Makita 18v Li-Ion combi drills and drill drivers (10/2016)

[Job and Knock]

I'm sure that I'm not alone in being confused by Makita's model numbers, so this is an attempt to help anyone interested in buying a Makita 18 volt combi drill or drill/driver. This only covers the Li-Ion range currently on the market and available (6 Nov 2016), not the now defunct NiCd and NiMH products. Earlier models which are no longer available such as the DHP451, DHP452, etc are also omitted. The categories are all mine but are an attempt to make sense of the type of work these tools should be expected to perform. As ever combi drills cannot be regarded as a replacement for even a basic SDS drill when drilling masonry (although te wo heavy duty models get pretty close) so if you want to use a lightweight combi to drill masonry in a trade environment don't be surprised when it dies prematurely. For drilling heavy metalwork such as structural steels on a regular basis or for regular hole sawing greater than 65mm I'd recommend a model with a metal gearbox AND a metal chuck - nothing else will withstand the stresses and strains of that sort of work

Combi drills (drills with a drilling, impact drilling and torque adjustable screwdriving setting) are all prefixed "DHP" in the UK

Drill/drivers (drills with a drilling and torque adjustable screwdriving setting) are all prefixed "DDF" in the UK. In general these are slightly lighter than the DHP variant (about 50gm). For some (not all) DHP model there is an equivalent DDF model, but they are less commonly sold and generally cost more.

Colours: Standard colour is Makita blue. Special edition models have been sold in white, red, black and metallic blue (only DHP456 and DHP481 AFAIK). The metallic colour is a sprayed finish and not hugely durable (white is a plastic colour)

In general and in common with other cordless tools most models feature plastic gearbox housings and chucks (exceptions are noted). AFAIK all Makita models use metal gears. All of Makita's drills now have 2-speed mechanical change gearboxes

Current production models appear to be: DHP458, DHP459, DHP481, DHP482, DHP483 and DHP484

Information has been checked against Makita official information. E&OE

* indicates models which have been superceded

Basic DIY models:

Model: *DHP453 - Basic DIY combi drill
Motor: Brushed
Speeds: ~400, ~1300

Capacities:
Wood: 36mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 42Nm
Weight: 1.7kg

Updated version of BHP453. No DDF equivalent avalable. Replaced by DHP483

Model: DHP483 - Basic DIY combi drill
Motor: Brushed
Speeds: ~400, ~1700

Capacities:
Wood: 36mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 40Nm/23Nm
Weight: 1.6kg

Replaces DHP453. No DDF equivalent avalable. New model 2016

DIY/light trade models:

Model: DHP459 - DIY/light trade combi drill (brushless)
Motor: Brushless, basic
Speeds: ~400, ~1500

Capacities:
Wood: 38mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 45Nm/25Nm
Weight: 1.7kg

Entry level brushless combi. No DDF equivalent avalable. Probably somewhere between DHP453 and DHP456 in terms of performance

Model: *DHP456 - DIY/light trade combi drill
Motor: Brushed
Speeds: ~400, ~1500

Capacities:
Wood: 38mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 50Nm/36Nm
Weight: 1.8kg

Updated version of BHP456 which in turn was an improved of the BHP452. DDF equivalent was available. Recently replaced by DHP482

Model: DHP482 - DIY/light trade combi drill
Motor: Brushed
Speeds: ~400, ~1500

Capacities:
Wood: 38mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 62Nm/36Nm
Weight: 1.8kg

Replacement for DHP456 which in turn was an improved of the BHP/DHP452. New model 2016

Trade models:

Model: *DHP480 - Trade combi drill (brushless)
Motor: Brushless
Speeds: ~400, ~1500

Capacities:
Wood: 38mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 54Nm/36Nm
Weight: 1.6kg

DDF equivalent was available. Recently replaced by DHP484

Model: DHP484 - Trade combi drill (brushless)
Motor: Brushless
Speeds: ~400, ~2000

Capacities:
Wood: 38mm
Masonry: 13mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 54Nm/30Nm
Weight: 1.6kg

Replacement for DHP480. New model 2016

Heavy duty trade models:

Model: DHP458 - Heavy duty combi drill
Motor: Brushed
Speeds: ~400, ~2000

Capacities:
Wood: 65mm
Masonry: 16mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 91Nm/58Nm
Weight: 2.3kg

Heavy duty replacement for the original BHP/DHP481 combi drill. Most powerful brushed model in the range

Model: DHP481 - Heavy duty combi drill (brushless)
Motor: Brushless
Speeds: ~400, ~2000

Capacities:
Wood: 65mm
Masonry: 16mm
Metal: 13mm
Torque: 115Nm/60Nm
Weight: 2.7kg

Brushless equivalent to DHP458 with improved torque. DDF version is available. Most powerful brushless model in the range and a real beast!

[big-all]

thanks for taking the time and effort to compile a comprehensive guide that will hopefully help many