These two Makita drill kits are made to tackle projects ranging from driving screws to drilling light masonry. Makita has a reputation for powerful and durable cordless tools. They include two lithium-ion batteries and a rapid charger in each kit. Li-ion batteries are taking over the cordless tool market because they are lighter than the older nickel-cadmium batteries and they charge more quickly. Makita has a wide range of 18-volt Li-ion tools. Let’s look at these two specific driver-drill kits to see which one best fits the work you want to do.
Makita LXFD01CW
The LXFD01CW kit comes with the LXFD01 driver-drill. This drill is a very powerful and flexible tool. It has a two-speed all-metal transmission, running at 0-400rpm and 0-1500rpm. The gear selector is located on top of the drill. The speed changes according to pressure on the trigger. There are 17 clutch settings to make it easy to get the torque right for turning screws or drilling hardwood. The LXFD01 can also handle harder materials like metal and some masonry. It is rated for 480 inch-pounds of maximum torque.
The switch to reverse the drill’s turning direction is located above the trigger. In the neutral position it locks off the drill, a nice safety feature. There’s also an electric brake to stop the drill when the trigger is released. The LED light below the chuck helps illuminate where the drill is working.
More features of the Makita LXFD01CW
- Rubberized grip and balanced feel
- Keyless chuck for quick bit changes
- Weighs only 3.3 pounds with the battery
- Only 7-9/16-inches long
- Two 1.5Ah lithium-ion batteries are included in the kit
- The rapid charger takes only 15 minutes and the user can change the alert melody
- The kit contains a tool belt clip that fits on either side of the drill, a double-ended bit with slotted and Phillips tips, and a hard-sided carrying case
- Makita offers a 3-year warranty on the drill and 1-year warranty on the batteries and charger
With two batteries and a rapid charger there’s no need for down-time on a project. This kit is useful for both contractors and do-it-yourselfers with a variety of projects to complete.
Makita BDF452HW
This kit contains the BDF452 driver-drill. Makita discontinued this drill and replaced it with the LXFD01. But the BDF452 is a very flexible tool still enjoyed by pros and hobbyists alike. Let’s see what it can do.
Features of the Makita BDF452HW
- This kit contains the driver-drill BDF452, a 15-minute rapid charger, two 1.5Ah lithium-ion batteries, and a tool case
- The 4-pole motor of the BDF452 puts out 450 inch-pounds of max torque
- It has a two-speed all-metal transmission with the gear selector on top of the drill (0-400rpm and 0-1500rpm)
- 17 clutch settings help set the right amount of torque for drilling metal or setting screws
- Keyless chuck, no wrench needed to change bits one-handed
- LED light above the trigger helps with accuracy in dim work areas
- Electric brake stops the drill when the trigger is released and the reverse switch locks the drill off for safety
- At 8 inches long and 3.5 pounds with the battery, the BDF452 is slightly bigger and heavier than the LXFD01, but considerably lighter than similar drills with Ni-Cd batteries
- The lithium-ion batteries last for 2,000 cycles, a much longer lifespan than nickel-cadmium used in other cordless drills
- Makita offers a 3-year warranty on the drill and 1-year warranty on the batteries and charger
Recommendation
The BDF452 has been a popular model for over five years. It’s gathered a lot of positive reviews. If you don’t mind the slight difference in weight and you don’t want the extras, the Makita BDF452HW kit is a great buy.
The newer LXFD01CW kit includes some nifty additions like the tool belt clip and double-ended driver bit. The drill itself is slightly lighter and smaller, which could make a difference to someone using it all day long. And the LXFD01 is also slightly more powerful at 480 inch-pounds of torque compared to the BDF452’s 450 inch-pounds.
Click here to Check out Makita LXFD01CW Price on Amazon!
Click here to Check out Makita BDF452HW Price on Amazon!