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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    8

    Default Keep the 18V Makita Li-ion hammer drill?

    Hi fellas.

    I have just bought a new Makita 18V Li-ion cordless impact drill - for an arm and a leg. I decided fork out for something that will last me for years (with sensible battery rotation) for regular trade use. I haven't use it yet.

    My local hardware whop is having a Dewalt sale soon, where I could take it back for an 18V 3Ah (NiCd) impact hammer drill.

    Is anyone in a position to directly compare the two?
    Is there a difference in performance and/or build quality?

    There's almost no feedback out there on the new Li-ion Mak's, and certainly no comparisons with other brands, like Dewalt.

    Cheers.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    49
    Posts
    395

    Default

    Hi Homehandman:

    I cannot compare the two because I don't have the blue drill. But I do have the 18V hammer drill by Dewalt. I would consider carefully what you need in a drill before making your decision.

    In my (subjective opinion) the Dewalt drill is below par for build and lasting qualities. The batteries died within one year of use (yes I used the batters carefully but extensively) and had to be replaced at significant cost. The rubber grip has disintegrated. The plastic moulding is a little loose in places despite trying to nip up the screws holding the drill together. The clutch has worn somewhat so that it no longer has the "chunky" click from one setting to another (this is really annoying when you don't want the clutch at all but accidentally bump the setting).

    On the upside, this Dewalt drill is an absolute brute of a machine. It is incredibly powerful and had more torque than any other battery drill on the market when I bought it (two years ago). I doubt the Makita 18V Li can match it for brute strength. The chuck on the drill is beautiful and works well.

    Now compare all this with my new Festool C12 with extra chucks and you will be considering a drill which has no comparison (again in my opinion ). The C12 build quality and specifications is mind blowing. And its power is incredible for a 12V drill. I reach for the C12 for all applications except for when I need to bury a 100mm screw into hardwood without predrilling -- then out comes the old Dewalt.

    Hope this helps.
    Warm Regards, Luckyduck

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Sydney,Australia
    Posts
    3,157

    Default

    Several hundred screws into steel RSJ's thru flooring - Makita 14.4(!) volt NiCd impact driver.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1,205

    Default

    we had dewalt (drills & impact drivers & saws) 18v nicads at work till janurray this year but the batteries started failing, so we brought a lxt makita 18v lion 4in one impact. This thing is an impact driver, hammer drill, standard drill and driver. it rocked.

    since then we have brought five 4 in 1's and two hammer drills plus a recpro saw.

    makita tech is new dewalt is heavy and about 5 years old.

    my dewalt stuff still goes hard but the makita kills it hands down

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    I don't know how much the Makita cost, but I just bought a 12 volt C12 Festool drill and I would back it against any 18 volt conventional drill. This thing has a brushless motor and you won't get long arms picking it up. It cost me about $650. Panasonic have a brushless Driver (not a drill) for about $100 less and I bet that is better than any brushed motor as well. Brush type motors will disappear very quickly now except for the real cheap ones.
    CHRIS

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