danielicrazy Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I made an account just to rant and maybe get some positive news to my viewpoint. Over time i've been investing in the makita 18v line. Got a hammer/drill, impact, the 2x circular saw and a few plug in tools including the 10 dual slide miter saw Although makita has been serving me well enough, i took a chance by getting some extra 3amp/hr batteries I got on a deal on, in the hopes of picking up the newer brushless tools to come. Namely the brushless reciprocating for starters. But I'm consistently surprised at how often makita seems to fall short of really making a leading tool. Just finished an article comparing cordless trimmers. Makita's trimmer falls quite at the bottom. the 18v fuel circular saw offers is beaten by only a hair in performance to the 2x makita circular saw. (that's 1 battery doing the same as 2 makitas) the rotary hammer, again x2 and still just doesn't shine (which btw outperforms the newer 18v brushless rotary hammer) Milwaukee beats it again with just 1 battery. Frankly i didn't switch to red because sure, blue is a bit cheaper and for my needs its still getting the job done, but why should I keep spending comparatively similar on makita tools that I think don't reach the potential they should be. I've been eyeing the autofeed screwdriver too, but bosch came out with something that just performs better and is lighter. There's already a few tools I returned because I couldn't justify the price for the performance. I got my batteries. Now Makita, just make some brushless tools that rock and don't "just get by". thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 it is all well and fine you have issues with Makita, but why the link to another tool website on your first post...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielicrazy Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 it was just an example of a comparison test. I didn't feel like linking all the different tests and comparison videos and articles i've watched. (it's a hobby) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 granted I understand, you can do the same thing by just explaining it with no links red flags for me to be directed from here to somewhere else regardless the content from someone with 1 post. I understood you are not happy with Makita didn't need proof.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 The link isn't showing up did the OP remove it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 1 minute ago, ChrisK said: The link isn't showing up did the OP remove it? looks to be gone now.......yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Also, welcome to the forum Dan. No problem putting a link up though. When we see links pop up with new members there is nothing wrong with that, just makes people a little nervous. In response to your Makita woes..... I have three Makita tools: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 The 18v sander.... http://makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=LXOB01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 The 18v pinner.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 And I lied.....its four tools..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Thanks Comp. In a nutshell Dan, I've been called a bit of a snob and I've got investments across the board and I too am waiting patiently for the brushless recip but I actually like the Makita tools I have. But....try Bosch out! Give big red a shot! Go yellow! The biggest problem with this site I've seen is my wallet is consistently empty and my shop has more colors than the rainbow. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rikheem Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 i think the dtd148 impact is a winner... can't believe someone could beat it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielicrazy Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Yeah i deleted the link. Completely understand. Glad to see the quick replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmcmillan Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 The problem here is you're judging Makita on their flops when they put out a ton of random tools in addition to their good ones. I'd say they stack up about even with other brands if you ignore all of their junk tools. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Welcome to the forum. So I am not trying to be harsh, but don't worry about having the top dog tool on the market, does the tool work for you? Okay the FUEL saw can cut 40 more feet, but what does that really matter? Yea the Makita has had some shortcomings and falls flat on a couple things but what tool company hasn't? As tool guys, we all get hung up on having the biggest and baddest tool, and out of everyone here I'm sure I am the most guilty of them all, cough cough. So I would look at your tools and your needs, if your getting the job done at the end of the day, thats all that matters no matter the tool or the color. