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Post by newuser on Aug 3, 2023 23:04:24 GMT -5
Have been considering CAS tool for a while, recently one of the new metabo grinders. Largely because of the knowledge that the same battery will power any Mafell cordless or other alliance tool in the future.
However the lack of any batteries above 18v is limiting. I have dewalt flexvolt batteries for what was (and still might be) the largest cordless rotary hammer. Metabo chainsaw and other 36volt tools require use of two 18v batteries which reminds me of the festool cordless, it’s an inelegant solution.
Makita also has their higher voltage range although not sure if the drill beats metabo. It seems LiHD was launched in 2015 and is more powerful than traditional 18v, but I don’t want to be stuck choosing a tool that needs two batteries so seems one battery solution isn’t here yet.
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Post by aas on Aug 5, 2023 0:39:17 GMT -5
I think it will happen at some point, most other big manufacturers have higher volt batteries, including the Multivolt from Hitachi/Hikoki that is now part of the same group as Metabo.
I've deliberately stayed away from investing in a new 'big' battery platform - I've needed a few 36v Makita tools, and have opted for 2x 18v when there is the 40v equivalent. A few reasons - the 40v batteries are ridiculously expensive here in France; I already have some 18v tools and batteries; I don't want to add 'another' battery platform...
I don't find the 2x battery 'that' inelegant. In a way, it allows me to have smaller lighter tools when I need it (i.e. Makita SDS) and powerful tools when I need it (i.e. Makita SDS Max) - all using the same battery and charger.
I do have a lot of Metabo CAS tools, from several manufacturers, I don't have any Metabo 2x 18v - I've held off from getting the Starmix 2x 18v vac for other reasons (no 230v plug in option).
Body only tools are farily inexpensive, if you go down the CAS 18v route and need a more powerful 2x 18v tool at some point, you're not adding much investment - to go for a 36v tool you also need new batteries and chargers...
My viewpoint is that it's best to have the right tool for the job regardless of battery platform - that's why I've ended up with around 10 battery platforms - it would be difficult to get rid of any of them.
The CAS 18 is worth having for me just for Mafell, the rest are add-on tools to what is a very capable battery platfom.
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Post by newuser on Aug 8, 2023 0:25:19 GMT -5
10! Think I have 2, 3 if you count the exclusive festool 18v for their sander which is almost useless for anything else. It did also occur to me that a lot of the higher voltage batteries are physically larger so not as ideal for many more compact 18v applications. Thats true of dewalt anyway, seems hikoki is smaller but perhaps less capacity (hadn’t heard of it).
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Post by aas on Aug 8, 2023 13:07:11 GMT -5
It did also occur to me that a lot of the higher voltage batteries are physically larger so not as ideal for many more compact 18v applications. I agree... when I see the Makita 40v drills and impacts, plus tools like SDS, 125mm grinder with a huge battery hanging off the back - I just don't see the point.
My main use tools are Makita 12v - light and good for the job - I have more powerful tools if I need it. 18v is the sweet spot for me, after that, the batteries are bulky and heavy.
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Post by newuser on Aug 14, 2023 21:38:08 GMT -5
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Post by aas on Aug 15, 2023 23:25:55 GMT -5
I had a look at these, is the light spread good?
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Post by newuser on Aug 16, 2023 22:13:08 GMT -5
I don’t have any other work lights to compare it to, but when held like a lantern it does have a wide spread (think 120). When used on a surface it doesn’t seem all that wide but the light is broken up a fair bit. It is quite heavy but not sure I’d personally want much lower than that lumen, although one of my main use cases is eliminating shadows when doing woodwork type stuff so dunno if a high colour temp harsh light is even best suited for that anyway  Left a 5ah dewalt in there today and forgot to turn it off, battery was so drained it wouldn’t even register a pip of energy which might actually be normal but don’t recall seeing non pips on there before. |
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Post by aas on Aug 16, 2023 23:37:05 GMT -5
Be careful with leaving batteries on in an LED light. I killed an 8ah Metabo like that - never came back to life.
I find lighting your work area is frustrating - I don't want glare in the eyes, or shadows. The best I have is the Festool Duo. Otherwise I have found any two identical lights set apart at around 120 degrees tends to give the same effect for less money.
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