Product Description

18V, Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2" Driver Drill Kit, 4 Pole Motor Produces 560 IN/LB Of Torque, 3 Speed All Metal Transmission, 2 Built In LED Lights, Overall Length 9-3/8", Weighs Only 4.6 LB.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6383 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Makita
• Model: BDF451
• Dimensions: 15.00" h x 6.00" w x 18.00" l, 15.00 pounds

Features

• LXT Lithium-Ion battery and optimum charging system produces 280% more lifetime work with 2x more cycles.
• 3-speed design produces 25% faster working speed with more efficiency in a wider range of applications
• Shift Lock Driver System quickly shifts from "hammer drill" to "driver" mode with one touch
• Egonomic shape fits like a glove with even pressure and easy control
• Compact design at only 9-3/8" length and weighs only 4.6 lbs for less operator fatigue

Amazon.com Review
We've come a long way from sweat and a screwdriver. A hundred years ago, builders would never have envisioned a tool as powerful and efficient as this one. Heck, even 20 years ago. Science has ushered battery technology along, and the LXT Lithium-Ion system that powers this impact driver has a ton of advantages over standard NiMH or NiCad batteries. The Lithium-Ion technology means 1,400 battery life cycles, longer run time, lighter weight, a great reduction in the self-discharge rate and built-in shock-absorbing features to protect your battery.

But perhaps the coolest innovation is what Makita calls its 45-minute Optimum Charger. It actually talks to the batteries it charges throughout the cycle, using a built-in memory chip in the battery and, believe it or not, a CPU chip in the charger itself, which analyzes the data stored in the battery chip to decide on the best charging method at that time.

The drill/driver itself is fairly compact and lightweight, weighing in at less than 5 pounds, yet it's packing a powerful 560 in./lbs. of torque. It's got a super speed range of 0 to 300 rpm in low gear, 0 to 600 in mid-range and 0 to 1,700 rpm in top gear. Sometimes, you may encounter a little resistance if you're switching directly from low gear to high; if that happens, running the tool in mid-gear for a couple seconds completely alleviates any snag.

Makita's always made ergonomically positive tools that feel good in your hand and take the strain off your body, and this one's no exception. The slightly curved grip is so comfortable, and the auxiliary handle gives you supreme control. And because it's super compact and lightweight, this driver's an absolute pleasure to work with - even overhead. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What's in the Box
Drill/driver, two LXT Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah batteries, 45-minute optimum charger, screwdriver bits, Carrying case (824754-3)

From the Manufacturer
18V LXT Driver-Drill Kit, 2 ea. (3.0Ah Li-ion) battreries, 3-speed, variable speed, reversible, L.E.D. Light, case.

Customer Reviews

Awesome tool
I had the last generation Makita driver/drill and really enjoyed it, but the new ones are significantly improved. Solid driver action and long lasting battery. Charger is high quality with a built in cooling fan (the last gen charger would not recharge back-to-back without a cooling perios).

Ratchet could use a slightly higher level, but overall I'm completely satisfied...

Have used for two months now...
I have a small home improvement business and needed a replacement for my aging (and battery eating) Dewalt 18v Ni-Cad drill.
Overall i am pretty pleased with this unit. It is very light, compact, powerful and has the basics onboard...like a drive tip clip, a belt loop, and lights. This is my first Lithium Ion tool and i am amazed mainly at how fast the batteries recharge. And I get a full day out of the two batteries in this kit as opposed to the Dewalt which would go through at least three before they ran down. To a point that i had to keep a Dewalt charger in the truck to keep me going. The Makitas will go all day and dont need to be charged until i get home at night.

I prefer this drill over the hammer drill version as it is a tad lighter and smaller (the chuck is a little shorter). I keep a hammer drill in the truck and had no need for duplication ...for something i only need 3-4 times a month.
Folks seem to automatically buy the hammer version but look at the size and weight before you do it. That little bit makes a difference when you are slinging these things around all day. And compared to the Dewalt? Wow...it's sooo much lighter.
I tested a new 18v Milwaukee Lithium-Ion drill. The thing is a beast and is a pleasure to use but the size and weight of that thing is bigger than the Dewalt. No thanks. It is not worth it.

As far as the drill operation itself. It is almost perfect. Some have complained about the speed switch getting stuck at the top which has happened to me maybe 4 times in two months of daily use. Who cares.
The Dewalt did the same thing on occasion. I had two of them and they both did it.
The power is rated very high (torque) and have had only a couple of occasions where it bogged driving 4" screws. Strangely, the Dewalt, which is rated lower, drove the screws the rest of the way. I might have had the torque/speed setting wrong on the Makita ...who knows.
Overall...i would recommend it to anyone...homeowner or contractor.

Do not buy this drill
The speed change switch sticks on 2 when going between 1 and 3 or 3 to 1
Don't Waste your money
Makita say's this is normal.