Home Depot has a new Makita 18V cordless power tool combo kit on sale for Black Friday 2024, and it warranted a closer look.
This deal is for a Makita 18V 7-tool cordless combo kit, with a special buy deal price of $449.
Taking a closer look, this is actually a 5pc combo kit, XT510SM, with 2 bonus tools – a jig saw and an angle grinder.
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In total, the kit comes with a cordless drill/driver, impact driver, 6-1/2″ circular saw, compact reciprocating saw, LED flashlight, D-handle jig saw, X-Lock angle grinder, 2x 4Ah batteries, standard charger, and a tool bag.
The 5pc kit, XT510SM, was on sale in the past for $299. With the 7pc combo kit priced at $449, this means you’re paying $150 more for the jig saw and angle grinder.
The angle grinder retails for $189 by itself, and the jig saw $199. Both are eligible for Makita’s holiday season free tool offer where you buy a starter kit for $199 and get the tools for free.
If you’re the “deal hack” type to buy into free tool offers and do partial prorated returns, the return value of the 2 extra tools – which cannot be returned when purchased as part of the 7-tool combo kit – comes out to around $190.
Thus, with convoluted deal math, you’re paying $150 extra for $388 in tools that can be purchased for around $190 if you engage in unsanctioned deal exploitations.
$299 for the 5pc combo kit was a decent deal for anyone looking to buy into Makita’s 18V cordless power tool system. That deal does not look to be available this year.
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$449 for the 7pc bundle kit – since it’s really a combo kit with 2 additional tools – seems okay.
If you’re looking to buy into Makita’s 18V cordless platform, this is probably going to be the best combo kit deal of the season.
It’s looking like this deal is exclusive to Home Depot.
Farkleberry
So far Makita’s Black Friday is sinking to a new level of underwhelming, and I have no reason to think anything will change. When comparison shopping, I am reminded of how eye popping the retail, and even sale and promotion prices/value of the XGT has become.
As far as LXT, and especially this kit, they appeal to a small segment… people who want high quality, long lasting, but low performance tools. It’s also becoming a legacy line, likely for aging legacy customers or upon their recommendation to a novice. Granted, LXT still has some great low current draw tools, like the grease gun, impact drivers and smaller drills, etc. I have great faith in their ergos and the quality of their tools and batteries.
The LXT line, and especially this kit is LOOOOONG in the tooth.
When I look up XT510SM on Makita USA’s website, it says its discontinued.
The grinder is brushless and probably a fine tool, other than the oddball $$$ x-lock consumables. Grinders are power hungry, and would benefit from at least the option of 21700 batteries. Makita refuses to offer them for LXT because of 36v x2 tools, which is a mistake unless LXT is being phased out.
The rest of these tools are brushed and mostly OOOOLD tools.
They are likely quieter and perhaps could last longer (with new brushes), but who cares? If your batteries are already underpowered, using lower efficiency brushed tools just makes them even less competive. LXT doesn’t even offer a 7 1/4″ circ saw, and this brushed model is only useful for thin plywood.
Spending a little more for Metabo HPT’s recent Acme free battery deals, Lowes’ 1-2 free Dewalt XT tool and multiple battery deals, or a mix of Milwaukee brushless and fuel deals seems to make so much more sense. Or Flex. Or just get some brushless Kobalt, Craftsman, etc. and keep receipts.
We have entered the era where cordless has replaced, and is often even more powerful than high draw corded tools. While fine for finesse tools, LXT has not entered this era.
XGT’s galloping prices and lackluster promos erode the value vs their great performance.
LXT’s steady climb in price and decline in promos undercut their value. All the while the line’s extreme stagnation makes their ever growing performance disadvantage embarrassing.
Kris
LXT line does have a 7 1/4 circ saw granted it’s the 36v using two batteries but that saw is great. I used it before I got my XGT 7 1/4
Farkleberry
Yes, thanks for correction, I was just going to add that along with my caveat commentary/lament/plea to update or euthanize LXT.
LXT x 2 has some powerful tools. The problem is not so much the added weight from 2 batteries, but how it messes up the balance of tools like circ and recip saws. Obviously stationary tools, the balance doesn’t matter. With Makita adding 15 x 18650 to XGT and Milwaukee adding 15 x 21700 packs, maybe it’s not the end of the world, but those LXT x 2 are just awkward to me. Objectively, they also lag behind XGT and top competitors in power and especially power to weight.
Things like the chainsaw and blower aren’t really a problem, except that you’re always trying to match up batteries, and juggling twice as many charger slots.
The reality that 21700 has 50% more current capacity than 18650 means that the smaller cells are ideally suited to lightweight applications, while the larger ones offer significantly better power to weight ratio for big tools.
It was pointed out that the LXT x 2 platform (and battery width/spacing) predated 21700, but at some point it was obvious 21700 was going to dominate larger tools. I wish Makita had phased out LXT x 2 in favor of 18v 21700 a la Milwaukee, etc., or made LXT x 2.1 next gen with slightly wider battery slot widths.
I guess there’s still the possibility of designing more powerful yet balanced and compact/lightweight tools that feature narrow width but taller pouch cells to compete with 21700 packs.
Makita’s neglect of LXT, and perhaps its well earned reputation for battery longevity may preclude this, though.
CMF
You have a lot to say, and speak like it is from first hand knowledge. But you did not know they had a 7 1/4″ saw, actually a sidewinder and a rear handle model.
I have the track saw, no balance issues. I have a SDS plus 18×2, also no balance issues.
I have over 30 LXT power tool, all great tools with great handle and feel when using the tool, well balanced, nothing I find underpowered. Except for the prices having gone up recent years, nothing bad to say about them. Generally, as good or better than all of the rest.
Have you ever tried any of the LXT? A lot of opinions, which you are entitled to, even if there is little or no foundation.
I have seen many comments you make, believing you knew what you were talking about. But after reading this post, I guess I was wrong and probably won’t bother with your responses in future
Farkleberry
I kind of consider LXT and LXT x 2 as different beasts, even though they both share the same battery and chargers. Many I’m sure feel differently.
I basically consider the x2 no go for hand tools I want to be small, powerful and as balanced as possible – like circ saws, recip saws, grinders, etc. Basically I don’t have a problem with the x 2 tools that stack the batteries side by side (blower, chainsaw), but don’t like the ones that stack front to back.
Your experience with Makita’s sounds like it largely mirrored mine until a few years ago.
I’ve got 15+ years of first hand experience with LXT, maybe 10 with LXT x 2 and still own many of both tools. I’ve owned some XGT for a couple years. I’ve had great longevity from all of them.
Most batteries lasted 10-12 years and a few drill chucks and an impact went south, but otherwise the corded and cordless tools, many pretty beat up, still work like new.
I just saw a PSA ad for the bit holders I had previously considered their worst product ever. It warned not to insert long 1/4 quick change impact driver bits, only the short bits with the small cuts, lest you destroy the circle clip (my issue).
A few years ago I had a reckoning where I realized I could finally replace many of my excellent rainbow colored array of corded tools with cordless. The 15 year old LXT brushed circ saw and recip saws, just like the ones in this kit, had been used frequently, but only situationally, because they are pathetically underpowered.
They were great in 2008, but never compared to corded power.
I briefly looked at upgrading to the fine brushless LXT 18V 6.5 and recip saws that I’d tried out on jobsites. When I started learning about how Makita would likely never be releasing 21700 batteries, I began to search for alternatives.
I honestly find it annoying trying to match up amp hours and age on my LXT x 2 batteries. It’s not the end of the world, but my journey into the future with 21700 packs has been so much better.
I have lots of love for Makita, and like to write detailed analyses of their products and marketing explaining why they’ve largely lost me as a very loyal customer. I’m hoping they read comments like mine and others and take them to heart, otherwise I fear they will become increasingly irrelevant in North America.
Comments regarding specific tool brands, trends, design and marketing decisions are often applicable to the industry as a whole.
I have a client whose son bought him an LXT x 2 rear handle circ saw (when they had good promos) and I tried it out. I was impressed with the power, it is probably at least close to a corded skil. I was just starting to adopt Metabo HPT tools at the time and compared them. He was impressed ,but flatly stated he’d had nothing but good luck with Makita, was winding down his project days and wanted no part of 2 or more battery systems. He’s since gone on to spend hundreds of dollars more on LXT tools with nothing but good luck.
If LXT and LXT x 2 tradeoffs work for you, that’s valuable info.
If I have a different viewpoint, it seems a little extreme to get emotional and write me off forever.
I think LXT are great tools, the problem is they will always be compared to competive options by people who don’t already have 30 of their tools, or are willing to deal with 2 or more battery systems (or adapters).
Setting price/value aside…
If you have an open mind, you’ll realize LXT is not really competive for lightweight, highest performance tools.
Otherwise ,why would Makita have introduced XGT?
Rog
As someone who is rooting for Makita to get back on track, this kit—and their BF deals in general—gives confidence.
If you’re reading this, Makita: Please do better, this is getting embarrassing.
Rog
I meant to say gives *little* confidence.
Goodie
I am rooting for Makita, too. They build long lasting tools. There’s no one better at build quality and ergos – though DeWalt and Milwaukee can meet them in this area when they put the effort in.
rick
Farklebeery’s comment is spot on. The price/value ratio of Makita no longer makes sense. I am fully invested in the LXT and XGT line and rarely need any additional tools so I’m in a position to not be bothered by the radical price increase and lack of “deals”. There is the occasional new XGT tool I would like to purchase but when I see the price it is a strong “are you kidding”. The new XGT metal cutting circular saw is an example ~$750.
blocky
If I’m remembering correctly, my brother bought this same 5-pc kit, minus the angle grinder and jigsaw for $299 about 5 years ago. It was a solid deal but none of the tools were leading the LXT lineup even then. These tools have seen him through a complete home renovation and lack nothing in terms of expected function and reliability.
If Makita could get the price below $400 somehow, I think it would be appealing – ditch the dufflebag, or lose the flashlight or mini recip. Lose both the flashlight and mini recip and put in the palm router.
$450 is a chunk that could be spent on 3-4 tools with leading performance right about now, no filler.
Stuart
Not quite – if it was that long ago, it probably wasn’t the exact same 5pc combo kit.
The same 5pc combo kit was a special buy last year and the year before, for $299 as mentioned in the post.
In 2020 and 2021, there was a 6pc combo kit for $299, with everything in the 5pc kit (sans jigsaw and angle grinder), plus a handheld vacuum, but the batteries were 3Ah instead of 4Ah.
In earlier years, there was a different 5pc combo kit, XT506S, with a drill, impact, different flashlight (xenon), full-size recip saw instead of compact, and jobsite blower.
Here’s Milwaukee’s 5pc combo kit, which is $299 at Home Depot right now. $300 has been a typical target for 5pc pro brand brushed motor tool kits.
Dewalt has a 4pc Atomic kit for $299, although I’m not sure it’s as good a value since you don’t get a circular saw.
RayB
I am not an expert on pricing but I can speak to the quality and longevity of these tools. I helped a buddy on an cabinet install this week and , he has a crew of 3 that use these tools day in and day out. The same drills and impacts in this line that he had in service 10 years ago when I worked for him are still in full time use by his crew today.
I know of several other carpentry outfits that have blown through multiple Milwaukee drills (especially the M12 line) and Dewalt drills and nailers in the same timeframe these Makitas have kept chugging along. Another busy installer I know still has his Makita stuff in service from 10 years ago as well.
I don’t even own any Makita stuff so not a company schill, I’m currently in the Craftsman line which is fine for drills and nailer but the circular saw is terrible.
Zac
Acme has a similar deal but with a vac and two 3ah batteries.
Farkleberry
The drills and impacts are great – top notch durability, as you say, along with great ergos/controls. Being able to use 5 x 18650 compact packs is so nice for limited use like running in a few screws while your juggling tools and fasteners along with the cabinets vs XGT’s 10 x 18650 minimum.
I can’t imagine pros or anyone aware of the dozens of more modern options using the LXT brushed circ saw.
It’s really quite pathetic for 2×4’s, 3/4 plywood, etc. I’ve never used the one handed recip saw, but my 15+ year old full sized brushed version still works like it always did, just like the circ saw. They’re both very weak compared to modern options.
My memory of coworkers’ brushless LXT recip and 6 1/2 circ saws was positive, but those tools are pretty old at this point, and I’m curious how competive they are, given competitors are often designing around 21700 packs now.
This reminds me of the old rather sleek long handled NiCad Makita drills still kicking around in the 90’s when Dewalt had brought out their much bigger tools and battery packs. The comment I remember was, “Makita… no balls, but you can’t kill it!”
Do you have a 6 1/2 or 7 1/4 craftsman, and what’s wrong with it?
Farkleberry
My 15+ year old brushed impact driver is a lot slower than even middling Makita’s from several years ago. The 15+ brushed drill works great, it’s just quite a bit bulkier than similar strength modern drills.
The original batteries from kit (purchased 2008-ish?) were degraded but still usable until 10-12 years old.
RayB
I had the 7 1/4″ Craftsman 20V , ended up selling it. Very poor battery life and bogged down badly when cutting a countertop or a piece of Corian.
Overly bulky form factor and shoe size, the Makita circular and my old NiCad Dewalt were much more compact.
Even tried higher capacity batteries in it and they didn’t help. My old Dewalt 18V NiCad 6 1/2″ trim saw was a better saw for millwork installs in terms of battery life and power.
JR Ramos
That was a fun time for cordless tools but it was also pretty constant disappointment in terms of usable power. DeWalt didn’t really bring a ton to that scene and their batteries weren’t any larger or better (actually the initial few years they used inferior cells that had high failure rates, which was something I don’t believe we ever saw with Makita batteries). Makita was who changed it up for the better by shifting to NiMH first (I think they were first anyway, unless maybe Panasonic beat them to it)…the red stem battery packs. Not too many people bought them in our area but in the old long-handle drills Makita did offer a 12v, which was an L-shaped pack that just added some cells to the 9v footprint and got a tool housing to suit. DeWalt did add some ergonomics and such to their drills but honestly the power and batteries were nothing…what really helped them was the popularity of that very liberal and easy to use happy policy (returns, satisfaction, warranty) which is what got them started rolling hard in 1992 or 1993 along with the garish yellow housing. DeWalt did love to market that they were better/best but in the hands of users it was clear they weren’t living up to the claims (neither was anyone else, though, except Panasonic and a couple others that weren’t in common stores). The Milwaukees at that time were never as popular but they did seem a tad better than the DeWalt and the Porter Cable models were much better (later arrivals to the scene, though).
Lithium was the best thing to ever happen to drills. Would have been great it it wasn’t decades until it ended up in our hands instead of NASA’s via Makita.
Farkleberry
That’s pretty interesting history. I don’t remember the Nimh Makita drill, had to check ebay. I guess my unfair comparison was for the 80’s – early 90’s 9.6v Makita Nicad to the mid-late 90’s dewalt 14.4-18v Nicad.
When I search for “vintage Makita drill”, there are only one or two 12v nicad and 12v nimh and 100 9.6 drills like the ones I remember. They probably all work great.
I can’t find much info online on early dewalt drills either. It seems like they had some 14.4 v in the early 90’s and the 18v nicad was late 90’s, around the time the Makita was introducing (but maybe not selling many here) 12v ni mh.
Does this sound right?
That’s not surprising that Makita was pushing the envelope on battery chemistry, and that their packs were the most reliable back then too.
As you say, the huge breakthrough was 18v lithium LXT. It seems it took Dewalt a few more years to switch to lithium.
LXT was quite the achievement in 2005, and perhaps unsurprisingly, is showing its age. With a few different decisions along the way, I think the performance gap could’ve been much less.
I’d say XGT’s catalog is right at the top of overall performance, but not alone like in 2005. I wouldn’t be surprised if the durability of the tools and batteries is a cut above the rest, though.
Obviously innovation and quality cost money, but Makita has pretty much priced me out of commonly available carpentry tools. There are many other options with nearly comparable performance for literally 2-4x less $, along with the ability to run compact batteries.
If you like building things with power tools, its a great time to be alive.
JR Ramos
I’m a little fuzzy on introduction years but you’re pretty much right…except I think the Makita 12v NiMH was on the scene in probably 1997 (give or take a little maybe). We sold a crap ton of those in several kit flavors. Everyone was still using 1.2v cells and while NiMH helped solve the memory issues a bit, it couldn’t quite deliver the same punch as NiCd and tended to have a shorter pack lifespan…so they weren’t all that much greater really. At that time Ryobi was starting to shift more fully from professional to DIY markets but they still had an excellent cordless drill, too. I don’t know if anyone ever bested the Panasonic though…it was a geared durable beast and had a design that others mimicked.
The early DeWalts were nothing more than yellow housings on existing B&D designs sold under the Kodiak and Professional labels (different distribution channels for the most part). All three labels existed for several years until the success of yellow caused them to nix the other two and sell through existing stock. It was quite awhlie until DeWalt started to do more than tweak a housing design and actually begin to engineer some new tools. Bosch and Porter Cable and Milwaukee all had pretty good cordless, too, but they were all slower to get on the runaway train. Makita was really leading that way with a broad selection of tools, even though most of them just didn’t have the performance that we enjoy today. I actually missed out on the first early years of lithium packs but I remember seeing that the performance wasn’t *that* much better so I opted to keep the weaker cordless where it worked well and keep pulling out the corded tools when I needed real-man-working-power. Almost no need for that today!