Makita Cordless driver-drill that doesn't wobble

[bmwpowere36m3]

When I started reno's on my home, my father got me a nice Makita 18V LXT cordless set (drill-driver-hammer, impact driver, skill saw, recipro saw & light). After only about a year of use, the chuck on the drill-driver started to wobble... i.e., with a bit/drill chucked, the tip can move ~1/8 - 3/16" easily. I brought it in for service (took a month) and they replaced the gearbox and chuck (both made/containing plastic). Now a year later, its wobbling again.

My dad's old white Makita drill-driver is still rock solid and our old dead NICad pistol type. All of our corded tools are rock solid as well. I thought maybe because the newer LXT incorporates a hammer drill function, its more sloppy or more "gadgets" at the expensive of quality.

I used the hammer function once to drill a few 3/16" holes for tapcons... talk about pathetic. Never use that function again. I'll stick with the corded Makita hammer drill, hole in seconds.

The drill is a LXPH01, probably bottom tier. I was hoping Maxita had a nicer all-metal gearbox and chuck drill-driver (hammer is less improtant, unless it actually works for smaller stuff).

Any recommendations? I was looking at the XPH03Z. None of my Makita stuff is BL, if that matters.

 

[tarbellb]

Consider replacing just the chuck. There are a few good options out there depending on your price point.

Just about any 1/2" capacity with 1/2"/20 bolt connection will do the trick.

If you want the best, look into Rohm. If you want a good chuck at a excellent price point Ive recommended this one since I ordered it personally.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jacobs-3037...-700-Series-/251079539541?hash=item3a7581bb55

(not sure if this is NOS USA made or not, but the quality is good)

As for a new drill, read any of the 30 threads started in 2016 about it.

 

[Zeke]

Sorry to hear this because I'm a big Makita fan. However, I did this last time buy Milwaukee Fuel. I'll never look back.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Consider replacing just the chuck. There are a few good options out there depending on your price point.

Just about any 1/2" capacity with 1/2"/20 bolt connection will do the trick.

If you want the best, look into Rohm. If you want a good chuck at a excellent price point Ive recommended this one since I ordered it personally.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jacobs-3037...-700-Series-/251079539541?hash=item3a7581bb55

(not sure if this is NOS USA made or not, but the quality is good)

As for a new drill, read any of the 30 threads started in 2016 about it.

I don't think its the chuck itself... but the output of the gearbox rides on a plastic bushing... instead of bronze one or BB. Its just "cheap". The chuck itself I think is ok and cinches up nice.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Sorry to hear this because I'm a big Makita fan. However, I did this last time buy Milwaukee Fuel. I'll never look back.

Yeah... not what I wanted to hear. I guess nothing is what it used to be, or at least meant to last. Well, I know this was a "kit" so maybe the components were bottom barrel. I want to believe Makita still makes some mid-hi end stuff that's good.

All my father used was Makita and growing up I remember that. Still have corded Makita stuff that 20+ years old and going strong.

 

[engineer2]

Makita makes both low-end and high end stuff. Most of the big-box models are low end. Since you have a bunch of LXT stuff, just upgrade to a drill with a metal gearbox. If you get just a "bare tool" the price isn't too bad. The only difficulty is navigating Makita's endless model number/feature variations.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Makita makes both low-end and high end stuff. Most of the big-box models are low end. Since you have a bunch of LXT stuff, just upgrade to a drill with a metal gearbox. If you get just a "bare tool" the price isn't too bad. The only difficulty is navigating Makita's endless model number/feature variations.

How do you differentiate grades of Makita tools... they list TONs of drills, but it's hard to decipher. Seems their really pushing BL.

I just wonder if even the higher end cordless stuff is "solid"... seems their all made in China now, while the chuck is listed as Japan.

 

[engineer2]

I have a Makita drill with a metal gearbox and it has been fine.
The low-end stuff is usually white or gray.
Many have metal gears, but the gear housing may be plastic.
The high end stuff is black and blue with a cast aluminum gear housing behind the chuck area.
Check out model LXPH03Z

 

[tarbellb]

Makitas higher end cordless line is excellent, easily as good as Milwaukee or any other top brand.

Sounds like maybe you have their lower end offering, which also seems to have a design flaw. Unfortunate, Makita is generally considered a safe bet.

I own both Milwaukees M12/ M18 Fuel line and wouldnt hesitate to look at Makita if I wasnt invested in batteries.

Good luck.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

I have that exact same drill and have never had a problem. Used to drill tons of wood and steel, up to 1/2" drill sizes. Used it yesterday to drill 1/2" holes in 2x4 while running some wiring.

I honestly use the impact driver 100x more than the drill though. Everything from driving screws to changing tires on my car. I even have drills up to 1/4" with a hex shank that I can put in it, along with a set of large spade bits.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I have a Makita drill with a metal gearbox and it has been fine.
The low-end stuff is usually white or gray.
Many have metal gears, but the gear housing may be plastic.
The high end stuff is black and blue with a cast aluminum gear housing behind the chuck area.
Check out model LXPH03Z

I'm sure the gears are metal, the housing certainly is plastic [gearbox that is].

That's the one I was considering, XPH03Z. I think L (up front) means box store models (not nessicarly bad). On Makitas site, most are listed without the L.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I have that exact same drill and have never had a problem. Used to drill tons of wood and steel, up to 1/2" drill sizes. Used it yesterday to drill 1/2" holes in 2x4 while running some wiring.

I honestly use the impact driver 100x more than the drill though. Everything from driving screws to changing tires on my car. I even have drills up to 1/4" with a hex shank that I can put in it, along with a set of large spade bits.

Mine drills no "problem" either… 1/2" I've used is with Bosch 1" spade bits. For construction it works just fine and drills fine. However, with smaller bits in metal… it wanders a little due to the wobble. I know its not a drill press, but the chuck should not have that much play… at least in my opinion.

I use the impact much for often as well…

 

[dutchgray]

Been using my BHP 451 drill professionally every say since i got it in 2009 and there is still almost no wobble in the chuck, the whole thing is pretty worn but its still works well.
You just have to buy the models with a metal gearbox case and avoid the cheapest that they bung in the $99 kits.
I will admit its hard to work out where one of their drills is in the quality range, there is really to many models.

 

[engineer2]

I'm sure the gears are metal, the housing certainly is plastic [gearbox that is].

I own a LXPH03 and i can assure you the gearbox is metal.
See
http://makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=LXPH03

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I own a LXPH03 and i can assure you the gearbox is metal.
See
http://makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=LXPH03

No, I meant my drill