A right angle driver is very useful when you need to work in tight spaces. It takes up a lot less room than either a pistol grip drill or impact driver. Let’s take a look at these two 12V drill and driver kits to see which one will be the best for your work. Hint: if you’re a professional contractor, you may love the Bosch for its versatility.
Makita AD02W 12V Max Lithium-Ion Cordless 3/8″ Right Angle Drill Kit
Makita’s AD02W 12-volt drill is slightly lighter weight than the Bosch PS11, but it has a little less power and less speed. This is typical Makita style. Their tools often sacrifice raw power for finesse.
The maximum torque on the AD02W is 100 inch-pounds while its top speed is 800rpm. This is considerably less than what the Bosch can do. But the driver is only a hair over a foot long and weighs only 2-1/2 pounds with the battery onboard. That makes it the ideal lightweight tool for fastening in awkward places.
The right angle head is only 3.5 inches wide, perfect for squeezing into tight places. The rubbery ergonomic grip on the barrel makes this drill a pleasure to hold. And the large paddle switch makes it easy to use the variable speed function.
Of course, like most modern drills, the AD02W has a keyless chuck for quick bit changes. And the inclusion of an LED light with afterglow makes it a snap to see where you’re working.
More features of the Makita AD02W Right Angle Drill Kit:
- Covered by a 3-year warranty on the tool and 1-year warranty on the lithium-ion battery and charger
- ENERGY STAR certified
- Comes with BL1014 12V battery, DC10WB charger, and hard-sided tool case
Bosch PS11-102 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Max 3/8-Inch Right Angle Drill/Driver Kit with (1) High Capacity Battery and Charger
While the Bosch PS11 weighs a few ounces more than the Makita driver, it’s still under 3 pounds. And this is a powerful little 12-volt drill. It has 115 inch-pounds of max torque plus it speeds up to 1300rpm. It won’t take you long to get your work done now.
The 3/8-inch auto lock chuck is also designed for speedy bit changes. And the motor brake helps you sink each screw in a series to the same exact depth.The little LED work light mounted on the head moves as you articulate the head to a new position.
Yes, even better, the PS11 has a pivoting head that moves from 90 to 180 degrees for easy overhead driving. Just press the large articulation button in the head. The large paddle trigger and narrow ergonomic grip make the PS11 easy to use wherever you’re working, even if you wear gloves.
Plus, the body is actually shorter than the Makita driver. It measures 10.68 inches compared to 12-1/4-inches on the AD02W.
This little Bosch driver is capable of sinking 3-inch screws or using a ¾-inch spade bit. It can drill up to 3/8-inch in mild metal and ¾” in wood.If you want to hand tighten a screw, the PS11 has an auto-lock feature when the switch is off. This lets you use the drill like a screwdriver.
And don’t worry about being caught in the middle of a job without a charge. The onboard fuel gauge will show you the battery’s status. And with the power of lithium-ion plus Bosch’s Electronic Cell Protection, you’ll get the most work out of every charge.
More features of the Bosch PS11 Drill/Driver:
- Weighs 2.75 pounds
- Comes with 12V battery, charger, and carrying case
Recommendation
If you’re a pro that depends on your driver every day, the Bosch PS11 is the best choice for you. It’s powerful and versatile, but still lightweight. The head articulates between 90 and 180 degrees for maximum flexibility. Plus, this little driver is powerful enough to take the place of a larger driver for some tasks. It has an LED light, an auto-lock feature that turns it into a hand tool, and a motor brake for precision driving.
If you occasionally need to drive fasteners in tight spaces, the Makita AD02W may be all you’ll ever need. It’s lightweight and comes with a built-in LED light.It’s also ENERGY STAR certified for energy efficiency.
Click here to purchase Makita AD02W on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Bosch PS11-102 on Amazon.com!