Over at ToolGuyd’s Facebook page, Andrew sent over some info about the new Makita DTD170 18V brushless impact driver (thanks!).
In a Facebook post, Makita described their new cordless impact as the world’s smartest impact driver.
Advertisement
Additionally, Andrew noted that the new impact is 2 mm shorter than their next most compact model. And it is extremely compact, at just 117 mm long, which is around 4.61″.
So what makes the Makita DTD170 cordless impact driver so smart? It has 6 impact modes, which is more than any other model currently on the market.
There are 2 special impact modes, and 4 variable speed and torque modes.
“A Mode” is said to help eliminate camming out and fastener cross threading by starting off at a low speed until the screw starts to tighten.
“T Mode” is for fastening self-driving screws, likely similar to the Quick-Shift mode we’ve seen in some previous models. In the Quick-Shift mode, the driver starts off at high speed but goes to medium speed for final tightening to prevent damage to a fastener.
Advertisement
- Max torque: 175 Nm (~1549 in-lbs)
- 1st setting: 0-3,600 RPM, 0-3,800 IPM
- 2nd setting: 0-3,200 RPM, 0-3,600 IPM
- 3rd setting: 0-2,100 RPM, 0-2,600 IPM
- 4th setting: 0-1,100 RPM, 0-1,100 IPM
- 117 mm (~4.61″) long
- Weighs 1.5 kg (~3.31 lbs) with BL1860B 6.0Ah battery pack
- 1/4″ hex chuck
Is this the “worlds smartest impact driver?” I’m not so sure about that. I think this title would go to Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel One-Key impact drivers, based on their 2nd generation Fuel impacts. The claim came from a Makita Australia Facebook post, so maybe it’s not an official assertion.
Will this come to the USA? Maybe, maybe not, we’ll have to see.
One thing is clear – this is Makita’s most advanced brushless impact driver to date.
Michael
Is this only in Europe right now? How much is it going to cost?
Stuart
I’m seeing prices of $319 to $369 AUD. It’s only available in Australia right now, but I believe it’s also coming to Europe and Canada since it’s listed by Makita France and Makita Canada.
No indication yet that it’s being brought to the USA by Makita USA.
$319 AUD would be ~$244 USD.
Travis
I have had one for a couple months now. What an amazing impact! This complements my Makita oil impulse soft impact. I have the bright lime green version. I will say the TDT170 is by far and away much quieter than the DeWalt 20v impact that it replaced. Still, no where near as quiet as the oil-impulse.
These are not available in the states yet. But, they can be easily had on Ebay at a cost of $190 – $220 shipped from overseas. Shipping took less than 2 weeks for my unit which came directly from Japan in an OEM box.
Matt
Hitachi has had a similar impact on the market for years. 4 speed modes and 2 impact modes.
Although i cannot quote the specs i wonder at the differences.
Jim
I have had the Makita TD170 in all black for several months. Very nice. It also has s switch to toggle the LED function.
I would characterize the Makita as ‘Smart’ because it auto adjust the speed proactively to your driving situation. I would characterize the Milwaukee One Key as ‘obedient’ because it does only what you program it to do. Program it wrong, and you will get the wrong results. It is not ‘smart’ enough to auto adjust its setting from on driving task to the other without user input.
Dan
Except the self tapping mode which is monitoring where you’re at when you’re driving TEKs and changes speeds for you…
The torque levels I’d consider “smart” too because it is monitoring current and such on an active basis.
Outside of strictly speed control, I think calling any of the one key stuff “obiedient” is short selling it. Plus I’m not sure of any other tools that you can track.
I’ve had my kit for two months now and I feel like I’m finding new configurations every day.
Elgo
That’s a long shot from true. Industrial assembly tools, have been tracked for well over a decade. This “one-key” conception is actually old procedure. The only thing different (on a consumer level) is incorporating it with smartphone interface. If you’re in construction, finish carpentry, or a serious DIY; one-key makes more sense for Milwaukee then to the user be it warranty or information gathering. This Data in some way at some time will be gathered, the lab just went bigger which should be good. In that sense, I’d say Makita’s impact driver will be more efficient and certainly more effective. In future gen tools, it may be the other way around – depends what Milwaukee does with all the data…
Lance
So it looks like Makita will be joining Bosch in offering an 18V 6Ah battery (assuming that’s a BL1860B in the picture).
