Makita Power Tools – Cordless SDS Hammer Drill

After discovering how good Makita power tools really are I admit that my aging corded SDS Plus hammer drill might have competition. I freely admit a bias for cordless power tools and my current SDS Plus drill is corded. It is a Kress (German) and came from a UK store called Wickes. While it performs admirably and has lasted over ten years, I still hanker after a cordless drill.

Improvements in battery technology mean that the old slowing effects you used to get as a battery neared the end of its charged are almost absent. Modern cordless drills are almost as powerful as my old corded drill is and so a lack of power is not a consideration as my old drill has never held me back. So it seems I can get the freedom of a cordless product and not lose a great deal in terms of performance it looks like a purchase is coming…

So what drill would I choose?

Makita 18 volt LXT Li-Ion Battery 7/8 Inch SDS Plus Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill

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This Makita cordless drill looks like being everything I want. I don’t need anything to do heavy demolition so a larger capacity drill is unnecessary. This kind of energy output will easily enable me to quickly chase walls and strip plaster if I need it, as this SDS Plus drill also has a non-rotary, hammer only setting.

Here are the manufacturers details.

Product Description – Makita 18 volt SDS Plus Cordless Hammer Drill

Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion 7/8″ SDS-Plus Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill Kit FREE 18V LXT 3-Speed Impact Driver with Purchase Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion 7/8 Inch SDS-Plus Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill Kit features: Triple Mode Switch for rotation only, hammer with rotation, or hammer only. Double speed drilling with synchronized RPM and BPM for increased efficiency. Built-in torque limited clutch disengages if the bit jams. Chisel rotates 360° with 40 different locking positions to give you the best working angle. Compact design at only 16-1/8″ long and weighs only 7.1 lbs. for reduced operator fatigue. Comes with a 3 year warranty on the tool and a 1 year warranty on battery. The tool kit includes 2x LXT Lithium Ion batteries rated at 3.0 Amp hour, with a 45-minute smart charger. Tool case, BHR240Z (Tool Only) Capacity Steel 1/2 Inch Wood 1 1/2 Inch Concrete 1 Inch No Load RPM 0 -1,100 Blows/Min.(BPM) 0 – 4,000 Impact Energy (Joules) 1.9 Battery (Ah) 18 Volt Length 16 1/8 Inch Net Weight (.lbs w/battery) 7.0

Makita also have a tool only version if you do not need a battery or charger.

Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion 7/8 Inch SDS Plus Cordless Rotary Hammer Drill (No Battery, Tool Only)

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This product offers a significant saving over the full kit version.

Product Description

Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion 7/8″ SDS-Plus Cordless Rotary Hammer (No Battery, Tool Only)

Capacities: Steel: 1/2″, Wood: 1 1/2″ Concrete: 1″

No Load RPM 0 -1,100. BPM 0-4,000 Impact Energy (Joules). 1.9Ah 18 volt battery (Amp/hour). Length 16 1/8″ Inch. Net Weight 7.0lbs (with battery).

Final Considerations – Spare Battery, SDS Plus Accessories

If you are like me you will want a spare battery or two to go with your new power tool. Although the first package comes with two batteries I might still be tempted to buy a third, especially if there is more than one Makita cordless tool being used.

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What is a drill without drill bits? These bits are Dewalt, but I have used them and found them excellent. As SDS Plus is a standard fitting they are of course compatible with the Makita SDS Plus Hammer Drill.

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Product Description – SDS Plus Drill Bits

The DeWalt DW5470, 5 Piece, SDS-Plus Drill Bit Set

Features: An improved flute design that pulls dust quickly for faster drilling. PILOT POINT tip starts holes on contact for greater accuracy. Serrated titanium carbide tip provides extreme durability. Fits all rotary hammer drills that use SDS Plus Shank Bits. The DeWalt DW5470 Includes: 3/16, 1/4(2ea), 3/8, 1/2 bits in a smart plastic case.

Handyman.

Makita Power Tools – Air Tools, Air Compressor

By Handyman

Makita Power Tools – Air Tools, Air Compressor

In England, air tools are still very much confined to automotive uses. The idea of an air powered power tool is just not part of the mind-set of the average British builder. This is a real shame as air tools are comparatively safe when compared to 110 volt site voltages or the 240 volt domestic supply used by a DIY’er.

After spending some time in the US with a friend that owned a construction company my eyes were opened!

Makita Air Compressor Makita MAC2400 2.5 HP Big Bore Air Compressor

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This Makita air compressor is a great product to base a small compressed air power tool set around. The compressor is exceptionally quiet in use and has rubber feet to lessen vibration noise if it is standing on boards or other loose flooring.

Some people have complained about the weight of this air compressor, but the weight (86 pounds) is due to the quality of construction. The Makita is mainly steel parts and therefore durable, unlike its mostly plastic competitors. The only slight problem with the design is that of the location of the air filter which juts out from the body slightly, this makes it easy to access though.

