Makita combi drill

The best models with and without battery

Drilling, hammer drilling and chiseling – all of these are part of everyday life in the construction industry. But also in private life there are various areas where such a range of power is needed. The most uncomplicated solution here is a combi drill. Makita is a tried and tested manufacturer. A Makita combi drill has an SDS attachment, which is why you can change drill bits and chisels within seconds. In addition, the traditional Japanese company offers versions for both small and large tasks.

In the following, we will show you which Makita combi drill is a good choice. You will also find out what you should generally look out for when choosing. We hope to be able to help you with this guide.

Makita combi drill – These models are recommended

Makita DHR243Z

Rechargeable combi drills are becoming increasingly popular because they offer great ease of use. A recommendation from Makita is the model Makita DHR243Z .

The unit is delivered either individually or with accessories. Together with an 18V LXT battery, it weighs a moderate 3.8 kg. Therefore, handling is quite effortless. A rubberised additional handle and clear symbols on the operating elements also support you in handling. Switching between drilling, hammer drilling and chiselling is very easy via a rotary switch on the side.

Although the combi hammer is lightweight, it can be described as very robust. The housing uses XPT (Extreme Protection Technology), which protects the inside from dust and moisture. In addition, the brushless motor ensures space-saving dimensions. Nevertheless, the impact energy amounts to 2 joules. This is sufficient for a drill diameter of 13 mm in steel.

Makita HR2811FT

With a mains cable combi drill, you can get started straight out of the box. A tried and tested example is the Makita HR2811FT .

The motor of this device draws 800 watts via the 4-metre-long power cable. You can then impact the material with a force of 2.9 joules. Both drill bits and chisels can be securely fixed in the standardised SDS-plus drill chuck. When using a drill bit, holes of up to 80 mm can be drilled. Without it, up to 28 mm can be drilled in concrete and up to 32 mm in wood. Switching between drilling, hammer drilling and chiselling is done with a Phillips screwdriver.

Here, too, it is possible to flexibly adjust the speed and number of blows to the conditions on site. The LED on the front also ensures a high level of comfort. Thanks to it, you can always see everything without complications. Furthermore, the additional side handle is rubberised and spring-loaded. This reduces the vibrations transmitted to the arms to a minimum.

Makita DHR400ZKU

Makita also has the right combi drill in stock for big tasks. A powerful model, for example, is the Makita DHR400ZKU .

This model is also a cordless combi hammer. Despite this fact, an impact energy of 8 joules can be released. Accordingly, you can knock down massive walls within a short time. The brushless motor and two 18V batteries, which generate a combined voltage of 36V, provide plenty of power. Thanks to a slide switch, continuous operation can be carried out without having to exert pressure with the fingers.

This version has an SDS-max drill chuck. The shaft diameter is therefore 18 mm. This ultimately leads to more robustness as well as stability under heavy continuous loads. You can choose between hammer drilling and chiselling. In concrete, for example, holes of up to 40 mm can be made. The chisel alone can be adjusted to 24 different positions. The anti-vibration technology ensures that the vibrations in the arms are kept within limits.

Makita combi drill – You should always pay attention to the following

Drive

Looking at the drive, the combi drill type can be divided into 2 different categories: Models with a mains cable and models with a rechargeable battery. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Makita offers both types and offers a choice of 26 different models (12x battery, 14x cord).

A cordless combi drill gives you maximum freedom of movement. You are guaranteed to be able to go directly to any place you want. Makita uses brushless technology as the motor. Since no carbon brushes need to be changed, this electric motor is maintenance-free. In addition, such a motor saves space and is considered to be extremely durable. The same applies to the 18V lithium-ion batteries. They have a high energy density and no memory effect. In addition, there is only a low self-discharge. The disadvantage of this drive is that the impact energy is usually rather limited.

An electric combi drill can be somewhat cheaper to buy. By connecting it to the mains, continuous operation is possible. In addition, this design is still the most powerful at peak performance. However, the cable can be perceived as annoying and prevent work in some areas. In addition, it poses a certain tripping hazard.

Performance

The cable is of crucial importance. It does not necessarily have to be high, but must above all fit the requirements on site. Especially for chiselling work and for drilling into very resistant materials, a high power capacity is required.

The most important indicator in this context is the impact force, sometimes also called impact energy. It is given in the unit joule. A Makita combi drill can have a power of between 1.2 and 20 joules. Values of up to 3 joules are often quite sufficient in the DIY segment.

