Who is the King of Japanese Impact Drivers? Makita vs Hikoki!

The Newest Japanese Triple Hammer is here! Is it worth the cost to import or should you just wait for the North American model - I'll cover all of that and more!
#makita #metabohpt #hikoki #impactdriver #jdm
Links to buy:
Impact Drivers:
Makita LXT TD173 (Affiliate Link): ebay.us/UEk9M6
Makita XGT TD002 (Affiliate Link): ebay.us/gcg9DE
Hikoki/Metabo HPT
Hikoki WH36DD - Red (Affiliate Link): ebay.us/7Ctxy8
Hikoki WH36DD - Black (Affiliate Link): ebay.us/i0GVxP
Hikoki WH36DD - Green (Affiliate Link): ebay.us/BG99s3
Hikoki WH36DB - Black (Affiliate Link): ebay.us/7Td8aU
Amazon Japan Site:
Hikoki WH36DD - Full Kit: www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Recharg...
JIS Bits:
Vessel BW-15 Gold (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3wkKI29
Vessel PH2 Long (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3Ur4XmR
Vessel Go-Sai 5 Pc (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/4b8LMp4
Vessel Go-Sai Torx (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/4dtrDeD
Labear Torx Bits (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/3Ka3uwB
Labear Metric Hex (Affiliate Link): amzn.to/4b77lGl
Legal:
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, Amazon Associates, etc.

[@maybetomorrow7920]

I replaced my 5 year old XDT14 with a 173 a month ago and holy moly is it smooth! A guy in my crew bought a 173 to replace his gen3 Milwaukee a week after i got mine. That ringlight really makes this a 2 in one tool. 👍

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah that’s a nice impact for a lot of reasons.

[@Kaleb_RoSs]

Just got my wh36DD the other day. It’s definitely very premium feeling and smooth. That red looks awesome but I got the black one instead.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I considered the black but I had that one already on the last generation.

[@michaela3330]

Great one! Thanks!

[@TinkerWithTools]

Thanks!

[@SkilledLabor]

Red and black are sweet! Although my OCD couldn’t deal with a battery not matching with the impact color 😂 I

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah that is the one shame of it. It never matters on the Makita because the batteries are just black.

[@UncleIvan1]

Exact reason I chose makita. I don't need every tool to be powerful. I need a great balance

[@TinkerWithTools]

There are times I reach for my Milwaukee and times I go for the Makita. It’s just depends for me.

[@UncleIvan1]

@@TinkerWithTools I do understand what you are saying, but for bigger tasks ill reach for either a drill or an impact wrench

[@joaquinchan9936]

All I know that triple hammer looks awesome period.

[@brianf9619]

I always like Makita impacts , I currently have the XDT-19 and love it . Makita has always made good quality tools that are smoth and last , But I think it would be nuts to jump into the Makita 18v LXT Platform right now , their tools designs are getting old and desperately need to be Updated , I mean if you needed a Reciprocating Saw or a DryWall screw gun would you run out and buy Makita , they definitely are Not the ones i think of , after the 40v line came out it seems like Makita forgot all about their LXT line , at least here in the U.S. anyways ... Just my Opinion ..... 👍🖖

[@TinkerWithTools]

All fair points. And it only seems to be getting worse in my opinion

[@moddedimlose]

Can you tell me what you think about trigger/smoothness of the XDT19 vs the TD173? I have an XDT19 and love the light trigger + smooth operation, and would love to hear that the 173 improves upon that even further before buying one.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I won’t say it improves upon necessarily but it’s every bit as good as the XDT19

[@moddedimlose]

@@TinkerWithTools Very good to know, thanks for the reply!

[@MrNfury8]

Vs DCF860 , now that is the beast to beat 🙊

[@TinkerWithTools]

If they would just release in North America already!

[@free2chasehappy]

I love Japanese tools. Owned and used Japanese power and hand tools, and they are absolutely fantastic. I have no idea why they don’t bring more into the US, probably the largest market in the world.

[@TinkerWithTools]

you can get a fair amount of Japanese tools here, you are just commonly importing them from somewhere like eBay or Amazon or picking from the selection of tools that Amazon natively carries on the US site. And I agree there are a lot of good tools to choose from.

[@Biaanca5036]

I have the Ryobi stuff :) the white BID-11xr and golden BID-10xr. What's really fun about them is they can use dewalt powerstack batteries and they're teeny tiny as well with both being half an inch shorter than the Dewalt DCF850. The BID11 has more compact head too. DCF850 is a chunky boy compared to these Kyocera teeny tinies But that's about it I suppose 😅 because maaaan.. I am not a fan of limited run unserviceable one-off japanese tools

[@Biaanca5036]

That said, you don't have to buy CJK bits to use a CJK impact driver. Makita makes a little bead thingy that you can temporary hotglue into those to make them the right size for western bits //found it! it's part # Makita 322279-6

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah I need to try those at some point. As for the bit adapter that they sell I have heard good and bad things about it. While it’s inexpensive I think I’ll likely just stick to the special bits but I am also not above use an American style bit when I have to.

