wrote:
I bought the new Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion set for myself this Xmas. I've
never owned a Makita tool before and haven't used this set enough to
comment about the durability or quality, but I have a couple comments
on the design.

Longevity, battery life and durability will have to wait, but it seems
to me you should be able to comment on the quality of construction,
battery charging time, power and weight. So spill!

* Both the impact driver and hammer drill have LED lights, supposedly
to illuminate your work. But all they really do is cast a shadow,
because of where they're located. I'd rather use a real light to see
what I'm doing. If the LED had a switch I'd keep it off permanently.

I'll have to look at that. Seems pretty stupid to put a light where
the tool itself casts a shadow where you're working.

* The flashlight has 3 or 4 detent stops. These are going to wear out
and then it's just going to flop around and be useless. I'd expect
this kind of design on something from Kmart. The Ryobi light I had has
a rotating head to cover all angles. I shouldn't have given mine to my
brother.

I don't see why the detents would necessarily wear out. Maybe so, but
it's a bit of an assumption at that point.

* The bit storage on the hammer drill is cheap. It's going to wear out
and be useless. The metal clips on my Dewalt have lasted a long time.

Bit storage on all cordless tools is silly. There are so many
different bits that you need, that it's an illusionary benefit.

* The clutch on the hammer drill doesn't have the range I like. The
lowest setting on my Dewalt is low enough to fasten wallplates without
cracking them, not so on this Makita.

I use a ratchet screwdriver. If I don't need the power and weight, I
don't carry it.

R