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Makita 8443DWDE 18-Volt Ni-MH Cordless Hammer Drill/Driver | 
| Brand: Makita
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $585.00
Buy New: $280.00
You Save: $305.00 (52%)
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 56319
Media: Tools & Hardware
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.7
Dimensions (in): 11 x 4 x 10
MPN: 8443DWDE
Model: 8443DWDE
UPC: 088381034128
EAN: 0088381034128
ASIN: B000051WRL
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Powerful 18V (2.6Ah) Ni-MH battery | | • | Ergonomic rubberized grip for comfort and control | | • | High performance "Makita" motor lasts up to 5 times longer | | • | 16 torque settings; delivers up to 400 in.lbs. torque | | • | Single sleeve 1/2" keyless chuck with shaft lock for fast and easy one handed bit installation and removal |
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| Accessories:
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 clutch sensitivity September 20, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
having worked in the contruction trade for 12 years i have used alot of different drills, everything from makita to porter cable to dewalt. The best way to judge a drill is not by the clutch, if you dont want the screw to go in any farther just take your finger off the trigger. Its as simple as that. I have found that Makita's generally offer a smoother motor and gearing set than other brands of drills( if you want to check this out go to your local home depot menards or lowe's). The triggers usually have a better variable adjustment than other battery operated drills. Yeah you can find stonger drills with more sensative clutches but if it jerks everytime you pull the trigger its gonna strip out the screws just the same. As for the batteries george does have a point even if he cant explain it very well. The Ni-mh batteries may have a longer running time(2.4 amphs) thant the Ni-Cd (2.0) wich doesn't really come into affect unless you are doing alot of drilling and draining the battery faster than your charge time. But i still prefer the Ni-Cd due to the fact you will only get on average 3000 recharges out of the Ni-Mh batteries and 5000 recharges out of the Ni-Cd. Which means in the long run the Ni-Cd batteries will run the drill longer. Having said all this i would still highly recommend any makita drill over any competitor drill for the simple fact that IMHO it is just a better feeling drill all around. And remember the tools dont make the carpenter.
 Makita 8444DWDE review October 8, 2005
Drill performed better than expected. Good battery life, fantastic torque, hold on tight.
The drill also feels good in your hand, good balance. All the settigns (reverse, Forward, torque settings) are in easy reach. The drill chuck is fantastic.
Another spin on a good drill September 4, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have the 14.4volt/8433DWDE. A very nice hammer drill but I managed to find a reason (or maybe excuse?) for the 18volt/8443DWDE(correct #). Only through experience did I realize the 8433's shortcomings. I found battery life to be unsatisfying. It's 14.4v/2.6ah NiMH batteries provided 20-30 minutes run time while hammer-drilling cinder block with a 1/8" carbide bit. This is actual "on time" not including breaks or total time of project as it took around 2 hours to completion. My first project was hanging BX wiring (armored cable) in my garage off cinder block walls for placement of extra outlets.
I remember reading somewhere that higher voltage battery packs with same amp/hour ratings could last longer under similar conditions. Really? I appreciate Makita's quality commitment. So I decided on their 24volt (found on Ebay). After talking with contractors and salesmen at local shops they advised skip the 24v and stick with 18. Ok...Why? They stated 18volt was enough power and torque for "their" occupations and the slightly higher torque but significantly higher price didn't justify its purchase. Certainly appeared to be reasonable advice, I took it. Glad I did. My 8443DWDE has more than enough power for my masonry needs of hammer-drilling cinder block and concrete. As for torque, a 3" diameter hole-saw project (low gear) was reasonably easy to perform, albeit the motor case became fairly warm but not enough to engage auto-shut down. 3" length self-tapping wood screws (predrilled top board) into Douglas fir? Didn't lack any muscle here (see more below). Here's the interesting part: My 18v NiMH batteries are rated at 2.2ah. My 14.4v NiMH are 2.6ah. My 18volt lasts about 1/3 longer under similar conditions (insert big toothy smile). Does this make sense? I don't know but I'm not certainly not questioning it :-) Maybe my 14.4 batteries were lemons? I'm doubtful of this as my 14v flashlight out lasts my 12v light (both NiMH 2.6ah).
