Makita DTM50ZX5

Effective but hefty – A little heavier than I'd like but a good solid tool and once you sort through the multitude of available accessory blades / discs / etc. and settle on a useful all round kit, expect to double the tool skin cost. Speaking of cost, the skin is relatively inexpensive by Makita standards so if you already have Makita batteries like we do then it's a good addition. I'm still finding out what it can do but so far it's been used for cutting PVC pipe, plunge cutting plaster, sanding in a tight space and removing old grout from between tiles prior to re-grouting. It's sort of like a grown up Dremel tool! It is reasonably hefty at a fraction over 2 kg using a 3Ah battery so I find it a little difficult to use in tight spaces and it's noisy so ear protection is a must but it's been able to do every job I've thrown at is to far with ease.

The DTM50 is a good sanding tool but not suitable for cutting/sawing – I bought this to use mainly for sanding and other small jobs. It's great for sanding, especially with the dust extraction attachment. But I had a small cutting job so I tried the plunge blade attachment. The first time I used it the head twisted so that the blade was no longer aligned at 12 o'clock. If you search online you will find that many others have had the same problem and it is considered something of a design fault. Makita told me it is caused by using old blades (except my blade was brand new and it was the first time I'd ever used the tool for this purpose). Makita said they will only fix it once under warranty for this particular problem. So I guess my multi tool is really just a single purpose tool, as it can apparently only cope with sanding.

LXT cordless to complement corded tool – Needing to cut some beading on a fascia and not having power available, I bought this tool as I had batteries and charger for my other Makita tools and it could use blades that I already had. This review is about the tool, not the blades or other supplied consumables. The hex key for blade changing is stored on the body which makes it easy find. The attachment screw has a loose spacer washer which may come off and get lost. This is perhaps the only negative when compared with my corded multi function tool where there is a washer as part of the attachment screw. The switch is positive and the soft start makes it nice to use. There does not seem as much vibration as my corded tool, but if it was being used for extended periods gloves would be a must. There is a low battery warning light, although the chances are I would not see it as I concentrate on the blade and operate the switch by feel. The tool takes the small 1815 1.5 amp hour battery, as well as the bigger 18v LXT batteries. Makita recommend the 3 amp hour (or bigger) battery if you are doing a lot of work with the tool.

One thing to be aware of, if you leave the battery on the tool it may drain even without the tool being used. Not a problem if you have a spare charged battery, but frustrating if you do not. Best not to leave the battery connected to the tool.

The surprise in the box was the plastic container to keep all your accessories such as sanding pads and paper, and additional blades. What I did not expect was that the tool also came with a couple of blades, sanding pad and some sand papers.

It does the job of my corded tool without the need to plug a lead in. Great for small quick jobs or those where power is not available. Soft start, nice box for blades and accessories. Spacer washer on attachment screw