Makita XAD01 18V LXT 3/8-in Right-Angle Drill Kit review

The Makita XAD01 is the 18V LXT kit version of a compact right-angle drill family. Its official U.S. page lists a 3/8-in keyed chuck, two BL1830 3.0Ah batteries, a DC18RC charger and a tool bag. The related XAD01Z is a separate tool-only SKU, not a shorthand for the kit. This assessment uses Makita’s exact pages and XAD01 instruction manual; it does not report hands-on use, comparative testing or measured performance.

The kit is distinct from its XAD01Z drill body

The XAD01 page itemizes one XAD01Z angle drill, two 18V LXT BL1830 packs, a DC18RC rapid-optimum charger, a chuck-key holder, a chuck key and a tool bag. That is useful if the buyer needs a charger and batteries in the package. The tool-only XAD01Z page, by contrast, says battery and charger are not included; it separately lists the chuck key and holder. Do not infer the kit contents from the Z suffix or transfer a bag or batteries between individual offers.

There is a small but meaningful image-versus-list issue: Makita’s exact kit photograph shows a side grip attached to the drill, while its written kit Includes list does not name that grip. The instruction manual says to install the side grip securely and hold it with the tool during operation; the manual also places side grips among optional accessories. The image alone does not establish a grip in every box. Check the exact written inventory and source the manual-approved accessory if the offer does not list it.

A keyed 3/8-in chuck, not a half-inch opening

The XAD01 uses a 3/8-in keyed metal chuck. That is the maximum bit-shank opening, not a material-hole rating. The manual separately lists drilling capacities of 3/8 in in steel and 1 in in wood. A round bit with a shank larger than the chuck’s documented capacity will not fit; buyers who require a 1/2-in shank should choose a different interface rather than treating “angle drill” as a substitute for chuck size.

Makita gives one variable-speed range, 0–1,800 rpm, controlled by pressure on the trigger, plus a reversing switch. The manual says to wait until the tool stops before changing rotation. The product page names a brushed four-pole motor and a 121 in-lb maximum-torque claim. These are manufacturer specifications, not measurements from this review. The sources do not document a selectable gear, hammer mode or torque-clutch setting, so the XAD01 is a drilling tool rather than a combination hammer drill.

Right-angle geometry helps reach, but does not answer every clearance question

The angled body may help when a straight drill cannot line up with the bit in a cabinet, framing cavity or similar restricted approach. Makita lists a 2-5/8-in angle-head height and 12-3/8-in overall length. Neither figure is the length of the head. The product page and manual do not give the exact tool-head length used by the finder’s six-inch limit; head height and total length cannot be substituted for it. Add the installed bit, battery, hand position and approach path to any real clearance check.

The page lists 4 lb with a battery, while the manual gives 3.3 lb with BL1815N and 4.0 lb with BL1830. These are battery-equipped weights, not bare-tool mass. The kit’s two listed 3.0Ah packs are BL1830 without a B suffix; the old manual’s standard-battery table names BL1815N and BL1830/BL1840. Makita’s current page also makes a broader statement about star-marked LXT and Compact packs. Treat those dated statements as separate evidence and check current tool instructions before sourcing a replacement battery.

Practical operation still depends on the bit and workpiece

The manual instructs the operator to secure small workpieces, hold the tool firmly, and use a center punch to help start metal holes. It recommends cutting lubricant for metal other than iron or brass, which it says should be drilled dry. Excess pressure will not make drilling faster and can damage a bit; take particular care as a hole breaks through, when the tool and bit can exert substantial force. A jammed bit may back the tool out abruptly when reversed. These are setup and handling considerations, not a promise that the angle body removes reaction force.

Who should consider the XAD01

The XAD01 kit makes sense on paper when the job needs a compact right-angle layout, a 3/8-in keyed chuck is sufficient, and the buyer wants Makita’s listed two-pack battery-and-charger package. If an existing LXT battery is already on hand, compare the XAD01Z tool-only page and confirm its exact box contents. If the intended bit has a 1/2-in shank, this 3/8-in chuck is a clear mismatch. If the request is for a six-inch-or-shorter head, the published 2-5/8-in head height is not enough to confirm it. Verify the suffix, packs, charger, side-grip arrangement and safe bit/material instructions before choosing; the source pages establish specifications, not retailer stock, condition or price.