DeWalt Right Angle Attachment Review: DWARA120 vs DWARA100

The DeWalt DWARA120 right angle drill attachment converts any 1/4-inch hex drill or impact driver into a 90-degree tool for floor joists, cabinets, and plumbing chases – spaces a standard drill cannot reach. Running the older DWARA100 in a high-torque impact driver can strip its gears; the DWARA120 redesign added impact-rated internals to prevent this. This guide covers all four DeWalt right angle models, step-by-step use, bit types, and common troubleshooting.

DeWalt Right Angle Attachment Models Compared

DeWalt sells four distinct right angle drill attachments, each suited to different job types. The table below is the only side-by-side spec comparison of all four models available – DeWalt’s own product pages do not consolidate them.

The DWARA120 replaced the DWARA100 in April 2021. The key change was a slimmer 1.5-inch head – 0.5 inches less front-to-back – which matters in the tightest framing cavities. The DWARA50 lacks impact-rated gears, so avoid it with high-torque impact drivers. If you need to learn how to attach hex bits correctly to your drill before using any right angle adapter, see our guide on how to attach a drill bit.

How to Use the DeWalt Right Angle Drill Attachment

The DWARA120 attaches to any drill or impact driver with a 1/4-inch hex chuck. It takes under 30 seconds to install and works with standard hex-shank drill bits and driver bits. Round-shank bits do not fit – hex shank is required. For choosing the right drill bit diameter for wood screws before using this attachment, see our guide on wood screw drill sizes.

1. Insert a hex-shank bit: Push a 1/4-inch hex bit into the chuck end of the DWARA120 until you feel it click into the magnetic holder – you should hear or feel a definite snap.
2. Attach to the drill: Insert the square drive end of the attachment into your drill or impact driver chuck and tighten fully – use the drill’s maximum lock setting, not a torque-limited clutch.
3. Orient the head: Rotate the DWARA120 head to the angle you need (the head spins 360 degrees on the attachment body) and position the bit tip at your work surface before triggering.
4. Hold the attachment with your free hand: Grip the rear body of the attachment with your other hand to control direction and prevent counter-rotation during use.
5. Drill or drive at low-to-medium speed first: Start at low speed to seat the bit tip, then increase speed. In impact driver mode, use short bursts for driving screws to avoid over-driving.
6. Remove the bit: Pull back the collar-style release on the chuck end and pull the bit out simultaneously.

Key Features of the DeWalt DWARA120

The DeWalt DWARA120 is a 1/4-inch hex accessory that attaches directly to any hex-chuck cordless drill or impact driver. At 1.5 inches front-to-back, its head is smaller than the discontinued DWARA100 (roughly 2.0 inches) and fits in gaps that frequently defeat standard right angle drills.

• Head height: 1.5 inches front-to-back – the smallest DeWalt right angle head available in a non-flex design
• Gear rating: Impact-rated – handles the high-torque and vibration of cordless impact drivers without stripping
• Bit retention: Rare-earth ring magnet projects through the unit to hold fasteners during one-handed placement
• Speed rating: Up to 1,200 RPM – adequate for drilling and driving but slower than standard drills in open spaces
• Bit compatibility: 1/4-inch hex shank only – this is not a 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch chuck attachment
• Gear life: DeWalt rates DWARA120 gears at 5x longer life than comparable competitors under sustained load

“The DWARA120’s magnetic bit retention genuinely changes how you install screws in a tight joist bay – you set the screw tip on the fastener one-handed instead of juggling the drill and screw simultaneously. That detail separates it from generic right angle adapters.”

