Top Cordless 1″ SDS Plus Rotary Hammer | Head-To-Head

In our head-to-head comparison, we focused on 1″ SDS-Plus rotary hammers with drop motors, catering to the largest group of SDS-Plus users. These drills are widely utilized by mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building trades for tasks such as installing 3″ drop anchors, wedge anchors, screw anchors and chipping concrete.

Why Drop Motors?

The 1-inch SDS-Plus drop motor hammers are among the most popular drills on the market due to their compact size and versatility. They offer versatility and efficiency for various applications, making them a preferred choice for many users across different industries. Despite the rise in popularity of drop motor designs, some users still prefer the traditional D-handle style for specific applications such working in concrete forms or for ceiling and floor work.

SDS stands for Slotted Drive System or Slotted Drive Shaft, it was invented by Bosch in 1975. SDS and SDS-Plus are interchangeable, SDS-Plus is a newer standard featuring 4 splines for a more secure chuck fitment.

Our Objective

For us at Tool Box Buzz, our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions when selecting the best SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill.

By providing comprehensive reviews and insights into the performance, features, and usability of each rotary hammer, we hope to assist you in finding the perfect tool for your projects. Whether you prioritize compactness, power, versatility, or ergonomics, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Cordless SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Lineup

Eleven manufacturers have submitted 15 contenders for the 1-inch SDS-Plus category, all designed for use on their 18-volt to 60-volt cordless platforms. Not every manufacturer labels their SDS-Plus drills as precisely 1 inch, so the range of testing spans from ⅞ inch to 1-⅛ inch.

BOSCH 18v Bulldog

Model – GBH18v-24C
Voltage – 18v
Size – 1”
RPMs – 980
BPMs – 0-4,350
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.80
Weight – 8.7 Lbs
Price – $270.00

DEWALT XR

Model – DCH273
Voltage – 20V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,100
BPMs – 0-4,600
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.55
Weight – 7.1 Lbs
Price – $329.00

DEWALT Flexvolt

Model – DCH416
Voltage – 60V
Size – 1-¼”
RPMs – 540
BPMs – 0-4,200
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 4.5
Weight – 12.25 Lbs
Price – $499.00

FLEX

Model – FX15511A-Z
Voltage – 24V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 980
BPMs – 0-4,350
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.9
Weight – 9.45 Lbs
Price – $299.00

HILTI Nuron

Model – TE 6-22 DRS
Voltage – 22V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1050
BPMs – 0-5100
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.9
Weight – 8.1 Lbs
Price – $434.00

KOBALT

Model – KRH 124B-03
Voltage – 24V
Size – ⅞”
RPMs – 1,400
BPMs – 0-4,500
Weight – 6.15 Lbs
Price – $99.00

MAKITA 18v LXT

Model – XRH01Z

Voltage – 18VSize – 1”
RPMs – 950
BPMs – 0-4,700
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.7
Weight – 7.55 Lbs
Price – $379.00

MAKITA 36v LXT

Model – XRH05Z
Voltage – 36V (18v X 2)
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,250
BPMs – 0-5,000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.2
Weight – 10.3 Lbs
Price – $519.00

MAKITA 40v XGT

Model – GRH01Z
Voltage – 40V
Size – 1-1/8”
RPMs – 980
BPMs – 0-5000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.8
Weight – 9.44 Lbs
Price – $589.00

Metabo

Model – KH18LTXBL28Q

Voltage – 18v
Size – 1-⅛”
RPMs – 1,000
BPMs – 0-4,470
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 3.0
Weight – 9.8 Lbs
Price – $361

METABO HPT 18v

Model – DH1826DALQ4
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,050
BPMs – 0-3,950
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.9
Weight – 8.05 Lbs
Price – $209.00

METABO HPT 36v

Model – DH3628DAQ4
Voltage – 36V
Size – 1-⅛”
RPMs – 950
BPMs – 0-4,300
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.3
Weight – 9.4 Lbs
Price – $279.00

MILWAUKEE M18 FUEL

Model – 2912-20
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,330
BPMs – 0-4,800
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 2.0
Weight – 9.25 Lbs
Price – $349.00

RIDGID

Model – R86712B
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,400
BPMs – 0-5,000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.5
Weight – 8.05 Lbs
Price – $269.00

RYOBI

Model – P223
Voltage – 18V
Size – 1”
RPMs – 1,380
BPMs – 0-5,000
Blow Energy [Ft-Lbs] – 1.5
Weight – 7.45 Lbs
Price – $189.00

Head-To-Head Testing Criteria

Our team meticulously evaluated these cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammers, across five categories and ranked them.

1. Performance Test – Speed at drilling various size holes in concrete.
2. Efficiency Test – Run-time test of recommended battery normalized for Watt-Hour capacity.
3. Size and Weight – Size matters and weight can get cumbersome. We measured the dimensions and weight of each concrete drill as tested with batteries. [not factored in overall ranking]
4. On-Board Dust Collection – we tested and ranked features.
5. User Experience- Combination of features, ergonomics and subjective user evaluations.
   Additionally we included price, and best value charts for your consideration.

Silica Dust

The Tool Box Buzz Team recognizes the significant dangers that exposure to silica dust can pose to workers. While we always strive to use any and all personal protective equipment, there are times when we may omit certain PPE during testing. We want to remind anyone that uses concrete cutting and drilling tools to use proper protective equipment to prevent silica dust exposure.

Performance Evaluation | Drilling Test

This test evaluated the speed in which the tools could drill 3-inch deep holes into concrete with 4 different bit sizes. The drilling substrate used was 3,500 psi concrete blocks, 12” x 24” x 4.5″ deep. These concrete blocks had cured for 6-months.

Performance Test Procedure

Drill Sizes Evaluated: ¼”, ⅜”, ½”, and 1″ SDS-Plus rotary drill bits.

1. Five holes drilled to a depth of 3” using a depth rod and blue tape for accuracy.
2. Each hole was timed, and an average recorded.
3. All drills equipped with new Milwaukee SDS-Plus rotary drill bits.
4. Operators instructed to maintain consistent pressure and let the drill do the work.
5. Dust extractors were not utilized.
6. Technique emphasized to ensure fair comparison.

Performance Test Winner – Milwaukee

Milwaukee dominated three out of the four speed tests, earning an impressive overall score of 5. DEWALT’S 60V FlexVolt secured second place with an overall score of 15, excelling particularly with the 1-inch bit test. Hilti and Ridgid claimed third place with an overall score of 18. Metabo followed with a score of 21. The Metabo was not a remarkable tool, but was a consistent “power-house performer.”

Individual Test Results | Top 3

¼” Rotary Bit Results

• Milwaukee: 4.19 seconds
• DEWALT 60V: 4.63 seconds
• Hilti: 5.49 seconds

⅜” Rotary Bit Results

• Milwaukee: 4.93 seconds
• Ridgid: 5.24 seconds
• DEWALT 20: 5.88 seconds

½” Rotary Bit Results

• Milwaukee: 4.36 seconds
• Ridgid: 5.43 seconds
• Hilti: 5.57 seconds

1” Rotary Bit Results

• DEWALT 60V: 14.52 seconds
• Milwaukee: 21.63 seconds
• Metabo: 24.04 seconds

Note on DEWALT FlexVolt 60V Rotary Hammer

The DEWALT Flexvolt was an extremely powerful and heavy tool allowing it to shine in the 1-inch drill bit test and subsequent chipping evaluation.

Efficiency Evaluation | Normalized Run-time

Although run-time becomes less critical with sufficient battery capacity, we acknowledge it’s importance in specific scenarios such as with commercial users, installing numerous drop anchors in a day. With so many tools, battery voltages and sizes, we normalized run-time and investigated the efficiency of the tools energy available. Obviously some battery packs contain much more potential energy so it’s important to try and compare them based on the “size of the fuel tank”.

Efficiency Testing Procedure

1. Vacuums removed for this test.
2. All tools equipped with fresh batteries.
3. 1/2″ Milwaukee drill bits drilled to 3″ depth.
4. Operators instructed to maintain consistent pressure and let the drill do the work.
5. The total number of drilled holes were counted and scored.

Holes Drilled Per Watt-Hour – Winner Makita 18V

The Makita 18V drill claimed the top spot, surprising us all with it’s performance. This drill managed to complete 66.5 holes with a single 4 Ah battery with a 0.92 holes drilled per watt-hour.

Interestingly, the Makita 36-volt model, despite having twice the available watt-hours, only completed 82 holes, representing just a 23% increase in hole count which equated to only drilling 0.57 holes per watt-hour. This unique comparison between the two Makita drills highlights a design prioritization of efficiency vs power.

The Metabo 18 volt came in second place with 0.85 holes per watt-hour. Third place went to the DEWALT 20 volt with 0.82 holes per watt-hour.

Size and Weight – Not Used In Final Rankings

In the realm of SDS-Plus rotary hammers, size matters to some users. We measured the dimensions and weight of each drill, as tested (with Batteries / handle), and ranked them accordingly.

We felt the two most important factors for these drills were the weight and head length. Having a lightweight tool coupled with a compact size can be an important factor for some users. While we didn’t include this ranking in the final scoring we did account for the size and weight in our user experience rankings below. It’s interesting to see that most of the smaller / lighter tools didn’t perform as well as the heavier tools in the speed testing. Likely this is due to the size of the gear boxes, motors and housings.

In this category, the Kobalt drill boasted the shortest and lightest stature among all drills tested, clinching the top spot. Following closely in second place was the DEWALT 20V, which also showcased a compact form factor and lightweight design. The Ryobi drill secured third place in this ranking.

On-Board Dust Extractor Evaluation

On-board dust extractors are designed to be used as a system. Eight of these tools were sent with compatible on-board dust extractors to evaluate.

