Makita Impact Driver DTD154Z Review

Recently, the cordless impact driver has become quite popular. If you work on a construction site, install decking, fit the kitchen, or build extensions, a cordless impact driver will be helpful. It can drive even the largest screws into some of the hardest wood. 

Cordless impact drivers drive big screws quicker compared to other drivers. They deliver more screw-driving power because of the concussive blows that the screws give. 

A good example of such an impact driver is the Makita DTD154Z which has three times more turning torque than a regular driver. The good thing about this crew is, it delivers all the energy to the screw, which helps in reducing energy getting to your wrist.

Product overview

The Makita DTD154Z impact driver is a cordless brushless diver ideal for professional use in harsh-outdoor environments. It has an improved drip and dust-proof performance and the outer case, making it more reliable compared to the previous models. 

If you get a Makita DTD154Z impact driver, I can promise you that you will never get enough of it. It delivers enhanced driving power to bolts, drive screws and nut. Having such a tool that enables you to use less energy while working is can be a game-changer. There are many drivers in the market at the display, but if you are looking for an impact driver that will help you in your indoor and outdoor work, especially in harsh environments, then Makita DTD154Z is the tool for you. 

The tool is manufactured by Makita, which is among the manufacturers of some of the leading tools. Makita DTD154Z has a design that makes it ideal for either tightening or expeditiously removing fasteners. This tool has a wide range of both industrial or home applications.  For example, you can apply it for driving your decking screws or fitting your door hinges. 

A Lithium-ion battery of 18 voltage powers Makita DTD 154Z, but it is not included in the package. The tool has an electronic three-stage impact power selection: low, medium, high, which provides around 3,700 rpm. Its brushless motor works to eliminate carbon brushes, making it run swiftly and efficiently hence improving its life span.

Specifications

• Brand: Makita
• Barcode: 0088381824125
• Part No: DTD154Z
• Voltage (V): 18
• The Screw Machine: M4-M8
• Fastening Torque (Nm): 175
• Drving Shank (mm): 6.35 (¼”) Hex
• Coarse Thread( mm): 22-125
• Fastening Bolts ( m/sec²):12.5
• Vibration K factor(m/sec²): 1.5
• Noise Sound Pressure{dB(A)}: 96
• Noise Sound Power{dB(A)}: 107
• Noise K Factor{dB(A)}: 3
• Impact Selection: Three-stage plus Tek mode

• High: Blows per minute (ipm) – 0 to 3800
• Medium: Blows per minute (ipm) – 0 to 2600
• Low: Blows per minute (ipm) – 0 to 1100

DTD154Z Features

The following are the components that make up the Makita DTD 154Z impact driver:

• T-mode for self-drilling fasteners
• Electronic three-stage( Hard/medium/soft) impact power selection
• Brushless motor
• LED light
• Electric brake
• Ergonomic soft grip
• Reverse and forward rotation
• One-touch sliding chuck 
• Length: small

Below are how different components of the tool perform their functions:

1.  A 3600rpm rotation speed

An 18V Lithium-ion battery facilitates the 3600rpm high-speed rotation. The battery is also responsible for the delivery of three-electronic stage impact power selection. The feature helps in handling most of your workshop and household tasks. Also, the tool performs quickly, which helps in increasing the life of the tool, giving you more extended service.

2. Brushless motor

A Brushless motor helps eliminate carbon brushes, thus enabling the motor to cool and run more efficiently. Also, by removing carbon brushes, the motor reduces its battery energy consumption by 50 per cent. In addition, the motor is maintenance-free, saving you on maintenance cost as well as an increased lifespan.

3. Lightweight and compact tool

The Makita DTD154 is a very small tool that weighs 1.5kg. Its design makes it easy to move with the tool around your worksite. The cordless nature of Makita DTD154 enables you to work with it anywhere as you do not need to compromise on power. Furthermore, it is suitable for operating in harsh environments due to its enhanced dust performance. So, if you have been looking for a resilient tool that can survive tough environments, you don’t need to toil anymore, as this tool is the better option for you. 

