How bad are Metabo HPT tools?

[MattRMagnum]

I've a need for a 4.5" grinder for a project.

I suspect this will be the first, and last, time I use it for a few years. I have bad luck with HF's Warrior brand, and so I was looking for something else. Right now the choices are either a $45 Craftsman that comes with nothing but the grinder, or a $49 Metabo HPT that comes with a case to store it in, and a fistful of wheels. I'm leaning towards the Metabo, since the case + wheels is rather appealing, but thought I'd ask here:

Is there much of a quality difference between Metabo HPT and Craftsman? All I'm doing is grinding a 1"x1" square of metal (steel) down by 1/4" to 1/2". Not an overly major job, but the Warrior I had wasn't up to the task and burned out rather quickly (it was, admittedly, old and used).

 

[The Cobbler]

for a one shot use, I'd go cheap .
I bought an el cheapo from Habitat a while back , just because the price was right. I am surprised how well it really works .
I added a bit of grease in the gear box as it was dry ( very little grease) and made it run a lot smoother .

 

[cgrutt]

AFAIK Metabo HPT is the same as older Hitachi. I own several tools including two of the 4" grinders they work fine no issues. Believe I have a 1/2 drill as well. My jobsite compressor is Hitachi as well as a couple nail guns. Never knew they were considered "bad" tools LOL.

 

[The Cobbler]

the new style brad nailers & narrow crown staplers are not as good as the older style by a long shot. not to derail this thread, its topic for another thread, but there was a time on Ebay when the old narrow crown staplers were selling for more than the new style were.

Never knew they were considered "bad" tools LOL.

 

[vwpieces]

Corded 7Amp Bauer for $30 ain't bad, I have one. But bought at $25 deal. No current deals at HFT at the moment. One to consider for a decent price.

I also have corded Makita 4in Old and machined gears. Smoothest one I own.
Milwaukee fuel M18, Nice, smooth and relatively new
$10 drill master It's crunchy, old and abused
2x $15 Portercable bough on a Deal from Tractor Supply and are pretty nice and smooth.

 

[cgrutt]

the new style brad nailers & narrow crown staplers are not as good as the older style by a long shot. not to derail this thread, its topic for another thread, but there was a time on Ebay when the old narrow crown staplers were selling for more than the new style were.

My Brad nailers and narrow crown staplers are all Bostitch, older US Porter Cable and/or even older US Duo Fast ... can't seem to kill them LOL....

 

[dnschmidt]

I would consider them at about the Rigid level. Better than Ryobi not professional quality like Milwaukee or Makita and certainly not the top of the line like the regular Metabo.

 

[MattRMagnum]

Corded 7Amp Bauer for $30 ain't bad, I have one. But bought at $25 deal. No current deals at HFT at the moment. One to consider for a decent price.

I also have corded Makita 4in Old and machined gears. Smoothest one I own.
Milwaukee fuel M18, Nice, smooth and relatively new
$10 drill master It's crunchy, old and abused
2x $15 Portercable bough on a Deal from Tractor Supply and are pretty nice and smooth.

Good to know! I hadn't considered the Bauer. After the bad luck with Warrior I was hesitant to consider another HF brand.

 

[finn]

I still have the old orange HF grinder I bought for one time use in Florida when my mother had a condo there. She passed ten years ago so it’s probably around 12 or 13 years old, and still works. I think it was $12.00.

Not my favorite so it doesn’t get used much, but still gets pressed into service a couple times per year.

I also still use the $20 Skill I bought at Walmart at 3:00 am when I needed a grinder.

You missed the two for $20 deal on Porter Cable grinders at TSC.

Point is, any grinder will be sufficient for the use you describe. Don’t hold out for a particular brand for an occasional use tool, and stick with corded unless you have batteries on hand, although a bare cordless is probably more expensive than a corded and the corded likely comes with a metal cutting wheel.

You might consider a hack saw and a file, too. That’s how we did it back when.

 

[Woods_Wanderer]

I have 3 of those exact Metabos, and really like them. I've used the **** out of all 3 in my home shop for the last 4 years with no issues. They are noticeably better made than the cheap black hf grinders.

