Metabo KHE 3250 Make an Impact!


Independent Review by Peter Brett


Let’s be honest, many of us are guilty of the sin of trying to use the cordless combi drill to drill that small hole in brick or worse, concrete, just because we can’t be bothered to go and find (or indeed we don’t own) the corded drill. No matter how good the drill bit, a cordless drill would soon be on the blink if it were used every day for impact drilling. The best solution is obviously to buy a powerful cordless or corded SDS impact drill. These are strongly built and have a specially designed impact mechanism that will


be able to handle the severe stresses of drilling in very hard materials. But the downside is that these drills are relatively expensive because of the engineering required, so you really want to find a drill that will do what you want it to do as well as being a long-lasting performer. Enter the new Metabo KHE 3250/3251 range of 3Kg combination hammers – probably the most competitive sector of the combi hammer market because it is


relatively the most affordable compared to heavier machines. This also means that individual machines will most likely be pushed to their limits because the market sector is independent builders, electricians and plumbers who tend to favour compact machines for a whole variety of reasons. I was sent the KHE 3250 variant to try out. This has a fixed SDS chuck whereas the chosen model for the UK market will in fact be the 3251 which comes with 2


chucks and a quick change system as standard. The new KHE range replaces the old KHE 32 hammer. That was a very good machine, but of course times move on and what users seem to need these days is more


electronic sophistication and lighter weight making newer machines easier to handle and use. It is when you look at the differences between the old and the new that you can appreciate the changes that have been made by the Metabo designers. First of all you notice just how slimline the L-Shape body has become. For my relatively small hands this is a great advantage as handling the hammer is just much


easier. The body shape is quite boxy, which would seem to belie the above statement, but the boxiness just seems to make more areas to grip. There is only one area of grippy rubber overmoulding on the back and top of the main trigger area and it is just perfectly placed. Too much rubber on a tool that is used in a very dusty environment is not usually a very good idea. Main controls are picked out in red against the dark Metabo Green body so they are easy to see and operate. The trigger is particularly well located and well sized to


be operated by a whole hand, even a gloved one. The whole trigger/handle mechanism is mounted on vibration isolating mountings that ensure that this KHE comfortably meets EU anti-vibration legislation. Speed control is amazingly easy by just how much pressure you apply on the trigger. Setting the operating mode is a single-handed operation via a rotating switch on the left hand side of the body. There are three modes, drilling, drill with impact and


chiseling. Each mode is locked into place when you move it so there is no danger of mode-switching while in operation. Reverse and forward modes are selected via a rotating switch at the bottom of the motor housing. Interestingly, the cable is connected to the bottom of the handle


with a ball spout that provides a lot of flexibility and should therefore prevent cable breakage. There is a big, adjustable and grippy auxiliary handle attached to the nose of hammer and generally I find that when hard drilling is being done this handle is a necessity,


especially since it has the adjustable depth stop attached. However, Metabo designers have recognized that sometimes users need to use a tool in confined spaces. Hence it is now possible to hold this hammer very comfortably and effectively on the black area of body under the gearbox housing. This means that two hand’s worth of pressure can be targeted at the drilling area. Keeping the working bits clean and well ventilated is very important with these kinds of tools as the gearbox literally takes a hammering. Accordingly Metabo has


designed a strong and compact aluminium gear housing that can just be glimpsed underneath the outer plastic bodywork. There are big ventilation holes on each side and on top of the gearbox housing and you can feel the cooling air whooshing through them when the motor is operating. Finally, the chuck has a large plastic sleeve over it and is heavily ribbed for good grip. Mounting a bit or chisel is as simple as sliding back the sleeve and locating the SDS


shank in the chuck with a twist or two. When it comes to competing in the market, the KHE 3250 boasts some impressive specs. It will drill up to 32mm in concrete, 35mm in wood and 13mm in steel and


an amazing 83mm with core bits. It will deliver 3.1J of energy at maximum output and yet weighs only a shade over 3Kgs. I tried my fairly standard range of tests with a 15mm SDS bit in concrete, brick and stone and I was most impressed with two things:- First of all the operating noise


and vibration levels are well under control so the KHE 3250 feels like an easy machine to use – especially if you are having to use it for extended periods. Secondly, it is amazingly light and easy to handle despite the fact that SDS hammers need a little bit of inertia to keep them drilling or chiselling in the operator’s chosen direction. I was also impressed with chiseling mode because the chisel is easy to control since the body of the drill is so easy to grip in a number of ways. The Metabo KHE3250 is clearly a great modern redesign necessary for 21st Century users. Its slimline looks and easy handling are a tribute to a great piece of R and


D by Metabo. Reply No. 228 4 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE www.toolbusiness.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44