I bought this kit to augment my 14.4v Dewalt for the installation of one of those giant wood swing-sets. I started off using the Dewalt for driving the hex-bolts into the T-Nuts, but once I used the impact driver for the first time, I hardly put it down again after. I had to be careful not to over-drive the bolts, becuase the torque would just keep on going.There were comments on previous reviews complaining about the battery life. This kit includes two 1.5 Ah batteries. I found these batteries to be adequate for a general home user - particularly with the 15-minute recharge cycle time. If long life is what you need, you should either purchse the kit that comes with the 3.0 Ah batteries, or I was told that the 3 Ah batteries are compatible with this kit, but not vice versa.I didn't use the Drill Driver near as much as the impact driver, but overall, it met my expectations. Both were much lighter than my Dewalt, and overall, that weight made a huge difference on my own fatigue factor over the 4-day installation, than if I would have used the Dewalt exclusively. I have absolutely no regrets over this purchase!
First of all, this is an OUTSTANDING Drill/driver combo! I want to point out to all who have read reviews about the batteries being poor that the ones who have written those reviews have neglected to point out that the batteries that come with the set are 1.5 amp hour batteries. The 3.0 Amph batteries are sold with a seperate combo set (LXT-202) which is nearly twice the price. So, OBVIOUSLY they are not going to last as long. The benefit of the 1.5 amp batts. is that the drill is MUCH lighter, and since you can recharge the battery in fifteen min. its not an issue. The exception would be DAILY contractors. In addition, since you have 2 batteries you're not gonna have any down time. I just recently built a 10x12 pergola that included 4x6 posts, 2x10 beams and 2x8 rafters in about 3 days and I charged a battery three times during that span. Never once was a battery dying ever an issue during the construction. If you really NEED to, you can purchase 2 additional batteries for around 80 bucks and you would still be about $100 under the LXT combo set. You could even purchase the 3.0 amph batteries for this set if you wanted (they're interchangable!!). To give this combo set 2 stars because a reviewer neglects to take in account value in proportionate to functionality does a disservice to us all. If you're like me, a very busy DIY'er, this combo set is perfect! It's by far my favorite and most useful tool around the house. Here is somthing else to chew on. I bought my set for $180 online about a year ago(that included s&h) and now I haven't seen this set for under $250 (NEW, not refurbished). Hmmmm, I wonder why? It must be those terrible batteries;) One more thing, if you watch alot of home improvement tv shows, look closely. Several of the contractors on the show have this exact combo set sitting in the background and/or being used in plane sight. If its good enough for them..... I hope this review has more accuratly explained this product and what it has to offer. The only dissappointment is that I can no longer get this for $180 for my friends :(
By far the best drill and impact driver available today. I've been using cordless tools for 20 some years and this line by Makita surpasses the best ever offered. I've had really good luck with Bosch in recent years and will stand by those. If I get the longevity they promise then that will be the only remaining variable yet decided. Both the drill and driver will do all you ask, are very light weight, and as comfortable to work with as a tool made specifically for your hand. Anyone griping about battery life needs to rethink things a bit. If you want a battery that lasts you all day and into the night then by all means go get yourself a 192 lb. back pack of a battery that you"ll need wheels to move around. If you are a person within reason then give these drills and drivers serious consideration. The 1.5 hr battery will give you plenty of work without adding weight that no one wants to carry around. Want a lot more run time, spend a few bucks and add a 3.0 hr battery to an already near perfect kit. Anyone that actually uses tools daily would never expect more than this drill and driver will deliver and I have some seriously tough expectations of my tools. I have to, they, in my hands, earn my living. Makita has a clear winner here!
I simply love this product. I am a contractor of 30 years and this is the best battery powered drill kit I've ever owned. Lightweight with incredible power to weight ratio. The impact driver will drive 4 inch screws all day long with no effort and the 15 min quick charge is great when your using both drills. Also with the impact driver you just hold the drill straight [ no pushing required] and it does all the work. Product is lighter than many 9.6 volt drills and has all the power and versitility most people will ever need. I've used mine hard for many years and it's still running like new. The case looks like an ice chest so I'm not so worried about someone stealing it, they haven't so far.
