Hands Down The Best Hammer Drill I've Tested! Makita 40v XGT vs 18v LXT 

I agree that their mission is more one of ergonomics and comfort than power and speed… most of the time. The hammer drill is that and the fastest thing I have tested.

I am thinking about buying into the xgt line. It's not about the impact drivers or the drill. It's all the other machines. Circle saw, etc.. all the heavyer machines. Also, more future proof I think

Makita does focus on ergonomics, but their reliability is far better than their competitors. I got sucked into the Milwaukee circle jerk, and ALL of them have trigger problems. Further, only their impact drivers are low enough on power to bother me. I have noticed no power difference between my LXT, 998, and 2804.

You are right... the LXT tools are great. I think the XGT will really shine on bigger tools. If you don't have a need for those then I think you will be happy there. I just hope that the LXT continues to get attention in the future. That's really the only concern I have with the LXT currently.

@@TinkerWithTools Oh absolutely. I hope they dont start to phase out the LXT line. I'd say, keep the LXT system and if they need to, get rid of CXT. Then adapt the lighter/smaller tool system using LXT battery platform. That gives a simpler two systems choice.

It’s just a damn shame they refused to go past the 6.0 Ah on the 18 volt batteries. I love my ole’ corded Makita grinders. The cordless ones deserve higher Amp hour batteries. And yes i know they have the 18X2, but seriously, not in a grinder. I have a couple of the saws in 36 volt, but again, more runtime would be welcome. Guess that would be the selling point for going the more expensive route with the XGT. Peace

@@georgedavall9449 yeah XGT is the future if that’s what you want. I think they will continue to limit the LXT battery size to promote the viability of XGT. That being said the XGT stuff I have is pretty sweet.

@@TinkerWithTools Well, MAHKeeta did it to themselves, as they knew if they came out with 21700 celled batteries in the LXT, they would open a huge ‘can o worms’ There are a lot of tools they would not fit in, especially the X2 ( 36 Volt ) tools. I looked at my rear handle style 36 Volt saw, and there is no space for anything bigger. So they just made excuse after excuse, and then, wha lah, out comes the XGT lineup. I’m not dissing on the XGT tools, but irritated by the poor battery support in the LXT lineup. My 2 cents Peace

Thanks. I actually have sent that drill off to be service because the transmission was basically dead in 1st gear. It was replaced so I wouldn’t be surprised if there were issues with it.

I’ll try to do it more often! And thank you!

Yeah, the impact drivers just don't seem to benefit from the higher voltage and that's not just Makita that is that way. The drill is a different story though.

Agreed.

More than fine. The LXT drill Isn’t a bad drill by any means.

Glad you enjoyed it

I’ll have to do some testing between to the two to see how differently they operate

@@TinkerWithTools I think the difference will be most obvious on machine screws; not wood. Measure the peak torque on each setting, and plot them on a chart. Or if you don't mind getting a rug burn: grip the clutch on the lowest setting with the chuck open, and go max speed. When the chuck closes, with the LXT, you'll hardly feel it. With the XGT, prepare for a good exfoliation.

Something tells me the rug burn method won’t translate to video well. 😂

I commented on of your other comments on another video and it will be a good choice either way. I have a head to head video where they are tested if you are interested in that.

@@TinkerWithTools thanks, I’ll def check it out! 🙌

Good analysis. Thank you from Australia!

I have never done it that way. I have ordered it all and then later just taken back what what I don’t need. I have never tried to split the delivery method if you will.

@@TinkerWithTools The website is telling me that I can go to the store and get the combo, but the ratchet and right angle impact, which are the most expensive options, have to be shipped. The only way to do the same method for everything is to have it all delivered to my house, and I don’t trust that nobody will steal anything.

Thank you.

The XGT had the same handle as the XPH14 here. They just have a different color metal where they connect.

That would be a great day. For XGT that is. It would suck about LXT though. They have a ton of tools there.

hahaha I'm stealing this 🤣

Yeah lot of the people are on the latest cool tool fad. Much like all fads they fade .

Makitia is goat, I switch about a year ago from Dewalt to Makitia you can just feel the quality.

