New HiKoki/Metabo HPT 10.8V/12V Max cordless power tools are set to hit the market, with the launch including a drill/driver, hammer drill, and impact driver.
Particularly noteworthy is that the lineup is centered around a new Li-ion battery form factor, which will be available in 1.5Ah, 2.5Ah, and 4.0Ah sizes.
Advertisement
Featured on the HiKoki website, the new 10.8V tools are said to be super easy to work with, versatile and compact with the shortest length in their class.
All three of the new tools are built with brushless motors. In addition to being compact and long-running, the impact driver has 3 tightening modes – low power, high power, and a mode for self-drilling screws.
Also significant is that the new battery packs feature built-in battery fuel gauges, with 4 LED indicator lights. That’s certainly a welcome feature.
HiKoki boasts that their charger delivers class-leading charging speed, with the 1.5Ah battery fully charged in around 22 minutes.
- DS12DD Drill/Driver, DV12DD Hammer Drill/Driver
- 10mm (3/8″) chuck
- 38 Nm max torque (~336 in-lbs)
- 0-440/0-1700 RPM
- Drill weighs 1.1 kg (~2.43 lbs), 149 mm (5.87″) length
- Hammer drill weighs 1.2 kg (~2.65 lbs), 162 mm (6.38″) length
- WH12DD Impact Driver
- 1/4″ hex chuck
- 135 Nm max torque (~1195 in-lbs)
- 0-3200 RPM (max), 0-1300 RPM on low
- 0-4000 IPM (max), 0-2500 IPM on low
- 134 mm (~5.28″) length
- Weighs 1.1 kg (~2.43 lbs)
There’s no word yet as to whether these new HiKoki tools will be released in the USA under Metabo HPT branding.
Advertisement
First Thoughts
The new drills and impact driver look competitively designed and spec’ed, and I welcome the addition of a new 12V-class brushless motor cordless power tool platform.
The addition of an on-board battery fuel gauge is a great modernization, and something I hope comes to their 18V battery packs too.
But will there be more tools, such as saws, LED lights, or other compact cordless power tools? Will the tools be launched in the USA? Time will tell.
Lastly, I have found that I favor “HiKoki” over “Metabo HPT.”
Tom
A special mode for self-driving screws? Is that something other tool companies have? I have been using Spax screws for years and am not going back to pre-drilling.
Nathan
You know that’s a good question. Do they mean wood or metal self driving screws.
I read that at first to mean sheet metal screws.
Stuart
I believe it’s more for self-drilling sheet metal screws, which is a feature found on more premium brushless 18V-class impact drivers. It helps prevent strip-out.
John
I also use the setting on my 18V Hitachi triple hammer for thread tapping with hex shank spiral thread taps. Works incredibly well and fast.
Hitachi has been excellent for me. I have bought a ton of 18V tools prior to the name change and still finding items to add that are available until that stock runs out. For some reason I’m am not at all interested in Metabo HPT. The new M-HPT batteries are too damn big and the prices went through the roof so I will live with Hitachi tools until they die.
Nathan
is the impact an OIL impact or impulse driver?
Otherwise I sort of like the idea. Sort of wish more people would make a screw driver. IE non impact, just drive a screw in.
Dewalt had one for their 12v line – they need a new one. Bosch has one or 2 I guess. Not sure of others – but that’s something I think there would be more market for.
Glad to see the extra competition.
TonyT
Makita CXT 12V and Milwaukee M12 lines both have hex screw drivers (pocket drivers) with clutches. (I thought about them, but went with Bosch).
Nathan
Ah ok – wish dewalt would make one on the 20V line then.
I have no desire for their 12V stuff and won’t bother buying the batteries
TonyT
Somebody might correct me, but I don’t believe anyone makes a 1/4″ hex screwdriver similar to the Bosch PS21/PS22 in 18V/20V Max.
For whatever reason, some tools such as pocket drivers, mini circular saws (think Makita CXT 3 3/8″), and Dremel-style rotary tools seem to be 12V only. (Yes, I know size is a concern, especially for rotary, but Makita’s 18V sub-compacts are pretty small….)
Stuart
No, you don’t really see 18V-class cordless screwdrivers. I think that part of the reason might be “balance” difficulties, but also economics. Will users need it, want it, ask for it, or buy it?
Rami
Makita has an 18v one, it is basically the same tool as their sub-compact drill, but with a hex chuck. European model number is DDF083.
https://www.makita.fi/product/ddf083z.html
TonyT
@Rami, thanks!
But looks like it’s not available in the US, just like the Makita 18V barrel grip jig saw.
Mike
HiKoki? They should consult with HF’s marketing department for naming – ‘Tsunami’ maybe?
