Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Makita). This thread is read-only.
I’ve been seriously debating on buying into makita, which doesn’t seem like a huge deal. But for someone like me, I’m ocd and only want one battery to lug around from job to job. I have a lot invested in Milwaukee, 12 batteries, almost every tool I use is cordless. But I just can’t stop admiring makita. I really want the td148 impact driver, circ Saw and jig saw. But is it worth the jump since eventually I would be replacing all my red??… Or am I just crazy
you’re crazy. the fuel circ saw is just as good, if not better (IMO). the td148 is awesome, but fuel rev 2 is very close. Not sure what difference is between the jigsaws. In many other categories, Red is better.
Unless there are several tools in makita you can’t get in Milwaukee, you’d be crazy to switch. For me, they are the best 2 of the main brands.
Do it. You know you want to.
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dwain wrote:
you’re crazy. the fuel circ saw is just as good, if not better (IMO). the td148 is awesome, but fuel rev 2 is very close. Not sure what difference is between the jigsaws. In many other categories, Red is better.
Unless there are several tools in makita you can’t get in Milwaukee, you’d be crazy to switch. For me, they are the best 2 of the main brands.
Other than what I mentioned I’d like to get the cut out tool and drywall gun. I think the big things I’d miss from Milwaukee would be The fuel sawzall and all the lighting options.
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M80 wrote:
Do it. You know you want to.
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Haha miss makita is definitely a deciding factor!
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Makitas are nice man, personally I use red and yellow but if the Makita will work for you to for it, it’s not like your switching to something that’s going to let you down. If your anything like me when you get something stuck in your head you want, it’ll drive you crazy until you get it. Thing I like about Makita is their 2x18v line they have. It’s a great idea and I think we’ll see some cool stuff in the future.
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DarynH wrote:
Haha miss makita is definitely a deciding factor!
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she’s not real she won’t be there holding your….uh…hmm…flashlight!
DarynH wrote:
Haha miss makita is definitely a deciding factor!
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Yes, but miss Milwaukee knows her way around the job site and looks ready to work 😀
comp56 wrote:
she’s not real she won’t be there holding your….uh…hmm…flashlight!
Wait, what….i thought she came home with every new kit bought. [emoji22]
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jbw55 wrote:
Yes, but miss Milwaukee knows her way around the job site and looks ready to work 😀
milwaukeegirl.jpg
Where is she at the product demos??
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DarynH wrote:
Where is she at the product demos??
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This is milwaukee saying thanks for the support and to use her for as long as you like…..LOL
jbw55 wrote:
Yes, but miss Milwaukee knows her way around the job site and looks ready to work 😀
milwaukeegirl.jpg
I only want her if she’s brushless.
Jimbo
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DarynH wrote:
Other than what I mentioned I’d like to get the cut out tool and drywall gun.
Ahh those tools are a bit more specialty, and not likely on Milwaukee’s radar I suspect. Dewalt 20V has those though, and brushless too.
If you’re going to switch, I’d at least wait until the batteries have status gauges on them, as that will feel like a downgrade from Milwaukee’s 4 bars…
1 battery platform can’t have all you want unfortunatly. 🙂
2 battery platforms will give you access to pretty much everything 🙂
That’s reality 😀
Makita is an amazing brand there tools arr great i run makita but my framing crew i work for runs milwaukee for cordless and il say that milwaukee is great and if ypur that invested in milwaukee i wouldnt change but at the same time il give makita a few one ups on milwaukee and one of the big points is chargeing times i mean milwaukee seems like it take forever to charge there batterys compared to makita and on a job site were your running all cordless tools its a big deal and i never really looked at that point until i got with a crew that runs cordless tools because it really is annoying wen all ypur batterys are down and you gotta wait and in my mind running 2 platforms isnt a big deal or a bad thing variety is good and milwaukee and makita are on top for powertools
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Just throw away that awfull team red. Don’t waste your time with cheap tools and bad design. Forget the bad memories and struggles, and step into the blue heaven.
Okay, just kidding, OFC! 😛
I have a hard time to see that it is worth changing all that. Even though, I’d say Makita would be the better choice sometimes, I’d rather let them compliment each other. As others have said.
Make that “OCD” work for you. Like, for example, have a mix of red and blue colors, like a beautifull painting. Yupp, it’s as close as I get to art. 😛
I am team Hilti.
BUT…
I was all Makita at one point. I was seduced by Big Red and switched. Over time, the shiny and new wore off and I was left with tools that weren’t as good as the marketing would have you believe. Milwaukee is great at marketing. They are decent at tools.
Milwaukee is all about hype.
How good are their tools? They cost the same as everyone else, yet they spend 10x more on marketing and hype. Every other day they are giving away batteries and tools. How cheap are they? How much mark up does Milwaukee actually have?