Ive never been a big milwaukee fan and always liked makita. Idk if they werent always more powerful, they were plenty powerful, far more reliable, and far more serviceable if you have a problem

@@jacksmith2315 im a makita user and i noticed makita makes tool power adequate for the tool task, yes most tools out there may be stronger but the makita just works right 99% of the time

Thank you! I appreciate the support.

I agree… intro’s are 🔥

Couldn’t have said it better! I just ‘joined da Club!’ Take care

Agreed, intro, level headed comments, etc...

Agree

That’s kind of you to say!

Agreed!

Good point to add. Thanks for sharing!

I hadn’t thought of that.

@davidblahota5655 I'm looking at getting this drill for the electronic clutch, the noise that the mechanical clutch makes is annoying sometimes, especially inside a room.

the point of a clutch is to limit torque to a certain amount. You're saying you like the electronic clutch because sometimes it doesn't limit torque. Interesting.

@@CarltonGauss Yeah, a hand drill does not operate in all that consistent conditions. You would have to turn the limiting off for a single screw with q mechanical one to drive it further once it does not want to go deeper with the setting.

@@davidblahota5655 This clutch just adds another layer of inconsistency though. Even if "press trigger again for a bit more torque" would be a nice feature; it's not really an intended feature here. It's just a consequence of the clutch being bad and responding late. My problem is that this late response is happening on the initial drive too, and it's impossible to control how much torque you're delivering to the fastener. Anyway, I'd much rather change the mechanical clutch setting than strip a screw head or a thread.

I’m constantly drilling 1” to 2” holes in 3/16” and 1/4” steel (canopy frames for Sonic Drive Ins) using Milwaukee bi metal hole saws. I recently switched from using a XPH14 to Makita’s 36 Volt Right Angle Drill which has a maximum speed of 350 RPM in speed 1 (low) and it seems to be the perfect speed for my purposes. I also have been using electric tape to close off the holes in the hole saw and then filling the hole saw with “Sonic Ice” (pellet, but crushed ice also works well). I then drill with moderate pressure, the melting ice cools and lubricates the hole saw and allows it to cut faster and cleaner without the mess of cutting lubricants and the ice is free in my case.

I also forgot to mention that using ice to keep the hole saw cool I usually get more than 100 holes out of a hole saw which saves som serious money over time.

I appreciate the comment. Flex does have a strong drill. I prefer the ergonomics and refinement of the Makita still but that doesn't take anything away from what Flex was able to accomplish with their first generation.

I am sure I will work to bring those to the channel at some point but next up for Makita will be a comparison between the LXT and XGT Impacts.

@@TinkerWithTools the only problem with that is the only XGT impact available in the states was just a stopgap until they could build a from scratch version designed from day one on the 40v XGT platform, that is the TD002 which will probably launch here by the end of the year as the replacement for the current one, which I bet the XDT19 will out perform.

@@TheOMEGANOX so in you opinion the hierarchy will be 1. TD002 2. XDT19 3. TD001 4. XDT16 Am I getting that right?

@@TinkerWithTools for sure on #1 being the TD002, the rest will be close and I'm as curious as you are to see how that shakes out.

Another vote for td002g, nobody is doing it!

The 40v is all smoothness but with the most speed and power I have seen!

Everything Makita makes is always smoother drills, impact driver, circular saw and reciprocating saws

@@loucifer4205 that's why I switched over

I have a video for that too if you are interested. I actually test the M18 Gen 4 vs the LXT and XGT.

Sometimes on bigger spade bits especially, it binds as it's breaking through the last bit of wood. The whole is often drill, it just gets hung on up the material at the end.

Glad it was helpful.

It will be fun to see what they can come up with to make use of all that power.

@@TinkerWithTools They have the 14in Power cutter gec01 running 2 40v batteries.

@@misha030302 yep. Stuff like that is really going to be fun to see where they push things next.

You haven’t tried the TD002 yet

@@TheOMEGANOX I haven't, but I have seen a lot of reviews for it. Very good, but pretty much as many other 18v tools, even slightly inferior in some ways. And I have the 18V Japanese Makita TD172D, along with 5 other impact drivers (including the super-smooth and refined 12V and 18V Milwaukee Surge).

