Makita 18V drill set

These combo kit offers have proven themselves

The Japanese traditional company Makita is appreciated by numerous home and craftsmen worldwide. The manufacturer’s cordless screwdrivers are an absolute bestseller. They can be found on almost every construction site and in many workshops. A Makita 18V drill set is particularly practical. Such devices can be used in a variety of ways without having to make additional separate purchases. In addition, the 18V voltage already provides a large power capacity.

We will show you below which Makita 18V drill set is a good choice. You will also find out what you should bear in mind in this context. We hope to be able to help you with this guide.

Makita 18V drill set – 3 popular recommendations

Makita DDF481RMJ

Although the 18V cordless screwdrivers from Makita do not yet have an impact function, they can be amazingly powerful. This is impressively demonstrated by the Makita DDF481RMJ .

The set comes with a choice of two 4-Ah or two 5-Ah batteries. It also comes with a quick charger, two double bits and a practical carrying case. The batteries are already full (4 Ah) after a charging time of approx. 30 minutes. Fully assembled, the cordless screwdriver weighs 2.6 kg. Considering the torque of up to 115 Nm, this is absolutely moderate. An additional handle on the side, which can also be omitted if necessary, helps you to handle the tool.

The tool is also equipped with a metal hook. This makes it possible to hang the 18V cordless screwdriver on a belt or ladder. Thanks to the brushless motor and the powerful 2-speed gearbox, 76 mm diameters can be drilled in wood and 13 mm diameters in steel at the tip. Incidentally, since the battery has an LED fill level indicator, there are no sudden negative surprises in this respect.

Makita DDF482RFJ

There are many 18V cordless screwdriver sets from Makita that enjoy great popularity. However, an undisputed bestseller is the model Makita DDF482RFJ .

This version comes with two 3 Ah batteries. A MAKPAK case and a charger are also included. Together with the battery, the screwdriver weighs a light 1.5 kg. It is therefore easy to handle. Thanks to the quick-action drill chuck, the attachment of choice is quickly mounted. Afterwards, screws can be screwed in or removed, or holes can be drilled.

The speed can be ordered up to 1900 revolutions with the finger switch fully depressed. This is enough to drill 38 mm holes in wood and 13 mm holes in steel. This model also has a double LED so that every remote corner can be illuminated.

Makita DDF484Y1J

Some situations call for compact and handy cordless screwdrivers. Then comes the hour of the Makita DDF484 .

This model is designed for moderate and demanding tasks alike. It comes with two 18V batteries, each with a capacity of 1.5 Ah. This alone can save money on the purchase. In addition, the charging time is minimal. The disadvantage is the more regular interruptions for charging. However, this is not noticeable during sporadic use.

Furthermore, the weight is 1.5 kg. Therefore, this cordless screwdriver can also be used comfortably by women and senior citizens. Because the housing is compact (length 17 cm), it can also be used in confined spaces. The double LED on the front and the universal metal clip contribute to a high level of operating comfort.

Makita 18V drill set – You should generally pay attention to the following

Selection options & drive

Makita currently offers 15 different cordless drills that work with an 18V battery. The standard set includes 2 rechargeable batteries and a matching quick charger. The batteries have a capacity of either 1.5 Ah, 3 Ah, 4 Ah or 5 Ah. The higher the value, the longer the continuous operation is possible.

Makita relies exclusively on lithium-ion technology for the batteries. Although this technology is not too cheap, it has some great advantages. In this context, the low self-discharge and the non-existent memory effect are worth mentioning. Accordingly, a long shelf life can be expected. In addition, such batteries have a high energy density, which means they can be kept small and lightweight.

While the older series work with a carbon brush motor, Makita’s new models operate completely brushless. A brushless motor is considered particularly powerful because there are no losses due to friction. In addition, brushless technology is considered durable and de facto maintenance-free – where there are no brushes, there is no need to change them.

Power

The available power is of course of crucial importance. It doesn’t have to be overly pronounced, but it certainly has to fit the requirements on site. There are various parameters that provide information about the performance.

The first point of contact is usually the so-called torque, which is given in the unit Nm (newton metres). The higher the value, the more power is developed, for example, when tightening and loosening a screw. In fact, high values allow comparatively long screws to be countersunk in hard materials and to be removed again.

Maximum drill diameters of common materials are consistently reported by Makita. At its peak, an 18V cordless screwdriver can drill holes up to 76 mm in size in wood and up to 13 mm in size in steel.

The battery voltage itself is also an indicator of potential power. Here, too, high values tend to indicate more power. 18V is already very promising in the compact cordless screwdriver segment and Makita definitely exploits the potential in a promising way.

Drill chuck

You should also pay attention to the drill chuck. Makita uses the proven quick-action drill chuck in its 18V cordless screwdriver sets. It has a maximum diameter of 13 mm. The clamping width starts at 1.5 mm.

This type of set-up offers the advantage that the attachment can be changed without tools as well as quickly. You only have to make a counterclockwise turning movement to open the chuck. Afterwards, the respective bit or similar can be inserted and the thread can be tightened again in a clockwise direction.

Handling

Handling a cordless screwdriver should be as comfortable as possible. In this case, you can concentrate on your work without any discomfort. Makita makes every effort to offer everything that is possible.

Of course, the handling is most influenced by the weight. Some 18V cordless screwdrivers from Makita weigh only 1.5 kg and can even be carried above the shoulders by women and senior citizens. However, the weight of the most powerful models inevitably rises towards 3 kg.

Furthermore, the grip surfaces are always rubberised. This allows you to grip safely without having to expect the formation of pressure feelings or calluses in the palm. Heavy versions have an additional handle that is also rubberised so that the weight can be distributed over both arms.

The operation is uncomplicated. After you have inserted the charged 18V battery, the speed can be regulated in the classic way via the central throttle switch. All other controls are self-explanatory.

Range of functions

A Makita 18V drill set can be used very universally, which is due to its comprehensive functionality. We will briefly explain which functions are particularly useful in the following.

The torque can be adjusted in more than 20 different steps. All you have to do is turn the illustrated preselection ring. As already mentioned, the speed can also be finely adjusted via the throttle switch.

You can switch from right-hand to left-hand rotation and vice versa by repositioning the switch below the logo. Positioned exactly in the middle, the neutral position is reached, in which the tool will not start at all.

Furthermore, Makita cordless screwdrivers are almost always equipped with a motor brake. Thanks to this, there is no overrun and the power is applied exactly when you want it.

In addition, there are often 2 LEDs on the front that glow for a short time. These can be used to reliably illuminate dark areas, which also makes work safer.

If XPT (Xtreme Protection Technology) is used for the housing, the 18V cordless screwdriver can be used without hesitation in rain and in very dirty areas. The interior is still reliably protected against splash water and dust.

Price

Of course, the price also has a certain influence on the decision. In a set, an 18V cordless screwdriver from Makita is certainly not exactly cheap. The first offers are available for just under 200 Pounds. However, cheaper prices would also send supposedly wrong signals. Makita relies on high-quality workmanship and potent power. You won’t find anything like this in the low-budget segment.

In general, the costs should be in a fair ratio to your own requirements. The more torque and flexibility you expect, the more you should invest. The same applies to the expectation of long durability in regular use.

Makita 18V drill set – Advantages & disadvantages at a glance

An 18V drill set from Makita offers you many advantages. Thanks to the accessories, you don’t have to make any separate purchases and can get started immediately. The handy devices can make holes up to 13 mm in size in steel and up to 76 mm in size in wood. However, not everything speaks in their favour. So that you can comfortably weigh up the pros and cons, we have provided you with an overview below:

Video: Makita DDF482 review