 

[Robinson1]

The Metabo is all right. Unless they’ve improved it in the last couple years the cord is pretty stiff and cheap feeling and will quickly become tangled as you’re using it.

I think the best cheap grinder on the market right now is the 7 amp Bauer.

I’ve accumulated atleast a half dozen 4 1/2” grinders over the years including Dewalt and Milwaukee. My Bauer stays on the workbench next to my vise. Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another

 

[vwpieces]

The Metabo is all right. Unless they’ve improved it in the last couple years the cord is pretty stiff and cheap feeling and will quickly become tangled as you’re using it.

I think the best cheap grinder on the market right now is the 7 amp Bauer.

Bauer does have a nice rubber like flexible cord too.

 

[Wamsutta]

I use my grinders everyday. I wouldn't think of having anything other than Bosch.

 

[dutchgray]

Hitachi grinders were always fine for what little they cost, unless they have significantly changed them in the last 5 years or so they should still be fine.

 

[Hakeem]

Metabo HPT stuff is pretty good from what ive heard, I know a few pros that love their rear handle saw for its light weight (like 10lbs or something crazy). The cordless framer and their triple hammer impact are also supposed to be among the best in their class.

For a cheap grinder, I don’t think it really matters so long as you get something mid-tier or better

 

[finn]

Bauer does have a nice rubber like flexible cord too.

I have never had success long term with rubber / plastic from HF.

Dead blow hammer exploded while in the drawer when the temp went below zero.

Hose on the planishing hammer broke into one inch pieces when temperature dropped. It literally shattered in my hands.

Sandblast cabinet gloves disintegrated within a year of installing them on the cabinet. I used them no more than two times.

Handle on the 4” orange colored grinder separated from the threaded insert while in the toolbox. I suspect that was a low temperature issue also.

Hand truck inner tubes lasted a year before both spontaneously developed multiple pinhole leaks.

 

[Jeff]

"Metabo are the worst tools ever produced"

I see that frequently on tool blogs.

 

[IndyGarage]

HPT stands for Hitachi Power Tool. Metabo bought them several years ago.

Yes Hitachi made good tools. No the grinders aren't as good as Metabo, but they are pretty good. Yes they will be much better than Harbor Freight

 

[kyrbz]

I have a Metabo HPT 4.5” angle grinder I bought at Lowe’s ridiculous cheap. I’ve been abusing it with masonry work for the last 3 years and it’s held up great so far. To be honest, I’m surprised how well it’s held up considering the price. I use real Metabo’s in my shop, but wanted something cheap for a jobsite where I’m doing lots of masonry construction and renovation. I’d recommend the HPT grinder if you’re looking for an inexpensive grinder. Maybe one small criticism is the screw on handle is very small, but I’ve never considered it a problem

 

[finn]

HPT stands for Hitachi Power Tool. Metabo bought them several years ago.

Yes Hitachi made good tools. No the grinders aren't as good as Metabo, but they are pretty good. Yes they will be much better than Harbor Freight

No. HTP bought Metabo.

 

[h~moto]

I will not own an angle grinder that does not have a safety clutch. I would recommend a Walter grinder. They have the safety clutch and are still made in Germany.

 

[IndyGarage]

I will not own an angle grinder that does not have a safety clutch. I would recommend a Walter grinder. They have the safety clutch and are still made in Germany.

I'm pretty sure the higher end Metabos have them. I know I have a very nice Makita that has one.

I've said for a few years that the Metabos were the toughest grinders I own - I have about 10 different brands and I use them all hard.

Well, I burned up my favorite Metabo a couple months ago. Was disassembling a car and cutting through a bunch of metal, and it just all the sudden let the smoke out. The only brands I haven't successfully killed are Makita and Porter Cable.

• Harbor Frieght and other cheap china brands - easy kill.
• Bosch - High vibration, relatively easy kill
• Dewalt - Gone in a spectacular smoke show. I have a big 9 inch Dewalt that is unstoppable. Unfortunately it is so heavy it's hard to use.
• Milwaukee - tough kill, but I got it done
• Hitachi - close, but it's still hanging in there
• Metabo - My favorite to use, but just quit on me - not to return
• Porter Cable - best value - they are relatively cheap, and rattly - but they just keep plugging even under hard use
• Makita - I have four of them, ranging from low end of the line to the top. All of them run smooth and I haven't killed a single one yet.

