Lithium Ion Drill and Impact driver

**Hoover** · 10-03-2009, 09:02 PM

I'm in the market now for a new cordless set and in going through the old posts see people had some issues with the Makita lithium sets, mostly the batteries and chargers. I have not seen anything recent on these, so I think some updates would be helpful to many of us.

There are a few sets I like, the milwaukee 18v, Makita 18v and the 12v in each of those. I'm not sure if I'll go small or bigger, debating that right now. Also are the compact 18v's in each powerful enough for heavier tasks?

**Kent Brobeck** · 10-03-2009, 09:40 PM

Hoov, not sure what you mean by heavy but I've used my Makita 18 to run in tap cons with no trouble. I like the Makita...small, light and compact with plenty of power. I've no issue with the tool what so ever. I have the Makita with 1.5 amp hour batteries. If I where you I'd buy the 3.0 amp hour batteries.

**David Meiland** · 10-03-2009, 11:21 PM

I've been using Makita LXT for 2 years with no battery or charger problems. I had to have the recip saw repaired and was pleased to find it was on a 3-year warranty. IMO the build quality of the tools is very good, and there is a huge selection available.

**jeffaah** · 10-03-2009, 11:30 PM

I vote for the Makita 18v LXT line too.

I have the white drill, white impact, blue hammer drill, blue impact, recip saw, circular saw, grinder, light, radio, 3 chargers and several batteries. I have never had an issue with any of them.

**Greg Di** · 10-04-2009, 07:00 AM

I have the LXT as well....probably since October of 2006.

I have had a couple of batteries go funky, but Makita replaced them without a hitch. All in all, I think Makita's overall system is the best thing going because they have a very in depth tool lineup and quite frankly, all the tools are well thought ought, rugged, and work better than I've ever seen from a cordless tool.

Ironically, I am now using the 10.8 Makitas (impact, drill, and 3/8 drill) more than any of my 18v drivers because they are powerful and light.

**Roger Everett** · 10-04-2009, 07:56 AM

I've got the blue/green 3 amp hr, drill/ impact driver set Makita. Bought it a couple years ago, couldn't be happier, well satisfied. And now I see the set is cheaper.
Roger

**Happy Home** · 10-04-2009, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Greg Di

Ironically, I am now using the 10.8 Makitas (impact, drill, and 3/8 drill) more than any of my 18v drivers because they are powerful and light.

Same here. I got a Hitachi through a tool deal here. Seldom use my DW 12v anymore as it was light too.

I just looked online at that Makita kit $153. I'm looking for it again at about $103 like I saw a week or two ago.

The next gen has a reg chuck so I hope the quick drive's will be discounted.

Any deals out there please post.

**kreg McMahon** · 10-04-2009, 09:15 AM

the makita set is great as said before. I have the blue full set, drill, impact, sawzall, (had the saw and lost it) and light it all works great.

also have the white drill, impact set all 18 v. they all work hard and have had no problems.

also have the 10. little ones and they work good for most basic work.

have the milwalkee 18 liion new drill and it is okay but bogs down at times that the makita would not. bought this because it was on sale with an additional 25 bucks off. so wtf.

also have the festool d handle drill that I use the most. just love the feel, good power and easy to store bits and switch out.

I would do the makita set.

**Dan Clark** · 10-04-2009, 12:43 PM

I have the little "White Whale" LXT impact driver with the 1.5 Amp Hour battery. I got it without the drill, which was a mistake. The impact driver is VERY nice.

Some people like the larger 3.0AH battery. But I like the smaller battery and am happy to trade off weight for longevity. With 15 minute battery charger and two batteries, it's rare that I'm without a battery.

About the only thing I don't like about it is the battery charger - if I leave a battery in the charger long term, the battery will go dead. Not a big issue though. I just slide the dead battery out of the charger slot and then back in. In 15-20 minutes, they battery is nicely charged.

My white whale is a nice match for my Festool C12 drill. That said, if I had to do it over, I would have done things a bit differently - I would gotten the drill plus driver kit. OTOH, if I had lots of extra bucks laying around...

I'd buy the new Festool 15+3 drill for drilling and precision with smaller screws, and get the new Makita impact driver: http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/...aspx?ID=316370. The new Makita is 3 speed with a brushless motor. That would be VERY nice.

Take a look at the new Makita. It's a bit spendy, but very nice.

Regards,

Dan.

**PeteOfTheNorth** · 10-04-2009, 01:07 PM

I have the Hitachi 18v w/ 3.0Ah batteries, and have been impressed with battery longevity and torque. I tested it on some 3/8x8" structural torx; the spec'd 550in.lbs of torque were enough to either pull the pan head all the way through a 2x or shear off the screw shaft. Battery charges in 30-40 minutes (I assume - I've never come back to the charger and seen it still charging); lasts anywhere from 3-12 hours depending on workload and frequency of use. I like the Jacobs chuck, and the LED, but the 'belt clip' is awkward for anything besides pointing the light.

I can't tell you about the hammer-drill, didn't get that model. I opted to save some cash, as I have a bosch SDS.

**kreg McMahon** · 10-04-2009, 07:06 PM

dan, that makita looks sweet. will have to get one when I see them at hd soon

the new festool 15-3 http://www.festoolusa.com/products/c...et-564250.html
I saw yesterday and that is a nice and heavy duty drill and lots of power. that is going on my list also. I have the festool d handle drill that I use a lot. so the 15-3 would be a nice additive... at 575 for the kid yikes.

**Greg Di** · 10-04-2009, 07:23 PM

I'm sorry, but I don't care how nice a cordless drill may feel in your hand, they are not work $600 with tax. I'll buy and throw out three Makitas before I'd spend that much on one tool.

Seriously, that is just plain stupid and a terrible business decision if anyone makes that purchase.

Heck, a $39 Ryobi will drive a screw just as well and you all know I'm right. :)

**Halstead** · 10-04-2009, 08:21 PM

Careful Greg... it does excell at some things...and we all don't build decks almost exclusively:)

I do mainly cabinet work and arch. millwork installs. Before these tiny 10/12v drivers were available I really didn't have a choice, I needed a drill small enough to fit into the tight areas and offset chuck really hepled. I didnt spend $600 but, it was close to $400. Unfortunately,no, a $39 ryobi wouldn't do the same job. And yes, I'll make that terrible business decision again when my festool drill needs replacement:)

**David Meiland** · 10-04-2009, 08:28 PM

I think some of us buy expensive tools because we're people with a taste for really finely made stuff. We're trying to make fine stuff all day, it just makes sense. One of my numerous personality defects is that I'm not going to spend all day with cheap, unsatisfying tools in my hand. It's definitely not a purely business thing, although I have found that the better stuff works and lasts a lot longer and is more productive to own.

**Hoover** · 10-04-2009, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Greg Di

I'm sorry, but I don't care how nice a cordless drill may feel in your hand, they are not work $600 with tax. I'll buy and throw out three Makitas before I'd spend that much on one tool.

Seriously, that is just plain stupid and a terrible business decision if anyone makes that purchase.

Heck, a $39 Ryobi will drive a screw just as well and you all know I'm right. :)

I like a lot of the festool stuff but I can't see what their drills could do better than others and at 2x to 3x the price. Plus with the others, you have other cordless tools you can add on. Festool it's just the drill.

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