Makita 6227DWE 12 Volt 3/8-Inch Cordless Driver/Drill Kit

Pros:

**Light weight with terrific balance
**Sensitive clutch at lower settings for finer work
**Incredible battery life
**Electric brake

Cons:

**Slower gear speeds
**Lower power (but hey it's a compact)
**"What's that sound from the transmission?!"

Summary: Give a hand to a compact drill with the right balance and features.


Powerful and durable. A real workhorse.   July 7, 2004
James Arvo (Pasadena, CA USA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I've owned one of these Makita cordless drills for approximately six years. One hundred projects (and perhaps a thousand holes) later, it works as well as the day I bought it. I've used it to drill through wood, plastic, metal, stucco, and concrete. I've used it as a driver, a sander, a polisher, and a stirrer. I've even used it to run a small water pump. It has always performed without a hitch. The Makita delivers an impressive amount of torque. I have an assortment of drills (cordless, corded, and pneumatic), and the Makita is generally the one that performs the best, both in terms of torque and in terms of convenience.

The Makita battery packs recharge quickly (maybe 20 minutes), and last longer than any other rechargeable tool I own (such as Black & Decker VersaPack tools). The manufacturer also thought ahead, considering what would happen if you acquired an assortment of Makita tools with different types of battery packs. The charger that comes with this drill can accommodate a wide variety of Makita batteries, not just the type used by this product; it automatically senses the type of battery and charges it at the correct voltage. Now that's a good design. The variable speed trigger is also nice, as is the torque control on the chuck. The keyless chuck gets a very solid grip, unlike other keyless chucks that I've tried; the Makita has never once slipped on me.

Of course, every tool has its limits. I finally bumped up against the limit of my Makita when I tried drilling 3-inch diameter holes through 3/4-inch wood (using a "hole saw"). I actually succeeded in drilling several such holes with the Makita, but only by proceeding a little at a time. The drill would over-heat after several minutes of drilling, and shut itself off. But, this is actually an endorsement in disguise. First, the Makita could spin this rather large hole saw with enough torque to cut holes, which is quite a challenge for any drill. Second, it was smart enough to shut off rather than burn up. So, I cannot complain. It performed admirably even in this rather extreme test.

I cannot find a single thing to complain about. If my Makita were to burn out today, I'd say it had fulfilled its duty several times over, and I'd go right out and buy another one. Now that's a strong endorsement. It's a great product that's designed to perform and to last. Well done Makita!


I just wrote this about the 6228DWE, same info applies   August 8, 2004
Bob Feeser (Springfield, PA USA)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

Here is a review I just wrote about the Makita 6228DWE, which is the same drill but a 14.4 instead of a 12, and it weighs just 3/16ths of a pound heavier, all for a little more money.
So here is the review on the 6228DWE:
I just got this exact drill, and I use it all of the time. It's lightweight at only 3 1/2 pounds. That is its shining feature. I also own the Milwaukee 14.4 which is a very substantial drill. It has the highest torque in the industry at 460 foot pounds. This Makita is only 200. The Milwaukee has all copper windings, metal gear and housing, and is built to fall off the ladder. The problem is that it weighs 11 1/2 pounds.
I originally got this Makita 6228DWE as a promo on an expensive compound sliding miter saw. I thought I would sell it on eBay. After getting it I decided to keep it. Ergonomically, it fits your hands well, is well balanced, has a lot of torque when you charge it up and is well built overall. The reason why I like it so much is that I just did a wiring job, running a dozen lines, and upgrading a service panel from 100 to 200 amps. That Makita drill was with me all the way, whether I was tightening screws in the outlets, or square driving the lines on the breakers, or tightening the clamp connectors. It was a 12 hour job, and I am glad that I didn't have to lug the Milwaukee around. I love the Milwaukee for doing heavy deck jobs for example, but the one I now use the most is this Makita. It's like a pet.
I think the gear housing is a strong grade of plastic, and the windings may or may not be a copper mix or all aluminum, buy hey, that all adds up to less weight, which equals less work.
If you're looking for a tougher and heavier drill in the Makita line, then look to the MForce line. The torque is around 350 and of course it is heavier, depending on the model. They also have the faster charging Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, which last longer as well. The only problem with NiMH is that their shelf life isn't very long, and with the price of new batteries, that is a major consideration.
What Milwaukee did was take the NiCad batteries to the next level. They charge in one hour, unlike the usual 1 1/2 hours, but not as fast as 45 minutes like the NiMH, but enjoy the long shelf life as a NiCad.
This Makita drill is a 3/8" drill also, instead of a 1/2" like the Milwaukee. Like I said, a really nice lightweight drill, that you will find using it more often than the heavyweight. Once the love affair is done with the Makita, I will probably go back to using the Milwaukee a little more often. For now the Makita rules. Hope this helps.



Excellent quality drill   November 28, 2003
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Makita makes a number of fine cordless drills, including this one, I also own a #6213 D drill that's worked flawlessly for four years of regular use. Makitas use plenty of large ball bearings and well-designed motors, and have a reputation for reliability among contractors, along with Hitachi and DeWalt. Like any mass producer, there are occasionally bad drills out there, but you will find far fewer of them than with the cheaper brands.

Now Rigid is the new glamor player in town, due mainly to its temporary warranty deal (though the tools are made in China - yuck!), but since no one has used them for any length of time (including contractors), you'll be a guinea pig to see if they are 'contractor quality', or not. Personally I'm not thrilled with the poor experience of myself and others trying previous Home Depot lines (Ryobi, etc) of cordless tools, and I'm not willing to give up the Makita's excellent battery life and overall durability.