FYI Makita Offer

[The Medway Handyman]

FYI Just got an e-mail from Screwfix with this offer;

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** MAKITA 18V COMBI DRILL ***

Was GBP 179.00* Now Only GBP 99.00 Save GBP 80.00

Key Features

- 2 Speed Variable & Reverse

- 16 Torque Settings

- 13mm Keyless Chuck

Includes 3 Batteries Worth GBP 59.99 Each, 1 hour Charger and Carry Case

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Excellent deal if you are in the market.

[Huge]

B*st*rds. (Them, not you!) I just bought a Hitachi one for much the same money.

[Harry Bloomfield]

The Medway Handyman explained :

In the specification panel lower down the page, it says 2 batteries.

[Andy Burns]

Also note they are the 1.3Ah NiCd not the 3.0Ah NiMH version

[Lobster]

I'm wondering how big a downer is that likely to be? (I appreciate the difference between NiMH and NiCd, and the lower capacity, but just how bad are 1.3Ah NiCds?). Is this why it's such an apparently good deal?

I've been promising myself a Makita combi drill for ages and this might finally be it...! Any other feedback by anyone on this model/offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks David

[Andy Hall]

With three of them it wouldn't be a particular issue other than needing to swap them through the charger a bit more.

[Lobster]

FWIW I've contacted Screwfix, and it's definitely 3 batteries.

David

[The Medway Handyman]

I have 3 12v x 1.3ah batteries for my drill driver & impact driver & 2 batteries for my 14.4v combi. The charger will fully charge a 12v in 30 mins or a 14.4v in 40 mins, so not really a problem as you say.

[Pete C]

Hi,

Anyone know what torque it's rated at?

Not much good if it's the same as my Argos =A320 special... ;)

cheers, Pete.

[Pete C]

Also how much guarantee?

cheers, Pete.

[The Medway Handyman]

Quoted as 42 nm on the Makita site - don't think anyone would be dissapointed with that sort of power.

[Pete C]

Mines supposed to go up to 60nm, somehow I think there's some exaggeration there!!!

Wickes do a nice cordless for a bit more, but it comes with an extra angled chuck:

May well be swiss made too.

cheers, Pete.

[The Medway Handyman]

I have a Wickes 14:4v combi which has given sterling service, very powerful but much heavier than the Makita. I also have a Wickes SDS which is an absolutely excellent piece of kit, so I have a lot of faith in them, been well used & stod up to some abuse - made by Kress AIUI.

Difficult choice; Makita with 3 x 1.3ah batts, Wickes with 2 x 2ah batts. I'm a big Makita fan (router, circ saw, jigsaw, impact driver, drill driver, combi driver) and it's a big brand name, but the Wickes has a 3 year warranty.

[The Medway Handyman]

Just had a thought, the Makita charger is 30 mins approx for 12v & 14.4v, wereas the Wickes is 1 hour.

Suppose the deciding factor is spares & repairs, Makita have a very good s&r support.

[Huge]

42 nanometers? isn't a bit ... small?

:o)

[The Medway Handyman]

Picky picky. Nm then.