Milwaukee V18 or Makita LXT? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

trucraft · 11-10-2008, 10:48 PM

I am looking for a 4 pc. combo kit with a circular saw. I can't decide between Milwaukee or Makita. I know that both are good tools and guys have their loyalties. Does either one out perform the other? Some input would be helpful. Thanks!

Winchester · 11-11-2008, 03:27 AM

I like the Milwaukee cordless, they are beefy and just feel powerful. However, they are heavy.

Makita cordless work great and I find they are much lighter. For what I do, Makita is just easier to work with.

HitchC&L · 11-11-2008, 09:02 AM

I am going to go with the milwaukee M18 when I get the money

More power than the V28 and lighter...and you can get an impact driver, which I need

I used a makita set all summer, and it worked well, we had a couple batteries burn up, and actually had one impact driver overheat and start smoking...that one got tossed. Im not saying they are junk, we used them hard day after day, and this particular one was a few years old.

Greg Di · 11-11-2008, 09:52 AM

I have both.

I like the ergonomics and lightweight of the LXT tools much better, however I have had some issues with the batteries going bad (all were replaced in a day under warranty), and my LXT hammer drill/driver has been back for service three times in three years (it's there now, actually). But, Makita's service is great and I get things back fast without a hassle. The only tool that gives me problems is that drill. Everything else works great and we beat on it.

The Milwaukee stuff is heavier and feels more solid, but that's also a drawback IMO. The thing I really like is the fuel gauge on the batteries. It's dumb, but when you have a bunch of batteries to pick from, taking a full one is nice.

If the Makitas had a fuel gauge, they'd be the clear winner.

Either is a good choice. If you can get a deal on one over the other, go by price.

orson · 11-11-2008, 05:52 PM

I just posted another thread about this. I was basicaly struggling with the same decision and went with the Milwaukee.

I'm convinced the Milwaukee are built better and therefore a better value in the long run, however, I was very torn because they are heavier and a tad bulkier as others have mentioned.

Milwakee is getting very aggresive and will be offering many many more tools in their new 18V line, I am told.

MechanicalDVR · 11-11-2008, 06:13 PM

I use Milwaukee at work all the time and have no issues with them at all but, I have my own Makita 18v lithium impact (blue and black battery) and like it so much more than the Milwaukee. I have heard there are problems with the white and black batteries.

jiffy · 11-11-2008, 10:38 PM

Makita is the clear winner here.

Milwaukee has had 3 iterations of Lithium in the past few years. I don't call that a sign of confidence. V28, V18, M18. Say what you will, but Milwaukee being associated with TTi does not make me any more confident in their tools.

Makita has had its bumps along the way, but they have resolved all that I have seen. The drill problem has been all but solved by releasing the newer hammerdrill with a beefier gear system.

Makita has a ton of tools that use their lithium system. There are angle impacts, 1/2" impact wrenches, rotary hammers, vacum/blower,etc.

Makita also has the lightest tools out and has had them out since they came out with lithium 3 years ago, when I bought mine.

KMac · 11-14-2008, 07:30 AM

I have had the Makita (blue & black - not white and black) hammer drill and impact driver for about a year and have had no problems. Use them everyday and the batteries seem to be holding up great. I bought the kit on amazon for under $300 which at the time was a great deal compared to what it was going for at the store.

woodworkbykirk · 11-14-2008, 09:05 PM

milwaukee blah!!,

guiness, harp, kilkenny, boddingtons !!

oh wait wrong topic, sorry
and its friday....

KillerToiletSpider · 11-14-2008, 09:20 PM

This one.