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Post by alvychippy on Jan 27, 2021 20:04:58 GMT -5
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Post by aas on Jan 28, 2021 6:41:58 GMT -5
That seems expensive for a body only deal - I'm sure I only paid 160€ for the A18M body.
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Post by alvychippy on Jan 28, 2021 8:18:19 GMT -5
That seems expensive for a body only deal - I'm sure I only paid 160€ for the A18M body.  show-off!
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Post by huntsgemein on Jan 28, 2021 18:21:19 GMT -5
I think you'd be better off buying one of the Metabo branded 3-speed models.
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Post by alvychippy on Jan 28, 2021 19:06:14 GMT -5
I think you'd be better off buying one of the Metabo branded 3-speed models. I think (guessing), as my German is almost non existent, Metabo, as per usual only so much German, the rest is Chinesium
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Post by huntsgemein on Jan 29, 2021 3:14:18 GMT -5
Aside from the Mafell, Metabo also makes the drills for Rothenberger & (I suspect) a few others too. The Mafell/Metabo BS/SB 18 LTX BL Q I has been around for a few years now. As far as I can remember, their L drills are of Asian origin, the LT & LTX are German. At least mine are anyway. I seem to recall that the Powermaxx 12V drills are also Asian, as they have been for each preceding generation right back to the original German 4.8V Powermaxx of around the year 2000.
Of my "later" generation Metabos, my brushless SDS drill, Tapping drill, Riveter, Floodlight are German made in addition to the 2 drills. The 2-speed Mafell/Metabo drills have always been pretty good, although I personally strongly prefer the BS (non-hammer) versions myself for the sake of simplicity & lighter weight (200G).
The LT range is lighter still (by some 800G), & is basically a much smaller bodied 18V version of the 12V Powermaxx BL.
The 3-speed BS/SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I pair of drills are a more modern & beautifully engineered tool which I'd consider to be the probable current state of the art in drills from just about any manufacturer. As far as I'm aware, Metabo doesn't make this design for any other licencee. The new 3 speed gearbox adds another 100G, but adds immeasurably to the tool's versatility: it's the only heavy-duty cordless drill that Metabo make that's suitable for sheet metal drilling. There's other low-torque drills with similar & even higher speeds, but these are utterly useless for any other task requiring even a modicum of torque. The 3-speed drills are masters of all, which makes them pretty unique.
I once tried a Makita 3 speed cordless. It was hopeless. Weak, gutless & the gearbox eventually failed. The Metabo is in a class of its own. Literally!
The Red drills that Metabo make for Mafell are also pretty good drills. Had one myself a few years back. But the latest generation 3-speeder is a quantum leap ahead in terms of versatility, light weight & ergonomics. It's also going to be significantly cheaper than the Mafell licensed 2-speed version, too.
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Post by aas on Jan 29, 2021 3:39:49 GMT -5
I agree the Makita 3 speed are rubbish.
I have the Metabo LTX quick - there is already slop between the chuck and body. Pretty fed up with Metabo cordless, always happy to start with, but they seem to be throw away tools.
Recently got one of the Fein 4 speeds, max 2500rpm so not the super fast. Can use if light with a 12v, or powerful with an 18v - for now I'd say it's better than a Metabo; certainly the multitool and grinders are better.
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Post by alvychippy on Jan 29, 2021 4:29:38 GMT -5
huntsgemein can we get clarification here: Metabo LTX equivalent to Mafell A18mbl are made in Germany?
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Post by alvychippy on Jan 29, 2021 5:19:42 GMT -5
Gowd, seems made myself fool of...again. 😐 Aught to take it back! Indeed Metabo (few) are still half decent tools and ARE made in Germany...
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Post by huntsgemein on Jan 29, 2021 8:23:50 GMT -5
huntsgemein can we get clarification here: Metabo LTX equivalent to Mafell A18mbl are made in Germany? Affirmative. All the LTX drills are. So is the LT.
