Metabo HPT 36V Hammer Drill Delivers The Power That Pros Expect
Over the last few years, Metabo HPT has released some real powerhouse tools, but they don’t always get their spot in the limelight like some of the other major brands. Today, I’m highlighting one of their flagship tools, the newest generation Metabo HPT 36V Hammer Drill, which promises improved power and performance for high-demand applications.
Pros
- Comfortable, ergonomic design
- Improved speed and power
- Impressive drilling capacity
- Anti-kickback protection
- All metal 1/2-inch chuck
- Compatible with Metabo HPT’s AC adapter
- Well-balanced design
Cons
- A little heavy compared to other premium models
Metabo HPT 36V Hammer Drill Performance
- No-Load Speed: 0-550/2200 RPM
- Max Torque: 1400 in-lbs
- Hammer Rate: 0-8250/33000 BPM
- Chuck Capacity: 1/2 in.
- Drilling Capacity: 7/8 in. (concrete), 4-5/8 in. (soft wood), 3/4 in. (mild steel)
Drilling Power
At its core, the Metabo HPT DV36DC features a brushless motor that produces up to 550 RPMs on low and 2,200 RPMs on high speed. It churns out 1,400 in-lbs of torque, allowing it to tackle high-demand applications like large hole saws and rough-in bits. Plus, you get 22 clutch settings for better depth control when you’re driving screws.
With hammer mode engaged, you can achieve up to 8,250 BPM on low and a staggering 33,000 BPM on high speed. These ratings put it well within the high end of the Professional-grade category, though some models go a bit higher.
As for actual drilling capacity, this hammer drill posts some impressive numbers for its maximum wood, metal, and masonry drilling recommendations.
| Material | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Masonry | 7/8 in. |
| Wood | 4-5/8 in. |
| Metal | 3/4 in. |
The ratings are truly impressive for a cordless drill, and they even eclipse several of the other Professional-grade drills we’ve tested.
Reactive Force Control
As the saying goes, “With great torque comes great responsibility”…or something like that! Anti-kickback control systems are becoming standard in many modern drills, but Metabo HPT has implemented them since the beginning.
The Reactive Force Control uses a combination of gyro and overload sensors that immediately shut the tool down in case of a bind-up. If the tool senses a rapid rotational movement, approximately 90°, it will automatically stop rotation, and the LED will flash. This system is vital from a safety aspect and helps reduce the risk of injury while you work.
Hands-On Testing
Because this drill has a wide drilling capacity, we wanted to push things to the max and demonstrate what the DV36DC can do for you! We set out a 4 1/8-inch Milwaukee Hole Dozer hole saw, 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit, 1/2-inch metal drilling bit, and finished with a 3/4-inch masonry bit.
Hole Saw
Drilling at high speed into our 2x pine board, the 4 1/8-inch hole saw successfully punched through the lumber in seconds. However, due to the nature of large hole saws, we did have a few bind-ups that triggered the RFC and shut down the drill… which is awesome to see how well it works!
For us, this is a success disguised as a failure. The drill did exactly what it was supposed to, and we finished the cut without incident. This is excellent news for our friends in the plumbing and HVAC industries, who may need to use larger hole saws from time to time and don’t always want to turn to a Hole Hawg-style right angle drill.
Self-Feed Bit
Next, we chucked up a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit, which is typically used for rough-in applications in 2x material. This style of bit is part of our standard array of tests because it highlights the tool’s ability to withstand high-torque tasks.
Unsurprisingly, this drill easily powered through the wood at low speed. More impressively, the Metabo HPT 36V hammer drill completed the same bore in high gear, thanks to a gear ratio that provides solid torque at higher speeds. This is a massive win for Metabo HPT, considering many drills we test are forced into slower gears to complete the task!
Metal Drilling
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a 3/4-inch carbide-tipped bit on hand, so we opted for a 1/2-inch carbide bit to drill through our 1/4-inch mild steel plate. The drill completed the holes without issue, leading us to believe that a 3/4-inch bit is well within the scope of possibilities.
Pro Tip: If you’re doing tasks like this, be sure to verify your bits are rated for high-speed drilling before getting started. Many metal drill bits need to stick to lower speeds to avoid heat build-up and premature failure.
Concrete Drilling
We wrapped up our testing by drilling a few 3-inch holes in our 4,000 PSI concrete test block with a standard 3/4-inch masonry bit. The DV36DC powered through the block smoothly and didn’t appear to struggle despite the larger bit.
While that is impressive, if you drill holes over 1/2 an inch regularly, I recommend grabbing a rotary hammer instead.
Metabo HPT 36V Hammer Drill Design Notes
- Model: Metabo HPT DV36DC
- Power Source: Metabo HPT 18V/36V MultiVolt battery
- Weight: 3.9 lbs (bare tool), 5.6 lbs (with 2.5Ah MultiVolt battery)
- Head Length: 7-1/2 in.
Size and Weight
This drill weighs 3.9 pounds as a bare tool, 5.6 pounds with the kitted 2.5Ah battery, and the head measures 7-1/2 inches from tip to tail. This is slightly heavier and longer than many of the hammer drills we’ve tested, but not surprising considering how high the performance level is.
That said, the design team did a great job of making sure the balance is spot-on.
The grip is draped in a soft textured rubber overmold, and the tool body features a few rubber bumpers for added protection and durability. I immediately noticed that the grip feels slimmer than average, but to me, the grip angle is very comfortable, and it contours nicely to my medium-sized hands.
Metabo HPT Hammer Drill Quick Comparison
One thing I like to do when multiple models exist is to put them side by side so you can see the key differences at a glance. This is especially important if you’re trying to decide which model is right for you or if you need to upgrade. I went ahead and included the Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill (DV18DCQ4), along with the previous 36V model.
| 36V DV36DA (old) | 36V DV36DC (new) | 18V DV18DCQ4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-Load Speed | 2,100 RPM | 2,200 RPM | 2,000 RPM |
| Max Torque | 1,220 in-lbs | 1,400 in-lbs | 1,240 in-lbs |
| Hammer Rate | 31,500 BPM | 33,000 BPM | 30,000 BPM |
| Bare Tool Weight | 3.7 lbs | 3.9 lbs | 3.9 lbs |
| Head Length | 8 in. | 7.5 in. | 7.6 in. |
| Price | $289 (kit) | $299 (kit) | $179 (bare tool) |
As you can see, the DV36DC is an improvement from the previous model. In fact, these increases in speed and power propelled it into the same performance realm as the Milwaukee 2904 and the Flex FX1271.
Additional Features
- LED worklight
- Two-position belt hook
- All metal chuck
- Compatible with all Metabo HPT MultiVolt batteries
Metabo HPT 36V Hammer Drill Price
You can snag this drill for $299 as a kit that includes two 2.5Ah batteries, a charger, and a hard shell storage case. Metabo HPT backs this drill with a lifetime warranty.
The Bottom Line
The latest Metabo HPT 36V hammer drill sets a new standard for the brand, offering a blend of raw power, intelligent safety features, and an ergonomic design. While it’s certainly not the most lightweight option on the market, its robust design and performance certainly make it stand out from the crowd. If you’re in the HVAC, plumbing, or construction industries, this cordless hammer drill can help you tackle even the most challenging tasks with confidence.
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