LXT202 Makita LXT202 18-Volt Hammer Drill & Impact Driver Lithium ...
The effect of this large runout is a very pronouced gyration of the drill body when drilling at low to medium speeds, such as when drilling metal or drilling with a hole saw or spade bit. I will structure this review by comparing the Makita drill with my Bosch 18V Brute Tough hammerdrill, model 13618, that I've been using the last couple of years. The slowest speed range (0-300 rpm) is useful on large spade bits, metal drilling, or hole saws, etc where extra control and extra torque are needed. At 300 rpm, the Makita did not show any advantage compared to drilling at 600 rpm with this particular test. For driving screws and drilling with a short bit, the exact point where you want light is the exact point where the large dark shadow falls. Perhaps other more demanding tests, such as drilling large holes in metal, might bring out the advantage. That maybe so comparing Makita's 18V lithium to Makita's 12V NiMH or NiCd, but definitely not The drawback is the placement entirely favors long bits at the expense of short and medium length bits because short bits will be hit by a large dark shadow cast by the big chuck. This Makita 18 lithium hammerdrill is definitely much lighter than the Bosch 18V hammerdrill. One thing no lithium-ion power tool maker would like the potential customer to know is that rechargeable lithium-ion batteries permanently lose capacity over time as a function of storage temperature and the state-of-charge. When I have time I will measure the runout precisely using a dial indicator, but for now I will state that the Makita's Jacobs chuck on this model has roughly twice the runout as that found on my Bosch's chuck. The capacity loss occurs at different rates at the different temperatures and states-of-charge but it's all cumulative, and the deteriotion occurs even when the tool is constantly being used, as well as during short-term storage, and not just... This applies to Milwaukee's V28 line, and I have every reason to think it applies to Makita's current Li-on and Bosch's upcoming Li-on batteries as well. However, I take issue with Makita's big claim that it has 18V power at 12 volt weight. Makita placed the fixed-angle light just above the trigger switch as a one-size-fits-all approach to accommodate all lengths of bits. It can sometimes be corrected by rechucking the bit after rotating the bit 90 to 180 degrees relative to the chuck. For example at room temperature(25 degrees C), a fully charged (100%) Li-on battery permanantely loses 20% of its rechargeable capacity in just one year. I tested my Bosch side by side against the Makita using a 3" hole saw on redwood. Makita is giving these lithium batteries only a 1-year warranty for very good reasons. The supposed extra power of the Makita did not manifest itself during this 3" hole saw test. In the 0-600 rpm range both the Bosch and the Makita were about equal in performance. A major shortcoming with the Makita's Jacobs chuck is the large amount of runout it has. I checked this runout on another brand-new Makita lithium hammerdrill and the result was identical. (Note: The above comments about capacity loss apply only to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a manganese oxide cathode. At 40% at 40 deg Celsius, it loses 15%....