The 9 Best joist Drills (2023 reviews)

Dewalt line of drill come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. If you are an expert craftsman or an experienced DIY guy, then this tool will make an excellent addition to your work space. It has plenty of power to pilot hole through hard wood cabinetry. It is pretty big and with the battery attached, it gets quite heavy. It is brushless like the other new dewalt tools.

This tool is powerful and can strip screw heads quickly. It is easy to control in multiple positions. It will also be handy to drill in tight quarters. The tool is fairly light weight even with the battery. It is good for cleaning rust off application because the speed is relatively slower.

Why We Like This:

Very solid feel and smooth powerful 90 degree drill/driver
Small head and powerful for tight cabinet spaces
New and hot release

Best For Tight spot: Makita Angle Drill

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The makita angle drill should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This tool has so much torque at low speeds and control of rpm using the rotating locking switch that it is absolutely in a class by itself. The speed is easy to control, the drilling action is steady, and the built-in LED provides very convenient illumination of the drilling area. The motor sounds strong and has the sound of precision.

The drill is relatively high speed and as such is used as a 3” sander/grinder for fiberglass repairs and finishing. It has great torque and is comfortable to operate. The variable speed control is absolutely great,you can actually set the max desired speed so you can not over speed on some material. It is very well constructed and feels good in the hand, with or without the supplied handle.

Why We Like This:

Runs smooth and precise like a sewing machine
Power control is a bit touchy, a clutch would be a great addition
Good investment for long term

Best For Drill Bit: Neiko joist Drill

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This angle drill has much more power than a cordless one for obvious reasons. It features a 400 watt motor instead of the usual 30watt motor in the cordless drills. The 55 degree angle allows you to reach into narrow and awkward spaces without scratching up your knuckles. It works great, and the variable speed makes many tasks easier.

The Universal three jaw design allows you to securely hold onto drill bits without disruption in your workflow. It will sit around waiting for next time. The drill has plenty of torque for sanding and the trigger provides good speed control. It is a good drill for smaller jobs in tight spaces.

Why We Like This:

Very flimsy, similar to harbor freight tools
One of the new comers and featured product

Best With Drill press: Milwaukee absolute Best Right Angle Drill

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The milwaukee absolute best right angle drill is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily purpose. This new tool has more power, easier to use, and fits into tight spaces better. It features three positions with. It is great for drilling holes through subflooring, joists, studs, and plates for plumbing. The Super Hawg will fit in tighter spaces longer and has a 90 degree rotating handle. It offers added control plus offers maximum operating comfort.

The 2 speeds and rotating handle are both handy options, well thought out and well executed. The Nice long cord also has the light-up style plug which is a great tool/extension cord feature. It comes with a hard case and is a very reliable and durable tool.

Why We Like This:

Very powerful and nice to use
Strong drill in a compact size
Big, heavy and an absolute beast
Nice rotating body, a bit heavy but gets the job done with ease

Best For screw: Dewalt joist Drill

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The dewalt joist drill's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The tool is a beast and can get it done all the big corded ones do. It comes with 2x dcb606 6ah batteries and the dcd470x1 comes with 1x dcb609 9 ah battery. It has 2 variable-speed ranges (0-400/ 0-1320 rpm) to match appropriate speed to the application. This feature senses the motion of the drill. The top handle does come off so you can use it in tighter spots.

The Anti-rotation e-clutch system detects the motion of a dewalt drill. It has a light to help locate where to drill holes in the attic.

Why We Like This:

60 v max* brushless motor for increased power and runtime
Has two speeds and is reversable and has a clutch
Easily shift between 1st and 2nd speed without having to feather the trigger

Best For hinge mounts: Metabo HPT joist Drill

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This right angle drill by Metabo hpt is a great option with plenty of power and won’t break the bank. It is great for hinge mounts in restricted tight angles as well. The drill produces a decent amount of power to allow to fasten any screw or drill most hole sizes. It is ideal in dark spaces.

When installing microwaves over stoves it is a fantastic tool for drilling the screw mounts. It is ideal for hard to reach places. It is great for drilling all the 1/2” holes for low voltage.

Why We Like This:

Not brushless, but plenty of power for drilling in tight spaces
Works well in a tight spot
Well built, has lots of power and works great so far

Best For those times: Genesis joist Drill

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This nutty design obviates the whole concept of a LOW-PROFILE drill. The genesis gcqd38a 3/8" close quarter drill has a unique shape and a compact head that allow it to get into tight spots where other drills can't. It works great, lets you get into those smaller spaces.

The tool has to be used with ear plugs of shooter's muffs due to the whine of the gears. It has a little holder thingy for the chuck tool that comes with the drill. This genesis drill works great and gets five stars all the way. It is a great extra tool for a minimal investment.

Why We Like This:

Nice solid and powerful drill for it's size
Works inside cabinets with limited space
Good torque and fits into a lot of places that regular drills just don't
Easy to use and feels sturdy enough

Best For Steel: Milwaukee joist Drill

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If you want nothing but a drill that is satisfactory, this milwaukee joist drill is certainly a best investment. This is the most common type drill bit adapter size used by electricians and plumbers. It will pound through a peice of wood with a carbide bit like butter. It works well for holes under. It will rip your arm off but not to slow where it gets stuck and it will drill any wood in its way. It is triple geared, so there is very little kick back if you do manage to bind it up.

This tool is owsome, is strong, and the battery has a logo so it does not dry the battery. It will rip your arm off but not to slow where it gets stuck.

Why We Like This:

Makes life a lot easier when drilling large holes
Performs best coupled with the 9ah battery
Works great up to 2 9/16 wood bits, light weight
Awesome time saving tool tons of power

Best With clutch: Makita joist Drill

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This right angle drill has as much power as the Milwaukee but is much lighter. It is used to use milwaukee electric drills and battery powered tools. It features a quick switch drill head for low or high-speed settings and a strong supporting handle for optimal control. It has an infinitely variable speed trigger and tw speed ranges which are changed by reversing the coupler to the chuck. It is made with full ball bearing construction for longer tool life and features an ergonomic rubber handle for increased ease of use.

The drill angle attachment rotates 360 degrees for maximum versatility and can be removed for use as a straight drill. The trigger has a lever on the top that simply moves side to side to control forward/reverse. There is a reverse switch above the trigger. It is ideal for confined, hard to reach places.

Why We Like This: