A couple of readers tipped us off about new Makita 12V Max drills, and they do look quite appealing.
Makita only recently launched their new line of 12V Max CXT compact cordless power tools, and they’re not wasting any time expanding it.
Advertisement
Judging from the photos that I’ve seen, these tools are pretty compact – even the hammer drill.
There’s no press release or official fact sheet yet, just an early product page over at Amazon – but there are still more than enough details to mull over.
The new Makita brushless drill (FD07R1) can deliver up to 280 in-lbs of torque. And because it has a brushless motor, you can expect for lots of runtime from the kit’s 2.0Ah battery pack.
- 280 in-lbs max torque
- 3/8″ chuck
- Weighs 2.3 lbs with 2.0Ah battery
- 6-1/16″ length
Price: $154 for the kit, updated 4/3/2019
Buy Now(Brushless Drill Kit via Amazon)
Advertisement
The new Makita 12V brushless hammer drill (PH05R1) is similar to the drill/driver, but with the added hammer mode for drilling into masonry materials.
- 280 in-lbs max torque
- 3/8″ chuck
- Weighs 2.4 lbs with 2.0Ah battery
- 6-5/8″ length
Price: $164 for the 2-battery kit, updated 4/3/2019
Buy Now(Brushless Hammer Drill Kit via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Let’s stop for a moment to consider what’s going on in the 12V tool market. Dewalt’s are decent, but they haven’t really expanded their tool selection in a very long time. Bosch keeps expanding their lineup, but mainly in Europe. Bosch does offer a brushless 12V-class drill, and a screwdriver.
Milwaukee is pretty much king of the hill, with an incredibly vast lineup that includes many brushless tools. What other brand offers a brushless 12V-class circular saw?
These new Makita brushless 12V Max drills look appealing, and breath extra excitement into their new 12V Max battery platform. Yes, I’m pretty excited about these new tools. These new brushless drills are big news when it comes to 12V cordless power tool market.
The other Makita 12V tools seem to be close adaptations of their previous generation of 12V Max tools. When Makita changed over from stem-style batteries to a slide-pack style, the rest of the tools’ designs seemed to have stayed more or less the same.
But these new brushless tools look to be completely different, suggesting that Makita has big plans for the new battery form factor.
If Makita is designing brand new 12V Max power tools, brushless or not, that’s going to a big development.
The drills look to be compact – it’s hard to tell from photos – with a little extra height just above the battery latch. The brushless motor controller and other electronics have to go somewhere. I guess it’s better to put this stuff at the bottom of the tool, than in the handle or motor housing.
I have said (or at least thought) this about some of Makita’s impact drivers before, but I don’t think I’ve said it about any of their drills before: I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
John
I hate to be nitpicky, but that separation between the chuck and the body really bothers me. That seems really large and I could imagine dust/dirt etc getting in there and really messing this up. I almost thought at first that this had a removable chuck much like the B&D Matrix or Rigid Job Max with interchangeable tool heads.
Stuart
This kind of thing bugs me too, but I’m sure there’s a good explanation behind it. I’ve seen this in some other brands’ drills too. The first time I saw it, I thought it was a defect.
Lack
Yeah, probably less friction resulting in a 0,01% power increase.
But more probably, 1 cent saving in plastic cost.
Chris
Could be a hammer drill.
Stuart
Yes, the first one’s a drill, the second a hammer drill.
I’ve seen gaps in non-hammer drills too. See: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/719zKP3ajdL._SL1500_.jpg
Jay k.
If it had a half inch chuck i would be more interested…
JackC
Note to Milwaukee: Notice the length? I’m looking forward to a more compact M12 drill someday.
Frank D
can’t wait for the circular saw, Maybe they’ll step it up to 5.5 or 6.5 to compete with Milwaukee. 3-3/8 is handy at times but I’d like to see bigger 12v saws from makita.
John
3/8″ plastic chuck????? Why makita why? I thought brushless was supposed to be a premium. No thanks
Dave
These look pretty interesting. I have some of Milwaukee’s 18v stuff and love them, but the 12v even though they are powerful and seem well built, have never interested me. Their 12v stuff is almost the same size and weight as their compact 18v. Nice to see someone other than Bosch starting to take compact 12v tools seriously.
Matt
Although the 3/8 plastic chuck is a slight turn off, the slide pack batt option, which ranges from 1.5ah to 4.0ah, should demand, if not serious consideration, then at least a test drive into any pros tool box. As well as the 280 in lbs. Pistol grip. Makita nametag. Compact design? I
Its always m12 fuel this or m12 fuel that and with Bosch creeping up with a brushless impact release in June our 12v options have been limited, especially in the brushless realm.
I think this will turn out to be a great investment, along side the hopeful release of a 12v BL impact as i use my 12v kit seemingly more on a daily basis.
Thats why we are presented the 90 day guarantee. If you dont like it, take it back. Stick with your m12.
Wayne
I wonder when they’ll start clearancing the “old” ones. I might pick up a set if I could get it for under $100.
BikerDad
I’m in an odd place regarding this one. I’m glad to see it coming, to see some more serious action in the 12v brushless market. Yet, it’s very unlikely that I would get it, simply because Makita’s cordless tools don’t appeal to me…. Pushing the market forward, hopefully DeWalt and Bosch will get off their duff’s. And maybe Panasonic too….
Marvin McConoughey
I would like the 12 volt tools to weigh in at no more than two pounds. Brushless motors and perhaps some astute reengineering should permit this.