Dust Extractor Procedure

We tested the on-board dust extractors, ranking eight criteria:

1. Capacity – We drilled ½” x 3” holes until we saw dust “ant-hills” form around the hole. At that point we consider the capacity of the dust extractor full.
2. Visual inspection of capacity.
3. Filter cleaning – Self cleaning or manual function
4. Filter replacement – ease of removal.
5. Depth of hole with attachment.
6. Depth guide – ease of adjustment.
7. Replaceable head.
8. Weight.

On-Board Dust Extractor – Winner Hilti

The Hilti came in first place in the on-board dust extractor category. It was feature rich with its replaceable head, depth guide, and filter cleaning options. Despite clinching the top position, the team collectively noted that the dust canister could be improved by being translucent for better visibility, and the filter could be easier to detach from the canister.

In terms of “capacity” performance, the Hilti canister maintained dust extraction efficiency for 14 holes. Milwaukee drilled 10.5 holes, and Makita 40V managed 15 holes.  Surprisingly, the Metabo HPT drilled 21.5 holes, and the DEWALT 20V drilled 22 holes, but didn’t excel  in other feature comparisons.

User Experience – [Tie] Winner Hilti and Makita 40V

User experience (UX) encompasses the overall satisfaction and ease of use that a tool provides to its users. In this category, our team of Pro users provided subjective rankings for the user experience while handling these rotary hammers. This ranking was based on various factors experienced, including grip, balance, vibration, line of sight, ease of use, fatigue factor, and overall comfort.

The team identified four drills as top performers during testing. The Hilti and Makita were tied for first place, closely followed by a tie between the DEWALT 20V and Milwaukee 18V. All four of these tools exhibited commendable performance in our testing and were noted for their user experience.

Rotational Force | Bind Test – Not Ranked

When a drill binds, it has the potential to violently spin the tool around potentially injuring the user.
To assess the performance in binding situations, we conducted a subjective test by drilling a 1-inch diameter, 8-inch, deep hole in concrete and side load force.

3 Types of Safety Shut-Offs in Rotary Hammers

1. Accelerometer – An electronic component integrated into the tool that detects sudden rotation and initiates an automatic shutdown.
2. Mechanical – Utilizes a straightforward mechanical clutch mechanism whereby the tool continues to run, but the bit stops spinning when the clutch is engaged.
3. Electronic Overload – An electronic overload function is activated either before the mechanical clutch or during specific binding scenarios. This electronic overload serves to safeguard the electronics, motor, and battery, while also acting as a safety feature in certain situations.

Rotational Force Findings

During our testing, all of these tools effectively shut off when the tool was bound up and the user had a firm grip on both the tool and the auxiliary handle.

Standout tools featured all three safety mechanisms, predominantly found in higher-end models such as those from Bosch, Hilti, Makita (40-volt) and Milwaukee. These tools successfully incorporated all three mechanisms that we were able to activate during field testing.

Chipping Test – Winner DEWALT 60V

Our chipping testing methodology was primarily subjective in nature. We employed our drill testing blocks to conduct the chipping tests.

TBB Crew users utilized the rotary hammers to break up the test blocks, after which they provided feedback via a form detailing their chipping experience.

The consensus from our testing suggests that there’s a “secret sauce” combination of impact energy and beats per minute (BPM) that yields optimal chipping power. This mix of factors seems to be instrumental in achieving productive chipping results.

The DEWALT 60V was the largest and heaviest tool in the group and with 4.5 FT-LBS of energy, it’s no surprise that it excelled at chipping, taking first place

The DEWALT Flexvolt was a “jack hammer disguised as a drill  ~ TBB Crew Wes Bartosik

The Makita 40V came in second. It has tons of power and minimal vibrations felt, due to its well throughout decoupling. The Milwaukee 18V came in third place. It delivers an incredible amount of energy on impact and was very controllable while cutting scribe lines.

SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer | Price – Not Included In Final Scoring

Most manufacturers offer these rotary hammers in kit form, bundling the tool with a battery optimized for performance while maintaining a manageable weight. Achieving the best user experience hinges on finding the right balance between weight, balance, and power to accomplish tasks efficiently.

For your reference, we have listed bare tool pricing below, although this wasn’t factored into our final scoring. As an illustration of the cost range, the Kobalt is available as a bare tool for $99.00, while the Makita 40-volt model is priced at $589.00. Please refer to the attached chart for further details.

Best Cordless 1-Inch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer – Winner Milwaukee 18V

While impact energy undoubtedly influences a tool’s performance, it’s crucial to recognize that it’s not the sole determinant of effectiveness. Other factors, such as RPM and BPM, also play significant roles in achieving the desired outcome for the user. Harmonizing impact energy, RPM, and BPM is essential to optimize the tool’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Decisions should be based on considerations related to ergonomics, safety, and mechanical performance. Balancing these aspects ensures that the tool not only performs well but also prioritizes the safety and user experience of the user.

It’s noteworthy that when ranking our categories, we assigned double weight to performance scores, considering it the most valuable category.

Milwaukee claimed the top spot in performance, secured second place in dust extraction, and ranked third in both user experience (UX) and chipping. Its overall performance stood out as the clear winner.

Second Place honors go to the Makita 40V.  This Makita excelled in UX, chipping and dust extraction. The Makita 40V was a favorite among the crew, tying with Hilti for the top spot in UX.

Hilti rounded out the podium in 3rd place.  The Hili was also heavily sought after by the crew and ranking first in the UX category, boasting the best dust extraction, and coming in eighth in performance testing and fourth in chipping.

Tied for fourth place was Metabo and DEWALT 60V. Metabo stood out with it’s second place in efficiency and scored well in both user experience and chipping. The DEWALT 60V was impressive in the chipping tests and performance.

Best Value 1″  SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer – Winner Ridgid

This category winner often strikes a chord with users as it showcases an SDS-Plus drill that performs admirably while being more budget-friendly. In many respects, it’s a category of significant importance, sometimes overshadowing the top-ranked contender, crowned king of our 1″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Head-to-Head Test.

The Ridgid 18V, priced at $269 as a bare tool, claimed victory in this category. Despite landing in seventh place overall, it delivered commendable performance, securing a solid fifth place rank in our performance testing. We often refer to Ridgid as the “hidden gem” of the tool industry.

Best 1″ SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer | Closing Comments

1″ SDS-Plus rotary hammers are essential tools for contractors seeking efficient, versatile, and reliable solutions for drilling and hammering tasks in concrete and masonry materials.

We often receive inquiries about our final rankings and understand that there are numerous ways to compare tools.

Our primary goal during testing is to attain repeatable and consistent results. We make sure to share all the data from our tests so that users can re-rank the tools according to their preferences. If there’s a specific aspect you don’t find relevant, feel free to remove it from the matrix above and re-evaluate the rankings accordingly.

We hope you find this Head-To-Head comparison useful when considering the purchase of a 1″ cordless SDS-Plus rotary hammer. Please take a moment to explore our other Head-to-Head tests at ToolBoxBuzz.com.

Thanks, “the TBBCrew.”

Best 1-inch SDS-PLUS Rotary Hammer Video Review

Best Cordless 1 Inch SDS Plus Rotary Hammer – 2024 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT NV 83A5 3-1/4″ Coil Nailer

Metabo HPT 3-1/4" Coil Nailer

5/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: NV83A5
Price: $399
Power source: Pneumatic
Weight: 8.8 lbs

Coil nailers are extremely versatile nailers for a wide range of applications from framing to sheathing applications. The use of coil nailers vs stick nailers tends to be somewhat regional. Here in the northeast coil nailers are fairly prevalent on many job sites for both framing and sheathing applications. The big benefit of coil nailers vs stick nailers is the much larger nail capacity and the compact design. However, depending on certain code requirements stick nailers may be the only choice for larger 3-1/2″ fasteners.

Metabo HPT NV83A5 Features and Specifications

• Fastener Type: Wire Collation
• Magazine Angle: 15° +/- 1
• Fastener Length Capacity: 2″ to 3-1/4″
• Fastener Diameter Range: 0.099″ to 0.131″
• Magazine Capacity: 200-300 nails
• Magazine Loading: Side
• Fitting: 1/4″ Industrial
• Operating Pressure: 70-120 psi
• Jam Clearing: Open Nose
• Depth Setting: Tool-Less
• Actuation: Selective (Sequential / Contact)
• Weight w/o Hook: 8.8 lbs
• Weight w/ Hook: 9.1 lbs

Performance, Power, Balance

We’ve been using the Metabo HPT NV83A5 3-1/4″ Coil Nailer in the field for about a year now on a couple large renovations and new home builds and it’s clear this nailer has maintained all it’s heritage from the Hitachi days. This is great news for longtime fans of the Hitachi brand that might have been nervous the make the change. The nailer is full of quality materials and great fit and finish.

When it comes to performance, power and balance the NV83A5 is an exceptionally designed coil nailer with few if any flaws. The NV83A5 really shines in both framing and sheathing applications. It has plenty of power to sink fasteners in engineered lumber like LVL’s and I-Joists, while it can fasten sheathing at high speeds without jamming.  Holding 200 framing nails and 300 sheathing nails in a single coil is such a huge time saver and production bonus.

The only things we’d love to see is a cordless version of this classic coil nailer! In all seriousness this is one of those nailers that really deserves a 5 star rating as it’s exceptional from front to back. If you’ve never framed with a coil nailer you really should give it a shot, you may be very surprised at the versatility and added bonus of not loading nails as often.

