Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
Been looking for a smaller compact driver to take on service calls. I’m looking at the 12v makita has anyone used it? Please let me know what u think about and any other of the compacts
Look at Metabo, Dewalt, Milwaukee and Bosch before going anywhere near Makita Pal.
If reused the Makita 10.8 but switched long ago. Compact tool, comfortable but with Milwaukee and Bosch the choice in tools and batteries making a choice a lot easier. I’ve never used Metabo but I have read and heard of the quality of the line, just not available in NH USA. I currently run Milwaukee M12 tools and Bosch and absolutely love them.
In that area I think Milwaukee has it bud because of the higher capacity batteries you can buy for them. 🙂
One other thing I have to clear up is over here the manufacturers have to be much more honest so a 10.8v can not be advertised as a 12v.
So for me the Metabo with its 4 ah batteries is the best of the bunch and I have the impact which I can say for real is as powerful as you will ever need for day to day pro work all day every day all year it has blasted in 3 inch wood screws, M10 bolts and tech screws and not missed a beat guys.
My pal’s Dewalt died in 2 days doing the same job.
And the Bosch died after a week.
Mine is still going a year later.
See Wayne, I wish they sold Metabo over here. I’ve never seen them at any of our stores, even Hitachi is tough to find outside of Lowes. I’d love to try one out.. Now that milwaukee will be offering the 4.0 battery, I am curious to see if there will be a power increase.
Milwaukee seem to be the north American Metabo. 🙂
If you’re looking to get into a 12V line you can’t go wrong with Milwaukee. Makita is really lacking in the 12V line and I would rank them behind both Dewalt and Bosch.
Ty every one I went out today an got a m12
Good for you!!!!!! Milwaukee!!! Ararararar. Power!
Makita makes nice 12v tools, but they really are not expanding or updating the line of tools. I wonder if they are going to relaunch eventualy with the converion to brushless down the road.
DR99 wrote:
Makita makes nice 12v tools, but they really are not expanding or updating the line of tools. I wonder if they are going to relaunch eventualy with the converion to brushless down the road.
I predicted that they would make a big 12V push this year. We’ll see I suppose.
I bet we will see TTI bring the european ryobi 12 volt tools which look like exact clones of the old m12 line. So even budget 12 volt tools are going to get better
That would be nice to see. Makita added that jig saw recently but they are taking their sweet time getting with the program. Their loss though!
Makita may be a sleeping giant. Look at what Milwaukee has pulled off over the last 2 or 3 years. They were way back in the pack after all the issues they had with their V series stuff. They sprang to life and now they have the best lineup on the market. Makita may just be biding their time waiting for a lot of the anticipated Fuel and 20V Max releases to settle down before they set the tool world on fire. Then again, maybe they’re just more worried about their racing team like Dan says. Maybe they’re reluctant to unveil a new line because of the economy? I don’t know what the answer is, but only time will tell.
Yeah that is true. You would think that expanding a line that is more budget friendly than their 18v lxt line for homeowners and contractors would be a sure thing. Dewalt finally jumped on the band wagon with their 12v line and it seems to be expanding rather quickly. The M12 line is such a diverse line for EVERYONE. I’ve got the multi tool and rotary that are incredible tools that even I a diy type get great use of. So only time will tell but even look to Bosch and their ever expanding line and you have to wonder why! Another question, will Ridgid get on the ball too? I know they have that multi head tool but some solid single use performers seem to be what is popular.
The I think the total mumber of M12 tools is 60 or more now. Although, they are probably counting older versions of the same tool. Rigid is a funny thing they are made by TTI so they have acess to the milwaukee tech, but home depot decides on what gets released so we end up not having much tool slection. The Makita Ltx line is the biggest 18 volt system out there at the moment. What probably stopped me from getting makita is the local HD’s don’t seem to stock much of the line here just a few of them a few cordless and corded tools Dewalt milwaukee rigid and ryobi have huge displays and endcaps. Poor lowes is stuck with the warmed over porter cable 20v tools that are just reskined dewalt 20v tools which the allready carry these exclusivity deals really suck.
