Tool Endorsement - Right angle drill

I have had a need for a close-quarters right-angle-drive drill motor about 5 times in the past two years. I have rented a Makita, a Bosche, a Milwaukie & a DeWalt. The Milwaukie was not a full 90 degree head angle and required a lot of space. The Bosche I don't remember, but I almost bought one refurbed -it wasn't the best, but the price was right! The DeWalt (and Black & Decker amoung others) has a cage-type switch that you cannot release when the bit grabs, especially troublesome when swinging a holesaw! The Makita (120 Volt AC version - NOT the rechargeable 9.6 volt model!) was very good.

The model I bought yesterday is the new, improved Makita with a better switch mechanism that is easier to hold, activate and release, variable speed (with dial limiter), reversible, it's TINY and even has a built-in LED to illuminate the work area (activated by pressing switch slightly - drill motor does not activate until more pressure applied.)

I bought mine at Tool Town in Seattle area and it was $189.95 - about $6 less than the older model which they also have in stock with fewer features. It was a lot more than I wanted to spend, as I had seen Bosche reman'd units for $99.95 on the net and Milwaukies for $129, but neither is near the product this Makita is. I'm anxious to see how well it turns a 3" holesaw in 20 gauge sheetmetal... "Oh, Bussy....!"

- Dave "Busahaulic" Pearson

Makita makes good stuff. I have a few of their tools. There's that moment of buyers remourse until you actually use the thing.

Let me ask one thing. The earlier (and larger) model of that tool has a bit of a problem - if yer too stupid to unplug it when changing bits (umm, that be me), and don't keep your hand _under_ the trigger there's trouble.

Did they do something about that on your model?

It doesn't stick out like a paddle as the earlier one did. It's an enclosed "switch-bar" and does not have that sensitivity. I remember now that I had that problem when I rented one a while back! No, this one's a beaut! That problem exists on the DeWalt, but far worse. You simply cannot let go of it when the bit grabs. Dad had an old WW2 surplus Milwaukie 1/2inch drive drill motor that, if the bit stuck, you went round and round with the drill motor until it wound up the entire 50 feet of cord and pulled its own plug!

,

limiter),

pressure

There's that moment

that tool has a

changing bits (umm,

there's trouble.

Needed it for the ball joint operation this time. Most of the heater / cooling system stuffs been done but may need some modification! I have to find a new home for my Espar heater, too, one of these days, but it hasn't been high priority since I have "real heat" now!

improvement in the bus??

the weight in gold