Makita would be the brand I would go back to, I doubt I would buy another M18 anything. Makita was a great reputation and their tools stand up. In my opinion, between the 3 brands in this price range, Makita is the superior all around tool brand.
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That made me laugh, Jimbo!jimboslice wrote:
I only want her if she’s brushless.
Jimbo
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I think you want to take a look at what tools you really want / will be using and then whether Milwaukee or Makita’s lineup better addresses your needs. I am with Dwain in that Milwaukee’s impact and circular saw seem to compare favorably with Makita’s, but I don’t think Milwaukee has anything in the league of the Makita’s brushless jigsaw, nor do they have a comparable cordless drywall screw gun or cut out tool.
That being said, I personally am most heavily invested in the Makita 18v (and to a smaller extent the Dewalt), but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have the occasional bout of big red envy.
Wait, what? Isn’t the makita circular saw pretty superior to milwaukee? Thought it got loads more power and runtime (perhaps not when 9 Ah batteries comes). Since it takes two 18V batteries.
It can even cut 2 inch timber at 45 degrees with ease. 😀
From all the makitas I have, that one must be one of my favorites.
I was assuming they were talking about the Makita brushless 6-1/2″ saw and not the 7-1/4″ 18v X 2 saw.Andrull wrote:
Wait, what? Isn’t the makita circular saw pretty superior to milwaukee? Thought it got loads more power and runtime (perhaps not when 9 Ah batteries comes). Since it takes two 18V batteries.
It can even cut 2 inch timber at 45 degrees with ease. 😀
From all the makitas I have, that one must be one of my favorites.
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Trying to stick with one brand when you have half a dozen tools and as many batteries makes sense. With a dozen batteries and probably as many tools though, an extra charger and one or two batteries are worth opening up another line of tools. You will be disappointed if you switch everything to Makita, just as you would be switching the other direction.
Probably. But why not compare the best vs the best? 😀 The 18+18v is probably makitas biggest strength (in my eyes anyway). At least until the others follow the same route. Some tools just really benefit with more power, and doesn’t have big problems with 500 gram extra.kruton wrote:
I was assuming they were talking about the Makita brushless 6-1/2″ saw and not the 7-1/4″ 18v X 2 saw.
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I was assuming the same thing, Kruton. Which is kinda funny because I even own the X2 circ saw.kruton wrote:
I was assuming they were talking about the Makita brushless 6-1/2″ saw and not the 7-1/4″ 18v X 2 saw.
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True, I guess just an apples to apples thing. Either way it was all I could do not to buy the 18v X2 makita saw! I have the brushless makita saw and a Bosch 18v saw on the way so I really don’t need 3 cordless circular saws but if they clearance it any lower I may not be able to keep myself from buying it.Andrull wrote:
Probably. But why not compare the best vs the best? 😀 The 18+18v is probably makitas biggest strength (in my eyes anyway). At least until the others follow the same route. Some tools just really benefit with more power, and doesn’t have big problems with 500 gram extra.
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I know you had been looking at the Makita X2 before. What is it down to in your local HD?kruton wrote:
True, I guess just an apples to apples thing. Either way it was all I could do not to buy the 18v X2 makita saw! I have the brushless makita saw and a Bosch 18v saw on the way so I really don’t need 3 cordless circular saws but if they clearance it any lower I may not be able to keep myself from buying it.
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Still at $148. I guess that’s better than the 199 they have it for new, but I would have thought it would have dropped by now. I need to read more about the HD clearance practices to see if I can find out when it will drop again.Illini wrote:
I know you had been looking at the Makita X2 before. What is it down to in your local HD?
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Is it $148.06? If so, the next drop should be to somewhere around $49 – $58. I say that because if the price ends in .06, that is usually 25% off regular price. After that it drops to 75% off regular price, which would end in .03. I can’t tell you for sure what the next up would be, because the regular price on that saw used to be $229, but I think it is now just $199.kruton wrote:
Still at $148. I guess that’s better than the 199 they have it for new, but I would have thought it would have dropped by now. I need to read more about the HD clearance practices to see if I can find out when it will drop again.
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I’ll have to look the next time I go. Went today but forgot to check the clearance rack. If it hits 49 to 58 it will be in my toolbox!
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I think they are comparing Makita 18v BL saw to the fuel. Those are quite similar.
The Makita 18+18v is in another class of power and runtime as many reviewers have already proven in comparison video’s 🙂
Hehe, yupp. 😀 Pretty slick. Yeah, comparing apples to apples, I agree, it probablu ain’t in the same clas and not comparable.
But since we are comparing lineup on different brands, I would say it is just fair to put it in the mix. 🙂
Definitely worth adding to the mix that’s for sure. The dual 18v is a pretty cool idea really.Andrull wrote:
Hehe, yupp. 😀 Pretty slick. Yeah, comparing apples to apples, I agree, it probablu ain’t in the same clas and not comparable.
