Milwaukee 2415-20 M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Right Angle Drill, 3/8 In, Bare Tool, Medium

There are a handful of jobs where a standard drill simply can’t reach, and that’s where Milwaukee’s M12 right‑angle drill earns its keep. I put it to work in cabinets, under sinks, and inside engine bays—places where a conventional drill is either too tall or too bulky. It’s not a replacement for a full‑size drill/driver, but as a problem‑solver in cramped quarters, it’s become a regular passenger in my tool bag.

Design and ergonomics

The compact, right‑angle head keeps the tool slim where it matters. While the overall length is a bit longer than a stubby drill/driver, the narrow head lets me sneak into cavities between studs, behind sink basins, and around wiring looms. The long paddle trigger is the star here. Instead of hunting for a tiny trigger with a contorted grip, I can choke up, hold it like a wand, or pinch it from odd angles and still modulate speed cleanly.

Balance is best with a compact M12 battery; the tool remains streamlined with the pack tracking the handle. With larger-capacity packs it still works fine, but you lose some of that svelte profile that makes the drill so maneuverable in the first place. Rubber overmold provides a secure grip without being overly tacky, and the housing has held up well to bumps and the inevitable cabinet‑rail scrapes.

A quick note on controls: the forward/reverse selector is positioned near the head. It’s reachable with the thumb, but if you swap directions a lot mid‑task, it’s not as intuitive as a typical trigger‑adjacent switch. I got used to it, though the placement can be awkward when your knuckles are already jammed against a cabinet wall.

Chuck, clutch, and lighting

Milwaukee outfits this drill with a 3/8‑inch single‑sleeve ratcheting chuck. It’s a practical choice that accepts 3/8‑inch shank bits, standard hex 1/4‑inch driver bits (with an adapter or directly if you use hex‑shank drills), and holds small diameter twist bits securely. The ratcheting action locks down as expected and I didn’t experience bit slippage on reasonable loads.

Instead of a mechanical clutch that slips, the M12 uses an electronic clutch with 11 settings plus a full drill mode. Hit the torque threshold and the motor shuts off and a red indicator around the work light lets you know you’ve reached your limit. The upside is consistent cutoff and reduced wear on the clutch. The trade‑off is that the stop can feel abrupt compared to a traditional slip clutch, especially when driving delicate fasteners. Once I learned to feather the paddle and pick an appropriate setting, I found it reliable for small cabinet screws and machine‑screw work.

The built‑in LED sits right at the head and casts a bright, useful cone of light. It’s well placed for cramped spaces where a separate work light is impractical. I also appreciate that it doubles as a status indicator for the clutch. Milwaukee’s onboard fuel gauge on the handle is handy; a quick tap on the paddle lights up the battery meter so you can gauge if it’s time to swap packs before you squeeze into a crawlspace.

Performance

This is a 12‑volt, brushed‑motor tool with variable speed via the paddle. There’s no two‑speed gearbox; top speed is around 800 RPM. Within that envelope, torque is surprisingly stout for its size. I used it to bore clean pilot holes in hardwood face frames, run self‑tapping screws into sheet metal brackets, and spin small‑diameter spade bits through softwood without complaint. For light drilling in aluminum and plastics, it’s composed and controllable.

Where it predictably hits its ceiling is with larger bits or aggressive hole saws. If your day involves drilling 1‑1/4‑inch holes through thick hardwood or running big step bits all afternoon, this isn’t the right tool. The M12 right‑angle drill is optimized for access and control, not brute‑force stock removal. That said, paired with sharp bits and reasonable expectations, it punches above its weight in tight quarters where a bulkier 18‑volt tool simply won’t fit.

Speed control is excellent. The long paddle gives a wide range of input, and the motor ramps smoothly from a crawl to max RPM. That finesse matters when you’re starting a hole one‑handed overhead or driving a screw blind inside a cabinet carcass.

Runtime and batteries

With a compact 2.0–2.5Ah M12 pack, I can get through a punch list of hardware installs, a handful of bracket mounts, and a dozen pilot holes without hunting for a charger. The brushed motor isn’t as efficient as Milwaukee’s brushless “Fuel” line, so you won’t see the same runtime you might be used to in their premium models, but the tool sips power relative to the work it does. If you’re batching a bigger task, an extra compact pack in your pocket keeps you moving while maintaining the tool’s streamlined feel.

Build quality and serviceability

Fit and finish are solid. The chuck tracks true for the small diameters this tool is meant to spin, the housing tolerances are tight, and the switches have a positive feel. It’s made in China, like most of its peers, and after months bouncing around in a tote and living on a shop peg between jobs, mine shows only cosmetic scuffs. There’s no belt hook, which I occasionally miss, but the flat battery base lets it stand upright on a shelf or benchtop.

Use cases where it shines

• Cabinet installs: pilot holes for pulls, driving hinge screws inside carcasses, and attaching cleats where clearance is minimal.
• Plumbing and HVAC: anchoring brackets behind traps and duct runs.
• Electrical: drilling pilots for low‑voltage clips and driving screws inside tight enclosures.
• Automotive: fasteners and small drilling tasks in engine bays where a standard drill is blocked by the firewall or accessories.

Limitations and nitpicks

• Direction switch placement is just okay; workable, but not ideal in very tight recesses.
• The electronic clutch’s hard stop takes practice to use gracefully on delicate fasteners.
• Single‑range gearing and an ~800 RPM ceiling mean slower progress with larger bits.
• Sold as a bare tool—factor in the cost of an M12 battery and charger if you’re not already on the platform.

Who it’s for

If you’re a cabinet installer, mechanic, remodeler, or DIYer who routinely faces tight‑access drilling and fastening, this tool pays for itself in saved time and cleaner work. If your drilling is mostly open‑air with big bits and long runs, a compact 18‑volt drill/driver or a brushless right‑angle model with higher RPM will be a better primary tool, with this Milwaukee serving as a surgical backup.

Recommendation

I recommend the Milwaukee M12 right‑angle drill as a compact, purpose‑built solution for drilling and driving where space is limited. It offers a versatile 3/8‑inch ratcheting chuck, a genuinely useful paddle trigger, a bright work light with clutch indication, and an electronic clutch that provides predictable torque control once you acclimate. It’s not the fastest or most powerful right‑angle option, but for light to medium duty in cramped spots, its control, balance, and access are excellent. If you’re already invested in the M12 ecosystem—or you simply need a reliable, streamlined angle drill for occasional tight‑access tasks—this is a smart, durable pick. If you rarely work in confined spaces or need to spin large bits quickly, your money is better spent on a higher‑voltage primary drill and you can skip the specialty.