Where To Buy

Metabo HPT NV 83A5 3-1/4 Inch Coil Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT 18 GA Cordless Multivolt 2 Inch Brad Nailer (Model: NT1850DFQ4)

Metabo HPT 18 GA Cordless Brad Nailer (Model NT1850DFQ4)

4/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: NT1850DFQ4
Power source: Cordless Li-Ion
Motor size: 18V
Weight: 4.4 lbs

Features & Specifications | NT1850DFQ4

Features

• Air spring drive system
• Tool-less depth of drive adjustment
• Single LED light
• Side lock switch prevents accidental firing
• Warranty: Lifetime Tool Warranty, 2-year battery warranty, and 1-year charger warranty

Specifications

• Power Output: 18V
• Nail Size: 18 Gauge.
• Nail Length: 5/8 – 2 in.
• Nails/Charge: 1,300 (w/ 2.0Ah Battery)
• Magazine Capacity: approx. 100
• Multi Nail Speed: 3 fasteners/second
• Battery Type: 18V Li-Ion (or 36V w/ Multivolt)
• Weight: 4.4 Lbs

Power & Performance

The major highlight of the Metabo HPT 18 GA. Cordless Brad Nailer (Model: NT1850DFQ4) was its overall performance in the shop and on the jobsite. This finish nailer had zero jams or hangups during our testing. There are very few cordless finish nailers we can say that about. And while a jam is bound to happen, this speaks to the overall quality of this Metabo HPT finish nailer. In addition to performing reliable, it also exemplified satisfying power. Whether 3/4 in. or 2 in. nails in pine or cherry, this nailer consistently produced flush to slightly inset nail-heads in line with the desired settings. The fastener depth setting is a standard depth collar integrated into the tool body just above the non-marring tip.

We were also extremely pleased with the battery life of the NT1850DFQ4. Metabo HPT advertised this finish nailer as driving 1300 nails on a single 18V 2.0Ah charge. And while we are in the habit of throwing our batteries on their chargers as part of our daily site clear up process, we can attest to a full workday of regular use on a single 18V battery. As with any nailer, framing or finish, the stopgap was the standard fun of loading more fasteners.

Ergonomics & Design

The Metabo HPT 18 GA. Cordless Brad Nailer is a very well balanced, light, and comfortable cordless finish nailer. The molded over grip provided nice tack for reach-required overhead tasks. Loading nails was easy with a well-placed integrated trigger-switch-style release. The battery status indicator on the back of the battery made it easy to see, mid task, how much juice the battery had left; although as explained before we didn’t have to do that often at all. Finally, this Metabo HPT finish nailer auto turns off after 30 mins which was a good amount of time to not shut off in the middle of a task when I set it down. It also prevents showing up to a jobsite to find a dead battery in a tool that someone forgot to plug in or turn off.

Loaded Nail Strips

Loading/Release Trigger

Metabo HPT also includes a spot to store extra non-marring tips. Since these are a small consumable part that is easy to lose it was a nice touch. The tips also stayed in place with little “walk” even when fastening at angles. This can make a difference in select fine finished tasks so it worth pointing out.

Control Panel

This cordless nailer also features an integrated control panel to turn on/off the tool and change the mode settings. The controls are not as intuitive as found on other cordless finish nailers we’ve used. There are only 2 battery status indicator lights which are shared LEDs with the power indicator. But really if you need to check the battery you just press the indicator on the battery itself which 1) Is MUCH more accessible and 2) has 4 vs. the 2 bars. The right button and lights is for the mode using a single blue LED. Solid means single shot mode and blinking means multi or bump shot mode. The buttons are also recessed into the trigger/grip area and are not convenient to press in the middle of a task. It IS effective and there is very minimal chance of accidentally hitting buttons while using so we give it points for that.

Integrated LED

This Metabo HPT cordless finish nailer features a single integrated LED light on the right side of the main tool body. The placement of the LED is less than ideal however. It causes shadows to be cast on the left side of the tool where the light is obstructed by the tool body. It is almost halfway up the tool body as well so the light blocking is quite noticeable. This is also different from other cordless finish nailers we’ve used where the LED tends to be closer to the tool tip.

LED Placement in the Tool Body

LED Shadowing During Use

Key Takeaways | Metabo HPT 18 GA Brad Nailer (NT1850DFQ4)

The Metabo HPT 18 GA. Cordless Brad Nailer very quickly stood out as a consistent performer. Unlike other cordless 18GA brad guns we’ve used, the Metabo HPT experienced no jams in the first week of use. This is an exceptional performance rate on the job site and saves valuable time. We used both the single and contact actuation (bump) settings without any issues. Both modes are set via a button on the base. We weren’t huge fans of the indicator light placement and design since the LED indicator is very close to the battery status indicator light. But once its set it wasn’t a big deal. And since it performed well in both modes it was a preference vs a design issue. If you are already a Metabo HPT 18V user or looking to switch cordless nailers, this is a great option at $265 to choose from.

Metabo HPT 18 GA Brad Cordless Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT Cordless 21° Framing Nailer (NR1890DRS)

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Framing Nailer

4.5/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: NR1890DRS
Price: $359
Power source: 18V-36V
Motor size: Brushless
Weight: 10.8 lbs

Metabo HPT makes this nailer in both the 21° plastic collated and 30° paper collated nails (NR1890DCS). While this review is focused on the 21° version we have both in use on jobs and it really comes down to nail availability for us.

Features & Specifications | NR1890DRS

Features

• Air spring drive system
• Tool-less depth of drive adjustment
• Automatically shutoff after 30 mins of inactivity
• Dry fire lock out system
• Side lock trigger switch
• Pivoting rafter hook
• Warranty: Lifetime Tool Warranty, 2-year battery warranty, and 1-year charger warranty

Specifications

• Battery: 18V Lithium-Ion
• Nail Style: 21° Plastic Strip Collated
• Nail Length: 2 – 3 1/2 in.
• Fastener Head: Round
• Magazine Capacity: approx. 37
• Nails/Charge: 400 (w/ 3.0Ah Battery)
• Modes: 1) Sequential mode 2) Bump fire mode
• Weight: 10.8 lbs
• Motor: Brushless
• Driving Speed: Up to 2 Nails/Sec
• Firing Modes: Sequential and Contact
• Rafter Hook
• Battery Warranty: 2 Year Lithium Ion
• Tool Warranty: Lifetime Lithium Ion

Performance On The Job

The Metabo HPT 18V cordless framing nailer is leaps and bounds ahead of the early cordless framers that were around 8-10 years ago. These new brushless nailers have plenty of power to handle engineered lumber, they are fast, and overall the ergonomics are drastically improved.

Power and Speed

The two leaders in cordless framing nailers right now are Milwaukee and Metabo HPT without a doubt. We’ve got extensive experience with both nailers and they are extremely close in performance. I think it’s fair to say that they both have the advantage in some ways over the other. The Metabo HPT has a ton of power and while I have no way to quantify that I do believe it edges out the Milwaukee. The cycle speed of this nailer is also quite impressive especially on bump-mode where it really can simulate the performance of a pneumatic framing nailer.

The Metabo HPT NR1890DRS uses an air spring drive system, which essentially is a sealed piston that is compressed by the brushless motor and releases compressed air when each nail is fired. This system cycles very fast and provides great power. It’s a drastic improvement over early cordless nailers that used flywheel designs.

Weight and Ergonomics

The Metabo HPT cordless framing nailer weighs 10.1 lbs with a compact 3.0Ah battery pack. While the Metabo HPT 21 deg pneumatic framing nailer only weighs 7.5 lbs. Obviously that’s almost 25% more weight, however, you’re not dragging around an airhose which also adds weight and reduces mobility. The cordless framing nailer feels very well balanced and comfortable even when used overhead.

Controls

One of the minor frustrations with this nailer are the controls. The location at the base of the grip make them difficult to see, and a bit difficult to push. To turn the nailer on you have to push and hold the on button for a second. The nailer will automatically shut off after 30 mins of inactivity as well.

Another feature that I think Metabo HPT needs to address is the sequential vs contact (bump) modes. It’s great that you can switch between these modes with the press of a button (old nailers sometimes require changing the trigger, so this is a great feature), but there is a nuance that makes these much different than a pneumatic nailer. When you put this nailer into contact (bump) mode, you can’t do a sequential shot. Why is this important? Well there are times when you’re bump firing a framing nailer and you get to a position that you want to push in the tip and squeeze the trigger for more control. This could very easily be changed in the programming and would be a great upgrade in a future release. Also, this nailer always starts in sequential mode when you turn it on, it would be nice if it remembered which mode you were using previously.

Rafter Hook

Rafter hooks are important with framing nailers especially when working on roof framing. The rafter hook on these framers is a decent size, made of metal, all what you’d expect. However, the position of them, especially when mounted on the left side make it nearly useless. When mounted on the left side the magazine interferes almost completely from hanging from a rafter. On both sides, when it’s folded close, it is too close to the grip. This is a pretty important detail the Metabo HPT needs to address for future models.

Overall Impression

Both of the Metabo HPT cordless framing nailers (NR1890DRS and NR1890DCS) are excellent cordless framing nailers. These nailers are very powerful and fast. Other than the weight and some nuances with the controls it’s hard to see much difference compared to pneumatic nailers of similar features. These absolutely excel with punch list work, working on roof framing where hoses are problematic, and remote sites with no power.

Metabo HPT Cordless 21° 18V Framing Nailer Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Impact Driver

There’s no doubt that Impact Drivers have completely changed the construction industry and drastically improved both productivity and quality. Impact drivers allow users to install screws, structural fasteners and small bolts more efficiently than a drill. Impact drivers drastically reduce broken fasteners, stripped screw heads and costly delays. An impact driver relies on a hammer and anvil mechanism to deploy rotational force when fastener resistance is encountered.   

In our Best Cordless Impact Driver Head-To-Head test, we’ve selected 19 full-size impact drivers from a wide range of manufacturers. We invited all of the major manufacturers to participate, with some brands sending multiple impact drivers.