[@Jeff-rk8hq]

If you look closely at their impact wrenchs Makita & hikoki are very similar with the higher end stuff going to Makita imo but very similar parts bins also Makita has a similar “soft impact” I been waiting on you to stumble onto the hikoki “surge” whp18dbdl ..it’s Hikokis oil impulse 18/14.4v impact driver looks nice and supposed to be very quiet …a guy named eda castle uploaded a vid of it on here

[@TinkerWithTools]

Do you know of a good source to purchase/import it?

[@TinkerWithTools]

The only place I am finding it is eBay for $300 plus shipping. That’s the main deterrent at this point.

[@PabloB-KMP]

@@TinkerWithTools It's on Amazon Japan for $199 plus shipping. There is also the new version, the WHP18DA also on Amazon Japan that came out two weeks ago for $212 plus shipping but it's out of stock.

[@fancraft1266]

I'm curious to see how the TID18 from Festool performs compared to these

[@TinkerWithTools]

I have considered trying it. I just haven’t been able to stomach the price yet.

[@fancraft1266]

@@TinkerWithTools I understand 😂 in the US the price of their tools is exorbitant, here in Europe it's ok but still a bit more expensive than the other brands

[@fancraft1266]

@@TinkerWithTools maybe you can find one secondhand

[@TinkerWithTools]

@@fancraft1266 I guess it’s better than the drills. The kit is still under $400. But yeah I might have to look secondhand.

[@codustv1465]

Really don't think you could go wrong with either, Just stay away from the new metabo hpt compact batteries...... They literally drain faster just sitting than my makita ones when I'm using them.

[@KuzConstrution]

Yep and had 2 out of 5 break in less than 6 months. I did use the the warranty but still

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yeah I haven’t had issues with them really but I also haven’t used them much either. The multivolt batteries are just my go to there. I have heard mixed reviews about the new 4ah battery though as well.

[@codustv1465]

@@TinkerWithTools i like hitachi so i don't wanna fislike em but if this is the new quality it's an ehhhh..... mine drain so fast its crazy

[@nfi2nfi2]

Spoiler it’s Hikoki

[@saveapossum7195]

Possums like chewing on the premium Makita rubber, but the Hikoki trigger and modes are superior.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Which trigger modes on the Hikoki do you use that the Makita doesn’t have? Not arguing just curios.

[@saveapossum7195]

The side mode selector has two softer modes that are ideal for smaller screws, they don’t over drive the screw in soft pine, or too deep with a countersink bit. The XGTs modes 2, 3 and 4 are too powerful. The Hikoki has a finer trigger, lower speed, more incremental. Whilst the plastic, rubber, drop durability, overall quality, etc are all superior on my XGT; the Hikoki is better for my uses, ultimately they are both highly capable tools. Still waiting for the oil impulse in 40v 🫤.

[@saveapossum7195]

The side mode selector has two softer modes that are ideal for smaller screws, they don’t over drive the screw in soft pine, or too deep with a countersink bit. The XGTs modes 2, 3 and 4 are too powerful. The Hikoki has a finer trigger, lower speed, more incremental. Whilst the plastic, rubber, drop durability, overall quality, etc are all superior on my XGT; the Hikoki is better for my uses, ultimately they are both highly capable tools. Still waiting for the oil impulse in 40v 🫤.

[@saveapossum7195]

The side mode selector has two softer modes that are ideal for smaller screws, they don’t over drive the screw in soft pine, or too deep with a countersink bit. The XGTs modes 2, 3 and 4 are too powerful. The Hikoki has a finer trigger, lower speed, more incremental. Whilst the plastic, rubber, drop durability, overall quality, etc are all superior on my XGT; the Hikoki is better for my uses, ultimately they are both highly capable tools. Still waiting for the oil impulse in 40v 🫤.

[@saveapossum7195]

The side mode selector has two softer modes that are ideal for smaller screws, they don’t over drive the screw in soft pine, or too deep with a countersink bit. The XGTs modes 2, 3 and 4 are too powerful. The Hikoki has a finer trigger, lower speed, more incremental. Whilst the plastic, rubber, drop durability, overall quality, etc are all superior on my XGT; the Hikoki is better for my uses, ultimately they are both highly capable tools. Still waiting for the oil impulse in 40v 🫤.

[@nguyenhaianh8070]

Man, you forget the other great. Panasonic and Kyocera(Ryobi).

