NERemodeling Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 nice review, I am considering makita when i jump into a line of tools.Jonesna8, I have owned makita lxt 18v tools for the last 7 or so years, I use them professionally every day and don't baby them yet all of my original tools are still working. The quality it top notch.over the years my collection has grown to over 20 tools and lights/radios and now 15 batteries. I have also never experienced any issues with the batteries (never lost one before many years of hard use which can be expected)Ironically, 6 months ago I may not have recommended Makita due only to the fact that they really weren't releasing new tools to update some of their aging models.. That has all changed now.Makita is back at it, completely revamping a solid chunk of their line and dominating!! If and when you pull the trigger on cordless tools, you won't be disappointed with Makita!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman_us Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Oh NER i thought you are a festool snob And now you reveal that information haha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesna8 Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Jonesna8, I have owned makita lxt 18v tools for the last 7 or so years, I use them professionally every day and don't baby them yet all of my original tools are still working. The quality it top notch.over the years my collection has grown to over 20 tools and lights/radios and now 15 batteries. I have also never experienced any issues with the batteries (never lost one before many years of hard use which can be expected)Ironically, 6 months ago I may not have recommended Makita due only to the fact that they really weren't releasing new tools to update some of their aging models.. That has all changed now.Makita is back at it, completely revamping a solid chunk of their line and dominating!!If and when you pull the trigger on cordless tools, you won't be disappointed with Makita!! My dad went from older DeWalt nicad tools to makita drill and impact set a couple years ago. I hadnt used alot of makita tools other than my dads miter box. I borrowed his impact and drill to help my brother in law build his deck and i was really impressed. Then last year when i was working at the Milwaukee Brewers, we hosted Spartan Race and we used makitas to built all the obstacles they fell off a wall from about 10 feet onto concrete, it was raining all day and a few times they got very wet including laying in puddles, I was really impressed after that day. That and now my brother in law, dad and a friend of my dad has the makita drill and impact 18v sets so itd be nice just to have the same platform as them when helping each other out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesna8 Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I will say that I bought Dewalts 20v line for my tools at work and am impressed as well, its between dewalt and makita when i jump into li ion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 U gotta tough decision there jones there both great plat forms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted November 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I think it's super tough to choose a platform these days, with Bosch and Milwaukee also making cracking tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 I am dating myself a bit here but when I was working in the fab shop we had at least 20 or so 4-1/2 grinders and a dozen or so 7" grinders all Makita.......we also had about 15 or so Milwaukee grinders.........truth be told both had their problems but these things were used to the max day in and day out........ya got to realize some of these grinders were going around the clock, life for a grinder was low regardless brand anyway long story short........I decided to go with Milwaukee line of tools for my personal home use not because they were COMPLETELY better but because besides holding up a bit more the service was 3 to 1 ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Oh NER i thought you are a festool snob And now you reveal that information hahaHAHA. I sure do like my Festool but I haven't gotten into any of their cordless tools.. they really don't have a big selection of tools in their lineup, I don't think their offerings are any better than what makita or others have and I really don't like that their quick change chucks use a proprietary bit called "centrotec" rather than just the standard 1/4" bit.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Does anyone know what the 5" model number is here in the U.S.? (that is if it has been released here) I can only find the 4-1/2" version (XAG03) for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Does anyone know what the 5" model number is here in the U.S.? (that is if it has been released here) I can only find the 4-1/2" version (XAG03) for sale.No 5" in the US at this time. I have no clue if there is actually any differences in the motor between the European 5" model and the US 4.5" my guess is no.. both diameter wheels have the same size arbor, correct? Just throw a 5" on the XAG03. If your concerned with using the guards, I'll try to remember to measure them tomorrow and let you know if they will fit a 5" disc. FYI I'm pretty sure the larger disc you use the less powerful the unit will appear (something like that) you may want to consider sticking with the 4.5" disc for the performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 The guards are just under 5" inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Posted this in another spot too but thought I'd post it here tooI did a super quick, by no means detailed or accurate test but the results are very clear.My old Makita BGA452 vs my new XAG032 fresh off the charger batteries2 minutes on the clock1 3/8 galvanized pipe about 3/32 wall thicknessthe BGA452 made 5 cuts (I tried to push it as hard as I could without stalling, did stall once) 2/3 bars of battery remaining after the 2 minutesthe XAG03 made 8 cuts and never even came close to stalling 3/3 bars of battery remaining after the 2 minutes60% faster!!Again this was a very crude test but I was stoked by the results and thought I'd share Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted November 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 yep these tools are not even close really. the flap disc test shows their power difference even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERemodeling Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Put the new grinder to work last night for the first time.. cutting steel supports for under some counter tops at a school I do occasional work at.It was dark, no outside power that I knew of and definitely no cutting inside, perfect job for a cordless! To top it off there was a nice light rain (put the XPT to use)Both ends of 2 pieces of 2"x1"x1/8" chanel had to be squared and notched to fit existing legs and braces. Also bevel all cuts with a grinding wheel.The grinder never struggled and one 3ah battery was plenty---picture removed--- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 NICE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted December 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman_us Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 and no safety guard - hope you wear good gloves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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