Makita vs. Milwaukee ?

[MattF]

I might be over simplifying this but what about battery adaptors.

I run a couple of Dewalts this way using 18v makita batteries which I have a few off.

Doable, but not the best option. You have to accept there may be a possibility of tool or battery damage due to the varying protection systems. Much better, IMHO, to have the correct batteries for the tools.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Those who say there is no difference, only preference, (imo) do not use the tools daily. You will have to prise my Metabo core drill from my cold dead fingers before I use another, but everything else is and always a will be Makita

There is definitely a difference, and some brands have particular niches which they excel in, but for many of the "core" tools there is very little in it IMO.
Impacts and drills for example - performance is negligible between the top end models from each brand, and they all leapfrog each other every year by 0.00001% performance - so it comes down to features and how the handle feels, what the trigger control is like etc.
Get into the more niche products like nailers, wall chasers, augers etc and the difference is usually a lot more pronounced I think.

I prefer the balance and trigger feel of my Hikoki, but if I use somebody’s Makita, Dewalt or Milwuakee – it will feel wrong for about ten minutes and then you just get used to it.

 

[Migmac]

Was using my Milwaukee M12 sub compact drill today, 17mm drill bit through 240mm of concrete. No problem, I just let it do its thing.

 

[Nomad]

Hi. some comments / thoughts :

A mate runs a car repair workshop and uses only red stuff - he finds the 1/2" rattle guns have more grunt than anything else he has tried.

Think about what other tools you might want to use with your batteries - I settled for the Makita 18V platform as they have a wide range of "oddball tools" (there's also a growing range of fakita / knock-off / compatible tools on the market now)

(I also have set of a basic set of red 12V tools - handy for light work such as fitting kitchens but I have very little experience with red 18V tools)

 

[Craig-S]

Interesting this guy popped up on my YouTube this morning. He repairs Makita tools by the looks of it.

Worth a watch