Makita Tools That Aren't Worth Buying For Your Home, According To Reviews
When you're looking for one of the top tool brands, Makita ranks highly. Some people consider it on par with highly regarded DeWalt tools. One of our House Digest construction experts who created a list of the best tool brands and the power tool brands to avoid buying put Makita on the list of brands to count on. Some people love this brand so much that they'll gladly buy the best Makita products that aren't tools.
Still, Makita isn't perfect. Some people report problems with the quality of the batteries that operate the brand's cordless tools, for example. With that in mind, we decided to look for specific Makita models that have poor ratings from actual users, helping you avoid wasting your money on them.
One of the lowest-rated Makita tools is the Cordless Autofeed Screwdriver ($259 at Home Depot). This tool has a dismal 3.7-star rating out of 5 stars on Home Depot's website, and it has a 3.9-star rating on Amazon. Home Depot reviewer Ruben reflected the negative feedback from dozens of users by citing jammed screws causing huge hassles with using it. "I needed this tool to hang drywall on the ceiling. It will get a handful of screws in with no problem but always seems to jam up. It takes a while, too, to unjam the thing." An anonymous Amazon reviewer said, "If you feel like lighting your money on fire, this product is for you. This is the first Makita product that has disappointed me."
Some of Makita's automatic nailing tools carry poor customer ratings and are not worth buying
When sampling reviews of other automatic nailing and screwing tools from Makita, we found similar poor reviews with jamming issues. The Pneumatic 2.5-Inch Siding Coil Nailer ($429) has a 4.1-star rating at Home Depot. Home Depot reviewer Terry says, "Aspects [of it] are good, however, it skips nailing pretty often." Home Depot reviewer Steve called it "garbage. It jams and feeds double nails every third or fourth nail." Amazon reviewer Cameron owns only Makita tools, but "this newer model is just no good. The hole where the nail comes out is too large, and the piston binds on the coil wire, causing it to jam almost every shot."
Reviewers say the Makita 1.75-Inch Roofing Coil Nailer ($274) has similar reliability problems. It has a 4.0-star rating on the Home Depot website. Home Depot customer and reviewer DAJ541 says, "I purchased one of these to augment my AN451 and found it could not sink nails while rapid firing." Amazon reviewer Interstellar91 is a roofer who wanted to purchase the Roofing Coil Nailer to match other Makita tools Interstellar91 already owned. "After about three roofs, it stopped feeding coils to the drive pin, and I had to readjust every coil twice to finish nailing." Home Depot reviewer TheManDan also used the tool for about three roofs before it failed. "The safety gets stuck, so watch your hands."
Avoid buying these Makita cutting tools with poor customer review ratings
The Makita Cordless Multi-Cutter Kit ($139) has a 3.7-star ranking on Home Depot, which matches the poor ranking of the Autofeed Screwdriver. Considering it ships with the battery, charger, and tool, its low price makes it a tempting purchase. However, only 58% of Home Depot customer reviewers would recommend purchasing it. Makita claims that it cuts carpet, leather, and rubber, but Home Depot reviewer Kenneth says it couldn't even handle a less dense material. "It does a poor job when cutting cardboard. It bogs down, meaning it hasn't got the power." Home Depot reviewer PT United agreed. "It does not handle heavy cardboard well. You're better off with a utility knife." Amazon reviewer Jayme says, "I used this three times on a normal cardboard box, and the guard piece jammed."
If you want to focus on cutting wood, reviewers do not recommend the Makita 10-Inch Slide Compound Miter Saw ($629). It has a 4.0-star rating on Home Depot, and only 58% of customers would recommend it. Home Depot reviewer M525, who is a finish carpenter, owned a 12-inch Makita saw and was looking for another model. "The blade wobble is absolutely horrid. I need accuracy, and this saw does not 'cut' it." Amazon reviewer Dan says, I've "been a carpenter 40 years, and [it's] one of the worst saws I have ever had for accuracy. So disappointed with Makita. I've had several of their tools, and quality used to be synonymous with their name."