This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. When it comes to impact wrenches, it sometimes seems like the target buyer exclusively works on monster trucks or suspension bridges. Massive torque in the upper 3 digits to lower 4 digits is not unheard of. However, along with those massive torque figures often comes, well, massiveness. Despite their advancements, super torquey impact wrenches are downright big and heavy. If you’re doing extended work with an impact, or some tasks that require a little agility and moderate torque, a compact tool like the Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless XPT XWT11 3-Speed 1/2″ Impact Wrench may be just what the doctor ordered.
The Makita XPT 3-Speed 1/2″ Impact Wrench In Action
Do you ever notice something slowly degrading on your home, but you just can’t seem to muster the motivation to deal with it? Yeah, me too. We have several wrought iron railings and a decorative wrought iron detail that covers a 2nd story window alcove. I have now spent several years watching the black paint slowly start to flake off the metal. Finally, I decided the prospect of these original home details rusting away to be too unbearable. I decided to take action.
While the railings are relatively accessible, the wrought iron covering the window involved a mildly-perilous crawl across clay roof tiles. Once I was in position, I then needed to remove four lags bolts sunk deeply into the wall. I wanted to make this adventurous trek exactly TWO times (once to remove the wrought iron for powder coating, and once to put it back). Actually I really wanted to make the trek zero times, but that’s what led to several years of procrastination.
The last thing I wanted was to get out to the precarious work area and discover my impact driver couldn’t quite hack the lag bolts. I also wanted to spend as little time there as possible. So, to make this long story. . . long – this seemed like an ideal task for the
Makita XPT 3-Speed 1/2″ Impact Wrench that was sent to us for review. I used the belt clip to hang the impact wrench from my fall harness (OSHA, you would have been so proud). I also grabbed a suitable assortment of sockets and then made my way across the clay tiles like a clumsy ninja.
Once in position, I had to awkwardly support the wrought iron (that stuff is heavy!), while wielding the Makita XPT 3-Speed 1/2″ Impact Wrench overhead. The light weight of the tool, (only 3.8 lbs, with battery), was very much appreciated. Had this Makita impact wrench been a 9 lb beast, the task would have been even more awkard. Aside from the light weight of the tool, it also had plenty of torque to back out those old lag bolts drama-free. Mission accomplished! All that wrought iron is headed in for powder coating in the hopes I don’t have to remove it all again anytime soon.
Childs Play for the Makita XPT 3-Speed 1/2″ Impact Wrench
After the heavy metal project was done (insert Metallica background music here), I tasked this spritely Makita impact wrench with a project closer to ground level. Next up, assembling a kids play set that has been sitting in various pieces in our yard for 6+ months. Maybe a year. Are you sensing a recurring theme about the pace of certain projects on my honey-do list? After seeing puppy dog eyes on the faces of my daughters as they sadly surveyed the various playground parts in the yard, it was finally time to take action. My hope – that the Makita XPT 3-Speed 1/2″ Impact Wrench would wrap up this procrastinated project blazing fast.
The Makita XPT impact wrench features a 3 speed power selection switch. More specifically, those settings translate to 0 RPM to 1,600 RPM/0 RPM to 2,100 RPM/0 RPM to 2,800 RPM and 0 IPM to 1,800 IPM/0 IPM to 2,600 IPM/0 IPM to 3,500 IPM). The short version of all those spec’s is that whatever task you have lined up for this Makita impact wrench (not including monster trucks or suspension bridges), there’s a setting that has you covered.
There’s even a reverse rotation auto-stop mode that stops rotation and impact in 2-seconds after it detects the fastener is loosened adequately. In forward mode, the speed/power setting is intuitively changed by pressing the single button on the control pad at the base of the tool. Each button press cycles you up one level, or down to the lowest if you’re already on the highest. When the tool is in reverse mode, the first three button presses take you to max power/speed. One more press takes you to the reverse auto-stop.
More Spec’s and Features of the Makita XWT11 Impact Wrench
The brushless motor contributes to this tool’s compact size at only 5-3/4″ long. It also delivers 210 ft/lbs of max torque. It turns out that in the highest setting with a full trigger pull, that’s enough torque to over-tighten a lag bolt and tear right through the wood 4×4 I was drilling it into. I only made that mistake once, but it’s worth being aware of the potential. Despite its compact size, the Makita XWT11 still packs a punch, particularly at the higher settings.
Aside from the speed / power settings, the button on the control pad also controls the LED light situated just above the trigger. Pressing the button for 1 second activates or deactivates the LED light. If the light is activated, then any slight pull of the trigger will turn on the light for 10 seconds after release. If the light is deactivated, no amount of furious trigger pulling will turn on the LED. Although the LED location casts a noticeable shadow from the front of the tool, it is bright enough to help you acquire your target in a dark engine bay or other light-forsaken locale.
The XPT in the Makita XPT XWT11 Impact Wrench
According to Makita, XPT stands for Extreme Protection Technology. This Makita impact wrench is engineered to provide improved dust and water resistance. Here is what might be the quietest tool video we’ve seen in some time showing intrusion being thwarted:
Makita’s XPT 3 Speed Makes an Impact
All in all, the Makita XPT 3 Speed Impact Wrench is a great addition to the tool armory. The Makita XWT11 is small and light enough to make it easy to carry and deploy. Yet, still powerful enough to handle a broad range of applications. Between the variable speed trigger and four different settings, you can dial in just the right amount of impactfulness. Plus the ergonomics are great – a slender, rubberized soft grip is nicely balanced between the battery and the head of the tool. A 3-year limited warranty should also provide a little peace of mind that the Makita XPT 3 Speed Impact Wrench isn’t just a one-hit wonder. You can pick up the Makita XWT11 3 Speed Impact Wrench (tool only) for around $189.
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with Home Fixated in sponsored content. As a part of the sponsorship, Home Fixated is receiving compensation for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are our own words. This post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
