Metabo cordless

[sae]

Anyone have Metabo cordless?

Seems like they've been making a big push into the US market in the last year, they have stuff listed in Home Depot and Lowe's now (though online only), but also at Amazon, CPO, ToolBarn, and some other ones.

Their new brushless 18v drill looks pretty good on paper and stacks up nicely to the T18. Looks like it gives up 5 oz to the T18, but also goes toe-to-toe with the latest brushless drills that are nearly doubling the power of the T18.

Retail on it is about $100 less than the T18, any feedback on this (I'm assuming they've had it overseas for much longer than us)?

 

[JUDOKA]

Hi there i have the brushed version of 18 v ,900+ in. lb. of torque , plus a hammer drill option on it. My drill is non impulse , I saw that the new one has the impulse.
The build quality is good ,very heavy tool ,battery life amazing ,the grip is big so if you have small hands go for the T 18 . This Metabo drill is made for heavy duty use .I also own a T18 and Metabo is my backup .

 

[sae]

Thanks for the input.

This was the product page I was looking at.

http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M595feaa0e83.0.html

Looks like it saves a little weight without the hammer drill (supposedly 4.2 lbs/1.9kg).

Any word about how their warranty support is? We're all spoiled by how well Festool handles their stuff, but I'll settle for "I could get my stuff repaired", since this seems to check all my other boxes.

edit: "impuls" looks neat, not sure if it's a must have for me or not. They don't really explain the feature well in their documentation.

 

[JUDOKA]

This is my baby !!

 

[sae]

Heh, gotta step into the green + red T-locs! [tongue]

Sidenote, I love that Festool/TTS are able to dip into everyone's sales w/ Systainers. [wink]

 

[NHSP759]

Thanks for the input.

This was the product page I was looking at.

http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M595feaa0e83.0.html

Looks like it saves a little weight without the hammer drill (supposedly 4.2 lbs/1.9kg).

Any word about how their warranty support is? We're all spoiled by how well Festool handles their stuff, but I'll settle for "I could get my stuff repaired", since this seems to check all my other boxes.

edit: "impuls" looks neat, not sure if it's a must have for me or not. They don't really explain the feature well in their documentation.

Don't laugh too hard but I have the Black and Decker Autosense. The drill is awesome for use with my Kreg jig and even hanging sheet rock. Anyways....the Autosense feature is very similar (obviously not Metabo) to what the feature is preventing cam out and overdriving in general,

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Thanks for the input.

This was the product page I was looking at.

http://www.metabo.us/Product-catalog-handheld-powertools.23980+M595feaa0e83.0.html

Looks like it saves a little weight without the hammer drill (supposedly 4.2 lbs/1.9kg).

Any word about how their warranty support is? We're all spoiled by how well Festool handles their stuff, but I'll settle for "I could get my stuff repaired", since this seems to check all my other boxes.

edit: "impuls" looks neat, not sure if it's a must have for me or not. They don't really explain the feature well in their documentation.

The Metabo "Impuls"  function was described in a woodworking magazine as being similar to the effect you get when feathering the switch on a drill driver, to start screws, prevent cam-out, or start drilling holes. It's supposedly an electrical version of an impact driver action, although I don't think it results in as much driving torque as you would get from an actual impact driver. Metabo has had the feature on some of their drill drivers for over a decade.  They also have the feature in some of their high end corded drills, but I don't think any of the models are sold in the USA.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

The "Impuls" function is actually not bad at all. I wish Festool would license it - it is not a gimmick.

It auto feathers the drill so when you start a hole in a tile or drilling metal it "pumps" the drill/bit and it works really well for removing damaged/cam out screws too. You can pump it, then release the trigger and start again and it drills/drives normally. Excellent feature.
When drilling larger hole saws it was super for starting the holes "safely" and accurately.

It is the one feature I miss after selling my Metabo drills.

I had the quick in system, similar to Centrotec but I think the Metabo version is better: better all metal chuck, better bit holder and same quality angle chuck.

The Metabo Impuls I had was a bit clunky and was not the quick in version. The gear shift was the problem; mounted to the side of the machine and it was easily knocked out of place, causing gear grinding. Also the overload protection was not that good.

The newer machines are lighter and powerful but I find the gear switch sometimes is too easily knocked out of place on the new ones too - causing gear grinding yet again... ...grrr...

