Metabo 1-inch Combination Hammer KHE D-26 Released

Metabo recently introduced the Metabo 1-inch Combination Hammer KHE D-26 for hammer drilling, drilling without impact, and chiseling. This 7-amp rotary hammer has an aluminum alloy housing and features Vario (V)-electronics for variable speeds, Metabo S-automatic torque limiting clutch for bind-ups, a lockable switch, and delivers single blow energy of 1.7 foot-pounds with 5,400 BPM.

Our Take

We don’t get the opportunity to talk about Metabo very often, but when we do, we are typically impressed with its products. Metabo’s got a deep bench of power tools and accessories and is highly respected throughout the world. So from the German company comes the SDS-Plus Metabo 1-inch Combination Hammer KHE D-26 with what looks like more than enough muscle to get the concrete job done. And for any confusion about the term “combination hammer” – it’s what we know as a rotary hammer. Metabo claims they’ve designed this one to be the fastest anchoring rotary hammer from 3/16- to 1/2-inch.

Metabo 1-inch Combination Hammer KHE D-26 Released

The first thing you might notice is the cord. We know Metabo’s got the chops for powerful battery operated tools, so we’ll presume that Metabo has meant this for serial work – drilling many holes at a time – where power is readily available. Rotary hammers are workhorses that need a lot of juice, so if the job is big – or mostly overhead work – then a corded version is probably the way to go. Corded tools usually shave off some of the weight of their Lithium-Ion brethren since batteries are heavy. The KHE D-26 is a pretty trim 6.4 pounds excluding the power cord.

Check out Metabo’s 9-Inch Cordless Grinder!

We like the variable speeds and the limiting clutch for bind-up situations. Many tradesmen – especially masons – will tell you that rotary hammer bind-ups are among the most hazardous things they encounter. With so much torque spinning quickly, a bound-up bit can make the tool wrench violently, injuring hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders.

How does that compare to other major players in the 1-inch SDS-Plus class?

Well, perhaps Bosch’s corded 1-inch Bulldog Xtreme Rotary Hammer GBH2-26. Bosch’s most recent 1-inch hammer boasts an 8-amp motor, 2 foot-pounds of impact energy, and weighs in at 6.4 pounds. Hey, that gives us an idea – wouldn’t it be fun to see a head-to-head shootout of corded SDS-Plus Rotary Hammers? Hmmmm….

Metabo 1-inch Combination Hammer KHE D-26 Features

Combination hammer for hammer drilling, drilling without impact and chiseling
Vario (V)-electronics for working at customized speeds to suit various application materials.
High-performance hammer action precisely mounted in a housing made of aluminum alloy: long-lasting and robust
Metabo S-automatic torque limiting clutch: mechanical decoupling of the drive for safe working should the drill stop unexpectedly.
Lockable switch for trouble-free working in continuous operation