Cameron P
EH Smith Staff: Ecom Exec
W ith how much content there is online pushing the latest and greatest in power tools, I went on a mission to find the tried & tested. The workhorses. The tools that those in the know reach for time after time.
We recently held a trade day at our Cannock branch, and I spent a good hour grilling the brilliant Makita team with exactly these questions. Our own team at EH Smith know a thing or two about tools as well, which tends to happen when the company has been around for 100 years. And of course, who better to ask than the people actually using them? We spoke to some of our long-standing trade customers about the power tools they grab day in day out. Not the flashiest, just the ones they can rely on.
All of those conversations boiled down to four tried and tested Makita power tools that we can wholeheartedly recommend, and that we know you can rely on.
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The Daily Driver - Makita DTD153 Impact Driver
The most common answer I was given by all our customers when asking what tool they reach for first on site and nine times out of ten the answer is the same; the impact driver. Not the big bulky one, not the flashiest, just the one that gets used more than anything else in the bag, lives on the belt rather than the bag even. And the one tool that reflects this more than anything is the Makita DTD153Z 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver.
Now it is not the most powerful impact driver Makita make, and hey it does not need to be! But what it is to any project is, compact, reliable, comfortable over a full day's work and consistent under load in a way that cheaper alternatives simply are not. At 126mm in length and under a kilogram bare, it fits into spaces a standard drill-driver cannot get near, between joists, into ceiling voids, into confined carpentry joints, the kind of tight spots where a bulkier tool becomes a liability, the jobs that can cause enough stress without adding an awkward tool to the mix. The variable speed trigger gives genuine flexibility too. But from all our trade users of this miniature beast, is that it takes time to learn. Sure it can be used for delicate cabinet assembly with the tiny screws, but you need to know the trigger. The good news is that this comes with time, and with Makita’s brushless DTD153 you will get plenty of time, they don’t quit. Where it comes into its own though is from your daily jobs, quick fittings right through to structural timber work, without ever feeling like the tool is fighting you.
Top Tip from the EH Smith Tools Team:
"One of the best every day machines. This high torque impact driver does all the work, saving time on site and reducing wrist strain. In return, you can extend the warranty of the machine from 1 to 3 years if you register online in 30 days."
Steven Power | Sales Negotiator | EH Smith Cannock
There’s a detail on the DTD153 that I think proves Makita consider the trade user. It’s a bit of insight from one of our that I had genuinely never considered before, and once you realise it does highlight the quality. It has to do with the face of the driver, the part that takes the punishment every single time you change a bit or push into a surface. Some brands, even a lot of the top range ones included, go plastic on that face to save a few grams. Any tradesperson who has had a driver for more than a few months knows exactly what that means in practice. The Makita DTD153 has a metal face, meaning those scratches, whacks, dents are shrugged off so much easier. And another little plus is the fact it helps with changing bits too.
Now, because it is so lightweight, overhead work becomes significantly less punishing. Fatigue sets in fast when you are driving screws above your head with a heavy tool. The DTD153 takes that problem largely off the table. The neat design of the LED light is worth a mention too, positioned to illuminate the tip without your hand casting a shadow over the work. Someone at Makita thought about that properly.
The modern day ‘old faithful’. The everyday driver that won’t let you down. It consistently rates five out of five across independent trade reviews and arguably has ten times the review count of other drivers in the LXT range, and even other brands! Not because it is the newest or the most powerful. Because it is the one in the trade that you’ll keep reaching for, day in day out.
Full Spec:
Specification | Detail |
Voltage | 18V |
Max Fastening Torque | 170Nm |
No Load Speed | 3,400 RPM |
Max Impacts Per Minute | 3,600 ipm |
Overall Length | 126mm |
Weight (with 5.0Ah battery) | 1.5kg |
Chuck Size | 1/4" hex keyless |
Battery Compatibility | All Makita 18V LXT batteries |
Motor Type | Brushless |
Warranty | 1 year (extendable to 3 years |
Task Suitability for the Makita 18V Impact Driver LXT DTD153:
Task | Suitability | Notes |
Driving timber screws (up to 125mm) | Excellent | No pilot hole required even into hardwood |
Structural timber fastening | Excellent | Variable speed trigger gives full control |
Cabinet and joinery assembly | Excellent | Compact size ideal for tight spaces |
Overhead work and ceiling joists | Excellent | Lightweight design reduces fatigue significantly |
Floor joist work | Excellent | 126mm length gets into spaces a drill-driver cannot |
Standard bolt fastening (M5-M16) | Very good | Handles the daily range of standard bolts with ease |
Machine screw driving (M4-M8) | Very good | Precise enough for repetitive production tasks |
Heavy duty high tensile bolts | Not recommended | DTD153Z is not designed for heavy duty bolting applications |
Your Comments
Comments from EH Smith Trade customers:
"When you are looking for a compact driver, the face of the drill is something most people overlook. Even some of the expensive brands go plastic to shave a bit more weight off, but any tradesperson knows how much punishment a driver takes on that face day in day out. A plastic one does not hold up. The Makita ones just have that quality feel you know? You notice it straight away when you pick one up."