But since we are comparing lineup on different brands, I would say it is just fair to put it in the mix. 🙂
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kruton wrote:
Definitely worth adding to the mix that’s for sure. The dual 18v is a pretty cool idea really.
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For those tools alone I would invest in makita.
Jimbo
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In my eye the 6 1/2 is better its brushless has as much if not more power the any other circ saw it can keep up to a worm drive its one of makita flags ships for sure more so then the 2x 18v circ saw plus the 2x 18v circ saw is a sidewinder and the 6 1/2 is blade left soo in my eye so much better and makita hammer drill driver and the TD148 impact are pretty much un matched by any other hammer drill driver or impact on the market makita is definitely top dogAndrull wrote:
Probably. But why not compare the best vs the best? 😀 The 18+18v is probably makitas biggest strength (in my eyes anyway). At least until the others follow the same route. Some tools just really benefit with more power, and doesn’t have big problems with 500 gram extra.
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I let my brother borrow my brushless 6-1/2 saw this weekend for a project and he couldn’t believe how much power it had for cordless. He may venture away from all of his Dewalt now!torontotoolman wrote:
In my eye the 6 1/2 is better its brushless has as much if not more power the any other circ saw it can keep up to a worm drive its one of makita flags ships for sure more so then the 2x 18v circ saw plus the 2x 18v circ saw is a sidewinder and the 6 1/2 is blade left soo in my eye so much better and makita hammer drill driver and the TD148 impact are pretty much un matched by any other hammer drill driver or impact on the market makita is definitely top dog
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That brushless saw looks pretty sweet Kruton. I don’t think I’ll let my 20v Dewalt go, it’s a great little saw and dropping the coin on the Makita isn’t in the stars……….yet 😉
Now that I have a Bosch cordless 6-1/2 saw he is lobbying to get my Makita!
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torontotoolman wrote:
makita is definitely top dog
not only is that debatable, but its very dependent on what tools are most important to each particular person and/or trade.
I made this spreadsheet a while back to help people determine (by the numbers) which platform is best suited to you 🙂
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/power-tool-forum/index.php?/topic/6700-which-18v-brandplatform-is-best-you-for-try-this-calculator/
Everything is up for debate and i also said thru out that statement that its “in my eyes” but at the same time makita has a lot of one ups on milwaukee and milwaukee has yet to surpass makitas impact and makitas hammer drill driver plus makitas charge times are better and makita circ saw and milwaukees circ saw are so close but makita is smoother and they dont have the gaurd issue that milwaukee has plus a lot of people say makita is more powerful and i know you dont think that but thats you so end of the day yes its all up for debate and everybodys got there own opinion on whats whats and im.not knocking milwaukee because i do run milwaukee at work because thats what my.boss runs but “in my opinion” I think makita is top dog.dwain wrote:
not only is that debatable, but its very dependent on what tools are most important to each particular person and/or trade.
I made this spreadsheet a while back to help people determine (by the numbers) which platform is best suited to you 🙂
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/power-tool-forum/index.php?/topic/6700-which-18v-brandplatform-is-best-you-for-try-this-calculator/
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of course, i was just debating also. but you were picking out only Makita’s strengths whilst not mentioning their weaknesses 🙂
for instance if someone uses a cordless recip saw all day, they would do well to avoid Makita, and probably should go Milwaukee. Whereas if a grinder is your most important, then Makita, Milwaukee or Metabo would all be worth a good look.
Yes I think the FUEL 6.5″ is a touch better than Makita’s, but they’re both amazing. Its not what I would base my platform choice on.
Yes you are right.makita and cordless sawzalls =craptastic and the milwaukee fuel is forsure undoubtedly top dog and i am not a person who sticks to one battery platform and the fuel sawzall is in my sites lol and i think for there fuel.gen 2 sawzall they should add the 360 feature but we will see if makita will come out with a contender on the 18v sawzall market lol and to be honest yes i was focusing on there strenghs but makitas only weak points (tools) i would say is there recip saw and maybe there cordless impact wrench i know milwaukee crushes them on those 2 tools but i cant really think about any other weak points oh.and maybe fuel gauges but they fixed that.nowdwain wrote:
of course, i was just debating also. but you were picking out only Makita’s strengths whilst not mentioning their weaknesses 🙂
for instance if someone uses a cordless recip saw all day, they would do well to avoid Makita, and probably should go Milwaukee. Whereas if a grinder is your most important, then Makita, Milwaukee or Metabo would all be worth a good look.
Yes I think the FUEL 6.5″ is a touch better than Makita’s, but they’re both amazing. Its not what I would base my platform choice on.
