The Ultimate Right Angle Drills Australia Has To Offer — Buying Guide, Comparison, and Our Top Picks

Enabling you to reach into the most awkward of locations, right angle drills should be considered the ultimate confined space boring maestros. Recognisable by their sleek design, short chuck head, single-handed use, and substantial paddle triggers — these flexible machines are perfect for both DIY enthusiasts and professional tradespeople who need to drill or drive in awkward locations. Whether you’re working beneath-floor joists, drilling inside cupboards, or loosening screws in engine bays — there’s a corded, air-powered, or battery-driven unit that will make your job easy.

Best Right Angle Drills Content

Finding the Best Right Angle Drills – Buyer’s Guide

What Is a Right-Angle 90-Degree Drill?

Projects for Ninety-Degree Drills

Considerations When Purchasing Right Angle Drills

Conclusion

Right-Angle 90-Degree Drill FAQs

Top Picks Right-Angled Drills

Wireless Right Angle Drill

Battery-driven 90-degree drills are the perfect tools for drilling and driving in tight spaces. With their right-angled head, diminutive design, single-handed use, and powered by a rechargeable battery, they permit you to complete projects in close quarters — without needing access to mains electricity. These drills possess extended running times from a single charge, remarkable rapidity, and a substantial trigger, making it effortless to use them beneath floors, in lofts, and betwixt panels.

• Provides the ultimate convenience and flexibility for drilling and driving tasks in confined spaces.
• Cordless design means you don’t have to worry about power outlets or extension cords
• Lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry and handle.

Corded Electric Right Angle Drill

A corded ninety-degree drill can expand your drilling options significantly. With its compact design and ninety-degree angled short head, it can easily access tight spaces like cupboards, sinks and floor joists. This type of drill is powered by mains electricity — providing consistent and robust power. Plus, it can be operated single or dual-handed, allowing you to adjust your drilling technique to perfectly complement your job needs.

• Perfect for confined space projects.
• Come with an auxiliary handle that can be removed when needed.
• Available in 10 mm and 13 mm chuck formats.
• Offers power and versatility.

Pneumatic Right Angle Drill

A pneumatic right-angle machine is the ultimate tool for velocity, brawn, and practical use in confined spaces. This tool is compressor-powered, which offers more power and grunt than electric drills. Plus, it can be accessorised with additional equipment like buffers, blades, and sanders for added versatility.

These drills feature large front or rear triggers, which prevent finger fatigue during prolonged use. They also typically boast a low-weight aluminium construction that enhances operational stamina. While they require a separately purchased compressor to work, they’re kind on the pocket and perfect for metal sheeting, thick lumber, and motor vehicle applications.

Key features of a right angle air-powered drill:

• • • The brawniest of all 90-degree drilling machines.
    • Low maintenance.
    • Needs an air compressor, capable of around 90 PSI.

Finding the Best Right Angle Drills — Buyer’s Guide

Right angle drills are a must-have for all DIY enthusiasts — there’s a right angle drill out there to suit your needs. Obtainable as electric-cabled, pneumatic-driven, and battery-fuelled models — they excel in furniture erection, house improvement, and vintage car refurbs.

When looking for the best right angle drill, here are some key factors to consider:

• Power source: choose between corded, cordless and air-powered drills based on your specific needs.
• Chuck size: Consider the chuck size and whether it’s compatible with the bits you need to use.
• Ergonomics: Look for a drill that’s comfortable to hold and easy to operate, especially if you plan on using it for extended periods.
• Speed and torque: Consider the speed and torque of the drill, as well as any additional features like adjustable clutch settings or variable speed controls. 
• Accessories: Look for drills that come with additional accessories or can be combined with accessories like brushes, cutters, and polishers for added versatility.

By considering these factors, you’ll be able to find the best right-angle drill for your needs and take on any drilling job with ease.

What’s a Right-Angle Ninety-Degree Drill?

A right-angled drill is a versatile tool that’s specifically designed for drilling in tight or restricted spaces. Often referred to as a ninety-degree drill or a close-quarter drill, these machines are ideal for DIYers and trade professionals whose work involves drilling and driving in awkward locations.

Key Features:

• 90-degrees chuck: The right-angled drill’s head is positioned at a 90-degree angle to the handle/body, unlike typical die-grinders, drills, and rotary multitools. This allows for easy access to tight spaces — from a mere sixty millimetres. 
• Flexible: Right-angled drills are flexible machines that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as attacking sub-floor joists, removing screws inside engine bays, and drilling beneath sinks.
• Versatile: Available in electric, air-powered and battery-driven formats, right-angled drills are perfect for repairing and restoring automotives, building cabinets, and home renos. 

