Power tool review

[David Lang]

A month ago I treated myself to a Makita 10.8V Lithium-Ion Cordless Kit with Combi Drill and Impact Driver - White (2 Pieces).

Exceptionally pleased with it. The drill driver is a joy to use, all the usual features; forward/reverse, hammer/drill/screw, 18 torque settings,

2 speed & variable trigger etc but the chuck (10mm)is a big improvement on previous Makitas in that it stays locked & doesn't slip all the time. Very useful LED light as well.

Fairly powerful 24n/m and does all I want it to, and the hammer action is very good.

Impact driver is surprising. Punches well above its weight @ 90n/m. JOOI tried a 6mm x 100mm screw & it drove it in with ease. Not sure how batteries would last doing that, but impressive.

Two 1.3 amp Lithium batteries, charger, decent case which is big enough to hold extra stuff.

I've hardly used my 18v since I bought this.

[newshound]

Interesting post. My lad (just laid off because of oil price slump, doing some casual labouring etc for a builder while looking for work) is looking for a drill and I would not have thought of going for anything less than 18V. He's visiting on Wednesday so I will mention this.

Just bought a couple of new 18 volt NiCads for my Makita, which looks as though it is going to last forever, otherwise I would be tempted myself.

[Robin]

That's welcome news for me as I bought the same/v similar HP330/TD090 pair in a different package at the end of last year. I've been happy with them but I had no real benchmarks as my previous cordless drill was ancient and I'd never had an impact driver before. So may I ask if it's normal for the impact driver to go from rotation alone to impact early on - way before a simple screwdriver would even begin to run out of torque?

[David Lang]

They 'feel' a certain resistance and then the impact kicks in. I don't actually know what that resistance is, but it's predetermined.

[David Lang]

Be aware that some places sell a similar set but the drill driver isn't a combo e.g. doesn't have a hammer action.

[Chris French]

Yup, I've got a similar bosch kit that I'm similarly pleased with. Nice bit of kit, so small and light they are a pleasure to use

[Chris French]

Going on my bosch one, yes.

[PeterC]

Treated myself to a Bosch Pro 10.8V drill/driver about 3 months ago - 2Ah Li battery, used it on a neighbour's fence as a screwdriver and it lasted all day on about half a charge. Just used the 12V Mak for drilling, the 18V Mak combi for holes in brich and the 12V Mak ID for the big screws into brick.

The Bosch was really good and has moe torque than the 12V Mak.

What I do like is that it's OK with a 25mm spade bit between joists. OK,

25mm is over its spec. but, taking it easy, there's no problem.

I do like new toys!

[tabbypurr]

When I had some tool problems I found a 250w black & decker mains drill from the 1960s is also fine with a 1" auger into very hard wood. Needed a manual turn or so to back it out.

NT

[PeterC]

I've a 70s Stanley Bridges (sounds like an actor) 2-speed. Very nice, long rubber flex, but the gearbox has gone - perhaps a pin somewhere(?). CBA to repair it as it's so damned loud! Its only benefit is that it fits in an equally old B&D drill press, which nothing else does.