Shop Tool Reviews
Final Thoughts
Getting the power of the 18v in the tool size of a 12v makes this Makita CX200RB combo kit a great choice for most. Lightweight, powerful, and at a great value.
The Makita Sub-Compact CX200RB 18V Combo Kit may be the nail in the coffin for the 12-volt platform. Maybe we’re jumping to conclusions, but this new sub-compact platform makes a lot of sense. Why carry a 12V tool when you can have 18v power, yet in the 12V size? Now if you’re looking for the power to ream holes as in our Champion Cutting Tool Reamer SA80 Review, you’ll want to jump to the full-sized 18V Makita. However, many of the ‘regular’ jobs around the shop fit the bill for the Makita sub-compact 18V tools.
Included in the Makita CX200RB combo kit is the XFD11 drill and the XDT15 impact driver. In addition, the kit includes two 18-volt 2Ah batteries, as well as the Makita rapid charger. The whole kit is available from the Home Depot for $239. Makita includes their 3-year warranty as well.
Makita Sub-Compact CX200RB 18V Combo Kit Testing
We ran the drill and impact driver through some various testing to give us an indication of power and run-time. Using the XFD11 drill, we drilled 70 holes through 3/16″ angle-iron, 1/4″ in diameter on a single battery. With the Makita XDT15 impact driver we installed 10 self-tapping screws, twenty construction screws 2-1/2″ long, and six large spax-style screws ranging 4-1/2″ to 5-1/2″ long. The impact driver powered through with no problem.
The Makita sub-compact drill actually lost power on the 70th hole, just before puncturing through the backside of the 3/16″ angle iron. Our assumption marks this pretty impressive for a 2Ah battery in a small form-factor drill. We didn’t do full run-time testing on the impact driver. However, after the self-tapping screws installed, 20 construction screws and the ~5″ spax screws, the battery still displayed 3 out of 4 bars.
Makita XFD11 18V Sub-Compact Drill Specifications
- Model: XFD11ZB
- Power Source: Makita 18V battery pack
- Capacity (steel): 1/2″
- Capacity (wood): 1-7/16″
- No Load Speed: 0 – 500 / 0 – 1,700 RPM
- Maximum Torque: 350 in.lbs./40N•m
- Overall Length: 6-3/8″
- Overall Height: 8-7/8″ with compact battery
- Weight: 2.04 pounds (bare), 2.88 pounds (with compact battery)
- Warranty: 3 years
Makita XDT15 Sub-Compact 18V Impact Driver
- Model: Makita XDT15ZB
- Power Source: Makita 18V battery pack
- Hex Shank: 1/4″
- No Load Speed: 0 – 1,300 / 0 – 3,000 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0 – 1,600 / 0 – 3,900 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 1,240 in.lbs./140N•m
- Overall Length: 5-5/16″
- Overall Height: 8-1/2″ with compact battery
- Weight: 21.82 pounds (bare), 2.66 pounds (with compact battery)
- Warranty: 3 years
Conclusion
We like the compact design of the Makita Sub-Compact CX200RB 18V Combo Kit. In addition, the power delivered using the 18v platform far exceeds any 12v performers. This is not the end-all be-all tool combo, but it will handle a lot of work, with less fatigue. If you want a lighter tool to carry around the shop, or you just want great performance in a small package, the Makita sub-compact is a definite choice. At only $239 from the Home Depot and a 3-year warranty, you get a great value as well.
To get your Makita Sub-Compact CX200RB 18V Combo Kit, click here.
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