I am a carpenter and just bought these for a big outdoor trellis project. Couldn't be happier. I have the 10.8v set and have found them to be completely competent for about 80-90% of most tasks. This project was all 4x4 and 4x6 Redwood posts and beams though, so I needed a bit more firepower. I bought them for $200 on a black friday deal at the big orange store, but would pay retail as they are both great tools. A guy a work with a lot has the 3.0 set, and while nice not to have to change the battery, I prefer the weight of the 1.5ah on these two. Even the Drill just doesn't weigh that much, and its really powerful. This is the newest model Makita 18v Drill and I swear I can feel the extra 20 in/ft of torque over the previous model that I used on another job for a couple weeks. Its pretty short too. We just finished all the framing for the project, and I feel like the best compliment I give these tools is that I didn't really notice them that much. They both made holes and drove screws all day long and stayed out of the way otherwise. The belt clip is a million dollar feature and well designed. Up on a ladder in an awkward position, I can still countersink and drive whatever I need to and hang the tool off of whatever pants pocket / tool belt / or tool pocket is available. The balance is good, and they stayed in place even through all of the non-Osha approved acrobatics that accompany any Construction job involving ladders. The drill also makes this really great whirring gear noise and has none of the slop found in Dewalt (always) or Milwaukee (occasionally) Drills that I have used in the past. The impact driver is so fast and powerful especially for its size. Pretty accurate once you get the hang of it, though it will sink things pretty quick, and or snap or strip hardware if you let it. Minus the battery, it is nearly the same size as the 10.8 Having both the 10.8 and 18v impact and drill sets onsite was really handy as there was always something with the correct bit for the hardware (we were using both hex head and star drives) and really helps the work flow. Did manage to drain the batteries a couple of times, though they charge up so quickly, its not really a problem, and after spending time hauling both my buddy's 3.0 set and this one around all day I will choose the 1.5 compact set any day of the week and twice on sunday. One thing to note: I tried something that I had read about on another Amazon post, I ran the LXT battery circular saw on a 1.5 ah battery. It works fine, you just have to chisel off a little block of plastic on the saw (and presumably most of the other tools in the LXT lineup) in order to slide the smaller battery on. Presumably, Makita makes the smaller batteries "incompatible" with the more power hungry tools because they won't last very long, but I prefer to have the option, so its nice to know that the 1.5's can be hillbillyed on to the LXT tools in a pinch. I should note that I haven't used the circular saw or any of the other LXT tools with the 1.5ah batteries, just did it as a proof of concept. No idea if it voids the warranty, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did...which would suck. I will update once I get chance to really try it.
I bought this drill because I was looking for a lightweight kit for woodworking. I am very happy with the build quality of the drill and impact drill and the 15 minute charger is a great bonus. The drill is very powerful with a one piece chuck. Both the drill and impact drill have lights on them that stay on for a couple seconds after use which really helps when installing cabinet hardware, but even with all of this I can't give it anything higher than 3 stars because the batteries are just bad. This is supposed to be the best kind of baterry technology on the market and my sears craftsman drill is outlasting it. The only reason why I've kept this set is because the batteries charge in 15 minutes. If your looking for a drill to use on a construction site you might want to stay away from this compact set.
Oh sure, this looks like a great deal, especially if you happen to find it as a Gold Box Deal. And sure the drill and driver are fantastic tools. But Amazon's selling this is like dealing drugs on the playground...they are trying to get you hooked on an expensive addiction.Before you know it, you'll start wondering what else you can do with these batteries. Hmmm, that cut-off saw could be handy. Oh, I could use a cordless reciprocating saw. Damn that circular saw would be great. I may as well get a couple 3v batteries. Sure wish I had a cordless sabre saw. A blower would be nice for cleanup. I bet the vacuum cleaner would be useful around the house. That radio could be valuable if the power goes out. Perhaps I should get the florescent light for working in the garage. I could use a little more light power to see in the attic.And so it goes. The rationalization never ends. You think you're getting off easy for $200 and, after a year or two, you've ended up blowing a grand on a bunch of really great tools. And trying to hide if from your significant other. Sure, you think, "I can stop anytime." Bwahahaha!!! Alas, there is no 12-step program for LXT-iction.
No comments:
Post a Comment