Makita's Lithium-Ion LXT Cordless Drills

The battery in your new cordless drill is an essential ingredient in the overall performance of your tool, so let's examine it in detail.
The battery in any cordless power tool is designed to utilise all of the power available from the tool, but in order to get that first time every time, we need to make sure we take care of it.

Should you fully charge your battery prior to first using the tool?

Although this used to be a good question AND the case in most instances it is no longer so with the Lithium-Ion powered cordless drills.
Check that the contact points on both the battery and charger are clean and free of dust and moisture. This ensures both the life and the charge of the drill will always be at the optimum levels.

The Temperature is the one thing that can kill your charger and halve its life. Make sure you always run the charger in a well ventilated and cool place out of direct sunlight and or the elements. The manufacturer should recommend optimum temperature levels so make sure you follow them.

Most toolsheds are out in the backyard and since this is the case it is highly advisable to not leave your charger on day and night. This is especially true when there is an electrical storm as any power surges can potentially kill the charger and battery in one hit.

Another key factor in keeping your Cordless drill battery in the best condition is to not leave it out of charge for too long. Try and make an effort to use the battery at least once a month to keep it performing at peak levels. Leaving the Lithium-Ion battery out of charge for too long can diminish its performance and charging capacity.

The best way to maximize the life of your battery and get the most from the cordless drill is to follow the instructions and manufacturers recommendations at all times. Use some common sense and make sure you keep the battery and charger clean and in good condition.

Find out everything you need to know about your next Makita LXT Cordless Drill or any of the Makita range of Lithium-Ion powered tools.

For most aspiring home renovators and DIY handymen the cordless drill is the most valuable tool that you can own, and is almost a necessity in any toolshed. Therefore it is important that we know how to use it correctly so we can get the most out of our cordless drill.

1. Before using your Makita cordless drill, compare the diagrams and read the instructions carefully. They will be supplied with your purchase. Keep in a safe place for future reference.

2. The instruction manual should mention the safe operating temperature, and it is recommended that you read this and are familiar with it. Doing so will prevent injury and performance drops from your cordless drill.

3. Only use the attachments that are supplied with your drill. They have been made to a specification that only pertains to your particular cordless drill.

4. Be sure that the area in which you are going to be working is safe. Look out for wires and tripping hazards, as well as the usual checks for adequate lighting and ventilation.

5. You should always be wearing safety glasses when you are drilling. I know it looks stupid but it looks a lot more stupid walking around with an eye patch on for the rest of your life. Unless you're a pirate that is.

6. Keep away from wet surfaces as operating in this environment can cause the drill bit to slip and also damage your equipment. It's also a really dangerous tripping hazard.

7. Often times the toolshed will also house the gas bottles and flammable liquids. It's not dangerous to operate your drill around these things but it is highly advisable that you avoid working near them anyway.

8. Make sure that you are not working in ill fitting or baggy clothes as these can become caught in the drill or just get in the way and cause safety concerns.

9. Make sure there are no electical wires or general wiring in the area in which you adrilling. This is especially poignant when drilling into the wall or roof at home.

10. Your lithium-ion cordless drill battery will come with its own charger. Make sure you use this exclusively to charge the battery. This goes for both Ni-Cad and Lithium-Ion battery powered cordless drills.

11. Keep your finger away from the trigger when not using it, and if you are transporting it, get into the habit of locking it - which most modern cordless drills will allow you to do.

12. Do not allow children to be around the work area while the drill is in operation. This can cause unnecessary accidents and injuries.

13. Most modern cordless drills are designed not to get too hot, but I still advise you to be careful when holding the drill immediately after use as it may be quite hot.

14. If the drill is faulty, or there are loose parts then do not attempt to use it as this can cause further damage and could also be quite dangerous.

15. The Golden rule that overshadows all the 14 point above is that safety should always come first. I recommend sticking a big sign up in the garage that says 'SAFETY FIRST'.

Once you are assured that all the safety aspects have been attended; it is time to start renovating. You may even be ready to tackle one of those home improvement tasks you have not attempted before. With the right cordless drill it should not be too difficult. If you have recently purchased or already own a quality branded Cordless Drill like Dewalt or Makita; it should all be done in no time at all.