Makita just announced their new 18V LXT cordless 5-inch random orbit sander. The new sander is said to run up to 40-minutes, and features three speed settings, ergonomic grip, and quick-change 8-hole hook-and-loop sanding pad.
Features and Specs:
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- no-load speeds: 7,000/9,500/10,000 OPM
- 1/8″ orbit diamater
- “up to 20 minutes” runtime on high speed setting
- “up to 40 minutes” runtime on low speed setting
- 5-inch, 8-hole, hook-and-loop sanding pad
The new sander will be available as part of a kit (LXOB01) or as a separate tool-only add-on (LXOB01Z).
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Amazon)
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Update: The sander was launched with model number LXOB01, and this was later changed to XOB01.
First Impression
Just going by the specs and pricing, this is not going to be one of those tools that shakes up the industry. “Up to 20 minutes” of runtime at high speed is something we have come to expect with continuously-run tools. If you can manage with a corded tool, you’ll save a lot of money and frequent trips to the charger. At least Makita’s LXT batteries charge very quickly in their standard rapid charger.
The grip doesn’t look all that ergonomic compared to corded sanders, but we’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
What do you think – is “corded performance without the cord” worth a trip to the charger every 20-40 minutes?
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Baji
Only 20 minutes on the highest setting and then you have to charge this unit? I am going to be blunt here, that just wouldn’t work for me and likely wouldn’t get much work done with constantly having to charge this unit back and fourth. That’s probably a good way to drive a busy crazy as well.
One year ago or so, I bought myself a Deawalt ROS that is now obsolete from their line, but unit works very well even though this is corded. Much more powerful powerful than 10,000 OPM at the max as well. I’ve had cases where I’ve had to do a great deal of sanding, but the grip on this Dewalt is very spacious and comfortable as well.
I am bashing Makita here and this is neat concept, but I personally can’t think of any reason how having to charge this on for 20-40 minutes and off for 20-40 minutes would be worth the trouble. Plus at that price, I at least received a tool bag with my Dewalt.
Baji
I meant to say I am NOT bashing Makita here, sorry about that.
Derrick
why are you complaining about the 20 minute run time at full speed when if you had any other tools in the Makita LXT line, you’d surely have more than one battery, I know I do, I have 6 batteries, so how hard is it to replace the battery and stick the used up one in the charger and continue on with your work……..the LXT line cordless is for convenience…for a guy who says he’s not bashing Makita, sure sounds like he is and why would you even comment on this product when you clearly haven’t even used it…
John Sullivan
Umm, Derrick– at the time Baji posted, NOBODY had used it because it had just been announced. Even ToolGuyd himself, Stuart, acknowledged that his post was for discussion based on the just-announced specs.
Jay k.
Its cute… Practical – ???
John Sullivan
If I was already locked into this charging system AND the bare tool was available for about $40 AND it used the same hole pattern as whatever corded RO sander I already used, sure… I would probably keep it in the tool bag with the rest of the cordless menagerie. Otherwise, I fail to see the value proposition when $100 to $120 can buy *two* perfectly good corded RO sanders.
fred
For 18V tools we have standardized (for the most part) on the Makita lineup – and use much of the lineup including concrete vibrators , portable band saws, recip saws, trim saws, drills , impact drivers, recip saws and even some light-duty rotohammers. I’m of the opinion however that 18V batteries are not the ideal power source for many tools including circular saws (36V – much better), routers, grinders and sanders. Even corded electric sanders are not the match for pneumatic tools – and in our shop it is Dotco and Dynabrade sanders that do the production work.
Joe
When you brake out a sander you are going to do a lot of sanding so I don’t think this would be practical with that run time I would do it by hand
mnoswad1
The point of this would not be as a replacement for a corded version. I’ve had several situations where I could use a quick deburring of some cut wood edges, etc.
We’ve all been spoiled by the performance of cordless saws and drills, so we think that every battery powered tool has to have comparable output to corded versions now. But the benefit of these kinds of “peripheral” cordless tools is not performance, but rather portability and convenience.
I’m still waiting for more cordless planers, and a 10 inch cordless trim miter saw. I would buy this, IF I had a Makita system.
Scottthetec
Same here. I have a Bosch multiX and use it for deburring and small sanding. It runs about 20 mins sanding. Much better than having to plug in.
Makita used to make a cordless miter saw (I think it was 8″) that ran on there NiMH batteries.
mnoswad1
I thought that Bosch had one too, 10 inch I think, it had a nylon bag/case too. If only I could get one in yellow.
I think I remember that Ryobi had a cordless miter as well. Point is, is that battery power does not always have to rival corded, but can be good for certain specialty tools like this sander, hand planers, mini vacs and trim miter saws. Hopefully the 3.0 amp li-on batteries will spawn more tools.
Tooman
Makita currently makes a slide compound mitre saw. You just gotto search around. We have the old 7-1/2″ m force miter saw and its extremely useful. Thinking about updating to the lxt but they’re pretty pricey. Ryobi makes a 7-1/4″ miter saw too though.
Tooman
Makita LXSL01Z is the current miter saw.
Stuart
Makita’s 18V LXSL01 miter saw came out back in April. But something like that can be used continuously or for cross-cuts here and there.
Keith
I think it would be a good product for small projects. I revamp furniture from time to time and this seems like it would be ideal for that, since I find it a lot easier to use a cordless sander for those hard to reach spots on shelves, dressers etc.
Cpt. Chris
I live on a saiboat on a hook in a harbor. Cordless is the way to go for me… However, I am hooked into DeWalt 20v. Anyone know when DeWalt will come out with an RO cordless sander?
Stuart
I haven’t seen or heard of one yet.