DA4031 Angle Drill, 1/2 In, 10 A, Teal

I am not a pro, but I have a bunch of holes to drill thru joists to run electrical and PEX plumbing. I got tried of having my wrist almost tore off every time my cordless Makita 1/2" drill's bit caught a little while drilling. PROS: Fantastic smooth power. Easily bores through anything. Top handle is convenient and adjustable. Chuck holds bits securely with no problems. Side handle a plus. Rubberized back of top of drill is handy in a tight spot where you have to remove the handle and grip the drill there. Case is about the size of a carry on piece of luggage. CONS: none so far.

This thing is mainly for plumbers and commercial electricians who need to drill large or very deep holes in framing for DWV, conduit and such. Running pex or romex usually can be better done with a smaller battery drill and self-advancing spade bits unless a really deep hole is required. This thing is best for big hole-saws, big, long augers and large Forstner or switch-blade style bits. The choice is really between this drill and the super hawg. I prefer this one for several reasons. It's a bit lighter which becomes important as the day wears on. Though it is lower RPM in both high and low gear, it has distinctly more torque. This allows it to do a lot more in high gear. Unless I'm pushing a big auger through a foot of laminated beam I hardly ever need to switch to low gear. Another reason I prefer it is I don't know anybody who has managed to break one. This is not true of the super hawg. Stories of stripped gears and burned out motors are not hard to come by around here. The super hawg isn't the same unbreakable brute the old American-made hole hawgs were. Whatever you do, don't consider a big drill without a safety overload clutch. I personally watched a big guy literally thrown off a ladder by an old hole hawg. With one of those monsters you'd better hope a jammed bit breaks before you do. Details: The rotatable trigger handle rarely is useful but when crawling around in cramped spots where you can't get into a preferred position I've been glad to have it. Auxiliary handle is really beefy and about the right length. I prefer the adjustable 'D' style front handle to the super-hawg's, though it is a bit slow to adjust. Doesn't often need adjusting though. Case is sturdy and the over-center locks are steel, not fragile plastic. Nice that a fairly big (up to 4.5") Forstner or hole-saw can stay on the drill when it's in the case. Lots of room in the case for the cord so you don't need to waste time tucking it in. Also the cord is rubber insulated not vinyl so it doesn't stiffen up in cold weather. Admittedly I'm a long-time Makita fan-boy. They've earned it though. They make tough, long-lived tools that make sense and aren't old-fashioned or overweight. I'm still mixing mortar and thinset with a fifty plus year old Makita variable speed 1/2" pistol style drill. (I did change the brushes and replace the cord about twenty years ago.)

seems like a great tool so far (made in Japan)

1. Arrived in few short days as promised. The power angle drill comes with a Heavy Duty Plastic Case not pictured or mentioned in the product description. 2. Perfect condition (in spite of being sold as "used"). 3. It does not have 10 Amps as advertised: It actually has MORE : ) (ALMOST 13A) 4. It is HEAVIER and Larger than ordinary drill machines but lighter and smaller in its class: Heavy Duty "Sidewinder" Power Angle Drills. 5. It is the safest power drill because of the long handle design and disengaging clutch: Unlike the Hole Hawg, the DA4031 will not sprain your wrist, hit you hard or throw you off the ladder when it jams in a nail or something else. 6. It is powerful, quiet, smooth, well balanced, it can be used with or without the U-shaped handle or handle-bar (in order to fit in tighter places). 7. I have used the Dewalt (Timberwolf) sidewinder (which also works great) but decided on Makita because it is smaller (fits in more places) and not as heavy. I have also used the Milwaukee SuperHawg (which is a freaking awesome beast) but harder to fit in smaller places frequently encountered during retrofit jobs. [For real small spaces I use the small 4A Makita power angle drill which is freaking awesome but limited to a 3/8 chuck]. 8. The only suggestion for improvement would be to make its head a tad smaller and a built-in spot light for improved visibility. 9. If I really had my way it would also have the rotor/hammer capabilities and a SDS chuck for quick key-less drill bit exchanges. 10. Because it is a Makita, it will probably outlast me :(

Solid tool I recommend it

If you value your wrists, head, legs, and other body parts that are often the target of a heavy duty pistol drill that recoils after "catching something," then by all means buy this drill. I'm not sure what human wrists cost, but I'm guessing that they are expensive, as I sat there contemplating how screwed I would be if mine were to get sprained (again) or broken after another pistol drill battle. This Makita drill is much larger, more powerful, balanced, has a drill head clutch, and is sufficient to brace yourself if there is any "catching" while drilling. Add in a nice heavy duty case to make for a reliable piece of equipment.

Very well made, works for us.

Did not receive full order, refused to give a refund on what was missing.

a powerful machine. Will last long.

Beautiful pleasant powerful drill made in japan. It’s a joy to use. The rotating handle is annoying- hard to take off quick for a tight spot wonderful 99% of the time. No safety switch open trigger Be awake . The beast from the east

Loads of power works well bit on the heavy side if being used all day but great piece of kit

I just tried the high speed today for the first time, and it doesn't work!!!! Too late to return it. What a waste of money.