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Makita Addiction Thread

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engineer2

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I have 20 Makita LXT tools and only broke an old drill which Makita replaced for free even though it was well out of warranty. Can't complain about that.
I purchased my Makita LXDT01 impact driver in 2012 and still use it with the original batteries.

I'm waiting for their angled brad nailer to become available. I'm tired of air hoses and having to rebuild my Bostitch every few years.
 
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duneslider

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Hey all, a while back I remember seeing a post from a guy that made some higher capacity makita compatible batteries. I have searched but am not using the right terms I guess. Anyone by chance remember what that post was? I don't think it was within this one.

Looking to abuse some batteries in a blower and weed trimmer and don't want to use my expensive makita batteries for that purpose.
 
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RichieP_MechE

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duneslider said:
Hey all, a while back I remember seeing a post from a guy that made some higher capacity makita compatible batteries. I have searched but am not using the right terms I guess. Anyone by chance remember what that post was? I don't think it was within this one.

Looking to abuse some batteries in a blower and weed trimmer and don't want to use my expensive makita batteries for that purpose.
Click to expand...
I believe this is the thread you are looking for (I bookmarked the thread last time it came up, looking to do this myself someday)

Making the battery Makita won't.

This is long-winded. For the payoff, scroll down to the red arrow. I like my Makita tools. They're dead reliable, have excellent ergonomics and build quality and are consistently the best of the big brands when it comes to NVH. Unfortunately, I also like watching Torque Test Channel...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
 
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duneslider

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RichieP_MechE said:
I believe this is the thread you are looking for (I bookmarked the thread last time it came up, looking to do this myself someday)

Making the battery Makita won't.

This is long-winded. For the payoff, scroll down to the red arrow. I like my Makita tools. They're dead reliable, have excellent ergonomics and build quality and are consistently the best of the big brands when it comes to NVH. Unfortunately, I also like watching Torque Test Channel...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's it. I have it bookmarked now!
 
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Steel_Rain

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My local Home Depot doesn't have the Makita XGT tool line as of this week. I will check the other two stores near me, but I'm wondering if HD isn't carrying XGT any longer? They had plenty of LXT stuff and the area was still all Makita tools. These were on discount pricing the last month or two, but I didn't think they would drop the entire battery platform from stores.

What have you guys seen?
 
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ObnoxiousFumes

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Anybody try the kettle yet? I feel like they ought to make these tools (like the coffee machine and microwave) 120V capable and double as a battery charger as well.
1779333528177.jpeg
 
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engineer2

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There are rumors that HD will eventually dump the Makita product line. At HD around here Makita has the smallest tool display. Makita USA is mainly focused on the heavy duty construction market and carpentry/woodworking tools. They mostly ignore DIY homeowners, automotive, electrical, and plumbing trades.
 
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KnurledNut

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Etchase said:
I haven’t needed this, probably don’t need it, but I sure want it!
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Makita announced these back in early May to their email subscribers. TTC got their hands on one pretty quick.
The one that has my eye is the 3/8 drive version, the XLT03. It has the same torque specs as the 1/2 version they tested. I can think of many times I could have used this tool over the years.
 
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Etchase

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I was waiting for someone to say how it performed. I have the Kobalt one from a few years ago which isn’t bad, but this Makita really seems ideal.
 
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Steel_Rain

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KnurledNut said:
Makita announced these back in early May to their email subscribers. TTC got their hands on one pretty quick.
The one that has my eye is the 3/8 drive version, the XLT03. It has the same torque specs as the 1/2 version they tested. I can think of many times I could have used this tool over the years.
Click to expand...

I want to buy the 3/8” version too. But Im in a quandary.

This now, or wait for the XGT version??
 
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Steel_Rain

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KnurledNut said:
That’s an easy one for me. The small size of the 2ah LXT packs are a great match for this tool unless more runtime is needed.
Click to expand...

Eh, I thought the same initially. None of this is to scale and forget exact measurements, but…

Here is my Makita LXT ratchet with a 2ah pack:

IMG_1376.jpeg

Here is the closest LXT pack size (4ah) I can match up to the smallest XGT pack Makita currently makes:

IMG_1378.jpeg

Here is that same LXT pack on the same ratchet(along with the fist pic for back to back comparisons):

IMG_1379.jpeg
IMG_1376.jpeg

I know the dimensions are going to be different with the right angle monster, but I still think an XGT version with a 2.5ah is acceptable.

