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Metabo BST15.6 PLUS 02276 1/2-Inch 15.6 Volt Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with Two Batteries | List Price: $288.19
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Brand: Metabo
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - Exclusive "Impulse" feature
- Spindle stop
- Keyless chuck
- Superior power to weight ratio
- One full year parts and labor warranty, 30 day risk free performance guarantee
Don"t waste your money [Posted on 2003-08-08]
I bought this drill about 18 mos. ago. It has seen moderate use. I am now on my third charger and second set of baterries which recently started failing ; not two mention three trips to the repair shop. The chuck is very difficult to keep tightened.I could go on but suffice it to say this is the worst power tool purchase I have ever made. Metabo used to be a good company but this thing is junk.
lemon [Posted on 2003-11-26]
I would not advise anyone to buy this drill. First, its base is too heavy, making this tool awkward to handle. Secondly, the chuck is difficult, doesn't hold the screw tips firmly, and they ALWAYS slip out. Also screw tips & drill bits get stuck in the chuck at a crooked angle when trying to tighten them. Third, sometimes the impulse mechanism doesn't work at all, and other times the drill is stuck in impulse mode. Fourth, The batteries burn out after 6 months of moderate use. Fifth, the case they give you is cheap plastic with latches that don't close, causing the contents to spill out when it is set down upright. Sixth, replacement batteries are impossible to find (if you even desire to), whereas DeWalt batteries are everywhere. I could go on and on. (...) I would personally recommend the Dewalt 14.4.
Great features - nice for lefties [Posted on 2004-04-08]
I have had this drill for over a year, and have been very pleased with it. The impulse feature works well for starting screws, and the reverse direction switch is in a good spot for left handed users. Plenty of power - never any trouble with the keyless chuck - the two batteries have held up well.
Only drawbacks are - no Metabo cordless trim saw to share the battery/charger, and taking some grief from my buddies for buying a German drill.
Most to Offer [Posted on 2005-04-09]
I Love my Metabo. I've had my 15.6 BST for about a year and only minor difficulties. On the good, 1st gear has great torque, more than I've found in any 18v Milwaulkee or DeWalt that I've used. The batteries last forever on a charge...after using 14.4s and 18v DeWalts that always seem to loose their charge at the most inconvenient times, I've never had that problem with my Metabos two batteries.
About the comment you might read about the charger prongs failing, its bogus! One of my batteries dropped from 2 stories and nothing happend to the prongs, let alone troubles with the charger.
The impulse feature is great and I might have had it stick once, so I flipped back over and the back again and it was fine.
Lastly, the chuck provides more than ample grip on all bits and configurations that I have had in it.
Only thing to take note of, which may just be with my drill, is that the gear changer doesn't slide into 2nd firmly, or "clip" in. I have had times when I hold the drill with my left hand pushing on top where the changer is and it slip out of 2nd because of where my hand was. So now I don't push on it from there. Simple enough.
Also, it is hard to find Metabo drills or equipment...luckily the local hardware store started carrying Metabo after I purchased mine, But you won't find them at Home Depot.
If you have any other questions, i would be more than happy to answer them. Great drill for a great buy. 4 out of 5 only because of the gear slippage.
my most used cordless tool [Posted on 2005-10-22]
this is an outstanding all-purpose drill...
The seamless construction, solid feel, great balance, and power-to-weight ratio make this a top choice; the chuck is one of the strongest I have ever seen and the impulse function (especially in low gear!) is extremely nice when starting, driving, and backing out stubborn screws, nuts and bolts. Probably the best batteries I have ever used with a cordless drill--they seem to last much longer than the specified 2.0amp/hr--and after 2 yr still don't show much loss of charge, and they seem to charge in less than the hour the charger is supposed to need.
A few cons would be:
A.the terrible blow molded plastic case which came dented out of the box and never really closed or opened properly. Metabo seems to be trying to compete with every other tool co. by offering the poorest quality case they can get away with--it is totally disposable. They should go the route of Bosch and offer a utlitarian canvas or nylon tool bag. I keep this drill in a tool bag so the issue with the case is mute for me.
B. the grip is probably wider than any other cordless drill I can remember using, it takes some larger than average hands, as does the extended reach up to the reversing switch above the trigger. You'll need to accustom yourself to the feel of it, but once you have, it feels luxuriously stable compared to other drills--you might say it feels "german", your hand rarely has to really grab the tool as opposed to merely handling it. The balance of this drill is just about perfect (some Milwaukees give it a good run here though) and the batteries' weighted footprint give it an extremely bouyant yet "ballasted" feel while working--you'll notice this when picking it up and putting it down all day long (it doesn't wanna capsize). The driving angle is about perfect as well, between the rigidly perpendicular Milwaukee/DeWalt and the awkwardly sloped upward Makitas.
C. replacement parts/accessories and service accessibility: I've never needed either but if you did, I can see this being more than a little problematic.
D. price--this isn't a cheap drill and I am referring both to its cost as well as the quality construction and attentive design--if you want quality you have to be willing invest in it--if you want a disposable drill there are 12v Ryobis at Home Depot for $35 which will perform fine for a couple of months.
If I haven't already noted the weight-to-power ratio--the jump in power from a 14.4 to this 15.6 seems a lot greater than the jump from this 15.6 to your average 18v. This drill isn't necessarily light by any means, but for the torque it delivers, the Metabo feels like a good substitute for an unweildy 18v--especially the low gear. I have a 18v Bosch hammmerdrill/driver, which I love but nonetheless I regret the rare occasions when I have to leave the Metabo for the Bosch. Needless to say I depend on the Metabo 90% of the time.
If you're looking for a durable-light duty drill you might be lugging around on a tool belt all day the 14.4 Makitas and Milwaukees are awesome choices. If you need a heavy-duty tool for big tasks go with the Porter-Cable 19.2v or the Hilti 18v and 24v series. For an impressive drill that might be asked to do both occasionally while being using constantly in a shop setting this is a top choice, while it may be obsure and somewhat less "baroque" in its very minimal design, and I would happily make the same choice again if the oppurtunity arises.
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