DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 7/16 in. Compact Stud & Joist Drill Kit (includes 8.0 Ah battery, charger, kit bag)

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt stud and joist drill to work on a multi-bath remodel where I needed to bore a lot of clean, repeatable holes through studs and joists for plumbing and electrical. The kit comes ready to run: the drill, an XR 8.0 Ah battery, DeWalt’s fast charger, and a bag. Pop in the pack and you’re greeted with a compact right-angle head, a stout frame with two-handed control, and the clear impression that this thing is built to push big bits without drama.

A quick note on the business end: this model uses a 7/16 in. quick-change chuck. It’s the proper setup for stud-and-joist work where you’re predominantly driving ship augers, self‑feed bits, and hole saw arbors with 7/16 hex shanks. If you’re hoping to run an assortment of round-shank twist drills, you’ll want a different head or a keyed-chuck variant. For its intended tasks, the quick-change is faster, more secure, and less finicky in tight framing bays.

Design and ergonomics

Right-angle drills are all about leverage and control, and this one nails the fundamentals. The form factor fits easily between studs, and the handle geometry encourages a squared-up stance so you can lean into the cut. The overmold is generous where it counts, and the auxiliary handle gives you power-side leverage without having to white-knuckle the trigger hand.

It’s not a light tool—nor should it be, given what it’s built to do—but the balance is thoughtful. With the 8.0 Ah pack installed, weight centers nicely under your grip, so the head doesn’t nose-dive as you line up. The trigger is progressive with a crisp reverse switch you can flip with your thumb. There’s a red indicator LED tied to the anti-rotation system (more on that below), and visibility around the head is better than most thanks to the compact gearbox housing.

For fleet users, the Tool Connect slot in the foot lets you add a tracking chip. That’s a nice touch for shops that manage a lot of yellow tools. For solo operators, it’s a non-issue, but it doesn’t get in the way.

Power and speed in real material

DeWalt pairs a brushless motor with electronics tuned for high-load drilling. Rated up to 1,845 Max Watts Out when used with the included 8.0 Ah pack, it behaves the part. In 2x SPF, a 2‑9/16 in. self-feed bit clears holes cleanly at moderate trigger and still has headroom when you hit knots. With a 7/8 in. ship auger, it’s almost hard to make it bog unless you angle badly and start scraping the flutes.

The single speed range tops out at 1250 RPM, and the trigger is easy to feather. For large self-feed bits, I stayed in the lower half of the trigger pull and let the bit’s screw point set the pace. With hole saws (I ran 2-1/8 in. to 3-5/8 in. for vents and cans), keeping your shoulders square to the cut is all it takes to get crisp holes without chatter.

If you live in LVL/engineered lumber, expect the usual penalty: everything takes more torque and patience. The drill will still get you there, but be prepared to let the electronics and anti-rotation protection intervene occasionally (and that’s by design).

Anti-rotation safety that actually helps

Kickback control is a make-or-break feature in this class. This drill’s anti-rotation system monitors for sudden angular acceleration and shuts the motor down before your wrist pays the price. In use, it’s well-calibrated. When I intentionally jammed a 2‑9/16 in. self‑feed into a buried nail, the tool stopped decisively and lit the red LED. Resetting is instantaneous—release and reapply the trigger.

There were a couple of times the system tripped in dense knots where an extra squeeze would have muscled through. Given the alternative (wrenched elbows, busted knuckles), I’ll take the conservative approach. If you maintain a solid stance, keep the auxiliary handle engaged, and let the bit do the work, you’ll see very few nuisance shutdowns.

Battery life and charging

The included 8.0 Ah XR pack is the right match. On a day of rough-in with a 7/8 in. x 18 in. auger, I could run several studs deep and a handful of joists before swapping batteries. With larger self-feed bits and hole saws, runtime drops—as expected—but it’s still productive. The fast charger gets the pack back on the cart quickly enough that one spare battery kept me moving without downtime.

Heat management is good. The motor and pack stayed reasonable even during repeated heavy cuts, and I didn’t trip any thermal limits. Brushless efficiency helps here; the head warms under load, but not alarmingly.

Chuck and bit compatibility

The 7/16 in. quick-change chuck is a strength and a limitation, depending on your kit. If you primarily use 7/16 hex ship augers, self-feed bits, and quick-change hole saw arbors, it’s fantastic: one-handed swaps, positive engagement, and less likelihood of a bit spinning in the jaws. The flip side is obvious—you won’t be dropping in a random round-shank twist bit. There are adapters, but if you routinely need that flexibility, consider a keyed-chuck sister model or keep a standard drill/driver handy for small-diameter work.

Quick-change also keeps the nose short, which matters in bays crowded with blocking and pipe. It’s easier to get square and keep your sight lines clean.

Control, visibility, and user experience

The two-handed grip encourages good habits. I appreciate the way the auxiliary handle positions your wrist; it’s natural to brace the drill against your hip or thigh when boring in studs to control reaction forces. Visibility around the bit is solid, so you can watch the screw point engage and adjust pressure as chips clear. Variable speed is easy to modulate with gloves on, and the forward/reverse switch has enough detent that I never flipped it by mistake.

One quirk worth noting: if you feather the trigger too lightly with big self-feed bits, you can skate the screw point before it digs. A decisive start helps—engage the point, squeeze to a steady speed, and let the bit pull through.

Durability and service

Build quality feels up to jobsite abuse. The gearbox housing shrugs off dust and chips, and the overmold wipes clean. DeWalt’s 3‑year limited warranty, 1‑year free service, and 90‑day satisfaction window are standard for the brand and appropriate for a pro-grade tool. Regular maintenance is minimal: keep the vents clear, inspect the chuck nose for packed chips, and oil your bits. There’s not much else to fuss over.

Who it fits best

• Electricians and plumbers who live on 7/16 hex ship augers, self-feed bits, and quick‑change hole saws.
• Framers and remodelers who need a compact, high‑control right‑angle drill for studs and joists.
• Crews that value asset tracking—the Tool Connect chip slot is there if you want it.

If your day-to-day involves a lot of round‑shank drilling or you prefer keyed chucks for universal compatibility, this isn’t the ideal primary drill. Pair it with a standard drill/driver and you’re covered.

What I liked

• Strong, consistent power under heavy load with the included 8.0 Ah pack
• Well-tuned anti-rotation safety that prevents wrist‑wrenching kickback
• Compact right-angle head with excellent two‑handed control
• 7/16 in. quick-change chuck that speeds up bit swaps and holds securely
• Respectable runtime and a fast charger that keeps work moving
• Tool Connect ready for inventory tracking

What could be better

• 7/16 in. quick-change limits round-shank bit compatibility
• Weight may fatigue some users over long sessions, especially overhead
• Occasional conservative shutdown from the anti-rotation system in dense knots
• No published torque spec, which makes apples-to-apples comparisons harder

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt stud and joist drill to tradespeople and serious remodelers who need a compact, high-torque right-angle solution for boring studs and joists with 7/16 in. hex-shank bits. It combines real power, thoughtful ergonomics, and a safety system that meaningfully reduces injury risk when a bit binds. The included 8.0 Ah battery and fast charger are well matched, delivering practical runtime and quick turnarounds between packs.

If your work demands frequent use of round-shank bits or you want a do‑everything chuck on a right-angle body, look elsewhere or plan to supplement this with a conventional drill. For its intended purpose—moving big bits through framing reliably and safely—this model is a confident, productive choice.