Product Description

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

Product Description
18V, Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Driver Drill Kit, All Metal 2 Speed Transmission, 1/2″ Metal Single Sleeve Ratcheting Chuck, 2 Built In LED Lights, Makita Built 4 Pole Motor Design, Compact Design, 9-3/8″ Long & Weighs Only 4.8 LB, Shift Lock Drive System.

Product Details

• Brand: Makita
• Model: BHP451
• Dimensions: 15.00″ h x 6.00″ w x 18.00″ l, 15.40 pounds

Features

• 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 in a wider range of applications
• Shift Lock Driver System quickly shifts from “hammer drill” to “driver” mode with one touch
• Egonomic shape fits like a glove with even pressure and easy control
• Compact design at only 9-7/8″ length and weighs only 4.9 lbs for less operator fatigue

Customer Reviews

To raise and lower my Pop-Up camper
I bought this for an unusual use. I have a Fleetwood Evolution Pop-Up camper with AC on the roof. The top is raised with a crank from the back. It is somewhat of a pain to raise it, so I contacted the dealer about an electric lift kit. I was told that it required a gear ratio change, and would run about 00 total installed. The tech at the dealer recommended I get a heavy duty cordless drill instead, for less than 1/3 the cost, so I bought this one.

It works great! Set to the low speed it has no problem at all lifting the top, and lowering it is even easier. As a plus, I can also use it to extend and retract the levelers on the four corners, which the factory electric lift kit does not do. Naturally it will get a lot of more conventional use as well, but it is perfect for my special application.

Makita cordless drill
I have other Makita drills, and I love them all. This one is also a very nice drill setup.

Great Drill
Purchased this drill last fall before beginning to replace the aluminum wiring in my 40 year old home. It replace a 15 year old (approx.) 9.6 volt Makita which still worked fine; but it needed new batteries. It seemed a good time to trade up.

The new drill is about 1 pound heavier than my previous drill. Considering that I’ve moved from 9.6 to 18 volts and added a hammer function this seems to be a quite reasonable tradeoff. While noticeably heavier the new drill seems better balanced than the old drill (stick battery in the handle). I didn’t find it tiring to use.

In the past several months I have done a lot of heavy drilling and also drove a lot of dry-wall screws. The drill has all the power I needed to make short work of up to 1″ holes often through multiple 2×4’s. Since I often moved between drilling and driving screws I liked the ability to make that change quickly without changing the clutch setting.

Someone else commented on chuck run-out and holding power. I didn’t experience either of these problems. However, most of my drilling was done with a set of old Craftsman spade bits that had terrible run-out as purchased. My father was a machinist at the time I purchased the bits and re-ground the forged drill flats true to the axis of the bit solving this problem. It also gives me bits that I know run true as a fair test of a chuck. There are a lot of bad bits out there.

My biggest disappointment was the case. The case my drill arrived in was designed to hold both the drill and an impact wrench. It is huge. Since I didn’t purchase the impact wrench about 40-50% of the space is wasted. I did buy the Makita 18v flash light. It doesn’t seem like it would have taken much creativity to design a case that would hold the drill and either the impact wrench or the light. (Listening out there Makita??) The only other complaint is the lack of adjustability of the light. I did a fair amount of work in dark (overhead) spaces. The light is fine when using the (longer) spade bits. But when I was driving screws with a short Phillips bit the light was no help at all.

Overall this is a great drill and I look forward to using it for a long time.

The Bonber
Great tool , couldn’t ask for any better. Maybe a tad on the heavy side , but I love it.

great tools lxt 18 volt.
we run a gutter installs all day with this light weight tool ti runs great. scott

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