www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Specifications:
18V Cordless Combi Drill
2 x 4.0Ah Li-Power Extreme batteries
Max torque (soft/hard) - 44/100Nm
Adjustable torque from - 1.5-13Nm
Drill bit diameter in, wood - 50mm, steel - 13mm, Concrete - 16mm
Speed at no load (1st/2nd gear) 0-400/0-1400 rpm
Maximum impact rate - 28,000bpm
Weight - 2.1kg
Supplied with:
Charger
2 x 4.0Ah Li-Power Extreme batteries
Carry case

Sadly the time had come to replace my old but very dependable Panasonic cordless, and after much thought I decided to go against my better judgement and try a Metabo cordless. I really rate my BE622 Metabo corded and on spec the SB18LXT promised to be a first rate drill. In reality I should have gone with first purchase thoughts of either buying another panasonic or a makita. I really rate the Makita cordless drills and struggle to knock them in any way.

First impressions of the Metabo SB18LTX.

The plastic case.. The case has to be the best that I have ever had from any power tool, corded and cordless. It is very strong, has metal catches and more than enough room inside to store the drill and any other bits.

The drill.. It felt nice and heavy, which is something that I like, but the balance is completely wrong and front/top heavy. Rest this drill down standing upright, and sooner or later it will just topple over!!! This brings me smartly to my most major gripe, the speed adjustment switch. It would be better suited to a Xmas cracker, it is that crap! It doesn't engage smoothly and is made from very weak looking plastic and guess what, when the drill does fall over, the full weight is impacted onto this poorly designed lever. I'm not going to be happy when it snaps!

The chuck is up to the standard of the other Metabo drills, very strong and more than up to the job.

Battery life. I was expecting great things here after putting up with worn out batteries from the Panasonic. I have to say what a disappointment. Even with worn out batteries the Panasonic EY6432 with its 15.6 volt 3.0ah batteries leaves the Metabo for dead on everything apart from duration.

Puls mode.. Really..What a waste of time! Totally pointless despite what the sales videos will try to have you believe. Correct tool use, quality bits, and quality screws are all that you need with any drill driver. I guess that Metabo needed a sales gimmick, and that is it.

Would I recommend this drill, the answer is a point blank no. Would I take a refund, yes.
Save you money and buy a Makita or Panasonic.

Hmm, I was already persuaded that other brands' cordless tools would be a safer choice than Metabo, but I wonder if you're being too harsh because you're disappointed?

Is the Metabo an impact/percussion drill vs the Panasonic drill driver - the extra weight of the impact mechanism would explain the weight forward and lesser balance vs the drill driver? this is always a dilemma for buyers for buyers wanting the extra versatility of an impact drill? Perhaps this Metabo model is particularly unbalanced though.

Rotary speed is often another trade off? The Panasonic is specified as being 50rpm faster in either gear (at no load) and I wouldn't expect the Metabo to show its' advantage in straight drilling or driving until you start requiring the extra torque.

Can't say anything to make you feel better about the plasticy levers and build quality, but maybe it will hold up better than you expect. Have you tried asking for a refund? maybe you can trade it in for something more satisfying.

I have a couple of smaller Metabos, a 12v and a 14.4v, one of them has the pulse mode. I've not found a great deal of use for it except for when removing old screws it can work better than anything else, (I like them, and the balance is fine on these smaller ones).

Interesting that you say the case is good, the cases are the worst bit of mine, the plastic catches break eventually.

Can you post pictures Eddie? else, i suggest people take this with a pinch of salt. I got my hands on this drill today in the tool shop local to me and it feels balanced enough to me and didn't topple over. It felt well made also.

Could you explain a bit more why the batterys are crap? You said duration is better, isn't that the point, what is the charge time and is there a fan on the charger?

ayjay wrote:
Interesting that you say the case is good, the cases are the worst bit of mine, the plastic catches break eventually.

if this is an updated version they may have changes the plasticy catches

GavHandy wrote:Can you post pictures Eddie? else, i suggest people take this with a pinch of salt. I got my hands on this drill today in the tool shop local to me and it feels balanced enough to me and didn't topple over. It felt well made also.

Could you explain a bit more why the batterys are crap? You said duration is better, isn't that the point, what is the charge time and is there a fan on the charger?

Take photos of what, it's a drill FFS!!

