Makita 4416L Vac .. Review/ Opinion.. Warning .. pics

[Rick Fisher]

Recently my 3-4 year old Fein Turbo II died.. my plan is to get it fixed and use it as a dedicated vac for my miter saw.

In an effort to get another and keep working, I decided to pick up the new Makita vac.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m455/jokerbird_photo/P1010618.jpg

First thing I noticed is how small and light it is.. It has a quality feel, hard to describe but ya know when a knob or button has that quality feel ? Anyway..


Next thing I noticed.. The cord on the vac is crazy long.. almost 25 feet.. I always gripe about short cords.. Makita did not cheap out on cord.. I like that ..

The hose is Festool compatible.. Its shamelessly smart.. Like Makita knew .. That was a relief.. I was worried that I would have to rig up the Festool hose to fit the Makita vac.. its no problem.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m455/jokerbird_photo/P1010617.jpg

It has a max amp draw of 12 amps.. and is surprisingly powerful for its size.. Its actually sweet.. seems to have more umph than the Fein, but its newer and cost more .. so maybe that makes sense.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m455/jokerbird_photo/P1010620.jpg

Its on a nice set of casters.. nothing is really cheap about it .. its well done.. I paid $470 ish dollars for it .. it came with 5 bags.. Makita bags are outrageously expensive so I plan to use shop vac bags in it .. they seem like they will fit .

The best and most important aspect of this vac is NOISE.. Its crazy quiet .. quieter than the Fein.. Its what made me pick it over the Festool.. Noise is a big deal to me .. The Makita is rated at 59DB .. and it is super quiet..

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m455/jokerbird_photo/P1010619.jpg

The controls are simple.. it has variable speed and a single 120V plug in the front..

It works as you would expect but quieter.. In a review, there was a complaint that it was tippy because of its narrow shape.. That may be true, but it has not been a problem.. I like the small size as its easier to store and easy to pack around.. I guess if it tips over, I will tilt it back again.. :)..

I am happy.. Makita tools have always stood up for to me, I hope this one does too.. Time will tell.

[Phil Thien]

Do they provide any specifications in the manual for CFM and static lift? And will a standard 2-1/4" shop-vac host attach to it? Just curious, I can't really justify one (at $470, it would be the most expensive tool I own).

[Bruce Page]

I love my TIII but 59db is sweet. I hope it lasts a long time for you.

[Mac McQuinn]

Looks like a pretty well thought out machine. I fully understand the value of 59DB, that's a great feature. Where is it built?

Mac

[johnny means]

Yeah, but can you stack stuff on top of it?:D

What's the little blue doohickey on top?

[Rick Fisher]

The blue button is a filter cleaning doo hickey.. you press it and the machine makes a different noise.. lol

One odd thing, the machine hesitates a split second behind the tool that activates it .. Its like it lets the sander or domino get up to speed, then fires itself up .. I dunno.. My guess..

The hose is tight on the Festool.. seems tighter than the Festool hose.. I cant remember if the Festool was that tight at one time and just wore in ? The Makita hose is basically a Festool copy.. Works great on the tools.

Pretty impressed today.. Its so nice and quiet, hearing protection is really optional when using it now..

[Alan Bienlein]

Is this only available in Canada? I've done a search for it can not locate it anywhere. How new is this shop vac?

[Paul Gallian]

Not listed on Makita web site here in the USA! Google search does not find anything for the
Makita 4416L Vacuum.

[johnny means]

One odd thing, the machine hesitates a split second behind the tool that activates it .. Its like it lets the sander or domino get up to speed, then fires itself up ..

Seems like a good idea. A vac and a tool starting on the same circuit could draw a pretty high amperage especially in your typical residential situation where most circuits aren't designed for 30 amps.

[Rick Fisher]

Oops..

Makita 446L ..

Here it is .. http://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=950&catid=3

Makita calls it a Dust extractor..

[Andrew Kertesz]

I could not find any US carriers for this product either; France, UK, Canada and other European locales but not the US.

[Rick Fisher]

Weird.. I cant see a US vendor either.. I had no idea.