Makita 18V LXT Band Files
Makita 18V Lxt Band Files are for tight metalwork where a grinder is too big, cleaning welds, dressing edges, and getting into corners without chewing the job.
When you're fettling brackets, handrails, gates, or stainless trims, a band file saves time and keeps control where a flap disc just can't reach. Stick with Makita 18V LXT if you're already on the platform, and choose belt width and arm length to suit the access you actually get on site.
What Jobs Are Makita 18V Lxt Band Files Best At?
- Dressing welds on box section, angle, and flat bar when you need a clean finish without digging in like a hard grinding disc can.
- Cleaning up cut edges and burrs after drilling or plasma cutting, especially on brackets and plates that need to bolt up flush.
- Working into corners, inside frames, and around returns where a 115mm grinder physically will not fit without marking the work.
- Prepping metal for paint or powder coat by keying surfaces evenly, so you are not chasing swirl marks at the end.
- Touching up stainless and aluminium trims with the right belts when you need controlled removal and a consistent finish.
Choosing the Right Makita 18V Lxt Band File
Pick it like a site pro: match the belt size and access to the work you actually do, not the one-off job you might do once a year.
1. Belt width and length
If you are mostly deburring edges and working on small brackets, a narrower belt gives better control and gets into tighter gaps. If you are cleaning longer weld runs and want faster removal, go wider so you are not doing twice the passes.
2. Arm reach and head profile
If you are constantly working inside frames and up against returns, prioritise a slimmer head and a longer reach arm so you can stay flat to the work. If it is mostly open-face grinding, a shorter arm is easier to handle and less likely to catch an edge.
3. Body or kit with batteries
If you are already on Makita LXT, buy the body and put the saved money into decent belts. If this is your first LXT tool or it is living in the site box, get a kit with charger and at least one higher capacity battery so it does not die halfway through a weld clean-up.
Makita 18V Lxt Band Files FAQs
What are the features of Makita 18V Lxt Band Files?
They are cordless band sanders built for metal finishing in tight spots, using a narrow abrasive belt on a slim arm to dress welds, deburr edges, and blend corners with more control than a grinder. Most users buy them for access and finish quality, not brute removal.
Are Makita 18V Lxt Band Files available with batteries and charger?
Yes, you will usually see both body-only and kit options. If you are already on Makita 18V LXT, body-only makes sense, but if it is your first LXT tool, a kit stops you getting caught short on day one.
Is there a warranty on Makita 18V Lxt Band Files?
Yes, Makita tools come with a manufacturer warranty, and some models may qualify for an extended warranty if you register the tool with Makita within their stated time window. Keep your proof of purchase and register promptly if you want the extra cover.
Are Makita 18V Lxt Band Files suitable for professional tradesmen?
Yes, that is exactly where they earn their keep, especially for fabricators, fitters, and maintenance teams doing regular weld dressing and edge prep. They are tough, but they are still a finishing tool, so use the right belts and do not treat it like a cutting grinder.
Do you offer next day delivery on Makita 18V Lxt Band Files?
Yes, we offer next day delivery on in-stock Makita 18V Lxt Band Files from our own warehouse. Order in time and you can have it on site for the next shift rather than losing a day waiting on a courier.
Who Uses Makita 18V Lxt Band Files?
- Fabricators and welders use them for quick weld dressing and edge prep without dragging a corded grinder around the bench.
- Steel erectors and site fitters keep one for snagging sharp edges and fettling plates in place when holes and brackets are a touch tight.
- Maintenance teams and plant fitters use them for controlled clean-up in awkward spots, especially where access is limited by guards and frames.
- Balustrade, gate, and handrail installers rely on them for tidy finishing on mitres and corners before final fix and handover.
How Band Files Work for You
A band file is basically a narrow belt sander built for metalwork access. The belt runs over a slim arm so you can grind, blend, and deburr where other tools cannot get in cleanly.
1. The belt does the cutting, not the pressure
Let the abrasive do the work and keep it moving, and you get a flatter finish with less gouging. Lean on it like a grinder and you will burn belts and round edges you wanted to keep sharp.
2. Belt grit controls the finish
Coarser grits are for knocking welds down and removing burrs fast. Finer grits are for blending and prep before paint, so you are not leaving deep scratches that show up at handover.
3. Arm angle is what makes it useful
Being able to set the arm angle keeps the belt flat to awkward faces and corners, which is how you avoid digging into edges and ruining a mitre or return.
Band File Accessories That Save Time on Metalwork
The tool is only half the battle; the right belts and a couple of spares stop you bodging a finish or downing tools mid-job.
1. Spare sanding belts in mixed grits
Have coarse and fine belts ready so you can knock the weld down, then blend it properly without swapping to another tool. Running one worn belt for everything is how you end up with heat marks and a rough finish.
2. Spare sanding arm or nose assembly
If the arm gets bent or the nose wears, the belt stops tracking properly and you will shred belts fast. A spare keeps you working instead of trying to fettle a damaged arm on site.
3. Makita 18V LXT batteries and charger
Band filing is constant load, so a bigger capacity battery makes a real difference. A second battery on charge means you are not waiting around when you are halfway through dressing welds for paint.
Shop Makita 18V Lxt Band Files at ITS
Whether you need a compact band file for tight access or a full kit with batteries and charger, we stock the Makita 18V Lxt Band Files range ready for 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.
