Makita is back with another 12V rotary hammer and this time it’s sporting a brushless motor. You didn’t know Makita previously had a 12V rotary hammer? Well neither did I until I did some investigating and found out they did back in the day with their earlier 12V cordless line that used ni-mh batteries.
Full disclosure: This is not a review, this is tool news. Tool Craze cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information/specifications/features of any tool listed in this article. Manufacturer marketing claims may not always meet expectations. Tool Craze is not responsible if products do not live up to claimed expectations. Please do your full research before buying any products. Tool Craze is an Amazon Associate and places paid links including those from other retailers that Tool Craze is an affiliate partner with. If you purchase something through a link on the Tool Craze site, Tool Craze may get a small share of the sale.
Anyways, Makita’s newest 12V rotary hammer is part of the newly released CXT line with slide pack batteries that look very similar to their 18V LXT batteries. The new Makita model looks to be aimed at competing directly against Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel rotary hammer as it has similar specs with a brushless motor and a 16mm concrete capacity that translates to about 5/8 inches.
Makita’s brushless 12V model also has a 2 mode selector for hammer + drilling and drilling only. It lacks the hammer only chipping mode which the Milwaukee also lacks since these 12V models don’t have enough oomph for chipping but they serve very well for hammer drilling.
Makita’s model brings in something the M12 Fuel model lacks which is a side handle and depth rod. Not sure why Milwaukee skipped both of these important items. You also get an LED light on Makita’s model which is something that’s appearing more and more on new tools today.
So far this new Makita 12V CXT was spotted over in Australia. No word on when or if this model will make it’s way here to the USA but I feel we have a good chance we’ll see this here soon.
Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
Specifications:
- Voltage: 12V
- No load speed: 0 – 680rpm
- Impacts per minute: 0 – 4800ipm
- Shank type: SDS Plus
- Drilling capacity:
- Masonry: 16mm
- Wood: 13mm
- Steel: 10mm
- Impact energy: 1.1J
- Weight: 2kg
I checked this out in store last week and it feels far better ergonomically and balance wise than the M12 I have been using for the last few years. So much so that I think I will be buying one. Especially considering it is $140 less than the M12 fuel. here is a link to where I checked it out.https://sydneytools.com.au/makita-hr166dz-12v-max-li-ion-cxt-cordless-brushless-sds-plus-rotary-hammer-skin-only
Nice! Cool to see you were able to see one in person.
I also have the M12 version Fuel model. I like it just don’t know why they didn’t include a side handle. I have to borrow the one from the M18 model. Either way good to see Makita did with theirs.
Mine is the brushed M12 and it came with a side handle, although I never use it as I find it gets in the way. Have to say that I was very impressed with all the Makita CXT tools I checked out. Lets hope they come out with a few more goodies like a bandsaw, a rotary tool and perhaps a 140-150mm circular saw? I have also read on another forum that there are going to be some new 12v jigaws later in the year. Have you heard anything about these?
all I know is they have this one for 12V CXT:
MAKITA 12V CXT VJ04R1 / VJ04Z JIGSAW
https://toolcraze.net/makita-tools-added-cxt-12v-line/
and I agree a larger 12V circular saw would be great to compete with the M12 fuel model.
Thanks Javier, we do have that one available here albeit under a different part number. Just have to wait and see I suppose!
I Finally bought the this drill in a combo kit. I received it last Monday but I have only used it for one job so far so I cant give any real in-depth impressions yet.
It does feel quicker than my brushed M12 and that is to be expected. It also spins a bit slower, 120rpm less, but feels like it impacts harder, again to be expected as it is rated at 0.2 joules higher.
The main thing that stands out for me is that it feels better balanced and it feels lighter, even though it isn’t (weighed them both) as well as having way less vibration. The shock absorbing system really does work.
Nice! Makita is stepping it up with the CXT line
I have used it now a few more times and I am rally impressed with it. It definitely drills way quicker than my M12 and is not far off being as quick as some of the smaller 18v rotary hammers. Really nicely balanced and just nice to use.