Best Applications for the DeWalt Right Angle Drill Attachment

The right angle drill attachment is not a replacement for a standard drill – it is a specialty tool for tasks where clearance behind the drill body is limited. Common real-world applications:

• Floor joist bays: Drilling or driving where joist spacing leaves only 1.5 to 2 inches of vertical clearance – a standard drill body is typically 7 to 10 inches long and cannot orient perpendicular to the subfloor in this space
• Electrical and plumbing rough-in: Drilling through studs and plates when the drill must approach from the side rather than straight on
• Cabinet installation: Driving mounting screws inside cabinet boxes where the side panel prevents a standard drill from approaching the fastener directly
• HVAC and ductwork: Securing brackets and flanges in tight ceiling or wall chases where even a stub drill cannot fit
• Deck and fence installation: Driving screws at angles in spots where framing is tight – for choosing the right pre-drilling approach, see our guide on when to pre-drill holes for screws

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Right angle attachments create specific failure modes that standard drills do not. Knowing them before your first job prevents stripped fasteners and damaged bits.

The attachment spins in your hand instead of drilling

This is normal expected behavior. The DWARA120 body is not clamped to the drill – it connects only at the hex drive. You must grip the rear of the attachment body with your free hand to prevent counter-rotation. If the body still spins excessively, your drill speed is too high for the task – reduce speed.

A bit is stuck in the chuck end

Pull back the collar (the cylindrical sleeve around the chuck end) and pull the bit out simultaneously. If stuck, apply a small amount of penetrating oil to the collar-to-bit interface, wait two minutes, then try again. Do not use pliers directly on the bit tip – you will damage the hex shank. A rubber-jaw grip tool padded with a shop rag can grip the bit shank safely as a last resort.

The attachment slips out of the drill chuck

Verify the drive end is fully seated before tightening the chuck. Clean any oil or debris from the square drive end with isopropyl alcohol – a slippery drive end is the most common cause of chuck slip. If using a keyless chuck, hand-tighten to full engagement then add one firm quarter turn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the DWARA50, DWARA100, and DWARA120?

The DWARA50 is the oldest model with no magnetic bit holder and no impact rating – use it only with standard drills, not impact drivers. The DWARA100 added impact-rated gears and a magnetic bit holder but was discontinued in April 2021. The DWARA120 is the current model, replacing the DWARA100 with a slimmer 1.5-inch head (vs approximately 2.0 inches on the DWARA100) that fits even tighter spaces.

Can the DeWalt right angle attachment be used with an impact driver?

Yes – but only the DWARA120, DWAMRASETFT, and DWAMRAFT are impact-rated. The DWARA50 lacks impact-rated gears and will fail prematurely in a high-torque impact driver. Any impact-rated attachment works with either a standard cordless drill or an impact driver without issue.

Do right angle drill attachments work for drilling holes, not just driving screws?

Yes. The DWARA120 drills holes in wood, drywall, and light metal at up to 1,200 RPM. Use hex-shank drill bits – the same 1/4-inch hex shank required for all DeWalt right angle attachments. Standard round-shank drill bits do not fit.

How do you use a 90-degree drill attachment in a floor joist bay?

Insert your hex-shank bit, attach the DWARA120 to your drill, and orient the head perpendicular to the joist face. Hold the attachment body with your free hand to prevent counter-rotation. Drill at medium speed – in a floor joist bay you typically have one clean pass, so start with a pilot hole in hardwood first. See our guide on pre-drilling holes for screws for correct pilot hole sizing.

What bit types work with the DeWalt DWARA120?

Any bit with a 1/4-inch hex shank works – driver bits, hex-shank drill bits, countersink bits, and socket adapters. Round-shank bits (standard drill bits without a hex groove) do not fit. If you have a round-shank bit you want to use, a hex shank adapter can convert it, but the added length may defeat the tight-space advantage of the right angle attachment.

Conclusion

The DeWalt DWARA120 is the right choice for most users who need a right angle drill attachment – its 1.5-inch compact head, impact-rated gears, and magnetic bit holder address every shortcoming of the discontinued DWARA100. For plumbing and electrical runs that require curved access, the DWAMRASETFT flex shaft kit adds reach that rigid adapters cannot provide. Choose based on the tightest gap you will encounter: if 1.5 inches clears your workspace, the DWARA120 handles it; if not, the FLEXTORQ flex shaft is the answer.