"-auger bits that are made to fit a battery drill as the shafts and shank are smaller. A friend of mine bought them and seemed pleased..click on ship auger bits in the link below to see thosehttp://www.idealindustries.com/ht/DrillsAndBits.nsf.
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
The new Irwin augers are based upon the paddle / spade bit. I don't expect the edge to survive an impact with a nail. On the plus side, you might be able to dress it with a file. FWIW, the Milwaukee rep was making the same presentation, using their 'forstener-style' bits. Maybe there IS an impact driver that will take normal ship augers. I don't know. That would solve the 'nail issue.' One thing I failed to mention is that the impact driver / bit combo measured about 12" across the top ... plenty short enough to fit between studs. One too to avoid: The Sioux / Milwaukee "close quarter drill." This nice tool, which resembles a sparrow in shape, has a very small gear, which will NOT survive if the bit hits a nail.
a hole is a hole.......I used some bits called Planetor years ago....everything was replaceable they also had a chip ejector spring that clamped onto the shaft ,and it appears that these are the latest evolution of those
I seem to recall Milwaukee or ?? making a bit with 4-5 edges. They claimed it could hog it's way around a corner. That would be handy.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
They did, pathfinder bits, and they rock! I have a set, they cut a really clean hole quickly, cant seem to find them anywhere except ebay, but they rock. got mine from Heavy duty tools, about 2 years ago.
jmmmm
pathfinder bits,
TNX for the magic word. I goggled and Amazon has a set of these. They are around.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
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Power and torque, that's about all that needs to be said about the Hole-Hawg¯ line of drills. The compact design of this...
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The 1/2 in. Super Hawgâ„¢ has power and speed for drilling holes of all sizes in wood frame construction. The 13 amp mot...
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D-handle power and a right angle drive head make this drill package perfect for stud and joist drilling. Powerful 7 amp moto...
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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!!!
I concur with David Meiland. The RAD is much more versatile than the Hawg, comes with variable speed, too.
Bill
I own a hole hawg, Redid my house the neighbor lent me his milwaukee right angle drill, I could not believe how nice it was to use
As others have said, Milwaukee right angle drill. Powerful, vesatile, and rugged.
Another vote for the Red RAD.
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Love(d) my Milwaukee RAD - finally broke the input shaft on the right angle attachment. Currently canvasing pawn shops for another.
Forrest
Versatility of being able to convert it to a straight drill, and the adjustability of the RAD attachment make me partial to the RAD.(less weight and lower price too...)
Mine has stood up to alot of abuse
Forget the drill ... try an impact driver!
I used a cordless one, with the latest Irwin bits, and was most impressed
No tearout from the bit, no tendency of the drill to grab, and twist your hand. No need to push the bit into the work.
Downsides? The impact driver had a 1/4" hex chuck, so forget about the usual auger bits. I doubt the bits will survive an encounter with a nail. I have no idea how many holes you can make on one charge.
Panasonic Li-ion driver was $210, the set of bits (to 1 1/8") about $35.
I used a cordless one, with the latest Irwin bits, and was most impressed
Forget the drill ... try an impact driver!
I will have to try that tomorrow. What happens when you find a nail?
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Hmmm, I'm interested in that too! I've got a Ridgid 12v angle impact ($129 with drill and 2 batts), I'm out of town until late tomorrow though.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Have always had the Milwaukee RAD. The Hole Hog is a fine tool but too much of a loose cannon for me. It's less versatile.
I have both the Milwaukee HoleHawg and the Milwaukee right angle drill. They are great for drilling through 1/2" steel plate, but over kill for drill studs - plus the Hole-Hawg can break your wrist if you screw up... My favorite drill for studs is the Makita Makita
DA3010F right angle drill (with an LED, which I like) that will slip into the tightest spaces of any drill that I own. It is a corded drill and Makita makes a battery powered right angle drill that I have not used. The DA3010F can actually drill holes into the insides of a 4" electrical box (with a very short drill bit). It is not the most powerful drill around, but it is more than adequate for drilling up to
1 1/4" spade bits into studs (the largest I have tried). I have 3 battery powered drill drivers (Dewalt, Porter Cable, and Milwaukee) but when I am doing serious work near an outlet, I grab the Makita. I got my Makita reconditioned for $89 off of the Internet (don't remember where). Here is a list of the most common right angle drills: http://www.mytoolstore.com/compare/cpdrill2.html
I'm with everyone else in suggesting the RA Milwakee. The self feed bits, either ship auger for small holes, or Milwakee self feed hole saws for the bigger stuff seem to work well.
Reconditioned I saw one not long ago at Amazon or tool king (or??) for $150.
Good drilling
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I have a right angle magnum milwaukee that works very well. More than enough power in normal situations, like studs. Would not try it on self feed bits larger than 2" in heavy timber, but in spf studs and plates it's ok.
Either one has more than a respectable amount of torque and Milwaukee makes solid equipment. I have the RA drill and find it's more than up to the job. With either one, if the auger or hole saw should suddenly bind, it will catch you off guard at just the wrong time and open up the potential for serious injury. The RA drill is slightly longer and gives you some mechanical advantage to counter act the rotational torque but with either one of the drills, it's wise to use a nearby joist or header to offset the rotational force rather than depend upon your arm/shoulder strength alone.
The RA drill is slightly longer and gives you some mechanical advantage to counter act the rotational torque
Is that the term for getting slammed into the wall? <g> I'm trying to make a practice of not having my thumb wrapped on the opposite side of the handle.
I even read the directions over. Did you know you are not supposed to use this drill while showering? Let's see. If bit is going clockwise, when it binds, the drill will go counter clockwise, so put the handle against something over there. I think I will put a Note To Self on the top of the drill. The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I speak from personal experience and an earlier life of being STUPID.I dislocated my shoulder with this drill when the 3 inch hole saw got bound up and stopped rotating. Well, the drill did it's thing and because of all the torque, the drill motor started turning at about 300 RPM and my left shoulder started hurting a whole lot. Within an hour, I started losing feeling in the arm and went to emergency room. Long story short, I got off lucky it could have been a whole lot worse.
I dislocated my shoulder with this drill when the 3 inch hole saw got bound up and stopped rotating.
A 3" saw is rather scary. I've had smaller ones in an 18v cordless bind up and whack me around. Lot less torque there. Would a different bit be safer?The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
toolbear, Darn near any drill will tear you up if you aren't in a position to hold on to it . I tore my rotator cuff with an old 3/8 drill , had a 1/2 self feeding auger bit in it and was drilling under a staircase. Held the drill straight out to my right side to be able to reach , bit caught and the rotator was shot before I could even react to the twisting of the drill motor, never mind release the trigger. Best thing is think ahead about what are you going to do if it catches and how will you hold on to it. Self feeding bits seem the worst to me .
Tools of the trade magazine just did a rt angle comparison of 1/2 inch medium and heavy duty rt angle drills, and surprisingly enough, the Makita came out on top for both the medium and heavy duty models...The Dewalt heavy duty placed second, while it's med. duty was last in line.Was quite impressed with the chuck retention system used on the Makita- it seemed a lot more user friendly than the Milwaukee.
Being a milwaukee owner though, I have no complaints, but I don't use it every day.
surprisingly enough, the Makita came out on top for both the medium and heavy duty models..@@@Yes, saw that. Been meaning to google on that tool. Have the TOT copy in the loo for research. I'll go goggle...The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.