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skill Builder Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 The most telling thing about that Sawzall is the low vibration. If you get hold of that saw and another recip from some other manufacturer. Hang one down off each hand arms down by your side and fire them up, then get someone to place a hand on each of your shoulder blades. It is amazing to feel how much vibration runs up each arm. With a blindfold test you would know immediately which has the lowest vibration by a big margin. Oh sorry I have just seen the video is about cordless chain saws. Doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lens421 Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Dumped my entire 18V Makita collection on eBay when 2nd battery died and I discovered the the newer higher capacity batteries were (for inexplicable reasons) not compatible with my older tools. You have to be a tax accountant to figure out what Makita batteries work with what tools. No such BS with Milwaukee so I switched to their 12V stuff which works at least as well as my 18V Makita tools did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 ^^ this is the biggest mistake (along with the previous 3ah battery failures) made by Makita in recent times. I helped a mate get rid of all the Makita tools that were not compatible with newer HC batteries (which we were the weaker offerings anyway). He's kept the best Makita tools, and supplemented with Milwaukee FUEL tools (grinder, circ and recip). Best of both worlds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmcmillan Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 1 hour ago, dwain said: ^^ this is the biggest mistake (along with the previous 3ah battery failures) made by Makita in recent times. Agreed. The upside is that cutting off the blocking tab makes everything compatible though. You just have to be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 yep, and void your warranty though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmcmillan Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 1 minute ago, dwain said: yep, and void your warranty though. I think most incompatible tools are out of warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 probably true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmz2084 Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 Don't forget that although Makita has had some compatibility issues they haven't abandoned an entire 18v li ion system like Milwaukee, Dewalt and Hitachi have in the past. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kornomaniac Posted April 26, 2016 Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 On 4/25/2016 at 4:54 PM, danielicrazy said: I made an account just to rant and maybe get some positive news to my viewpoint. Over time i've been investing in the makita 18v line. Got a hammer/drill, impact, the 2x circular saw and a few plug in tools including the 10 dual slide miter saw Although makita has been serving me well enough, i took a chance by getting some extra 3amp/hr batteries I got on a deal on, in the hopes of picking up the newer brushless tools to come. Namely the brushless reciprocating for starters. But I'm consistently surprised at how often makita seems to fall short of really making a leading tool. Just finished an article comparing cordless trimmers. Makita's trimmer falls quite at the bottom. the 18v fuel circular saw offers is beaten by only a hair in performance to the 2x makita circular saw. (that's 1 battery doing the same as 2 makitas) the rotary hammer, again x2 and still just doesn't shine (which btw outperforms the newer 18v brushless rotary hammer) Milwaukee beats it again with just 1 battery. Frankly i didn't switch to red because sure, blue is a bit cheaper and for my needs its still getting the job done, but why should I keep spending comparatively similar on makita tools that I think don't reach the potential they should be. I've been eyeing the autofeed screwdriver too, but bosch came out with something that just performs better and is lighter. There's already a few tools I returned because I couldn't justify the price for the performance. I got my batteries. Now Makita, just make some brushless tools that rock and don't "just get by". thoughts? Hmmm.... Yesterday a cordless trimmer shootout appeared on a tool review site ( arent we allowed to link to other tool sites ? ) and out of 15 tested Models the Makita was placed in spot 3. Higher then the dewalt/stihl Models. Only having to let the Husqvarna and ego go before it. What trimmer did you buy? Makita has 3 different types of cordless trimmers in their range. Perhaps you bought the cheaper home owner types expecting too much of it ? Seeing as their pro grade trimmer gets better points then the stihl cordless trimmer I'd say that's probably a great model. The x2 model circ saw has more power/speed and about 50% more runtime then the fuel. On 2 batteries of course. If having 2 batteries is your problem, then you have bought the wrong model. Makita has a brushless single battery circ saw available that performs exactly the same as the fuel. For some reviewers the Makita has a slight edge. Sometimes the fuel has a slight edge. All in all completely comparable models. The rotary hammer is not up to modern standards. That's true. But its not miles behind either. Certainly not enough to warrant a switch. You can't expect every type of tool to be top notch from 1 brand. You're asking for Makita to bring out some top end brushless models that rock... All the following models are up there on the number 1 or 2 spot or sharing the number 1 spot with some other brand: Hammer drill, impact driver. Circ saw, metal cutting circ saw, grinder, jigsaw, compact impact wrench, heavy impact wrench, the pro grade trimmer, blower, brush cutter. The only tools in my opinion where they get their ass kicked are rotary hammers and recip saws. And in a few months I'm rather confident the upcoming brushless recip will be best in class. I think you just have purchased not the best tools Makita has to offer and basing your opinion on your experience with those tools. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted April 27, 2016 Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 the only caveat to the above is that to get the class leading Makita tools you need to buy the more expensive BL tools, but that is also true of other brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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