I just got word from Makita of new product launches for the month of February and they include new X-Lock angle grinders in corded and cordless 18V flavors, new 18V ratchet wrench, and 2 new 12V jobsite blowers.
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We knew that Makita had entered the X-Lock game when we had spotted them with X-Lock mount grinders outside of the USA so it was only time until they brought them here and they did with three models. What makes the new Bosch created X-Lock angle grinder mount great is that no longer does one need a spanner wrench or locknut to install new wheels. With the X-Lock mount, wheels simply click into place and pop off with the pull of the top mounted lever. It’s that simple. One of the new Makita X-Lock models is a corded grinder GA4570 which is a 4-1/2″ corded grinder with 7.5 amps of power and features an AC/DC slide switch allows use with alternative power sources. It’s 2-1/2″ diameter barrel gives it a compact design. As for the other two X-Lock models, both are cordless 18V brushless 4-1/2″-5″ models that both offer a strong brushless motor, 8,500 RPM, automatic speed change which changes power to suit the task at hand, Active Feedback-sensing Technology AFT which turns the motor off if rotation speed suddenly slows or the wheel is forced to a stop, anti restart protection which prevents the unit from turning on if a battery is installed with the tool in the on position, soft starting, and a tool-less to rotate guard. The XAG25Z has all these features and the XAG26Z has an electric brake and paddle switch.
Makita had also introduced a 12V CXT ratchet wrench a while back and now they’ve made it an 18 volt tool part of their LXT lineup which makes sense as many people are on their popular 18V system. While it isn’t a straight port, as there are slight cosmetic differences, overall it looks very much like the 12V model and even shares the same 35 ft-lbs torque and 800 RPM and also the same head that comes with 1/4″ and 3/8″ anvils for your choice of drive that the 12 volt model had. The 18V model will be known as the XRW01 model.
Next up on the list of new power tools are a couple of compact jobsite blowers, you know the kind for blowing light debris like sawdust and such from hard surfaces and table tops. Makita had just announced two new jobsite blowers a few months ago so I thought I was going nuts when they announced these two and was scratching my head as to what the differences were. Although very similar, the previous blowers were 18V and these are the nearly identical 12V models. Makita has been doing a lot of swapping around with their cordless tools making 18V versions of 12V tools and vice versa, this is one of those examples just like the 18V ratchet wrench above is another example. Anyways these new 12V blowers seem to be based on the XBU05 XBU06 18V models with nearly identical designs and features such as the same or similar body style, three selectable speeds. Of course using a 12V battery they are lighter mostly due to the lower weight of the battery and lower performance than their 18V brothers. The BU01Z offers a short normal sized blower tip with 167 MPH of air velocity, can get up to 21 minutes of continuous operation at high speed with a 12V max CXT 4.0Ah Battery, and weighs in at 3.1 lbs. The BU02Z model has a long blower tube for sweeping large floor areas. It has up to 125 MPH of air velocity. The blower can get up to 21 minutes of continuous operation at high speed with a 12V max CXT 4.0Ah Battery. The blower weighs only 3.3 lbs. (with battery, sold separately).
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Will definitely be buying one of the 12v blowers for use in the garage. Perfect for my needs.