I wonder if DeWalt will follow suit, or if they will rely on the much heavier 6Ah Flexvolt battery to fill that gap?
Stuart
Yes. There’s a Makita 6Ah battery on the way.
Dewalt has a larger form factor 20V Max 6Ah battery on the way, as well as a 9Ah FlexVolt pack.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-2016-media-event-5-hot-tools/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
julian
To my knowledge, Makita has been making cordless impact drivers longer than any other tool brand. I’d give them the lead in regards to long term usage, durability, etc. compared to any other cordless brand.
JT
Joe Lyons
It’s 299 Canadian at atlas-machinery.com in Toronto. I am not sure how much you get hit coming across the border. Seems pretty expensive with low torque but high rpm.
Travis
That is why Ebay is the best place to purchase right now. It may be a bit expensive but it is the most powerful impact on the market currently when being compared head to head with other impacts in real world testing. This is the only way to determine the most powerful impact since manufacturers specs are iffy at best. The head to head testing can be viewed in YouTube videos and Instagram posts from tool reviewers and contractors with both tools.
John
Would it be unreasonable to ask for a “zero impact” mode? Then I wouldn’t need to also have or bring along a drill too.
John
Further, maybe even a “zero impact” option along all the same rpm modes. A simple on/off then select rpm range and done. Obviously the “special” t and a modes would not be in the zero impact setting. Does Milwaukee let you totally disable impacts in their one-key Bluetooth models?
Jim
Indirectly, the TD170 has a ‘zero impact’ mode. In several of the modes, the impact does not kick in until a certain level of resistance occurs. I frequently use mine to drill without problems. Very seldom does the impact kick in. If so, I can lighten my pressure and it kicks off.
Makita make a very nice, 1/4″ hex shank, all steel keyless chuck. At around $25, it is a must have.
Another option is Makita’s hybrid impact driver. It specifically has a drill mode.
Lance
The impacting mechanism is mechanical, not electronic. You would need a mechanical lever or switch to lock it out.
Also, with one (very) high speed, it would have very little torque compared to ordinary drills that, even in their highest speed, are geared much lower.
It would be fine for small diameter holes, I guess, but it would not really replace a regular drill unless you never ever needed to drill larger holes.
Andrew
My opinion is that it is the worlds smartest impact drive in the sense of how compact it is. Who else makes an impact drive this short in 18v ? I don’t know of any one. I got milwaukee m12 fuel impact drive and it’s length is nearly the same of the m18 fuel impact. Thanks Stuart for the mention in you’re article.
Stuart
Thank you again for the heads-up!
André
The new Panasonic 18v impact driver is only 1 mm longer!
JD
Just checked these out on eBay. Awesome you can get these in different color schemes!
Joe
http://www.ebay.com/itm/With-English-manual-Makita-Japan-Latest-model-Impact-Driver-TD170DZ-18V-Blue-/182144671943?hash=item2a68ab20c7:g:r9kAAOSwwo1Xc2Ba
Alonzo Hodder
i just bought this new drill last week, i can pull the bit out without pulling the sleeve, is that suppose to happen, that dosent happen with my old drill
Jason
Is TD170DZ the same model as DTD170Z?
I saw in TD170DZ is on sale in Japanese website, however oversea website I can only see DTD170Z, just trying to understand the difference.
One more question can any one tell me the difference between the colours?
Most of the case I see blue Makita and other colours are rare..
Stuart
That could be regional color SKUs. I remember being told that overseas, different color tools were marketed to users in different trades.
We don’t have any color options in the USA – it’s white for the compact tools, although this seems to have been discontinued, teal for most, and black for sub-compact.
Kenneth D
I too, purchased the td170d when it was only available direct from Japan, in all black. The downside, no English manual provided and Japanese-text on buttons. I love it and offers far greater control of torque compared to my “old” Makita w variable speed trigger only. I am so happy to learn from the above poster, that I do not have to replace the led! AHH SO THAT’S what that button is for.omg! 🙂 thank you tons!
kornaz
Have it, love it. It’s also water and dust resistant. My oil driven just quit in me last week from putting up the rods in the ceiling (drywall dust : ()