Right-angle drills exist to do one job better than any other tool: drill large holes through structural lumber in confined spaces where a standard drill can't fit. Electricians drilling 1-1/8-inch holes through successive joists, plumbers running 1-1/2-inch copper supply lines through plates, HVAC mechanics boring 4-inch duct holes through framing — these are the users who reach for a right-angle drill all day. Both the Milwaukee HOLE HAWG and DeWalt DCD471 are the serious tools in this category.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL HOLE HAWG 2708-20
The Milwaukee HOLE HAWG delivers higher torque for large hole saws; the DeWalt DCD471 is the right call for DeWalt platform users who need a capable right-angle drill without Milwaukee's torque ceiling.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Milwaukee M18 FUEL HOLE HAWG 2708-20 | DeWalt DCD471B (20V MAX XR) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Torque | 1,000 in-lbs | 600 in-lbs |
| Speed Range | 0-500 RPM | 0-500 / 0-1,500 RPM |
| Chuck Size | 3/8 in | 3/8 in |
| Battery Platform | M18 | 20V MAX |
| Warranty | 5-year | 3-year |
| Tool-Only Price | ~$189 | ~$159 |
Torque, RPM, and Large-Bore Drilling Performance
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL HOLE HAWG 2708-20 is rated at 1,000 in-lbs of torque — a substantial figure for a right-angle drill, enabled by the POWERSTATE brushless motor Milwaukee developed specifically for this application. Running a 4-inch hole saw through a doubled 2x10 header in treated lumber requires sustained high torque, and the HOLE HAWG handles this without the motor bogging or overheating under load that plagued earlier cordless right-angle tools.
The DeWalt DCD471B is rated at 600 in-lbs of torque — adequate for 3-inch and smaller hole saws in standard dimensional lumber, but noticeably less capable than the Milwaukee when running large-diameter cutters. At 0-500 RPM in low gear and 0-1,500 RPM in high, the DCD471's speed range is appropriate for most drilling applications a right-angle tool encounters.
The Milwaukee runs 0-500 RPM — it's a single-speed tool optimized for the high-torque, moderate-speed demands of large hole saws rather than a general-purpose drill. If you're running 4-inch and larger bi-metal hole saws through framing all day, the HOLE HAWG's torque advantage over the DCD471 is decisive.
Head Geometry and Confined-Space Access
Both tools use right-angle head geometry — the drill chuck is perpendicular to the motor body, allowing the tool to fit in joist bays, wall cavities, and ceiling assemblies where a standard drill's chuck-to-handle geometry doesn't work. The Milwaukee HOLE HAWG has a compact head profile that fits between 16-inch on-center framing without the body fouling against adjacent studs.
The DeWalt DCD471B's right-angle head is similarly compact. In tight joist bay work — the classic application — both tools operate in the same confined geometry. The Milwaukee's head profile is marginally shorter, which provides slightly more clearance in the tightest situations.
Both accept 3/8-inch keyed chucks (standard for right-angle drills) and are compatible with Milwaukee and DeWalt's own hole saw accessories respectively. For electricians running Greenlee or Klein hole saws: both tools accept standard arbors.
Battery Platform and Professional Trade Context
Milwaukee's HOLE HAWG is an electrician's tool. The M18 platform is dominant in electrical contracting — Milwaukee's relationship with the electrical trade runs deeper than any other brand. Most electrical contractors running M18 tools have significant battery investments already, making the HOLE HAWG a natural addition without platform cost.
The DeWalt DCD471B runs on 20V MAX, which covers the plumbing, HVAC, and general construction trades where DeWalt has strong penetration. For a plumbing contractor running DeWalt on the truck, the DCD471B adds right-angle capability to an existing battery investment.
Platform lock-in makes this purchase nearly automatic for contractors who've already committed to a platform. The performance gap between Milwaukee and DeWalt matters primarily when the application specifically demands maximum torque — large hole saws, large spade bits in treated lumber, or running the tool under sustained load in tough materials.
Price, Warranty, and Accessories
The Milwaukee 2708-20 tool-only runs $179-199. The DeWalt DCD471B tool-only runs $149-169. The $30 gap is modest given the meaningful torque difference — the Milwaukee's premium is justified for applications where the torque matters.
Milwaukee's 5-year warranty applies to the HOLE HAWG. DeWalt's 3-year covers the DCD471B. Right-angle drills take meaningful stress from the gear reduction required to turn the right-angle head — the higher torque rating of the Milwaukee also means higher internal stress on the gearcase, making the warranty gap relevant.
Both tools benefit from quality bi-metal hole saws. For electrical rough-in through framing, Milwaukee's own hole saw kits (49-22-4000 or similar) are made for the HOLE HAWG and paired for performance. DeWalt's hole saw line works well with the DCD471B. Neither tool is the place to economize on accessories — cheap hole saws will wear out faster than quality tools.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL HOLE HAWG 2708-20 Strengths
- 1,000 in-lbs torque — handles 4-inch and larger hole saws in treated lumber without bogging
- POWERSTATE motor optimized specifically for high-torque right-angle applications
- 5-year warranty — relevant given the gearcase stress right-angle drills sustain
- M18 platform dominant in electrical contracting
DeWalt DCD471B (20V MAX XR) Strengths
- $149-169 tool-only — $30 less than Milwaukee HOLE HAWG
- Two-speed (0-500/0-1,500 RPM) provides more versatility for smaller boring applications
- 20V MAX platform covers plumbing, HVAC, and general construction trades
- 3-year warranty standard
Milwaukee M18 FUEL HOLE HAWG 2708-20 Weaknesses
- Single speed (0-500 RPM) — less versatile for small-diameter boring
- $179-199 tool-only vs DeWalt's $149-169
- M18 platform — platform switching cost for non-Milwaukee contractors
DeWalt DCD471B (20V MAX XR) Weaknesses
- 600 in-lbs torque — insufficient for 4-inch+ hole saws in dense or treated lumber
- 3-year warranty vs Milwaukee's 5-year
- 20V MAX — platform switching cost for non-DeWalt contractors
Best For
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL HOLE HAWG 2708-20 Electricians running M18 tools who regularly drill 3-inch and larger holes through structural framing
- DeWalt DCD471B (20V MAX XR) Plumbers, HVAC mechanics, and DeWalt platform users who need right-angle capability for standard boring applications
FAQ
What size hole saws work best with a right-angle drill versus a standard drill?
Right-angle drills are designed for 3-inch and larger hole saws where the torque required exceeds what a standard drill delivers comfortably. For 1-1/2-inch and smaller holes through standard framing, a full-size drill handles the job without needing the right-angle format. The right-angle drill's purpose is twofold: access in confined spaces AND torque delivery for large cutters. If you only need one, a quality standard drill handles most boring tasks; the right-angle tool earns its place on electrical rough-in and large-diameter plumbing work.
Can I use SDS or SDS-Max bits in either of these tools?
No — these are keyed chuck right-angle drills, not SDS rotary hammers. SDS (and SDS-Max, which handles much larger bits for heavy masonry) requires a different chuck system and a hammering mechanism these tools don't have. For masonry work through block or concrete, a rotary hammer with the appropriate SDS or SDS-Max chuck is the correct tool. These right-angle drills are for wood boring in structural framing, not masonry.