Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer Impact Driver Features
The 18V version of the Metabo HPT Triple Hammer impact driver uses the same three anvils to produce up to 4,000 beats per minute and an impressive 1,832 inch-pounds of torque. Yet that’s just the beginning of the promising features of this ¼-inch keyless hex drive tool.
A 4-mode power selector lets you choose top speeds from 900 – 2,900 RPM, which should cover just about any driving application. This drops the max RPM of the more current 36V model, but still gives you lots of speed.
Like the 36V model, and as indicated on the side, the bare tool carries an IP56 rating to resist water and dust. It’s got a bright work light, which is pretty standard nowadays. And as some icing on the cake, the hard plastic toolbox has a convenient compartment for fasteners and bits.
18V Model Uses 4 Different Drive Modes
The mode controls are conveniently located on the handle’s base. They include power settings (on the side), work light functions, and a battery gauge by the pinky finger.
There are 4 settings to choose from that go beyond simple low to high. Soft mode (low) is for your small diameter screw and bolts, offering lower speed and 3 impacts per rotation. Normal kicks up the speed and power while maintaining the 3 impacts per rotation.
Power mode kicks the power up even more and drops to 1.5 impacts per rotation when under heavy load. That may sound counter-intuitive, but the interval between successive impacts is extended, delivering the power of each strike for a longer period. Sound familiar? That’s exactly what Ridgid’s powerful Stealth Force does with its lower impact rate!
The 4th mode is specifically for driving self-tapping screws and goes back to the 3 impacts per minute. In short, these four modes offer an incredible level of versatility for a wide range of driving applications.
Metabo HPT Triple Hammer Impact Driver Performance
The team and I find ourselves performing every phase of the carpentry process from new construction to finish work. Over the last decade, the impact driver has become indispensable for this kind of work. I use one every day. The power range of the Metabo HPT Triple Hammer impact driver only amplified its usefulness because it could handle big lag bolts and then drop down to thin trim fasteners.
This thing is powerful! Its compactness really belies the force it can generate. We typically use square-headed screws because they don’t strip out as easily as Phillips. Even so, as I acclimated to it, I sheared off a couple of screw heads!
Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer Impact Driver Ergonomics
The tool is very comfortable in the hand. Metabo HPT has historically done a great job with handle and balance ergonomics – a trend that is clearly continuing. The variable speed trigger gives you ample control over the drive. It does all this and is quieter than other impact drivers I’ve used, too, though not as quiet as hydraulic impact drivers.
An additional consequence of the triple hammer mechanism is that there’s less vibration reaching your hands. If you’ve used any of the oil pulse drivers out there, you know they give a harder push to go with their lower impact rate. Metabo HPT’s higher impact rate does the opposite as vibration begins to smooth out compared to other models.
18V Triple Hammer Run-time and Battery
Metabo HPT includes a pair of their compact 3.0 amp hour batteries in the kit. Metabo HPT and Hitachi veterans will immediately notice the size difference as the 3.0 was their full-size battery not that long ago. Users that want even more run time can get their hands on Metabo HPT’s 6.0 amp hour battery to supplement what comes in the kit or use one of their MultiVolt batteries.
Metabo HPT is one of the few remaining manufacturers to keep the indicator on the tool. It works, but the slight downside means the battery must be inserted into the tool, of course. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but it is an extra step if you’d like to quickly see a battery’s discharge status.
The quick charger is remarkable – it charges the included batteries in 20 minutes! I can use the impact driver heavily for about 4 hours before draining it, so there’s ample time for the next battery to be ready to go or even for it to simply charge during lunch.
Additional Features on the Metabo HPT 18V WH18DBDL2
The Metabo HPT Triple Hammer Impact Driver body is well-covered with no-mar rubberized pads which protect the driver in the heavy construction phase and protects floors and countertops in the finish carpentry phase.
Work light modes are an emerging trend in the market and Metabo HPT is on board. Using the controls on the base of the handle, the work light can be constantly on as a flashlight, a work light that only illuminates when you’re pulling the trigger (traditional function), or totally off if you’re working in bright conditions and want to save some juice. I’ve pulled the trigger on other tools just to use the light to illuminate dark areas, so I like Metabo HPT’s attention to detail on this.
This impact driver is also light enough that using the belt hook doesn’t weigh you down too much. I’m not a big fan of the tether but not so much that I’ve cut it off yet – that’s about my only gripe! Still, you need it if you’re working at height and I’d rather have it when I need it.
Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer Impact Drive Price
With a pair of 1.5Ah batteries and a charger, the 18V Triple Hammer kit runs $149.
There’s also a 36V MultiVolt version of this impact driver that has slightly better performance specs. It’s $189 as a bare tool, but running the kit with two batteries is actually a little less ($299) at the time we’re writing this.
Metabo HPT Triple Hammer Impact Driver Specifications
- Model: Metabo HPT WH18DBDL2
- Power Source: 18V battery
- Batteries Included in Kit: Two 1.5 Ah compact
- ¼-inch keyless hex drive
- Weight: 2.9 lbs
- Motor: Brushless
- Max Torque: 1,832 inch pounds
- Max No Load RPM: 0-2,900
- Impact Rate: 0-4,000 BPM
- On-board battery indicator
- On-board LED work light
- Warranty (Tool/Battery): Lifetime/2-Year
- Price: $149 (kit)
Which Triple Hammer Do You Prefer?
Thinking that Metabo HPT brought a triple hammer impact mechanism to the market just for the sake of increasing driving speed would sell these tools woefully short. The entire design is excellent from top to bottom. The performance really exceeds our expectations as Pros, and we heartily recommend it.
Which model do you prefer—18V or 36V triple hammer? Let us know in the comments below!
