5 Must-Have Makita Accessories And Attachments To Add To Your Collection
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Makita is widely acknowledged as one of the biggest tool brands on the market, and has held that distinction for decades. The manufacturer has a massive catalog of tools available from a wide range of retailers across the globe. These products have a sterling reputation for quality, power, and the cutting-edge technology that can only be found in Makita tools. But one aspect of the brand that might not always get as much attention as it deserves is the company's various accessories and attachments.
As powerful and reliable as Makita's power tools are, many of them are only as good as the bits, blades, and other accessories that they're designed to hold. Others can have the scope of their utility significantly expanded by adding a simple attachment. Those who are invested in the Makita brand and who are interested in seeing what else the company might have to offer will be interested in seeing a few of these add-ons. We can get a better idea as to which of them offer the highest quality and the most utility by taking a look at the top-rated products from the brand, examining their specs, and then seeing what reviewers have to say (where available).
Makita ImpactX 100Pc Driver Bit Set (E-00038)
One of the first sets of power tools that just about everyone adds to their collection is a good cordless drill and driver. You might just have an all-in-one dedicated Makita drill/driver that you use for everything, or you might have expanded your collection to include a dedicated impact driver. Whatever the case, you're going to need a good set of driver bits if you want to be able to work with fasteners.
Makita makes a wide range of different bit sets of various sizes and compositions, but one of the more highly rated sets that you might want to consider is the ImpactX 100Pc Driver Bit Set. These bits are made of performance-optimized S2 steel that has undergone calibrated heat treatment and are coated in a manganese phosphate surface that helps them to resist corrosion. The set includes 75 1-inch insert bits, 23 2-inch power bits, a bit holder, and a 1 ¾-inch nut driver. Makita designed these bits for precision fitment and to be able to tolerate work with high-torque drills and drivers.
This bit set has a 4.7 out of five on Amazon, with over 1,100 reviews. Customers praised these bits for their quality, value, variety, and basic functionality. "They come in a very nice case with a very solid latch," says YouTuber Rave Reviews. "The case holds them very firmly in place [...] and the bits themselves are held in very sturdily inside the chambers. [...] They work great in my impact drill, and I highly recommend them for anybody looking for a solid set of bits."
Makita 12-inch Flexible Impact Bit Holder (B-51873)
A good drill and a solid collection of bits will take you far, but there are some occasions where a drill simply won't fit. You might need a slight extension that can go into a narrower gap, or you might need to drive a fastener in at an awkward angle.
The Makita Flexible Impact Bit Holder is a great attachment to have in both of these instances. This is a 12-inch, flexible driver extension made of high-quality steel that's designed to withstand the force of high-torque impact drivers. This tough steel core is coated in an ergonomic grip for comfort when you're guiding it with your off-hand. The attachment is tipped with a ¼-inch shank that fits both impact drivers and standard drills on one end and a quick-release collet that takes ¼-inch bits and adapters on the other.
There don't seem to be any professional reviews of the bit holder, but it has a 4.6 out of five on Amazon, where over 800 customers have praised its sturdy build quality, functionality, value, and ease of use. Though, there have been a few mixed reviews in regard to the ease of the extension's flexibility. "Great for driving screws in tight spots," said one reviewer. "Even drilling pilot holes if you use a hex shank drilling bit. Feels solid and well made. My only complaint is that it's a bit rigid and you have to really press the tip into the screw because if not it slips easily."
Makita Guide Rail Adapter (199232-5)
The best alternative to a table saw is a track saw. These specialized circular saws are designed to work in concert with an attachable track that makes it easy to perform long, precise rip cuts that would otherwise be fairly challenging. This is particularly useful any time you need to break down sheet goods. Dedicated track saws can be quite expensive, however, and many people who already own one of Makita's other circular saws might be interested in seeking out an alternative.
The Makita Guide Rail Adapter is a small metal attachment that is specifically listed as being compatible with the company's XSH04 and XSH05 Cordless 6-1/2-inch Circular Saw Models. Once attached, either of these standard circular saws will be able to work in tandem with the Makita 118-inch Guide Rail, 55-inch Guide Rail, 39-inch Guide Rail, and even a few rails that are designed and sold by other brands.
