Makita Addiction Thread

[speed88]

I went ahead and ordered it. The reviews look really positive and If nothing else I have have a month to return it.

 

[speed88]

Well I just received it (Makita XRW01Z) today. So far I’m pretty impressed with it. It runs pretty smooth and the light is decent. I like that you can go from 3/8” to 1/4” in a few seconds and don’t need another electric wrench. All in all I’m pretty happy with it. I wonder how long until they come out with an extended reach model with maybe a brushless motor.

 

[speed88]

Figured I‘d compare it size wise with my snap-on FHL80 ratchet.

 

[tymbo]

how do you switch from 3/8" to 1/4"?

 

[speed88]

It comes with a 3/8” and 1/4” anvils. You just swap them to change drive size.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I didn't realize the Makita ratchet was brushed. Looks like a run-of-the-mill Mabuchi motor in the parts diagram.

That actually opens up some interesting opportunities for swapping in faster, lower torque motors and vice versa.

 

[simnil]

Latest addition caused by the addiction =)

 

[Iron Beaver]

Wise choice. I have one and it's cut all our firewood for two years.

 

[simnil]

Wise choice. I have one and it's cut all our firewood for two years.

Wasn't that expensive either. Shopped around online and found it for near a "noname-chinesimum price". Payed about the equivalent of 120-130USD and with all our taxes that's pretty cheap.

 

[bonneyman]

Speed 88, how's the total weight and balance to that tool? And does the battery pack impede most jobs space restrictions?

 

[speed88]

Speed 88, how's the total weight and balance to that tool? And does the battery pack impede most jobs space restrictions?

It feels very well balanced in the hand with a 2.0 ah battery. It’s not overly heavy either but then again I have nothing else to compare it to. I haven’t really used it much so I’m not sure how it will do in tight spaces. The build quality is pretty good and it’s quiet and runs very smooth.

 

[IndyGarage]

Bought a Makita XRU18 weed whacker this week. 18x2 says all over the box that it's equivalent to a 30CC gas trimmer.

You can see my thread where my Husqvarna gas trimmer died, and I bought a brand new "professional" 525L trimmer, which died in about an hour of use. I really like my Husqvarnas but I decided to return the 525L for a refund and try the battery power.

I put it together, which took about 5 minutes. I put a couple 5.0 batteries in it, and went to work. It probably ran for 20-30 minutes on a charge, which was enough to do about 2/3 of my yard, which had been neglected for a couple weeks while I was dealing with dead trimmers. I wouldn't say the Makita is much lighter than my gas trimmers, with batteries on it, but it sure is quieter. As for the power - well it certainly is deceiving, because it's so much quieter that you don't think it has much power. But it does. I had to get used to letting the trimmer stop as I was walking between sections.

So how does it work? Pretty well. It has three speeds and even a reverse, but I just set it at the high speed and used the variable speed trigger to control it. At the top end, I wouldn't say it has more than my gas trimmers did, or maybe even quite as much, but it's close enough that it will do fine. I did find it had more power at lower speed than gas - which is nice - because I'm working around windows a lot, and I don't want stuff flying and breaking glass.

I did not like the small string head that it came with. I could only put about 15 feet of line on it and the bump feed is pretty wimpy. I'll replace it with a Husqvarna high capacity head when it wears out. I also don't really like the size of the handle at the trigger. It seems like it's too big for my hands, and the trigger is a bit uncomfortable to use. I like the triggers on my Husqvarnas better.

What I really like is not having to mess with starting it, or idling it or the noise or fueling. I went through 1 set of batteries and probably 2/3 of a second set in an hour of elapsed time. The trimmer wasn't running the entire hour but most of it. I think it's a keeper. Let's hope it keeps working as well as it did the first time.

 

[cib]

All of my cordless are makita and I’ve got their 7100b chain mortised. Likely to upgrade to their 7104 soon. I wish I had their 12” planer but I just can’t justify it.

 

[bonneyman]

It feels very well balanced in the hand with a 2.0 ah battery. It’s not overly heavy either but then again I have nothing else to compare it to. I haven’t really used it much so I’m not sure how it will do in tight spaces. The build quality is pretty good and it’s quiet and runs very smooth.

Thanks for the review. It looks like another great Makita tool.

 

[Xcursion88]

Re: ***** Makita Addiction Thread *****

LOVE that cord length!!!

 

[Xcursion88]

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I have the Makita 15amp circular saw to supplement 2002 CM circular saw. Works well.

 

[bonneyman]

****, for a second I thought those Makita tools were 230 volt.

 

[corn chip]

this was given to me around five years ago and its been handy for alot of jobs . it looks to be made in europe somewhere. before the label wore down i thought it said united kingdom

 

[Xcursion88]

****, for a second I thought those Makita tools were 230 volt.

They are mighty

 

[bonneyman]

They are mighty

Yeah, it was just an optical illusion my eyes played on me for a second. Then I realized what I was actually seeing.
Getting older *****!

 

[engineer2]

I did not like the small string head that it came with. I could only put about 15 feet of line on it and the bump feed is pretty wimpy. I'll replace it with a Husqvarna high capacity head when it wears out.

