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Makita 18V LXT Drills and Drivers Makita 18V LXT Drills and Drivers

Makita 18V LXT Drills and Drivers

Makita LXT drill options cover everyday site drilling and driving on one battery system, so you can keep first fix moving without swapping chargers or kit.

When you are hanging doors, fixing stud, drilling masonry plugs, or running fixings all day, a Makita LXT drill is the sensible buy because the 18V LXT platform is deep, proven, and easy to build around. Pick the right drill or driver for the work you actually do, then stick with the same batteries across the van.

What Jobs Are Makita LXT Drills Best At?

  • Driving long screws into timber for studwork, decking, and first-fix when you need consistent torque without rounding heads or stalling every other fixing.
  • Drilling clean holes in wood and steel for brackets, tray, and general fit-out, where a proper clutch and two-speed gearbox stops you snapping bits and chewing fixings.
  • Knocking out plug and clearance holes in block and brick on snagging and second-fix, where a combi with hammer mode saves you carrying a separate SDS for light work.
  • Working overhead on ladders and in tight spots like cupboards, lofts, and under-sink runs, where compact LXT bodies and the right bit holder keep the job moving one-handed.

Choosing the Right Makita LXT Drill

Sorting the right one is simple: match the tool to the fixings and materials you hit every day, not the odd job you do once a month.

1. Drill Driver vs Combi Drill vs Impact Driver

If you are mostly drilling timber and steel with controlled screw driving, a drill driver is the tidy choice. If you regularly need plug holes in brick and block, go combi for the hammer mode. If you are driving lots of screws, especially long fixings, an impact driver will do it faster with less wrist twist.

2. Brushless vs Brushed

If it is earning its keep five days a week, go brushless for better runtime and less heat when you are pushing bigger bits or repetitive fixings. If it is a second drill for light duties and odd bits, brushed can be fine, but expect shorter runtime under load.

3. Battery Size and Kit vs Body

If you already run LXT, buying body only keeps the cost down and stops you ending up with a pile of chargers. If you are starting fresh, a kit with two batteries is the sensible minimum so one can be on charge while you are still working.

Makita LXT Drill FAQs

Is a Makita LXT drill the same as an 18V Makita drill?

Yes. Makita LXT is Makita's 18V slide battery system. If the tool is LXT, it is designed to run on 18V LXT batteries, so you can share packs across the range.

Do I need a combi drill, or will a standard drill driver do?

If you are regularly drilling plug holes in brick and block, a combi drill is worth it for the hammer mode. If you are mainly in timber and steel, a drill driver is usually smoother, lighter, and easier to control for clean work.

Will an LXT drill replace an SDS for masonry drilling?

Not for heavy work. A combi will handle light masonry like a few 6mm plug holes in brick, but if you are into concrete, bigger diameters, or lots of holes back-to-back, you will want an SDS to avoid cooking the drill and wasting time.

Is brushless actually worth paying for on site?

If you are using it daily, yes. Brushless models typically give better runtime and hold up better under repeated load, which you notice when you are driving long fixings or drilling bigger holes. For occasional use, brushed can still do the job.

Should I buy body only or a kit with batteries?

If you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries and a charger, body only is the sensible way to save money and avoid duplicates. If you are starting from scratch, buy a kit with at least two batteries so you are not stopped mid-job.

Who Are Makita LXT Drills For on Site?

  • Chippies and joiners who live on a drill and impact all day for first-fix, kitchens, and hanging, and want one battery platform that just keeps turning up.
  • Sparks and plumbers doing fixings, tray, clips, and brackets, where a compact Makita LXT drill is easier to carry and less likely to smash finished work.
  • Maintenance teams and fitters who need a grab-and-go cordless setup for mixed materials, quick call-outs, and repetitive driving without dragging leads through occupied areas.

How Makita LXT Drills Work for You

The LXT part is the battery platform. One set of 18V LXT batteries runs your drill, driver, and the rest of the range, so you are not juggling different chargers and packs on site.

1. Clutch and Gears (Control vs Speed)

The clutch is what stops you over-driving screws and stripping heads, which matters on second-fix and anything near finished surfaces. Low gear is for torque and bigger bits, high gear is for faster drilling when you are running lots of holes.

2. Hammer Mode (Combi Drills Only)

Hammer mode helps with light masonry like plugs in brick and block, but it is not a replacement for an SDS when you are into hard concrete or bigger diameter holes. Use it to save trips to the van, not to fight the wrong tool all day.

Makita LXT Drill Accessories That Save Time on Site

A couple of the right add-ons make the difference between steady progress and constant stoppages for bits, batteries, and broken fixings.

1. Quality Drill and Driver Bit Sets

Do not run a decent Makita LXT drill on cheap bits because they slip, round out, and snap when you are driving hundreds of fixings. A proper mixed set covers wood, metal, and common screw types so you are not bodging with the wrong bit.

2. Spare LXT Batteries and a Fast Charger

If you are on site all day, one battery is a guarantee you will be waiting around. Two batteries is the workable minimum, and a fast charger stops the lunchtime panic when everyone is fighting for sockets.

3. Magnetic Bit Holder and Impact-Rated Bits

For repetitive driving, a magnetic holder speeds up bit changes and keeps screws under control when you are working overhead. If you are using an impact driver, use impact-rated bits or you will chew them up in no time.

Shop Makita LXT Drills and Drivers at ITS

Whether you need a Makita LXT drill body to match your existing batteries or a full kit to start your platform, we stock the full spread of drills, combis, impacts, and accessories to suit real site work. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get back on the tools without waiting about.

