Makita BCL180W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Kit

by Makita

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Makita 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Kit, Model BCL180W, delivers strong suction power for fast cleaning without the cord. The BCL180W is powered by Makita's 18V Compact Lithium-Ion battery and the Energy Star-rated Rapid Optimum Charger.

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BCL180W Features PERFORMANCE - Up to 10 minutes of continuous use from a single fully charged 18V Compact Lithium-Ion battery CONVENIENCE - Bagless 2-stage cloth filtration system allows for easier cleaning and quicker debris disposal VERSATILITY - Redesigned floor nozzle for improved maneuverability and debris collection COMFORT - Compact and lightweight design at only 2.7 lbs. provides extra comfort with reduced operator fatigue INCLUDES - One 18V Compact Li-Ion Battery and rapid charger

Tool Specifications Capacity 1.3 pint Continuous use 10 min. Battery 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Overall length 18-3/4" Net weight 2.7 lbs. (w/battery)

Fast and Efficient Cleaning
The BCL180W combines the convenience of cordless with the superior power-to-weight ratio of Makita's 18V Compact Lithium-Ion battery. This compact yet powerful cordless vacuum has strong suction power for fast and efficient cleaning, for use with or without the floor nozzle extension. At just 18-3/4 inches in length, the compact and lightweight design provides extra comfort with reduced operator fatigue, and the angled design provides strong suction for fast and efficient cleaning. The floor extension and redesigned swivel floor nozzle attaches easily, and includes a crevice nozzle for improved cleaning in tight spaces.

The BCL180W delivers up to 10 minutes of continuous use from a single fully-charged 18V Compact Lithium-Ion battery. The improved filter has two locking tabs on each side to remain in place, and the bagless 2-stage cloth filtration system allows for easier cleaning and quicker debris disposal. The BCL180W weighs just 2.7 pounds (with battery), with a soft ergonomic grip handle that provides increased comfort on the job.

The BCL180W is powered by Makita's 18V Compact Lithium-Ion battery. For extended run time of up to 20 minutes of continuous use, the BCL180W can also be powered by a Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery. This versatile cordless vacuum is engineered for almost any dry clean-up application, and is ideal for service, finish installation, maintenance, and janitorial trades. The BCL180W is just another example of Makita's commitment to innovative technology and best-in-class engineering.

About Makita's 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Tool Series
As one of the pioneers driving the cordless tool revolution, Makita changed the game with its breakthrough 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Series. Three years after its debut, Makita's LXT Series has grown from seven to over 35 tools, providing a wide range of cordless solutions for professional tradesmen. Makita also added 18V Compact Lithium-Ion for cordless power in a more compact size.

About Makita
Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita applies leading-edge innovation to engineer power tools that are more compact and energy efficient, yet deliver industrial strength power and results. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network located throughout the U.S. For more information, please call 800/4-MAKITA (800/462-5482) or visit makitatools.com. Makita is Best in Class Engineering.

Warranty
Every Makita Lithium-Ion tool is backed by Makita's 3-Year Warranty that covers repair due to defects in materials or workmanship up to three years from the date of original purchase. Makita Lithium-Ion batteries and chargers have a limited 1-year warranty. Please see makitatools.com for complete details.

Whats in the Box
Makita BCL180W 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum, one 18V Compact Lithium-Ion battery, one 15-minute Rapid Optimum Charger, extension, floor nozzle, crevice nozzle, filter and cloth filter.

From the Manufacturer

Compact design at only 18-3/4'' long and weighs only 2.7 lbs. for reduced operator fatigue Ergonomic soft grip handle provides increased comfort and control Accepts 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery for even longer run time LXT Lithium-Ion battery and optimum charging system produces 430% total lifetime work with 2.5x more cycles Makita Lithium-Ion battery provides longer run time, 5x lower self-discharge (for use any time) and 16 firm-holding contact terminals (for constant high power) 15-Minute Rapid Optimum Charger communicates with the battery's built-in chip throughout the charging process to optimize battery life by actively controlling current, voltage and temperature 15-Minute Rapid Optimum Charger has a built-in fan to cool the battery which helps produce more lifetime work The charger earned the ENERGY STAR® label for meeting the strict energy-efficient guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Energy (DOE) 3-year warranty on tool and 1-year warranty on battery and charger

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0039ITKLU
• Item model number: BCL180W
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,317 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #31 in Home & Kitchen > Vacuums & Floor Care > Vacuums > Handheld Vacuums

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Makita BCL180 Cordless Vacuum Kit, September 13, 2010

By 

Peter Vaughan "P. Vaughan" (St. Petersburg, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Makita BCL180W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

For some 10 years or so I have been using the earlier Makita cordless stick broom with the 7.2 volt nickel cadmium, removable battery.
It works well, and in fact I still have it.
The big problem is the very expensive, low-quality batteries that Makita and competitors sell. It doesn't matter whether you buy branded or non-branded batteries. Over the ten years I must have spent over $300 on them. The vacuum is designed for a 7.2 volt battery but it also takes the 9.6 volt version, which I used for the extra suction.
But after 6 to 9 months, the battery would go flat in a week, even when not in use. Soon after that it would not hold a charge for even a few days, and I had to buy another, for about $40.

