Makita 18v LXT repairs

[Nomad]

When I started up as self employed 10+ years ago I bought into the Makita 18 volt LXT battery tools.
Since then I've added bare tools as I needed them and picked up surplus / dead / dying / untested tools to keep me out of mischief.
A couple of "Makita compatible" / Kasu / Fakita tools have also been pickled up - great value for rarely used tools.

This thread will have hands-on info as I refresh the tools...

Latest refurb is a backup DHP458 drill driver, this was the most powerful option when I bought mine new - just before brushless took over the market.


Main problem was it's not been used for a while and it works fine but sometimes needs a tap to get it started...
Access to change brushes is easy, just remove 2 Philllips (JIS) screws.
New brushes £5 replaced the old ones that had worn at an odd angle.
The brush holders needed some tweaks as both the old & new brushes were sticking not sliding freely.
New brushes now slide nicely but I still need to tap it.
Next step is to clean the commutator and look for any loose connections...


A worthy mention to these chaps, new brushes for all my projects + some other bits, fair prices and next working day delivery

Makita Spares and Parts at low prices; huge selection

Huge selection of Makita Spares and Parts at low prices; free delivery on orders over £60

www.partshopdirect.co.uk

 

[Turbo]

I would suggest splitting the drill and blow out the insides from the accumulated dust.
Also spray contact cleaner inside the switch while pressing it in and out plus fwd and reverse. Blow it out afterwards.

Take notes and photos where things go as you split it. Be careful of the screw lengths as there can be a shorter screw used in some places.

Make an alignment mark on the motor windings in relation to the case. They only fit in 1 way and its not always obvious.

I was going to start a drill repair thread a while back as I fix quite a few including many Makitas.

 

[eddie49]

I have a crate full of "dead" Makita 18v tools, chargers, and batteries, and on nearly every item there is green corrosion on the battery terminals.

 

[Kayos]

I spent £2.5k replacing my kit a few years before I came off the tools

The only Makita failure I've ever had was an early 18v SDS that was used and abused to drill 32mm holes in masonry, it was repairable but just replaced

Years and years of use and abuse without issue

 

[tom2207]

I have a crate full of "dead" Makita 18v tools, chargers, and batteries, and on nearly every item there is green corrosion on the battery terminals.

I give mine a squirt of acf 50 , I dont seem to have that issue at all ,,,

 

[Turbo]

If you have one of the big Makita drills with the 3 speed gearbox for goodness sake do not take it apart to grease it!

It took many attempts to get one reassembled. I was getting stuff in the right order but getting stuff to mesh and slot in was nearly impossible.

I have stripped and assembled a few Dewalt 3 speeds and they are easy enough to do. They are not as precisely machined or put together and that makes it easier to assemble.

In comparison the Makita was like a Swiss watch so your alignment had to be perfect.

I've worked on different makes of cordless tools and Makita are probably the best quality I've seen. Not had a Milwaukee apart yet though.

 

[Nomad]

Rain stopped play outside today (and I'm waiting for yesterdays plastering to dry before I can paint it - then I watch the paint dry..)

Next up, BGA452 grinder, working fine but was said to be low on power compared to mains grinders. New brushes fitted when I'm doing the other tools.



Super quick and easy to do: pop out dust covers on the hand grip, undo flat-head brush holder, swap brushes

If anyone has any helpful info about Makita cordless tools feel free to add commments here rather than start a new thread @Turbo

 

[Martin-Sy]

Do you have any tips on getting the chuck off one of these?
It's been a great tool but it does not grip as well as it should.

If it slips it damages the twist drill which then won't go back in the stand.
I end up having to stone the shank.

I can see there's a slotted screw at the bottom of the chuck.....

 

[qwakers]

take the screw out (left hand thread) stick a big ass allen key in the chuck, put drill in low gear, put drill body in vice or clamp it to the bench, hit allen key anticlockwise with a decently large hammer.

 

[Turbo]

Do you have any tips on getting the chuck off one of these?
It's been a great tool but it does not grip as well as it should.

View attachment 514917
If it slips it damages the twist drill which then won't go back in the stand.
I end up having to stone the shank.

I can see there's a slotted screw at the bottom of the chuck.....

