Over in Japan, Makita announced that they have come out with a new 18V LXT brushless impact driver, model TD148D. There is also a 14.4V version, model TD137D. The new cordless impact driver is said to offer high performance in an extremely small and compact package.
This is also the first product Makita has advertised equipped with their 5.0Ah BL1850 Li-ion battery. A promotional flyer for the impact driver shows runtime scales for 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, and 5.0Ah battery packs.
Advertisement
As a reminder, Makita’s 18V BL1840 LXT 4.0Ah Li-ion battery pack is available internationally but not yet in the USA. The 4.0Ah battery pack is expected to be released in the USA in about 6-months from now, in the summer of 2014.
The new 18V TD148D impact driver has a length of just 119mm (4.685 inches), making it nearly half an inch shorter than the 18V LXT LXDT06 brushless impact driver that Makita released in the USA in 2013. The LXDT06 has a head length of just 5.125 inches.
When we compared the LXDT06 specs to those of other 18V-class impact drivers, it looked to be shortest in class. It looks like the new impact driver will inherit that title.
The new brushless impact is said to deliver a maximum torque of 175 Nm, which is about 1550 in-lbs.
Advertisement
Additionally, Makita says that the TD148D is 35% faster than their previous leading 18V-class impact driver.
As with the LXDT06, the TD148D features 3 speed and torque settings. The new impact might also have a similar quick-shift mechanism.
Specifications
- 1/4″ hex bit holder
- Low speed: 0-1100 RPM, 0-1100 IPM
- Medium speed: 0-2100 RPM, 0-2600 IPM
- High speed: 0-3600 RPM, 0-3800 IPM
- Weighs 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs) with 3.0Ah BL1830 battery
- Built-in LED fuel gauge
USA Availability?
There is no word as to whether the new 18V impact driver will be released in the USA.
We asked Makita USA whether there is a USA release estimate for the 5.0Ah battery pack and whether there would be a USA/North American version of the impact driver and were told that there is “no new information regarding additional battery releases at this time.”
Jason
I really like how small this new Makita impact is. I like my Milwaukee Fuel but the head of that new impact looks super compact! I don’t really need a 3rd impact driver and another battery platform though.
Cameron
that small form factor is incredible
Stuart
Agreed. The words ridiculously compact came to mind. The only downside I can see is that LXT-size batteries must be used, as the impact isn’t compatible be used with Makita’s 1.5Ah compact batteries.
Alfredo Huerta
I read somewhere that you just have to break a pin… to make it use the 1.5 ah batteries…
john
Yes there is a plastic tab that has to be removed on the 1.5Ah batteries, easily done with a file on dremel like tool. It’s there so it will not be used in a tool that will drain the battery too fast resulting in overheating. Remembering that use them appropriately.
kornomaniac
How can you be sure the the bigger batteries have to be used? =)
At the moment all of makita’s impact drivers are compatible with the compact batteries? ( atleast here in europe )
Stuart
In the promotional flyer, the 3.0Ah battery is the smallest the impact is advertised with.
In the USA and North America, teal-colored “LXT” tools can typically only be used with Makita’s high capacity LXT battery packs. Only the white-colored tools can be used with Makita’s compact battery packs.
Cameron
you can modify lxt tools to accept 1.5 but i’m not that brave. Also it would be nice to see makita allow the 1.5 to be used with lxt tools especially on a driver like this where lightweight small form factor is one of the main selling points
Chris
The color does not indicate whether or not you can use 1.5Ah batteries. All my Makita tools are “teal” (and I have quite a few) both my drill and impact driver can take either my 1.5Ah or 3.0Ah batteries.
the saws and my stapler only take the 3.0Ah.
kornomaniac
Aha ! I think that’s a difference between USa tools and Belgium Tools then.
In belgium it depends on the colour of the connectorplate at the bottom.
Yellow connector plate can take both compact and the 3.0 and 4.0 ah batteries.
Black connector plate can only take the ‘big’ batteries. 3.0 and 4.0 ah.
The colour of the tool itself doesn’t matter. almost all tools here are teal. the only ‘white’ coloured tools in belgium are anniversairy editions but then it still depends on the colour of the connector plate if it cna taker the compact batteries.
=)
Stuart
Okay then. LXT tools can typically only be used with LXT battery packs. The first few teal-colored LXT tools I’ve tested and used were not compatible with Makita’s compact battery packs, so I stopped checking.
Ben
“Heavy duty” tools require the larger battery due to high current draw. When I had mine, the saws, grinder, and BHP454 drill was keyed. The impact (brushed and brushless) and smaller drills weren’t keyed. If you really want, using compact batteries takes a few seconds with a razor or wood chisel, just cut the little rectangle key on the base of the tool that isn’t present on the others. 😉
Jim
I own the dhp480 (xph06 in U.S.), it is teal coloured and it accepts 1.5 Ah battery
Javier
Wow thats impressive, its been a long time since makita came out with something that WOW’ed me. At first I thought it was neat it was that much shorter in length but then thought, it must be seriously underpowered to be that short but nope, 1550 in/lbs torque.
Also cool they are branching out their brushless tech on cordless products other than drills and impacts like the jigsaw you previewed.
Noah
I’m in love with my M12 Fuel Impact, but that Makita is just WOW.
