We have a great tutorial for you guys today – the extremely fun Makita Cordless Backpack Vacuum and Drywall Cutter combination! Cordless vacuums are all the rage right now, especially for essential air conditioning installation tools. Most people need manoeuvrability and portability, so Makita only thought it was reasonably expected to bring out this as part of their range. We have great fun with this backpack vacuum, even though we look like Ghostbusters, it was incredibly comfortable, convenient and most importantly – useful! It was the tool we didn’t know that we needed and the thought of going back to corded vacuums is a dire one.
In combination with the Makita Cordless Drywall Cutter, it’s a match made in heaven. There are a few things that need improving, but overall the two work in tandem very well. We’ll be going through the basics of each tool and how they work together, what they do and when they’re most useful.
Cordless Backpack Vacuum
Makita has always made stellar air conditioning installation tools and gear, with top-tier quality assurance and solid build. The Cordless Backpack Vacuum is no exception. Makita has made very conscious decisions when designing this, and it’s not gone unnoticed. Powered by twin Makita 18V rechargeable batteries for a combined total of 36V, this has some serious suction power for a cordless device.
It’s not bagless, but that’s preferred by most tradesmen as bagless can leave a horrendous mess to clean up afterwards. The dust bag is 2 litres so it’s got a good capacity for a relatively compact form factor. A simple system to slip the bag inside by releasing the latch at the top and pulling the door down.
The brushless motor inside requires less maintenance and less consumable parts. This means less will need to be replaced in the long run whilst providing more power and higher speeds efficiently.
It is relatively light as well at just 4.3kg, extending its merits for its versatility and portability even in the worst conditions. Well done Makita. Although it’s not deafening, being a vacuum it is quite loud on either of its two power settings. Not a bad thing as it is to be expected, but just something to be conscious of.
Comes with an assortment of attachments, including a telescopic straight pipe, brush floor nozzle and flexible rubber nozzle – the main attachment used when working with other Makita toolsets. A solid, well-made set.
Comfort and Control
So what’s it like on? Is it comfortable? Light and easy to use? To put it short – it feels great on and is very easy to use. Complete with so many straps for maximised comfort, custom fitting and durability – its evident Makita put a lot of thought into the design of this cordless backpack vacuum. A huge advantage during any commercial air conditioning installation process.
Two standard straps, supported with 2 straps that go across the chest and lower stomach that you clip in for maximum support. The adjustable straps allow you to tailor the tightness to your preference, simply by pulling on them to tighten. The quality is premium and doesn’t loosen over time, so no need to keep tightening while in use, unlike other strapped equipment that carries weight.
When strapped up and ready to go, you have the 3-button power settings available. Clip that switch to your belt or pocket somewhere so it doesn’t swing and get in your way. There are 3 buttons on it – Torch, On and Off. Torch button is to turn the torch on and off, pretty self-explanatory. The On button allows you to change the power setting its on; either full power or half power. The Off button turns off power, pretty simple operation.
Cordless Drywall Cutter
Another one of the essential air conditioning installation tools – the cordless drywall cutter from Makita. It’s brilliant. Powered by an 18V battery, it’s a dream to cut with – like a piping hot knife through butter. With an adjustable blade and vacuum system available to be used with the cordless backpack vacuum for minimal cleanup, its the perfect combination for when cutting out sections in drywall. The blade depth is easy to adjust Just remove the guard and using the provided Allen key to loosen and tighten the lock when you have the blade at the desired depth. It would’ve been nice to get a tool-less design, but it’s easy and not finicky so not a big problem.
There is a locking system which acts as a safety so that you don’t accidentally power on the cutter at ill moments, with the possible cause of injury and damage. The safety lock is located on either side just above the trigger. You must remember to lock the safety after you stop using it. This is so that the trigger cannot be squeezed to activate the blade.
The main attraction about the drywall cutter is that it has the valve you can use with the backpack vacuum to suck up all the dust and debris left behind as you cut through the surface. Just simply slot the grey rubber nozzle at the end of the vacuum hose and when you’re ready to cut, turn on the vacuum. It’ll suck the dust as you saw through. Perfect air conditioning installation tools.
You can cut anywhere on drywall, just simply measure out the depth you need and adjust the blade inside accordingly. For residential air conditioning installation, make sure you’re clear of any wires in tight spaces behind the wall.
The (Almost) Perfect Air Conditioning Installation Tools Combo
The combination of these two air conditioning installation tools working in tandem with each other is undoubtedly extremely useful. However, it’s not without its flaws. First, the rubber nozzle from the vacuum doesn’t always stay in the drywall cutter’s vacuum slot. There will be times it suddenly pops out if it’s not secured in place. Luckily, you can easily fix this by using some electrical tape to make a secure airtight seal around the connection.
The other issue is the tube from the vacuum can sometimes get in the way, even if it’s tucked away. Not a dealbreaker, but something to bear in mind when using this combination for drywall cutting.
Overall, an extremely versatile and useful combo is perfect for those jobs that you want to minimise clean up after your work is done. It offers great flexibility for movement and convenience, maximising your workflow and minimising cleanup.
A very welcome addition to any air conditioning installation contractors. Call us today and let’s start work on your next project or send us your requests or questions here.