Metabo BS 18 Quick

[Northernlight]

I bought the Metabo instead of the Festool T15+3 (that i use profesionally at work) and so far i couldn´t be happier. The Metabo was 1/4 the price of the Festool (albeit it only came with 2ah batteries and no systainer) and it has some features that really makes the drill stand out.

Metabo BS 18 Quick vs Festool T15+3:
Higher torque (20% give or take)
14% Less weight (albeit with much smaller batteries)
Centrotec compatible
Can be used without chuck because the centrotec style holder is actually magnetic making it a good option compared to the Festool.
When used without chuck it weighs 1200 grams and with chuck only 1300 grams.
Better chuck imho (the festool chuck tends to slip quite frequently, though it may be that it is in need of a replacement chuck)

Can´t say anything bad about the Festool other than it´s a bit to expensive and the 1/2" jacobs chuck is so so at best. The Metabo is so light and compact that i think it can replace the smaller 10.8v drills and drivers on the market. Add to that a albeit brushed motor but with torque to handle all but the toughtest jobs i think Metabo has a real winner here.

The closest thing to the Metabo i found on the market is the Bosch GSR 18-2-LI Professional. That machine weighs in at 1300 grams (same as Metabo) but only comes with 1.5ah batteries and also has 38nm torque vs 50nm for the Metabo.

The Metabo drill actually replaces two machines that i sold off. One Dewalt DCD785 with 2x4ah batteries that has 60nm of torque and weighs 2000 grams (don´t need that kind of power). And the Makita DF330 10.8v machine. The Dewalt was so heavy that i couldn´t bear myself to use it and the Makita had to take up all the slack and that drill got (ab)used to death.

 

[jonathan-m]

Hey Northernlight, went the exact same route as you did. Was looking for a lightweight drill and I really liked the feel of the T15-18 in my hand.
In the end though I went with the Metabo because it's just so small and light.
The torque on this littel guy is nothing to laugh at either. It's every bit as powerful as the T-18, if not more so.
Mine did come in a systainer, 2ah & 4ah battery, and at €219 it was a no-brainer for me.
I completely agree, it's as compact as a CXS and has the power of an 18v battery platform. It's become my go-to drill for like 99% of my work. Only niggle is that I wish the LED would stay on a few seconds after squeezing the trigger.

 

[Kev]

I recently got a kit that had a BS18xxx hammer drill, brushless angle grinder, 2x 6.2 LiHD batteries and a charger. The BS18 that comes with the kit isn't the "Quick" version which kinda sucks!

The BS18 Quick is a great unit, but to anyone considering Metabo gear, be very aware of the fact that the unit in the majority of the kits is NOT the one you want!

If anyone is after a new BS18 hammer drill (non Quick) skin only, talk to me [smile]

 

[sae]

Nice review, I'm thinking about picking one up even though I have a BS 18 LTX BL, and a Bosch PS22 (known as the GSR 10.8v-Li EC HX over there).

And yeah, I agree, they need to clean up their naming conventions, or actually just clean up the number of items they carry. They have 5 or 6 versions of an 18v drill, which is too much for most people to figure out.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Sae:

Metabo BS = Bohrschrauber = Drill/driver
          SB = Schlagbohrer = percussion drill/driver
          LT = Lighter Allrounder version i.e the new "standard" as compared to the older drills.
          LTX = eXtra Torque with some weight penalty and the side grip.  (almost double the Torque compared to the older drills)
          Quick = Fastfix/Festool style chuck removal
          BL = BrushLess
          Impuls = Pulse function

So a mouthful of the above would read:
BS 18 LTX Quick BL Impuls and decoded as = Drill/driver, 18V, lighter allrounder,  extra torque, side grip, quick change chucks, brushless motor and Impuls function.  ;D

Variations are SB for percussion drill and lesser acronyms if it is a scaled down machine. I don't know if they add Compact for the 2Ah batteries just to confuse things further.

EDIT: added Brushless...

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I recently got a kit that had a BS18xxx hammer drill, brushless angle grinder, 2x 6.2 LiHD batteries and a charger. The BS18 that comes with the kit isn't the "Quick" version which kinda sucks!