Tim
I remember how many bits I broke with my white makita 18v compact impact because the batteries would hit stuff when you were trying to drive a screw in at an angle, I can only imagine how many this will break with a 5ah battery doing the same thing. Lol minor ergonomic issue I’ve become accostumed to after switching from the 12v tools of old with the slightly askewed head.
Gonna have to find out though.
pete
Wow, the first makita product that wowed me since i first used their first 18volt impact driver like 4 years ago. I really like the speed, and the fact that it hits hard while being stubby is awesome. I’m thinking i’ll have to pick this up after the price drops after the initial release.
But really makita, why did you not design your 18volt system better? Batteries that don’t work with other tools, but some do, and most definitely do but not really but mostly not and kinda could…. it’s a SYSTEM it’s all suppose to integrate perfectly with one another.
Ted
The Makita 18V system has the best integrated battery system out there. Last count I saw was 70 tools that use one 18v battery and charger. There are always the 12v or 36v that may be only useable on certain tools but across the board 70 tools is huge.
Gil
Hi , if anyone wont to get this makita impact or makita 5 a.h battery or any thing of makita japan, can cantact with me.
dan aragon
Show me some numbers.very interested with this impact setup
dan aragon
Am Interested with the makita 9227CX3.
Gerald Clundrina
I live in Japan and i can get this new makita 18v new 148Ｄ for a good price.
350 hundred USD
zac
I need one
Gerald Clundrina
I live in Japan and i work with Makita co. If anyone interested in Makita i can get you a cheap price for it. Just mail me and let me know how many you want me to ship it to your door.
Christopher Oh
I am interested in the Makita TD148D! Can you tell me how you can help me get one?! 🙂
Jim
@Christopher,
The Makita TD148D Impact Driver is available on eBay from multiple sellers. It is shipping out of Japan for @209 plus about $25 shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MAKITA-TD148DZ-DTD148Z-BRUSHLESS-18V-IMPACT-DRIVER-/121430510173?pt=Power_Tools&hash=item1c45d28a5d
edd carlson
I would like to get a price on a Makita LXDT01-18 volt Li-Ion brushless with the 1/4″ drive. want the charger and 2 batteries and bag or carrying case.
Enrique Flores
I’m interested in a makita td148 in pink and also the case that goes with it.How much can you get these items.
Shelley
Hi
I’m interested in a
makita dtd148zl
Can you tell me how much to the UK
Thanks
John smith
Makita initially didn’t have overloads in their tools or switch off when the batteries run flat. Li- ion are sensitive to overloading and running flat. When this happens batteries dies and they flash red and yellow on charger & battery is dead . So when you put a small battery in a big tool you drain it quick and therefore stuff it quickly. So thus the key to stop you putting small battery on big tool. Now makita have overload circuit in their tools and flat sensor you can put little battery on big tool
Nicholas
So, I just bought one of these, directly from Japan, on a hope everything will work out kosher with my US 4.0 setup. I’m also really hoping that what I’ve read as “quick Shift” In the japanese literature is the same as what we have here, its a very neat feature to have if you are doing drywall.
I’ll write a bit about it when I get a chance to put it through the paces. So far, all my new Makita stuff is really quite amazing. Coming from old dewalt Ni-cad stuff, I’m in heaven.
Joseph
Any update Nicholas? I know the U.S. version will be out eventually, but do not want to wait when there is no official release date. My concern with Japanese model is it will not take 1/4″ drill bits because the U.S. is the only country to use the imperial measurement system. I am addicted to Makita cordless tools and have way more than I need, but will continue to buy their latest tools. I have the impulse driver and it is beautiful and more powerful than I had expected.
huuh
Other countries use the same bit size. Just as plenty of things are refered to in metric sizes in the US, so are things refered to in inch sizes elsewhere. 1/4″ hex is sometimes known as 6.35 mm.
nicholas
I really really love it. Sorry it took a year to reply! I have two now, one green and one pink. We use the 2.0 batteries for crafts,it goes a few days, so maybe 6hrs. The 4.0 would last in this thing for a full work day,or nearly. Recently used it for drywall, and not as great as a screw gun, very impressive still. It does step down torque when driving screws, but I still can break therm if not careful.
With 2.0 batteries, super light. Really useful in any situation you’ll be overhead for long times.
Also, with 2.0 batteries there is no modification needed, but the belt clip is to big for it to sit flush with the small battery, so it won’t stand. Just a note. We took it off.
Nois
Hi, i am a user of this product.
But i have a confusion.
What is the difference of the speed3 and the T model?
Their working status seems have the same performance.
Robbie UK
I can confirm that this tool is fully compatible with the compact batteries. As the runtime is so good I pretty much only use a compact 2.0Ah battery on this tool.
With the 2.0Ah battery I can achieve a near identical endurance to my non-brushless Makita impact driver fitted with a 4Ah battery. There are very few circumstances where I would choose a larger battery over the lighter and smaller battery.
The tool itself is awesome. The performance numbers draw the attention but in use it is the tiny form-factor that makes it a must-have tool. There is no point in power if the tool does not fit in the space available!
cm
Does anyone know if there’s a difference between the model sold in USA (XDT09) and the other models (DTD148 and TD148d)? The XDT09 model I have sounds like it turns faster in counter clockwise direction than clockwise. Bought it used so just wondering if this is normal. This driver is indeed ridiculously small…and ridiculously fast! With the 2.0 battery it’s super compact and light. Also, the belt clip this one came with works great with the 2.0 battery (bl1820b).
Roger
Mine does the same, doubt it’s a fault.