Makita Addiction Thread

[Git]

I went 'all in' with Makita - really impressed with the battery platform and the tools they have available for it

I had the original 'stick' battery drills back in the 80's that worked great but then I started buying Bosch. They were getting old and needed new batteries so I started looking at Makita and was really impressed. At this point, I have their grinder, led work light, jigsaw, drill, driver, circular saw, hedge trimmer, small blower, big blower that uses 2 batteries, small vac and the smaller 12v drill & driver set

 

[Threadkiller]

Hey Git, hows the hedge trimmer? Worth it or should i go gas or corded?

 

[jweier111]

I've been using Makita since the my dad first borrowed a Makita 6093D from work to hang some drywall. He worked for House On the Rock on their internal construction crew. All of their cordless tools were Makita. Corded tools were all Milwaukee. I've pretty much followed the same pattern ever since (though my miter-saws are all Makita). I've slowly upgraded multiple times over the years. From the old 12V sticks, to a 14V pods and then 18V Nicd. I only recently moved on to the newer Li-ion. Picked up two more batteries since building the rack. Now just need a couple more tools lol.

 

[Git]

Hey Git, hows the hedge trimmer? Worth it or should i go gas or corded?

I think it is.

I actually have a nice gas powered trimmer - but I am only allowed to use it under her supervision since she thinks I get carried away and cut too much ...

So one of the reasons why I bought the battery powered Makita is it is light enough for her to use and the times that I have used it - it does a good job. Haven't used the gas powered one for some time now

 

[engineer2]

I need a second Makita charger. Anyone ever try the Chinese imitation chargers that you see on Amazon?

 

[customh]

I'm very interested in how well these work.

Birthday present from my wife:

I just got that same saw. Came down with a cold the same day it came in so haven't had a chance to use it yet. I do trail maintenance in our national forest and am hopeful it will be up to the task for what I need it to do.

I'll have to gather my Makita collection together for a group shot.

I'd look on ebay or watch for deals on the drill kit or something. Seems like for the same price as a battery and charger you can end up with another tool.

I need a second Makita charger. Anyone ever try the Chinese imitation chargers that you see on Amazon?

 

[Ainsley]

I'm very interested in how well these work

It actually surprised me the first time I tested it out. 14" bar and I was cutting up the 16" diameter trunk on a birch tree that fell over. Tons of power, great battery life and very little Maint, especially compared to a 2 stroke gas.

Works so well I purchased one for the shipping department where I work, they cut up 6x6s to make wedges for shipping tanks.

 

[engineer2]

I'd look on ebay or watch for deals on the drill kit or something. Seems like for the same price as a battery and charger you can end up with another tool.

That's what I did. Got their mini stick vacuum and it came with a charger and a 2 Ahr battery for $99. We love that little vacuum and use it all the time.

 

[Voi]

I'm very interested in how well these work.

Due to this and the other thread (and being home with a sick kid and bored out of my mind) I'm putting mine together now. Unfortunately if I have any bar oil it's in a cabinet with a heavy sliding door leaning against it so I probably won't use it today.

I've heard of vegetable oil being used as a substitute. Anything else?

 

[Voi]

That's what I did. Got their mini stick vacuum and it came with a charger and a 2 Ahr battery for $99. We love that little vacuum and use it all the time.[/IMG]

Acme had that on sale for $79 earlier this week. Almost pulled the trigger but balked at having another charger.

Do the higher amp hour batteries fit in this?

 

[engineer2]

Yes, any Makita 18V LXT will fit. $79 is a steal. You can sell the extra charger here or on CL. One reason I bought it was because I needed a second charger.

The hose from our Eureka vac looks like it will fit, so it will be good for vacuuming cars. Makita also sells a flex hose. Keep in mind this is a small vacuum. Works great for hard floors, stairs, kitchen crumbs, sawdust, and pet hair. It does **** up small plastic bottle caps, Q-tips, and small leaves from house plants. Drywall dust means washing the filters out when you are done. If you want to vacuum a rug, it's not really made for that. The greatest feature is the portability. I can vacuum the non-carpeted floors in the whole house in 30 minutes.

 

[engineer2]

Read on the UK Makita users Facebook page there is a rumor Makita is coming out with a higher voltage battery system for outdoor power equipment. Anyone hear anything?

 

[sbosecker]

To truly understand an addiction, one has to go back to where it all started for that individual...

Let us return to the 20th century, to the 1980's & 90's





Makita 2040 Planer: I'm trying to remember when I bought this but I'm pretty sure I was still in the Navy at the time so... 1984 or 1985?






Makita 3612BR Router: Same with this guy; probably 1985-ish...






Makita 2016 Band Saw: This was obtained second-hand in the early 1990's...


Scott

 

[willhollin]

Has anyone tried the new SDS MAX cordless machine yet?

 

[buckwheat_la]

Read on the UK Makita users Facebook page there is a rumor Makita is coming out with a higher voltage battery system for outdoor power equipment. Anyone hear anything?

