|
        
|
|
Market Report: Power Tools & Accessories Metabo shapes up Phil Mist finds that, despite their unusual appearance, Metabo’s latest hammer drills are impressive performers. They say looks aren’t everything, which is just as well since Metabo’s new battery powered SDS-Plus hammer drill and its mains electric counterpart have a strange shape. The rear handle and the motor housing are positioned on a slant, making it appear front heavy - which it is. Even with a battery fitted, the machine topples forward when stood upright on a level surface. However, when in use, this is not much of a problem, since the tool has a maximum drilling capacity of 18mm - although in hard concrete this is a little optimistic and the safety clutch works overtime. But one particular advantage is a reduction in length of 125mm, allowing the operator to get closer to the working area. The BHA18 is powered by a new 18V 2.2Ah Lithium-Ion battery. Metabo claims that, since 18V is established as the most popular battery size, it makes sense to adopt this format for its Lithium-Ion range, which also includes three drill drivers, an impact driver, a circular saw, reciprocating saw and a lamp. Somewhat unusually, the hammer drill can also be used with a NiCad or a NiMH battery. All Lithium-Ion batteries are said to be typically 40% lighter in weight, but Metabo’s is also claimed to offer a 40% performance increase and 100% longer life. As with others, when the charge runs down, the tool stops dead without any warning. This takes a little getting used to. The standard machine comes with two batteries and Metabo’s ACS15 Plus charger, which can recharge the battery in 30 minutes. An indicator on the battery shows the remaining level of power and it emits a single flash when the battery is low. Four flashes indicate overloading or overheating. Lithium-Ion batteries do not suffer from the so-called ‘memory effect’, nor do they self-discharge. Instead of installing the necessary circuitry to guard against heat, overcharging, excessive discharge and other dangers inside the charger unit, Metabo’s protection devices are inside the battery itself. Assuming that a sensible user has at least two batteries on site, even if one fails the job can still be completed, whereas if a charger fails, work stops. The BHA18 comes with a low-vibration side handle and a lanyard for fastening to the operator’s belt. It runs at 0-1100rpm and has electronic speed control. Impact rate varies from 0-4900bpm. The machine has a hammer stop option for rotary-only drilling, a choice of forward and reverse rotation and a safety clutch. Despite a single energy blow rate of 1.6J, which seems low compared with more powerful SDS-Plus cordless hammer drills, it gives a remarkable penetration rate into 45Nm concrete, using standard SDS-Plus drill bits. When drilling with a 6.5mm drill bit 50mm deep into hard concrete, the time taken was only eight seconds per hole. This compares favourably with some 36V machines, while Metabo’s equivalent BHE20 Compact electric hammer drill took 10 seconds to drill the same size of hole. When increasing the size of drill bit up to 10mm (70mm deep), each hole took an average of 11 seconds compared to 12 seconds for the electric tool. It was only when the drill bit diameter was increased to 16mm that the electric tool proved superior. Claimed vibration emissions are low at 9m/s2, measured in accordance with EN60745. Noise emissions are stated as 88dB(A) sound pressure and 99dB(A) sound power - about right for this type of tool. The BHA18 weighs 2.9kg with its battery, compared with the 2.2kg BHE20 Compact. In isolation, the battery weighs 700g instead of 1kg or more for an NiMH or NiCad battery. Metabo offers a three-year warranty (tools must be registered on-line) on the BHA18, including the battery, charger and chuck. And after a while, the shape does grow on you. • T
023
8073
2000 Executive Hire News › Archives › July 2006 › Market Report › Metabo shapes up
|
