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.

DeWalt Power Tools – Cordless Right-Angle Drills

By Handyman

DeWalt Power Tools – Cordless Right-Angle Drills

My girlfriend has crazy ideas about me fitting kitchens and so thought I would review my choices of right angle drill for the job.

Dewalt Corded Right Angle Drill – My Current Power Tool

I currently have a DeWalt Corded Right Angle Drill, the DeWalt DW160.

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It is OK for what it is, a mid range product aimed primarily at the “serious” DIY or light trade use markets. It has been 100% reliable for many years. However, I miss having no reverse and no variable speed on it on occasion, but as I mostly use it for drilling between joists this is only a small problem. If I did more kitchen-fitting, or similar, a product with more features would clearly be needed.

The Dewalt power tools I have used have generally impressed me and despite the lack of features on my own drill I would buy another right angle drill from them as the gearbox and motor has been solid. After all, I knew about the drills features when I bought it and it has never broken despite some serious use.

So what will be my next purchase?

Dewalt 18v Cordless Right Angle Drills and Spare Battery

18 volt is a minimum standard for any kind of serious trade work and Dewalt offer a number of options for cordless power tools in this range.

I like to work in a neat and professional manner and so I will not throw tools in a “tool bin” or similar to transport them. An included case for a particular tool is a nice bonus in my eyes. Similarly a spare battery and an included charger are a must have feature.

It is also possible to buy a Dewalt Cordless Drill as a tool only package. The second listing is tool only, no spare battery, case etc. and is listed for completeness.

DEWALT DW960K-2 3/8-Inch 18 Volt Ni-Cad Cordless Right Angle Drill

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The above listing comes with case, charger and two batteries so you start off with a spare battery that can be charging while you continue to work.

Bare Tool Only – DEWALT DW960B 3/8 Inch 18 Volt Cordless Right Angle Drill/Driver (Tool Only, No Battery Included)

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Product Description for DW960B Cordless Drill/Driver

The DW960B has a 3/8″ chuck (or 10mm for those metric folks)and is an 18 Volt Right Angle Cordless Drill/Driver (tool only, no battery). It comes with 2 selectable speed ranges of 0-500rpm and 0-1,500 rpm for greater user flexibility. Maximum rated power of 320 watts for heavy-duty jobs such as turning larger bits, screws or other fasteners, which provides for a wide array of possible applications. Multiple trigger grip positions allows comfort and increased convenience by assisting access in tight spaces while still granting full access to the trigger. Variable speed and reverse setting gives the user the ability to control rotation speed or remove fastenings. Tool features a durable, right angle transmission, complete with sealed ball bearings for a longer power tool life. Specifications: Voltage 18 volt. Max Power 320W. Chuck Size 3/8 inch. Two speed settings, manufacturer rated at 0-500 and 0-1,500rpm. Plastic, ratcheting chuck. Tool Weight 2.8 lbs (tool only, no battery).

Right Angle Cordless Drill Technical Details

Delivers 0-500RPM for 310 in./lbs. of torque in low speed mode.
Delivers 0-1,500RPM for 80 in./lbs. of torque in high speed mode.
Unique design and variable grip trigger provide for high levels of versatility in awkward spaces
3/8″ chuck is a widely used size and allows use of a large variety of bits

Spare Battery

As with all cordless power tools a spare battery is a must. Although some of the products listed here do come with a second battery, spares are always useful.

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Dewalt also sell spare batteries in two packs, three’s and five packs.

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.