Hell…maybe this gives me the excuse I need to by both! 🤣🤣🤣
 
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KnurledNut

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Steel_Rain said:
Eh, I thought the same initially. None of this is to scale and forget exact measurements, but…

Here is my Makita LXT ratchet with a 2ah pack:

IMG_1376.jpeg

Here is the closest LXT pack size (4ah) I can match up to the smallest XGT pack Makita currently makes:

IMG_1378.jpeg

Here is that same LXT pack on the same ratchet(along with the fist pic for back to back comparisons):

IMG_1379.jpeg
IMG_1376.jpeg

I know the dimensions are going to be different with the right angle monster, but I still think an XGT version with a 2.5ah is acceptable.

Hell…maybe this gives me the excuse I need to by both! 🤣🤣🤣
Click to expand...
Regarding the ratchets, I have always thought the CXT 12v version was better suited for the application.
 
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duneslider

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I picked up a new 18v blower and weed trimmer (XBUO3Z and XUXO25M1X1). I have a different Makita trimmer that I have been using for 4-5 years and liked a lot. My son has been starting to mow a few lawns in the neighborhood and there has been more than once that I wanted to do some weekd trimming while he was gone mowing so I decided to pick another up. This new one is hands down better than the other one I had. Feels like it has way more power and doesn't bog down like the older one does. Its a solid trimmer but feels much more "heavy duty" compared to the other one.

The blower was basically "free" with the purchase of the trimmer. I have a cheap Sunjoe blower that was given to me 5-6 years ago that works fine but not impressive at all but does the job. The new makita is significantly better, it actually surprised me how much better it is. I am just using it to blow the grass off the sidewalk and drive way, not blowing leaves from 15 trees. Anyway, I am really impressed with the trimmer and blower, both keep me realizing the battery powered tools are here to stay.

Yes, still love the Makita 36v 21" mower as well.

I also picked up a makita 4 port charger, its pretty compact for a 4 port.
 
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IndyGarage

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Etchase said:
They love their Makita vacuums at the Denver airport. Mine is in the mail.

IMG_1960.jpeg
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I have one of those Makita vacs. It works good but they are uber expensive and the filter gets clogged with dirt pretty quickly. I bought the extra cyclone attachment and it works good, but it is not very well attached and the airflow clogs easily.

Recently, I picked up a Chinese clone vac that uses Makita batteries. I think it was $59 and it has the cyclone action built in to the body and has better suction that the Makita vac. The only downside is the tubes are a little cheap, but it works great.

 
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Etchase

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IndyGarage said:
I have one of those Makita vacs. It works good but they are uber expensive and the filter gets clogged with dirt pretty quickly. I bought the extra cyclone attachment and it works good, but it is not very well attached and the airflow clogs easily.

Recently, I picked up a Chinese clone vac that uses Makita batteries. I think it was $59 and it has the cyclone action built in to the body and has better suction that the Makita vac. The only downside is the tubes are a little cheap, but it works great.

Click to expand...




Good to know. One of the things I like about the Makita is that the sound level is low IMHO. How is the clone?
 
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IndyGarage

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Etchase said:
Good to know. One of the things I like about the Makita is that the sound level is low IMHO. How is the clone?
Click to expand...
I didn't run them side by side, but I think it's louder than the Makita. That could be because it runs faster and has more suction than my Makita.

Don't get me wrong, I've used the heck out of the Makita for a few years and it works fine, but in the first few uses, the cheap one seemed to be more powerful. I also don't know if there are different versions of the Makita - perhaps the one I have isn't the best one - it's blue - not white like the one in the airport photo.

I have no idea how long the copy will last. The main body seems built well, but the attachments are pretty cheap - but for 1/3 the cost I can live with that.
 
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Etchase

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IndyGarage said:
I didn't run them side by side, but I think it's louder than the Makita. That could be because it runs faster and has more suction than my Makita.

Don't get me wrong, I've used the heck out of the Makita for a few years and it works fine, but in the first few uses, the cheap one seemed to be more powerful. I also don't know if there are different versions of the Makita - perhaps the one I have isn't the best one - it's blue - not white like the one in the airport photo.

I have no idea how long the copy will last. The main body seems built well, but the attachments are pretty cheap - but for 1/3 the cost I can live with that.
Click to expand...



I’m thinking it would be good to throw in the vehicle. I usually have a battery in there for something anyway.
 
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