Makita drill equivalents?

[squall_line]

One of the things I slightly appreciate about Festool is that they really only have one or two versions of each of their power tools, and they either work for your needs or they don't (TS55 and 75, different dominoes, HK55 and 85 outside of NA, etc).

What that does, though, is make it slightly harder to compare to some of the meganational brands who have, say, 7 to 10 different impact drivers or drills including their holdover offerings from the previous year.

I had originally started to look at price and capability comparisons between the TID 18 and T 18 (or T18E) and a Makita "set" of impact and hammer drill.  It was only after a week of comparisons and getting them in hand that I realized the impact in the set had only one speed setting.  Unfortunately (and unsurprisingly), the batteries in the shelf Makita were completely dead, so I couldn't get any sense of the trigger reaction or really anything else other than the overall weight and grip compared to the TID (the Mak seemed to fit my hand slightly more comfortably).

So I expanded my search to multi-speed-setting offerings and realized that the price difference shrunk quickly.  At that point, the ergonomics, flexibility, and usability become much more important to look at rather than "oh, look, this is 200 bucks cheaper, and I can put up with any compromise that entails as a hobbyist".

Without having to pull and look at a bunch of additional charts and reviews, does anyone have a quick equivalent list for the TID18, T18, and T18E in Makita?  Maybe even the PDC18 or other upcoming spinners from Festool with their Makita counterparts?

Thanks!

 

[Michael Kellough]

What feat are you looking for. There are no Makita drill/drivers that offer a removable chuck, a right angle chuck, or an eccentric chuck.

 

[Roachmill]

In the 18v lineup, the DTD171 and DHP481 are their respective top impact and combi hammer drills.

It's a bit easier with their newer, NAINA yet, 40v lineup as there's only the TD001GD and HP001GD to choose from [tongue]. The impact is much on par with the 18v offering really, but the combi drill is a good step up - and has the wrist saving anti-lockup feature.

Beware of buying kits as some include their slow charger as you really want their rapid one DC18RC ("R" for "rapid") or, even better, the rapid dual charger. Also, Systainers > Macpacs!

 

[squall_line]

What feat are you looking for. There are no Makita drill/drivers that offer a removable chuck, a right angle chuck, or an eccentric chuck.

As far as impacts go, I'm in search of speed settings and something that actually allows a somewhat feathered touch with the throttle.  I have plans to build some hefty outdoor stuff this summer (raised gardens and a pergola), and I think that the impact will make this less of a chore and more of a pleasant build.

For the driver, I would definitely want at a minimum a good clutch and a switch to turn the clutch on and off (the XPH12Z has this as well, some of their lower models don't).  The T18E is easier to compare to mass-market tools because of the fixed chuck.

The chuckability of the T18 Proper is certainly a quality of life consideration, either now or for the future.

Funny thing is, I was looking at my old Craftsman C3 drill last night standing on the floor and thinking just how large it looks compared to many modern brushless L-ion tools.  I hope to find out soon by having something hand-in-hand to compare next to it.

In the 18v lineup, the DTD171 and DHP481 are their respective top impact and combi hammer drills.

It's a bit easier with their newer, NAINA yet, 40v lineup as there's only the TD001GD and HP001GD to choose from [tongue]. The impact is much on par with the 18v offering really, but the combi drill is a good step up - and has the wrist saving anti-lockup feature.

Beware of buying kits as some include their slow charger as you really want their rapid one DC18RC ("R" for "rapid") or, even better, the rapid dual charger. Also, Systainers > Macpacs!

Thanks for the heads-up on the charger, I'll definitely keep an eye on that!

And yes, my Systainer game is strengthening quickly...

 

[FestitaMakool]

In the 18v lineup, the DTD171 and DHP481 are their respective top impact and combi hammer drills.

It's a bit easier with their newer, NAINA yet, 40v lineup as there's only the TD001GD and HP001GD to choose from [tongue]. The impact is much on par with the 18v offering really, but the combi drill is a good step up - and has the wrist saving anti-lockup feature.

Beware of buying kits as some include their slow charger as you really want their rapid one DC18RC ("R" for "rapid") or, even better, the rapid dual charger. Also, Systainers > Macpacs!

What Roachmill said ^^
Also the DHP484 - No hammer, but a common workhorse that handles nice. The DTD171 are really smooth and at the same time very powerful, it’s a do it all with several speeds and modes.
I own both, and they are very very good. T18 is somewhat smoother for delicate work.

 

[squall_line]

In the 18v lineup, the DTD171 and DHP481 are their respective top impact and combi hammer drills.

It's a bit easier with their newer, NAINA yet, 40v lineup as there's only the TD001GD and HP001GD to choose from [tongue]. The impact is much on par with the 18v offering really, but the combi drill is a good step up - and has the wrist saving anti-lockup feature.

Beware of buying kits as some include their slow charger as you really want their rapid one DC18RC ("R" for "rapid") or, even better, the rapid dual charger. Also, Systainers > Macpacs!

What Roachmill said ^^
Also the DHP484 - No hammer, but a common workhorse that handles nice. The DTD171 are really smooth and at the same time very powerful, it’s a do it all with several speeds and modes.
I own both, and they are very very good. T18 is somewhat smoother for delicate work.

Posting for future search reference, DTD171 is the XDT16 in North America; DHP481 is the XPH07 in North America.

Looks like the XPH14 is the latest; XPH07 guts/upgraded guts in the XPH12's body.  The new 40V will take its place at the top of the heap eventually, it seems?

Switching from 18v to 40v feels like the race to "more blades for a more comfortable shave" from years passed.  There was a time that 40v was considered too dangerous to have in automobiles, but it appears that 60v is the upper limit for safety considerations nowadays.

Looks like Makita sells these two (XPH14 and XDT16) in a kit with two batteries, a rapid charger, and a bag.  There's a new special running at the local big box that adds two more 5.0 Ah batteries and a set of 50 Makita impact bits for free.

If I'm being honest, when I see a special like that at a big box retailer, it triggers something in me that makes me question the quality of the tools in the kit.  Like, how good can they be if they can afford to give away all of those extra things to get you in the door?  It sure is tempting and makes a lot of fiscal sense, though.