Makita makes power tools popular among tradespeople and home DIY enthusiasts alike, but the brand’s stable of products includes some obscure options as well.
Those who dabble heavily in the world of DIY often find lots of interesting and unique jobs to add to their ever longer to-do list. Since moving into my own home, I’ve rewired a significant portion of the home’s electrified « guts » within the walls and under the floor boards, and tackled numerous wall constructions, repairs, and alterations. Installing attic flooring, laying a brand new lawn in the back yard, and much more have all come across my plate.
Admittedly, I’m not normally a Makita tool user. The only piece of Makita equipment I’ve used regularly is my father-in-law’s corded sheet sander — which I must say is a fantastic tool. Even so, I’m fairly familiar with the brand. The technology that goes into Makita products is remarkable, and the brand often delivers high performance equipment that features premium functionality and novel technological upgrades. Its batteries also feature Makita’s Star Protection Computer Controls that helps manage tools under extreme loads.
Makita also makes a few unique tools. Some of the Makita-specific options include fun additions like a microwave or coffee maker. Makita is an innovator and therefore offers a great tool platform for DIYers needing both broad and niche tool options to get the job done. No matter the kind of improvement you’re digging into, these Makita tools can be a real game-changer in your pursuit of a more personalized and comfortable living space.7-Inch/9-Inch Concrete Surface Planer
A tool many DIY home improvers might not be aware of is Makita’s 7-Inch/9-Inch Concrete Surface Planer with Dust Extraction Shroud. Planers, sanders, and other surface finishing tools might be familiar, but a concrete planer isn’t likely to be high up on a list of generalist must-haves. Anyone pouring new concrete for a shop floor, garage, or even a pad to support backyard living amenities can get important use out of this concrete surface planer. The tool features a 15 amp motor that generates up to 6,600 RPM. The tool is essential in flattening and scraping off imperfection in a poured concrete feature. Driveways, garage floors, and many other installations that will ultimately remain a visible and tactile component of some part of your home can be improved upon significantly with the help of this kind of finishing tool.
The planer is a compact power solution featuring an adjustable loop handle. The motor also features a soft start function. However, perhaps the most important addition to this tool is the dust extraction shroud. Anyone who has ever worked with concrete before knows that it can get messy in a hurry. This is true for wet concrete during the pour stage and clean up tasks after it has dried and cured. The dust shroud allows you to limit concrete debris that’s thrown up into the air, protecting your health and wellbeing while reducing the amount of cleanup work required.18V LXT 6,000 RPM Autofeed Screwdriver
The Makita 18V LXT 6,000 RPM Autofeed Screwdriver looks like a weapon you’d find in Star Wars. However, it’s a real piece of equipment and can make a surprisingly valuable impact on your home improvement tasks. In many cases, building even simple installations requires a considerable amount of fasteners. More to the point, if you’re constructing something even remotely large it can be quite the hassle driving screws into workpieces. Holding the screw, your tool, and material often demands a helper. This autofeed screwdriver removes the need for an extra arm by merging the fastener holding task and powered screwdriver into one unit. The tool also features a push drive technology that allows you to keep the unit engaged without holding onto the trigger. The motor kicks into gear and starts driving a screw when it is pressed against your workpiece, making the task vastly easier to accomplish.
The tool weighs 4.9 pounds and can drive up to 2,250 screws on a single battery charge (when paired with an LXT 5.0Ah battery), making it a device you can use without much hassle over a lengthy day of work. The tool automatically feeds new screws each time you drive one, making this a tool you can operate with one hand. Any kind of major build can benefit dramatically from the addition of this solution.14-Inch Cut-Off Saw
The 14-Inch Cut-Off Saw with Tool-less Wheel Change is a corded cutting solution with plenty of important features baked into the build. The tool is underpinned by a 15 amp motor that delivers 3,800 RPM blade speeds. This allows it to cut up to 5-inch round and 4 by 7⅝-inch rectangular stock. The large abrasive wheel is housed within an external shroud that captures sparks and debris. This creates an added layer of safety for the operator. The tool also features a wheel change functionality that doesn’t require wrenches or other additional support tools. The result is a cutting implement that can be replaced quickly to minimize downtime when tackling large projects.
It weighs roughly 38 pounds and is constructed with a slim profile for portability, even as a larger cutting tool. It also adds a locking pin into the mix to close down on the cutting disc for more secure transport and storage. The cut-off saw can also support up to 45-degree mitered cuts with three total adjustment stops to support a range of needs.36V LXT Dump Bucket Material Handler
The 36V LXT Dump Bucket Material Handler is a fantastic example of a technological leap forward for a tool many probably think incapable of being improved upon. Residential renovators may not know that alternatives to the humble wheelbarrow are available, but once you recognize the options out there, it’s hard to go back to manual material moving tools, especially when projects call for significant volumes of equipment, aggregates, or lumber.
