Metabo vs Fein. Opinions please.

[William Payne]

I’m only looking for opinions between these two brands. I have used Metabo and they are great. However I can buy both. Fein are locally better in pricing.

Just want some opinions from people with user experience between the two.

 

[rustyjames]

They are both high quality tools. I have a Fein multi master and vacuum and though expensive, well worth the money.

 

[macgee]

Be careful, Fein are now selling ones made in China and much cheaper than their well made German versions. Of course, quality and price are vastly different between the two so worth specifying which one you looking at.

I've had Fein German ones and they are excellent and well made, very expensive but they last forever, even when abused and very smooth; feel great in the hand.

Cant speak about the China version Fein offers. Same thing has happened with Metabo since they partnered up Hitachi, although not sure if they offer those relabeled ones in NZ.

 

[William Payne]

Be careful, Fein are now selling ones made in China and much cheaper than their well made German versions. Of course, quality and price are vastly different between the two so worth specifying which one you looking at.

I've had Fein German ones and they are excellent and well made, very expensive but they last forever, even when abused and very smooth; feel great in the hand.

Cant speak about the China version Fein offers. Same thing has happened with Metabo since they partnered up Hitachi, although not sure if they offer those relabeled ones in NZ.

I’m only interested in the high end models. Example say if I’m looking I’m looking at the top 1700w angle grinder from Fein and comparing it to the equivalent Metabo.

Pretty common for companies to have their low end models and their high end professional models.

 

[Kscardsfan]

What little experience I have with Fein tools has been phenomenal. We ran the hell out of them in residential carpentry to trim all the cabinets and trim to fit. We also trimmed shims all the time with them. They’re amazing tools.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I have two high-end Fein grinders. They have power to spare and vibration isolation is amazing.

 

[neophyte]

I’ve always liked the German made Fein tools, as well as some of the other items they have made in Europe.
Generally solidly built, although the tools have sometimes had less special features than other brands.
To round out their options, Fein has some Chinese made tools now.
I haven’t tried those.
Generally, at least in the past, Fein was an “Industrial” tool supplier, and their goal were solidly built tools that would just work and last well.

Metabo has a good reputation, but they had a wider range of tools, and some of the tools seemed to be made for Industrial and Professional users, whereas others seemed to be designed more for the home user, with many models with slightly different features, or slightly less features.
Metabo also changed ownership, and the former Hitachi Power tool division is now part of the same company, although the Hitachi name didn’t get sold.
In the US the former Hitachi tools are being sold as Metabo HPT.
This apparently varies by country.

 

[seber]

At the top end, I wouldn't worry about either one. I love my older Metabo grinders and I have an older Fein random orbit sander. Both are absolute wonders.

 

[Monte]

Just from the brand name: Fein. They don´t offer hobby tools (well except maybe the entry level Multimaster. And they offer 1 entry level korean/chinese angle grinder)

 

[William Payne]

Thanks everybody!

 

[bob15]

Some of the cordless Metabo stuff comes out of china: lights & reciprocating saw for sure

 

[sqznby]

They are both quality tools.
Can't go wrong with either.

 

[tarbellb]

Yes, can go wrong.

Metabo in the last few years has started to offer a bounty of cheap PRC made grinders.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I have a few of each, the Fein grinders are my first choice but they're both top quality tools.

 

[Monte]

btw. what tools are you looking for ?

 

[William Payne]

btw. what tools are you looking for ?

For now mostly angle and die grinders

 

[ez-duzit]

For now mostly angle and die grinders

Bosch's straight die grinder would be hard to beat.

And the Milwaukee 12v angle die grinder is a great buy.

 

[William Payne]

Bosch's straight die grinder would be hard to beat.

And the Milwaukee 12v angle die grinder is a great buy.

Yeah there are many options I’m trying to avoid battery tools at the moment. Especially for angle grinders.

 

[ez-duzit]

I know of no suitable corded angle die grinder.

 

[svtrader]

For now mostly angle and die grinders

For angle grinders, you're not going to do better than Makita. And Fein's die grinder are overpriced and underpowered. As a brand, Metabo is in the same league as the big brands, e.g. Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee. Fein is more of a high end niche player.

 

[William Payne]

For angle grinders, you're not going to do better than Makita. And Fein's die grinder are overpriced and underpowered. As a brand, Metabo is in the same league as the big brands, e.g. Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee. Fein is more of a high end niche player.

Yip I have access to those brands and have used many of them. All readily available here. I’m just comparing Fein to Metabo right now.

 

[slodat]

I bought one of Metabo's highest end rat tail grinders last year. I use it with a cutoff wheel almost exclusively. It's a great grinder and I'm glad I have it. Metabo and Fein did not have a variable speed model that fit what I wanted. I went with a Makita for the variable speed chores. Separately, I have a Fein mag drill and I love it.

 

[macgee]

If you need muscle and RPM's above 10K, then Fein GSZ 11-320 PRL ($790) sounds like the one you need. I would be going with the smoothest bearings and best balanced over pure grunt if your using it for precision work; Fein is well known for this. I think the Fein is better for that over the Metabo, The Metabo are very good but more like the typical die grinders that others make.

All depends on what you're working on and type of bits you're using?

 

[Monte]

Fein offers 3 types of die grinders: low, medium and high powered long neck die grinders (+ a couple short neck grinders). I guess everyone will find a matching one. Metabo has less to offer.

You also have to look at the electronics, Metabo has 2 types: "VC" and "TC" electronics. The die grinders come with the "VC" electronics which have a lower speed under load than their "TC" electronics angle grinders. AFAIK the Fein die/angle grinders come with the same electronics so the Fein die grinders might be more powerful (in the same Watt category) than the Metabo die grinders, the angle grinders (with same watts) might be equal powered.

 

[xela456]

Yip I have access to those brands and have used many of them. All readily available here. I’m just comparing Fein to Metabo right now.

It took a record 17 posts for somebody to bring up a brand you didn't ask about

I've only used a fein angle grinder once. It was long handled and had a strange squeeze type trigger on it. I believe it was meant to keep both of your hand on it at the same time. However it did start very smooth and seemed to be of high quality. There's no question that Fein is a Top Tier brand.

However the many hours I've spent with a Metabo in hand has me leaning in their direction on this one. Very smooth cutoff machines and quite literally a household name. If there's a 6 inch grinder with a cutoff disc on a jobsite here regardless of the brand it's a "Metabo".
To sum this up. I like Metabo. Based on experience though. I'm sure Fien's grinder is just as good.
To the point of the people mentioning other brands I think if one stuck with a good brand you would be hard pressed to find one that's no good.
Also I'd like to add though that Metabo's Original Slicer discs really ****. CGW is where it's at.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have never used a fein grinder but I own a higher end 4.5" metabo grinder. It is by far better than any milwaukee, dewalt, or makita grinder i have used on vibration, power, and the tool less blade change is awesome.

 

[bob15]

For angle grinders, you're not going to do better than Makita. And Fein's die grinder are overpriced and underpowered. As a brand, Metabo is in the same league as the big brands, e.g. Dewalt, Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee. Fein is more of a high end niche player.

Have you ever used a Metabo? I have 2, an 8" and a 5". They are better than all you list except Fein which I have never used. Buy and try one.....