Makita Lithium Ion Battery Drills

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Bob Kraemer

Bob Kraemer

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Ohio
I just bought a Makita LXT401 combo set with 18 volt lithium ion batterys, does anyone have any experience with this combo?
 
impact driver is one of the best tools I own, the drill however is a /////. I'm currently on my fourth drill (major problems with the first two, the third was my apprentice cutting 6" holes in sheetrock in high gear, smoked in 5 minutes, not the drills fault.)
After about 6 months the batteries dont hold a charge worth a //.
The sawzall is ok, but eats batteries quickly.
The chargers have a cooling fan that sounds like an unbalanced jet engine.
The radio sounds great, but doesn't charge batteries, and the power cord they give you is just too flimsy to hold up on a jobsite. ( it looks like a cell phone charger.
I've spoken with three other guys who have had the same problems with the drill. I think it would be a great set for a HO, but not for everyday use.
 
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Love the impact driver. Drill is fine, but not heavy duty like the dewalt. Haven't had them long enough for any more input.
 
I had a set for 2 years now. I think on of the batteries is going out.
I think they have a 2 year warrenty on the batteries. Those batteries are costly.
That inpact is the greatest.
They are well ballanced tools and a bit lighter.
They have an LED light on most that really helps.
Have used the inpact LED a a quick flashlight.
The drills have a glow in the dark ring that helps you find them in the dark (like in an attic that fell in the insulation).
They have some nice hooks on the tools, even the sawsall.
Never tried the metal saw or band saw.
Only use the circular wood saw once in a while.
The batteries charge in 30-45 minuits.
One of my chargers makes a noise like maybe the bearings went ont in the fan.
One hammer drill had the transmission go out after about 15 months.
First 3rd went out, then 2nd. It still has 1st geat but 1st gear is only good for biger whole saws. The drill turns a bit slower RPM than the others. For wood and metal I'm OK whith that because I don't think 2,000 RPM is ideal for most of the bits / jobs we use. For hammer I wish it did turn faster.

The sawsall has better protection for the user compaired to milwaukee. I seen many including myself get their fingures pinched on the Milwaukee blade plunger. I would say it is faster than the Milwaukee but it does eat the battery fast.

A few things I believe kill the cordless tools and I hate when I see it happen:

Running the battery down to to nothing. With the tool barely turning, not doing any good, but someone wants to try and get one more cut. The idea is if the battery voltage is low the tool amprage is higher than normal. This overloads / overheats the battery. Some of this comes from when someone does not want to take the time to recharge the batteries on the job before.

Dropping the batteries and tools.

Changing the drill speed on the fly. Or when the selector is inbetween 2 speeds.

Overworking the tool. If you need a masonary hole bigger than an anchor, cut out a cieling of plaster or double drywall, or more than a few holes in one location cordless should not be the first choice. I can't stand it when someone does not take the time to get a cord out, drills holes at a slower pace untill all the batteries are dead and the drill is smoken hot.
 
active1 said:
I can't stand it when someone does not take the time to get a cord out, drills holes at a slower pace untill all the batteries are dead and the drill is smoken hot.
Click to expand...

Excellent point. I think this is the main reason why cordless tools die an early death - a corded tool could have been used in its place with very little effort.

Despite all the advances in cordless tool technology, they still have many limitations.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I'll post a report about the kit when I get back in town on Friday or Saturday.
 
I have seen a couple guys with the Makita sets for the company I work for. They all have had some type of problems, drills and sawzalls breaking and batteries going dead.

I have a friend that bought the Milwaukee set and has no problems. He bought from a millwaukee rep and was told that they did a lot of development with the lithium ion batteries and makita found out so they threw something together to compete. He also said all the parts inside were metal and that is why they are heavier but more durable.

My panasonic finally gave up on me so I think I am going to give the milwaukee a try. I have had some of there stuff in the past and have been pretty happy with it. On another note my panasonic drill was one of the best cordless tools I have ever owned if the milwaukee doesn't do it for me I will spend the money to go back.
 
The Milwaukee is the best tool I own. I prefer it over dewalt but I am a bit biased since I was never a Dewalt fan. (cant say why) The milwaukee wont let you down.
 
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