The Woodworker & Woodturner – August 2019

http://www.getwoodworking.com August 2019 The Woodworker & Good Woodworking 17

The offset attachment costs around £70 and

offers 12 pre-set positions, selected by sliding

the red Quick sleeve and rotating the end.

Accepting hex bits only (it has a spring-loaded

collar), enables you to insert screws tight into

a corner of a cupboard or similarly tight space.

Fitted the same way, the fixed 90° adaptor

costs about £37 and again has 12 settings.

It’s equipped with a magnetic hex collar.

PowerMaxx SSD 12 BL

cordless impact driver

You don’t necessarily need the muscle of an 18V

impact driver for many screwdriving tasks, and

Maximum torque is 45Nm, depending on the

material density you’re driving screws into

You don’t necessarily need the muscle of an 18V

impact driver for many screwdriving tasks, and the

PowerMaxx SSD 12 BL is a good example of this

On the impact driver, hex bits fit into a standard

spring-loaded holder

A standard magnetic hex collar is revealed with

the chuck removed, enabling you to insert a Pozi

bit or any accessory with a hex shank

Fitted the same way, the fixed 90° adaptor

costs about £37 and again has 12 settings

This drill features Metabo’s Quick System, meaning

you can remove the chuck rapidly by grasping its red,

spring-loaded collar

The offset attachment costs around £70 and offers

12 pre-set positions, selected by sliding the red Quick

sleeve and rotating the end

the PowerMaxx SSD 12 BL is a good example

of this. Virtually the same size as the drill/

driver, this tool has two variable speeds, from

0-1,250rpm and 0-2,500rpm. This translates

to a maximum 2,000 or 4,000bpm (blows per

minute), with maximum torque of 70 or 140Nm,

depending on the speed selected. Hex bits fit

into a standard spring-loaded holder. As with

any impact driver, it’s a good idea to wear ear

defenders when using it for extended periods.

Rather than relying on mechanical speed and

torque selection, here it’s electronic. Pressing

the button (adjacent to the LED worklight)

changes this instantly, whether the motor

is running or not. A red LED indicates when

the lower speed setting has been selected.

Again, a lightweight tool almost identical in

size to the drill/driver, overall weight is 1.05kg

with a 4.0Ah battery fitted. So where would you

use it? Building stud walls, installing outdoor

decking or many projects that need heavy

gauge screws where you don’t want to

bother with pilot holes.

Conclusion

Both these Metabo tools feature brushless

motors, so are compact and spot-on

ergonomically. Between them they’re capable

of serious drilling and screwdriving tasks, whether

you’re involved in making furniture or on-site

carpentry. Unlike some pro 12V tools, either

model will stand neatly on the bench without

tipping over, even with a sizeable bit fitted. I can

see the BS12 BL Q drill/driver becoming a firm

favourite with cabinetmakers and shopfitters,

or as a reliable workshop tool. Remember there’s

no hammer action, though.

For jobs where you need to swap frequently

between drilling and driving screws, Metabo’s

Quick System is fantastic. Build quality is superb,

with a warranty of three years.

SPECIFICATION

PowerMaxx BS 12 BL Q cordless drill/driver

Maximum torque – soft: 18Nm

Maximum torque – hard: 45Nm

Adjustable torque: 0.5-5Nm

Drill Ø steel: 10mm

Drill Ø softwood: 25mm

No-load speed: 0-500/0-1,650rpm

Chuck capacity: 1.5-10mm

Weight (inc battery pack): 1kg

PowerMaxx SSD 12 BL cordless impact driver

Maximum no-load speed: 0-2,500rpm

Maximum impact rate: 4,000bpm

Maximum torque: 140Nm

Speed/torque levels: 2

Bit retainer: Hexagon recess^1 ⁄ 4 in (6.35mm)

Weight (inc battery pack): 1kg

Typical price: £

Web: http://www.metabo.com/uk

THE VERDICT

PROS

(^) Build quality; compact; excellent
ergonomics; 2.0Ah & 4.0Ah batteries
included; M-Quick System chuck
CONS
(^) Not a combi drill, so no hammer action
RATING: 5 out of 5