 

[CoogarXR]

I have the Hitachi 10.8v line of tools, the impact, drill, sawsall, etc. I love them to death. They are pre-Metabo merge, but for what it's worth, I love 'em. I was introduced to them somewhere in the early 2000s, like 2007-ish? I worked for an electronics recycler, and the shop had just bought about 5 of the Hitachi impacts (they replaced huge clunky Dewalts). I loved them so much that I bought a set for myself. I've had my set for probably 15 years now, and I'm still on the first batteries that still hold a respectable charge. I use them damn-near daily, and I would be heartbroken if I had to get used to something else, lol.

 

[finn]

I will not own an angle grinder that does not have a safety clutch. I would recommend a Walter grinder. They have the safety clutch and are still made in Germany.

Look like nice grinders, but at $295 for the 4 1/2” version, it’s $285 more than the Porter Cable grinders that were on sale for 2 for $20 before Christmas. (It may have been 2 for $40….. I forget).

One would have to be pretty risk averse to swallow that upcharge for what the o p described as an occasional use tool, And that doesn’t even consider the large percentage of members who have no issue running a grinder without the guard in place, per a recent thread.

 

[Hakeem]

I will not own an angle grinder that does not have a safety clutch. I would recommend a Walter grinder. They have the safety clutch and are still made in Germany.

I’m fairly risk averse but I don’t see the utility of a clutch unless you’re working on a ladder and the kickback might throw you off. What additional protection does it afford me if I’m wearing eye protection and using the guard?

 

[BlitzcrankJapan]

They are very good.
The old Hitachi tools were on par with high grade tools.

The new Metabo HPT are on par with DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita (mid level) etc.

Here's a list of cordless tools and the order it's in.
Higher end: Hilti, Festool, Metabo, Bosch (higher end models), old Hitachi, Panasonic (higher end models), Makita (higher end models).

Mid professional tools: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch (mid level), Makita (mid level), Metabo HPT.

Lower levels: Ryobi, AEG, all the 'house' brand stuff that is essentially resold in different countries under different names.

DeWalt and Milwaukee are great for light duty professional work like houses, buildings, automotive, etc. But they simply don't hold up once you get into the big stuff.
The old Hitachi held up very well. The new Metabo HPT doesn't handle heavy work like it use to unfortunately. But hey, if DeWalt and Milwaukee works for you then there is no reason Metabo HPT won't either.

 

[dnschmidt]

I will not own an angle grinder that does not have a safety clutch. I would recommend a Walter grinder. They have the safety clutch and are still made in Germany.

Walter's grinders are made by Metabo. If you look at them they are identical. Walter makes abrasives (and damn fine ones at that) they are not in the power tool manufacturing business.

 

[Steve_P]

I’m fairly risk averse but I don’t see the utility of a clutch unless you’re working on a ladder and the kickback might throw you off. What additional protection does it afford me if I’m wearing eye protection and using the guard?

Obviously, it's safer, but it can also stop the motor from burning out if you totally lock it up. I did a project at work where we used one to cut thru a 2" pipe remotely (no humans in the room); the pipe pinched and stopped the blade, and it was fine once we shut it off and freed it up. Granted, this wouldn't normally be an issue, but...

I have two of the Germany made Metabo variable speed 5" grinders and they've totally ruined me for using anything else; the variable speed feature is so nice. I have a couple other grinders and almost never use them anymore.

 

[tarbellb]

Hitachi has been cranking out $29.99 8amp basic ***** grinders for decades

It will get your job done and likely last until you don't want to grind anything ever again

A step up would be another also made in China Makita

After that just jump up to a true German made Metabo anything else is a compromise

 

[MattRMagnum]

I wound up buying the Metabo HPT. I won't be returning it, but I've realized I think I prefer the 'trigger' style to the 'switch' style. It's a little too cumbersome to turn off for safety's sake, imo. Ah well. I've like 10 more minutes of using it, and it'll likely then sit on a shelf for a few years. As long as I survive those, it'll be fine.

