The 2G Combi Hammer Drill from GMC We Get The Benefits
Independent Review by Peter Brett
Cordless combi drills are a staple – needed by almost any trade or household you could mention. Even when they were powered by the now ancient NiCad technology, we couldn’t replace our corded drills quickly enough. But now, with Li-Ion batteries and one-hour smart-charging technology, our appetite for a wide range of drills seems limitless. I confess that I regularly use at least five cordless drills of various sizes for various different jobs. For example, my faithful 18v cordless is used for driving screws when I am out of the workshop, and I would not do without my small 10.8v driver when I am working up a ladder. I know that I am spoilt for choice – so will the virtues of the 2G Combi hammer prove to be a useful addition to any workshop or light trade user? Younger users will probably not take much notice of the “Transformer” style looks of this combi drill –it certainly looks and feels very macho in the hand, but older users might be a bit taken aback. But you just have to handle the drill a bit and use it for a few jobs before you realize that the styling is functional to a large extent. For example, the white plastic side-flashes on the motor housing that bear the GMC name, act as sidebumpers when the machine is put down. Actually the heavily ribbed ABS casing is very rigid as a result of the “Transformer” look, and that will certainly add to its ease of use and longevity.
So, starting at the bottom, where a large flat battery casing makes a stable base on which to stand the drill when it is not being used. There is a good rubber bumper all round the base of the battery casing, which, I have found by bitter experience, is actually a good idea. Even DIY work can be very punishing for battery casings when they are dropped!
The catches that hold the battery casing in place operate very positively and smoothly, leaving the battery to slide out backwards when it needs to be recharged. The standard two batteries are 18v, 1.4Ahr Li-Ion cells that are charged in one hour on the fairly compact smart charger provided as part of the kit.
The handle is comfortably-shaped with a rubberized overmould that feels very grippy. A bright green carry strap is attached to a loop at the base of the handle, and there are two handy “snaps” to hold spare driving bits too. The trigger is big and well-shaped with a rubberized facing, and a progressive trigger action. The more you squeeze, the faster the drill goes. Speed control is quite easy to control, so even driving small screws at slow speed is a doddle. Forward/reverse is selected by the common method of a push through switch above the trigger. On top of the casing is a big green sliding selector switch. This is pushed forward and back to select the two speed ranges of the drill. Slow speeds range from 0-350rpm and high speeds range from 0-1250rpm. A fairly substantial magnesium collar seems to be the main load bearing part
18 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE
www.toolbusiness.co.uk
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