Makita HP1641K Review

Makita HP1641K Product Image

Editor Rating: 3.9/5

Good

Makita HP1641K Review

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Published on: March 12, 2018

Last modified: Aug 19, 2022 @ 1:38 am

 

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Makita HP1641K Review Summary:

Having a hammer drill is a necessity in today’s construction business. This powerful tool provides the user with a hammer-like action that delivers hard and fast blows, which, in turn, easily demolish all kinds of firm materials. With loads of different models on today’s market, selecting the one that will suit your needs can be challenging, especially if you don’t know a lot about power tools.

For that matter, we’ve decided to review the Makita HP1641K hammer drill, which is exceptionally easy to handle and comes at a reasonable price. It is among the best devices of this type in its price category and definitely deserves a more in-depth look.

We’ll be analyzing the unit’s design and power while trying to find out all of its benefits and downsides. Join us, and let’s see if this model is suitable for your drilling demands!

Specifications:

  • Weight – 4.3lbs
  • Dimensions – 4.2″ x 13.5″ x 12.8″
  • Max Speed – 2,800 RPM
  • Motor Power – 6.0 AMP
  • Voltage – 240 volts

Makita HP1641K – The Basics


Made by Makita, one of Japan’s leading manufacturers of power tools, the HP1641K sports a standard 6.0 AMP motor that’s suitable for most applications that require a hammer drill. Just like many other drills of this type, it can be used in two separate modes – hammering with rotation or rotation only.

Featuring an all-ball bearing construction and a low weight, the model is very easy to operate with. It has a soft grip handle and an additional side handle, and these are guaranteed to give you full control over the drilling process. Other features include the recessed lock-on button, a keyless chuck, a reversing switch, and the depth gauge.

In the next part of the review, we’ll be analyzing the unit’s features – read on and find out everything about them:

The Features


The Design


Like all other power tools manufactured by Makita, the HP1641K also has that beautiful teal look that the Japanese company is well-known for. It weighs only 4.3 pounds, which puts it into the category of lightweight hammer drills and allows prolonged drilling sessions without fatigue. The model’s all-ball bearing construction gives the tool a longer lifespan – those working in harsh conditions will surely appreciate this feature.

For better handling and control over the unit, Makita included a couple of handles. The first one is your usual pistol-like soft-grip handle on the bottom of the device, while the second one stands on the unit’s side and can be rotated for 360 degrees. This extra handle is a very convenient feature and something that will surely provide you with some additional leverage while you’re drilling.

Power


The HP1641K comes with a 6.0 AMP motor that achieves the maximum speed of 2,800 RPM and 44,800 BPM. It’s not the most powerful engine on the market, but it’s suitable enough for a number of drilling tasks and most kinds of materials. The variable speed options give the user better control over the smooth start-up and allow you to use the required speed for the task at hand.

Fortunately, the device comes with a keyless chuck that provides easy bit installation and removal – and that’s always a big plus in our book. Other features that deserve praise are the lock-on button (for continuous working), the depth gauge (for the more accurate depths), and the reverse switch with a very convenient location.

Warranty & Accessories


This hammer drill comes with a 3-year warranty, which is quite suitable and something that inspires confidence about the model’s reliability and durability. The kit includes a beautiful teal tool case, which is sturdy and allows easy transportation of the drill and its attachments.

Makita HP1641K Box Kit

Pros:

N

Lightweight and ergonomic

N

360° rotatable side-handle

N

Comes with a tool case

N

Versatile

Cons:

N

Plastic housing

N

Possible issues with the chuck

R

Things we liked about it

This Makita hammer drill is quite suitable for a number of applications, as it sports enough power and versatility to push through a variety of materials. With 2,800 RPM of speed, you should be able to work with wood, steel, and concrete without any issues – the HP1641K just might become an inseparable part of your toolbox.

Handling this model is as easy as it gets, and the main reason behind it is the ergonomic shape of its two handles. The side-handle is particularly useful as it can be rotated and used in a position that fits the task at hand. We also liked the variable speed option, the generous 3-year warranty, as well as the tool case that will help you transport the unit from one job site to another (and to store the unit away when not it’s not in use).

Q

Things we didn’t like

Our main complaint about HP1641K is that it has a plastic housing. As you can already guess, this has a negative effect on the unit’s durability, so you’ll have to take some extra care while working with it. Accidental drops might cause the plastic to break, and the internal components could get seriously damaged.

Even though we had no problems during the testing, some users report that they had issues with the unit’s chuck. They’re saying that it tends to get loose from time to time, causing the bit to keep slipping. We hope that Makita will fix this in the next revision of the model.

What Users Say About The Makita HP1641K


The users are mostly satisfied with the quality of Makita HP1641K, calling it the best corded hammer drill they had so far and something that they’re using on a daily basis. The fact that it’s very easy to operate makes it a favorite of the DIY beginners, who are quite pleased with the unit’s straightforward controls and comfortable handling.

On the other hands, some consumers are displeased with the drill’s chuck – they call it finicky and problematic, saying that it doesn’t hold the bit well enough.

Conclusion


With a great work capacity and an ergonomic design, the Makita HP1641K stands as one of the best hammer drills in its price category. We liked almost all of its features and had found just a couple of minor flaws, and can only praise the unit’s excellent performance, lightweight and ergonomic design, and the overall ease of operation.

It is, in conclusion, a hammer drill worthy to be considered for purchase, especially if you’re a beginner in the DIY world. We recommend it!

Most Read Reviews

Disclaimer

The owner of ToolNerds.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commission by advertising and linking ToolNerds.com reviews to Amazon products, but not limited to Amazon.com.

Follow Us