Makita XAD03PT (36V) & XAD05Z (18v) 1/2″ Right Angle Drill Review

Makita XAD03PT 36V Right Angle Drill Kit

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Makita
Model number: XAD03PT
Price: 479.00
Power source: Battery

Makita 36v XAD03PT

Specifications

• Hole Saw Max Diameter (Wood): 6-1/4″
• Ship Auger Bit Max Size (Wood): 2″
• Self-Feeding Bit Max Size (Wood): 4-5/8″
• Battery: Two 18V LXT
• Overall Length: 21-1/4″
• Weight: 14 lbs. W/ 2x 5.0 Ah Batteries
• Chuck Size: 1/2″
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Shipping Weight: 29 lbs.

Makita XAD03PT Overview

This big boy is well-made. It’s large, powerful and it does exactly what it’s designed to do. I drilled hundreds of holes with this drill to rough-in plumbing and electrical on a new residential construction project. I drilled a wide variety of sized holes ranging from 1/2″ to 4″. In addition to using it myself, I passed it around to several other electricians and plumbers. Every single person who used this beast of a right-angle drill was highly impressed. Many were intrigued by the dual batteries and surprised by how long they lasted. Others loved the power. To quote one of the guys, “this thing freaking rips”, as he’s standing around with a 2-foot long drill attached and just blowing out holes for the wire.

Everyone who used the Makita XAD03PT was impressed with the power, especially in reverse. A couple of the guys said that they actually have a Milwaukee right-angle drill in the van which they don’t use that often, mentioning that the batteries didn’t last long. One of their biggest complaints was that when the drill snagged and got stuck, it didn’t have enough power to back the bit out. They were super impressed that the reverse had enough power to back itself out of any situation without them having to get a wrench and waste time pulling it out by hand.

Makita XAD03PT package comes with a carrying bag

The Makita XAD03PT comes in a bag. I’m always a big fan of the bags because they are very roomy and I usually end up using them to carry a bunch of tools into the job.

Makita XAD03PT handle and grip

The Makita XAD03PT is a big power tool with an adjustable heavy-duty handle and a soft rubber push grip. Having a strong handle is nice because you don’t feel like it will break when you have to put some muscle into the hole you are drilling. In addition, at times I will put my hand on the soft rubber pad and push with my palm, which is comfortable when applying some pressure.  The handle can come off easily if you need to reduce size for tighter areas.

Geared Key Chuck

The Makita XAD03PT features a quality key chuck with a metal internal gear housing. This all-metal construction provides for extended durability over the life of the tool. Given the amount of torque the Makita is capable of putting out, I am glad to have such a rugged chuck to secure the bits.

On/Off Button

An on/off switch is a great feature. When you have this much power you don’t want the trigger to get accidentally pulled. The on/off button will prevent job site/toolbox accidents.

Dual 18volt batteries totaling 36v

As previously mentioned, everyone gets excited when they see the dual batteries.  Once they see the batteries the first thing that asks is about the battery life. With two 5.0 batteries, The Makita XAD03PT will last a long time. I personally drilled hundreds of holes in many different sizes and was more than satisfied with the battery life.  Now with that being said, this drill isn’t going to last you an entire day of drilling, but it will put a good dent in it. We still needed the generator to charge up the backup batteries for the second half of the day, depending on how many holes we drilled. The general consensus was that not having to run extension cords all over the house was very beneficial. Two 5.0 batteries are included with the kit.

Makita XAD03PT has Brute Force

Again, the Makita XAD03PT drill is rated for up to 6 1/4 hole saws or 4 5/8″ self-feed bits. This drill did not even flinch at anything I threw at it. This drill is a powerhouse, and the extended support handle is included with the kit. I don’t always use the handle but it definitely is a must-have for a drill with this kind of power.

Makita XAD03PT Keyholder, light, and speed control switch

Under the drill, you can find a built-in key holder and variable 2-speed switch. Gear 1 will give you a steady 0-350 RPM while gear 2 allows 0-1,400 RPM. Near the key is the twin led light which is angled perfectly towards the drilling area and always comes in handy for those darker areas

It stands up

Yes, both of the right-angle drills stand up on the battery. I like that they stand up because you aren’t always laying the drill on its side. I also find that it is really comfortable to kneel down and change the bit while the drill is standing up.

Charger

Makita XAD03PT also includes a dual battery quick charger. Having a charger handy that quickly charges two batteries is a win. You won’t just use the dual charger when using the Makita XAD03PT, you will use it for all of your tools, all of the time. The quick charger also has a built-in USB port that is perfect for charging your phone on the job site. If a charger nowadays doesn’t have a USB plug, it’s a negative when purchasing the tool because it simply makes working easier.