I like Makita LXT tools but…just pick up an M18 impact (not even the brush less version). The tool is solid. The quality is there in both ,machines but the Milwaukee seems tougher. Metal chucks on the light weight drills, metal shrouds, four pole motors (Makita too) just seem better
Speaking of store brand power tools, it didn’t take Kobalt long to cool off. Haven’t heard anything about them for a while now.
With the kobalt line I think they are more concerned about price than features/tech its a diy/semi pro tool.
I have one question why do the tool companies still offer non hammer drill models? An example is the new m12 fuel drill line the diffrence in price is 10 bucks between the 2 tools if you got rid of the extra design manufacturing and stocking of another model you could offer the hammer drill at the same price as the non hammer drill version. Is there a reason not to buy the hammer drill version that im missing? I just don’t get it personaly as a way to save 10 bucks. I know some people don’t deal with masonary that often, but it could come in handy at a later date.
DR99 wrote:
With the kobalt line I think they are more concerned about price than features/tech its a diy/semi pro tool.
I have one question why do the tool companies still offer non hammer drill models? An example is the new m12 fuel drill line the diffrence in price is 10 bucks between the 2 tools if you got rid of the extra design manufacturing and stocking of another model you could offer the hammer drill at the same price as the non hammer drill version. Is there a reason not to buy the hammer drill version that im missing? I just don’t get it personaly as a way to save 10 bucks. I know some people don’t deal with masonary that often, but it could come in handy at a later date.
I personally wouldn’t buy a drill that didn’t have a hammer mode, but there are people out there that don’t need it and don’t like it. Most of the cite weight as an issue, but the minimal additional weight never bothered me any.
Yeah, I’m with Conductor in that. For instance the M12 Milwaukee Hammer and Drill driver do have a size difference and weight, not much but when you hold the two drills side by side the hammer is slightly longer. Personally, the size difference is so small I went with the hammer, the function is awesome and although I have an 18v hammer why not have a 12v too? However, my 12v is mostly for assemble work and using the Kreg jig so I could see why people might not want the hammer. I think in the end, having two options boils down to selling. They can mark the other tool for a minuscule amount and people think they are getting a deal.
Conductor562 wrote:
Speaking of store brand power tools, it didn’t take Kobalt long to cool off. Haven’t heard anything about them for a while now.
You know that is a good point too Conductor…my Lowes was really pushing the product and then they kind of took the end cap displays out and started marking the prices way down. I see PC, Dewalt, Hitachi and Bosch end cap displays but the Kobalt stuff is buried in the cordless tool aisle. I know TiA did a review of their drill compared to HD’s (I think Ridgid is way better) and the overall impression was good but the product push seemed to just peter out.
I expected a “pull out all the stops” type push, but that just wasn’t the case.
Nope. Its kind of like they just gave up. They had the tools come out as that big kit and then nothing!
I think lowes has given up on competing with Home Depot on tool sales at one home depot by me I have the choice of bosch, dewalt millwaukee, rigid, ryobi, black and decker, and makita, and corded and air porter cable tools. Lowes has porter cable, dewalt, kobalt, skill, bosch, rockwell black and decker and hitachi, Lowes carries more brands but they are diy oriented brands. And when you buy cordless tools its the battery platform that has the best tools and the best selection of tools to choose from
My HD has a VERY limited Bosch and Porter Cable offering. I wish they had more Bosch stuff.
HD here has NO Bosch or PC cordless. They have very limited AC versions.
It depends on which HD I go to the newer store has a whole area setup just for bosh with a spokesman there and tool demo’s. The space used to be for Hilti tools who bailed after the construction bust in metro detroit. The older store has just the bulldog sds drills and that’s about it. Both stores don’t carry any pc cordless tools and just a small number of corded
My HD never carried Hilti. The have the Bosch Bulldog, multi-tool, and a router. As for PC, they have a couple sanders, a hand planer, a plate joiner, and a grinder. Other than that it’s all Milwaukee, Makita, Ridgid, and Dewalt.