The slotted screw might be loctited in. Use a good fitting screwdriver and hit it with a hammer whilst turning.

 

[qwakers]

oh and fit this chuck...

Makita 763252-1 Keyless Drill Chuck 13 Bhp448/ 763252-1 from Spare Parts World

DESIGN : Industrial design for long life CAPACITY : Accepts bits up to a 1/2" shank DURABILITY : High quality steel construction for added durability CONVENIENCE : Easy to install for added user convenience INCLUDES : Drill Chuck BUY NOW OVERVIEW ABOUT Makita Drill Chucks are engineered for i

www.sparepartsworld.co.uk

fits all makita lxt drills and is a better design than the one for the older dhp drills.

 

[qwakers]

Rain stopped play outside today (and I'm waiting for yesterdays plastering to dry before I can paint it - then I watch the paint dry..)

Next up, BGA452 grinder, working fine but was said to be low on power compared to mains grinders. New brushes fitted when I'm doing the other tools.

View attachment 514903

Super quick and easy to do: pop out dust covers on the hand grip, undo flat-head brush holder, swap brushes

If anyone has any helpful info about Makita cordless tools feel free to add commments here rather than start a new thread @Turbo

those brushed grinders are gutless out of the box, so there was probably nothing wrong with it.

 

[Turbo]

If anyone has any helpful info about Makita cordless tools feel free to add commments here rather than start a new thread @Turbo

I was going to ask you if I could post some of my repairs.

 

[Martin-Sy]

fits all makita lxt drills and is a better design than the one for the older dhp drills.

Cheers. On order. Just gotta get the old one off!

 

[Mark 5]

take the screw out (left hand thread) stick a big ass allen key in the chuck, put drill in low gear, put drill body in vice or clamp it to the bench, hit allen key anticlockwise with a decently large hammer.

And where do you buy big ass allan keys that won't bend or snap when wacking with a hammer??

Also, if all else fails in chuck removal, there is a method with the use of an angle grinder to cut the old one off.

Not all chucks and this includes the Makita brand have a chuck screw.

 

[Turbo]

And where do you buy big ass allan keys that won't bend or snap when wacking with a hammer??

Also, if all else fails in chuck removal, there is a method with the use of an angle grinder to cut the old one off.

Not all chucks and this includes the Makita brand have a chuck screw.

The biggest you have in a set will be a 10 or 12mm, the chuck only holds 13mm!

 

[qwakers]

And where do you buy big ass allan keys that won't bend or snap when wacking with a hammer??

Also, if all else fails in chuck removal, there is a method with the use of an angle grinder to cut the old one off.

Not all chucks and this includes the Makita brand have a chuck screw.

It's a 13mm chuck and I've yet to see a set that doesn't have a 12mm in it. And as for bending the Allen key, you're shock loading it for a reason. If it bends you got your key set from toys r us. I've done 20+ chuck removals with this method, it works. Every time.

And as for not all drills having a screw, the model shown in them post I was replying to does. I did one last week. Infact I've never found a makita drill that doesn't.

 

[Agroshield]

And where do you buy big ass allen keys that won't bend or snap when wacking with a hammer??

M8 allthread coupling nut and a standard 13mm spanner also works.

 

[Mark 5]

It's a 13mm chuck and I've yet to see a set that doesn't have a 12mm in it. And as for bending the Allen key, you're shock loading it for a reason. If it bends you got your key set from toys r us. I've done 20+ chuck removals with this method, it works. Every time.

And as for not all drills having a screw, the model shown in them post I was replying to does. I did one last week. Infact I've never found a makita drill that doesn't.

Probably hence my question, " where do you get good quality, big ass allen/hex keys from?

I have several 10-12 mm allen keys bent or snapped, even managed to bend a Wera 10mm, ( not purchased from toys-r-us ).

In removing the chuck have you ever advised or done so yourself, applied heat and the use of an impact driver to remove the screw in the first instance?

Here is another link for a replacement chuck, bog standard, various brands but all the same chuck, ok quality, half the price compared to some, available almost anywhere on line.

 

[qwakers]

Never needed a impact driver or heat. I would advise against heat. You'll melt the casing long before it does anything useful. The chuck won't be that tight, the smack is to break the friction.lock from the base of the chuck to the drive, nothing else.