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Makita Combi Drills Makita Combi Drills

Makita Combi Drills

Makita combi drills are the go-to when you need one drill to drive fixings all day and still punch holes in masonry without swapping tools.

On most jobs you're drilling pilot holes, sinking screws, then hitting brick or block for plugs and brackets. Makita combination drills cover that mix properly, from compact CXT 12V for tight spots to LXT 18V and XGT 40V combi drill drivers for heavier, trade pace work. Pick your voltage and body size to match what you actually do, then get the right kit on the van.

What Jobs Are Makita Combi Drills Best At?

  • Driving long screws into stud, joists, and sheet materials with the clutch set properly so you are not snapping heads or chewing bits on repeat.
  • Drilling clean holes in timber and metal for first fix and second fix work, from hinge and latch prep to bracketry and tray supports.
  • Hammer drilling into brick and block for wall plugs, frame fixings, and small anchors when you do not want to drag an SDS out for every hole.
  • Working in tight cupboards, loft edges, and service voids where a compact Makita cordless combi drill keeps your wrist straight and your knuckles off the wall.
  • Refurb and maintenance call-outs where one Makita combi drill driver covers drilling and driving without swapping between three tools in a cramped hallway.

Choosing the Right Makita Combi Drill

Sorting the right one is simple: match the voltage and body size to the work you do most, not the biggest spec on the box.

1. 12V CXT vs 18V LXT vs 40V XGT

If you are doing cupboards, fixings, and light drilling all day, Makita 12V combi drills stay nimble and do not feel like a brick on your belt. If you are on site daily doing mixed drilling and driving, Makita 18V combi drills on the LXT platform are the sensible workhorse choice. If you are regularly into bigger holes, tougher materials, or just want more headroom without bogging down, Makita 40V combi drills on XGT are the heavy duty option.

2. Brushless vs Brushed

If it is occasional use, a brushed Makita electric or cordless combi drill can still do the job. If you are using it five days a week, go Makita brushless combi drills because they run cooler, hold power better under load, and generally take site life longer.

3. Compact vs Heavy Duty Bodies

If you are working overhead, in lofts, or in tight corners, a Makita compact combi drill saves your wrists and gets into places a bigger body will not. If you are drilling masonry day in day out or driving bigger fixings, a heavier duty combi drill with a sturdier chuck and more torque is worth the extra weight.

4. Hammer Mode Expectations

A Makita hammer combi drill is spot on for brick and block plug holes and light masonry drilling. If you are chasing, drilling lots of large holes, or hitting hard concrete all day, do not fight it, grab an SDS for that work and keep the combi for drilling and driving.

Makita Combi Drills FAQs

Are Makita combi drills actually good enough for masonry, or do I need an SDS?

For brick and block plug holes, frame fixings, and light masonry drilling, a Makita hammer combi drill does the job fine with a sharp masonry bit. If you are doing lots of holes, bigger diameters, or hard concrete, an SDS will be quicker, cleaner, and far less brutal on the drill.

What is the real difference between CXT 12V, LXT 18V, and XGT 40V Makita cordless combi drills?

CXT 12V is about compact size for tight access and lighter fixings. LXT 18V is the main trade platform for all-round drilling and driving with loads of tool choice. XGT 40V is for higher demand work where you want more power headroom and longer hard use without the tool feeling on the limit.

Is it worth paying extra for Makita brushless combi drills?

If you are using it regularly on site, yes. Brushless models generally run cooler, hold their power better when you are driving bigger fixings, and tend to last longer under daily abuse. If it is only occasional work, a brushed model can still be perfectly serviceable.

Will any Makita battery fit any Makita combi drill?

No, you need to match the battery platform. Makita CXT combi drills use 12V slide batteries, Makita LXT combi drills use 18V LXT batteries, and Makita XGT combi drills use 40V XGT batteries. They do not cross-fit, so buy into the platform you already run if you want to keep costs down.

Can I use a Makita combi drill driver for big hole saws and augers?

You can, within reason, but be sensible. For larger hole saws and augers, use the correct speed, keep the tool straight, and expect the drill to kick if it snags. If you are constantly drilling big holes, look at a more heavy duty body or a dedicated drill with a side handle for better control.

Who Uses Makita Combi Drills on Site?

  • Chippies and kitchen fitters who need reliable drilling and driving tools for hinges, carcasses, and fixings all day without the clutch drifting.
  • Sparks and plumbers who want a compact combi drill for trays, clips, and brackets, plus hammer mode for quick plug holes in blockwork.
  • Maintenance teams and site managers who keep a Makita trade combi drill in the van for snagging, handover jobs, and fast fixes where time matters.
  • General builders who want a Makita professional combi drill that can take daily abuse, from studwork to masonry drilling, without feeling underpowered.