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Post by huntsgemein on Jan 29, 2021 8:42:23 GMT -5
I agree the Makita 3 speed are rubbish. I have the Metabo LTX quick - there is already slop between the chuck and body. Pretty fed up with Metabo cordless, always happy to start with, but they seem to be throw away tools. Recently got one of the Fein 4 speeds, max 2500rpm so not the super fast. Can use if light with a 12v, or powerful with an 18v - for now I'd say it's better than a Metabo; certainly the multitool and grinders are better. That's the Quick chuck mounting system creating looseness. It's common to both Metabo & Mafell drills out of the Nurtingen factory. Cant say it's ever been an issue to me, nor even really noticeable even. The ability to swap out the square (tapping) & hex shank, angle & offset drives, torque multiplier etc. makes it extremely convenient & versatile for my own uses. I seem to recall a bit of looseness with mounting an old Festool Rohm Fixtec chuck onto one of the old Powermaxxes. Metabo also make fixed chuck versions of (almost) all their drills, including the LTX range, too. In fact, Metabo's cordless drills are about as numerous as their flaming' grinders: there must be well over a hundred different models & permutations available! Addendum: 198 actually in 18V alone! Just counted 'em up.
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Post by aas on Jan 29, 2021 15:48:59 GMT -5
Yes I picked up a Black Edition fixed chuck 18v SB LT for 109 euro - it is slightly faster than the LTX quick. The LTX has become the mixing drill, leave the chuck on the paddle and unclip to clean.
The Fein removable chuck system is better than the Metabo, it doesn't rely on a 1/4" hex stub to do the driving, and no slop at all.
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Post by delaney on Feb 19, 2021 8:33:56 GMT -5
I agree the Makita 3 speed are rubbish. I have the Metabo LTX quick - there is already slop between the chuck and body. Pretty fed up with Metabo cordless, always happy to start with, but they seem to be throw away tools. Recently got one of the Fein 4 speeds, max 2500rpm so not the super fast. Can use if light with a 12v, or powerful with an 18v - for now I'd say it's better than a Metabo; certainly the multitool and grinders are better. I have the Fien as I enjoy their multitool for not shaking my teeth out. I have however not been very impressed or happy with the drill. I find the chuck is very hard to put bits in correctly. The slightest tiniest bit off and the drill bit (Fisch Pro's) wobble all over the place. You get better at it but it's still not great. I actually returned a few Fisch bits thinking they were bent but soon realised it was the chuck on the Fein. The amount of movement between the attached heads and the body is quite a lot so when you have a heavier bit on, it seems to wobble at the end, even when inserted correctly in the chuck. I also find the hex adapter to not really grab on to hex shanks that well. Perhaps it could be a bit deeper? They feel it's a bit losey goosy and have the accordingly wobbling tip. I was expecting better and I have to send it in under warranty repair because introduced to the slightest bit of plaster dust, the forward and reverse switch has become incredibly stiff and makes a very nasty, plastic on plastic scraping noise, when being toggled. If I had to buy another drill would I buy the same one? Hmm well it fits my hand like a glove, it's nice and light and it stands to attention when you're talking to it. Very big positives. The chuck and over-all fragility of the model though, is disappointing. Oh and the right angle attachment head is £80 and £30 on the mafell and almost all other brands. Come on Fein, have a word with yourself. Customer loyalty should be rewarded not taken advantage of.