The BS18 Quick is a great unit, but to anyone considering Metabo gear, be very aware of the fact that the unit in the majority of the kits is NOT the one you want!

If anyone is after a new BS18 hammer drill (non Quick) skin only, talk to me [smile]

Hmm, that would mean that you actually have an _SB_18 Drill - and not an BS 18 drill - yes?

http://www.cpometabo.com/metabo-602103890-18v-5-2-ah-cordless-lithium-ion-1-2-in--compact-hammer-drill--bare-tool-/mtbn602103890,default,pd.html?start=32&cgid=metabo-drills-and-hammer-drills

http://www.cpometabo.com/metabo-drills-and-hammer-drills/metabo-drills-and-hammer-drills,default,sc.html

 

[sae]

Sae:

Metabo BS = Bohrschrauber = Drill/driver
          SB = Schlagbohrer = percussion drill/driver
          LT = Lighter Allrounder version i.e the new "standard" as compared to the older drills.
          LTX = eXtra Torque with some weight penalty and the side grip.  (almost double the Torque compared to the older drills)
          Quick = Fastfix/Festool style chuck removal
          BL = BrushLess
          Impuls = Pulse function

So a mouthful of the above would read:
BS 18 LTX Quick BL Impuls and decoded as = Drill/driver, 18V, lighter allrounder,  extra torque, side grip, quick change chucks, brushless motor and Impuls function.  ;D

Variations are SB for percussion drill and lesser acronyms if it is a scaled down machine. I don't know if they add Compact for the 2Ah batteries just to confuse things further.

EDIT: added Brushless...

Haha, got it.

But they don't need to offer EVERY permutation possible.

 

[Holmz]

I bought the Metabo instead of the Festool T15+3 (that i use profesionally at work) and so far i couldn´t be happier. ...
...
The closest thing to the Metabo i found on the market is...
...

The Mafell A10M.
It is the Metabo rebranded and with some nuance, and their 18 is the larger version.

The bet part is that it is small/cute enough that the Mrs is not afraid to use it for putting together Ikea stuff.

 

[Doug S]

I was at a woodworking show today and had a good play with the Metabo quick drills, quite impressed. I will be buying the 10.8v version, with it taking the centrotec chuck I think it will work really well with my CXS and PDC and its only about £100.

A guy on the Mafell stand (working for Mafell) told me how Metabo had copied their drills! I was amazed/surprised Mafell employ such idiots.

Doug

 

[DB10]

Sae:

Metabo BS = Bohrschrauber = Drill/driver
          SB = Schlagbohrer = percussion drill/driver
          LT = Lighter Allrounder version i.e the new "standard" as compared to the older drills.
          LTX = eXtra Torque with some weight penalty and the side grip.  (almost double the Torque compared to the older drills)
          Quick = Fastfix/Festool style chuck removal
          BL = BrushLess
          Impuls = Pulse function

So a mouthful of the above would read:
BS 18 LTX Quick BL Impuls and decoded as = Drill/driver, 18V, lighter allrounder,  extra torque, side grip, quick change chucks, brushless motor and Impuls function.  ;D

Variations are SB for percussion drill and lesser acronyms if it is a scaled down machine. I don't know if they add Compact for the 2Ah batteries just to confuse things further.

EDIT: added Brushless...

[member=2085]Henrik R / Pingvinlakrits[/member] Thanks for that, even our local Metabo rep can't quite get his head around all their naming conventions and usually leaves me more confused than when I first asked.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

No worries - I did a little bit of reading up on the subject some time ago.
I did actually forget to add one category in the line up as there really are three, other than the SB/BS choice! 