 

Features Qualitative Scoring Results
MFG	Score	Rank
Bosch	1	1
Makita 18v	2	2
Makita 40v	2	2
Skil	2	2
Festool	3	5
FLEX	3	5
Kobalt	3	5
Metabo HPT 18DC	3	5
Metabo HPT 18DBD	3	5
Metabo HPT 36v	3	5
Milwaukee	3	5
Ridgid	3	5
Ryobi	3	5
DEWALT	4	14
Hilti	4	14
Metabo 18 LT	4	14
Metabo 18LTX	4	14
FEIN	5	18
Hart	5	18

WP DataTables

Best Size and Weight | Winner DEWALT

Size matters to users, in this case, they want a smaller, compact impact driver that still has the power for the applications they need to deploy it in. Compact also means that the tool can be used in more situations, think of tight spot applications like sistering floor joists with a 5 or 6-inch fastener,  in between joist bays. We felt the two most important factors for an impact driver were the weight and head length.  Having a lightweight tool when working overhead, coupled with a compact size that can fit into small openings is a huge win.

To determine a final ranking for size and weight, each driver was weighed without the battery and the head length, from bit holder/collet to back was measured.  Each of these values were ranked separately and then combined into a single factor to determine the winner.   The DEWALT was the most compact impact driver of the bunch. It measures 3.9″ and weighs 2.1 lbs and is 1/2″ smaller than the 2nd place Metabo HPT 18DC  which measures 4.51 inches and measures 2.0 lbs.  Third place was the Makita 18V measures 4.53  inches and weighs 1.9 lbs.

An interesting fact is that all of the tools weigh from 1.9 lbs. to 3.3 lbs.

MFG	Length (in)	Weight (lb)	Rank
DEWALT	3.94	2.10	1
Metabo HPT DC	4.51	2.00	2
Makita 18v	4.53	1.90	3
Milwaukee	4.48	2.20	4
Makita 40v	4.77	2.20	5
Metabo 18V LTX	5.10	2.10	6
Ridgid	5.02	2.20	7
Festool	5.17	2.12	8
Metabo HPT 36v	4.52	2.50	8
Hilti	5.44	2.20	10
Skil	4.92	2.47	10
FLEX	4.68	2.70	12
Kobalt	5.27	2.40	12
FEIN	6.00	2.20	14
Metabo HPT DBD	5.04	2.90	15
Hart	5.82	2.50	16
Ryobi	5.60	2.55	16
Metabo 18 LT	5.64	2.60	18
Bosch	5.82	2.60	19

WP DataTables

Best Cordless Impact Price  | Winner Skil

Price is undoubtedly an important consideration when buying tools, especially for those of you who are just starting out in the trades. We can certainly agree on that and also agree that the majority of contractors have strong brand loyalty and would rather continue with their current battery platform than venture out and create a new line of cordless power tools.

We did not include the price in our scoring criteria but included bare tool pricing for you to use as needed.

The best-priced impact driver was the  Skil coming in at $69.99 bare tool. The second lowest price was the Hart at $77.85 and the third was the Bosch at $99.00. The team all agrees that the Skil and Hart impact drivers fall into the DIY category for users.

There are several pro-grade impact drivers in this test, I’ll use the Festool as an example. In their research and testing Festool found that the most frequent failure point on impact drivers was the anvil mechanism, so they adjusted the shape and material hardness of their anvil to increase the lifespan of the tool. They also decreased the internal strike speed (BPM) so it was less likely to break.

Festool also incorporated a longer trigger which allows for finer control of the variable speed trigger making it easier to manually control slow speed on hardware attachment. The moral of the story here is that pro-grade tools are designed to last longer, for us PROs a tool is an investment that is needed for our livelihood – invest wisely!

Best Cordless Impact Driver Head-To-Head | 2023 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt Cordless 10″ Table Saw Review

MultiVolt 36V 10" Table Saw

4/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: C3610DRJQ4
Price: $599.00
Power source: 36V MultiVolt Battery or AC Adapter
Weight: 67.3 Lbs. W/ Battery

I meet many contractors that are still completely against large high-demand cordless tools. Whether it is a table saw, a miter saw a router, or any other high-demand tool. They lack confidence in the battery-powered system’s ability to keep up. Metabo HPT’s MultiVolt system takes those concerns completely out of the equation. Powerful 36V batteries coupled with a plug-in AC Adapter give the best of both worlds. Moreover, MHPT gives users a large, stable, and easy-to-use tool in addition to multiple power sources.

MultiVolt Table Saw Specs

• Blade Diameter: 10″ x 5/8″
• Included Blade: 10″ 40 Tooth Carbide Tip
• Blade Kerf Range: 2.3-2.5mm
• No Load Speed: 5,000 RPM
• Bevel Range: 0-45°
• Miter Gauge Range: 60° Left or Right
• Depth of Cut at 0°: 3 1/8″
• Depth of Cut at 45°: 2 1/4″
• Max Rip Capacity Left of Blade: 22″
• Max Rip Capacity Right of Blade: 35″
• Dado Max Width: 3/16″
• Working Table Size: 28 3/4″ X 22″
• Weight: 67.3 Lbs. W/ 4.0 Ah Battery
• Warranty: 2 Year Tool Body

Standout Features of the Metabo HPT MultiVolt Table Saw

Onboard Tool Storage

Metabo HPT includes an anti-kickback assembly with pawls, a miter gauge, push stick, VIC rip fence (for narrow stock) as well as two blade change wrenches with the MultiVolt table saw. There is a dedicated holder for each tool built into the saw’s housing. This feature makes accessing a tool extremely easy. In particular, the push stick is located on the right side of the saw housing. As a right-handed user, it is exceptionally intuitive to grab the push stick while feeding material into the saw.

Smart and Safe Power Switch Design

Turning a job site table saw on and off should require deliberate action. Doing this keeps everyone on-site safer and more importantly focused on the task of cutting. Lots of things can go wrong very quickly when using a table saw. Metabo HPT addresses some of these concerns with a well-designed activation switch. A spring-loaded cover protects the green-colored “on” button. Equally important is the large oversized red “off” paddle switch. This switch is easy to mash with a hand, a knee, a foot, or whatever appendage you can reach it with. Once the “off” switch is engaged, the saw’s electric brake system kicks in and stops the blade almost instantly.

Well Placed Adjustment Controls

A common theme with this saw is the well-placed, large, easy-to-use controls. Whether setting blade angle, adjusting blade height, or dialing in the fence, these tasks are easily accomplished with one hand on the MultiVolt table saw. That ease of adjustment is paramount on a job-site saw. Each adjustment scale is also clearly, and accurately, labeled for quick reference.

Rack and Pinion Fence Adjustment

The rack and pinion gear system for the fence adjustment is one of my favorite features. Many other manufacturers use a similar system, but the Metabo HPT is my favorite iteration of it. The large knurled dial is easy to grasp. The lock lever shores up the fence and secures it into position. Out of the box, the fence was true to the factory measuring scale. But the adjustment is relatively painless thanks to the aluminum track design.

Large Stable Work Platform

This is not a compact saw. At 28 3/4″ x 22″ the table of the MHPT saw is a large and steady work surface. This may seem obese to contractors working with smaller stock materials and trim, but for larger boards and sheet goods, the thiccness is appreciated. Currently, the saw ships as a bare tool only. I requested a folding stand from Metabo HPT with the saw and they were able to accommodate me. The stand came in their Hikoki brand packaging, but upon further investigation, I see that this stand is identical to the one provided with the Hitachi corded saw. If you are a current owner of the corded version, the MultiVolt saw should bolt directly to your current stand. The saw sits at a comfortable waist-level working height on the stand. For me, at 6′ 3″ and wearing boots, it seems about perfect.

36V Power Vs. MultiVolt Convenience

So what good is a cordless tool if the batteries don’t last right? Currently, the largest 36V MultiVolt battery available from MHPT is 4.0 Ah. With a freshly charged battery, I was able to make a total of five full-length cuts ripping a 2X4DF plus an additional 14 1/4″ on the sixth. I pushed this test very hard and forced the batteries into a thermal overload situation and had to stop. Because I have multiple MHPT MultiVolt batteries, I am extremely happy with this level of performance. If your daily needs require greater performance, then Metabo HPT has you covered with their plug-in AC Adapter. Some scoff at the idea of a plug-in adapter for cordless tools, but to me, it is an invaluable accessory as a user of the MultiVolt platform.

In terms of performance, the MultiVolt table saw is smooth, quiet, and robust, regardless of which power source you choose. Cutting a variety of materials was no challenge at all. When pushing sheet goods and large framing lumber, the saw refused to bog down. Conversely, when cutting smaller trim pieces and more delicate stock the saw could handle the refined work without issues.

Price and Availability

The MultiVolt table saw has been available from Metabo HPT and other vendors for several years now. In that time it has become increasingly popular. Currently, it is available for $599.00 as a bare tool. This is roughly $100.00 more than the corded model. The corded model also includes a folding stand. If you currently own the corded model saw and are invested in other cordless MultiVolt tools, then the cordless version is a worthwhile upgrade. Metabo HPT tools often have a somewhat higher initial purchase cost than their competitors, but the performance and adaptability of the MultiVolt system provide a great return on that investment. The MultiVolt table saw is no exception to this.

Below is a Buy Now link to purchase this tool from our friends at Acme Tools.

Overall Impressions of the MultiVolt Table Saw

In 2018, Tool Box Buzz conducted our Best Portable Jobsite Table Saw Head-2-Head. That test saw the Hitachi 10″ table saw walk away as our top overall winner. An impressive feat to say the least. The MultiVolt table saw from Metabo HPT is the modern cordless interpretation of that saw. MHPT has taken an excellent tool and made it exceptional with their 36V brushless motors and capable MultiVolt technology. I could easily throw a meme in here about “modern problems requiring modern solutions”, but the saw speaks for itself.

