6
CAUTION:
• The battery charger is for charging Makita battery cartridge. Never use it for other purposes or for other manufac-
turer’s batteries.
• When you charge a new battery cartridge or a battery cartridge which has not been used for a long period of time, it
may not accept a full charge. This is a normal condition and does not indicate a problem. You can recharge the bat-
tery cartridge fully after discharging it completely and recharging a couple of times.
• If you charge a battery cartridge from a just-operated tool or a battery cartridge which has been left in a location
exposed to direct sunlight or heat for a long time, the charging light may flash in red color. If this occurs, wait for a
while. Charging will begin after the battery cartridge cools. The battery cartridge will cool faster if you remove the
battery cartridge from the battery charger.
• If the charging light flashes alternately in green and red color, a problem exists and charging is not possible. The ter-
minals on the charger or battery cartridge are clogged with dust or the battery cartridge is worn out or damaged.
Trickle charge (Maintenance charge)
If you leave the battery cartridge in the charger to prevent spontaneous discharging after full charge, the charger will
switch into its “trickle charge (maintenance charge)” mode and keep the battery cartridge fresh and fully charged.
Tips for maintaining maximum battery life
1. Charge the battery cartridge before completely discharged.
Always stop tool operation and charge the battery cartridge when you notice less tool power.
2. Never recharge a fully charged battery cartridge.
Overcharging shortens the battery service life.
3. Charge the battery cartridge with room temperature at 10°C – 40°C (50°F – 104°F).
Let a hot battery cartridge cool down before charging it.
4. Charge the Nickel Metal Hydride battery cartridge when you do not use it for more than six months.
Installing or removing driver bit or drill bit (Fig. 4)
CAUTION:
Always be sure that the tool is switched off and the bat-
tery cartridge is removed before installing or removing
the bit.
Hold the ring and turn the sleeve counterclockwise to
open the chuck jaws. Place the bit in the chuck as far as
it will go. Hold the ring firmly and turn the sleeve clock-
wise to tighten the chuck.
To remove the bit, hold the ring and turn the sleeve coun-
terclockwise.
Switch action (Fig. 5)
CAUTION:
Before inserting the battery cartridge into the tool, always
check to see that the switch trigger actuates properly and
returns to the “OFF” position when released.
To start the tool, simply pull the trigger. Tool speed is
increased by increasing pressure on the trigger. Release
the trigger to stop.
Reversing switch action (Fig. 5)
CAUTION:
• Always check the direction of rotation before operation.
• Use the reversing switch only after the tool comes to a
complete stop. Changing the direction of rotation
before the tool stops may damage the tool.
• When not operating the tool, always set the reversing
switch lever to the neutral position.
This tool has a reversing switch to change the direction of
rotation. Set the reversing switch lever to the A side for
clockwise rotation or to the B side for counterclockwise
rotation. When the reversing switch lever is in the neutral
position, the tool will not start even if you pull the trigger.
Overload protector (Fig. 6)
The overload protector automatically cuts out to break
the circuit and the button pops out, whenever heavy work
is prolonged. Wait 20 – 30 seconds before pressing the
restart button to resume operation. Your finger should not
be on the switch trigger when you press the restart but-
ton, however.
Drilling operation
• Drilling in wood
When drilling in wood, best results are obtained with
wood drills equipped with a guide screw. The guide
screw makes drilling easier by pulling the bit into the
workpiece.
• Drilling in metal
To prevent the bit from slipping when starting a hole,
make an indentation with a center punch and hammer
at the point to be drilled. Place the point of the bit in the
indentation and start drilling.
Use a cutting lubricant when drilling metals. The excep-
tions are iron and brass which should be drilled dry.
CAUTION:
• Pressing excessively on the tool will not speed up the
drilling. In fact, this excessive pressure will only serve
to damage the tip of your bit, decrease the tool perfor-
mance and shorten the service life of the tool.
• There is a tremendous twisting force exerted on the
tool/bit at the time of hole breakthrough. Hold the tool
firmly and exert care when the bit begins to break
through the workpiece. Use both hands to help control
the tool.
• A stuck bit can be removed simply by setting the
reversing switch to reverse rotation in order to back out.
However, the tool may back out abruptly if you do not
hold it firmly.
• Always secure small workpieces in a vise or similar
hold-down device.
