New Makita Cordless Drill Torque Claims Raise Major Questions

You agree that Ace is under no duty to use your Feedback or keep your Feedback confidential. For improved tool performance and extended battery life, Makita created Star Protection Computer Controls™. For increased versatility, the tool can also be powered by Makita 18V LXT® and Compact Lithium-Ion batteries with the star symbol on the battery indicating Star Protection inside. Makita UK lists the same specs – 73 Nm and 40 Nm max hard and soft joint fastening torque, respectively. Lock torque seems to be akin to “stall” torque, which usually isn’t used to describe cordless drill performance. As the drill doesn’t ship with a side handle, and I can’t think of a reasonable explanation as to why, we need to take a closer look at Makita’s torque specs.

This cordless drill also easily managed these tasks in the higher gear for all but the 1-inch holes on the last full set. This is one of the best battery performances we have evaluated to date. The drill’s features, combined with its compact size and power, make it an all-around great drill driver. It is priced competitively with other professional bands, and if you use the Makita battery platform, this upgraded high-torque compact drill driver is a must-have. The Makita XPH14 has a 2-speed clutch with speeds ranging from RPM on speed one to 0-2,100 RPM on speed two.

Makita new Zealand’s product spec sheet lists the 18V hammer drill as delivering 125 Nm max fastening torque, and 141 Nm peak torque. Makita UK lists the same hammer drill as delivering 130 Nm max hard fastening torque, the same as given in Makita AUS’s spec sheet. For makita cordless drill, we have both corded or cordless drills.

Our testing process started by rating and ranking the drilling performance of each of these cordless tools. We determined scores by seeing how each drill handled, making holes with a 5-inch hole saw through a solid-core door, a 1-inch spade or paddle bit through stacked 2x lumber, and twist drills through a steel sheet. When you see the phrase maximum torque in a cordless drill’s marketing materials, the value typically refers to the tool’s maximum hard-joint tightening torque. This hammer drill retails for $359 as a kit, including two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. For the new international model drill that’s equivalent to the Makita USA model XPH16 drill, Makita advertises 110 Nm peak torque, 73 Nm max hard-joint tightening torque, and 40 Nm max soft-joint tightening torque. Here in the USA, the XGT cordless drill is advertised as delivering 1250 in-lbs torque, which correlates to the 141 Nm peak torque value.

The XPH16 hammer drill uses a brushless motor to deliver up to 970 in-lbs of torque, which puts it in the mid-level range of Makita’s lineup. The brand tells us it’s up to 70% more powerful than the previous hammer drill model, the XPH12. However, it did manage to drive in all the screws and drill half of a hole on the 10th cycle.

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This is the Makita XGT compact cordless drill, with a 585 in-lb max torque rating. Most of Makita’s 18V and 18V-form factor XGT cordless drills and hammer drills have similar handle grip proportions. Between Makita’s latest and previous 18V brushless hammer drills, the difference between their max fastening torques of ~646 in-lbs (73 Nm) and ~478 in-lbs (54 Nm) is around 35%. The difference between their “max torque” values of 970 in-lbs (110 Nm) and 530 in-lbs (60 Nm) is around 83%. Going by these figures, Makita advertises their new cordless hammer drill as delivering “a full 970 in-lbs max torque” but it seems it can only deliver up to 646 in-lbs of max tightening torque. The USA model, XPH12, is advertised as delivering 530 in-lbs max torque, or 60 Nm.

The Makita 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless Cordless Driver-Drill (model XFD11ZB, tool only, battery sold separately) is a drilling and driving solution with significantly less weight. The 18V Sub-Compact Driver-Drill is part of a new class of compact, with the size and weight of lower voltage tools but with makita circular saw the performance, power and compatibility of 18V. The expansive breadth-of-line of the Makita 18V LXT® Series means an 18V battery from any LXT® tool will power the 18V Sub-Compact Driver-Drill. The XFD11ZB has an efficient brushless motor with two speed settings and dual L.E.D. lights to illuminate the work area.

The secondary handle is a great feature during this application supporting my non-dominant hand I was able to control the drill and hit my target area without any issue. The

early days saw the 6500D battery powered drill begin the cordless power tool

market with very heavy metal housings and by today’s measure, inefficient

motors and low capacity batteries. Our next set of tests looked at efficiently each of these power tools utilized their cordless battery capacity. We makita cordless drill purchased the Makita XFD14Z as a tool-only product, so we conducted these tests with a 2 amp-hour Makita battery — comparable to the type of battery most other products include when purchased as a kit. We based scores on a side-by-side usage comparison and the time it took for a battery to recharge with the stock charger. For the newest model cordless drill, there is a massive step between its max tightening torque, and the max torque Makita USA is advertising for it.