A few hours after I posted about Makita’s 18V compact drill driver, news hit my inbox about a new 18V LXT impact driver. The new impact driver features a 3-speed power selection that allows users to select the impact setting necessary for the job.
Makita LXDT01 Impact Driver Speed Settings
- Soft impact setting: 0-1300 RPM, 0-1300 IPM, 220 in.-lbs of max torque
- Medium impact setting: 0-2000 RPM, 0-2800 IPM, 490 in.-lbs of max torque
- Hard impact setting: 0-2600 RPM, 0-3400 IPM, 1460 in.-lbs of max torque
It looks like the driver’s impact settings go from soft to hard at the touch of a button. This is the closest thing to a cordless drill’s adjustable clutch on an impact driver that I’ve seen to date! Well, aside from Dewalt’s impact clutch adapter, of course.
One would use the soft impact setting for small fasteners, such as when driving in hinge screws in a woodworking project, the medium impact setting when driving in mid-sized fasteners such as drywall screws, and the hard impact setting for when driving larger fasteners such as lag bolts.
The new LXDT01 also features Makita’s brushless motor technology for more efficient use of battery power, an LED worklight with on/off toggle switch, low-battery warning LED, and a one-touch 1/4″ hex bit chuck . Head length is 5.5″, and it weighs 3.3 lbs with an 18V LXT battery.
Makita offers the new impact driver as part of a 2-battery kit (LXDT01), and by itself (LXDT01Z).
Makita LXDT01 Kit via Amazon
Tool Only via Amazon
The speed selection switch is located near the tool’s base, by the battery. With this in mind, and from how the speed settings are described, I wonder if all the settings do is limit the maximum voltage or current available to the motor. In any case, the speed selection looks to be a strictly electronic control, rather than mechanical.
Panasonic has a 3-speed power selection too. Available in their recent Li-Ion line up but also offered since several years in their Ni-MH battery line up (“Digipower” impact drivers)