These two kits are ideal to give as a gift, or upgrade yourself to cordless tools. You’ll have the power to cut, drill, and fasten your next project at any job site. Let’s look at these two great deals from DeWalt and Makita to see which one is the best for you.
DeWalt DCK420D2 20V MAX Cordless Lithium-Ion 4-Tool Combo Kit
Cut, drill, and fasten with this DCK320D2 kit from DeWalt. Do all that by the light of the flashlight if you like.
Cut–The DCS381 reciprocating saw has a 1-inch stroke and a keyless blade clamp. You can change blades without running the risk of cutting yourself. Unfortunately, there is no adjustable shoe on this model.
Drill—The DCD780 is a good, all-purpose ½” drill. It has 350 unit watts out of power and a 2-speed all-metal transmission with 15 clutch settings. The maximum speed in low gear is 600 rpm, and 2000rpm in high gear. You may also appreciate the keyless ratcheting chuck.
Fasten—The DCF885 won the “Editor’s Choice Best Overall” in the 2014 Taunton Tool Guide. It’s smaller and lighter than the drill, but it’s faster and more powerful for sinking screws. It weighs 2.8 pounds (with the battery) and measures only 5-1/2-inches back-to-front. Its top speed is 2800rpm, with 3200 impacts-per-minute, and up to 1400 inch-pounds of torque. The ¼-inch hex chuck spring-loads with one hand, and accepts short 1-inch-long bits.
Light up your work area—the impact driver comes with three LEDs around the collar. For maximum illumination, use the DCL040 LED work flashlight in this kit. It puts out 110 lumens, and lasts up to 25 hours on a charge. The head rotates 120 degrees. Its body can stand alone to serve as a spotlight, or you can use the built-in hook to hang it.
More features of the DeWalt DCK320D2 combo kit
- Comes with drill, driver, saw, light, charger, two 2.0Ah battery packs, and a contractor bag
- All of these tools are compatible with the 20V MAX lithium-ion battery packs
- DeWalt offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, a 1-year free service contract, and a 3-year limited warranty
Makita LXT407 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 4-Piece Combo Kit
The LXT407 combo kit is Makita’s answer to DeWalt’s DCK320D2 kit. Again, you can cut, drill, fasten and illuminate your work area with these cordless tools.
Cut—The BJR182Z reciprocating saw offers the adjustable shoe that DeWalt’s saw does not have. It cuts up to 2900 strokes per minute and it weighs 7.9 pounds.
Drill—The BHP452Z is a hammer drill that weighs just 3.9 pounds.It has a 1/2-inch chuck and a two-speed transmission with speeds up to 1500rpm. The maximum torque is 450 inch-pounds with a maximum of 22,500 blows-per-minute. You can turn off the hammer function by adjusting the clutch settings on the collar. The BHP452Z sports a built-in LED light above the trigger.
Fasten–The variable speed impact driver in this kit is the BTD141Z. It has a maximum torque of 1330 inch-pounds at 2300 rpm, and it weighs 3.3 pounds. The built-in brake kicks in automatically when the trigger is released to reduce the chance of stripping screws. The driver also has a built-in LED work light above the trigger.
Light up your work area—The BML185 flashlight has a Xenon bulb for ultra-brightness. It only runs for 4 hours on a charge, and its head adjusts to just 4 positions.
Both the drill and driver in this kit have Makita’s XPT Extreme Protection Technology. This makes them resistant to moisture and dust.
More features of the Makita LXT407 combo kit
- Comes with drill, driver, saw, flashlight, 30-minute charger, two battery packs, and a contractor bag
- Makita offers a 1-year warranty on the batteries and 3-year warranty on the tools
Recommendation
Although DeWalt has a reputation for reliable, powerful tools, it seems like they skimped a bit on the DCK320D2 combo kit. The saw is definitely not the best tool they offer. On the other hand, the impact driver is an award-winner, and the flashlight gets a lot of mileage out of these batteries. If you already have tools in the 20V MAX line, or plan to get more, this may still be your best choice.
If you want the best tools for the money you’ll spend, get the Makita LXT407 combo kit. Instead of DeWalt’s general-purpose drill, you’ll have a hammer drill. All the other tools are top notch, if a little heavier, except perhaps the flashlight. It’s bright, but it just doesn’t run for long.
Click here to purchase Dewalt DCK420D2 on Amazon!
Click here to purchase Makita LXT407 on Amazon!