Whether you’re a professional or a DIY enthusiast, a right-angled drill is an invaluable tool that can make your work effortless and efficient.

Snub Head

Their compact heads dramatically reduce the amount of room you need to wield the machines — making them the best drill for tight spaces. That said, they still have the usual ten-millimetre chuck. Furthermore, there are some beast-like half inch right angle drill models, like the Milwaukee HOLE HAWG that boast 13 mm chucks — capable of holding substantially proportioned bits.

Slim Design Build

Most mini right angle drill machines feature a narrow body — allowing you to wield the tool in the same manner as a flashlight. Through innovative design, they incorporate their electric motors (at least, for corded and cordless machines) inside this slimline body.

The advantage of this genius construction permits the small right angle drill to manoeuvre into tight spaces.

Lightweight

Most 90 degree right angle drill units are relatively lightweight — often somewhere between 1.0 to 1.5 kilos.

As many right-angle jobs demand single-handed wielding, this heft-free build means they’re unlikely to promote hand and arm fatigue on longer jobs.

Paddle Throttle

In opposition to a standard drill that typically incorporates a one or two-fingered operation squeeze button — low profile right angle drill tools feature substantial paddle throttles.

This has the advantages of:

• Reducing the overall tool’s size — omitting out-jutting triggers, making them the ultimate small drill for tight spaces.
• Increasing ease of depression — however awkward the operational space.

Projects for Ninety-Degree Drills

Although focusing on close-quarter work through their slimline build, many home users and DIYers utilise right-angle machines as their sole drill — being easily stored in a drawer or cupboard.

Sure, they’re somewhat useless for concrete and masonry jobs — they have insufficient brawn to penetrate these dense materials. Yet, they’re ideal for drilling and driving into lumber, engineered timber, plywood, plastic, and light sheet metal.

Additionally, these tools are excellent for:

• Drilling outdoor decking.
• Working inside engine bays.
• Attic and loft conversion projects.
• Putting up drywalling.
• Drilling into floor joists.
• Working on plumbing in tight areas — under baths, basins, and showers.
• Building wiring and pipe channelling.
• Drilling betwixt ceiling slats.
• Building cabinets.
• Projects that take you inside cupboards.
• Any job where using one hand is the only option.

Considerations When Purchasing Right Angle Drills

These air-powered, battery-driven, and corded drills all boast particular characteristics that may or may not make them suitable for your jobs and preferences. 

Take note of the key considerations when thinking about buying these machines:

Type

I’ve already discussed how ninety-degree drills come in three distinct formats — air-powered, battery-driven, and corded.

Think about your jobs, and how you will utilise the tools to achieve your project objectives when picking the perfect machine.

For garage and vehicle jobs — go for a pneumatic unit. If your projects require grunt and power consistency, choose an electric corded drill. And, if you need portability, pick a cordless machine.

Chuck

Compact angle drill units incorporate either a 10 mm or 13 mm chuck.

The 10 mm is ideal for most home improvement projects — capable of accepting most metal, plastic, and timber bits. Conversely, the 13 mm chuck permits you to use larger bits — necessary if you’re boring channels for wiring or pipework.

What’s more, investigate if the machine has a keyless or keyed chuck. Those with keys enable enhanced bit stableness — necessary if your projects require dense medium penetration. The drills without keys prevent the annoyance of mysteriously disappearing chuck tighteners’ keys — cutting back on wasted time.

Grunt and Rapidity

Think about a tractor and a luxury supercar — both with comparable capacity engines. One is created for brawn, while the other vehicle is for pure speed.

This is the same in ninety-degree drills, they will either provide rapidity or high grunt (torque) — determined by the gearing system. So, when choosing your tool, consider whether your projects need speed or torque.

For long, repetitive drilling and screwing jobs, I suggest going for a rapid machine. However, should your jobs demand you to address dense and thick metal and lumber — opt for a torquey unit.

Secondary Handle

Many machines include a detachable, secondary handle that side mounts on a ninety-degree drill. This handle allows for enhanced accuracy and pushing brawn if you’re tackling hard, stubborn mediums.

While the handle may reduce the drill’s usefulness in confined spaces — as it increases the overall unit width — you can remove it to return to the machine’s slim design.

Additional Accessories

Investigating what supplementary attachments and inclusions arrive with your right angle drill is crucial — often enabling you to get your hands on necessary accessories cost-effectively, and permitting you to utilise the tools immediately after unboxing.

