Work Easier With the Metabo HPT One-Handed Reciprocating Saw
One-handed reciprocating saws are making their way into the 18V market. Milwaukee has been offering the M18 Hackzall model for some time and recently introduced a brushless version. Bosch also introduced a compact model. Now it's the turn of Metabo HPT to expand its line of cordless construction tools. So where does the Metabo HPT 18V Compact Reciprocating Saw fit in?
advantage
- light
- compact design
- low vibration
- Compatible with T-handle jig saw blades
- Lifetime Tool Warranty
shortcoming
- slow cutting speed
When you look at the specifications of a reciprocating saw, the stroke length and speed can tell you a lot about the theoretical cutting speed. The faster and longer the stroke, the more linear inches per minute the blade will cover. Looking at several popular models in the compact segment, we can see that the Metabo HPT has a high 3200 SPM and a low 1/2 inch stroke rate.
In theory we'd expect it to be good at cutting thin walled metal and PVC, and rather slow at cutting wood, but there's a reason you still play this game. We have cuts for 2x4s, PVC and EMT – materials you may come across in plumbing and electrical. The Metabo HPT One-Handed Reciprocating Saw easily handles these materials faster than a hand saw and is more accessible than a full-size reciprocating saw.
However, the cutting speed is lower than models near the top of the chart, such as Milwaukee's M18 Fuel, especially on those 2×4 models. While it's perfectly capable of doing the same job, you'll notice a difference in speed for some cuts.
The flip side of any reciprocating saw's performance is vibration. The aggressiveness of the cut will overwhelm you and tire out your arms. These compact models are less powerful and tend to be less vibratory in nature. While there are significant reductions compared to full-size cordless reciprocating saws, there are still some. However, it's on the lower side compared to other models we've used.
The design of the Metabo HPT is similar to almost all one-handed models on the market, and it is very compact. It's a little shorter than most, with a noticeably narrower profile.
The smaller profile saves some weight. Our scales showed the bare tool weighing 3.0 pounds, a full pound less than Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Hackzall. It still weighs under 4 pounds at 3.6 pounds with the compact battery. Pick up an 18V one-handed model from almost any other brand and it's clear that the Metabo HPT is designed to be much lighter.
The rubber overmold starts at the front handle, goes over the top, and continues into the main handle. This provides a comfortable gripping surface and provides some extra drop protection. The main handle is a bit bigger than some handles and feels great in medium sized hands.
Like its competitors, the Metabo HPT 18V Compact Reciprocating Saw doesn't do much. I like the fact that the shoe length can be easily adjusted without additional tools. With spring-loaded thumb buttons, it's the best design we've seen. I wish all my reciprocating saws could adjust the soles so easily.
However, the Metabo HPT seems to have missed an opportunity by not allowing the shoe to turn. We cut a lot of round material with these saws and it was great in helping to keep the shoe engaged throughout the cut.
One thing we found a little odd is that part of the battery port protrudes about 1/2 inch from the end of the 1.5Ah battery. This isn't really an issue as the tool still stands upright, but we thought it was worth mentioning. From a functional standpoint, the only other natural progression left is to add a brushless motor somewhere in the production line.
Additional features
- Twist Blade Lock: Standard compact twist lock for blades
- LED Lights: Upward facing blades, as effective as bottom guide lights
Speaking of price, the Metabo HPT is priced at $129 bare-bones, which puts it in the middle of the pack for an 18V battery pack. That's on the higher end of the brushed models, but still below the brushless ones. There are currently no kit options.
Metabo HPT backs the CR18DAQ4 with a lifetime warranty.
the bottom line
What sets Metabo HPT's 18V one-handed reciprocating saw apart is its extremely low weight compared to other models in the 18V class. It's a big deal for plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and other users who work in tight spaces and overhead and turn to compact designs. If you're like our team, reducing cutting speed a bit is an easy trade-off for lighter weight and lower vibration.
To learn more about the complete Metabo HPT line of power tools, click here.
Metabo HPT One Hand Reciprocating Saw Specifications
- Model: Metabo HPT CR18DAQ4
- No-load SPM: 3200
- Stroke Length: 1/2 inch
- Weight: 2.75 lbs (bare), 3.56 lbs (with 1.5Ah battery)
- Length: 13.75 inches
- Price: $129.00 (bare metal)
- Warranty: Lifetime