Only complaint with the newer drills is that I think they are a little slow in RPM. I was going all in on Metabo drills for a while but I reluctantly ended back in Festool camp - mainly because I have far too many add ons for them.

I do recommend Metabo drills with the above caveats.

 

[Bohdan]

A mate of mine got a Metabo decided that it was no good - kept pulsing all the time. Had to explain to him what the little switch on the back did.

Have had Metabo drills for many years, they were very well made but had two annoying faults. The gear change would slide into neutral if you accidently brushed against it and the safety clutch would release at the worst time.

When drilling steel with a large drill, about 1/2", as you were starting to break through it would lose drive. As the clutch got hot it would let go even quicker. Sometimes the drill was stuck in the job because you could not reverse out.

On the other hand when the drill jammed it didn't break your wrist.

 

[sae]

I do recommend Metabo drills with the above caveats.

Thanks for all the detailed feedback, I pulled the trigger after reading all your reviews, and it just arrived today. I picked up the BS18 LTX BL Quick, which is their new brushless, non-hammer drill. The newness of this is still settling in, but overall I'm finding it hard to fault it anywhere. The 1/4" bit holder under the chuck looks similar to the Festool Fastfix, I wonder if I can grab the Centrotec chuck. Gear switch seems solid, I'm not sure that's because it's redesigned or I haven't broken it in yet.

I like the balance, and that it's super short w/o the chucks (5-3/4" or 145mm front to back). I weighed mine at 3.88 lbs/1.76 kg, which is more than a full pound lighter than my Milwaukee M18 Fuel drill (that isn't even as powerful). Despite that, it feels heavy duty, with the machined aluminum gear casing and the all metal chuck, as was mentioned. The soft start trigger is a nice touch as well.

Overall, once you add in the systainer that I purchased to store this (the case is cheesy like the DeWalt/Makita cases), the price rings around the same as the T18, but with double the power and heavier duty feel, it should be much more versatile as my primary drill. I love all my Festools, my CT/tracksaw/sanders are all first class, but I hope Festool takes a peek across town to Metabo (I just learned that HQs are 10 minutes apart) to steal a few ideas when redesigning the T-series drills, I think it's a really well rounded product.

Product aside though, US distribution here is through industrial supply houses only, sales and marketing is zero which requires a lot of hands-on research (and good user feedback, thanks guys) to know what you're getting, and warranty...we'll see what happens. I'm just a hobbyist though, and don't abuse my tools, so hopefully it will last. For a daily-use drill that may need service, I would lean on Festool, no question there.

I have their cordless circular saw on the way as well, there's a few on eBay for $95, which I couldn't pass up. If it's half as nice as the drill, I see myself parting ways with my Milwaukee Fuel stuff entirely.

 

[dutchie]

Have you seen this X3 for your BS 18 LTX Quick attachment? Looks like it adds another gear and makes it incredibly powerful >

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I think the Fein ASCM looks pretty cool.  It has the 4 speed gear box just like the PDC.  It doesn't come in a hammer drill to my knowledge though. It also has a chuck system similar to Festool.  I watched so videos and it looks really cool. [mad]

 

[neeleman]

Fein ASB is the Hammer Drill version.
Comes in 14 or 18 V versions with 2 or 4 Ah batteries.

 

[Holzhacker]

My Metabo cordless is older so I can't say how good the new one is. However, my old one is a work horse. It plows through holes regardless and battery life has been good; its hit the floor more times than I can count and its never come apart. It is somewhat like a dewalt though in that its a bit big and heavy.
I've also used their grinders which are great. Had one of their small cordless saws but somebody liked it better than me.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I do recommend Metabo drills with the above caveats.

Thanks for all the detailed feedback, I pulled the trigger after reading all your reviews, and it just arrived today. I picked up the BS18 LTX BL Quick, which is their new brushless, non-hammer drill. The newness of this is still settling in, but overall I'm finding it hard to fault it anywhere. The 1/4" bit holder under the chuck looks similar to the Festool Fastfix, I wonder if I can grab the Centrotec chuck. Gear switch seems solid, I'm not sure that's because it's redesigned or I haven't broken it in yet.

Product aside though, US distribution here is through industrial supply houses only, sales and marketing is zero which requires a lot of hands-on research (and good user feedback, thanks guys) to know what you're getting, and warranty...we'll see what happens. I'm just a hobbyist though, and don't abuse my tools, so hopefully it will last. For a daily-use drill that may need service, I would lean on Festool, no question there.