Metabo BS = Bohrschrauber = Drill/driver
            SB = Schlagbohrer = percussion drill/driver
            L/ (Li) = Lighter allrounder (no Impuls model available) and usually sold with Compact battery.
            LT = Allrounder version i.e the new "standard" as compared to the older drills. Impuls available.
            LTX = eXtra Torque with some weight penalty and the side grip.  (almost double the Torque compared to the older drills)
            Quick = Fastfix/Festool style chuck removal
            BL = BrushLess
            Impuls = Pulse function

So a mouthful of the above would read:
BS 18 LTX Quick BL Impuls and decoded as = Drill/driver, 18V, lighter allrounder,  extra torque, side grip, quick change chucks, brushless motor and Impuls function.  ;D

Variations are SB for percussion drill and lesser acronyms if it is a scaled down machine.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Snippet from Metabo:

Three classes for all situations

The L class models BS 14.4 Li and BS 18 Li – which have a 14.4 V and an 18 V lithium-ion battery, respectively – are among the lightest in their class, making them ideal for assembling furniture. They have no problems drilling up to 20 mm holes in wood and up to 10 mm holes in metal or driving screws up to 6 mm in diameter. The L class offers a maximum torque of 20 – 24 Nm (soft) and 40 – 48 Nm (hard).

The LT class is represented by the BS 14.4 LT Impuls and the BS 18 LT Impuls cordless drills / screwdrivers and the SB 14.4 LT Impuls and SB 18 LT Impuls cordless impact drills. These four models are trusty companions for any interior finisher or booth builder. It can drive screws up to 8 mm in diameter, drill holes up to 30 mm in wood or 13 mm in steel. Its repertoire also includes impact drilling up to 12 mm holes in masonry, brick, sand-lime brick or concrete. The impulse mode provides the burst of power needed to prevent slippage and allow risk-free drilling of tile and other tricky materials. The maximum torque is 24 – 27 Nm (soft) and 55 – 62 Nm (hard).

The LTX class models have energy to spare, with high-octane Li-Power Extreme battery packs and 4-pole compact motors. They include the BS 14.4 LTX Impuls and BS 18 LTX Impuls drills / screwdrivers and the SB 14.4 LTX Impuls and SB 18 LTX Impuls impact drills. These rugged tools are great for the toughest jobs – driving screws up to 10 mm in diameter or drilling holes up to 50 mm in wood or 13 mm in steel. Other possible uses mentioned by the German manufacturer: impact drilling holes up to 13 mm or 16 mm in concrete (depends on model), drilling large holes in timber framing or driving large screws in wood. The maximum torque is 38 – 44 Nm (soft) and 88 – 100 Nm (hard).

Metabo offers a broad selection of drill bits and drill bit storage cases to complement its new range of cordless drills / screwdrivers and impact drills. Ten-piece bit sets are available with various bits, including stainless steel, torsion universal or diamond universal bits. 

 

[pingvinlakrits]

From a German forum on Mafell cordless drills:

"zunächst einmal werden beide Geräte-Klassen LT und LTX in Nürtingen gebaut.
Akkus stammen von Sanyo, neuste Generation hochstromfähige LiIo-Akkus, Motore wurden mit Jonson gemeinsam entwickelt, die 4-Pol Motore werden exklusiv für Metabo bei Jonson gebaut.
Aludruckgußteile, Stahlteile bspw. gehärtete Zahnräder des Planetengetriebes, Kunststoffgußteile, alles aus Nürtingen.
LT markiert die neue Allrounder Kategorie, noch vor 3 Jahren konnte man Akkugeräte mit diesen Werten als Top-Gerät verkaufen, im Schnitt erreicht LT die Leistungen des von 2003-2009 angebotenen Metabo BSP, dem kräftigsten was es mit NiCd-Akkus von Metabo gab.

Dabei ist LT deutlich leichter etwa 800-900g.
LT Modelle sind ausgelegt um 8mm Holzschrauben ohne Vorbohren in Nadelholz einzuschrauben, auch über 200mm lang.
Entsprechend sind Bohrungen in Nadelholz auch über 25mm Durchmesser kein Thema.
Metabo empfiehlt den LT als Messebauschrauber und Schreiner-Maschine. Wobei für den vermehrten Einsatz bei Möbelmontage auch der "L" reicht. "

In short:
"LT/LTX built in Nürtingen, Germany. (L it does not say but I assume also Germany.)
Motors developed in cooperation with Metabo by Jonson company and "exclusive" for Metabo. Base materials and both plastic and steel components manufactured in Nürtingen, Germany. Batteries have Sankyo cells.  The snippet is a few years old so brushless motors could be a whole new design/fabrication. LT is the "allround carpenters class" capable of drving long (200mm+) 8mm screws without predrilling. L class drivers are suited for assembly work where they are 'sufficient'. "

I don't remember what it said on my charger but they might be made elsewhere.