Conductor562 wrote:
My HD never carried Hilti. The have the Bosch Bulldog, multi-tool, and a router. As for PC, they have a couple sanders, a hand planer, a plate joiner, and a grinder. Other than that it’s all Milwaukee, Makita, Ridgid, and Dewalt.
Yea they carried the fien multi tool last holiday season. I get some things are regional, but it seems like lowes carries more of the same items in each store than home depot.
Mine has never carried Hilt I either. I can get Bosch hammer drills, routers and a planer. PC has a router and some accessories but that is it. Saws for both makes no. Cordless for both, no. And when the heck is the M12 Fuel line coming out!?!?!?
You can get the bare tools on HD’s webpage except the hammer drill
Yeah. Actually my HD is liquidating the Bosch bulldogs from stock. I’m not sure why but I saw them on the clearance table.
ChrisK wrote:
Yeah. Actually my HD is liquidating the Bosch bulldogs from stock. I’m not sure why but I saw them on the clearance table.
Bosch discontinued the old 7/8″ Bulldog I believe. That might have something to do with it.
That makes sense. But when the heck is the fuel coming out!!!!?
Conductor562 wrote:
Bosch discontinued the old 7/8″ Bulldog I believe. That might have something to do with it.
Yea my local HD has been trying to get rid of a display model of that model bulldog for over a year they are asking way too much for it though with all the wear it has.
ChrisK wrote:
That makes sense. But when the heck is the fuel coming out!!!!?
You should start seeing them on store shelves by next month.
Well…I’ll believe it when I see it! February 1st my lily white New England A$&!
ChrisK wrote:
Well…I’ll believe it when I see it! February 1st my lily white New England A$&!
LOL, they always hit the online stores before the brick & mortars. My HD was about a month behind Ohio Power Tool and CPO getting the M18 Fuel stuff on the shelves. That’s all I’m basing it on.
Oh I hear ya! So I just watched a video of the Makita LXPH03 on YouTube. The guy used three different sized masonry bits the last line looked like a huge bit. Really impressive! I have to try my Hitachi out using a similar test because the last bit looked like a 1/2″ bit and it actually did a good job. I’m sure my Hitachi will do better but I hate to admit it but the Makita really impressed!
The LHPH03 is Makita’s new drill and they claim 750 in/lbs of torque. I haven’t got to play with it yet, but I’d like to.
Yeah. They don’t have it at my HD yet and truthfully with my winning that Hitachi I cannot see buying it but I have to admit that 4 pole motor is spinning at 2000 rpms and putting out over 700″ lbs torque for a min brush less. Maybe Makita has removed their heads out of their hind quarters? At least till they get on the 12v bandwagon!
I’m still a little puzzled why Makita released the PH03 with a brushed motor.
A 4 pole motor is more powerful it has more torque than a brushless motor.
My Metabo has 850 lbs torque which is just a country mile ahead of the fuel and anything else out there.
My only argument with Metabo is how bloody hard it is to find somewhere that sells the very latest tools they make outside Germany.
I’ll not argue that, but I have to believe that if Milwaukee can get 750 in/lbs from a brushless, Makita could have at least came close. Advantages and disadvantages aside, brushless is the future and the PH03 would have been a bigger deal and generated a lot more buzz had it have been brushless.
makita do seem to be falling behind at the moment.
I am wondering the same as far as the brush less. The torque and speed is incredible and I won’t argue with you Wayne about the merits of the four pole motor and both Milwaukee and Makita tools in the 18v line are 4 pole. The thing is, and correct me if I’m wrong but clearly to me the benefit is the prolonged battery life from the brush less. So my question echoes Conductor in that why not brush less? Clearly Makita can put some power (more so than the Milwaukee non brush less) by they have the technology to do brush less. On top of that the light duty hammer they have is clearly the loser in pretty much EVERY power test. The one thing I felt that Makita has is the comfort and weight of the tools. MAKITA!!! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING??!!??!! EXPAND THE 12V LINE! GO BRUSHLESS!
Oh yeah! AND PUT FUEL GAUGES ON YOUR FREAKIN’ BATTERIES!!!!!!
Lets hope that Makita are reading and buck up they’re ideas and pull they’re socks up. 🙂