Makita BHP451 LXT 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Driver

Makita BHP451 LXT 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Driver Review

Makita BHP451 LXT 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Hammer Drill/Driver Feature

• LXT Lithium-Ion battery and optimum charging system produces 280% more lifetime work with 2x more cycles.
• 3-speed design produces 25% faster working speed with more efficiency-inch a wider range of applications
• Shift Lock Driver System quickly shifts from in hammer drill-inch to in driver-inch mode with one touch
• Ergonomic shape fits like a glove with even pressure and easy control
• Compact design at only 9-7/8-inch length and weighs only 4.9-pounds for less operator fatigue

We’ve come a long way from sweat and a screwdriver. A hundred years ago, builders would never have envisioned a tool as powerful and efficient as this one. Heck, even 20 years ago. Science has ushered battery technology along, and the LXT Lithium-Ion system that powers this impact driver has a ton of advantages over standard NiMH or NiCad batteries. The Lithium-Ion technology means 1,400 battery life cycles, longer run time, lighter weight, a great reduction in the self-discharge rate and built-in shock-absorbing features to protect your battery.

But perhaps the coolest innovation is what Makita calls its 45-minute Optimum Charger. It actually talks to the batteries it charges throughout the cycle, using a built-in memory chip in the battery and, believe it or not, a CPU chip in the charger itself, which analyzes the data stored in the battery chip to decide on the best charging method at that time.

The hammer drill/ driver itself is fairly compact and lightweight, yet it’s packing a powerful 560 in./lbs. of torque. It’s got a super speed range of 0 to 300 rpm in low gear, 0 to 600 in mid-range and 0 to 1,700 rpm in top gear. But look at the numbers in hammer mode: up to 4,500 blows per minute in low gear, to 9,000 in mid-range and an astounding 0 to 25,500 in third gear. Wow. Sometimes, you may encounter a little resistance if you’re switching directly from low gear to high; if that happens, running the tool in mid-gear for a couple seconds completely alleviates any snag.

Switching from drill to drive mode is done with a simple push of the Shift-Lock™ switch.

We really like the integrated worklight, too: It illuminates as soon as you pull the trigger, and it stays on for 10 seconds or so after you release the trigger, too – a handy little feature.

Makita’s always made ergonomically positive tools that feel good in your hand and take the strain off your body, and this one’s no exception. The slightly curved grip is so comfortable, and the auxiliary handle gives you a super-secure hold on this powerful tool. It’s an absolute pleasure to use and would be a great choice for a contractor, woodworker or exacting DIY-er. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What’s in the Box
Driver/drill, two LXT Lithium-Ion 3.0Ah batteries, 45-minute optimum charger, screwdriver bits, tool case The Lithium-Ion technology means 1,400 battery life cycles, longer run time, lighter weight, a great reduction in the self-discharge rate and built-in shock-absorbing features to protect your battery.

But perhaps the coolest innovation is what Makita calls its 45-minute Optimum Charger. It actually talks to the batteries it charges throughout the cycle, using a built-in memory chip in the battery and, believe it or not, a CPU chip in the charger itself, which analyzes the data stored in the battery chip to decide on the best charging method at that time.The hammer drill/ driver itself is fairly compact and lightweight, yet it's packing a powerful 560 in./lbs. of torque. It's got a super speed range of 0 to 300 rpm in low gear, 0 to 600 in mid-range and 0 to 1,700 rpm in top gear. But look at the numbers in hammer mode: up to 4,500 blows per minute in low gear, to 9,000 in mid-range and an astounding 0 to 25,500 in third gear. Wow. Sometimes, you may encounter a little resistance if you're switching directly from low gear to high; if that happens, running the tool in mid-gear for a couple seconds completely alleviates any snag. Switching from drill to drive mode is done with a simple push of the Shift-Lock switch. We really like the integrated worklight, too: It illuminates as soon as you pull the trigger, and it stays on for 10 seconds or so after you release the trigger, too - a handy little feature. Makita's always made ergonomically positive tools that feel good in your hand and take the strain off your body, and this one's no exception. The slightly curved grip is so comfortable, and the auxiliary handle gives you a super-secure hold on this powerful tool. It's an absolute pleasure to use and would be a great choice for a contractor, woodworker or exacting DIY-er.