[@TinkerWithTools]

I need to try and get those. It’s possible but getting the batteries is the hardest/expensive part.

[@nguyenhaianh8070]

@@TinkerWithTools The great part is Kyocera use exactly same battery with dewalt 20v. Panasonic is quite rare nowadays but their Tool are alway on top of the hill in my Opinion

[@banusbaby]

The latest kyocera tools no longer take the DeWalt batteries....but they are ultra premium like festool, fein and mafell ....might no be top of the tree in term of power but shine in control for fine work....think more finish carpentry and work shop work.....than first fix construction work..... Milwaukee and flex will always win out in terms of raw power......

[@nguyenhaianh8070]

@@banusbaby i know bid 10xr can use dewalt battery. And look like bid 11xr is in exacly same platform. I try to look at bid 11xr battery on internet and their connect still is dewalt. No difference at all

[@taylorshin]

Yeah, that JIS collet requirement is also there in Korean market... And DeWalt impacts are notorious to have extreme wobble with it. Comparing anything from Makita, Japanese Makita literally shames Americans (Yes, not just DeWalt but Milwaukee too...) with the bit stability. I've heard this is a serious issue when you have to tap into metal surface a lot.

[@TinkerWithTools]

I appreciate you sharing

[@kamilryszewski9769]

Colllets in news DeWalts arę to shallow. I compared to others, i got fourr others big mamę tools and older DeWalts. I destroyed few spaddle bits drilling intro the wood. IT is realy shitty engineering design. Woobling and eating 1/2 adapters like a crazy. I personally broken 3 DeWalts hex to 1/2 adapters on dcf840 and 850 on the first day!!!! Others tools Makita, hikoki and some old thrusty DeWalts working two or three years wiith them! For me It id VERY important. Because i working over the ground on the ropes over the heads of the crowd and the cars. I have stoped using this tools because from my experience id too dangerous in this situation,. Greetings from Poland

[@trentramsey8599]

My makita battery tools are far superior to anyone’s on my jobsite. DEWALT, Milwaukee, flex and Bosch. My makita impact in definitely the smoothest running impact by far, but also the strongest. When we need to put 8 or 10 inch timber locks in triple LVL they yell for me to come with my drill! Def not lacking in power by far! Also the 5 amp batteries fully charge in 45 minutes or less which is a huge bonus compared to DEWALT taking a few hours to charge.

[@TinkerWithTools]

The impact drivers are smooth and the batteries are quality for sure, but I struggle with how slow they are to bring stuff to market in the US, and the neglect they have shown LXT batteries in general compared to other tool companies. I think they are still nice tools so I am mainly sad that other parts of the world seem to get the latest and the greatest here, and it just doesn't seem like it's going to change any time soon.

[@devonboyer626]

One interesting thing I've heard recently is that Makita is cheaper in other countries than what we have here in the states. I've heard that is part of why they are so popular.

[@icsx]

Makita is pinned with competition around Europe, tools like Milwaukee are taking over market share in northern part of europe and Flex in Germany aswell where example Bosch has been strong but also losing elsewhere.

[@devonboyer626]

@@icsx yeah I hear makita sales have been down in the states. Seems like that's happening elsewhere too.

[@icsx]

@@devonboyer626 Makitas generally are good tools but the quality has also dropped with them a bit. Some like me are also bothered with the the lines of having 18V and 40V tools with separate batteries, unlike with Hikoki where same multivolt fits to 18v and 36v tools.

[@TinkerWithTools]

Yes that goes with most brands depending on their country of origin. Milwaukee has places where they are crazy expensive as well. We pay more for German brands as well where I am.

[@devonboyer626]

@@icsx yeah exactly I don't think it's worth the price tag for most people out there, considering the competition. Build quality can only go so far when your paying top dollar for ok performance and a platform that lacks compatibility and innovation.

[@Veau88]

Makita is junk and has not kept up in the industry … metabo all day if i wasnt already in the dewalt platform… cant wait to see the 860 finally ve the dirst good dewalt impact… i have all of them from rhe last 10 years and they all have issues with either low power or trigger

[@TinkerWithTools]

In terms of power, I think they have chosen not to focus on that as much but in terms of being nice to use, Makita impacts are still one of the better impacts to use.

[@Veau88]

@@TinkerWithTools no 21700 batteries… doing a disservice to their customers

[@izoyt]

@@Veau88 makita is global leading company in battery tolls department and they use 21700 format in their 40v lineup. could you at least do one minute online search before spreading bs?

[@Veau88]

@@izoyt no 21700 in 20v tools which are by far the leading category in power tools… no stacked lithium, no compatibility between 20v and 40v… get real bud they are standing still and losing market share every day