Has Anyone Tried Any Of The Makita 18V Lithium Ion Cordless Tools

cumminsdiesel

I was just wondering if anyone has the new Makita 18 V lithium ion tools yet. If so are they really any better then normal cordless batteries?

DecksEtc

I'm too invested in my Hitachi cordless tools to change now. I have heard the lithium ion batteries are supposed to be better. The Ni-Cad batteries I have are better than the previous generations of cordless batteries. My assumption is that Lithium Ion batteries are just the next generation. They'll probably be a new generation of "better" batteries in a couple of years.

mdshunk

The lithium ion battery technology is working out fantasticly in Milwaukee's new 28v tools. There's no reason to expect any less from the Makita ones. The biggest thing I've noticed is that cold weather doesn't seem to effect the lithium batteries the way it does a regular battery.

cumminsdiesel

Thanks for the replies. If anyone actually has used these how do they compare to Dewalt 18V? I've always been a die-hard dewalt person but I was looking at Home Depot today and I like the feel of the Makitas better.

mdshunk

I'm hearing you. It is hard to change, particularly after you've invested for a while in batteries, chargers, and tools of a different brand and voltage. Makita was among the first good, popularly used cordless drills. I think almost everyone owned or used one of the Makita 9.6v ones, with the long skinny battery, back in the day.

Ken@K&R

Have not used them but did see that Ace Hardware has the 18 volt drill with a $80 rebate it turns out to be $99.