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Post by henrun on Mar 4, 2018 9:01:39 GMT -5
When handing over my sick puppy (KSS 40) to the Mafell dealership they talked about Metabo and asked me a bunch of questions as they are thinking of taking some of the tool range in.
They mentioned that the Metabo rep had been there and told them the 10.8V range are switching to slide batteries to enable slimmer handles and a refresh of the line up. It was said in the general conversation so they did not have any more concrete info as to when and if there are any new products in the line up.
I don't know, if they launch a few decent products to go with the new platform it could be good. It's not like they had a large variety of 10,8V tools but if they did and I had some I guess I would be a little p*ssed off too. I like Makita slide in 10.8V platform though I haven't got any of them. They feel good in hand though.
The current 18V platform is alive and kicking and the Mafell dealer is an ex Hitachi guy so he was hoping the HiKoki/Metabo merger would start bearing fruit soon. Apparently there has been some tech transfer both ways already.
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Post by aas on Mar 4, 2018 13:17:21 GMT -5
I've got a fair bit of the Metabo 10,8v range, plus an A10M. The batteries are the weak point. They're too small for the tools to stand up safely, which is a very handy feature for a drill, but pretty essential for a torch! They also don't catch on too well, so with the mini-sabre saw (that I like a lot) often the battery releases just enough to cut the power due to vibration.
I also have started on the Makita 10,8v slide platform - my homebrew Festool CXS with Makita batts!.. mini impact, mini SDS, and more to come. They're nice batts - I've only got the 2,0ah with power gauge- small and light. The CXT range has upped the quality over the old 10,8v batts, the tools were average, the drills had so much play - very poorly made.
Certainly be interesting to see what Metabo can bring out if it's true!
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Post by huntsgemein on Mar 5, 2018 6:23:59 GMT -5
Interesting... Can't say I'm overly impressed with the prospect of a new interface myself, but it's probably warranted given that in the changeover to the new-gen. Sanyo 20700 cells the batteries themselves will necessarily become fatter & longer & therefore unable to fit the current female receptor.
The existing batteries aren't bad, however. The old original 1.5AHs (of which I've had a couple) were pretty ordinary, both in charge life (how much work accomplished/charge) & as explained above, there's no easy, safe or reliable means of standing the tool upright. The bigger batteries (I have one 4.0 & 2 x 5.2AHs) are much better in both regards, although one heavily worked 5.2 doesn't seem to retain the charge it once did. All feel much better balanced and stand comfortably on the lower C.O.G. of the bigger battery cases
Rather than changing merely the interface, however, Metabo/Mafell/Hitoki would be better advised to bit the bullet & introduce a brushless motor to power an expanded "new" range of tools (currently a mere 6 tools): 2 drills, driver, micro recipro & a couple of lamps. There's scope for more variants, such as a micro SDS & maybe a floorboard saw that could ideally be powered by a more efficient EC motor. Other types of cordless rotary laser, micro jigsaws, a planer & maybe a sander or 2 are perhaps of more dubious merit. Nevertheless, the benefits in terms of both marketability & utility of an expanded range are tangibly realistic in the hands of competitors the like of Rob't Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee et. al.
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Post by henrun on Mar 5, 2018 13:18:59 GMT -5
Yes, Metabo has an extensive range of products that still fall short of the mark for interior carpenters, and for general handymen too.
Apparently a Metabo brushless sabre saw is in the works, the new 18V impact driver seems pretty good though I had hoped that they would get to rebadge the Hitachi triple hammer unit. But those aren't filling any voids for me.
Air nailer: Hitachi/HiKoki could provide them with one, and HiKoki just released an 18V pin nailer that looks very ergonomic.
If they could truly integrate both brands they would fill up some of the voids and gaps for sure!
Hitachi has a few really great tools and for my hands usually the best grip on the market, still they have too few of my bread and butter machines to attract me.
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Post by yetihunter on Mar 5, 2018 22:09:58 GMT -5
They do know that they make compact 18v batteries? Amiright?
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