I love the fact that it is a large saw. It offers a stable working platform for any job site and would excel as a stowable tool for a home shop. However, I acknowledge that it may be too large for many trailers or work vehicles where space is at a premium. The initial cost of ownership is also slightly high on this tool, but I find it acceptable as a MultiVolt user. Overall I think the MHPT MultiVolt table saw is an exceptional all-around tool and my preferred cordless table saw option. Check it out for yourself and see if the MultiVolt world is for you.

Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt Table Saw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Cordless 10-Inch Single Bevel Miter Saw Kit, C1810DFA

Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Cordless 10-Inch Single Bevel Miter Saw

4/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: C1810DFA
Power source: Cordless (Li-Ion)
Motor size: 18V
Weight: 19.6

Features and Specifications | Metabo HPT 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw (Model C1810DFA)

Features:

• Brushless Motor with electronic brake feature
• Designed with Metabo HPTs 18/36V Multivolt platform
• Xact CUT LED Shadow System
• Super lightweight for easy portability
• Single-bevel w/ aluminum swing out guide fence
• Metabo HPT 5-year warranty on tool body only
• Kit Includes: 10 in. Miter saw, 18V/36V MultiVolt Battery ( 5.0 Ah), Charger

Specifications:

• Motor: 18V, Brushless
• Cuts/Charge: 180 2 x 4 cuts
• Miter Range: +/- 52 degrees
• Bevel Range: 45 degrees (left only)
• Max Cut (90 degrees): 5  21/32 in.
• Max Cut  (45 degrees): 4 in.
• Blade Diameter: 1o in.
• Arbor Diameter: 5/8 in.
• Cutting Speed (no load): 3,800 RPMs
• Tool body weight: 19.6 lbs

Overall Power & Performance

Miter Cut Features & Performance

The basic vertical (as opposed to beveled) miter cut on dimensional lumber is where the all-new Metabo HPT 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw (model C1810DFA) really shines. It finds a great balance between portability, power, and battery life. We hate having to swap out battery packs more than once or twice a day for a cordless job site miter saw. And it’s also frustrating to lug a heavy and awkwardly balanced saw to and from the site each day. Lastly, we are propoents of the “measure twice, cut once” saying. This saw met all those criteria. It is light, powerful, has great battery life, and was very accurate with pre-set detents, angle measure guide, and the shadow line feature.

Our favorite feature for this miter saw was the intuitive shadow line alignment design. A thumb-located button on the handle assembly turns on an LED light inside the blade guard housing. The shadow cast from the blade is inherently centered on the blade loaded. We measured it against a speed square marked line in the pic below and it was spot on. it also worked great when the saw was set to any of the preset detent miter settings.

The detent adjustment lever and locking handle were also simple yet sturdy. They operate independantly, with the handle tightened securly by turning it clockwise. Once loose, the detent catch can be disengaged by pressing down the lever and swinging the handle to the left or right. IT’s a basic design. But that only means it likely weighs less and has virtually no parts to break or fail.

Bevel-Cut Features & Performance

The bevel cut performance wasn’t good in terms of accuracy. In the pic below we had to cut a few standard 45 degree mitered corners and decided to see how the bevel cut felt. The degree accuracy was within 0.1 degrees which worked perfectly for the rough framing we needed to get done. There was enough room to the left of the saw for us to safely grip the lumber. We also had a good line of sight with the compact size of the saw easily allowing us to see the blade contact th material without leaning or hunching over.

The bevel angle indicator is again very basic but works well. We wouldn’t have minded seeing Metabo HPT use a clear plastic window with red alignment line here. But it works and we’re already in the practice of calibrating the setting at the beginning of each job. Since it’s also located at the back of the saw under the motor housing it’s out of the way enough to make it unlikely to get knocked out of alignment very often.

There is a locking handle on the backside of the saw (standard design here) to lock the bevel angle in place. But it was interesting that it is a left-handed (or counter-clockwise) tightening thread design. This took a little bit of getting used to as our other saws have a standard thread style on these locking handles. The level is also not adjustable via spring tension like other saws we;ve used. Again, it worked fine but would be an easy addition to future saw versions.

Dust Collection Port

The Metabo HPT 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw (model C1810DFA) comes with a dust collection bag. But we quickly put it aside and hooked the saw up to our shopvac. It sports a standard 2 in. port opening. There is a cut out section on the bottom of the receiving flange. This seemed to make the pressure connection a little less secure. The location and angle of the port made it easy to access and quite effective at dust collection. So having to reconnect the vacuum hose a few times was a minor consideration overall.

Ergonomics & Design Features

Aluminum Swing Out Guide Fence

The fence design on the model C1810DFA is unique. There is a pivoting or “swing out” extension integrated into the fence. It serves 2 purposes; added height when stacked or a fence extension when turned outward. When stacked, the overall fence height is 4 in. and when in the extended position is around 2 5/8 in. tall. The fence is made of cast aluminum, adding to the overall lightweight design of the saw. The swing out extension also ensures the guide fence is out of the way of the blade when performing a maximum 45 degree bevel cut. If the fence is stacked, the blade would cut the corner off the fence.

Guide Fence in “stacked position”

Notice that the hold down attachment is removed in the picture below. There is a through hole in both separate sections of the fence. This allows the hold down attachment to be installed in either configuration. But this design also poses its own challenge which we discuss in the recommendations section later on.

Guide Fence in “extended position”

The right-hand side of the fence, or the section to the right of the blade, is fixed. There is no option to move the swinging fence section to this side as it would likely hit the motor housing anyways when cutting. It’s approximately 2 3/8 in. tall and works fine for securing 2x dimensional lumber as well as a variety of common trim materials. There is an optional hold down mount behind this section of the fence as well.

Cast Aluminum Base

We appreciate thoughtful design and convenience. When like to use workpiece supports when we can as it makes the cutting more stable which means increased accuracy and safety. The base height is smartly built to match the dimensional height of a common 2×4, or approximately 3 1/2 in. We can almost always find a scrap of framing lumber somewhenre on site, so this makes it a breeze to set up impromptu, and properly tall, material support extensions.

Trigger & Handle Assembly Design

This saw is meant for right-handed operation. We’ve used other saws where the handle design seemed to be more left-hand friendly but everything about the all-new Metabo HPT 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw (model C1810DFA) screams right-handed use only. The Thumb switch and trigger are both right aligned. And the LED shadow light button is found on the left side of the handle assembly as well. This isn’t a terrible design, just a conscious decision by Metabo HPT to build the saw in a way that adds convenience to the major of user — right-handed folks. The thumb safety switch and trigger both operate smoothly, and we have zero issues with either. We weren’t bothered by a lack of rubber over mold either as the handle shape was just fine throughout a whole day of job site use.

Recommendations

While this is a solid overall miter saw by Metabo HPT, there are 2 notes we made while using it. First, let’s caveat that, as most PROs, we rarely use the hold down clamp on the jobsite. That said, if you DO use the hold down for 90-degree miter cuts, it needs to be mounted on the left-hand side of the blade. When mounted on the right, the hold down post comes into direct contact with the motor housing. Again, this was a rare occurence since we don;t use it much.

The Metabo HPT Multivolt battery that came with the kit (and worked great) has 4 battery status indicator bars on it. The built-in indicator on the saw only has 2. We would like to see Metabo HPT redesign their all-new 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw (model C1810DFA) with 4 indicator lights built into the saw display. This way you can know exactly how much battery you have left while you operate the saw. They should also consider adding an auto shut off timer for the LED light as it stays on indefinitely. This can unnecessarily waste battery power.

Overall Impressions and Takeaways | Metabo HPT 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw (Model C1810DFA)

This was a well performing saw that shines in a few key areas.  It’s super lightweight and portable. It also has a great shadow cutline and overall potential battery performance. The common detents were accurate and easy to adjust. This is a good balance for most of the basic yet essential features we look for in a portable, cordless job site miter saw. We recommend Metabo HPT adds an auto shutoff timer for the LED light. They could also consider moving the right hand hold down mount an inch further away for the blade. If you already own Metabo HPT 18V cordless tools or are looking to pick up a cordless 10 in. miter saw, then this saw might be worth grabbing sooner than later.

Metabo HPT 10-Inch Cordless Miter Saw Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw (36V-60V) Head-To-Head

Piggybacking off of our recent Best 18-24 volt Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head, we wanted to bring out the big boys. We put high-capacity reciprocating saws, ranging from 36 to 60 volts up against each other to crown the Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw.

Cordless Reciprocating Saw Line Up

Unlike the previous 18-24v Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head, only four saws met the “high capacity” criteria ranging from 36-60V. Below are the four saws and their specifications.

DEWALT

• Model: DCS389B
• Voltage: 60V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 8.65 LBS
• Price: $269

Makita 36v (18V x 2)

• Model: XRJ06Z
• Voltage: 36V (2 x 18v)
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 9.3 LBS
• Price: $239

Makita 40V XGT

• Model: GRJ02Z
• Voltage: 40V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 9.9 LBS
• Price: $279

Metabo HPT

• Model: CR36DAQ4
• Voltage: 36V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 8.4 LBS
• Price: $199

Head-to-Head Testing Format

Our team used and ranked the same nine criteria for our Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw test as we did on our 18v-24v Head-to-head testing.

When considering relevant trade tests, we chose three that hit the mark for remodeling contractors, electricians,  plumbing and heating contractors which mirror the 18v-24v testing we just completed.  In addition to the standard testing criteria we typically use, these tests make up the total rankings and allow us to pick a clear winner.

