MAKITA'S NEW 18V LXT LITHIUM-ION CORDLESS ANGLE DRILL DRIVER TAKES BIG POWER INTO TOUGH-TO-REACH SPACES

JULY 30, 2008  La Mirada, CA – Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high quality industrial power tools and accessories, is proud to announce the release of its new 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Angle Drill Kit (model BDA350). The new cordless angle drill adds to Makita’s already extensive LXT Series of cordless tools featuring 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Battery Technology, a breakthrough in cordless that delivers more power, less weight and better engineering. With up to 1,800 RPM’s, the BDA350 ideal for a wide range of drilling and driving tasks into wood or steel.

 “The new BDA350 is the fastest in its class,” said Ethan Haughawout, associate product manager – cordless products. “The Makita-built 4-pole motor delivers the speed and power, but it’s also more compact, giving this tool an excellent power-to-weight ratio.” 

The tool is built with durable aluminum gear housing, yet it weighs just 3.5 lbs. The BDA350 has a Makita-built 4-pole Max-Torque compact variable speed motor that delivers 0-1,800 RPMs and 121 in.lbs. of torque in a compact size. The tool has a 3/8” keyed metal chuck for improved bit gripping power. In addition, the keyed chuck allowed engineers to reduce the size of the angle drill head to a very compact height of 2-5/8”, making it ideal for use in close quarters applications. The easy-to-handle paddle switch and the ergonomic rubberized grip are designed for user comfort and easy control. The L.E.D. light illuminates the work area, and the compact design with short overall length provides more control and maneuverability. 

The BDA350 is powered by Makita’s 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Technology, a breakthrough in cordless that produces 430% total lifetime work with two-and-a-half times more battery cycles.  The compact, angled design makes the BDA350 perfect for assembly, garage door installation, steel framing, woodworking, electrical, and any other job that requires a best-in-class engineered cordless angle drill in close-quarters applications.

Model BDA350 is a kit that includes two 18 volt LXT Lithium-Ion (3.0Ah) batteries, Rapid Optimum Charger, contractor bag, and battery cover.

Since its introduction on October 3, 2005, Makita’s LXT Series featuring 18V Lithium-Ion Battery Technology has been providing the professional end-user with more work solutions. Nearly three years later, with 30 single tool solutions in the LXT Series, Makita’s 18V Lithium-Ion battery is a breakthrough in cordless with more power, less weight and better engineering, and Makita is proud to be the first to bring it to jobsites across America.

"Makita did not just design a longer run time battery; we designed a complete tool solution to redefine the way pro users work,” said Ken Hefley, senior vice president marketing, Makita USA. “The LXT solution is all muscle and no fat, with 18 volt power at 12 volt weight.  LXT allows the pro user to work longer with a better engineered tool solution.

Makita\'s new LXT Series has been designed specifically for Lithium-Ion battery technology with less weight in a more compact size. LXT is 40% less weight and more compact. The ergonomic shape fits like a glove with even pressure while adding more control. The LXT Series is also equipped with built-in L.E.D. lights that operate independently from the tool to illuminate the work area.

Makita LXT Lithium-Ion Batteries and Optimum Charging System produce 430% total lifetime work with two-and-a-half times more battery cycles when compared to traditional 18V Ni-Cd batteries. The Optimum Charging System is ENERGY STAR rated for its efficient charging process. Makita\'s LXT Lithium-Ion batteries provide the pro user with many benefits, including 1,400 battery life cycles, longer run time, 40% less weight, five-times lower self-discharge to keep cells active and ready to use any time, a built-in memory chip to communicate with the Optimum Charger for more work, built-in shock absorbing features to protect the battery, and sixteen firm-holding contact terminals for constant high power. The battery works in conjunction with the Optimum Charger during the charging process for a more efficient charge and maximum battery life.

The new Rapid Optimum Charger communicates with the LXT battery throughout the charge cycle using the built-in memory chip in the battery and the built-in CPU chip in the charger to recognize the history and battery condition to select the optimal charging method. The optimal charging method uses Active 3 Controls for current control, thermal control and voltage control. The charger has a built-in fan to cool the battery to produce more lifetime work.

Makita has better technology with a new smart Battery Diagnostic System (sold separately) that enables users to understand the battery condition to maximize battery life. This new system is ideal for large pro and industrial users with many batteries. This system is able to indicate how the battery was used and can optimally refresh each cell for more lifetime work, determine the battery life expectancy based on how many times the battery has been charged or gone through a cycle and can log each battery to keep a permanent record.

Makita has also added compact cordless power tools to its line of Lithium-Ion products, and they are unique in both appearance and performance: The 18V Compact Lithium-Ion (1.5Ah) battery weighs just .85 lbs. and reaches a full charge in only 15 minutes, four times faster than the competition. The compact battery combined with the compact design of the tools delivers a superior power-to-weight ratio. These compact tools – including the ½” Compact Driver Drill (BDF452HW) – feature a new black and white exterior design, distinguishing these compact cordless models from Makita’s familiar teal-colored top-of-the-line cordless product in the LXT Series. 

Makita’s newest compact products are powered by a 10.8V Lithium-Ion battery. These lower-voltage products clearly have a place in Makita’s series of Lithium-Ion cordless tools. 

“Makita’s Lithium-Ion platform is not solely focused on 18V power, as evidenced by the recent launch of our 10.8V Lithium-Ion ultra-compact tools,” said Brad Wheeler, product manager – cordless products. “Makita applies power, precision and compact design to every tool it makes, and these same qualities have been built into the new 10.8V Lithium-Ion 2-speed driver-drill and impact driver. These ultra-compact tools have been engineered for trades that require professional power and quality in a convenient size.”

The new 10.8V products fill a need for Lithium-Ion battery power in an ultra-compact size. They are positioned as a first step into the Lithium-Ion battery platform from older battery technologies.

“For those pros using 9.6 and 12 volt tools every day - and there are many of them - Makita’s new ultra-compact 10.8V Lithium-Ion line of tools is a great way to step into Makita and into the superior advantages of Makita Lithium-Ion power.” said Wheeler. “These tools come in handy for so many lighter duty jobs out there. Every tool box should have one.”