John
Hitachi Koki has been the manufacturer name for years. So outside the USA, Hikoki is the international brand now. Metabo HPT is the US name which is a dumb one to have chosen.
fred
I think Hitachi’s tool subsidiary was called Hitachi Koki. When Hitachi sold off the tool business to KKR – they probably did not sell the rights to the Hitachi name so someone decided that Hitachi-Koki should become HiKoki
Flotsam
Hikoki is a name that would NEVER work in this country right now for obvious reasons, it just sounds too foreign.
Stuart
More so than Hitachi or Makita?
Nathan
Yes but it also has to be someone’s last time too.
SO maybe
Yakamoto Tsunami.
Jim Felt
Or just “Yamato” for the biggest battleship ever built. Oh. Wait. Okay. “Biggest” these ain’t.
Greg
With all this naming uncertainty, I wonder if old hitachi tools might be some kind of collector’s item lol
Jim Felt
Maybe my last remaining corded Sioux angle drill (Milwaukee USA bought their design as I have one of those too) is collectible too?
fred
We had several of those Sioux close quarter drills – good tool for an electric. Once most of our old Sioux pneumatics finally gave up the ghost – we bought Clecos.
Matt
Stuart I saw this about a week ago….https://www.metabo.com/com/en/tools/battery-pack-systems/12-volt-class/
Matt J
It’s confusing, but Metabo and Metabo HPT are two different brands. Metabo is a brand that’s been around for a while. Metabo HPT is the new name for Hitachi power tools. Metabo stuff is more pro-level stuff whereas Hitachi kind of slides in similar to Ridgid in terms of slightly above homeowner grade quality. It’s doubly confusing because both of them make tools that are primarily green.
Matt
I thought the link relevant due to Hitachi purchasing Metabo prior to KKR purchasing Hitachi….. They are under same umbrella. Whereas Europe or Asia may see the Hikoki 12v we may only see the new Metabo 12v in US?
How do you think this will be handled?
Stuart
If you ask me, I think we’re either going to see limited selection of both brands (at worst), or at best (and most confusing), full ranges of both lineups, meaning new Metabo and Metabo HPT 12V-class cordless power tool platforms, with tools, batteries, and chargers that do not work with each other.
Matt
Seems like a lot. With Hikoki and Metabo/Metabo HPT all sharing slide style batt packs, similar specs as far as RPMs, bpms, weight, max torque/Newton meters…it all makes for an over abundance of basically the same tool. It would seem too, that price wise these would be similar as Hitachi would price it’s Brushless models at near premium prices and we all know about Metabo pricing…. The competition within Metabo/Metabo HPT will seemingly see the most action. There’s not enough available yet to force or tempt too many to jump to these 12v lines from m12, Bosch, etc. Looks to me they’re digging a hole. Maybe I’m wrong
Stuart
Thanks! Yep, they’ve been on my radar. A computer issue prevented me from getting that post up right after this one, but it’s up now, here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/metabo-12v-cordless-power-tools-brushless-drills-impact-drivers-more/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
John
Stuart, from comments it appears people just don’t have a grasp on the basic names now. Perhaps you can add that upfront to refresh people who have less attention to those details.
Hikoki is the international name, Metabo HPT is in the USA – all the same tools though.
The What?
Metabo certainly didn’t do any justice to the name of their new line of tools. I thought Metabo hpt was the name that they rebranded Hitachi with. Who’s gonna buy something called hikoki? It sounds like a Pokémon character or the name of a kpop group. It’s not a Metabo. It’s not a Hitachi. It’s a hikoki. Who or what is a hikoki?
Stuart
Your comment demonstrates why Hitachi rebranded as Metabo HPT in the USA, and HiKoki elsewhere. Frankly, I prefer HiKoki, because I think it’ll be less likely to cause confusion.
Rory
Your comment makes little sense, Hitachi and Hikoki are both unique names.
One name you’re familiar with the other you’re not – simple as that.
Metabo HPT will make for lots of confusion for everyone, sales guys, purchasing guys, users and repairers – its a dumb move.
Matt J
I like these a lot. Specs look good. Assuming pricing isn’t too far off from what we’ve come to expect from Hitachi (less than Milwaukee and Makita), I think they’ve got some winners here. Really like that the form factor doesn’t appear to change significantly regardless of battery capacity as well.
Frank D
I had the orginal Hitachi 12v (iirc) series over a decade ago and they were useless, no power, no durability, … even for modest DIY needs. Very quickly returned them to the store and exchanged them picked up Makita 12v … which were awesome for many years and very serious DIY & carpentry.
I don’t think I commented back when the sale/merger/… was mentioned on TG, but the new name is a pass and fail in my book, for the NA market. They just shot themselves in the foot. The bulk of people are already entrenched in their tool brands … so, unless there is quality + better value + better tool selection … they will be a small niche brand.
Chris Martin
Hikoki are fabulous tools i can’t wait to see all the new models which will be released in the next few years when I started working 40 years ago hitachi was the best by miles still have 9″ angle grinder from all those years ago and still as good as new would have had more tools but for thieves so come on hikoki keep adding to your range