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Multi-speed/application Makita Impact Driver Issues

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PittsburghTim

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Mar 25, 2017
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I have been using a Makita impact driver since the LXT line was first rolled out. Last year, the drill I had finally crapped-out, so I purchased a new combo kit with the newest brushless drill and impact driver, and gave the new 5.0 AH batteries to my son who also has the Makita line of tools and uses them in his commercial HVAC trade.. The impact driver has four speed settings and four drive modes, but I cannot stand it. It just seems too fiddly and I never seem to have the correct speed/drive setting to match the job. I find myself avoiding using it and mostly still use the 16–17-year-old brushed one I got with my first LXT set. It's so intuitive to use, as you vary the speed and torque with your finger pull and I never found myself wanting for anything more.

I am looking to purchase the brushless single speed version Makita XDT13Z and pass the 4-speed model to my son as maybe he will find it useful. Am I missing something with these new "features" or am I just old and set in my ways? Is it any better with other brands with similar features?

Thanks, Tim.
 
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T45

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I'm curious to hear the answers to this. Are you using the 16/19/20z?
 
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PittsburghTim

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T45 said:
I'm curious to hear the answers to this. Are you using the 16/19/20z?
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I have a XDT19, but find myself using my original BTD141 more often. If I could even find settings that would mimic the performance of my old driver, I would be fine with that, but I have had no luck finding such a setting.
 
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PittsburghTim

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Mar 25, 2017
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General use from driving screws for woodworking/furniture projects or light construction, driving lag screws in wood or into lead anchors in masonry, and driving bolts for assembling equipment. My old one seemed to do this all without having to think about settings and speed range.
 
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tarbellb

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Typically with all my multi speed drivers I just leave it on the highest power setting and modulate with the trigger. Does the Makita trigger not provide a wide enough range?


Rarely when I dont just use a smaller driver I will bump the power down on my 18v for fine tuning stuff.

btw- Ive always thought Makitas had great trigger control, more steps in the speed
 
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WildBill

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I have one and agree, has too many options. I like my XDT18ZB better, its super small and light. Also has only 2 settings. It is about 1/2" longer though, and has slightly less power. Also weighs less, feels like about a pound difference.
 
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Mandres

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Jun 22, 2006
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Mine has 3 or 4 different settings too. I generally leave it in high and use the trigger to modulate. Every now and then I'll turn it down if I'm working on something delicate, like screwing electrical outlets down in their boxes.

Don't worry about trying to always choose the right setting. Just think of it as a single speed driver with the ability to dial back if you need to.
 
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alinc100

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May 26, 2013
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I have the Makita sub-compact impact driver, not sure which model number it is. Have not tinkered with the settings much at all. Now for the blasphemy= I have a Milwaukee M12 Fuel Surge driver that has completely changed how I drive screws. It is the smoothest ,quietest impact I've used. I know Dewalt and Makita both offer a hydraulic driver but I have not used them and can't comment.
 
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engineer2

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I have a XDT16 which is a 4 speed. I never bother with the advanced modes.
Easy enough to select the speed you need using the trigger under the light.
Low: finessing tiny screws for delicate work.
2: general purpose for things like drywall and wood screws.
3: larger fasteners like 3/8".
4: lug nuts
And each speed had excellent trigger control too.
 
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KnurledNut

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PittsburghTim said:
It just seems too fiddly and I never seem to have the correct speed/drive setting to match the job. I find myself avoiding using it and mostly still use the 16–17-year-old brushed one I got with my first LXT set. It's so intuitive to use, as you vary the speed and torque with your finger pull and I never found myself wanting for anything more.
Click to expand...
You may be picking up on the difference in trigger control between the old brush and commutator system and the new electronic controlled brushless motor. I noticed it immediately. Power delivery is more stepped and ramp up can less controllable. Its one of the few drawbacks of the technology but is far outweighed by the many benefits in most situations.
Your new impact will be much faster and more powerful and there is a learning curve to harnessing that potential, but well worth the aggravation to get there.

I still use my old brushed Makitas for certain tasks where the low load and slow speed control is optimal, like repetitive drilling of small holes. I did a huge deck renovation and during demolition, the brushed impact driver was far better at removing old damaged phillips head screws due to a combination of the slower harder hitting impact mechanism and far better feathering of the variable speed trigger during high downward pressure at low speed. It removed most all the screws my brushless was camming out.
Your term "intuitive" really sums it up.

That being said, there is no way I would give up the muscle car performance of my brushless. Like the others mentioned, I leave it on high and ignore the mode selections unless absolutely necessary which is almost never. 99% of the time its balls to the wall, and I control the throttle.

Give it another chance.
:beer:
 
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