As for why the batteries are crap, the point is that a new drill with higher voltage, higher ah should p*ss all over a couple of worn out 10year old plus drills. It fails miserably at this respect and of course the duration time will be better, Its new!



ayjay, there aren't any plastic catches on the case, just good solid metal ones. After using the drill today, I have decided to either use it a door stop or stick it on Ebay, so I guess that it could be siting in the case for some time to come.

ICM76, you are right I am very disappointed. The biggest disappointment for me is that there are only shops near to me selling either Makita or Dewank, so I have to rely on written specs, and sales crap. In this case, both let me down badly.
Add this drill been a Ryobi, then I wouldn't be moaning, and would in fact be quite happy, but I had expected much better from Metabo.

How new is it Eddie? Most drills take half a dozen charges or so until they work properly and hold a decent charge.

Doesn't sound good though

Thanks Razor, the drill was delivered to me last week from DM tool and I have only just started to use it.

I apologize to forum members above for my terse comments, I'm just feeling fecked off about spending £239.00 with DM Tools on something that just isn't fit for my use. It's a real shame the all the local tool shops in my area have long since vanished, as perhaps I wouldn't now be feeling like this.

Metabo UK ignoring my email hasn't helped either!

Sooner read, what you really think than a whitewashed version, that's no benefit to man nor beast Eddie.

EddieJ wrote:I apologize to forum members above for my terse comments, I'm just feeling fecked off about spending £239.00 with DM Tools on something that just isn't fit for my use.

I agree with scruff, no need to apologise, far better this than you try to pretend it's great and justify your purchase.

EddieJ wrote:It's a real shame the all the local tool shops in my area have long since vanished, as perhaps I wouldn't now be feeling like this

I know how you feel, my closest Bosch specialist is a good 30 min drive away when there is no traffic. I don't know any good tool shops in my area that sell Makita or Dewalt.

Although a I am a little surprised you can't find Metabo in a store. My nearest Metabo dealer says that Metabo is one of the few brands he can sell and stay competitive vs online prices. Not sure he's completely right any longer, especially on Metabos's Chinese made products - FFX and others are actually much cheaper now, but even so I think there is more control on Metabo prices than other brands (except Festool, which is so typical of 'premium' brands strict price fixing)

btw Metabos website is lousy, and the dealer search is broken by design - it only searches an unbelievably narrow area. The only way I can find dealers is if I put the first two letters of my postcode only.

EddieJ wrote:Metabo UK ignoring my email hasn't helped either!

Indeed they are crap at communication and I started a thread on this very subject. Apparently the German HQ will never answer emails from people outside Germany, and are very eccentric. I'm paraphrasing for politeness, but my dealer said that Metabo are extremely stubborn will only do things exactly according to their process. Customers must conform!

The UK office is small and getting them to answer is like drawing blood from a stone. They are clearly set up for dealers to handle support and queries. Given the reputation for excellence in certain types of tools I seriously considered buying Metabo, but after seeing the 'support' I just decided I couldn't be bothered with them. Too musch hassle.

The clutch doesn't work now. This drill is just a pile of shite!

Razor wrote:How new is it Eddie? Most drills take half a dozen charges or so until they work properly and hold a decent charge.

Not entirely sure that applies to Li-Ion, though certainly does with NI-cad...




Good review Eddie

I have the Metabo LTX hammer drill, jigsaw and grinder 2 of the 3ah power extreme batteries and 1 of the 4ah power extreme batteries and they are fantastic tools.I work on rough tough building sites drilling and cutting all sorts and us plumbers are not gentle beasts so they get hammered and I am a very happy chap. :)

Icm76 wrote:

EddieJ wrote:Metabo UK ignoring my email hasn't helped either!

Indeed they are crap at communication and I started a thread on this very subject. Apparently the German HQ will never answer emails from people outside Germany, and are very eccentric. I'm paraphrasing for politeness, but my dealer said that Metabo are extremely stubborn will only do things exactly according to their process. Customers must conform!

The UK office is small and getting them to answer is like drawing blood from a stone. They are clearly set up for dealers to handle support and queries. Given the reputation for excellence in certain types of tools I seriously considered buying Metabo, but after seeing the 'support' I just decided I couldn't be bothered with them. Too musch hassle.

I'll second those comments. With Metabo I've always found it better to harangue the dealer rather than try their office for that very reason

DM Tools have had the drill for over a week now, so I sent them an email last night to ask what the hell is going on. I received a voice mail message today to say that Metabo have repaired the drill and it will be returned shortly. They can f**k right off if they think that I'm accepting that. I want a full refund.