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How bad are Metabo HPT tools?

Crazyjake8493

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Upstate NY
I have a Hitachi grinder that's 10 years old and still going strong. I have the 18v framing, finish, and pin nailers from right before the Hitachi/Metabo merger and they're the best battery nailers I've used.

Their 18-volt lineup has quite a variety of tools, it's just difficult to find some of them.
 
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Crazyjake8493

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Sep 26, 2014
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Upstate NY
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.
I think you'll be happy with them. I have the framing, finish, and pin nailers from right before the merger (branded Hitachi) and I wouldn't trade them for any other brand.
 

dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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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.

Hikoki G15YE3.jpeg
Most browsers have a built in translator. Quite interesting what comes out of japan.
 

joshmodelskidoo

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Apr 18, 2012
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mid western michigan
I have an old Milwaukee with a paddle switch i picked up used and it’s been great. Even had it smoking under hard use before and still going strong. After having the old craftsman c3 cordless grinder i buy only trigger switched ones now. I picked up the 8 amp bauer for $25 with cupon but haven’t had a chance to use it yet but it seems people really like it
 

bpwoodworking

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I used this brand a few times on job sites in a pinch. They may be ok when new, but I was pretty disappointed using them once they had some mileage.
 

Wamsutta

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Jan 8, 2014
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Amarillo, Texas
I have 3 of these grinders, they are the best!

Absolutely love them, grab them before I grab my German Metabo and German Fein

You have 3 Hikoki grinders? How do you get them to run in the United States? They're made for Japan's 100V receptacles. :unsure:
 

neophyte

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Pennsylvannia
You have 3 Hikoki grinders? How do you get them to run in the United States? They're made for Japan's 100V receptacles. :unsure:
You can officially purchase some of the thin, Metabo HPT/Hickoki/Hitachi brushless corded angle grinders in the USA.
They’ve been available for sale in the USA for at least several years.
The exact models may vary (ie. Disc size and guard size), but it’s possible the grinders were engineered with electronics that can handle 100v-125v power, and maybe the 50 or 60 hz power differences that are found in different areas of Japan.

 

tarbellb

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It's the ergonomics are what separates this from others, super skinny barrel for easy one hand operation and lightweight

plus all the tech features
 

Wamsutta

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It's the ergonomics are what separates this from others, super skinny barrel for easy one hand operation and lightweight

plus all the tech features

Do you know if the 6-inch version is available for sale in the United States?
 
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The Cobbler

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Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
I have an old Milwaukee with a paddle switch i picked up used and it’s been great.
I have one that was given to me... the guy couldn't get the nut to loosen with a cutting wheel on it. he bent 2 wrenches and went & bought a $ 20 grinder from Canadian Tire.
Grabbed it in the vice, a punch & hammer & the nut was loose in a second.
 

Hohn

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Diesel Central, Indiana
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).
I have three Hitachi grinders, two 4.5" and and a 7". They have held up much better than I expected. None of them has failed me or worn out.

The 8a 4.5" in particular I've had so hot it was uncomfortable to hold through leather gloves. It's still kicking today and was used just last week. (I used to recondition vintage cast iron cookware using just this one grinder with a large cup brush).

For the money, they are pretty doggone good IMO. Nothing at all as smooth as my Makita SJS II, but that's nearly a $250 tool vs $80 for the Hitachi.

I'm not convinced the HF corded offerings are anything special in value. At the HF prices, you have a lot of options in decent grinder.
 

Hohn

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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
It might be more accurate to say that Hitachi bought Metabo.

Then KKR bought Hitachi.


 
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Hohn

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I think you'll be happy with them. I have the framing, finish, and pin nailers from right before the merger (branded Hitachi) and I wouldn't trade them for any other brand.
Same, when they went on sale at the rebrand I bought the 18ga brad, the 18ga stapler, and the 23ga pinner. I already had the 15ga finisher.

I wouldn't trade them for any brand, they have each been superb.
 

tarbellb

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Google it bro

but you can throw a 5" disc on that model

Actually the G12VE is a 125mm model (5"), I'm sure I've run 6" but I don't run guards so not sure it would fit with guard equipped?

However this grinder isn't for big material removal, it's a superb lightweight easy to maneuver grinder

If you need 6+ start looking at the beekcakes like Makita and Metabo (og)
 

dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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I just purchased the HPT 1/2 impact wrench and a 3/4 Hikoki impact wrench. Both these things are quite powerful. I really do not need the 3/4, however, I have some 3/4 impact sockets from my Dad and wanted something to match up. I no longer have an air compressor, now I do not see any reason to buy a new one (I probably will anyway..lol).
 

dclark2171

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Feb 19, 2024
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I've been adding more and more Metabo HPT tools and I am quite pleased. I really like the cordless multi tool. I'm still keeping some of my Ryobi tools that have performed well. My Ryobi Multitool has fallen of roofs onto concrete, left out in snow for one entire season (I thought I lost it, but found it in the spring after snow melted), left out in the rain..you name it...still works like a charm.
 

haneyrm

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Jan 9, 2010
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Placida, FL and Ellijay, GA
Got the Metabo HPT grinder, chop saw, circular saw and a 1/2” drill. All have been excellent with no issues. This would be non-professional, but heavy amateur use. I do dock and deck work.

Man needs a grinder for 10 minutes and the internet pushes him towards a $295 machine. LOL. Nothing quite like spending other people’s money.
 

Damon L.

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Mar 23, 2008
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Location
SE Minnesota
I think you'll be happy with them. I have the framing, finish, and pin nailers from right before the merger (branded Hitachi) and I wouldn't trade them for any other brand.

I just threw my HPT branded brad nailer away. The plastic magazine cracked and it keeps jamming up.

It would have been fine for use in my workshop, but going on jobsites and getting abused in the truck did it in. Yes, I did say abused, so I understand that my treatment of it wasn't the best, but I don't have those issues with any of my other nailguns/staplers.
 

wantedabiggergarage

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Feb 25, 2006
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Independence, MO, USA.
I have a German made Metabo, a Hitachi (before they merged), and a HF low end (don't know the brand). All are corded and I tend to use/separate them for different things. The HF, just uses a flap wheel for cleaning up the edges of shovels, lawn mower blades, etc. The Hitachi was found at a local discount/damaged freight store, back when they had deals, and I use it with a wire wheel (fine tool for the job), the Metabo has a lot less vibration, was also found at the above store, and I ran into a machinist friend who told me that it was a bargain, and it over the Bosch (German made), were his preferences for what he could get locally, that didn't wear out your hand. It gets used for grinding and cut off wheels.
No idea if they still have a German line and I don't have a use for a cordless one. The Hitachi tools I used to look at/for, were considered good tools at the time (sliding miter saw compared to some of the others). Do they have a range now (German made like those of old, verses consumer grade, etc)?
 
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