3. T-mode for self-drilling screw

This is a unique mode that works to deliver fast tightening of all kinds of self-drilling fasteners. This mode allows you to work comfortably without the fear it may damage your screws or workpiece. The feature can automatically downshift, reduce rotation, and reduce the impact speed before it drives the screw into your workpiece. This helps in minimising the screw thread from breaking or stripping as well as damaging your workpiece.

4. Twin LED job light

The Makita DTD154Z contains two LED job lights: perform pre-glow and after-glow functions. The lights are brighter and illuminate more widely and for longer than other tools with a single LED jib light. A dull 10-seconds after-glow usually follows the pre-glow. 

Performance

Using Makita DTD154Z impact driver, you can perform many tasks around your workplace or home. With a high-speed rotation of 3,600rpm, the impact driver saves you effort and time driving screws. The high power of this tool enables it to work on any kind of work. It can deliver drilling and for all sorts of screws up to 30%  faster than conventional drivers. 

Product pros

• The tool features 175Nm max torque, accepts M5 – M14 standard bolts, a four-pole motor, and a single sleeve ¼” hex chuck. All these features make the Makita DTD154 impact driver ideal for repetitive screw-driving.
• The impact driver has a high rotation speed of 3,600rpm which provides up to 3,800ipm, saving effort and time. It drives screws 30% faster compared to conventional screws.
• When using the Makita, you will not need a pilot hole even when working on a hardwood. The tool is able to handle tough environments.
• The tool has a maintenance-free brushless motor which saves on maintenance costs. It also prolongs its lifespan.
• It has twin LED job lights which make it suitable to work in low visibility environments.
• Its small and lightweight nature makes it ideal for moving with it around your workplace or home without compromising on power because of its cordless design. 
• The ergonomic soft-grip handle offers excellent user comfort, reducing tiredness when working with the tool for long hours. This feature also provides greater tool control. 
• The Makita DTD154Z impact tool is durable and can withstand constant applications.

Product cons

• The unit comes without a battery and charger.
• One can consider it a luxury tool that is only effective for drilling harsh environments.
• Sometimes it gets loud, especially when the impact kicks in.
• You can accidentally press the rotational switch button.
• The three-stage impact selection can be frustrating. There is no way you can move up and down at once; the unit speed has to start from the lowest to the medium up to the highest setting.

Our honest review

Generally, the Makita DTD154Z impact tool is an incredibly stunning and professional tool designed with standards that makes it stand out from other impact tools. Compared to an impact-drill driver, this tool is more specialised in driving bolts and screws. Although you can use an impact drill-driver to perform some applications that seem lighter, at times, you may need to drive self-serving screws into screws, bolts and concrete into a tough workpiece such as metal. With a drill driver, you will not be able to drive your screws into metal; you will need a tough tool to work with. Makita DTD154Z is the best tool for such materials.

If you are looking for a tool that will save you time and effort, Makita DTD154Z is the best tool in the market. It rotates at a higher speed of 3,600rpm, making it optimum for driving self-drilling screws faster than conventional screws. 

You can work with the tool for long hours without getting fatigued. The tool is lightweight and compact. Also, it has a soft-grip handle which offers an excellent space for controlling the tool. In addition, you can move around with the tool around your workshop, home or anywhere you need to apply the tool. The reason is, Makita DTD154Z is a cordless impact driver that does not require you to be within the power supply: it is powered by a powerful Li-ion battery.

Most of the impact tools available require regular motor maintenance. If you fail to maintain them, they face a premature breakdown. With the Makita DTZ154Z impact driver, motor maintenance will be a thing of the past. The brushless motor maintains itself, thus giving you a longer service. 

Despite the tool having some setbacks, you can not downsize its ability to perform in harsh environments. You can drive screws into hardwood and metals with minimal effort.