"It is the one I reach for on site every single day. Compact, dependable, packs more of a punch than it has any right to for the size of it. Only thing I would say is wear a bit of ear protection in a confined space, it is small but it lets you know it is working!"
"Got the DTD153 and it is a proper workhorse. Just be a little bit mindful on lighter fasteners until you get used to the trigger, it is more powerful than it looks. Once you know it though, you would not swap it."
Finish Faster, Finish Better - Makita DTM52 Multi Tool
The Makita DTM52Z 18V LXT Brushless Multi Tool is the one that keeps coming up in our conversations with tradespeople, and it is not hard to see why. Makita multi tools have got better and better with each model. Where it earns its place on site is in the jobs that other tools simply cannot do as well.
Sanding into corners. Trimming door frames after fitting flooring. Crown moulding and coving detail. Removing old caulk with an oscillating scraper blade, faster and safer than a utility knife and with far less risk of damage to the surrounding surface. The Makita DTM52 Multi Tool won't slow you down. The variable speed dial means you can adjust to the task rather than fighting the tool, and the soft start means no sudden lurching when you switch it on, which matters on delicate finishing work.
Top Tip from the EH Smith Tools Team:
"Blade choice is everything! Avoid the many cheap accessories available on from internet-only retailers and use reputable brands which you trust. The investment will be worthwhile; aside from making the jobs easier, it will prolong the life of the machine."
Simon Hackman | EH Smith Cannock
The blade system is worth understanding before you buy. The DTM52Z uses the Starlock mounting system, and specifically accepts Starlock, StarlockPlus and StarlockMax accessories. That wider compatibility matters because it means you are not buying into a narrow range of blades. The wider 3.6 degree oscillation angle also improves cutting speed and efficiency compared to older models, another area where each generation of this tool has meaningfully improved.
Multi tools by their nature vibrate, it is how they work, and on longer jobs that vibration transmits directly to your hands and arms. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome is a real and serious occupational health concern for tradespeople and one the industry does not always take seriously enough. Makita have. The DTM52Z uses AVT, Anti-Vibration Technology, which actively counteracts vibration rather than just dampening it, meaning significantly less transmission to the operator over a long session. This isn’t just a gimmick either, we’ve tested this and it is insanely low on vibrations, like you can balance a glass of water on top low. It’s a quieter tool too, and for something that gets used as regularly as a multi tool, that reduced noise in a confined space is I know is welcome.
Top Tip from the EH Smith Tools Team:
"Most people are unaware there are different models of Makita LXT multi tools, the DTM52 is a bit more expensive but for good reason; it has the AVT (Anti Vibration Technology) meaning no chance of white finger and far easier to use. One of the best every day machines.. this high torque impact driver does all the work, saving time on site and reducing wrist strain."
Russ Green | Sales Negotiator | EH Smith Leicester
One more thing worth flagging, and this one comes up regularly from customers using the LXT tool range. The battery can feel slightly loose on certain tools and the concern, especially with a multi tool is vibration on the battery. But this slight ‘wiggle’ is part of the design, not a fault. It’s actually really smart, when talking to Makita about it; vibration can damage a battery's internal components over time, breaking down the cell structure and accelerating wear. That small amount of give in the fitting is there to absorb shock and protect the battery from sustained vibration damage. It is one of those things that sounds like a quality concern until someone explains why it is actually the opposite.
Full Spec:
Specification | Detail |
Voltage | 18V |
Motor Type | Brushless |
Oscillation Speed | 10,000 – 20,000 OPM |
Oscillation Angle | 3.6° |
Max Output | 370W |
Vibration (AVT) | 2.5 m/s² across all applications |
Noise Level | 76 dB(A) |
Blade Compatibility | Starlock, StarlockPlus, StarlockMax |
Angle Settings | 12 positions |
Weight (bare) | 1.7kg |
Battery Compatibility | All Makita 18V LXT batteries |
Warranty | 1 year (extendable to 3 years |
Task Suitability for the Makita 18V Multi Tool LXT DTM52:
Task | Suitability | Notes |
Sanding into corners and tight spaces | Excellent | Where orbital sanders simply cannot reach |
Door frame and architrave trimming | Excellent | Clean, controlled cuts for flooring fit-outs |
Crown moulding and coving detail | Excellent | Variable speed gives precise control on delicate profiles |
Caulk and sealant removal | Excellent | Oscillating scraper blade faster and safer than a utility knife |
Grout removal | Excellent | One of the most common trade applications |
Removing old vinyl flooring | Very good | Scraper blade lifts cleanly with minimal surface damage |
Demo and renovation cutting | Very good | Cuts nails, pipes and plasterboard in awkward spots |
General finishing carpentry | Very good | Sanding door edges, window frames and trim work |
GRP roof trims and bandaging | Good | Best paired with the DBO180Z for larger flat areas |
Heavy material cutting | Not recommended | Use a dedicated saw for sustained heavy cutting tasks |
Your Comments
Comments from EH Smith Trade customers:
"I reno houses for a living and if I had to pick one tool that gets used most around my houses it is a multi tool. Demo work, finishing timber, removing grout, and the vibration being so low is a real bonus. One of my favourite tools, feels great, packs great power."