 

[Wamsutta]

I wound up buying the Metabo HPT. I won't be returning it, but I've realized I think I prefer the 'trigger' style to the 'switch' style. It's a little too cumbersome to turn off for safety's sake, imo. Ah well. I've like 10 more minutes of using it, and it'll likely then sit on a shelf for a few years. As long as I survive those, it'll be fine.

You mean you prefer a paddle switch? I hate those. I prefer the slide switch on the left side with the lock-on feature.

 

[dclark2171]

I am switching to Metabo HPT for my cordless tools (I have a mish mash of cheapies). I'm going to guess over time that German Metabo will share the same tools and eventually the same battery system. I believe a couple of the newer tools are already shared with 36V (new for Germany), just different battery system.

 

[cherrybomb]

Look at the positives,you didn't spend alot,got the job done,learned the switch features you like,posted it,we all learn.

 

[dclark2171]

Look at the positives,you didn't spend alot,got the job done,learned the switch features you like,posted it,we all learn.

Yes, I was heavily leaning toward Makita. However, after trying both brands on a couple of tools, The HPTs just felt right. Especially the multi tools and angle grinders. The build quality seems equal to all the major pro brands. Plus, I don't need all the "fluff" items (Coffee makers, radios, coolers, etc). For outdoor, I use EGO for cordless (Honda lawn mower). I also like the HPT Multi volt battery system, One battery for both 36 and 18v. AND, HPT has an adptor so you can plug the tools into the wall. I can leave a Miter saw plugged in fulltime in my garage and when needed, pop some batteries to take it to the front yard or elsewhere.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I’ve been switching most of my power tools over to Metabo starting with a Metabo hpt cordless circular saw. With its soft start and super long life battery charge I just love it. Next I replaced my HF grinder for a corded metabo for my stone wall project where I use carbide blades to cut stone. I also retired my Porter cable air pin and trim nailers for metabo. All purchases were a step up in my opinion. For the Op, most trigger grinders have an awkward safety lever or button, so the slider switch while awkward works pretty well with gloves on.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a Cman professional and it's been a workhorse for close to 20 years. I have a couple of Dewalts, no issues and a Metabo HPT and it's done fine..

I also have a HF cheapy that was $10-15 bucks with the old 20% coupon. It was bought for the simple purpose of cutting concrete block and it's well past paying for itself and still working. It was however replaced with 7" version to make quicker work and it's still spinning fast.

 

[dclark2171]

I’ve been switching most of my power tools over to Metabo starting with a Metabo hpt cordless circular saw. With its soft start and super long life battery charge I just love it. Next I replaced my HF grinder for a corded metabo for my stone wall project where I use carbide blades to cut stone. I also retired my Porter cable air pin and trim nailers for metabo. All purchases were a step up in my opinion. For the Op, most trigger grinders have an awkward safety lever or button, so the slider switch while awkward works pretty well with gloves on.

I think the Metabo HPTs are underated. You can see whats coming down the pipeline by looking at the Japan Hikoki site. It takes a few months for Metabo HBT to offer the newest vs Japan. I may purchase the latest Impact driver thru Amazon Japan.


https://www.hikoki-powertools.jp/

 

[Wamsutta]

I think the Metabo HPTs are underated. You can see whats coming down the pipeline by looking at the Japan Hikoki site. It takes a few months for Metabo HBT to offer the newest vs Japan. I may purchase the latest Impact driver thru Amazon Japan.


https://www.hikoki-powertools.jp/

I'm having a lot of fun with that website. Their search box understands english which is most helpful.

They've got brushless tools with a cord. I've never seen that before. Their 6-inch brushless grinder with VS looks interesting.

 

[IRQVET]

I have a few Metabo HPT’s tools that have actually been pretty good. Corded grinder, corded drill, and a pancake compressor. All run flawlessly. Like others have stated, I think they are underrated personally.

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve got a Metabo framing nailer and I’m really pleased with it. Thinking about getting the 16ga finish nailer and see how much better it is than my Ryobi.