The Basics: Understanding Makita Combi Drills

A combi drill is three tools in one body: screwdriver, drill, and light-duty hammer drill. The trick is using the right mode so you do not burn bits, strip screws, or waste time.

1. Clutch for Driving

Use the numbered clutch settings when driving screws so the drill stops before it strips the head or sinks too deep. It is how you keep fixings consistent on stud, MDF, and fittings without constantly feathering the trigger.

2. Drill Mode for Clean Holes

Switch to drill mode for timber and metal so you get full power without the clutch slipping. It is the difference between a clean hole and a bit that chatters, overheats, and goes blunt early.

3. Hammer Mode for Brick and Block

Hammer mode adds a tapping action to help the bit bite into masonry, ideal for plugs and small fixings. It will do the job in brick and block, but it is not a replacement for an SDS when the concrete is hard or the holes are big.

Combi Drill Accessories That Save You Time on Site

The drill is only half the story; the right bits and add-ons stop slip, snapped screws, and constant trips back to the van.

1. Quality Mixed Drill Bit Sets (Wood Metal Masonry)

Keep a proper set in the case so you are not trying to drill block with a tired masonry bit or chewing metal with the wrong profile; it is the fastest way to keep holes clean and batteries lasting longer.

2. Impact Rated Screwdriver Bit Sets

Even on a combi drill, decent bits stop cam-out and rounded heads, especially on long fixings and awkward angles where you cannot keep perfect pressure.

3. Spare Batteries and a Fast Charger (Matched to CXT LXT or XGT)

If you are drilling and driving all day, one battery is a gamble; a spare means you are not dead in the water halfway through hanging doors or fixing brackets when the pack drops out.

4. Right Angle Attachment and Bit Holders

For tight cupboards, joist corners, and service voids, a right angle head and a couple of decent bit holders get you driving straight without rounding screws or skinning your knuckles.

Shop Makita Combi Drills at ITS

Whether you need a compact Makita combination drill for tight fit-outs or a heavy duty Makita cordless combi drill for daily site work, we stock the full spread across CXT, LXT, and XGT. 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 around.

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Makita Combi Drills

Makita combi drills are the go-to when you need one drill to drive fixings all day and still punch holes in masonry without swapping tools.

On most jobs you're drilling pilot holes, sinking screws, then hitting brick or block for plugs and brackets. Makita combination drills cover that mix properly, from compact CXT 12V for tight spots to LXT 18V and XGT 40V combi drill drivers for heavier, trade pace work. Pick your voltage and body size to match what you actually do, then get the right kit on the van.

What Jobs Are Makita Combi Drills Best At?

  • Driving long screws into stud, joists, and sheet materials with the clutch set properly so you are not snapping heads or chewing bits on repeat.
  • Drilling clean holes in timber and metal for first fix and second fix work, from hinge and latch prep to bracketry and tray supports.
  • Hammer drilling into brick and block for wall plugs, frame fixings, and small anchors when you do not want to drag an SDS out for every hole.
  • Working in tight cupboards, loft edges, and service voids where a compact Makita cordless combi drill keeps your wrist straight and your knuckles off the wall.
  • Refurb and maintenance call-outs where one Makita combi drill driver covers drilling and driving without swapping between three tools in a cramped hallway.

Choosing the Right Makita Combi Drill

Sorting the right one is simple: match the voltage and body size to the work you do most, not the biggest spec on the box.

1. 12V CXT vs 18V LXT vs 40V XGT

If you are doing cupboards, fixings, and light drilling all day, Makita 12V combi drills stay nimble and do not feel like a brick on your belt. If you are on site daily doing mixed drilling and driving, Makita 18V combi drills on the LXT platform are the sensible workhorse choice. If you are regularly into bigger holes, tougher materials, or just want more headroom without bogging down, Makita 40V combi drills on XGT are the heavy duty option.

2. Brushless vs Brushed

If it is occasional use, a brushed Makita electric or cordless combi drill can still do the job. If you are using it five days a week, go Makita brushless combi drills because they run cooler, hold power better under load, and generally take site life longer.

3. Compact vs Heavy Duty Bodies

If you are working overhead, in lofts, or in tight corners, a Makita compact combi drill saves your wrists and gets into places a bigger body will not. If you are drilling masonry day in day out or driving bigger fixings, a heavier duty combi drill with a sturdier chuck and more torque is worth the extra weight.