"I have had this multi tool for three and a half years and have worked it hard. It just keeps going."
"I use it a lot for sanding window frames and tight spaces, cutting nails, some demo work. The grip is so much better than older models. Always on the tool bag."
It's Hammer Time - Makita DHR242 Rotary Hammer
This blog is about the tried & tested, the used and approved across the trade. And if we had to pick one, then the Makita DHR242 is perhaps the best example of it. It’s the one the builders & landscapers keep coming back to, year after year, because it does what it says and does not let you down.
If you are doing any serious drilling or chiselling into masonry or concrete and you are thinking ‘is an SDS Hammer worth it?’, let this be your sign. The DHR242 Rotary Hammer paired with a decent set of SDS bits cuts through masonry like it is not there, and as a bonus your combi drill will last significantly longer for not being pushed into work it was never designed for….
At 3.3kg it isn’t heavy, in fact it is seriously lightweight, which matters on a long session of overhead drilling or working in a confined space. Fatigue on a hammer drill is a real thing and the weight balance on the DHR242 has been really thought about by the Makitia team. The brushless motor keeps heat low, protects against overloading and runs efficiently without compromising on power. Responsive too, little to no wind up when you pull the trigger, which on a drill you are relying on all day is exactly what you want.
Top Tip from the EH Smith Tools Team:
"When using chisel points, chip away in bits or small sections at a time. A common mistake is to drive the chisel into the brickwork; but this can get jammed into the masonry, leading to the possibility of damaging the machine trying to get it back out."
Adam Elwell | General Manager | EH Smith Cannock
A common gripe from new users is why switching between modes requires pressing the trigger first. And yes, at first pass it does seem really annoying. But it is not a quirk, it is deliberate choice by Makita to keep your wrists safe! If you have a chisel in a wall and the mode switches to drill, it could, well, it could be very painful, and problematic for finishing the job! The trigger requirement stops that from happening, yes it takes an extra 2 seconds, but it keeps you safe and let’s be honest, it makes sense!
The anti-vibration system on the DHR242 is top notch too and thanks to Makita for giving us the low-down on this one. The tool body splits into upper and lower housings connected by vibration-absorbing cushion rubbers, which keeps the vibration away from the operator on long sessions. There is also a separate rubber joint construction around the battery terminals specifically to stop vibration travelling into the battery connections, preventing contact failures and terminal damage over time. It is the same considered approach to battery protection we mentioned earlier, and it shows up again here for good reason.
Another common problem, and this goes across all SDS drills is that 6 months in, people are wondering why their drill is giving them grief, bits not going in properly, getting stuck or coming loose. 9/10 times it’s down to care, and the reality is the care is easy.
Before you insert a bit, clean the shank and apply a small amount, around half a gram, of dedicated Hammer Bit Grease directly to the shank. Not down into the empty chuck cavity. That traps concrete dust inside and turns it into a grinding paste that dries and builds up over time, hence the common problems. Let the bit carry the grease in naturally. It’s one of those things that is in the manual, but if we are honest, we are all guilty of glossing over the care instructions.
Top Tip from the EH Smith Tools Team:
"It's good to use a compressor every few months to blow out the dust to help your SDS Drill last longer. Another big thing we have learnt, and this goes across all makita LXT tools, is not to leave the battery charged. Most new batteries are lithium (LiPo) that do not like to be left charged. Also keep them inside, not in your vehicle overnight as the damp can cause damage."
Lea Bodycot | EH Smith Leicester
Another way to prevent problems it to never drill so deep that the chuck presses up against the wall surface. When that happens dust and debris build up, the rubber wears back over the steel and the chuck can get stuck in the open position. Bits will start resisting going in again with this one.
Never store the drill with a bit left in the chuck either. It can cause the chuck to seize and dries it out. Wipe the chuck cover down after use, blow out the vents with compressed air and give it a service at the right intervals. In cold weather, run the drill on no load for a minute before use to warm up the internal gear grease. And always check the housing fasteners after long heavy use, vibration loosens things over time and a solid housing is not something to take for granted, no matter the build quality Makita are known for.
