FEIN 71161661000 Review

In professional workshops, on construction sites, and in metal fabrication shops, the cordless drill faces demands that go far beyond driving screws into softwood. Drilling large-diameter holes in steel, tapping threads into thick plate, running hole saws through stainless steel — these tasks push most cordless tools to their limit, and often beyond it. A standard two-speed drill simply lacks the gear range to deliver both the high RPM for small twist drills and the immense torque required for heavy hole saws and tapping. The result is a workshop cluttered with single-purpose tools: a drill here, a dedicated tapper there, an angle driver for tight spaces, and a separate impact driver for stubborn fasteners. But what if one tool could replace all of them? A drill with four mechanical speeds, a quick-change chuck system that swaps between drilling, driving, and tapping heads in seconds, and a brushless motor built for industrial durability would transform how professionals approach metalworking. It is a big promise — and it demands a tool built to an entirely different standard.

When buying a cordless drill for professional metalworking, the specs that matter most are torque, speed range, and versatility. Most cordless drills offer two speeds — one for high-torque screw driving and one for high-speed drilling. But in metal fabrication, you need more granularity: low speed for tapping threads without breaking the tap, medium speed for large hole saws, and high speed for small twist drills in steel. A four-speed gearbox solves this problem, giving the operator the right RPM for each task without compromise. The chuck system is equally important — traditional keyless chucks work for round-shank bits but cannot hold taps or hex-shank accessories securely. Quick-change interface systems let you snap on a dedicated tapping chuck, an angle head, or a standard drill chuck in under two seconds. FEIN, a German power-tool manufacturer with over 150 years of history, is known for building industrial-grade tools that prioritise function over flash. Their tools are common in metalworking shops, plant maintenance, and heavy industry — environments where downtime is not an option.

This review examines the FEIN ASCM 18 QMP AS, a four-speed cordless combi drill built around the QuickIN interchangeable chuck system. We will cover the power output, the 4-speed gearbox, the QuickIN accessory ecosystem, and what it is like to use on real metalworking tasks — from tapping M14 threads in steel to drilling 80 mm holes with carbide-tipped hole saws. You will find a detailed pros and cons list, five practical use cases, and an honest assessment of whether this premium German tool justifies its price. If your work involves steel, stainless steel, or machine building, this is the review you need.

The FEIN ASCM 18 QMP AS (part 71161661000) is an 18-volt brushless cordless drill that stands apart through its four-speed all-metal gearbox and the QuickIN quick-change interface. The FEIN Power Drive brushless motor delivers a maximum torque of 130 Nm across four mechanical speeds, topping out at 4,000 RPM in fourth gear — unusually fast for a combi drill and ideal for small-diameter drilling in metal where cutting speed matters. The gearbox is all-metal, designed for industrial duty cycles, and the four speeds are selected via a robust rotary collar rather than the usual two-speed slider. The QuickIN system is the headline feature: with 13 available accessories, the drill transforms into 11 different tools — a standard drill, a tapping tool for threads up to M14, an angle driver, a hex bit holder, and more. The hammer-drill function adds masonry capability, though that is secondary to its metalworking purpose.

Design-wise, this is unmistakably FEIN. The signature orange housing signals its German industrial heritage, and at 5.4 kg it is a substantial tool — this is not a lightweight DIY drill. The weight comes from the all-metal gearbox, the robust motor, and the heavy-duty construction throughout. Every control surface is designed for gloved hands: the speed selector clicks positively into each gear, the trigger is progressive and precise, and the forward/reverse switch is oversized. The QuickIN collar at the front of the tool releases accessories with a quarter-turn, and the locking mechanism is steel-on-steel — no plastic clips to wear out. The drill measures 35.8 x 16 x 44 cm and balances well despite its weight, with the centre of gravity sitting naturally in the grip area.

In daily use, the four-speed gearbox is transformative. First gear gives immense torque at low RPM — perfect for driving large fasteners or running an 80 mm carbide hole saw through 5 mm steel plate without bogging down. Fourth gear at 4,000 RPM makes short work of 3 mm and 4 mm twist drills in stainless, where cutting speed is critical to avoid work-hardening the material. The QuickIN system genuinely delivers on its promise: snapping off the drill chuck and clicking on the tapping adapter takes about two seconds, and the connection has zero play. Tapping M14 threads in steel — a task that would stall or snap a tap in most cordless drills — is controlled and repeatable thanks to the low-speed torque delivery and the precision of the gearbox. The electronic clutch disengages cleanly, protecting both the tap and the workpiece.

The QuickIN ecosystem is the drill's true superpower. With 13 accessories spanning a standard keyless drill chuck, a tapping chuck for M3 to M14, a ¼-inch hex bit holder, an angle adapter for tight spaces, a torque-controlled screw driver head, and specialised holders for annular cutters and step drills, the ASCM 18 QMP AS replaces a drawer full of single-purpose tools. Each accessory locks in with an audible click and releases via the spring-loaded collar — no tools needed. This is body-only, so you will need FEIN 18V batteries and a charger if you are not already in the FEIN battery platform. The good news: the tool works with all FEIN 18V packs, from compact 2.5 Ah to high-capacity 6.0 Ah, and the brushless motor makes efficient use of the stored energy.

Physically, the tool measures 35.8 x 16 x 44 cm and weighs 5.4 kg — body only, without a battery. With a 5.0 Ah battery fitted, expect roughly 6.2 kg. It holds a perfect 5.0 out of 5 stars from 12 customer reviews — a remarkable score that speaks to the satisfaction of buyers who know exactly what they are getting. At €249.16, it is priced as a premium industrial tool, and the body-only configuration means the total investment is higher once batteries and QuickIN accessories are added. But for a German-made drill with a four-speed gearbox, industrial-grade brushless motor, and the unique QuickIN system, this is the entry price for a capability level that no other cordless drill currently matches. Country of origin is Germany — this is FEIN's home factory output, not a licensed production run.

The FEIN ASCM 18 QMP AS is purpose-built for metalworking professionals, machine builders, and industrial maintenance teams who need one cordless tool that drills, taps, and drives across steel, stainless steel, and other metals without compromise.