Comparison and Reverse Power

This is not a head-to-head comparison. I did not use and I have never used a battery-powered Milwaukee Hole Hawg or Super Hawg. I can tell you co-workers who have them are not impressed with the battery life or reverse power. The Makita XAD03PT received many compliments regarding its battery life and its power. There was a lot of praise for the Makita XAD03PT’s reverse power. Testers were impressed that it was able to back itself out of almost any situation and stated that they would normally have to get a wrench and take it out by hand. The Makita XAD03PT  is also slightly shorter and lighter.

Room for Improvement

I have nothing but good things to say about this tool, as does everyone who used it. The only thing I can say is that I and one other guy accidentally hit the power button and shut off the drill while we were drilling overhead holes that required a little extra force. In the picture below you can see my palm just pushing on that power button. We each did this once and learned not to do it again. I would say this is not really a big deal. Speaking of room for improvement, how about the name? Milwaukee has a Hole Hawg and a Super Hawg, which are both pretty cool names. I mean they could have named it the Wood Beast because that’s what it is.

Makita 18v Model XAD05Z AKA Little Brother

Specifications

• Hole Saw Max Diameter (Wood): 5″
• Ship Auger Bit Max Diameter (Wood): 1-1/2″
• Self Feed Bit Max Size (Wood): 2-9/16″
• Battery: 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion
• Overall Length: 17-1/8″
• Weight: 6 lbs. W/ 1x 5.0 Ah Battery
  

The Makita XAD05Z (18v) Overview

The Makita XAD05Z (18v) may be the more compact little brother but it is certainly no wimp. It’s almost as if they jammed all the features and power from the 36v drill into this model. This more compact drill packs with plenty of power with excellent run times. The Makita XAD05Z (18v) is equipped with a brushless two-speed, variable-speed motor ranging from 0-450 RPM in gear 1 and 0-1,400 RPM in gear 2 while weighing in at only 7.6 lbs.

Retractable Tool Hook and Dual LED Light

Due to its compact size, this Makita XAD05Z drill comes with a retractable tool hook. Like I mentioned before this is my go-to drill for tight spaces and when up high due to its light overall weight. When you are on the top of a ladder or balancing on a couple of joists, lightweight is king. Additionally, the LED light to light up your working area helps assist you to get that hole exactly where you want it drilled.

The Makita XAD05Z is Light and Compact

Here you can see Makita XAD05Z with the handle attached the drill is still very compact. The push handle is mounted with two Phillips screws which allow the handle to come off easily and go back on in seconds. The second picture illustrates how small this drill gets with the handle removed. With the handle removed the drill measures 4 3/4″ from the top of the handle to the chuck.

Conclusion

I highly recommend having both right-angle drills because there is nothing like having the right tool at the right time. The Makita XAD03PT (36V) is an absolute beast. It’s big, it’s bulky and it rips through anything in its way.  I used the big boy often when drilling on the floor, wall studs and when drilling the ceiling joists when I just wanted the pure power.

The Makita XAD05Z (18v) may be more compact, but still had plenty of power. I used this one more often when on a ladder, in a higher position, or when in a tight spot. Being able to take the handle off allowed me to reduce the drill size and saved me tons of time by allowing me to fit into those tight spaces that normally would have required extensions and extra time. Both drills allow me to work more efficiently, quickly, and easily.

Where to Buy

You can buy The Makita XAD03PT (36V) Right angle drill as a kit for $479.00 from some of our preferred online retailers. I think that $479.00 is an excellent price for this drill as a kit. The drill is worth every penny, but having the two 18 Volt LXT® 5.0Ah batteries, dual port rapid charger, side handle, chuck key, and bag make this a really nice kit. The Makita XAD05Z (18v) can be purchased for $249.00 and is also well worth the price tag as this compact drill save you lots of time and headaches in tighter spaces.

Follow the Buy Now link below to purchase either the XAD03PT or the XAD05Z tools from our friends at Ohio Power Tool or ACME Tools.

Pictured in several photographs and below is the Makita 2-9/16″ self-feed bit which is a monster in addition to the 7/8″ x 6″ Ship Auger Bit. Both bits are super sharp and assist the drill in just eating through wood.

1 Comment

1. Jim Premo

   January 16, 2024 at 11:35 am

   Excellent reviews. I have both. Bought the 03 as an earth auger. I started in the trades in 1975. Have owned and used Big Red and Dewalt through the years. Now I bleed teal.

   Reply

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