1. 1. Gas Pipe Cutting for Plumbing / Heating Contractors
   2. Uni-strut Cut Test for Electricians
   3. Nail Embedded Cut Test for General Contractor / Demolition
   4. Features
   5. Ergonomics
   6. Size
   7. Noise
   8. Price
   9. Best Value

The Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw was decided based on the sum of each of the first seven categories.

Testing Blade Information

All reciprocating saws were fitted with task-specific, new Milwaukee Nitrus Carbide blades before testing, shifting the focus away from the variation between different blades and toward the differences between the individual  saws.

• Timed Test 1:  Gas Pipe for plumbers.
• Timed Test 2:  Uni-strut for electricians.
• Timed Test 3:  Nail Embedded Wood for Carpenters and Remodelers.

Milwaukee asserts that the NITRUS reciprocating saw blades are made with 25% more carbide, cuts faster, and last longer than conventional carbide-toothed blades.

Battery Pack Guidelines

For this Head to Head, we requested manufacturers send us two of their batteries in the 4.0 Ah to 6.0 Ah range. This was to even out the playing field as some companies offer very large batteries for these saws.

Testing Format Information

Jig Information

For the Gas Pipe cutting test, a custom saw-holding jig was used.  To reduce human error in some of our testing, the Tool Box Buzz crew spends countless hours designing, constructing, and fine-tuning our test jig.

The jig is made up of 4 extruded aluminum towers that serve as vertical rails for a mounting platform that holds and restrains the saw to guarantee a repeatable even cut. A fractal vise clamp mold themselves around the saw’s irregular surfaces and generate even horizontal clamping force, with hold-down straps creating additional support.

The jig utilizes a timing mechanism that uses two strategically placed micro switches to regulate the start and stop times of the cut. The micro-switch timing starts as soon as the cut is initiated and just after the blade passes through the last of the material. The cutting force applied to the cut is approximately 25 lbs, which included the variable weight of the saw and the mounting platform.

Gas Pipe Speed Test | Winner – Makita 40V

Plumbing and heating contractors are the core users for this gas pipe test. We used  1-1/2′′ diameter schedule 40 black steel gas pipe for the material. A new Milwaukee 6″ Torch blade was fitted onto each saw and used to make three timed cuts.  An average of the three cuts was used for scoring.  To hold the pipe at the proper height while we cut, we used Rockwell Jawhorses.

The winner of the gas pipe test was the Makita XGT 40V with an impressive average time of 3.55 seconds. Second place was the Metabo HPT with a time of 5.73 seconds. Third, was the DEWALT Flexvolt at 6.10 seconds. The slowest saw of the four was the Makita 36V coming in at 11 seconds even.

Uni-strut Speed Test | Winner – Makita 40V

The winner of this test was the Makita XGT 40V with a speed of 2.70 seconds. Metabo HPT in a close second with 3.01 seconds. Third place went to the Makita 36V at 3.54 seconds. Finishing out the saws was the DEWALT Flexvolt at 5.40 seconds.

Nail Embedded Wood Speed Test | Winner – Makita 40V

Three 2×10 joists were fastened together and tested with fifteen (15) nails total inserted in the wood for our nail-embedded wood test. With each cut, we refreshed the nails and used the same 10 lb weight and cut method.

This “torture test” simulates heavy-duty demolition cutting for carpenters, remodelers, and general contractors. In each saw, we utilized a new Milwaukee WRECKER (9″ 6 TPI with Nitrus Carbide Teeth) –  48-00-5272, blade suited for nail-embedded wood, and timed three cuts.

Winning the test and achieving a “hat trick,”  was the Makita XGT 40v with an average speed of 30.61 seconds. Second and third place goes to Makita 36v and DEWALT Flexvolt at 40.15 seconds and 47.14 seconds respectively. Back of the pack was the Metabo HPT with a final time average of 53.50 seconds.

Features | Winner Metabo HPT 36V

1. Rafter hook
2. Orbital action
3. Blade release lever
4. LED Light
5. Shoe plate
6. Variable speed
7. Standout Features

Concerning features, the team was disappointed with the DEWALT saw, as it has very few features.

Rafter Hook  

All of the saws, with exception of the DEWALT Flexvolt, have rafter hooks. For such a workhorse it is a mystery why DEWALT chose to exclude a hook.  The team favored the Makita 36-volt saw rafter hook for its sturdy, large and straightforward design.

Blade Release Lever

The team favored the lever-style release lever for changing blades. We found it faster, and easier to manipulate, even with gloves than the twisting collet designs.

The Metabo HPT and Makita 36-volt both have twisting collets that sometimes require the user to manipulate the trigger [stroke] to expose the collet for blade removal.  The Makita collet is slightly different, it’s spring-loaded and will accept a blade but needs to be twisted to remove the blade.

Variable Speed

All four saws have variable speed triggers, which is a must on a reciprocating saw. The Metabo HPT and both Makita saws also have additional top-speed controls. The Makita 40-volt has a 5-place speed dial on top of the tool allowing the max SPM (Strokes per Minute) to be set at 1,000/1,500/2,000/2,500/3000 SPM. The Makita 36-volt has a mechanical switch on the tool’s handle that allows for 2-speed control 0-2,300 and 0-3,000 SPM.

The Metabo HPT has a button interface below the handle to control the LED light as well as set 1 of 4 stroke speed settings 0-1700/2,000/2,500/3,000 SPM.

Shoe Plate

The Metabo HPT and the Makita 40 volt both use a lever to adjust the shoe plate, both plates extend fully and lock. They do not come out of the body of the tool, when at full extension, which the team favored. The team found the Makita 40-volt saws shoe plate tough to slide back and forth, describing it as “sticky.”

The DEWALT and Makita 36-volt do not have adjustable shoe plates.

Standout Features |Metabo HPT MULTI-VOLT  System

Something that many people don’t get is the value behind the Metabo HPT multi-volt adapter. This feature allows the tool to run on both AC/DC power. The Metabo HPT 36V slide-type battery receives the AC “battery-looking” adapter.

Ergonomics | Winner – Makita 40V XGT

The ergonomics evaluation in this section is purely subjective and based on the opinions of the testing crew. After a full day of running performance tests, the team sat down and ranked each tool in several categories. For the ergonomics evaluation, the team evaluated several criteria including:

1. Subjective Vibration
2. Grip comfort
3. Ease of Blade Change
4. Ease of Shoe Plate Adjustment

The Makita 40-volt saw is a solidly built saw that also provides an excellent user experience. It scored 7 points and was tops in vibration, and came in second in grip, blade changing, and shoe adjustment. The DEWALT 60-volt came in second with 8 points which was surprising to the team since this saw is a featureless workhorse.

Vibration

For this category, each evaluator ranked the tools based on perceived vibration, while performing each of the performance tests. The Makita 40-volt and Metabo HPT saws had the lowest perceived vibration from the team, with many commenting on how smooth it was to operate.

Metabo HPT UVP –

Metabo HPT User Vibration Protection decreases vibration by incorporating a dual counterweight system. The upper and lower counterweight gears spin in opposite directions to balance out the inertia force, resulting in significant vibration reduction.

Grip Comfort

Here we looked at the overall feel of the over-mold, and grip surface. The team concluded that the DEWALT and Makita 36-volt both had the most comfortable grips.

Size | Winner – DEWALT Flexvolt

To compare the overall size (compactness) of the saws, the length ranking, and the weight ranking was added together. The tools were ranked from smallest to largest and lightest to heaviest.

Weight comes in second, after cutting performance when using a reciprocating saw. The larger-size saws showed the best performance in our testing, I sure wish it were the opposite.

Working overhead with a beefy reciprocating saw can quickly become tiresome. We weighed each reciprocating saw on our digital scale without a battery and here are the results.

DEWALT Flexvolt took the size category measuring 18″ in length and weighing in at 8.65lbs as a bare tool. Second place was the Makita 36V at 18″ and 9.3 lbs. Third was Metabo HPT weighing 8.4 lbs but was 18.75″ long. Weighing in at 9.9lbs and 18.5″ long makes the Makita 40v finish in 4th place.

Noise Saw Winner | Makita 36V

Due to OSHA’s regulation of 8 hours of exposure for noise levels up to 90 decibels, hearing protection should be worn at all times when using reciprocating saws because they are extremely loud.

We used a decibel meter to measure the saw’s dB level in a no-load situation at a set distance of the same height as a user’s ear spacing to test these saws consistently.  We evaluated these saws in a no-load capacity; nevertheless, when the saws are loaded, the noise level increases and the cutting material dictates the noise level.

The saw that was the quietest was the Makita 36V at 98.5 decibels. The second quietest saw was the Makita 40v at 98.7 decibels. The loudest reciprocating saw we tested was the Metabo HPT 36v at 100.9 decibels. Third place was DEWALT at 100 decibels.

Best Reciprocating Saw Price Winner |Metabo HPT

When deciding which saw is best for a user, price is always a consideration. For each of the saws, we used bare tool pricing determined online at the time of writing.

The majority of us can all agree that price is an important factor to consider when buying tools, especially for those who are just getting started in the trades. We also understand that most contractors are brand loyalists [our crew included], who will prefer to stick with their current battery platform rather than buy a new line of cordless power tools.

The reciprocating saw with the lowest price tag was the Metabo HPT coming in at $199.00 bare tool. The second cheapest-priced saw was the Makita 36V LXL at $239.00 Third place went to the DEWALT 60V Flexvolt saw for $269.00.The Makita 40V XGT which is priced at $279.00 is the most expensive saw of the pack.

We decided to remove pricing from the overall score, as we feel that saws should not be penalized for cost when scoring. We have made pricing its own section and below is a graph for your information.

These saws may be found at your local big box stores, but all of them can be found online at our Sponsored Retailer, ACME Tools.

