2 Years with Makita 40v: Here's What I Think!

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Divertissement - Pizzicato (from the ballet Sylvia) by Kevin MacLeod

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These videos are intended to provide information and inspiration only. If you choose to imitate, duplicate or copy anything you may have observed in these videos, you do so at your own risk. Scott Brown Carpentry Ltd does not take any responsibility for any action taken as a result of the information or advice on this YouTube channel and shall not have any liability in respect of any injury or damage that may result.

[ScottBrownCarpentry]

18v or 40v? Or neither?
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[supershotgungaming]

Bruh that battery on the impact driver looks like a car battery

[robertkressaii]

Scott thankyou for being Makita loyal, seems like everyone is on the Milwaukee train and its nice to see someone on our side. 😁

[clutteredchicagogarage]

Hey Scott, I have a suggestion for you. Set up a cyclone dust separator! I put together a 5-gallon-bucket with a dust separator years ago, but I'm just a DIY guy who does small renovation jobs on my own house. I tend to work in short bursts when I have a couple hours here and there. Therefore, I don't make lots of cuts at once, and I don't need a high-capacity dust extractor or dust separator.

The best thing about setting up a dust cyclone dust separator is that it's a lot easier to clean it out than it is to blow the sawdust out of the filter in your shop vac. If you set up a dust cyclone with either your Makita or Festool vacuums, you would probably cut down on the number of times that you'll have to clean out your vacuums by 90%. You'll save money on bags and filters too.

I actually just use a small Makita 199553-5. It's designed as an attachment for Makita's upright vacuums, but it's just a small dust cyclone with an input port and an output port. I made a little holder for it. I clamp it to the end of my workbench, I run a hose from the separator to my vac, and then I run a hose to my tool. I use it with my miter saw, jobsite table saw, and various Makita circular saws that have dust ports. If I'm using it with my table saw to rip long boards, I'll have to empty it after just 1 or 2 long rips, but it just takes me a second to empty it. Like you, I prefer working outside when the weather is nice. I like that this dust separator is tiny, lightweight and portable. I'll bring my job-site table saw or miter saw out to my yard, bring out my vacuum-powered shop vac (mine is a Milwaukee, and it's also just OK), and bring out an extra 5-gallon bucket. It takes me 10 seconds to empty the dust separator into the bucket and then hook up the hoses again. I think dump all the saw dust in with my compost.

Since you do bigger jobs than I do, you would probably want a dust separator that fits on top of a 5-gallon bucket. For your miter saw + circular saws, I think you'd want to stick with small-diameter hoses to maximize suction power. Bigger hoses and fittings work better for a circular saw or table-top router when you're generating a ton of dust.

I don't have Makita 40V tools. I have Milwaukee 12v + 18V as well as Makita 18V. If I got Makita 40V tools, I would probably still use my Makita 18V subcompact drill (love it) and my Milwaukee 12V surge oil-based impact driver because this impact driver is the quietest one on the market, it's super compact, and it has way more torque than I need for driving 95% of the screws that I use. I also love my small Makita 18V saws -- I have one that's blade-left and another that's blade-right. If I'm cutting 2x4s, I prefer to use a smaller circular saw. I have a bigger hammer drill that I use when I need to drill into concrete or thick steel, but 95% of my drilling is just into wood, and for that, the 18V Makita subcompact has plenty of power. When I'm working up on high ladders or on my roof, I hate lugging around heavy tools.

[denisoconnell]

I’ve been using the festoon dust extractor for years and only on my second bag. Take a standard bag, cut across one bottom corner, roll this over 2 times and clamp with a couple of small spring clamps ( mine are 15 mm capacity paper clamps). Remove the clamps and empty the bag. Simple

[mountainman]

Been waiting for you to do this video since you got your first 40v tool. Thank you! Still on the 18v myself. 17 tools and 11 batteries later, all still have never let me down! Team Makita!

[mmaster]

Years ago, I found your channel as a good source of 18V reviews and bought multiple tools and garden equipment using that platform. Great to see them still investing in that as well. Thanks for sharing, as always. Hope your loved ones are safe in the north island.