Since all combi drills have electric motors, it is of course also worth taking a look at the power consumption, which is again expressed in watts. This primarily defines the power consumption. However, a high power consumption/unit of time can also go hand in hand with increased performance potential.

In the segment of cordless combi drills, the battery voltage is also a promise for power development. A Makita cordless combi drill works either with one or with two 18V batteries simultaneously (LXT series). If the voltage is combined to 36V, a lot of power can be expected.

Drill chuck

When it comes to drill chucks, Makita relies on the SDS attachment developed by Bosch. The so-called Special Direct System has decisive advantages. You can change the attachments without tools in no time at all. In addition, both drill bits and chisels can of course be used. It is not unusual for the chisel to be adjusted to more than 20 different positions.

The SDS was originally developed to provide consumers with a standardised pick-up system. Previously, it was not uncommon to have to buy new drill bits and chisels with every new combi drill. The classic SDS-plus bit has a standardised shaft diameter of 10 mm. Such designs are suitable for small and medium requirements.

A large Makita combi drill works with an SDS-max attachment. This has an 18 mm shaft diameter and is ideally suited for demanding work. Even during rough jobs, slipping of the attachment can be largely ruled out.

Handling

It goes without saying that handling should be as comfortable as possible. In this case, you can go about your work without worrying about physical problems. Makita meets this requirement to a large extent.

First and foremost, an adequate weight contributes to energy-saving handling. Some Makita combi drills weigh less than 4 kg. Such models are particularly recommended for women and older people. A rubberised additional handle provides additional support and distributes the weight more evenly over the arms.

A comprehensive anti-vibration system (AVT) also ensures that handling is pleasant. According to customer experience, hardly any vibrations are transmitted to the arms, which is also good for your health. The Makita vibration calculator will tell you how long you can put up with a certain amount of vibration without worrying.

The large combi drills are also equipped with a soft start. This prevents sudden power peaks when starting.

In addition, you can illuminate the working area via an LED with afterglow function. This means you can always see the progress of the work, which also improves safety.

In general, the operation of a Makita combi drill is quite uncomplicated. This is ensured by clear symbols on the switches. Switching from drilling to hammer drilling and chiselling is done with a single hand movement.

Functionality

A Makita combi drill comes with a variety of additional functions that further enhance comfort and versatility. We will explain which of these are particularly useful below.

With many models, the speed of rotation and percussion can be adjusted electronically. This makes it possible to always optimally adapt the power to the task. You can therefore make holes in wood with equal precision and work on metals with equal force.

In addition, it is sometimes possible to fix the operating switch. In the following, you do not have to hold the button permanently with your fingers.

Furthermore, the SoftNoLoad function automatically reduces the speed when idling. Accordingly, you can expect a high level of comfort even in this state. In addition, these functions help you to apply the drill precisely, because there is “not so much wobbling”.

A Makita cordless combi drill also has a battery capacity indicator. So there are no negative surprises in this respect.

Security

The topic of safety is also relevant. When handling a combi drill, there is always a risk of injury – especially if it is not handled properly. Both the manufacturer and the user can do something to reduce the risk of accidents to a minimum.

A Makita combi drill has various safety functions. The disengaging clutch is particularly helpful. If excessive torque occurs – because the hammer jams, for example – the drive trains are automatically separated from each other. In this way, dangerous kickbacks of the machine can be prevented.

In addition, the combi drill itself is also protected from excessive loads at Makita. Constant temperature monitoring and overload protection ensure that the machine switches off automatically in an emergency. Unnecessary wear is thus consistently prevented.

You can significantly minimise the risk of injury by wearing appropriate protective clothing. This includes, for example, sturdy shoes, safety goggles, a dust mask if necessary and a helmet.

Price

Of course, the price also has a certain influence on the decision. It should generally be in a fair proportion to your own requirements. If this is not the case, there is a greater potential for disappointment. The more power you want your combi drill to have, the higher the budget usually has to be. The same tends to apply to the expectation of long durability.

The price spectrum for a Makita combi drill is quite variable. It ranges from just over 100 Pounds to 800 Pounds. Accordingly, there is something for almost every type of wallet. The inexpensive versions are well suited for low demands in the DIY and commercial sector. From 500 Pounds upwards, you can be sure that they will also withstand tough continuous use.

Makita combi drill – It has many advantages

Makita combi drill offer you numerous advantages. You can drill, hammer drill and chisel with a single device. Purchasing different solutions would be much more cost-intensive. Nevertheless, not everything speaks for this solution. So that you can quickly weigh up the pros and cons, we have provided you with an overview below:

Makita HR2811FT in practice