Miffed with Makita (Long Rant)

[The Medway Handyman]

Regular readers will know that I build a few decks - 10 so far this year, the last one being a massive 34 sq mtrs.

The real PITA is screwing down the deck boards, over 1,200 on that last deck - so in May I spent the best part of £200 on a Makita 6844 autofeed screwdriver. All the dealer blurbs claim it's ideal for decking.

Screwfix sell collated decking screws & an e-mail confirmed they should be suitable for the Makita. Only problem, they are Pozidrive & the Makita comes with Phillips head bits. I get onto the Makita web site to look up the part number for the Pozi bits & order a pack of 10 from a dealer - except they don't fit the machine.

Makita admit they have the wrong part number on the web site & send me a pack of 3 bits.

First deck, the machine is a fecking disaster, unable to drive more that 10 or so screws without jamming to the point of needing pliers to sort it. Several calls to Makita service, a few adjustments and its a little better for a while.

Four boxes of Screwfix collated decking screws later and I'm getting a little hysterical about it. Its taking more times to clear jams than I'm saving. SF must be the largest screw supplier on the planet, can they be wrong?

More calls to Makita who offer to check it out if I send it back. Costs me £10 to return it.

Very impressed with the service, returned within 2 working days with a complete new front end at no charge.

A note attached says "We cannot guarantee that other manufacturers screws will work in Makita machines. Please ensure Makita screws are used to prevent failure".

I didn't even know that Makita supplied collated screws. When I check it out they supply Drywall screws or stainless steel screws to a maximum length of 55mm - not really long enough.

Further e-mails to Makita elicits the reply that I have to use their stainless screws - which cost 110% more than the SF decking screws. I ask Makita if their screws will drive in 15mm from the end of a board without splitting, like a decking screw will - no reply so far.

So it looks like I'm bolloxed. £200 worth of machine that doesn't fecking work, £24 worth of incorrect bits, £112 worth of collated screws, most of which ended up being put in with an impact driver, £10 to send the fecking thing back & countless hours of lost labour. Makita blame the screws, Screwfix blame the machine - I'm piggy in the middle.

You would think that these allegedly professional companies would get their act together and make sure they got these things right.

Mutter, mutter.

[dom]

It sounds like the bottom line is that it's really only ideal for the much lighter task of plasterboard.

No amount of goodwill and dealer service will fix the problem, if the tool has been incorrectly marketed for something it's not really up to.

In your position, I might well push for a refund - which ultimately will cost Makita less than the lost sales this discussion will generate.

Have you considered a gas-nailer/Paslode?

I got mine (an IM350) for floorboards (soft nailer tip, 63mm ring galv nails, results were excellent) - but I'm now finding the paslode gets used as much with 90mm nails for framing.

I know both harder galvanised nails and a stainless steel nails are also available, but haven't tried them - my use has been all indoors.

Oooh - in fact - Makita have just launched a clone of the Paslode IM350 (as Paslode's patent has just expired) - why not press Mak for a straight swap?

see:

[Rod]

I don't suppose you got the Mak from Screwfix? It might at least be possible to try dumping the whole problem on them.

If not, I would certainly try discussing with SF - especially if you have an email that categorically says their screws are OK. I can understand Mak being a bit 'use ours or else' - annoying and expensive though it is - for they can't be expected to maintain a list of suitable screws on the market.

If nothing else, perhaps SF would take back any unopened packs?

Is there a standard (BS, DIN, something else) for collated screws? Could you identify which product isn't conformant?

It's not good though. I would have hoped the tool would have quite a bit of tolerance.

[John Rumm]

I take it the problem did not exist to start with, so what screws were you using at first?

Might it be worth talking to a fixings specialist? IIRC the recently departed Mr. Hall used to rate

as very good on sourcing unusual fixings requirements,,,

[The Medway Handyman]

Most of the dealers advertise it as perfect for decking. The thing works with up to 75mm screws apparently, can't see any other use. Makita make an extension handle specifically for use on floors.

I have, but I'm against it for 2 reasons. I reckon screws are a better fix & they are removeable if necessary. Also, my mate runs a hire shop & he won't hire them out anymore because he says they are completely unreliable - he does do loads of repairs though.

[The Medway Handyman]

Alas no, wish I had.

Had to use them with impact drivers to finish the jobs off.

I'll have a look.

So would I :-(

[The Medway Handyman]

It did, but I assumed it was either me not using it properly of just teething troubles. It wasn't as bad at first, seemed to get progressively worse.

I'll check them out, thanks.

[John Rumm]

So what is it like now they have replaced the nose?

[The Medway Handyman]

Only got it back 2 days ago, no chance to try it yet.

[John Rumm]

So it might be its going to be ok with screwfix screws, but Mak were just putting on tin knickers to cover themselves...

[The Medway Handyman]

Now I'm extreemly peeded off. Tried it & its worse than it was before, won't put a single screw in. I enclosed a complete strip of screws when I returned it, not one had been used. Wankers didn't even test it.

Very angry letter in post to Makita.

[tony sayer]

Sad to see an otherwise good manufacturer not responding as they ought to a genuine complaint..

Bit like this new Hewlett Packard printer. They still can't get the bloody paper handling right;(...

And their support doesn't do what it sez on the tin either:((..

[meow2222]

I hope you paid by credit card. I know that doesnt get you a working tool but it means you can deal with someone else, and use one company to supply the whole kit, thus ensuring they cant blame each other.

NT

[Doctor Drivel]

Middle of the road trying to pass themselves off as top quality.