This attachment has a 4.3 out of five on Amazon, most of the reviews were positive, with many of the less enthusiastic reviews coming from buyers who paired the attachment with the wrong saw. "No more wobbly lines or exerting lots of lateral pressure to keep the blade flush to the straight edge," said one reviewer. "It just glides along the track. Make sure you have the right guide for your circular saw." That said, there were also several reviews that stated the attachment was still not as precise as an actual track saw.
Cyclonic Vacuum Attachment (199553-5)
Whether you're working with wood, drywall, or masonry, dust is almost certain to be a byproduct of just about all cutting, drilling, and sanding tasks. A quality shop vacuum from a good brand can go a long way toward keeping your workspace clean–especially when you're able to attach it directly to the tool's dust port–but even the best vacuums can struggle to stay functional when there is too much dust. The problem is that fine particulate can quickly clog up the vacuum's filter, inhibiting the tool's ability to create adequate suction.
The Makita Cyclonic Vacuum Attachment is designed to help mitigate this problem. It traps most of the dust particles in a plastic cylinder before they enter the main canaster. According to Makita, "Powerful cyclonic action captures up to 90% of dust particles before entering the main canister or dust bag, hence reduces the frequency of emptying the main canister or dust bag by up to 84%." This also has the added benefit of increasing the longevity of the vacuum's filter. The attachment itself has a one-touch release mechanism, which makes it easy to quickly dispose of debris so you can get back to work faster. It fits all Makita 18V LXT and 12V max CXT Compact Vacuums.
This device has a weighted score of 4.7 out of five on Amazon, with over 2,100 reviews. Customers have praised nearly everything about it, from its ease of use and dust retention to its capacity and value. "This vacuum attachment extends the usefulness of your existing 12V and 18V hand vacs," said Clint DeBoer of Pro Tool Reviews. "If you have one of the compatible vacs, you may want to check this out."
Makita Long Handle Attachment (198486-1)
While there's no replacing a reliable push lawn mower for clearing most of the grass in your law, it can also be handy to have another tool for getting those difficult to reach places. Grass that grows below hedges, near fences, between paving stones, around sprinklers, and beside concrete can be difficult to cut with a full-sized mower. A string trimmer is often chosen as the tool of choice for this, but they can be messy and cut unevenly if you aren't careful. Makita also makes three 18V battery powered grass shears which make for an excellent alternative, though the base-tool is designed to be handheld, and most people would likely prefer to not have to get down on their hands and knees to cut the grass. Fortunately, Makita makes an attachment that addresses this exact issue.
The Long Handle Attachment is designed to quickly attach to the XMU02, XMU04 and XMU05 grass shear models, allowing any of them to be used from a standing position. The attachment can be adjusted to five separate angles, making it easy to use for people of different heights to adjust to a comfortable level. It also allows the user to adapt to specific applications that might require different angles.
This attachment has a flat four out of five total review on Amazon. Many people stated that the attachment works exactly as intended, though some noted that the tool struggles to cut evenly when the wheels are rolling over areas with uneven terrain. "It works great and prevents damage to the fence from a string weed whacker," said one reviewer. "This results in a 6-inch wide strip that I can mow up to. Easy peasy!"
Our methodology
I've been using power tools for wood working, auto maintenance, minor construction, and basic home repair for decades. In that time, I've had the opportunity to handle several Makita tools and many attachments that are similar to those featured on this list.
In composing these recommendations, I started by taking a look at the attachments and accessories that Makita sells. I chose some of the most popular and highly rated options that I felt would appeal to a wide number of users–favoring accessories that accompanied the kinds of tools that a lot of people would have in their collections, regardless of what kind of craft they work in.
Once I had a few accessories picked out, I examined their specs and features so that I could provide a full breakdown of their capabilities. I then looked up customer reviews on Amazon and professional reviews when they were available. This allowed me to share a better idea of how these products perform when tested in real-world applications.