Right Angle Drill Adapters

[Nineeightyone]

In my quest to properly outfit my garage with good storage and lighting, I find that I'm doing a lot more woodworking than I've ever expected to do in my lifetime. I'm not a fan of wood, but it's growing on me (pun intended).

I'm finding though, that I have a fair number of holes I need to drill for various jobs (between studs, in small corners, etc) where my drill just won't fit lined up square with the material. I was in the hardware store last night, and saw that Dewalt offers a right-angle extension for drills, where one end goes in the chuck, and the other end holds the drill bit, and there's a roughly 12" section in the middle that's flexible.

Can anyone tell me before I buy one if there's a better option out there? I've also seen simple right-angle adapters (minus the flex portion) that would be far less expensive, but I don't know a single thing about any of it.

Is there a better way to do what I'm doing, without buying a right-angle drill? What's the best bang-for-your-buck in terms of right angle drilling?

 

[jumbojak]

I haven't seen the flexible drill adapter but I have the flex impact adapter. It works fairly well but can be difficult to apple pressure to the head in situations where you really need it.

 

[Alexander]

There are lots of options, and I've used many of the cheaper/smaller ones.

I've used the dewalt flex right angle in question as well as the short version, both are fine. The milwaukee offerings are similar. There are also plenty of cheap no-name versions on Amazon. I keep the dewalts in my portable box at all times.

They require your bits to have a 1/4" hex shank. They are the lowest profile options, and are the cheapest outlay.

I also have a right angle 3/8" chuck that mounts in a normal drill. It's okay for light duty but you can feel it heating up and getting ready to fail with hard drilling.

Beyond that, I bought a bare tool milwaukee 12v right angle drill, which is pretty decent and doesn't require three hands or awkward positioning like some of the adapters do.

If you're talking big/beefy holes and hole hawgs, I don't have experience there.

 

[FigureItOut]

I assume you're using hex shank bits. I don't think there's a beefier right angle adaptor than Milwaukee 49-22-8510. I've pushed mine well beyond what it's intended for. I've been given a couple different Dewalt versions, and broke them pretty quick. I really don't think any of the right angle adapters are suitable for wood drilling except in a pinch. I'd rather use just about any right angle drill.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[Nineeightyone]

That Milwaukee piece looks like some pretty serious business. I'm only going to need the adapter for a couple of holes, so I'm hoping that I can get away with something cheaper. I'll probably wind up with the Dewalt for the flexibility and reputation, the Milwaukee looks great but it's more than double the price.

 

[spike99250]

Milwaukee makes a smaller cheaper version. I actually like the smaller one because the handle come off easier and because of the size.

 

[RoundedNut]

I've got a few right angle adapters and they are useful, but you'd also need stubby drill bits in some cases. This one is fine: https://www.dewalt.com/products/acc.../impact-ready-right-angle-attachment/dwara100

But, a flex shaft is often all you need and sometimes the only thing that works. Like to get between studs or drill flush at a corner, you just need a bit of flex and not 90 degrees.

 

[bonneyman]

Here's a non-flex right angle attachment I have. I paid a couple of bucks for it.
Works when I need it.