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.