Best Value Winner | Metabo HPT 36-volt

This category winner often resonates with most people because it performs well in tests while still being cost-effective. The Metabo HP saw has the best price at $199 [bare tool] and tied for second place in our testing. It’s a solid-performing, full-featured saw.

Overall Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw Winner | Makita 40V XGT

The Makita 40-volt saw came in first to achieve the title of Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw. This saw scored 12 total points and dominated all three of our power/speed tests, coming in first place in ergonomics and second in decibels and features. It is a well-designed, feature rich, powerful saw. It was a clear standout on testing day.

The rest of the saws were close in their scoring brackets.  The Makita 36-volt and Metabo HPT 36-volt saws tied in second place with 19 points. Both of these saws hover in the top 3 and 4 points for each category.  The DEWALT scored 20 points. At the end of this testing, the team all felt that the DEWALT could use some updating to its core features as a rafter hook, set speed settings or orbital action are quickly becoming industry standards.

Conclusion

Cordless reciprocating saws are a real deal now, and capable of cutting the cord. We get lots of comments about how we make the final rankings or asking why we didn’t test the tools a certain way.  The good news is we’ve openly shared ALL the data from our tests, and you can rank the tools however you want. Don’t care about ergonomics?  No problem eliminate that from the matrix above and re-rank them. Hopefully, you’ll find this Head-To-Head useful in comparing the heavy-hitting reciprocating saws on the market today.

Recent Head-To-Heads

The crew at Tool Box Buzz produces many Head-to-Head articles. We welcome you to swing over to our Head-To-Head page and check out all of them! You will not be disappointed!

Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head Video

Best “High Capacity” Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head | 2022 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Best 18V-24V Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head |2022

Over 70 years ago (1951 to be exact) Milwaukee Tools introduced the first reciprocating saw called the SAWZALL. Since then technology has advanced dramatically. Currently, there is a plethora of full-size cordless reciprocating saws that are being used on millions of job sites every day!

Demolition contractors, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanical contractors (both residential and commercial), and even firefighters are among the users. We can’t think of another power instrument that touches so many diverse trades than the reciprocating saw.

Cordless Reciprocating Saw Line Up

Fifteen manufacturers sent us their best cordless reciprocating saw on their 18v-24v platforms. We received the following 17 reciprocating saws for this Head-To-Head.

Craftsman Reciprocating Saw

• Model: CMCS351B
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/8″
• Weight: 6.92 LBS
• Price: $99.00

DEWALT Reciprocating Saw

• Model: DCS386B
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/8″
• Weight: 7.7 LBS
• Price: $169.00

FLEX Reciprocating Saw

• Model: FX2271-Z
• Voltage: 24V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 10.67 LBS
• Price: $199.00

Hart Reciprocating Saw

• Model: HPRS25
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 5.0 LBS
• Price: $115.00

Hilti Reciprocating Saw

• Model: SR 6-22 #2240583
• Voltage: 22V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 2600 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.8 LBS
• Price: $299.00

Kobalt Reciprocating Saw

• Model: KXRS 124B-03
• Voltage: 24V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3100 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.4 LBS
• Price: $149.00

Kobalt Reciprocating Saw

• Model: KRS 224B-03
• Voltage: 24V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3100 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.0 LBS
• Price: $129.00

Makita Reciprocating Saw

• Model: XRJ05Z
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 8.2 LBS
• Price: $179.00

Metabo Reciprocating Saw

• Model: 602267850
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 2700 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 5.5 LBS
• Price: $179.00

Metabo HPT  Reciprocating Saw

• Model: CR18DBL
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.0 LBS
• Price: $139.00

Milwaukee  Sawzall Reciprocating Saw

• Model: 2822-20
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.8 LBS
• Price: $259.00

Milwaukee Sawzall Reciprocating Saw

• Model: 2722-20
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 8.8 LBS
• Price: $249.00

Porter-Cable Reciprocating Saw

• Model: PCC670B
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.35 Lbs
• Price: $62.00

RIDGID Reciprocating Saw

• Model: R8647B
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 7.2 LBS
• Price: $189.00

Ryobi Reciprocating Saw

• Model: PBLRS01B
• Voltage: 18V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3200 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-1/4″
• Weight: 6.7 LBS
• Price: $149.00

Skil Reciprocating Saw

• Model: RS582902
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1″
• Weight: 4.63 LBS
• Price: $89.99

WORX Reciprocating Saw

• Model: WX516L
• Voltage: 20V
• Stroke-Per-Minute: 3000 SPM
• Stroke Length: 1-3/16″
• Weight: 5.52 LBS
• Price: $109.00

Note: Bosch was asked to participate in this Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head, however, they declined.

Head-to-Head Testing Format

For our Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head, our team looked at a total of 9 criteria, which are listed below. Each criterion was ranked independently, and the “Overall Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw” was determined using a combination of the test results.

We wanted to develop various speed tests related to several significant trades for this Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head. We created tests that appeal to the following users and added to the standard testing criteria we always add in our Head-To-Head tests.

1. General Contractor / Demolition [timed cut test]
2. Plumbing / Heating Contractors [timed cut test]
3. Electricians [timed cut test]
4. Features
5. Ergonomics
6. Size
7. Noise
8. Price
9. Best Value
   

Testing Blade Information

All reciprocating saws were fitted with task-specific, brand-new Milwaukee Nitrus Carbide blades before testing, which shifted the focus away from the blades and more toward the saws.

• Timed Test 1:   Gas Pipe for plumbers.
• Timed Test 2:  Unistrut for electricians.
• Timed Test 3:  Nail Embedded Wood for Carpenters and Remodelers.

NITRUS CARBIDE teeth on these reciprocating saw blades allow you to cut longer, and faster. Compared to standard carbide tooth blades, Milwaukee claims that the NITRUS CARBIDE technology outlasts existing carbide-toothed reciprocating saw blades by 3-times. Milwaukee uses 25% more Carbide per tooth on their NITRUS CARBIDE blades.

Battery Pack Guidelines

For this Head to Head, we requested manufacturers send us two of their batteries in the 4.0Ah to 6.0Ah range. This was to even out the playing field as some of these companies have very large batteries for these saws.

Testing Format Information

For the Nail Embedded and Uni-strut testing, we suspended a 10-pound weight from an anchor strap on the forward grip of each reciprocating saw to ensure that each saw received the same cutting pressure.

The cut began with both hands on the saw, the front hand was released to let the 10-pound weight draw the blade through the cut. Also, some of these saws include a variable speed option. We performed the tests using the highest factory-applied speed setting.

Jig Information

Tool Box Buzz has spent countless hours designing, building, and tweaking our test jig which allows us to remove human error in some of our testing.

To ensure a repeatable even cut, the jig is composed of 4 extruded aluminum towers that act as vertical rails for a mounting platform that holds and constrains the saw.  At the heart of the jig is a 3D-printed fractal vise that can move around irregular surfaces of the saw to provide even horizontal clamping force.  Additional straps are used to hold the saws in place.

All of the saws were fitted with new Milwaukee 6-inch TORCH blades. ( 7 TPI with Nitrus Carbide Teeth) – 48-00-5261

A timing system is used on the jig that takes advantage of two carefully positioned micro-switches that control the start and stop time of the cut.  Our process was to raise the saws above the material with an attached rope, start the saws at their highest setting and use a Velcro strap to keep the saw trigger in the “full-on” position.  The saw is carefully lowered into the cut and the micro-switch timing starts as the cut sequence is initiated.  At this time the weight of the saw and the weight of the mounting platform ~20lbs was the cutting force exerted into the cut.

Gas Pipe Speed Test | Winner – FLEX

This gas pipe test is designed for plumbing and heating contractors.  Using 1-1/2″ cylindrical black steel schedule 40 gas pipe. We utilized the new Milwaukee Torch blades suitable for the thick metal in each saw and timed three cuts using our testing rig. We used Rockwell Jawhorses to hold the pipe at the desired height while we cut.

The winner of the gas pipe test was the FLEX 2271-Z with an impressive average time of 4.71 seconds. Second place was the Kobalt KRS-224B with a time of 5.15 seconds and third was the Milwaukee One Key 2822-20 with 5.63 seconds. The slowest saw that actually finished the test was the WORX coming in at 16.42 seconds.

This test, combined with the weight of the testing jig proved to be a challenge for some of the saws and a borderline torture test. The strong cutting force really gave the more robust saws their moment to shine.

Hart, Kobalt KXRS, Metabo HPT, Porter Cable, Ryobi, and Skil could not complete the test and received a DNF [Did Not Finish]. The Metabo HPT and Kobalt saws were overloaded and went into thermal overload, a feature designed to protect the motor, automatically shutting the saw down. The Porter-Cable and Skill saw motors were also overloaded, but do not have thermal overload protection, so the testing team stopped the test.

Unistrut Speed Test | Winner – FLEX

For electricians and mechanical contractors, Uni-strut is a standardized formed structural system used for light structural support, frequently for supporting wiring, piping, or mechanical components.  In each saw, we utilized new Milwaukee TORCH, (6″ 7 TPI w/ Nitrus Carbide Teeth) – 48-00-5261, blades and recorded the average time for three cuts. We used a 10lb weight on an anchor strap and let the weight do the cutting.

The winner of this test was the FLEX 2271-Z with a speed of 3.67 seconds. Kobalt KRS in a close second with 4.23 seconds and third place went to the Makita 18v at 4.48 seconds.

Every saw was able to complete this test. The slowest saw of the group was the Ridgid R8647B coming in at a whopping 23.42 seconds.

Nail Embedded Wood Speed Test | Winner – Makita 18V

For our nail-embedded wood test, we took three 2×10 joists, fastened them together, and added five (5) 3-1/2″ nails into each 2×10 for a total of fifteen (15) nails. We used a 10 lb weight fixed to an anchor strap at the front of each saw and then plowed through three nail-embedded 2x10s with each cut.