Talked with a rep and was told what they are doing is allowing more batteries to be added. New back pack blower well have 4 batteries.

 

[neophyte]

To truly understand an addiction, one has to go back to where it all started for that individual...

Let us return to the 20th century, to the 1980's & 90's





Makita 2040 Planer: I'm trying to remember when I bought this but I'm pretty sure I was still in the Navy at the time so... 1984 or 1985?






Makita 3612BR Router: Same with this guy; probably 1985-ish...






Makita 2016 Band Saw: This was obtained second-hand in the early 1990's...


Scott

Makita apparently makes dust collection adapters for all the jointer/planer models they made, but you can sometimes only find them at Japanese retailers.

 

[WittHay]

Have always used Makita corded grinders, drills, circular saws and chop saws. The circular saws, drills and some of the grinders used to be built in Canada

My newer Makita collection. Really like the made in USA corded variable speed spade drill and the 5" rat tail grinder

 

[rick carpenter]

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

This is a 5377MG hypoid saw. As you can see, I beat the **** out of this tool cutting pretty much everything that can be cut with a 7 1/4" blade, from treated lumber to cement board, scoring rock, vinyl siding, you name it. My only wish is that it had a diamond arbor. I need to buy another one soon---not to replace this one, I just want another one

Duke, have you contacted Makita tech support or looked at erepacementparts.com to see if a diamond arbor can be fit in? Or have you looked for an aftermarket/replacement from say Apex etc? If you do, please let us know one way or another. Thanks

 

[WittHay]

New Makita DLW140Z 18Vx2 14" Chop Saw seen on Toolguyd. Looks interesting just not sure if Makita's current 6ah batteries are up to the task.

 

[Fireguy116]

Talked with a rep and was told what they are doing is allowing more batteries to be added. New back pack blower well have 4 batteries.

I would love to see a cordless backpack blower. I wonder what the time table is for one to be released?

 

[buckwheat_la]

I would love to see a cordless backpack blower. I wonder what the time table is for one to be released?

I believe next year (or this year) uses 4 batteries.

 

[FTWingRiders]

My Dewalt 12" miter saw finally died the other week, and so I started looking for a replacement. I obviously started with the Dewalt, but gave everyone a fair shake. Read a bunch of reviews, and looking at options, I thought I'd step up to a sliding, to give myself as much capability as possible. Being this will be mounted on my bench, I couldn't use the conventional slider, so that narrowed it down to the Bosch and the Makita for me. After reading reviews and specs, I headed to a local tool store to see them in person. After seeing the Boschs' blade deflection and seeing the Makita in person, I decided on the Makita. I also hoped one of them would fit my benches fence without having to modify it.. wasn't going to happen.. which is ok, gives me a chance to rebuilt my bench top and fence as there a few things I wasn't happy with.

Salesman said if I could wait, they were having a demo day with a sale included. So I waited, impatiently I might add, for last Friday. Man, I could have gone crazy, but stuck with my plan and came home with just the LS1219L. They took 15% off, included the WST06 portable stand, and threw in a 100T blade. Its a beast, and I'll be working on my bench this week making everything work.







I'm planning on keeping the stand for work outside the shop, finding a used Makita.. either an 8" slider or 12" to compliment my portable table saw. I still have my fathers 2703 with porta-table when I'm doing work for family or outside the shop.







I've always tried to resist having too many tool platforms, I'm Milwaukee and Craftsman now, but after talking to the salesman, and seeing Makitas cordless platform in person, I'm thinking of trying a few.. tho I'm afraid that might lead me down the slippery slope of trying to justify selling what I have and buying new..

 

[FTWingRiders]

Happy with how the bench came out.. I had to raise it 1/4” and move the fence 1-1/2” forward.. but wasn’t too bad a job.l





The pups approved of my work.

Started down a slippery slope tho..



Looks like I’m going to be a two platform shop.. Milwaukee red and Makita Green. Too invest in Red to start over so they will be the drills and drivers and Makita will be the saws and routers. I’m also going to use the makita for my cordless outdoor equipment, been reading good things about them.

 

[Voi]

Looks like I’m going to be a two platform shop.. Milwaukee red and Makita Green. Too invest in Red to start over so they will be the drills and drivers and Makita will be the saws and routers. I’m also going to use the makita for my cordless outdoor equipment, been reading good things about them.

I have that same saw and really like it. Thinking about the router since it works with all of the bases of their regular routers.

I'm probably also going to have both Makita and Milwaukee. There are some M12 tools that Makita doesn't make or just isn't competitive with.

Not sure which yard tools you're considering but a couple of things I found out recently.

The XRU08z has been replaced with the XRU13z. The latter has a larger arbor which allows it to work with more types of heads. It also has the opposite rotation of the former for edging work.

I believe they now have a brushless version of their top-handled chainsaw.

I would consider both of these worthwhile upgrades over the previous versions.

