Brushless motor battery drills - unsatisfactory speed control, or just this model?

[sam400]

I replaced a makita 458 (brushed) with a 491 (brushless) cost twice as much but is horrible bit of kit, would much rather have the 458.
The speed control is really stepped on the brushless. The brushed motor seems to have infinite adjustment.
Must be to do with how the electronics control the speed?

 

[happysteve]

The speed control is really stepped on the brushless. The brushed motor seems to have infinite adjustment.
Must be to do with how the electronics control the speed?

That's what I feared. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[xmetal]

Apologies for resurrecting an older thread but this is my experience with the Makita rotary hammers DHR202 (brushed) and DHR242 (brushless) of which I have both. As previously mentioned the brushed motor speed is infinitely controllable as opposed to the brushless model. The two models are of a similar performance. What I am adding to this thread is the DHR202 (and 458) are still available and a damn sight cheaper to purchase than their brushless equivalents. Just thought this may be useful information for someone if they are after a new drill.

 

[happysteve]

Fair enough
I ended up getting a (brushless) DHP481. It does have a very definite "minimum speed" below which it's just stopped, but on the low ratio gear it's slow enough.

After I changed it, I noticed it was a little bit lighter than the old one, and a tiny bit shorter length-wise. I miss the sparks, though (and I'm still frustrated that my SDS drill doesn't have the fine control I need for chasing less dense materials).

 

[123]

I have the DHR202(brushed), DHR242(brushless), DHP458(brushed) and DHP481(brushless)...I feel like a bit of a Makita fan boy
The DHP458 has been sick for a while and I need to fix it at some point, it's a good high torque drill and it's been thoroughly abused.

The DHR242 is a far better performer than the DHR202, and the DHP481 is far better than the DHP458. I find them all controllable enough, but never really had the need to have the SDS ones going slow for anything

 

[nicebutdim]

What is it with tradesmen buying combi drills? Does anyone ever use the hammer function? Drill driver saves on weight and length, while reducing the number of components that might potentially fail.

I use DDF484 brushless drill driver and DHR263 SDS. Speed control on both is excellent, but I don't know if this is down to a difference in the tools or my having different expectations from OP. For the most part I don't worry much about SDS speed, but appreciate the ability to move slowly through stone with a large bit.

Edit: My SDS has a brushed motor, so can't make a fair comparison on that.

 

[123]

What is it with tradesmen buying combi drills? Does anyone ever use the hammer function? Drill driver saves on weight and length, while reducing the number of components that might potentially fail.

I use DDF484 brushless drill driver and DHR263 SDS. Speed control on both is excellent, but I don't know if this is down to a difference in the tools or my having different expectations from OP. For the most part I don't worry much about SDS speed, but appreciate the ability to move slowly through stone with a large bit.

Edit: My SDS has a brushed motor, so can't make a fair comparison on that.

The DHP481 packs a lot more punch though, and that's what I need it for...would do 32mm holes in joists and 4" holes in ceilings on high speed with ease. It comes with a stupidly big handle for a reason

 

[nicebutdim]

The DHP481 packs a lot more punch though, and that's what I need it for...would do 32mm holes in joists and 4" holes in ceilings on high speed with ease. It comes with a stupidly big handle for a reason

I'd been torn between DHP481 & slightly more powerful DHP486, but arrived at the conclusion that I didn't need 130Nm of torque and a broken wrist.

Granted the extra grunt would be handy at times, but I just have to go a little slower and use the SDS for 8" holesaws For 32mm in timber, I'm more likely to use one of those Irwin auger bits in the impactor.

Going to be back looking at prices of 481 & 486 before tonight is out.

 

[123]

I'd been torn between DHP481 & slightly more powerful DHP486, but arrived at the conclusion that I didn't need 130Nm of torque and a broken wrist.

Granted the extra grunt would be handy at times, but I just have to go a little slower and use the SDS for 8" holesaws For 32mm in timber, I'm more likely to use one of those Irwin auger bits in the impactor.

Going to be back looking at prices of 481 & 486 before tonight is out.

Has the DHP481 been discontinued? Was having a nosy to compare prices of the two and it doesn't seem to readily available anymore and is mostly used units.

 

[nicebutdim]

Has the DHP481 been discontinued? Was having a nosy to compare prices of the two and it doesn't seem to readily available anymore and is mostly used units.

Seems to have been - from memory the 486 is slightly more powerful and slightly shorter, but the differences aren't likely to be noticable to anyone other than tool nerds (and they don't seem to use tools anyway). Makita update combi drills at an incredible rate, which makes choosing a drill very difficult. Easy to find something basic (dirt cheap) or top of the range (expensive), but more difficult to choose between the rest.

I'm chuffed with the 484 and pleased at not having an unnecessary (almost obligatory) combi ring. Nowhere near the power available from your 481, but will happily cut a row of holes for 63mm glands. There are times I wish I had the 481 or 486, but overall am very happy with it.

There never seems to be a 'right' tool in this trade as work is so varied. How easy it must be for plumbers and chippies, who just grab whatever Milwaukee and Dewalt make for them