There is an issue I encountered which has been noted previously on this board (curiously, this problem also plagues my 8433DWDE). While assisting a friend on one of his home projects we were driving 3" wood screws into butt-joined Douglas fir 2x4s. We occasionally oversank screws. A few of them by my friend, not accustomed to its torque, nearly 1/2". This was at clutch settings #5 or #6 (only 1/3 toward full lock-up). The clutch never engaged (confused/scratching head). The 8443DWDE would have kept sinking screws deeper had he not released the trigger. Could be a significant issue for those demanding a sensitive clutch. For someone considering to purchase "one drill" for drilling and driving, I recommend you stop here and NOT buy "this" drill. Prefer to stick with Makita? Great. I recommend it. Look at the new "MXT" version (#8444) or M-Force line instead. I have a suspicion the MXT will not have this issue, but then only time and (insightful) reviews will reveal this. The clutch on my drill and apparently others, takes a Herculean effort to engage slip. This is NOT an issue for me but ONLY because I don't use it as a driver for most projects. I have four other cordless drill/drivers to choose from (I know my name might better be suited as Tool Pig, but alas someone else grabbed it before me).
A gorgeous cordless drill and like its 14.4 sibling a powerful, industrial grade, ergonomically well made product. I personally don't foresee ever buying another unless lost/stolen. Makita frequently advertises in their M-Force line its "Shift-Lock" drive. A one-touch system that allows quick drilling-driving changes. Makita's (pre MXT) high-end hammer-drills were already endowed with a version of this interesting genetic trait. It is convenient. Directly behind the chuck are two selector rings, one for 'mode of operation', the other for clutch. With drive-drill-hammer settings, it's a quick one-click turn from drilling to driving. Doesn't get much simpler. The 1/2", one-touch chuck (14.4 same) is relentless. I've never had a bit slip hammer drilling masonry or drilling ferrous metals in which the bit locked up in the material. Trigger-brake/chuck lock stops spin instantly and allows turning of screws without power. Fit/Finish is top notch. A little on the heavier side for a cordless, but this was not unexpected and is reasonable for its class. Not a consumer grade "weekender drill" but rather I believe targeted at the tradesman, it appears to be designed for heavy lifetime use. Its price has dropped considerably (..and it's about time as $300+ in my opinion was a little much, one reason for choosing my 14.4 at $40-50 less). As with other brands in "keeping up with the Jones's" fashion, Makita has fallen ill to the "more-MUST-be-better" epidemic. During an apparent fever-induced mania they have unleashed to market the current "torque champion" in its 8444 DWDE-MXT. At 560 in/lbs it even bests Hitachi's DV 18DMR goliath rated at 550, the previous leader. For a non-corded drill to have 500+ in/lbs of torque, all I can say is: "What on Earth?". I wonder how many experienced contractors recommend cordless for heavy-duty applications, when 8-10amp corded drills can be rented for $25-50? Maybe I could use one of these monsters to drill for oil...in search of cheaper gas.
Hopefully another comprehensive review, thanks for reading.
The Pros:
***Significantly better run time (than 14.4 version)
***1/2" bullet proof, pit bull of a chuck
***Industrial metal gear housing
***Accurate trigger response w/instant lock
***Simple, one-click driver/drill mode changes
***Ergonomics/design (clutch aside)
***Included auxiliary handle (however easily lost nut/screw)
***Included multi-charger 7.2-18volt
***Fit/Finish to make even a Makita owner smile
The Cons:
***Almost non-existent clutch sensitivity
***Easy to lose "tiny" nut/screw from auxiliary handle
***Now older version (newer MXT is unreviewed as of this date)
***Too beautiful? You'll get over it...eventually :-)
Summary: Good looking, brawny and a bit on the insensitive side, sorry (girlfriends and spouses) not a description of your man but yours might appreciate an 8443DWDE.
Makita Rep Here August 18, 2005
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Hey George,calm down and give me an e-mail. I am a Makita Rep in North Carolina and I would be more than happy to answer any questions/concerns you may have about this particular tool. As for the battery assumptions you come up with, you have no basis for your thoughts, they make no sense....
It's no Milwaukee 18v but... December 22, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Years ago I bought an 18v Makita kit with a drill, a circ saw and a flashlight. Recently I picked up a saw that came with this drill and the Ni-Mh batteries. Lot's of people are complaining about the black Ni-mh batteries. I have the orange Ni-cad and these black batteries, the black ones, lose a charge quickly in storage. I've learned to throw them on the charger the night before I plan to use them, and as soon as they start lagging I toss them back on the charger, so far this has worked out great. The orange ones, I've always drained completely dead before charging by leaving them plugged into the flashlight with it on, I've had them for a VERY long time and they work perfectly still.
As for the drill. The drill is good. I dig the lock up feature, it's like a brake. It took some getting used to but now I like it alot. You can turn the drill body like a screwdriver for the last little turn needed to snug or flush a screw, and it's not neccessary to run the drill in reverse then forward to change a bit. I've only used the hammer function on a few cinder blocks with a small masonary bit so far but it worked great. The downside is, like the other 18v Makita's I own, it doesn't have near the lag bolt driving torque the Milwaukee 18v does.
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