Even before it was announced that Hitachi would be acquiring Metabo, readers reported seeing Metabo power tools at their local Lowes.
Well, it looks like Metabo, before or under the Hitachi umbrella, has also forged a partnership with Lowes. We wrote about the Hitachi and Lowes partnership back in August. Maybe it’s a coincidence, or maybe this is tied into Metabo’s acquisition by Hitachi.
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Metabo has come out with a new 18V cordless miter saw, model KGS 18 LTX 216, and it looks like Lowes is the first retailer to carry it in the USA.
The new Metabo 18V cordless miter saw is a sliding miter saw, not unlike the Dewalt cordless miter saw that came out a few months ago, and it’s designed to accommodate a 8-1/2″ blade size.
Features & Specs
- 8-1/2″ blade size, 5/8″ arbor
- 4,200 RPM no-load speed
- Max cutting capacity at 90°: 12″ wide x 2-1/2″ thick
- Weighs 30 pounds with battery
- Can make over 400 cuts in 8-in laminate flooring per battery charge, or over 175 cuts in 2-in x 6-in per charge (with 5.2Ah battery)
- Single bevel design (tilts to the left)
- Laser cutting guide
- LED worklight
- Detachable extensions for material support
- High sliding rear fence
- Included clamps can be secured from top or front
- Dust and chip collection bag
The kit comes with a starter 8-1/2″ carbide saw blade, 6.2Ah battery (or 2 batteries, it’s unclear), and charger.
Price: $579 for the kit
Buy Now(via Lowes)
First Thoughts
The blade size is the only part that has me a little concerned. While a 8-1/2″ blade will give you greater cutting capacity, 7-1/4″ blades are more ubiquitous. 8-1/2″ circular saw blades are easily available online, so this really is only a minor hesitation.
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I use my miter saw with framing blades, finish blades, non-ferrous blades, and plywood blades, with the latter 2 being harder to find outside of 7-1/4″, 10″, and 12″ blade sizes. But if you don’t have specialty blade needs like I do, the higher cutting capacity is a good reason to go with a 8-1/2″ saw.
Metabo is traditionally a metalworking tool company, and it’s great to see them dive deeper into the woodworking tool market.
They’re following a philosophy we’ve heard from other companies as well, such as Milwaukee Tool, and want to create a cordless workplace where battery-powered tools deliver corded-like performance.
What next, a Metabo cordless portable table saw? *wink*
There’s a promo image in this Coptool post that shows what looks to be a Metabo cordless table saw, or at least a proof of concept.
Nathan
So curious is there also a link between Hitachi and Makita?
I would agree the blade size seems like an issue if you can sling it why not move up to the 10inch blade? Also cost wise is it really better than the dewalt flavor.
choices and competition is nice
fred
Other than both headquartered in Japan?
I know of no link.
Re the Metabo saw – 8-1/4 makes them a bit different – and 10 inch is probably beyond the capability for good performance of the battery/motor
James
A 7.25″ blade typically only allows a 3″ vertical cut. Basic base molding starts at 3.25″. If you’re doing production finish carpentry this is a great saw to drag from room to room.
Chance
The vast majority of base molding is 2 3/4″ tall.
Chris Pyfer
Vast majority where? In your house?
Chance
The homes I have installed trim at in the past 19 years as a finish carpenter.
Chris Pyfer
You should probably qualify that. If you only but 2-3/4″ base that is different than saying the vast majority of base moulding is 2-3/4″.
fred
Over something like 40 years – we noticed (no scientific study here) that many customers were asking to change out casing and trim to larger sizes. In recent years I started thinking that it might be the influence of shows like This Old House where real colonial and craftsman style woodwork might be showcased. In any event we seemed to be doing more multi-component baseboard and crown molding work. Sometimes we tried to talk customers out of some really big trim that we thought didn’t go with the style of the house – height of the ceiling etc. A 10 inch crown molding looks OK with a 16+ foot ceiling – but rather ridiculous (IMO) with a typical 8 foot residential ceiling.
JOHN BERNARD
I haven’t installed anything under 5″ in decades.
