[DIY makita flood light]

I think it's a neat project and looks really nice. 

 

I can't tell from the picture if you've installed fuses or not.  That is the only gotcha I can think of and you likely already have them in the circuit somewhere (inside the charger, dimmer, etc...).

[Makita behind on batteries]

I am very happy with the 5AH batteries, but hopefully there will be a promotion on these when they come out.

 

On 12/25/2019 at 2:26 PM, Fireguy116 said:

I spoke to makita USA the other day about this issue and they told be they were working on a new 9ah battery. They weren’t sure on the release date but it is coming they said. 

[Makita becoming serious about lighting.]

It seems pricing is a little higher than what's quoted in the OP (seeing $175 for the DML811 and $252 for the DML809).  I still really want one, but can't justify it without a sale price right now.

[Makita allegedly to release 12” sliding miter saw]

I just got an XSL07 last month with the free stand.

 

Out of the box, I put a thicker 1/8" kerf 12" finish blade on my XSL07 and had to adjust the squareness.  The cuts are so smooth, it is unbelievable.  I also sold my corded DeWalt 12" sliding saw and the stand to someone local for $400!  After a few adjustments, I am able to make accurate cuts within 1/1000th of an inch.

 

There is also very little flex in the head.  Plus having multiple motor poles really does lower vibration (in a similar way to 3 phase motors are much smoother than single phase).  It has to be the top sliding miter box right now.  Plus I made money selling the DeWalt saw as I bought it during the recession and it came with a free stand too.

 

Can't say I'd pay retail for it unless I was using it to make a living, but Black Friday pricing and the free stand made for an outstanding deal.

 

 

[Presenting the Mechota (Makita + Echo) Power Head]

I was able to get a killer deal on a Makita power head on Black Friday ($99), but already owned a bunch of Echo PAS attachments.  So...  I hope everyone can please forgive me; at least it's not red and blue right!?!

 

In case anyone is wondering, the RPMs matched perfect, but no this is not a normal thing to do.  Required welding and shimming out Makita's shaft tube as the Echo clamp assembly is made for a bigger sized tube.

 

 

Works like a champ.  Best power head I've used and the smoothest my Echo PAS attachments have ever felt, and there are a lot of Echo PAS attachments too:  

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Pro-Attachment-Series

 

Did some edging and to my amazement, the blade never bogged down at all.  Highly impressed with the way it turned out.