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Post by aas on Feb 20, 2021 8:07:39 GMT -5
I agree the Makita 3 speed are rubbish. I have the Metabo LTX quick - there is already slop between the chuck and body. Pretty fed up with Metabo cordless, always happy to start with, but they seem to be throw away tools. Recently got one of the Fein 4 speeds, max 2500rpm so not the super fast. Can use if light with a 12v, or powerful with an 18v - for now I'd say it's better than a Metabo; certainly the multitool and grinders are better. I have the Fien as I enjoy their multitool for not shaking my teeth out. I have however not been very impressed or happy with the drill. I find the chuck is very hard to put bits in correctly. The slightest tiniest bit off and the drill bit (Fisch Pro's) wobble all over the place. You get better at it but it's still not great. I actually returned a few Fisch bits thinking they were bent but soon realised it was the chuck on the Fein. The amount of movement between the attached heads and the body is quite a lot so when you have a heavier bit on, it seems to wobble at the end, even when inserted correctly in the chuck. I also find the hex adapter to not really grab on to hex shanks that well. Perhaps it could be a bit deeper? They feel it's a bit losey goosy and have the accordingly wobbling tip. I was expecting better and I have to send it in under warranty repair because introduced to the slightest bit of plaster dust, the forward and reverse switch has become incredibly stiff and makes a very nasty, plastic on plastic scraping noise, when being toggled. If I had to buy another drill would I buy the same one? Hmm well it fits my hand like a glove, it's nice and light and it stands to attention when you're talking to it. Very big positives. The chuck and over-all fragility of the model though, is disappointing. Oh and the right angle attachment head is £80 and £30 on the mafell and almost all other brands. Come on Fein, have a word with yourself. Customer loyalty should be rewarded not taken advantage of. Shame you're having issues with the chuck. Mine has a ROHM chuck, the same as on the Mafell, Metabo and Bosch drills I have.
I find it a better fit that the Mafell and similar style chucks - they are all being 'driven' by a hex bit at the middle of the shaft, the Fein has a real locking system.
Maybe send it back to Fein, or at least talk to them about it. I've found German manufacturers happy to stand behind their tools and warranty - with one exception - Metabo.
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Post by delaney on Feb 22, 2021 10:16:40 GMT -5
I have the Fien as I enjoy their multitool for not shaking my teeth out. I have however not been very impressed or happy with the drill. I find the chuck is very hard to put bits in correctly. The slightest tiniest bit off and the drill bit (Fisch Pro's) wobble all over the place. You get better at it but it's still not great. I actually returned a few Fisch bits thinking they were bent but soon realised it was the chuck on the Fein. The amount of movement between the attached heads and the body is quite a lot so when you have a heavier bit on, it seems to wobble at the end, even when inserted correctly in the chuck. I also find the hex adapter to not really grab on to hex shanks that well. Perhaps it could be a bit deeper? They feel it's a bit losey goosy and have the accordingly wobbling tip. I was expecting better and I have to send it in under warranty repair because introduced to the slightest bit of plaster dust, the forward and reverse switch has become incredibly stiff and makes a very nasty, plastic on plastic scraping noise, when being toggled. If I had to buy another drill would I buy the same one? Hmm well it fits my hand like a glove, it's nice and light and it stands to attention when you're talking to it. Very big positives. The chuck and over-all fragility of the model though, is disappointing. Oh and the right angle attachment head is £80 and £30 on the mafell and almost all other brands. Come on Fein, have a word with yourself. Customer loyalty should be rewarded not taken advantage of Shame you're having issues with the chuck. Mine has a ROHM chuck, the same as on the Mafell, Metabo and Bosch drills I have.
I find it a better fit that the Mafell and similar style chucks - they are all being 'driven' by a hex bit at the middle of the shaft, the Fein has a real locking system.
Maybe send it back to Fein, or at least talk to them about it. I've found German manufacturers happy to stand behind their tools and warranty - with one exception - Metabo.
Thanks for the advice.
Yeh mine is the same ROHM Thanks for the advice. Mine is the same ROHM chuck. I think AVE prefers the Makita ones but at any rate. I rarely bother send things away for repair. I'd rather buy a new one or buy one from a different manufacturer. If a tool is badly designed (not saying the Fein is) there's no point in carrying on with it. Sell it and move on. Lesson learned. Why have the down time. It's cleat that Fein have issues with dust getting to the tools. Their Multi tool has the same problem. I'd like to hope there's a better drill out there than the fein. A standard Makita at over half the price is twice the value. Cheers!
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