Makita DHP484 LXT Brushless Combi Drill

The Makita DHP484 is a cordless combi drill from Makita's 18V LXT (Lithium-ion eXtreme Technology) platform, representing an advanced iteration of cordless hammer drill design incorporating brushless motor technology and enhanced dust resistance. The model designation "DHP484" identifies it within Makita's drill product line, where "DHP" denotes "Driver Hammer Percussion" functionality combining standard drilling, driving, and hammer drilling capabilities in a single tool.

The drill is characterized by its brushless motor precision-engineered to be up to 50% more efficient than comparable brushed motor models, delivering increased runtime, extended tool life, and reduced maintenance requirements. The compact design measures only 182mm in overall length, representing a significant reduction from its predecessor model DHP480 which measured 199mm, improving access to confined spaces while maintaining full professional-grade performance.

The DHP484 delivers maximum fastening torque of 54 Newton metres in hard joint applications and 30 Nm in soft joint applications, positioning it competitively within the 18V drill market. The drill features 2-speed mechanical gearing providing 0-500 RPM in low gear and 0-2,000 RPM in high gear, with hammer mode capable of delivering up to 30,000 impacts per minute in high gear and 7,500 IPM in low gear for effective masonry drilling.

Technical Specifications

Motor Technology

The DHP484 employs Makita's brushless motor technology, which eliminates carbon brushes to reduce friction and heat generation while increasing power conversion efficiency. The brushless design produces greater torque per unit weight compared to brushed motors, allowing the tool to maintain compact dimensions while delivering professional-grade power output. Without brushes to wear and replace, the motor requires essentially no maintenance throughout its operational life, reducing downtime and ownership costs.

Torque and Speed Performance

The drill delivers maximum fastening torque of 54 Nm in hard joint applications where materials do not compress, and 30 Nm in soft joint applications involving compressible materials like wood with low-density backings. The 2-speed transmission provides 0-500 RPM in low gear for high-torque applications and 0-2,000 RPM in high gear for faster drilling in smaller diameters. The drill incorporates 21 torque settings plus drill mode, providing precise control over fastener seating depth.

Hammer Drill Specifications

In hammer drill mode, the DHP484 delivers 0-30,000 impacts per minute in high-speed gear and 0-7,500 IPM in low-speed gear, providing the percussive action necessary for drilling in masonry materials. The drill's capacity in masonry reaches 13mm, suitable for anchor installations and light construction applications in concrete and brick. The increased impact rate compared to predecessor models contributes to the tool's enhanced performance in masonry applications.

Drilling and Driving Capacity

The DHP484 accommodates drill bits with chuck capacity ranging from 1.5mm to 13mm, accepting the full range of standard drill bit shank sizes used in construction and woodworking. Maximum drilling capacity reaches 13mm in steel and 38mm in wood, accommodating most common drilling requirements for these materials. The keyless chuck enables rapid bit changes without requiring separate chuck keys, improving workflow efficiency.

Physical Specifications and Ergonomics

The drill measures 182mm in overall length, making it significantly more compact than many competing 18V drills and facilitating work in confined spaces. Weight with battery ranges from 1.6kg with 1.5Ah or 2Ah batteries to 1.8kg with 3Ah, 4Ah, or 5Ah batteries, providing good balance between substantial construction and manageable weight. The compact dimensions and reasonable weight make the tool suitable for overhead work and extended operation periods with reduced operator fatigue.

Key Features

Extreme Protection Technology (XPT)

The DHP484 incorporates Makita's eXtreme Protection Technology (XPT), providing enhanced resistance to dust and water ingress when operating in harsh conditions. The XPT design includes protective seals and coatings on critical internal components, allowing the drill to withstand exposure to construction site conditions, outdoor environments, and workshop dust without premature failure. This protection extends tool life and reliability when working in challenging environments common to construction and renovation applications.