 

[WittHay]

Makita has a DJV182Z brushless D-handle Jig Saw. Had a corded Makita. I think this brushless is a equal replacement for the corded

 

[scubadoober]

Stumbled on this and it blew my mind that it actually existed.
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XUC01X1

 

[Voi]

Makita has a DJV182Z brushless D-handle Jig Saw.

I think I saw a barrel grip type on one of the STAFDA videos recently.

 

[brianpgriset]

Stumbled on this and it blew my mind that it actually existed.
https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XUC01X1

What it doesn't have a power dump feature?

Joking.

 

[KnurledNut]

Makita has a DJV182Z brushless D-handle Jig Saw. Had a corded Makita. I think this brushless is a equal replacement for the corded

Most of Makitas BL tools are an improvement over the brushed.
They missed the mark on this one.

 

[WittHay]

I think I saw a barrel grip type on one of the STAFDA videos recently.

There is a DJV181Z. Makita model # might be different in the US

Most of Makitas BL tools are an improvement over the brushed.
They missed the mark on this one.

Good to know, didn't really research it that much. Tool store has them advertised in their flyer. The brushless DJV182V is $60 more than than the brushed DJV180Z. Looked okay picking it up in the store. On my one of these days tool purchase list.

 

[FTWingRiders]

No pics, but my local tool shop is a Makita dealer.. which is good and bad..lol.. Stopped the other day and they had the XPS02ZU plunge saw with free 55" track for $385 out the door. Couldn't resist. All I can say is WOW!! Why didn't I buy this sooner.. Had to cut down some full sheets, and it made the job so much easier.. Seriously my favorite tool in the shop right now.

While I was there I also picked up the XFD03Z drill/driver as my M12 Milwaukees all seem to wobble.. hate it, so far the Makita is holding true. Happy! It s a decent compliment to the XDT12Z 4 speed Impact I got for Christmas..

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MCS0H1G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I really love the versatility of the 4 speed to adjust for different applications. Well worth the step up from the basic impact.

Just order two of the Makita hard cases on line.. the large and x-large for the plunge saw.. I wish there were custom insets for the cases, I see foam sheets on eBay, but wondering if anybody has anything better?

I'm also redoing my DC for the miter saw.. reviews were accurate when they mentioned poor dust management. As in my previous post, you can see I had a hood over it, which worked fine for my DeWalt, but not with this one! I jury-rigged a hose to a shop vac to see what that did, and it helped tremendously.. absolutely necessary for it. I have a tool/vac switch..

https://www.rockler.com/i-socket-110m-tool-and-vacuum-switch

which worked as advertised, so I've decided to build a dust extraction system for the miter saw and when using hand tools.. Ordered the Makita VC4710 12 gallon vac and Dust Deputy that will handle the miter, then will adapt to a Dust Right hose reel and hose..

https://www.rockler.com/rockler-dust-right-shop-vacuum-hose-reel

to control dust at my work table. I know there will be some searching to find the right adapters for everything, but want to start cutting down on the sawdust flying everywhere when using sanders and the router, if possible. I breath enough of that stuff as it is..

Theres a few tools I wish Makita would make, I would love a detail sander, I only see the 5" random orbit..the XOBO1Z, which I'll add eventually, its just that my craftsman detail sander is still my go to. I also have the craftsman SureShot brad nailer, and I just don't hear good things about the XNB01Z from Makita.. Hopefully they're listening to the grumbles..

 

[Nero]

I wish Makita would make something that competes with the Milwaukee Fuel ratchets; that's one thing that's definitely missing from their cordless tool lineup.

 

[lugnut71]

I am wanting a 3/8 Makita impact, doesn’t appear that the heavy duty one is brushless ??

 

[Voi]

I am wanting a 3/8 Makita impact, doesn’t appear that the heavy duty one is brushless ??

What's the product number on the one you're called heavy duty?

I have a brushless XWT11z. I've thought about seeing if I can get the anvil from the XWT12zb to fit in it. The anvil from the latter has been fit into an impact driver so I'm assuming a wrench to wrench swap is also possible.

 

[Voi]

XPS02ZU plunge saw with free 55" track for $385 out the door. Couldn't resist.

Do you also have an AWS compatible extractor? Have you tried to synch them up yet?

$385 with the track is a very good deal. That's cheaper than just the saw just about anywhere.

 

[Nero]

I am wanting a 3/8 Makita impact, doesn’t appear that the heavy duty one is brushless ??

They also make a subcompact 3/8 and 1/2" drive impact, the model numbers are: XWT12ZB (3/8") and XWT13ZB (1/2").

 

[Rabid Badger]

I wish Makita would make something that competes with the Milwaukee Fuel ratchets; that's one thing that's definitely missing from their cordless tool lineup.

Makita makes both 12V and 18V ratchets.

 

[Voi]

Makita makes both 12V and 18V ratchets.

By chance to you mean their right angle impact wrenches?

If not, do you have a product number for the ratchets?

 

[lugnut71]

The one I am looking at is a xwt06z, it’s not brushless

 

[lugnut71]

Exactly, I want a 3/8 like the xwt11z brushless 1/2 drive