Back in July 2016, we posted about the new Makita DTD170 brushless impact driver that was coming out overseas. It was a 6-speed model with good torque and tiny size.
It looks like we’ll be getting something similar here in the USA and presumably Canada as well – the new Makita XDT12 18V brushless impact driver.
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The new Makita XDT12 looks identical to the DTD170, at least from what I could tell, with the exception being that the USA model, XDT12M, is bundled with a 4.0Ah Li-ion battery pack, instead of the 6.0Ah pictured with the DTD170.
The Makita XDT12M features 4 speed and torque settings, plus 2 additional operating modes, an Assist mode for driving fasteners at low speeds until tightening begins, and a Quick-Shift Tightening mode, for faster tightening of self-drilling screws.
Specs:
- 1550 in-lbs max torque
- 0-3,600 RPM, 0-3,800 IPM
- 0-3,200 RPM, 0-3,600 IPM
- 0-2,100 RPM, 0-2,600 IPM
- 0-1,100 RPM, 0-1,100 IPM
- Assist and Tightening modes (A and T)
- 4-5/8″ long
- Weighs 3.3 lbs with 4.0Ah battery pack
- 1/4″ hex chuck
- LED worklight
- Removable belt clip
Price: $400 for the XDT12M kit that comes with a charger, 2x 4.0Ah battery packs, and a carrying case
A bare tool version, XDT12Z, is also available, for ~$232 under $200. We’ve seen it as low as ~$152.
Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Looking past the $400 price tag, which is the same as for Hitachi’s new 18V triple anvil brushless impact driver kit, this has all the makings of a best-in-class brushless impact driver.
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If you already own a Makita charger and battery packs, the bare tool XDT12Z is still pricey, but $232 is a lot less than $400.
The Makita XDT12 is compact – very compact – and reasonably lightweight. Its max torque output is decent at 1550 in-lbs, and it gives you more operating modes than any other model currently on the market, except for the Milwaukee M18 One-Key impact driver which is user-customizable.
Realistically, what more could you ask for from a cordless impact driver, aside from lower pricing? I’m hoping that Makita also offers this impact with a compact battery option, which would mean a lower kit price but also even smaller size and lighter weight.
Is this everything you could want in a cordless impact driver?
Andrew
Canada has the new 154 which replaces the 148. 154 is the same length as the 170, 3 speed and same rpm. 154 has an aluminum nose cone
Stuart
Thanks!
We’re getting new XDT12, XDT13, XDT14, and XDT15 models.
That’s this model, a slightly less compact and single speed model, a 3 speed Quick Shift model, and a sub-compact, all brushless.
Jon
We’re getting the 170 in Canada as well. I don’t think the 154 “replaced” the 148 as that one was never sold outside of Japan as far as I know. The 154 appears to be identical to the 148 – I think the only difference is that it’s probably made in a Chinese factory instead of in Japan.
The 170 on the other hand shaves 90 grams off the bare tool weight and adds the additional speed and the additional mode.
You mention that this tool “has all the makings of a best-in-class brushless impact driver” but is there really any question? It has the smallest form factor, lightest weight, fastest RPM, smoothest feel in hand and the most speeds/modes on the market.
The only thing you could point to is higher peak torque ratings on other brands but as you recently discussed with the Surge driver peak torque has no real meaning outside of marketing wank. The actual real-world WORK delivered by the Makita in terms of actual fastening is more than any competing model period.
Makita (and Milwaukee) do need to catch up to DeWalt on battery pricing as they are currently out of whack by a large margin, although that only affects a certain portion of the target market that buy enough batteries to worry about it.
Jon
WordPress complained that I was duplicate posting before I had even posted once, and then after trying again it appears to have posted both times after all! Sorry about that!
Stuart
It does that to me every so often too, and I haven’t figured out why. Maybe in some devices it registers a second press close to the first? The only thing I can think of is that, when you submit a comment, it’s not quite the same as opening a webpage, where a second click will take over the first.
Stuart
1550 in-lbs of torque isn’t class-leading, but it should be adequate enough for most fastening tasks.
If one needs more power, the jump to heavy duty impact wrench territory is usually an obvious need.
Jon
You completely missed my point though. Torque doesn’t do any actual work so it’s not an indicator of performance.
When an impact driver is delivering the maximum torque rating the bit is turning at LESS THAN 1 RPM!
That’s why a 1/2 impact wrench has more torque than a diesel truck but you certainly couldn’t drive down the road using one as your power plant – there is no RPM behind it.
It really comes down to how much RPM you are getting once the driver is delivering the needed torque to turn the fastener.
What is really the most important when comparing drivers is how many of the same size fasteners you can drive in the same time period. Maximum torque tells you absolutely nothing about that.
Nobody uses an impact driver at 1500+ in-lbs of torque because as I mentioned you would be getting less than 1 RPM out of it. If you need to deliver that kind of torque you would certainly move up to an impact wrench like you suggested.
logan
Not to nitpick completely, but diesel engines also have gear reduction (transmission + rear axle — a car engine installed in chassis can NEVER output (at the end of the chain, tires) any less than what the engine produces, unless the transmission has the most ridiculous overdrive ever), giving them a huge mechanical advantage.