All-Metal Gear Construction

The drill features all-metal gear construction with aluminum gear housing for enhanced durability and heat dissipation. Metal gears resist wear more effectively than plastic gear trains, maintaining accurate speed and torque delivery over extended periods of heavy use. The aluminum housing provides structural protection for the gear train while facilitating heat dissipation during demanding applications, helping to prevent thermal-related performance degradation or component failure.

Twin LED Work Lights

The DHP484 incorporates twin LED job lights with pre-glow and afterglow functions, providing superior illumination of the work area compared to single LED systems. The pre-glow function activates illumination before the trigger is pulled, allowing users to position the drill accurately in dark spaces. The afterglow maintains illumination briefly after trigger release, preventing work areas from plunging into darkness the moment drilling or driving ceases. This lighting system significantly improves productivity and safety when working in poorly lit conditions.

Electric Brake System

The drill includes an electric brake that rapidly stops chuck rotation when the trigger is released, improving control and preventing overrun when precise bit positioning is critical. The electric brake enhances safety by minimizing the period during which the rotating chuck presents a potential entanglement hazard. In driving applications, the brake helps prevent cam-out and driver bit damage by stopping rotation immediately after fastener seating, before the operator's reaction time would naturally release trigger pressure.

Variable Speed Control

The drill features variable speed control by trigger, allowing precise adjustment of rotational speed through progressive trigger pressure. This control enables users to start fasteners at low speed for accurate positioning before increasing to full speed, and to match drilling speed to material hardness and bit size. The progressive trigger response provides the fine control necessary for delicate applications alongside the power for demanding operations.

Applications

Professional Construction and Trade Use

The DHP484 is designed as a versatile tool for fitters, builders, and maintenance staff, reflecting its specification for professional daily use in demanding environments. The brushless motor's efficiency and durability, combined with the XPT dust and water resistance, make the drill suitable for sustained operation in construction sites where exposure to environmental contaminants is unavoidable. The 18V LXT platform compatibility means trades using multiple Makita cordless tools benefit from interchangeable battery systems.

Woodworking and Carpentry

Woodworkers and carpenters utilize the DHP484's 38mm capacity in wood for drilling holes for dowels, creating clearance holes for fasteners, and driving large-diameter wood screws. The 21 torque settings enable precise control over fastener seating depth, crucial when driving screws into finished surfaces where overdriving would cause damage. The compact 182mm length facilitates drilling in confined spaces such as cabinet interiors and between joists, common requirements in woodworking and carpentry applications.

Metalworking and Fabrication

The drill's 13mm capacity in steel accommodates most hole-drilling requirements in metal fabrication, structural steel work, and mechanical installation applications. The low-speed high-torque gear setting provides the controlled power delivery necessary for drilling larger diameter holes in steel without excessive heat generation or premature drill bit failure. The electric brake prevents drill bit damage from chuck overrun after breakthrough, particularly important when drilling through thin sheet materials where breakthrough is abrupt.

Masonry and Concrete Work

While not intended as a replacement for dedicated rotary hammers, the DHP484's 30,000 impacts per minute capability and 13mm masonry capacity handle light masonry drilling applications effectively. The drill can create holes for wall anchors, install fixings in brick walls, and drill shallow holes in concrete for various fixing applications. The increased impact rate compared to earlier models improves efficiency in these applications, though users working primarily in masonry would benefit from supplementing the DHP484 with a dedicated SDS rotary hammer for larger diameter holes or extensive masonry drilling requirements.

Maintenance and Installation

Maintenance technicians and installers benefit from the DHP484's versatility across different materials and applications. The ability to drill wood, metal, and masonry with a single tool reduces the number of tools that must be transported to job sites. The compact dimensions facilitate work in plant rooms, above suspended ceilings, and other confined maintenance spaces. The twin LED work lights improve visibility in poorly lit industrial and commercial maintenance environments, while the XPT protection withstands the dust and moisture common to these locations.