4. Hammer Mode Expectations

A Makita hammer combi drill is spot on for brick and block plug holes and light masonry drilling. If you are chasing, drilling lots of large holes, or hitting hard concrete all day, do not fight it, grab an SDS for that work and keep the combi for drilling and driving.

Makita Combi Drills FAQs

Are Makita combi drills actually good enough for masonry, or do I need an SDS?

For brick and block plug holes, frame fixings, and light masonry drilling, a Makita hammer combi drill does the job fine with a sharp masonry bit. If you are doing lots of holes, bigger diameters, or hard concrete, an SDS will be quicker, cleaner, and far less brutal on the drill.

What is the real difference between CXT 12V, LXT 18V, and XGT 40V Makita cordless combi drills?

CXT 12V is about compact size for tight access and lighter fixings. LXT 18V is the main trade platform for all-round drilling and driving with loads of tool choice. XGT 40V is for higher demand work where you want more power headroom and longer hard use without the tool feeling on the limit.

Is it worth paying extra for Makita brushless combi drills?

If you are using it regularly on site, yes. Brushless models generally run cooler, hold their power better when you are driving bigger fixings, and tend to last longer under daily abuse. If it is only occasional work, a brushed model can still be perfectly serviceable.

Will any Makita battery fit any Makita combi drill?

No, you need to match the battery platform. Makita CXT combi drills use 12V slide batteries, Makita LXT combi drills use 18V LXT batteries, and Makita XGT combi drills use 40V XGT batteries. They do not cross-fit, so buy into the platform you already run if you want to keep costs down.

Can I use a Makita combi drill driver for big hole saws and augers?

You can, within reason, but be sensible. For larger hole saws and augers, use the correct speed, keep the tool straight, and expect the drill to kick if it snags. If you are constantly drilling big holes, look at a more heavy duty body or a dedicated drill with a side handle for better control.

Who Uses Makita Combi Drills on Site?

  • Chippies and kitchen fitters who need reliable drilling and driving tools for hinges, carcasses, and fixings all day without the clutch drifting.
  • Sparks and plumbers who want a compact combi drill for trays, clips, and brackets, plus hammer mode for quick plug holes in blockwork.
  • Maintenance teams and site managers who keep a Makita trade combi drill in the van for snagging, handover jobs, and fast fixes where time matters.
  • General builders who want a Makita professional combi drill that can take daily abuse, from studwork to masonry drilling, without feeling underpowered.

The Basics: Understanding Makita Combi Drills

A combi drill is three tools in one body: screwdriver, drill, and light-duty hammer drill. The trick is using the right mode so you do not burn bits, strip screws, or waste time.

1. Clutch for Driving

Use the numbered clutch settings when driving screws so the drill stops before it strips the head or sinks too deep. It is how you keep fixings consistent on stud, MDF, and fittings without constantly feathering the trigger.

2. Drill Mode for Clean Holes

Switch to drill mode for timber and metal so you get full power without the clutch slipping. It is the difference between a clean hole and a bit that chatters, overheats, and goes blunt early.

3. Hammer Mode for Brick and Block

Hammer mode adds a tapping action to help the bit bite into masonry, ideal for plugs and small fixings. It will do the job in brick and block, but it is not a replacement for an SDS when the concrete is hard or the holes are big.

Combi Drill Accessories That Save You Time on Site

The drill is only half the story; the right bits and add-ons stop slip, snapped screws, and constant trips back to the van.

1. Quality Mixed Drill Bit Sets (Wood Metal Masonry)

Keep a proper set in the case so you are not trying to drill block with a tired masonry bit or chewing metal with the wrong profile; it is the fastest way to keep holes clean and batteries lasting longer.

2. Impact Rated Screwdriver Bit Sets

Even on a combi drill, decent bits stop cam-out and rounded heads, especially on long fixings and awkward angles where you cannot keep perfect pressure.

3. Spare Batteries and a Fast Charger (Matched to CXT LXT or XGT)

If you are drilling and driving all day, one battery is a gamble; a spare means you are not dead in the water halfway through hanging doors or fixing brackets when the pack drops out.

4. Right Angle Attachment and Bit Holders

For tight cupboards, joist corners, and service voids, a right angle head and a couple of decent bit holders get you driving straight without rounding screws or skinning your knuckles.

Shop Makita Combi Drills at ITS

Whether you need a compact Makita combination drill for tight fit-outs or a heavy duty Makita cordless combi drill for daily site work, we stock the full spread across CXT, LXT, and XGT. 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 around.

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