Description:

Key Features

Brushless Two-Speed PowerThe Makita XAD05Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2" Right Angle Drill gives you low speed for big hole work and high speed for faster boring. That means one drill can handle rough-in drilling without dragging out a corded right angle drill.Tight-Space HeadThe compact head design helps you work between studs, joists, and other cramped framing spaces where a standard drill body gets in the way. If access is the problem, this layout is the solution.Built for Jobsite UseDual LED lighting, electric brake, soft start, metal gear housing, and XPT dust and water resistance all add up to a drill that is easier to control and more practical in real working conditions.

Overview

The Makita XAD05Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2" Right Angle Drill is a cordless right angle drill built for plumbers, electricians, framers, remodelers, and anyone who has to bore large holes where clearance is tight. This is a right angle drill designed for high-torque drilling in studs, joists, and other confined spaces. Model Number: XAD05Z. As a bare tool, it is meant for users already on the Makita 18V LXT platform who want serious drilling capability without stepping up to a corded unit.

What matters most here is the mix of speed, access, and hole capacity. The Makita-built brushless motor and two-speed transmission give you variable no-load speeds of 0 to 450 RPM and 0 to 1,400 RPM, so you can slow it down for larger self-feed bits and hole saws, then switch up when you need quicker boring with smaller bits. Makita rates it for up to 5 inch holes with hole saws and up to 2-9/16 inch holes with self-feed bits, which puts it squarely in heavy rough-in territory.

The head design is the part that makes this tool earn its spot. A right angle drill only helps if it can actually get into the spaces you deal with every day, and the compact head on the XAD05Z is built for that. The overall length is 17-1/8 inches, and the slim barrel layout helps keep the tool manageable when you are drilling between framing members or working overhead. It also uses a 1/2 inch keyed chuck, which is the better call for high-load boring because it holds large bits more securely than a light-duty chuck setup.

Makita also got the everyday jobsite details right. The metal gear housing adds durability where this kind of tool takes abuse. Soft start gives you a smoother launch when a big bit first bites into the material, which helps with control and reduces that sudden twist at startup. The electric brake helps you move from hole to hole faster, and the built-in LED lights with pre-glow and afterglow are useful when you are drilling inside dim mechanical rooms, crawlspaces, or unfinished framing.

Runtime is another big part of the story. Makita states the XAD05 can drill up to 105 holes at 1-1/2 inches in 2x SPF lumber per charge with one 18V LXT 5.0Ah battery and self-feed bit, and it can also drill up to 200 holes using a 7/8 inch ship auger bit in 2x SPF. The larger point is simple: this brushless drill is built to get through repetitive rough-in work efficiently, and the motor is designed to use battery power more effectively than a brushed setup.

On the platform side, this drill runs on Makita 18V LXT lithium-ion slide-style batteries and is equipped with Star Protection Computer Controls when used with Makita batteries carrying the star symbol. That system monitors overload, over-discharge, and overheating conditions to protect both tool and battery. It is also built with Makita Extreme Protection Technology for improved dust and water resistance, which matters if your work is not happening in clean shop conditions.

If you already own Makita LXT batteries and need a cordless rough-in drill that can handle self-feed bits, augers, and hole saws, this is the kind of tool that makes sense. It is not a light trim drill and it is not trying to be. It is for users who need the torque and geometry of a right angle drill, but want to ditch the cord and still keep real jobsite capability.

High-Torque Drilling Without the Cord

This drill is built for the kind of boring work that usually sends you looking for a corded right angle drill. The side handle and compact right angle layout give you better control when you are pushing larger bits through studs and joists.

• 1/2 inch keyed chuck for secure grip on large drilling accessories
• Rated for up to 2-9/16 inch self-feed bits and 5 inch hole saws in wood
• Side handle attaches to either side for right- or left-handed use

Built to Work in Tight, Real-World Spaces

Right angle drills live or die by access, and the XAD05Z is clearly designed around that. The compact head, slim barrel, built-in light, and retractable tool hook make it easier to work in the awkward spots where this category earns its keep.

• 17-1/8 inch overall length keeps the tool manageable in confined spaces
• Dual LED light with pre-glow and afterglow helps in dim framing bays and service areas
• Retractable tool hook keeps the drill secure when you are moving around the site

What's in the Box

• (1) Makita XAD05Z 18V LXT Brushless Cordless 1/2 inch Right Angle Drill
• (1) Chuck Key, part 763259-7
• (1) Key Holder, part 413434-2
• (1) Side Handle

Battery and charger are not included.

Key Specifications

Compatibility

Battery PlatformCompatible with Makita 18V LXT lithium-ion slide-style batteries.Star ProtectionDesigned to work with Makita 18V batteries that have the star symbol for Star Protection Computer Controls.Accessory InterfaceUses a 1/2 inch keyed chuck for large drilling accessories such as auger bits, self-feed bits, and hole saw arbors sized for a 1/2 inch drill chuck.

Built For

Electrical Rough-InPlumbing Rough-InFramingRemodelingGeneral ContractingWood BoringStud and Joist DrillingTight-Space Drilling

Warranty & Support

Makita backs the XAD05Z with a 3-year limited warranty.

Tool Nut's Take

Tool Nut's Take

Makita XAD05Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2" Right Angle Drill for serious rough-in work

This is the cordless right angle drill you buy when standard drills are not enough and you want real boring capacity without dragging a cord through the job.

• Who it's for: Electricians, plumbers, framers, and remodelers already on Makita LXT who drill large holes through wood in tight spaces.
• Why it stands out: The combination of brushless power, two-speed control, big hole capacity, compact head design, and a true 1/2 inch keyed chuck makes it a legit heavy-duty right angle drill, not just a compact drill in a different shape.
• Worth knowing: This is a bare tool, so you need your own battery and charger. If you already have Makita 18V LXT packs, that is not a downside, it is the whole point.

Common Questions

• Is this a brushed or brushless drill? It uses a Makita-built brushless motor.
• What speeds does it offer? The two-speed transmission provides variable speeds of 0 to 450 RPM and 0 to 1,400 RPM.
• What is the maximum hole saw capacity in wood? Makita rates it for up to 5 inch holes with hole saws in wood.
• Does it work with Makita 18V LXT batteries? Yes. It is compatible with Makita 18V LXT lithium-ion batteries, and Star Protection works with batteries that have the star symbol.