matt chard
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- Jul 9, 2013
- Messages
- 57
What do you favor?
Makita or Milwaukee tools?
- Thread starter matt chard
- Start date
Ign
Well-known member
Another vote for Milwaukee but you just started a Chevy vs Ford 4 page thread 
fury9
Well-known member
Makita
padronanniversary
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Milwaukee
retfr8flyr
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Milwaukee
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Personally, I have Makita tools. I bought a brushed LXT drill driver kit 2 years ago. It has yet to fail me. Recently, the everyone at the shop I work at bought Milwaukee Brushless driil driver kits. They are very nice, and I was about to buy one. I went with a Brushless Makita drill driver set instead, for a couple reasons. First, I already had the brushed set, and the batteries were compatible. Second, they were blue, and everyone else had red drills. Mine would stand out. Third, Makita has way more tools available.
That said, there are a few things i like about the Milwaukee drills better. They have a 4 amp/hour batteries, versus Makita's 3. The Milwaukee has an auxiliary handle. I prefer the handle when using hole saws or big twist drills. The milwaukee ones also have a nifty battery life indicator on the battery. The impact driver also has a torque limiter with 3 settings. The drill chuck on the Milwaukee also seems nicer to me.
I don't particularly regret buying the Makita. That said, if I hadn't already been invested in Makita, I would've gone with the Milwaukee. It's a really nice unit.
That said, there are a few things i like about the Milwaukee drills better. They have a 4 amp/hour batteries, versus Makita's 3. The Milwaukee has an auxiliary handle. I prefer the handle when using hole saws or big twist drills. The milwaukee ones also have a nifty battery life indicator on the battery. The impact driver also has a torque limiter with 3 settings. The drill chuck on the Milwaukee also seems nicer to me.
I don't particularly regret buying the Makita. That said, if I hadn't already been invested in Makita, I would've gone with the Milwaukee. It's a really nice unit.
cole_CT
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Milwaukee for everything probably except corded circular saws and concrete related products which Makita seems to own.
cyato
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Love all of my Makita 18v stuff. I have over a dozen different tools. I wasn't too impressed with the 12v stuff which is mediocre.
firebox40dash5
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- Mar 19, 2012
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- 4,185
Had Makita, couldn't keep batteries worth a damn. I think I had a total of 7, of which 2 worked, when I sold everything at under 3 years old... and 2 of the batteries died within a month of purchase. Yeah, I could have warrantied them (and should have) but the fact that both batteries from a new kit died that fast killed my confidence. I lean on my cordless tools a lot at work, and having to possibly fork out $100 at the drop of a hat if my last standing battery dies is uncool. I had a lot of love for Makita until about 18 months ago.
My M12 and M18 tools are pretty new yet, but they haven't failed me yet. First reply is spot on too, their brushless line is ****.
My M12 and M18 tools are pretty new yet, but they haven't failed me yet. First reply is spot on too, their brushless line is ****.
I have a few milwaukee pieces, all corded, all bought used, most VERY well used. Still work fine for me. Not too familiar with Makita, but if I had the money I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a new or even used Milwaukee product. Please note I have no experience with their cordless products. But the corded products 
Conductor562
Well-known member
Go with Milwaukee! Trust me on this. Makita has been standing around with their thumb up their *** for at least 3 years. As far as quality, Makitas alright, certainly not junk, but big red is king at the moment. They offer superior technology, performance, and their line is huge! I've used both, I own both, and I'd take Milwaukee any day.
Are you talking about the corded or cordless?
The makita cordless 10,000 RPM grinder is a pile of ****! As soon as you touch the work piece, it slows down to 400 RPM. No balls at all. Complete garbage.
My Dewalt 18volt Li-on makes it look like a toy at removing material.
I use a makita circ saw every day on the job site. The balance and weight cannot be beat with their saws.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I've had good luck with both brands.
