On 13/12/2020 15:14, wrote:

I'd decided to treat myself to a Mak 18V brushless drill (no hammer) and
ID,

Combi and ID would be the more typical paring, any particular reason for
wanting a DD only?

but the range of model numbers is impenetrable and I haven't found a
simple comparison page.

To paraphrase Douglas Adams, Makita think their range of 18V platform
tools is superior to other brands because the vast range of tools
available. Other brands think their range is superior for the same reason.

Does such a thing exist, or has anyone got a
decode table for the model numbers?

There are prefixes: First letter indicates battery platform. For LiIon
tools that will be:

B Previous range of LiIon batts
D Current range

Anything you buy now will start with a D

Then the next two letters give a bit of information about the class of
tool. So:

TD Impact driver
HP Combi drill
DF Drill driver
HR Rotary hammer (typically SDS)
HS Circular saw
UC Chainsaw
UH Hedge trimmer

(and so on - there are loads of them)


Then you get the model number. As a general rule, like bigger number,
the higher up the range it is - but that is not always the case.
Sometimes you can go by price for a similar indication, but even then
there are some exceptions bases the tools are grouped into ranges.

So for example the following two tools:

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/makita-...th-makpac-case

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/makita-...y-only-ddf481z

The lower numbered one is the higher end tool since its from a different
range. The 483 is a basic DD, and the 481 is one of the range of high
torque DDs. The 483 is smaller lighter, but has no option for a side
handle. The 481 has the torque require to rip your arm off, and comes
with the appropriate side handle!

Then there is a suffix - that normally just tells you about the way its
supplied, what batteries it comes with etc. The most useful on is
probably "Z" which always means "Body Only" - i.e. bare tool with no
case, batts or charger. (very handy once you have enough batts and
chargers). (although ZJ means the same but with a case)



--
Cheers,

John.

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