Full Spec:
Specification | Detail |
Voltage | 18V |
Motor Type | Brushless |
No Load Speed | 0 – 950 RPM |
Blows Per Minute | 0 – 4,700 BPM |
Impact Energy | 2.0J |
Capacity in Concrete | 24mm |
Capacity in Steel | 13mm |
Capacity in Wood | 27mm |
Optimum Drilling Range | 4 – 16mm |
Vibration (Drilling) | 3.5 m/s² |
Vibration (Hammer Drilling) | 13.5 m/s² |
Vibration (Chiselling) | 10.5 m/s² |
Operation Modes | Rotation only, Rotation + Hammering, Hammering only |
Chuck Type | SDS-Plus one-touch slide |
Net Weight | 3.3kg |
Dust Extraction | Compatible with Makita DX06 HEPA filter |
Battery Compatibility | All Makita 18V LXT batteries |
Warranty | 1 year (extendable to 3 years on registration within 30 days) |
Task Suitability for the Makita 18V SDS+ LXT Rotary Hammer DHR242:
Task | Suitability | Notes |
Hammer drilling into concrete | Excellent | Cuts through as fast or faster than older 24V models |
Hammer drilling into masonry | Excellent | Paired with SDS bits, the go-to for daily masonry work |
Chiselling and breaking old mortar | Excellent | Hammering only mode, chisel rotates to 40 positions |
Cutting recesses for electrical boxes | Excellent | Compact size and 3 modes make this ideal for first fix |
Drilling into concrete lintels | Excellent | Where a combi drill will not touch it, this does it in seconds |
House renovation and refurbishment | Excellent | The tried and tested choice across renovation trades |
Overhead drilling | Very good | Lightweight at 3.3kg, well balanced for prolonged overhead work |
Removing old tiles | Very good | Chisel attachment makes light work of tiled surfaces |
Drilling into steel | Very good | 13mm capacity in steel |
Drilling into timber | Very good | 27mm capacity, rotation only mode |
Light to medium concrete breaking | Good | Not a replacement for a full demolition hammer on heavy work |
Heavy sustained concrete breaking | Not recommended | Step up to a dedicated demolition hammer for prolonged heavy breaking |
Your Comments
Comments from EH Smith Trade customers:
"The house had concrete lintels and I had previously struggled to drill into them for curtain poles with my impact driver. This made it incredibly easy."
"I've done so many tiling projects this year where we have removed old tiles, and just did my first one with this tool. I can't believe how much more work we did before getting this. I have spent every minute since wondering why I did not buy one of these a decade ago."
Frequently Asked Questions about Makita Power Tools:
Whilst commonly mistaken as a manufacturing problem, this is not a fault. Makita deliberately design certain tools with a small amount of give in the battery fitting, particularly on higher vibration tools. Prolonged vibration can damage a battery's internal components over time, breaking down the cell structure, increasing resistance and accelerating wear. The slight movement in the fitting absorbs shock and protects the battery from sustained vibration damage. If you pick up a lower vibration Makita tool such as a standard drill driver, you will notice the Makita battery fits considerably tighter. The wiggle is by design to protect the longevity of the battery.
Based on our conversations with trade customers and the Makita team, the answer comes back to the same tool time and again: the Makita DTD153Z 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver. Not the most powerful in the range, but compact and incredibly reliable, comfortable over a full day on site. It consistently rates five out of five across independent trade reviews and has around ten times the review count of other drivers in the LXT range. When the people who use these tools every day keep reaching for the same one, that tells you everything you need to know.
The Makita DTM52Z 18V LXT Brushless Multi Tool is one of the lowest vibration multi tools available. Makita's AVT system actively counteracts vibration rather than simply dampening it, and the internal motor housing design further reduces transmission to the operator with significantly reduces vibration levels to 2.5 m/s² or less. For tradespeople concerned about Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, which is a serious occupational health risk on tools used daily, this is a meaningful consideration rather than a marketing point.
The most common cause is a build-up of dust and dried grease inside the chuck, often caused by drilling too deep so the chuck presses up against the wall surface and applying lubricant the chuck rather than the bit. When this happens, debris builds up, the rubber wears back over the steel and the chuck can get stuck. The fix is to pull back the external rubber sleeve, spray a specialised degreaser or solvent cleaner inside and blow it out thoroughly with compressed air. Going forward, never let the chuck press against the wall surface and always apply bit grease to the shank before insertion.
Clean the bit shank first, then apply a small amount of dedicated Makita Hammer Drill Bit Grease, around half a gram, directly to the shank itself. Do not squirt grease down into the empty chuck cavity. Doing so traps concrete dust inside and forms a grinding paste that dries and builds up over time. Let the bit carry the grease into place naturally as you insert it. This is in the Makita manual and is one of the most overlooked maintenance steps on SDS drills.
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