Jigsaw

[DB10]

I would be interested to know what you think of the Metabo jigsaw, I bought their cordless mitre saw a while back and it's proved to be a great saw, quite small and light.
I take it with me on quick or small jobs. So I have a couple of 5.2 batteries now and I'm thinking of expanding my Metabo cordless tools.
[member=38144]sae[/member]

 

[Sjur]

Well, I tried out both festool and the mafell saw. I ended up getting the mafell with tiltable base. My grandmother was in a good mood and almost forced me to buy the tiltable base, and I didn't say no to a sponsored base I won't use it much, but it going to be real handy if I do need it.

Jmd, what you're saying is what made me consider the bosch heavily. Do I need a better jigsaw than a bosch one? At the end of the day, my grandmother is quite a wealthy woman that didn't really care how much it cost. She said "You made me a terrace, I'll buy you a jigsaw. Pick the one you want! ".

Metabo is interesting. I've always thought it was tools for amateurs. My father had a circular saw and a drill from Metabo that was really quite bad, but my father gave me a really awesome older hammer drill from Metabo that I use all the time now, and it's really awesome. That, and noticing more and more people speaking warmly of Metabo, has shifted my mindset of Metabo. Do they make a range for proffesionals and hobbyworkers, same as bosch?

 

[sae]

Metabo is interesting. I've always thought it was tools for amateurs. My father had a circular saw and a drill from Metabo that was really quite bad, but my father gave me a really awesome older hammer drill from Metabo that I use all the time now, and it's really awesome. That, and noticing more and more people speaking warmly of Metabo, has shifted my mindset of Metabo. Do they make a range for proffesionals and hobbyworkers, same as bosch?

Well if they are for amateurs, there's a whole lot of people overpaying.  They do offer tools at more "homeowner friendly" prices, but there isn't a specific range, and really it's only in angle grinders and sanders (which they make the inexpensive ones in China to lower the cost).

Metabo's core market is metalworking, they offer 100+ different grinders available for any imaginable situation, and from my friends in the industry, no one makes better grinders. Their construction and renovation stuff probably receives less engineering attention and money, but I've been pretty pleased with what I've been able to use from them so far.

The two sanders I've used from them have been top notch. Their brushless drill is probably my favorite of the bunch, it offers a ton of features (electronic clutch, impulse mode, right angle attachments, 3:1 torque multiplier, etc), and manages to be lighter yet more powerful than any other drill I've owned.

Perhaps the biggest vote of confidence is that Mafell deems Metabo's drills quality enough to to call their own, and rebrands both 10.8 brushed and 18v brushless drills.

They're also on top of battery technology better than any other manufacturer, they were the first to 4.0Ah, 5.2Ah, and now they have some new LiHD cells that are really insane. Apparently they can get double the runtime on the same tool, with near the same size/capacity. Really not sure how it works yet, I need to get my hands on one of the packs and disassemble it for myself.

The one thing Metabo has been pretty bad with in the past is ergonomics; the cordless circular saw and reciprocating saw I have both have an unreasonably large grip. However, both these tools are pretty old, the (rather new) drill and rotary hammer I have don't have this problem, so hopefully they'll carry these ergonomics moving forward.

 

[Holmz]

...
The one thing Metabo has been pretty bad with in the past is ergonomics; the cordless circular saw and reciprocating saw I have both have an unreasonably large grip.
...

TMaybe those were desinged by Hans?

 

[Sjur]

Wow Sae, thanks for the info!
I guess I'll keep in mind to get an angle grinder from metabo incase mine breaks down (bosch).

Interesting about the drill. I got a TXS for about 2 weeks ago. I knew about the Mafell drill with the same quick change setup, but I needed an angle drill, the festool dealer was 10 minutes away and I knew how warmly people have spoken of the CSX. I don't do much kitchen so I wen't with the TXS for better ergonmics and less weight.

I do like the TXS - it has a good balance, it's easy to adjust torque to get the screw exactly how I want it, the ergonomics is excellent, and it looks cool!

However, I compared the specs of the metabo 10,8 drill and it's better in almost every regard, especially 4,0 ah vs. 2,6. The only thing is the base (it doesn't sit ready to be picked up) and the case not being t-lock. The case isn't such a big problem because I almost never have the drill in the case, but it's nice for astethics and being able to lock everything together as a system.

I haven't invested in the festool drilling accesories, and I won't need to if I switch it to metabo/mafell. Any input on this?

 

[Holmz]

...
However, I compared the specs of the metabo 10,8 drill and it's better in almost every regard, especially 4,0 ah vs. 2,6.
...
I haven't invested in the festool drilling accesories, and I won't need to if I switch it to metabo/mafell. Any input on this?
...

I got the Cenrotek set a few months back and was leaning towards the CTX/TSX.
The Metabo and A10M are pretty much the same - other than the later being red. Metabo actually makes it for them I think.
It does seem better in every way to me too.

The good news was that the Centrotek gear fits the red/green drill.
The Centrotek T-lock sits on top of the non-T-lock box. Maybe I am old fashioned as I like the older style better and the T-locks seem to fall off all the time when I get the bit out.

I really like all the organisation of the centrotek kit.

The picture is deceiving, it looks like a kiddy drill it is so small, however in the photo it looks large.
While the big battery is bigger, the ergonomics with the small battery I like better.

 

[Wuffles]

The Metabo and A10M are pretty much the same - other than the later being red. Metabo actually makes it for them I think.
It does seem better in every way to me too.

That looks exactly the same as my Metabo 10.8v. In what respect is the Mafell "better in every way"?

 

[Holmz]

When smashed my fingernail into fence post drilling downwards once I realised (as i was swearing and considering my throbbing finger) that the sabre gaurded drills had a use.

But I was referencing Sjur's reference which I assumed referred to torque, size, etc.

My old Bosch is ok, but a bit big for getting into tight spots, and I will probably buy another battery for it. The noisy impact (?) jobs also seem good, but I don't need one at the moment.

Really there are a lot of great drills these days.
I am happy so far with the metabo copy, and happy that the centrotek gear slides on.

 

[Sjur]

Yeah I was referring to the technical specifications.

If I'm right: TXS only allows centrotec bits, whereas Metabo/Mafell allows both? I might actually consider returning the TXS as I'd like the drill to have a little bit more torque. Although I like the foot, balance and ergonomics of the TXS. I don't have brand loyalty but I wish to have the best tool available. Is there a noticeable price difference of the Metabo vs. Mafell?

 

[sae]

You can always use 1/4" bits w/ the CXS/TXS using the magnetic bit holder, but I hate magnetic bit holders in general because the bits always pull out.

The Metabo/Mafell has the same setup (1/4" magnetic), but they also offer a locking quick release hex chuck (made by Wera) as well.

Unsure of the price difference, the 10.8v stuff is hard to acquire over here in the US to begin with.

 

[Sjur]

I'll go to the store and ask about the price. They don't have Metabo nor Mafell in stock, they have to order them from the main distributor in Norway.

When I bought the P1CC I visited the main distributor to buy without shipping delay, but I didn't get the same discount that way. When I was there, they told me that Mafell has been increasing their prices lately, and distributors in Norway have been throwing in the towel because there is barely any money to be earned. They told me that they were also discussing if they (the main distributor) will stop importing mafell to have in stock, and just import when a customer asked them to. I asked them whether or not I will be able to get spare parts in 10-15 years when they told me that, and they told me absolutely, that was a guarantee. So I guess it's going to become harder to acquire mafell in the future. Festool's future is more bright in that regard.

As for the centrotec bits, I meant when you e.g. disasemble the front accesory for very small places and place a bits in the holder.