I think you made a great buy. Accessories won't fit the Festoolchuck; I tried, and of course they made sure they don't intermix...

It is a powerful machine you got now, and light weight. The only thing I forgot to mention is that the lettering wears off REALLY fast on the drill speed settings. Wish they had engraved it. Still, I very seldom use this type of drill/driver on anything other than in drill mode and feather it "by touch" and work the two speed/torque settings instead. For finer work I use the CXS. 

I appreciated the Metabo drills and I think they are a safe bet in the Quick Change range of drills.
I handled the Fein drills but they are way to clumsy and heavy for me. I run a Festool C15 and use it a lot but there are some limitations I often curse.

I can see myself replacing it with the new Bosch Fast Change system which addresses the two main shortcomings; the ability to use _regular_ drill bits instead of Centrotec and a permanent (locking) bitholder that accommodates the drill chuck on top.  Plus it has a SDS hammerdrill chuck for lighter work - Awesome.

 

[fshanno]

Product aside though, US distribution here is through industrial supply houses only, sales and marketing is zero which requires a lot of hands-on research (and good user feedback, thanks guys) to know what you're getting, and warranty...we'll see what happens.

Looks like a real nice drill.

I noticed that Sears and Walmart are now carrying Metabo on their web sites.  Giving Festool a real run for it's money in the niche high end market.

And now there's the new Bosch.  Tough choices.

That impulse feature looks very interesting.  I wish you'd test it on some stripped screws.  Test it both ways.  Getting the screw out and trying to go ahead and sink it.

 

[sae]

Have you seen this X3 for your BS 18 LTX Quick attachment? Looks like it adds another gear and makes it incredibly powerful

I did see that, I'm not sure I have too much use for it, I think I'd reach for an impact driver if I needed to drive something that big though. The attachment costs almost as much as the bare tool drill!

The drill has been good to me, except one minor complaint, which is of the 12 electronic torque settings on the drill, 1 is not enough, 2 is too much, when doing pocket screws into 3/4" ply. So maybe a CXS is in my future...  [embarassed]

I noticed that Sears and Walmart are now carrying Metabo on their web sites.  Giving Festool a real run for it's money in the niche high end market.
...
That impulse feature looks very interesting.  I wish you'd test it on some stripped screws.  Test it both ways.  Getting the screw out and trying to go ahead and sink it.

I think Sears and Walmart are offering as "marketplace sellers", the final shipper is actually TylerTool/CPO Outlets. Notice that Sears sells Festool too...which really isn't their target market.

I don't think I could show anything on the impulse that the other video hasn't shown.

 

[sae]

And my tool addiction continues...I picked up this over the weekend.

Boy this thing is bright (supposedly 1800 lumens on high, 1100 lumens on low). It's built more in the vein of a worklight, similar to the Snap-On light that I own. It's definitely bulkier than the Syslite but more rugged, like most of Metabo's designs. The tripod mount on the bottom for mounting is 5/8" versus the 1/4" for the Syslite, if that gives you an idea of the targeted market.

CRI seems very high too, compared to any other LED light I've seen (supposedly Porsche uses these for their final paint inspection). PWM on low seems nonexistent, if anyone is hyper-sensitive to flickering like me.

 

[wow]

And my tool addiction continues...I picked up this over the weekend.

Boy this thing is bright (supposedly 1800 lumens on high, 1100 lumens on low). It's built more in the vein of a worklight, similar to the Snap-On light that I own. It's definitely bulkier than the Syslite but more rugged, like most of Metabo's designs. The tripod mount on the bottom for mounting is 5/8" versus the 1/4" for the Syslite, if that gives you an idea of the targeted market.

CRI seems very high too, compared to any other LED light I've seen (supposedly Porsche uses these for their final paint inspection). PWM on low seems nonexistent, if anyone is hyper-sensitive to flickering like me.

Dare we ask how much?

 

[sae]

I snatched it off eBay for $220 shipped with a 5.2Ah battery, charger, and tool bag. The kit is normally $339.

Standard price is $149 for the light itself, you can pick it up at CPO/Tylertool, Toolbarn, and actually Lowe's of all places. Home Depot has it priced at $309 for some reason.