Contingent on the drill format, some key accessories to watch out for include:

• Battery and charger.
• Pouch or carrying case.
• Additional side handle.
• Depth penetration rod gauge.
• Lubricating oil for the gears.
• Extra washers and gaskets.
• Long warranties.

Our Top Six Right Angle Drills

Finding the perfect right-angle drill from all the options available is challenging and time-consuming.

Therefore, I’ve picked out my ultimate machines across corded, cordless, and pneumatic categories — allowing you to identify the most suitable unit for your preferences and project types.

Driven by DeWalt’s respected and long-life 18-volt XR cell (not included, neither is the charger), this cordless machine boasts twin variable speed settings of 0-650 and 2000 RPM. And, with a welcome in-built belt hook, you can safely store the unit when not in use.

The tool is perfect for lengthy and repetitive projects. Not only does the drill’s rapidity deliver welcome speed, but its large, rubber over-moulded handle helps cut back on finger strain and slippage — crucial for preventing downtime on those long, fatigue-inducing jobs.

Internally, this right-angle drill boasts lightweight, metal gearing that boosts durability and reliability. Furthermore, incorporating a motor cooling fan to stave off overheating, its powerful motor is shielded against temperature damage.

Powered by M18 FUEL 18-volt lithium-ion cells, this machine provides a mighty 30-43 Nm of torque — making it penetrate the most challenging of mediums. Furthermore, with its D-hand construction, unique in the right angle drill arena, it permits dual-handed operation for increased pushing power.

Despite delivering immense grunt and rapidity — running at a swift 1500 RPM — its long-running cell (not included) promises 220 holes per charge. And, incorporating a generous 13 mm chuck, it can securely hold large-diameter bits.

Inside the unit, the HOLE HAWG boasts a brushless motor, permitting greater battery efficiency than its brushed competitors. Combined with Milwaukee’s trademarked REDLINK PLUS intelligence tech — a system that increases cell life and overheating prevention — it offers remarkable running times from a single charge.

This corded right-angle drill boasts a novel swivelling handle, trademarked by Makita as the Sidewinder. Rotatable to the left and right through 90 degrees, it allows you to enter the most restrictive of locations and drill at unusual angles, while remaining fully in control of the trigger.

Its powerful 10 amp motor promises substantial grunt, delivering immense torque for dense material penetration. However, this brawn gearing reduces top speed output, knocking out only 300 or 1200 RPM — depending on which of the two rapidity settings you use.

An included reverse switch permits effortless screw removal, and a removable side handle allows for elevated control. Reassuringly, the DA4031 boasts a torque limiter that disengages the motor if a jam is experienced — safeguarding its crucial engine against overheating and damage.

Furthermore, this corded right-angle drill extends finger stamina with its massive paddle switch, permitting you to activate the machine with up to four digits. And incorporating a forward and reverse function makes the unit as suited for drilling as fastener removal.

Knocking out 2400 RPM from its 4.0-amp motor, it’s remarkably fast, delivering sufficient rapidity for most home improvement and trade projects. What’s more, by incorporating a keyless chuck, there’s no chance of losing your chuck key — cutting back on costly downtime as you search for it at the bottom of your toolbox. 

Low-light conditions when working inside cupboards and beneath floorboards can be challenging — alleviated by the DA3011F’s in-built LED lamp. Additionally, with both ball and needle bearings, the unit offers welcome longevity even through frequent use.

The unit is driven by an air compressor, demanding a minimum of 90 PSI at four CFM (cubic feet per minute). With power output controlled by a substantial trigger on the rear of the unit, it permits effortless operation even in closed-space environments.

Its 10 mm chuck requires the use of a chuck key — ensuring bit stability in heavy-duty applications. And, knocking out around 90 decibels when running at its full speed of 1500 RPM, it’s one of the quietest air drills on the market — thanks to its significant noise reduction system.

Internally, this extreme-use tool boasts planetary gearing and ball-bearing rotation — boosting the lifespan of the machine. Additionally, weighing 1.3 kg, it’s unlikely to promote fatigue on longer projects.

As a pneumatic machine, this unit is driven by an air compressor — requiring 4.0 CFM at 90 PSI. And, with its 310 mm-long body, allows effortless access into confined spaces.

Its large, rear-mounted paddle trigger ensures easy operation — although, without any rubber coatings or grip enhancers, it could be hard on your hands and digits during extended-use jobs.

Its 10 mm keyed chuck offers reassuring bit stability, necessary if your projects entail drilling into dense timbers and metals. And, with a rear exhaust, waste gases are vented away from you and your work material.