[tobiaswikstrom]

If Makita NZ cares at all about how Makita Switzerland is doing, they can keep giving you tools without remorse, because your videos led me to battery powered tools in general and Makitas XGT series in particular. All the tools I got so far are awesome and even if I almost never need to travel with them, having no cord is a blessing in my tiny workshop. Another advantage is the compatibility with the garden tools. I would never have considered a cordless hedge trimmer or lawn mower without a compatible interface to my other tools and feeling reassured there is enough umpf in the battery.

[eduardocarvalho]

5:55 that's the best tool you have. These days we have a lot more models of corded/cordless tools, but they are not made to last 40 years. I have a big Bosch demolition hammer, my grandfather bought it new in early 80's, then passed it to my father and I'm now using it. Neither of them were able to burn it and I think it will outlast me also!

[tannerevans]

I’m on the 18v Makita system (mostly due to your channel and Tools n Stuff) and I couldn’t be happier with it. I thought about diving into the 40v system, but it’s not widely available here in the US. Mostly just online. I currently run a festool kapex and a festool track saw, and I would love to get the 40v miter and track saw for my field work and leave the festool gear in the shop. We’ll see how that works out with my wallet. Lol.

Thanks, Scott! Always love your content and how you present information. Good luck on the house renovation!

[keithaj]

Still on the the 18/36v platform. I don't find it an issue if some of my tools take 2 batteries as I have lots 18 voltage batteries. Love the posts 👍

[nicksgarage]

For your miter station, you should install a dust separator. Much easier to use and maintain than those vacuum bags. I use inexpensive Dustopper ones that fit on a bucket. Even made a mobile one that I use in the field, and as my main shop vacuum for cleaning up the workshop. If I added a strong enough cordless vacuum to it, it would be even better.

[vanman]

Interesting article. I suspect a pro like yourself needs that 40v platform to get through the day. At the moment I only have 1 tool, which you don’t seem to have. I have been doing reno in my house and bought an 18v drywall saw (DSD180z here in Canada). Its like a jigsaw but has a dust port and is designed to cut in either direction. Its the best investment of all my tools. I can remove whole sections of wall (or ceiling) if I need access and put the same piece back in the hole!

[michaeldysput]

I bought the 40v drop/mitre saw after seeing you use it, and doing some research, The vertical handle is absolutely the way to go, way more accurate than my old rigid horizontal handle saw...

[johnstockwell]

My hack for the expensive vac bags. I’ve cut the end of the bag and got a piece of 20mm plastic pipe, cut a slot and slid it on the bag to seal it, just like a dust bag on your sander or saw. 👍

[andrews]

I used to use Dewalt 10+ yrs ago but once i got my hands on a Makita impact driver i never went back. I am sure a lot of brands are good now, I'm just partial to the Makita because it was a far better than other options back then. I use mine for metal roofing installations. Really enjoying the content :)

[nzl]

Little tip... When you re-line the wall that has your outdoor heat pump unit behind it, get the pipework put within the wall rather than running down externally as they do now. A simple thing, but tidies things up nicely. Also, the outdoor unit doesn't look like it's up off the ground on its feet like it ideally should be. condensate tray won't block or corrode then.

[rpproductions]

SDC you are awesome. Thank you far all you do. I live in southwest Louisiana in the US and get so excited when you post a new video. Hey I’m 51 and have semi journeyman level carpentry experience (only for my projects) not my income. But every time I watch your videos I actually learn something. Plus I own all Makita, not 40v just yet, but within a year or two will start. Thanks again Scott!!!!

[thenetwerx]

As a roofer our company had settled on the Makita 36V rear handle 7-1/4” saw for ripping plywood. It’s a great saw that’s lightweight and easy to use. The downside that the new 40V resolved was the hassle of lugging around a dual charger and having to manage four batteries to go all day. The 40V is also even lighter! I also switched to the 40V impact driver and hammer drill. Once some of the other 40V tools come down in price, I’ll switch to them as well (12” miter saw, and angle grinders, dedicated metal saw, etc for my metal fabrication hobbies.)

[CptAwesomedude]

I cant say im not jealous of you and your tools. Been a long time follower and really appreciate the work you have put into the channel, you deserve all the endorsement you can get.