This 2.5HP air compressor is quite capable of running two nail guns with ease, which is great value for money.

Makita Power Tool Air Compressor Information

Big Bore Engineered Pump, rated at 2.5HP
The Makita MAC 2400 is powered by a big bore 2.5HP quality engineered motor. The big bore cast iron air cylinder has a larger stroke and bore for faster recovery from discharge and less pump noise. The quality cast iron manufactured pump is engineered for improved durability under tough site conditions. The Makita MAC 2400 is equipped with a large auto style air-filter for an increased air intake area along with greater efficiency. The oil-lubricated Big Bore pump is more efficient than many competing models – the Makita runs cooler and at approximately half the RPM of competitive units. This results in greater pump and motor life along with lower noise. The 4.2 gallon air tank helps to sustain a regular operating pressure at 130 PSI. The Makita compressor delivers 40PSI (4.8 CFM) and 90 PSI (4.2 CFM), which is enough air to power two nailers. The low amperage of the draw current reduces the occurence of voltage drop and breakers tripping that can contribute to early motor failure in other models. The MAC 2400 has a roll bar handle to provide portability along with some additional protection whichs helps it withstand the risks of a harsh site environment.

Other features of the MAC2400 include an oil drain and oil sight glass, complete with a tank drain valve that improves upon standard petcock design allowing easier maintenance. The finned discharge tubes helps to dissipate heat faster.

The Makita MAC2400 is Useful for a Range of Applications Due to its Versatile Design

This compressor is engineered for high output and low noise, along with lower maintenance. The MAC2400 delivers industrial grade results and power, with increased durability even under tough work site conditions.

Product Description

CFM at 90 PSI: 4.2, Max. PSI: 130, Volts: 115, Amps: 12.3, HP: 2.5, Air Tank Size: 4.2gal, Air Tank Information: Twin-Stack, Single Phase Pump Motor, Cylinder: Cast-Iron, Oil-lubricated, Portable compressor

Air Tool Accessories

An American made hose, if you need more reach:

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Technical Details

High-quality
Long-lasting
Oil resistant
Includes ferrules and fittings
Made in the USA

Handyman.

Makita Power Tools – Cordless Drills and Batteries

By Handyman

Makita Power Tools – Cordless Drills and Batteries

One of the first power tools I bought and really liked was a Makita.

It was a Makita cordless drill, back when cordless drill’s were quite new. I thought it was a gimmick that would pass, as most of those cordless tools were weak (pf) and battery life was awful. I was still doubtful when I tried the Makita, but the idea of the freedom of electric tools with no wires had already won me over. There had been plenty of times when, dangling at the top of a ladder, or cherry picker, I grew to hate the trailing power leads over joists and beams that were the norm back then.

And yes, health and safety was not really a concern at the time. How times change!

Makita BHP452HW 18-Volt 1/2-Inch Compact Cordless Percussion-Driver Drill

Sadly the cordless drill I bought back then is no longer available, but these 18 volt drills are of very similar quality and durability. The big difference is that they are more powerful, with better battery life and such. 12 volt cordless drills might do a passable job for casual DIY but for serious use a more powerful tool is necessary, especially if you are forced to use the hammer action on combo lxt tools (SDS is king here).

Although I don’t actually own one of these models I have a friend that does. This has meant that I have handled and used it extensively while begging a *cough* “loan”. It is on this basis that I can recommend them as great kit. As ever, read the reviews on Amazon before making your choice – lxt accesories especially vary quite a lot on price.

Warranty

Every Makita Li-Ion tool is backed by a three year warranty which covers repair due to defects in workmanship or materials up to three years from the original date of purchase. Makita Li-Ion batteries and chargers have a limited one year warranty. Complete warranty details of accessories and electric tools are available at makitatools.com.

What’s in the Box
Makita BHP452HW uses 18 volt Li-Ion system, 1/2″ Cordless Drill/Driver, two 18 volt compact li-ion batteries, One fifteen minute, rapid, smart charger, and a tool case.

As with any cordless power tool you should make sure that you have a spare, or even two, charged batteries on hand. It is a certainty that they will power down when you need them if you only carry one battery.

Makita BL1815 18-Volt 1.5 Ah Compact Lithium-Ion Battery

Technical Details

1.5Ah rated(Amp Hours)

Rated for use only with the following Makita Charger models: DC18RA;DC18SC;DC24SA

Five times lower rate of self-discharge keeps batteries charged and ready for use even after a long period of storage

Charging at any level of charge will have no detrimental effect on battery life

This battery has a smart chip to communicate with the Makita battery charger to maximize battery life

A Final Note

This cordless drill/driver is a great product but some of the earlier battery packs held charge poorly. I am happy to say this isn’t something I ran into myself. I assume that Makita changed supplier for the batteries some time after initial release

Handyman.