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Makita 18V LXT Drills and Drivers

Makita LXT drill options cover everyday site drilling and driving on one battery system, so you can keep first fix moving without swapping chargers or kit.

When you are hanging doors, fixing stud, drilling masonry plugs, or running fixings all day, a Makita LXT drill is the sensible buy because the 18V LXT platform is deep, proven, and easy to build around. Pick the right drill or driver for the work you actually do, then stick with the same batteries across the van.

What Jobs Are Makita LXT Drills Best At?

  • Driving long screws into timber for studwork, decking, and first-fix when you need consistent torque without rounding heads or stalling every other fixing.
  • Drilling clean holes in wood and steel for brackets, tray, and general fit-out, where a proper clutch and two-speed gearbox stops you snapping bits and chewing fixings.
  • Knocking out plug and clearance holes in block and brick on snagging and second-fix, where a combi with hammer mode saves you carrying a separate SDS for light work.
  • Working overhead on ladders and in tight spots like cupboards, lofts, and under-sink runs, where compact LXT bodies and the right bit holder keep the job moving one-handed.

Choosing the Right Makita LXT Drill

Sorting the right one is simple: match the tool to the fixings and materials you hit every day, not the odd job you do once a month.

1. Drill Driver vs Combi Drill vs Impact Driver

If you are mostly drilling timber and steel with controlled screw driving, a drill driver is the tidy choice. If you regularly need plug holes in brick and block, go combi for the hammer mode. If you are driving lots of screws, especially long fixings, an impact driver will do it faster with less wrist twist.

2. Brushless vs Brushed

If it is earning its keep five days a week, go brushless for better runtime and less heat when you are pushing bigger bits or repetitive fixings. If it is a second drill for light duties and odd bits, brushed can be fine, but expect shorter runtime under load.

3. Battery Size and Kit vs Body

If you already run LXT, buying body only keeps the cost down and stops you ending up with a pile of chargers. If you are starting fresh, a kit with two batteries is the sensible minimum so one can be on charge while you are still working.

Makita LXT Drill FAQs

Is a Makita LXT drill the same as an 18V Makita drill?

Yes. Makita LXT is Makita's 18V slide battery system. If the tool is LXT, it is designed to run on 18V LXT batteries, so you can share packs across the range.

Do I need a combi drill, or will a standard drill driver do?

If you are regularly drilling plug holes in brick and block, a combi drill is worth it for the hammer mode. If you are mainly in timber and steel, a drill driver is usually smoother, lighter, and easier to control for clean work.

Will an LXT drill replace an SDS for masonry drilling?

Not for heavy work. A combi will handle light masonry like a few 6mm plug holes in brick, but if you are into concrete, bigger diameters, or lots of holes back-to-back, you will want an SDS to avoid cooking the drill and wasting time.

Is brushless actually worth paying for on site?

If you are using it daily, yes. Brushless models typically give better runtime and hold up better under repeated load, which you notice when you are driving long fixings or drilling bigger holes. For occasional use, brushed can still do the job.

Should I buy body only or a kit with batteries?

If you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries and a charger, body only is the sensible way to save money and avoid duplicates. If you are starting from scratch, buy a kit with at least two batteries so you are not stopped mid-job.

Who Are Makita LXT Drills For on Site?

  • Chippies and joiners who live on a drill and impact all day for first-fix, kitchens, and hanging, and want one battery platform that just keeps turning up.
  • Sparks and plumbers doing fixings, tray, clips, and brackets, where a compact Makita LXT drill is easier to carry and less likely to smash finished work.
  • Maintenance teams and fitters who need a grab-and-go cordless setup for mixed materials, quick call-outs, and repetitive driving without dragging leads through occupied areas.

How Makita LXT Drills Work for You

The LXT part is the battery platform. One set of 18V LXT batteries runs your drill, driver, and the rest of the range, so you are not juggling different chargers and packs on site.

1. Clutch and Gears (Control vs Speed)

The clutch is what stops you over-driving screws and stripping heads, which matters on second-fix and anything near finished surfaces. Low gear is for torque and bigger bits, high gear is for faster drilling when you are running lots of holes.

2. Hammer Mode (Combi Drills Only)

Hammer mode helps with light masonry like plugs in brick and block, but it is not a replacement for an SDS when you are into hard concrete or bigger diameter holes. Use it to save trips to the van, not to fight the wrong tool all day.

Makita LXT Drill Accessories That Save Time on Site

A couple of the right add-ons make the difference between steady progress and constant stoppages for bits, batteries, and broken fixings.

1. Quality Drill and Driver Bit Sets

Do not run a decent Makita LXT drill on cheap bits because they slip, round out, and snap when you are driving hundreds of fixings. A proper mixed set covers wood, metal, and common screw types so you are not bodging with the wrong bit.

2. Spare LXT Batteries and a Fast Charger

If you are on site all day, one battery is a guarantee you will be waiting around. Two batteries is the workable minimum, and a fast charger stops the lunchtime panic when everyone is fighting for sockets.

3. Magnetic Bit Holder and Impact-Rated Bits

For repetitive driving, a magnetic holder speeds up bit changes and keeps screws under control when you are working overhead. If you are using an impact driver, use impact-rated bits or you will chew them up in no time.

Shop Makita LXT Drills and Drivers at ITS

Whether you need a Makita LXT drill body to match your existing batteries or a full kit to start your platform, we stock the full spread of drills, combis, impacts, and accessories to suit real site work. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get back on the tools without waiting about.

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