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by Peter Brett - May 2007
For more information call Christine
01444 440188
01444 440188
Small and perfectly formed
Frankly, I have had nothing but respect for the professionally rated compact drill drivers I have used over the last couple of years. I have found them versatile, small enough to fit into my pocket or nail pouch when I have been working up a ladder and not short of driving power either. Li-Ion cells have been the secret here of course, bringing greater power, compact size and easier charging. (with no poisonous NiCads to dispose of either - a big plus)
Metabo have now uprated their compact drill driver offering and launched an all new PowerMaxx Li PRO, thereby keeping pace with the market and demands of the end users. I suppose that most compact drill drivers are fated to look the same because the configuration is pretty standard, and in this respect, the Metabo PowerMaxx PRO follows the trend. I liked the rather bulkier than usual handgrip because it felt right in the hand and focused the driving force behind the chuck. A little bit of grippy rubber helped the comfort factor. A small 7.2 v cell slides in underneath the grip, and unlike some others, the cell can be readily and easily removed by pushing in the two retaining clips.
An alloy casting holds the motor and gearbox, and it is marked with the drilling and driving modes with a small slider switch to change modes. Drilling speed is 0-750 rpm and the higher torque screwdriving speed is 0- 250 rpm. The usual rotatable collar can be used to select 5 torque settings and drilling mode.
In common with most compact drivers these days, a simple hex chuck holds the drill or driving bit of choice, but unlike the others, the driving end is nicely finished off with a screw-on cone to match the collar.
Where the Metabo shows its class however, is the couple of extra features up its sleeve so to speak.
Remove the plastic cone and a very neat little German-made 6mm capacity keyless chuck can be screwed on.
This doesn’t add a great deal to the overall length of the drill, but it allows the user to fit ordinary drill bits or non-standard driver bits. Of course this greatly adds to the versatility and usefulness of the tool because we have all had the experience of breaking the drill bit we were using and then having to cast around looking for a spare, with none to be found.
As if this feature wasn’t enough, an angled screwdriver attachment is also included. Hard to explain in words, but believe me, an excellent idea, this attachment slides over the nose of the drill and a 6mm hex driver engages with the hex chuck end. The angled driver can then be moved to whatever angle the user desires and then tightened on using the hex key supplied. The result is perfect for the likes of kitchen fitters and others who may need to work in confined spaces. Again, the attachment adds only minimally to the length of the drill/driver, therefore keeping it as compact as possible.
With different end users in mind, Metabo has packaged the PowerMaxx PRO in two different ways. It is available in a compact, padded soft nylon case that holds the tool, fast charger, spare battery, chuck, and a 38 piece bit set. Personally, I liked this option because it is so compact, and it does actually provide good enough protection. It is also the cheaper option too, costing around £89.00. The more expensive option, carrying the same elements of kit, but with the addition of the angled screwdriver attachment and two batteries, costs around £117. This option is a carefully moulded case with designated spaces for each part. It also includes a wee box with a 20 piece set of driver bits.
Due to the regular Spring maintenance schedule on houses near the Brighton coastline, (my neighbour wryly told me last week that you watch your house being gradually blown down in the winter and then spend all summer repairing it. He should know, he has been there for 15 years) I have had many opportunities to use the PowerMAXX PRO these last few weeks. Many of the jobs have involved being up a ladder replacing and refixing bits that have fallen off. I have really valued the compact size and power of the Metabo. It will literally fit into a trouser pocket or a workpouch along with the fixings needed.
It had enough power to remove and replace some rusted decking screws and fix down some loose floorboards in the room that is now finally recovered from the gales that blew off the flat roof in November that resulted in the flood that ruined the ceiling, the carpet and the wooden floor underneath.
I was never without power because the 2.2 amp/hr battery packs can be simply swopped around when the charge is exhausted. A 60 minute charger actually takes less than that to recharge the battery packs, while also ensuring that they are maintained in peak condition.
I haven’t had the opportunity to use it for real in the confined spaces for which it is designed, but when I set up a few little tests in my kitchen cabinets, trying it for size and angles, I felt that it would be very useful because it does actually work in the way intended.
Readers will have noticed that I really like this tool. After some fairly hard trials I can’t really find much to fault about it. It works as it is intended, is comfortable to hold and powerful enough for the sorts of things it was designed to do. Bigger holes and longer screws will require a more conventional drill driver, but then you don’t usually find bigger holes and longer screws in confined spaces.
For the retailer, the PowerMAXX PRO also has instant retail appeal due to its design and presentation.
Independent Review by Peter Brett
Airstream Communications