Impact wrench/driver torque curves would be very interesting to see, but I do suspect that you’re right – there’s a significant dropoff between low and high RPM when it comes to torque. This is where the most overrated measure, HP, comes into place.
Cooling matters, too. I’m sure you could run something off a drill or impact wrenches for that matter, but it’d start smoking in very short order.
You note than less than 1 RPM is required for peak torque – do you have a torque curve for a cordless tool? That’d be awesome to see.
thanks
Stuart
That is not correct.
In an impact driver, speed is directly proportional to torque.
If you only have 1 RPM, impact frequently will be proportionally small, leading to marginal torque delivery, not max.
You want greater speed and impacts per second for more demanding applications.
Andrew
All the reviews online and my own experiences say the 148 was a class leader in an 18v impact drives. The 170 and 154 are higher rpm. The 170 drives screws quicker then 148. The Japanese call it king of impact for a reason dt170, it is and is the best impact I’ve used
Jon
Response to Stuart above (no reply button):
The impact frequency isn’t related at all to the turning speed nor is the torque. You can test this out if you want by tightening a lug nut on a car.
At first when there is little to no resistance the driver spins the nut without even impacting at all. As the resistance builds the impacting starts. Once the lug nut is fully tightened to the maximum torque capacity of the driver it will stop turning, but the impacting will continue for as long as you hold the trigger.
The maximum torque is developed right at the end of that process just before the nut stops turning (that’s why I mentioned 1 rpm).
If the impacting was related to the turning speed then when the nut stopped turning the impacting would stop also but it doesn’t.
Andrew
148 was sold in Australia, 154 is replacing it. 154 isn’t identical to 148. 154 base is slightly different, it’s 2mm shorter, rpm is higher, nose cone different.
Jon
You’re right it was 2 mm shorter! Although the RPM is listed as the same for both (all three models actually) at 3600.
Andrew
Arr yes you are right, don’t know why I thought the rpm was higher.
My 170 drives tek screw in to steel quicker then my 148. I’ve also noticed 154 is made in China, other two Japan
Nathan
I like some of the idea. won’t make me switch per se but if I had room and desire for 2 battery systems I’d strongly consider that over the milwaukee device.
Aaron
Looks like a nice unit, but I prefer the Hitachi Triple Hammer. Its third anvil, reduced vibration, and higher torque edge it over everything else. On paper, this would be my main impact if it wasn’t for that, though. Glad to see Makita get their US releases in gear!
Jay
Not sure if I’d like or even need the assist mode or the 4 speeds featured on the XDT12. The variable speed trigger on my XDT11 makes it easy enough to control the tool no problem. The bump up in torque, RPM and IPM are nice but are not enough to make an immediate upgrade a necessity. The changed overmolding design is a good thing. My XDT11 is a little less than a year old and the molding is already starting to peel off at the base of the tool close to where the battery slides into place.
Toolpig
This is not your Home Depot Makita! It is the one to beat period! The numbers do not tell the whole story. As thousands of people have seen on instagram, this easily spanks every other impact driver on the market. I have to wonder sometimes if Makita doesn’t underrate maximum torque ratings or if they are actually accurate but at a certain time interval of hammering compared to a different time interval of hammering from what other manufacturers use. I bought impact drivers from nearly every professional to manufacture on the planet and this is the one that I look forward to using the most. It does everything faster and smoother than the other offerings I have tried. It is also the most compact by far. It is actually shorter than many right angle drills.
Jon
Naw the peak torque isn’t underrated, the difference is in the RPM under load. That’s why it spanks everything else. Read my comment above for a more detailed explanation.
Ray D
But I bought my XDT14Z and XPH07Z from Home Depot so their Makitas are just as good as any other Makitas out there, and most times at better prices. But I get your point, you do have to wade through the in-your-face homesumer to get to the “prosumer” stuff.
Bruce
Even better. If the impact can’t drive your screw, turn it over and use that club foot battery to drive it in like a hammer!
BikerDad
Is this everything you could want in a cordless impact driver?
No, it isn’t. First, I want a proper LED light ring, not a LED light above the trigger. Second, I want the quieter experience offered by the hydraulic units.
It DOES look like a fine tool, but not “everything”.
Hilton
Makita does offer an ‘oil impulse’ driver (or words to that effect). Designed for conditions where noise pollution is an issue.
ICT
this makita impact driver has great ability to sustain its torque levels…reason being the bigger wires to the motor…it also has a lot better rubber retention…and water resistance…and bigger barrings….if you put a 6.0, 3 layered off brand battery, you can plow right through your max torque level set with a 5.0 makita battery…..i think you might even beat Milwaukee’s 1800 in-lbs…someone check this out… the 6.0 3 layered batteries are available for $60 on eBay…
Met
Just grabbed this bare tool for $132 on Amazon. 3600rpms?
We shall see how it stands uo
JMG
And that price just dropped by $6. If you catch it before it ships, you can take advantage of Amazon’s unstable pricing deals.
Stuart
Wow. I’m seeing a price of $151 and change, or $126 and change after $25 off $100+ holiday coupon promo.
That’s very enticing, especially since the bare tool was over $230 previously, and the kit is still a hair over $400.
JMG
Price on this item just dropped again by another $8. After the current holiday coupon is added the price comes to $117.95