So now I have bought the Makita BCL180 kit. It was on sale from Amazon for about $140, including the charger and one 18 volt, 1.5 Ampere-hour battery. This was the lowest price around, by far.
As soon as I began using it I saw that it had been designed for a short, Japanese user, and I, at 5ft 9in, was too tall for it, and had to bend over it to run it.
Not good.
But there is a solution: Home Depot sells a stick vacuum made by Ridgid, and you can buy the parts for it. The wands for both vacuums are identical in diameter, and are therefore interchangeable. So, for $6.50 each I bought 2 extension wands and pushed them together for a perfect, friction fit. I set the Makita wands aside, in case a shorter person volunteers to do the vacuuming!.

Note: Because the vacuums are not made in America, they use metric dimensions for their wands. Our regular 3/4 inch and 1 inch PVC pipes won't fit.
But with the two, Ridgid extension wands, Voila! Plenty long, and in fact too long, so I sawed some 4-1/2 inches off one of them, and the result, for me, is perfect. A shorter person would just use the Makita wands that came with the kit.
This friction-fit of the two wands -- both the Makita and Ridgid versions -- results in their separating in use, and the whole thing collapses. So I locked them together with a simple, self-tapping screw where the wands join, and that was the end of that problem.

Battery Life:
From experience with the earlier stick vacuum I knew I would need a spare battery, so I bought one from Amazon while I was at it. I didn't know it, but the one that is sold separately has twice the capacity of the battery that comes with the kit, so this should give me lots of power. Even so, I'll use the charger to top up the battery that's not in use. The charger allows this.
Note: Makita says don't let the battery run flat, or its capacity will be reduced. They mean it and you have been warned, so when the vacuum slows down, STOP. Either recharge the battery or switch to your spare.

General:
The filter can be washed and dried, although it may be a good idea to have a spare. They're only $2 or so.
The Makita BCL180 has good suction, and I have noticed an improvement in the appearance of rugs, for example. I recommend it.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Vac, But Shocked My Finger, April 1, 2011

By 

donbodadonbo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Makita BCL180W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

Overall, I like this vac, but I expected more for the price.

First, the Pros: 1) longer handle than other cordless models by Black & Decker, Eureka, etc. I was able to reach the floor with the long section attached with a little bending (I'm 5' 11"); this is a big convenience, as opposed to crawling on the floor or constantly bending up & down to reach low spots.
2) the suction got weaker pretty fast, which I thought was some kind of problem, but when I checked the dirt bin, it was full; I'm amazed at how much it sucked up so quickly.
3) it's easy to get the dirt bin off, just twist & pull. Fortunately, it has a raised edge in that area, which allows easier gripping of the section to be removed.
4) the swivel head of the floor piece makes it easy to maneuver quickly.
5) the battery charged quickly in about 20 minutes, very good compared with some other vacs.

Next, the Cons: 1) I received multiple shocks to the finger that was gripping the on/off switch, & some were pretty painful. Dry conditions? Possibly, but who cares? That's the condition I have to use it in, & I'm sure that there are far drier environments than Long Island in the spring. The shocks did reduce & then disappeared after a few minutes of use, but quite an unpleasant experience. None of my other cordless vacs have had this problem.
2) the wand/extensions/tools all collected debris due to static, which is common to many other devices that use plastic materials; for this money, I somehow expected a material that wouldn't produce as much static, but it's the same as the cheaper models in this regard.
3) the instruction manuals (one for using the vac, & another for charging the battery), are written in grammatically poor English, which makes some parts difficult to understand. Makita is a big enough company to afford manual writers with a better command of English.

Overall, I can't recommend this product, due to the shocking issue. If someone has a solution for this, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sooo very helpful!!, July 2, 2010

By 

VG - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Makita BCL180W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless Vacuum Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

To be able to do a quick vacuum with terrific suction and without having to mess with cords and a heavy machine, is incredible REFRESHING! Especially when you have 3 small children who keep you on the run with CRUMBS and tracking stuff in from outside!!! Some people have complained about the switch you have to keep your finger on to keep it on, I find it convenient. It's where my finger would be anyhow and it's a very light push to keep it going. It allows me to turn it on and off very quickly. When I come to something I do not want vacuumed, I can skip over it more easily. The battery charges very fast and it runs for a good 15 to 20 minutes. This is great when compared to my old one that took hours to charge and never seems to be ready when Iwas ready nor did it have the suction that this one has. I gave up on that vacuum and just went to a broom. The day this vacuum came, I had just finished sweeping. I decided to run it over the floors anyhow and it was kinda sad that there was a lot of dirt when I emptied it. It's a bit expensive, but you do get what you pay for...most of the time...