Right-Angle Drills & Hole Hawgs

Electricians and plumbers use heavy right-angle drills to bore big holes through studs and joists. These drills have enough torque that when a self-feed bit or auger catches a nail or knot, the drill body spins instead of the bit, and it can break a wrist, hit you in the face or throw you off a ladder.

• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Carpenters

Why they’re dangerous

When the bit stops suddenly (on a nail, knot, metal plate or another bit), all that torque goes into the drill. The handle whips around in the direction opposite to how the bit was turning. Your hand, wrist or face is often in the way.

Brace it every time

• Use the side handle and hold the drill with both hands.
• Brace the handle against something solid, like the next stud or the floor, on the side the drill would swing toward, so the stud takes the kick instead of your arm.
• Position your body so that if the drill spins, it won’t hit your face, chest or ribs.
• Start slow in low gear for large bits.
• Use a clutch model when available; a mechanical or electronic clutch slips or shuts off when the bit binds.

Bits

• Self-feed bits and ship augers pull themselves into the wood and bind hardest. Use the drill’s low speed and keep bits sharp.
• Check for nails and screws in reused lumber and around plates. Use a nail-cutting bit where nails are likely.
• Hole saws in metal or thick material can grab when they break through; ease up near the end.
• Let the bit stop completely before pulling it out or changing it.

What’s inside the wall?

• Check for live wiring, gas, water and drain lines before boring
• Use a scanner or open the wall to look when you’re not sure
• Turn off and lock out circuits you might hit
• Watch for metal nail plates protecting pipes and wires; they’re there for a reason
• Check engineering limits on hole size and location in joists and beams before boring

PPE

• Safety glasses, hearing protection, and gloves that fit snugly
• No loose sleeves, cords or jewelry near the chuck

Last updated: October 2, 2026