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torontotoolman wrote:
Yes you are right.makita and cordless sawzalls =craptastic and the milwaukee fuel is forsure undoubtedly top dog and i am not a person who sticks to one battery platform and the fuel sawzall is in my sites lol and i think for there fuel.gen 2 sawzall they should add the 360 feature but we will see if makita will come out with a contender on the 18v sawzall market lol and to be honest yes i was focusing on there strenghs but makitas only weak points (tools) i would say is there recip saw and maybe there cordless impact wrench i know milwaukee crushes them on those 2 tools but i cant really think about any other weak points oh.and maybe fuel gauges but they fixed that.nowSent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk[/quote
I think another thing Milwaukee beats makita on is durability and warranty. That’s a big reason why I chose Milwaukee. Their service centers are unbeatable. They sent me a brand new impact driver and two free 4.0 batteries when I broke my impact. ( and don’t mention it them but it broke while I had it apart for the sake of taking it apart) 5 years on tool and the on battery is amazing. They must have some type faith in their product to do that.
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Warranty is not about ‘having faith in your tool’ .
Lets be realistic here. Shouting around your 5 year warranty is a marketing concept first and foremost.
The Margins are big enough for compagnies to pay up whatever few problems arise on those tools that actually need warranty.
Marketing is the best thing Milwaukee has.( not that they dont have good tools. They have a few excellent ones in fact ) Creating hype is milwaukees game
And as long as we can all agree Makita cordless recip sucks !
Which is funny because their corded one can give a sawzall a run for its money 🙂
kornomaniac wrote:
Warranty is not about ‘having faith in your tool’ .
Lets be realistic here. Shouting around your 5 year warranty is a marketing concept first and foremost.
The Margins are big enough for compagnies to pay up whatever few problems arise on those tools that actually need warranty.
Marketing is the best thing Milwaukee has.( not that they dont have good tools. They have a few excellent ones in fact ) Creating hype is milwaukees game
If warranties are a marketing hype, why can’t all companies offer something as good. Makita just now upped their battery warranty. Just because Milwaukee has better marketing has no weight on the tool quality. They simply market better. You may see it another way but I don’t. To me it shows faith in product. The fact that makita only offers a three year on tools seems to show less faith in life span. IMO both are great tools,
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Oh ya the corded avt is amazing i know a few framers who made the switch from.super sawzall to makitas avt and havnt looked backkornomaniac wrote:
And as long as we can all agree Makita cordless recip sucks !
Which is funny because their corded one can give a sawzall a run for its money 🙂
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Thats good for you DarynH.
DarynH wrote:
Just because Milwaukee has better marketing has no weight on the tool quality. They simply market better. You may see it another way but I don’t. To me it shows faith in product. The fact that makita only offers a three year on tools seems to show less faith in life span.
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I would challenge that statement.
How can a company afford to spend as much as Milwaukee does on marketing? They give away batteries and bare tools like it’s going out of style. There are new promotions every week. How good do you think the tools actually are? Are they really built to last? Guys buy Milwaukee and upgrade well before the tool is at end of life. Gotta have the newest and greatest! Giving a 5 year warranty doesn’t mean jack schitt when the warranty doesn’t cover normal use.(read the fine print about wear and tear). That is marketing bullschitt.
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HiltiWpg wrote:
I would challenge that statement.
How can a company afford to spend as much as Milwaukee does on marketing? They give away batteries and bare tools like it’s going out of style. There are new promotions every week. How good do you think the tools actually are? Are they really built to last? Guys buy Milwaukee and upgrade well before the tool is at end of life. Gotta have the newest and greatest! Giving a 5 year warranty doesn’t mean jack schitt when the warranty doesn’t cover normal use.(read the fine print about wear and tear). That is marketing bullschitt.
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I guess we’ll agree to disagree, half of my tools are nearing their 5 year mark. That alone has shown me what they’re made of. They get used 7 days a week and used hard. They might not be a hilti or metabo but I would put their durability up against makita or dewalt all day.
HiltiWpg wrote:
I would challenge that statement.
How can a company afford to spend as much as Milwaukee does on marketing? They give away batteries and bare tools like it’s going out of style. There are new promotions every week. How good do you think the tools actually are? Are they really built to last? Guys buy Milwaukee and upgrade well before the tool is at end of life. Gotta have the newest and greatest! Giving a 5 year warranty doesn’t mean jack schitt when the warranty doesn’t cover normal use.(read the fine print about wear and tear). That is marketing bullschitt.
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Except Hilti no tool company covers wear and tear. That said Milwaukee is pretty generous on their warranty. The only thing they might deny a warranty claim on is abuse. Hilti is a different story for the most part is end users are not buying their tools most of the time. The people that buy Hilti are corporations because that’s what Hilti markets itself as. If you look at the tools Hilti offers its all about commercial construction not even residential for the most part except maybe multifamily. The only thing everyone seems to buy is concrete tools from Hilti for good reason they probably make the best ones.