 

[#Tee]

now you have another battery charger which i always try to stay away from, unless you didnt invest into the festool battery platform

 

[sae]

now you have another battery charger which i always try to stay away from, unless you didnt invest into the festool battery platform

[member=37561]#Tee[/member] I think he said he only has the T15 at work.

I'm about a dozen tools deep into the Metabo battery platform, and I only have a slight case of "grass is greener on the other side." If I were to pick a single 18v platform again today, this would still be top 2 or 3 (probably 2nd between Makita first and Bosch third).

• Bosch has a cordless planer, which would be fun to have.
• Makita/DeWalt/Milwaukee have a super powerful impact wrench that rivals the latest and greatest pneumatics. That said, I used to own the Ingersoll Rand cordless that was on par with those three, and sold it because I used it so little.
• Bosch's 18v brushless OMT is way nicer, but the Metabo one works fine.
• Milwaukee's recip and circ saw are class leading. I don't recip too much though, and circ saw I have works fine, just underpowered.
• Makita is releasing all sorts of fun stuff w/ dual 18v that I sometimes want, but not really necessary.

That said, they have lots of good points as well.

• Really good brushless drills, this little guy the thread is about looks good too.
• Cordless grinder is easily best on the market, don't think anyone comes close. If you do any other metalwork, there's not really any other player in the market doing cordless band files, tube belt sanders, burnishers, fillet grinders, etc.
• LiHD is gamechanging. Brings 36v+ power into 18v class of tools. 8-1/2" cordless miter was designed w/ these batteries in mind, and looks super capable but portable.
• Crossover into Mafell 18v cordless (really only on one crosscut saw and a few drills now, but more to come?).

Hopefully they have more good stuff in the pipeline, ever since they took on a bunch of venture capital in 2012, they've been making great stuff. LiHD is only a year old, so they should be putting out more new tools to really push the battery platform.

Though with the new acquisition, we'll see if that changes.

 

[DB10]

now you have another battery charger which i always try to stay away from, unless you didnt invest into the festool battery platform

I see things differently, having a few different battery platforms to choose from allows you greater choice to cherry pick the best tools from each platform.

 

[dutchie]

So after reading this thread I couldn't resist and went ahead and ordered a Metabo BS 18 Quick for myself. Slightly disappointed it was made in China and not in Germany like some other (more high-end) Metabo tools.

I'm looking to replace my CXS with it. I generally really like my CXS, but feel at times it's a little underpowered - when you just should reach for your bigger drill, but don't want to make the extra effort - drilling holes. And being a hobbyist I find it fun to change things up from time to time. So time to let go of the CXS and see how the Metabo will work for me.

I find the idea of a compact 18v machine very appealing, as this way you could possibly have all machines on 1 battery platform. The BS 18 Quick weighs in at 1,3 Kg with battery making it a little heavier then the CXS with it's 0,9 Kg, but a lot lighter as my Makita BDF 458 at 2 Kg (or any other high end 18v model). Thanks to the removable chuck (which is Centrotec compatible) the machine is really short.

Haven't had a chance to do anything with it yet, so can't really comment on it's quality etc. Here are some pictures to compare size (other Makita's in the pictures are a BDF 458 and DTD 146).

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Dutchie: i am guessing you cannot fit the angle chuck from the CXS on the Metabo but the centrotec drill chuck works well?

Sometimes the angle chuck really saves the day when I am fitting custom kitchens, I can't imagine a "system" without it for me personally.

That version of the Metabo quick looks really compact for a 18V machine. 

 

[GhostFist]

the festool angle chuck will not fit. Metabo has their own version for this drill

 

[Holmz]

The Festool offset check also will not fit.
I bought a used one, tried to sell it here at a loss, and in the end I gave to to a friend.

The. 90-degree angle unit does a most of the displacement that an offset chuck does.