A fun but expensive rabbit hole!

@@TinkerWithTools it isn't as bad as Japanese chisels though.😉

Thanks! It’s a personal favorite.

The Metabo is no slouch and is a great drill. For me the XGT is in a different class because of refinement.

this is why tools with arthritis wont test this drill

Glad you enjoyed!

I like both but man the 40 volt is crazy impressive.

It’s out of stock at the normal place I buy from. I can only buy the non hammer drill variant right now and I would rather get the full feature set for $10 more. It is on the list. Just a matter of when I can get it/have budget for it.

@@TinkerWithTools k that's awesome can't wait to see the reviews, keep up the good content

@@chrisschott6455 thanks!

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Getting that tool at that price will be about as low as you will find it. I love the combination of the two. The impact driver will be one of the nicer (but not most powerful) impacts you will ever use. The drill is good but isn't class leading.

@@TinkerWithTools I know SOALZ hates Makita. I’m just trying to get the best possible set for my needs and budget. I don’t like the ergonomics of Milwaukee, so I’m looking at Ridgid and Makita. Dewalt and Flex are my other choices depending on the deals.

I’ll see if we could do some additional testing in the future.

You are correct. The XGT has it and it works pretty well.

Yeah, most companies offer something and so I would like to see them implement it. Perhaps in a next gen drill.

I love the combo and the drill is worth being on XGT but the impact will lose to the LXT impact. While the combo get's you more for you money getting you a free battery, you also have a higher cost per tool on XGT that almost any other brand. So it has treadeoffs for sure.

@@TinkerWithTools if you do the hack, the combo is $315, which makes it less than the Flex right now.

@@TinkerWithTools From the tear down video by Thibs, it looks like the XGT is actually made with Japanese parts, unlike the LXT.

Yeah, when I bought it was on sale for $399 with 4ah battery which i use on the rear handle saw.

Didn't know that about the breakdown. I'll have to check out the video.

Appreciate it!

It’s a really nice kit!

@@TinkerWithTools ya I was just playing. That was an awesome deal. Love the channel man!

The recent sales/battery promotions that they have had were the best deals I have seen on them. Hoping for good stuff at Black Friday. And for the stacked lithium it is on the list of things to bring to the channel.

Flex wins vs XGT if your looking for raw power and anti kickback go with Flex. If you want a smooth and still powerful drill get the Makita. I personally went with Flex, I’ve had to call for service once because of an adapter breaking and getting lodged in my collet, Flex sent a replacement in 11 days and that’s to Canada. Makita would’ve left me to the dogs.

@@athannaelanderson3806 I can’t speak to the service side of things but from my experience the XGT felt just as powerful but also faster. I didn’t have to worry about the turbo mode kicking off and they both have anti kickback. Not saying you didn’t pick a great drill but it doesn’t blow away the XGT in the hammer drill category.

@@TinkerWithTools Maybe you didn’t read my comment. I said still powerful drill, the XGT does not beat the Flex on raw power (torque) as to speed I’m not sure on that category I would have to check the rpm however once again I also said the Makita was smoother, the flex is torquier especially under higher loads. Anyways whatever take it as you will, at the end of the day the flex is much more value for your money currently with the lifetime warranty and superior battery technology.

@@athannaelanderson3806 I was more just saying that while the torque figure is higher on flex I haven’t had it feel more powerful. You do have a point on the warranty. They likely won’t have that forever but it is a nice feature of being an early adopter.

don't use wh

@@kc0lif why not?

That drill is really impressive. The impact is no slouch but it just feels like the LXT to be honest. That’s not saying it’s had it just doesn’t feel worth the premium.

Thanks and that won’t be changing any time soon.

Amen

There isn't alot between the biturbo bosch and the 40v combi drill the 40v is smaller lighter and feels better to use

Yes. Normally I love Makita impacts cause they are nice to use but I know they aren’t the strongest in the world. But with this drill I feel like I am getting the power I want and it’s great to use.

Without the handle mine breaks 12 mm (1/2 inch) metal bits through thick steel like spaghetti.