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The Orbiter

Posted by 141drew Posted onDec 13, 2013 at 5:29 PM and filed under Reviews & Features
Updated onUpdated on May 28, 2021 at 11:37 AM


 

I had this hole that I needed drilled in a spot that I simply couldn’t reach with my drill. The answer was to either completely disassemble some framing or look for one of those gadgets that gets you where you need to be. I decided to give this Orbiter gizmo a try… and it worked. I wouldn’t say it’s built all that well, but I will say that it gets you and your drill bit into some extreme angles with relative ease. And it’s only $28… Case is still out if it’s a good value (long term) or not and I’m not at all a “gizmo” guy, but figured I would feature it anyhow.

Buy at your own risk.


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M

marty_p

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Thanks for sharing, Ryan. And for only a hint over $30 with tax, I'd try it out!

Now, where did I put my list for Mrs. Claus??? :)
 
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L

lbgradwell

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Those work well for low-torque applications, but the entire housing will crack if subjected to too much force...
 
J

jmlcolorado

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RCStocker said:
Sorry gents. I have had one of these that pivoted sense the mid 60's. Nothing new.
Click to expand...

Well we all know how we prize fancy, well built contraptions from an earlier time.
So what's the brand name and model of this one from the mid 60's you speak of?
I'd be interested if it were made of metal :)
 
H

Highlux

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Dec 5, 2013
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Ofallon, MO.
I always found these things a poor substitute for a right angle drill.
I think these types of adapters are kinda dangerous. You have this on a pretty strong drill, it can be a wrist breaker.
 
T

Tman

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Black Hills of South Dakota
I have used similar in a bind. A good back up tool to have around if you don't have a right angle drill. The new small cordless setups are getting so compact that they are almost as good as a dedicated right angle however!
 
M

Mark in Indiana

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I thought I would feature a picture of my RH drill attachment for your review. I believe that it was made in the mid 1960s.
 

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3

3drob

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Jul 18, 2013
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I have a Nextec from Craftsman (I have no idea who the real manufacturer is). It's a right angle impact drill/screwdriver (has the motor built in). It's great for driving screws between short joists.

Only downside is it has a hex bit holder instead of a standard chuck, so that limits you to lighter duty hex drill bits, but that helps in tight spaces. It's 3.5" from back to the front of hex bit holder. If I need more than that, it's time to break out the sawzall.
IMG_20131215_225730.jpg

Agentwho, I recognize that Milwaukee from my toolbox, but mine says AEG:

IMG_20131215_232409_AEG.jpg
 
OP
R

Ryan

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The vintage jobs are nice... and probably built way better than this Orbiter deal... but the Orbiter gives you any angle you want - not just a 90-degree or a 45-degree...

It works really well... until the cheap Chinese gears strip and the thing becomes a paper weight!
 
S

signcrafter

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Looks like the any angle part might come in handy although my skewdriver, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQB52A/?tag=atomicindus08-20, has worked for pretty much any angle I have needed. It comes out of the handle for use in drill. And if that milescraft orbiter is anything like the other milescraft products I have purchased and returned it isn't worth the 30 bucks.
 
G

gigidon

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Feb 19, 2008
Messages
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Thanks for the info on the Skew driver. When my dad passed, I took most of his tools including that Skew driver. I thought it was another worthless tool from Brookstone. I'll give it a try.
 
S

signcrafter

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gigidon said:
Thanks for the info on the Skew driver. When my dad passed, I took most of his tools including that Skew driver. I thought it was another worthless tool from Brookstone. I'll give it a try.
Click to expand...

It's actually well built and the best angle driver I've come across. I don't use mine often but when it's needed it's great to have and worth every penny.
 
L

Lumpy102

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Ontario Canada
I've never been tempted to buy one of those, considered them to be junk. Borrowed a Mastercraft (Canadian Tire) right angle 3/8 drill a couple of years ago to wire my basement, drilled a few holes, stripped the gears, took it back for exchange, drilled a few more holes, stripped the gears, took it back for exchange and gave it back to my best buddy. shared a few beers, told him the story, had a laugh. he used it, stripped the gears.........etc, their warrantee sure is good! I think we're on #5 now Saw them on sale today for $50. I was tempted! Somebody's got to make a good, SMALL right angle drill, anybody know of one?
Done a bit of research on he interweb, looks like the makita 3010 is a fairly expensive but a good quality 3/8 right angle drill. Should meet my needs
 
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W

weldtoride

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Somewhere between Milwaukee and Chicago
I have one of these, same one in the photo, it works ok if you stay within the stated diameter limits in the directions, which isn't very big. If you try and use spade bits or hole saws, it's a wrist wrangler like stated above, and the gears strip. I learned that the hard way, stripping mine on the first job after not reading the directions. A homeowner quality tool, if that.
 
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