I wore the bump head out on my XRU09 string trimmer. It never worked that well anyhow. Ordered a hopefully better replacement. Makita does not sell individual parts for the trimmer head, but it's a universal design with a M10x1.25 LH spindle thread. Careful ordering from Amazon. Lots of **** and misrepresented products.

 

[Steverino]

Apologies if this has been asked (I didn't see it) - Is there a predictable time(s) of year when Makita offers better pricing / discounted combo deals? I have randomly picked up a tool or two that way before, but since I'm contemplating adding a couple more to the arsenal soon I thought I'd ask...
Thanks!

 

[simnil]

Ooops, I did it again...

 

[oflannabhra]

Apologies if this has been asked (I didn't see it) - Is there a predictable time(s) of year when Makita offers better pricing / discounted combo deals? I have randomly picked up a tool or two that way before, but since I'm contemplating adding a couple more to the arsenal soon I thought I'd ask...
Thanks!

Yep, holidays and Father’s Day.
Makita will typically run a $20-$25 off $100, Home Depot will typically have a bundle where you get to pick your tools, and some of the online shops will run deals as well. Makita has official rotating deals throughout the year on their site.

 

[engineer2]

If you get on the Makita email list, you'll get info on promotions. Usually they involve kits, 2-fers, or extra batteries.
Makita is a global operation so tools and deals vary by country. Sign up for the Makita division emails in your home country.

Unfortunately, most of their tool promos involve entry-level kits or slow-moving products.
Their focus lately seems to be on professional construction tools that sell at list price, rather than consumer products.
For actual retail deals, visit your dealer of choice, but I haven't seen a sale on their higher end tools in years.
Our HD mainly has the low-end consumer level of Makita tools, rarely the professional level.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Makita big bore compressor and 40v drill/driver.

 

[Steverino]

@oflannabhra & @engineer2 - thanks for the ideas!

 

[Davegvg]

I have the 18V brushless model (XRU04) and I've never had trouble clearing anything that didn't have a woody stalk. Certainly more than adequate for lawn duty.

Agreed - the 18 does fine in a maintenance fashion.

As long as you aren't clearing vines, or woody stalks it will buzz through grass and weeds with ease.

on the 36 V Unit - The Mrs. says its about the same weight and even better performance than the Stihl FS-70

 

[Voi]

Apologies if this has been asked (I didn't see it) - Is there a predictable time(s) of year when Makita offers better pricing / discounted combo deals? I have randomly picked up a tool or two that way before, but since I'm contemplating adding a couple more to the arsenal soon I thought I'd ask...
Thanks!

Acme Tools is having an online 10% off promotion with Code MAK10. I believe it ends tomorrow.

I ordered the oil pulse driver, a second inflator as well as the Makita keyless chuck adapter.

 

[Steverino]

Thanks for the tip @Voi ! I picked up a power head and string trimmer attachment with the promo...

 

[FTWingRiders]

Man, I love my Makita 36v track saw and vac set up. Makes cutting plywood down to size easy peasy!

 

[bonneyman]

Fed my Makita addiction some today at an estate sale. Box o bits was $2, the flashlights and case were $1 each.
Since the parts for these old stick battery tools are mostly NLA, these make good spares if need be.

 

[Compressed]

Simply put Blue's Better. been collecting Makita since the eighties, wow! how many Makita's does it take to build a house?

 

[quickfarms]

Ooops, I did it again...

I have the 1/8” collets for mine and use it to sharpen my chain saw

 

[bonneyman]

...how many Makita's does it take to build a house?

Easy - one of every single tool they made.

And a boatload of charged batteries!

 

[KnurledNut]

Simply put Blue's Better. been collecting Makita since the eighties, wow! how many Makita's does it take to build a house?

A drill for each bit you own seems reasonable enough...

 

[Torque Test Channel]

The new XGT mid torque is a beast

 

[KnurledNut]

The new XGT mid torque is a beast

Hey, TTC! Enjoy your videos! But i dont agree with your claims on vibration. There is nothing scientific about it. Its seems you all just go by feel and opinion. The Makita isnt nearly as bad as your dramatic claim.
Carry on.

 

[Torque Test Channel]

There is nothing scientific about it. Its seems you all just go by feel and opinion.

Correct. That's why we don't rank them on it, doesn't effect their points. Vibration meters on a impacts during use yield nothing useful data wise. Some guns torque radially, some hit back at you, others vibrate (which show the highest on meters).
Considering we handle more different impact wrenches than probably any one else alive today though, it's not a shot in the dark.
The 1/2" LXT Makita High Torque on a very tight bolt, as in about as tight as it can muster, is comparatively quite terrible to most anything else.
So it's just a sliding scale. If the Makita HT is no biggies for you, then you can see the 3/4" XGT with a lower rating from us and know even though it makes way more beans that should be even easier for you to handle.

If someone thinks an M18 high torque is rowdy - then they should stay away from a Snap-On high torque. And so forth.
Makita makes some of the best impacts on the market, the 1/2 LXT High Torque is just not one of them anymore. Whoever owns a tool when we say something like that about it (this is just everyone in general) may clutch their pearls, but it comes with the job.