Cordless drill/screwdriver recommendation

[drummerdimitri]

I'd like to get a heavy duty and high quality tool to be used in a metal fabrication shop.

Will be drilling all kinds of metal with bits ranging from 1.5 mm to 13 mm in depths up to 25-30 mm.

I've done some research and found these two models to be good contenders as they both have 3-4 speed gearboxes which is essential for being able to spin at the right rpm for the drilling sizes needed:

Metabo BS 18 LTX-3 BL Q I (3 speed gearbox)

Fein ASCM 18 QM (4 speed gearbox)

I'm a die hard Bosch fan but unfortunately, their offerings are quite limited and these options are far better than what team blue has to offer ATM.

With that being said however, the decision to go for either or is not so simple as I will be investing in the brand since batteries and chargers are usually compatible so long as they are the same voltage with the rest of that company's lineup so in a way, I will be "forced" into that company if you know what I mean.

I am sure there are other good options out there so either comment on the options presented or I'm open to hearing your suggestions.

 

[acer66]

I am more of a wood worker and normally use Bosch a few brute models but I got a 18v Fein, not sure which model, with 4 gears and it so much better than the Bosch.

 

[nadogail]

I have a big wooden handled Stanley. No cords or batteries, just push and it spins.

 

[jonshonda]

I prefer Bosch corded woodworking tools, but have found they are getting left in the dust on the cordless platform.

That Metabo and Fein look really nice, and should be for double the price of Bosch!

 

[Paul_The_Builder]

Both of those Metabo and Fein drills are top notch.

I have a few Metabo drills and use them daily, absolutely love them. The 3rd speed is nice for drilling smallish holes (it makes a very noticeable speed difference vs. a regular 2000RPM drill), but I do wish they had a 4th speed like some of their competitors (Festool, Hilti, Fein, etc) with a speed that was around 1000RPM, which would be nice for small hole saws and medium size bits. But the electronic clutch settings do let you vary the output and torque of the gear you're on, so it kind of makes up for it.

Metabo has a much larger lineup of cordless tools, with their specialty being metal working tools, so they seem like a good fit for your needs. And their batteries are cross compatible with a few other brands (CAS).

 

[tarbellb]

Both are excellent, better then even the Bosch.

Fein has yet to put out low quality tools, my money is on them.

 

[drummerdimitri]

Both are excellent, better then even the Bosch.

Fein has yet to put out low quality tools, my money is on them.

I'm leaning that way too...

Can't beat the 4 speed gearbox and that sleek, uncluttered look!

 

[HenryAZ]

I bought the Bosch 18v system a few years ago, and have added several bare tools and batteries since. So, we are primarily Bosch, and like those tools in general. But I have replaced the Bosch 18v drill with the Metabo BS18LTX-3BLQI. It is superior in every way to the Bosch drill. The Metabo came with a pair of 5.5aH batteries and charger, and their batteries use the larger 20700 lithium cells rather than the traditional 18650 cell. The only downside I found in this Metabo drill is the second chuck, a 1/4" hex drive chuck. That one has a bit of wobble to it with longer bits/extensions. The regular drill chuck is rock steady.

I almost never use the Metabo as a screwdriver (use the Bosch screwdriver), but when I do, since all my 1/4" bits are power bits or in holders of some kind anyway, I just pop the hex bit holder into the drill chuck. The Metabo drill has plenty of torque, and also an impulse mode for removing stubborn screws (it is not a hammer drill, though, but they do make a hammer drill if you need that).

 

[Monte]

Which tools do you need ? /must buy...?


Fein has some nice accessories for their cordless drill:

socket adapter, tap holder, bit holder:

Angle head

adapter for annular cutters:

various chucks e.g.:

or just watch the video

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If you drill a lot...:

i you cut threads often....:

maybe you need this too:
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