James
Even Home Depots Pro Pack base is 3.25″. I did a quick look at HD and out of 32 options only 2 where shorter than 3.25″. Molding that short would just not look right.
Jerry
Couldn’t you just lay the molding flat a d cut it that way? Maybe some crown molding would be iffy but I can’t see base molding being a problem.
James
It’s just quicker to cut base vertically. Between 45’s, 22’s, copes, and scarfs it’s just way to slow to cut on the flat.
Premo
Absolutely. I am a production trim carpenter and the only molding that I don’t cut on the flat is cabinet crown.
Blythe M
I don’t see why you couldn’t run a 7-1/4 blade if you really needed to for a specific application
fred
Might it(7-1/4 blade) not require the workpiece to be elevated for a through-cut?
julian
I have a older Bosch 18volt/24vold nicad 10″ cordless miter saw that I’ve modified to use my Makita LXT batteries. It’ll turn a full kerf blade no problem. Obviously doing miter cuts in PT 2×6 is a bit of a strain, but base, case and and trim and the occasional 2×4 project is not an issue.
Used the smaller Makita LED flashlight as a battery interface for the mod. Still have and use my older Bosch cordless planer, mitersaw and rotozip with the adapter. Also used the Bosch sawzall and jigsaw with it, but have since bought the Makita LXT versions only because of finding good deals on them used. The performance was exceptional with the adapter. Because there’s no built in battery saving circuitry, I do make sure not to use the batteries up on those tools.
JT
mnoswad
i think we all would like to see pics of these mods
Pablo
You guys missed the $100 off they were giving before the holidays.
will
I noticed that Stewart lists two batteries but the site doesn’t say if it comes with one or two batteries. If it was two that would be fine but Metabo batteries are extremely expensive and you would need at least two for continuous work. Lovely saw though, they make some quality tools !
Stuart
Sorry, that was a mistype. I’m fairly sure this is a 1-battery kit. I also haven’t seen any indication that it comes with more than one battery.
Premo
Real Tool Reviews has a video review and it is 2 batteries.
Steve
Wow cool, I hear Milwaukee has one in Europe but hasn’t came to US quite yet.
Hugh
At least Lowe’s will be carrying something worth buying besides Dewalt now. If they would bring in the pro tools that Bosch and Hitachi have, then maybe they would have tool sales.
Adam
I think cordles miter saws are junk, they’ve got no power , that’s why they are 8 1/2″ and not 10″ like most corded miter saws. Plus it costs to much. Then you have to spend more money on Battery’s, and battery technology is not there yet, no ware near it, give it another five years, and maybe.
gunda
Batter is cheap. In Sweden about 45is$ for 5.2ah
William
Why haven’t we seen a cordless table saw yet? It seems like it would be relatively easy for power tool companies to make a cordless table saw. We already have cordless circular saws, just flip it over and mount it in a table! The technology is there for ultra high capacity packs (Milwaukee) and X2 battery interfaces (Makita).
You could use more and bigger batteries since table saws are not handheld. For general jobsite construction you really only need 2″ of cut capacity. That seems doable with an 8 1/2″ blade.
Adam
A cordles table saw, wouldn’t work , it wouldn’t have enough power, a cordles mister saw doseant have enough power, the battery technology is not there yet.
fred
If you have had the experience of stock coming back at you on a table saw – with one probable cause being : the saw is underpowered — then you may know why there is no battery-powered table saw. A sharp premium thin kerf blade, a high quality well aligned fence and anti-kickback pawls, and even Sawstop-Type technology can only do so much. I have Bosch 4100DG which I wouldn’t think of using to cut some stock (e.g. 8/4 oak or maple) – switching to my 5HP Unisaw. With both of these saws the power source is not so variable – unless the utility is having a brownout – but with battery power that’s a whole different set of issues
william
My dog has 3 legs and this would be a great saw to cut a wooden peg for him. Thank you Metabo.
jet
I feel sorry for your dog and I hope the new peg you cut for him on the Metabo saw gives him some independence. Thanks Metabo.