Makita XAD02Z 18V LXT 3/8-in Right-Angle Drill (Tool Only) review

The Makita XAD02Z is the tool-only member of the XAD02 18V LXT angle-drill family. The exact U.S. page says the battery and charger are not included, but does list one side handle. It shares the kit drill’s 3/8-in keyless interface and single variable-speed range; it does not become a half-inch drill just because it has a close-quarter body. This is a source-based assessment of the U.S. model and package, not a report of hands-on use or performance testing.

Check the bit shank before focusing on the angle

Makita identifies a 3/8-in keyless chuck, which accepts round-shank bits up to that nominal size. The XAD02Z therefore falls short of a 1/2-in-or-larger chuck requirement. The page's nearby “Keyed Chuck” link points to a different model, XAD01Z; it is not a description of the XAD02Z. This interface dimension also should not be confused with a hole-size rating. Makita separately lists 3/8 in in steel and 1 in in wood, so the material capacity depends on the stated application, not simply the maximum shank the chuck can grip.

The manual gives a single 0–1,800-rpm variable-speed range and a reversing switch, rather than a two-speed transmission. The product page calls it a brushed motor. The page's detailed specification and the family flyer state 121 in-lb maximum torque, while one feature line says 120 in-lb. These are manufacturer-published claims, not independent output measurements. Neither the product page nor manual documents a torque clutch, and the product is not listed as a hammer drill.

Close-quarter shape does not establish exact clearance

The tool has a right-angle head and Makita describes the head as 3-1/2 in high. That height may help when comparing a specific obstruction, but it cannot stand in for tool-head length or for the full space needed around the bit, battery and operator's hand. No exact head-length dimension is published in the sources checked here. If a job depends on a six-inch-or-shorter head, this record cannot confirm the XAD02Z meets it.

For overall length, Makita's exact Z page and the XAD02 instruction manual both state 12-7/8 in. The linked XAD02 kit page and flyer instead state 12-3/8 in for the family drill. I retain the conflict rather than claiming the shorter kit figure is the bare-tool length. Overall length is not head length in either case. Makita lists a 4-lb with-battery weight; the manual gives 3.3–4 lb depending on the battery cartridge, and neither figure is the bare-tool weight.

Tool-only has a specific accessory list

The exact XAD02Z product page's package line excludes a battery and charger and separately lists one side handle. That detail is useful because “tool-only” does not necessarily mean every grip or accessory is absent. It does mean the user needs a compatible power setup. The XAD02 manual identifies BL1815N and BL1830/BL1840 cartridges and says battery specifications may differ by market; the U.S. product page also describes Makita 18V LXT batteries with the star mark. Since that manual is older than current battery suffixes, check the specific pack and current instructions before relying on a newer model. The included DC18RC and two BL1830B packs belong to the separate XAD02 kit, not this Z SKU.

The page gives a general instruction to use genuine Makita batteries and chargers but does not provide an exhaustive charger-model list for the XAD02Z. The DC18RC is documented as the XAD02 kit charger only; it should not be presented as the only compatible charger or as included here. A buyer should verify current approved equipment and read the exact page for any seller's package, since a family name or shared photograph does not resolve the suffix.

Safe drilling still needs support

The manual warns the user to hold the tool firmly, install the side grip securely when supplied, keep hands away from rotating parts and secure small workpieces in a vise or similar hold-down. It notes the force at breakthrough and says a stuck bit can cause abrupt tool movement when reversed. The instruction is not to force the drill: added pressure will not make it drill faster and may damage a bit or reduce performance. For metal, the manual recommends making a starting indentation and using cutting lubricant, except for iron and brass, which it says to drill dry. These source directions are more useful for planning than treating the maximum torque as a promise about any workload.

The published specification documents ordinary drilling only; it does not show a hammer mode for masonry. A right-angle drive arrangement may let the operator orient the body differently, but it does not turn the tool into a specialized stud-and-joist model or guarantee access around framing. Check the bit's required shank, target material, actual approach angle and complete clearance before work.

When the XAD02Z belongs on a shortlist

This model is worth comparing when a buyer wants the 18V LXT platform, already has or plans to source a manual-compatible pack and charger, and needs a 3/8-in keyless right-angle drill with the listed side handle. Its main limitations are equally clear: it is tool-only, does not meet a half-inch chuck requirement, has no documented hammer mode or clutch, and has no published tool-head length for a strict clearance screen. If a kit with power equipment is preferred, the separately assessed XAD02 package lists two batteries, charger and bag. Check the exact SKU and current package, battery instructions, bit size and physical reach; this review makes no stock, price, comparison-test or personal-use claim.

Sources: Makita XAD02Z U.S. tool-only page; Makita XAD02 U.S. kit page; Makita XAD02 instruction manual; Makita XAD02 New Tool Flyer.