I mentioned it previously in that thread, but it’s simple: Makita was the first to offer cordless drills. Makita makes great tools. My 43 year old Makita drill, a 3/8” corded model, still works.
My 30 year old Makita 1/4” plunge router is still great. My 20 year old Makita 10” slide compound miter saw is still great.
So, I got my first cordless Makita was around 1990 and it was a game changer. Made so many jobs so much easier. Of note, that drill still works. I still use it, even though the 9.6V NiCad batteries aren’t made by Makita any more.
When I built a deck in 2004, which had hardwood decking, I needed a driver and drill to run the few thousand screws. Naturally, I got a Makita set, in 14.4v NiMH. Those two tools still work. Batteries are hard to find. But they run.
A dozen or so years ago, I needed another cordless for a project. Makita again. Now in 18v Li-ion.
Those new batteries have great capacity, and seem to run forever. I labeled all the batteries with a Sharpie to keep track in case one wore out. Battery #1, a 12 year old battery, ran my impact all day yesterday doing suspension work. I’m all in on the 18V Makita ecosystem. Great tools, great performance, great batteries.
At the moment, most of my cordless tools are down at my shop. But at home, here is the charging setup.
In view, 9.6V Makita, the 14.4V driver and drill, an 18v driver, and an 18v 1/2” impact, an 18v reciprocating saw (mostly used for pruning). Not in view, but at the house, 18v job site radio, 18v oscillating multi tool, 18v string trimmer, 18v hedge trimmer, 36v leaf blower and 36V lawn mower.
There are dual 18v chargers for the lawn mower and leaf blower. We’re completely electric for normal yard work.
There is a 12v Bosch in view. Such a handy little drill. No equivalent in the Makita ecosystem.
Down at the shop are the rest of the Makita tools, all 18v, and a coup,e of chargers. There are two 1/2” drills, an impact driver, 1/2” impact wrench, which sees a lot of use, oscillating multi tool, reciprocating saw, 18v leaf blower (faster than sweeping), flood light, jig saw, and angle grinder (new).
I’ve also got a set of 12V Milwaukee tools. Both the 1/4 and 3/8” cordless ratchets. They can’t be beat. Compact. Super useful. Work light. 3/8” angle drill. 3/8” 12v impact. Great tools.
I would be remiss if I didn’t publicly thank
@D60 for the Milwaukee 12V chargers. I keep a supply of those 12V charged up, the light in particular goes through batteries because it’s always on. The ratchets get a lot of use, but they’re surprisingly energy efficient.
But having the same battery system across all the big tools is way more convenient from a battery and charger management perspective. Makita yard tools, which work great, by the way, tipped the scale in favor of Makita for all the big tools.
And that first pair of Makita 18V Li-ion batteries, now 12 years old, still used daily, powering my impact and drill down at the shop, is still going strong. Very impressive.