As said above Milwaukee is on a tear right now with their cordless offerings. I'd give a clear edge to Milwaukee batteries over Makita, but I might give Makita a bit of an edge on long term reliability.
On corded tools flip a coin - they both make great tools.
As said above Milwaukee is on a tear right now with their cordless offerings. I'd give a clear edge to Milwaukee batteries over Makita, but I might give Makita a bit of an edge on long term reliability.
On corded tools flip a coin - they both make great tools.
cyato
Well-known member
Agreed. The cordless angle grinder is the least impressive Makita tool I have.
64Trvlr
Well-known member
Milwaukee hands down.
Ign
Well-known member
I'm surprised no one picked this up yet. If you're talking 18V, I can't make a solid argument. For 12V, I don't think so.
Besides a vast amount of regular tools, M12 has thermal imager, hydraulic crimping tool, heated jackets, LED stick light, 12V power port, portaband, caulking gun (not grease gun which they also have), pipe cutter, PVC shear, couple different inspection cameras, and several I'm forgetting. And is any other non-tool-truck-brand making cordless ratchets?
I have a few of the makita lxt 18v tools.
quick rundown
btl063 3/8 angle impact - very fast and slim, I use it a lot for fender liner screws without removing the wheels.
btd141 1/4 impact driver - used it a lot driving 4" wood screws, plenty of power any screw, haven't tried any bolts really.
btw253 3/8 impact driver - does great for me, decent torque. I use this one the most.
bml184 fluorescent light - pretty useless for anything but underdash work, I'm not a fan of handheld fluorescents.
btw450 1/2 impact - good torque, takes off most lugnuts, unless they are way too tight, I usually go straight to the breaker bar, if this wont remove it, then my air impact (nothing special) wont do it either. Only complaint is it's very heavy.
bda350 3/8 right angle drill - I love this thing. great for drilling broken bolts in engine compartments when space is tight. great power also.
bhp454 1/2 hammer drill - works nice, no complaints.
I am not really concerned with crazy torque, if something is too tight, my ratchet is right there. I use these for speed, and they go fast.
the batteries last forever it seems, I usually go 2-3 days on charges between tools depending on usage. Never had a battery fail. Overall no complaints.
I got a few tools kits from amazon and bare tools for other. If you work it out right you can get a pretty good price on it all.
I also have the 10.8v drill and driver, and those things are great too. It seems like I only charge the batteries once every 2 weeks or so.
I have never used Milwaukee, except my sliding compound miter saw, which is badass, but I've only read good things about the m18 tools.
quick rundown
btl063 3/8 angle impact - very fast and slim, I use it a lot for fender liner screws without removing the wheels.
btd141 1/4 impact driver - used it a lot driving 4" wood screws, plenty of power any screw, haven't tried any bolts really.
btw253 3/8 impact driver - does great for me, decent torque. I use this one the most.
bml184 fluorescent light - pretty useless for anything but underdash work, I'm not a fan of handheld fluorescents.
btw450 1/2 impact - good torque, takes off most lugnuts, unless they are way too tight, I usually go straight to the breaker bar, if this wont remove it, then my air impact (nothing special) wont do it either. Only complaint is it's very heavy.
bda350 3/8 right angle drill - I love this thing. great for drilling broken bolts in engine compartments when space is tight. great power also.
bhp454 1/2 hammer drill - works nice, no complaints.
I am not really concerned with crazy torque, if something is too tight, my ratchet is right there. I use these for speed, and they go fast.
the batteries last forever it seems, I usually go 2-3 days on charges between tools depending on usage. Never had a battery fail. Overall no complaints.
I got a few tools kits from amazon and bare tools for other. If you work it out right you can get a pretty good price on it all.
I also have the 10.8v drill and driver, and those things are great too. It seems like I only charge the batteries once every 2 weeks or so.
I have never used Milwaukee, except my sliding compound miter saw, which is badass, but I've only read good things about the m18 tools.