This simulates heavy-duty demolition cutting for carpenters, remodelers, and general contractors. In each saw, we utilized a new Milwaukee WRECKER (9″ 6 TPI with Nitrus Carbide Teeth) –  48-00-5272, blade suited for nail-embedded wood, and timed three cuts.

The winner of this test was the Makita XRJ05Z with an impressive speed of 28.69 seconds. The team commented on how easy the Makita is to install the blade and the surprising cutting speed.

Two-hundredths of a second [.02] slower was the FLEX at 28.71. Finishing up in third place was the Milwaukee Super Sawzall 2722-20 with an average speed of 29.62.

Porter Cable had the longest cut time at 129.51 seconds. Skil was the only saw that did not finish a cut in the test [DNF], stopping a few seconds in.

Features | Winner – Milwaukee 2722-20 One-Key

Comparing tool features from different brands is challenging, but  “the devil is in the details.” We feel that a feature assessment is necessary and the entire team discussed these features and scored them.  Each feature was worth 1 point. The total number of points available was 7.

1. Rafter hook
2. Orbital action
3. Blade release lever
4. LED Light
5. Shoe plate
6. Variable speed
7. Standout Features

The winner of the feature section is the Milwaukee One Key 2822-20. This saw had a total of 7 points, with a perfect score. This saw was well-balanced, and has a super comfortable grip and over molding, a solid rafter hook, and a smooth spring lever for blade changing.  The crew noted that the back-light for electronic controls needs to be brighter or a different contrast for working in sunlight operations.

There was a two-way tie for second place, the Milwaukee Super Sawzall, and the Ridgid with 5 points each.

The only saw that did not have any of these features was the Porter Cable, which resulted in a 0 score.

Rafter Hook

Almost all of the saws with rafter hooks were metal hooks and a swivel mount. The Hilti was the only exception with a narrower, ABS plastic style hook.

Variable Speed

All the reciprocating tested had variable triggers, but only five allow for an upper RPM limit setting. Of those five, the Milwaukee Super Sawzall has a variable analog speed dial. The Milwaukee One-Key reciprocating allows three preset settings on the tool and additional customization RPM controlling and settings through the One-Key AP. 

Stand-Out Features

Standout features are ones that other saws do not have and should be thought about when making a purchase.

Milwaukee ONE-KEY

The Milwaukee 2722-20 is the first reciprocating saw in its field to wirelessly link to a smartphone and track, manage, and customize a tool’s usage and location. With Unlimited Tool Customization, you can connect to the device and access preset setups for particular materials and fasteners, or you can fully customize the output speed and power for the current application. The custom profile is then saved to the tool’s memory after the desired output performance has been attained, making the connection to the smartphone unnecessary. Up to 4 unique profiles can be conveniently accessed from the tool’s memory with the touch of a button. Additionally, your personalized profiles are kept in the cloud and accessible at any time.

Using tools across your network of jobs and users is completely visible with integrated tool tracking, which ONE-KEY offers. The app will track all ONE-KEY compatible devices within a 100-foot radius of your phone.

All devices are traceable regardless of whether the battery is charged or on the tool because the capability is built into the instrument rather than the battery.

The program will automatically keep track of the last time a tool was in its vicinity, making it easier to find missing tools and improving crew responsibility. If you’re having problems finding a misplaced tool, ask anyone with the ONE-KEY app for assistance in broadening your search.

Additionally, the One-Key also has fixed orbital action. This means you can not turn it on or off. Unlike the Super Sawzall, which has a selectable orbit, the One-Key detects the best orbital action for cutting material.

HILTI On!Track

The HILTI 22V Nuron tools generate data which is then stored on the Nuron batteries and sent securely to the cloud during every charge without any operator interaction. NURON batteries have an internal memory card that can simultaneously store information from up to 12 tools.

When the batteries are plugged into the charger, the data is automatically uploaded to the cloud via cellular networks without any setup required. This allows users to make data-driven decisions based on site-specific tool usage patterns. Using Hilt’s ON! Track software on app and web customers can track this information by user or job site or leave it at a tool level, whichever they prefer.

Together with services like Hilti Fleet Management [paid subscription service] tool data can be used to reduce downtime and optimize tool cribs to boost customer productivity.

While this is an excellent feature, the team feels it needs to do more for the majority of Pro contractor users who are unable or unwilling to subscribe to the Hilti Fleet Management services.

DEWALT Flexvolt Advantage

DEWALT FLEXVOLT Batteries can unlock more power and better performance with Flexvolt Advantage 20v Max tools. The FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE technology-equipped tools are aware of the battery’s connection and alter their power output accordingly. When combined with FLEXVOLT batteries, DEWALT 20V MAX* tools with FLEXVOLT ADVANTAGE technology give end users greater power.

Ergonomics | Winner – Milwaukee 2822-20  One-key

The ergonomics evaluation in this section is purely subjective and based on the opinions of the testing crew. After a full day of running performance tests, the team sat down and ranked each tool in several categories on a score of 1-10 [1 being the best]. For the ergonomics evaluation, the team evaluated the following criteria:

1. Subjective Vibration
2. Grip comfort
3. Ease of Blade Change
4. Ease of Shoe Plate Adjustment

The Milwaukee One-key reciprocating saw came in with a six score and never dropped below 2nd place in the four tested categories.  Hilti saw came in 2nd with an eight score. Third place went to the flex with double the points of the first two saws with a score of 15.

Subjective Vibration

Each evaluator ranked the tools based on perceived vibration for this category while performing each performance test. The average ranking was used for the final vibration ranking.

Vibration standouts:

The FLEX and Metabo HPT saws had minimal vibration.  The FLEX  saw includes active vibration control with FLEX’s “Shockshield Vibration Suppression.” According to FLEX, it reduces vibration by 40%.  In our testing, without knowing this information, the entire crew all commented that the FLEX was one of the saws with the least vibration.  Impressively it did this without bogging down or a reduction in power.

FLEX was “smooth as silk” to operate. ~ Rob

Grip Comfort

The crew collectively assessed how the grip surface, hand shape, and over-molding felt. Grip comfort is probably the hardest to score as a team due to the wide range of shapes and sizes of hands the team members have.

Grip Standout: DEWALT and Hilti

The team felt that the DEWALT and the Hilti saws had the most comfortable grip.

Ease of Blade Change

Every tool in this category included a tool-free blade change design. The comparison focused on the ease of changing blades. The entire team favored the external spring-loaded lever used to change the blade. The rest of the saw uses a spring-loaded twisting collet to change the blade.

Blade Change Standouts: DEWALT and Hart

Both the DEWALT and Hart saws use a spring-loaded lever to release or insert the blade. This lever was easy to operate with or without gloves.

The FLEX and Makita collets lock open and allow the blade to be inserted without twisting. The issue the team had with the collets was that many were difficult to grip, impossible to operate with gloves on, and the collet could sometimes get “buried” inside the housing of the tool, necessitating you to pull the trigger to reach the collet.

Shoe Plate Adjustment

Of the tools that had shoe plate adjustment the ones that did were controlled by either of the following:

• Lever  [A team favorite]
• Push button
• Allen key

It’s 2022, and onboard hex keys for shoe plate adjustments seem archaic but not having an adjustable shoe plate is silly. – TBB Crew Scott

FLEX has a push button on the front of the tool’s housing. During the testing, this button was recessed and got stuck inside the housing- making it impossible to adjust the shoe plate. Upon further inspection, there did not appear to be any debris build-up. The consensus was that the fit and finish of this mechanism needed to improve.

The two Kobalt Saws – have an ergonomically placed, single button, that adjusts the shoe easily. The shoe extends to the furthest point but does not come out of the tools.  The team liked that, but this button could inadvertently be hit while in operation.

The Milwaukee M18 One-Key saw has two buttons, on each side, to easily release the shoe plate completely. Dual controls need to be pressed at the same time, making a using mishap unlikely.

Size | Winner – Porter Cable

To compare the saws’ overall size (compactness), the length ranking and the weight ranking were added together. The tools were ranked from smallest to largest and least heavy to heaviest. Smaller more compact tools are easier to operate in tight spaces and weight is always a fatigue factor.

Let’s face it, a saw lighter in weight and packs a punch [power] transcends into unicorn status!  Weight is a huge consideration, after the performance, when using a reciprocating saw. The larger size saws translated into performance in our testing, we sure wish it were the opposite.

You often operate a reciprocating saw overhead, and the task can quickly cause fatigue. During the evaluation process, each reciprocating saw was weighed on our digital scale WITHOUT a battery. There are so many variations of battery packs on the market; some operators may choose a smaller battery pack for overhead tasks, and some may not.

Porter Cable took the size category measuring 15″ in length and weighing in at 4.35 lbs as a bare tool. Second place was the Skil which is 16″ in length and 4.83 lbs. Third went to Hart with 17-1/2″ and 5.00 lbs respectively.

The longest-length saw we tested was the Milwaukee One Key at 21-1/2″, placing it in last place when added with a weight of 8.80lbs. The heaviest saw was the FLEX, weighing 10.67 lbs which when added to its length of 18″, ranks it 15th out of 17 saws.

Noise Saw | Winner  – HILTI

OSHA allows 8 hours of exposure for noise levels up to 90 decibels, but the exposure limits drop rapidly at 95 decibels and higher. Hearing protection should be worn when operating a reciprocating saw because they are extremely loud.

We used a decibel meter to measure the saw’s dB level in a no-load situation at a set distance of the same height as a user’s ear spacing to test these saws consistently. The crucial point is that the saws were always compared against each other, despite decibel measurements being relative to any setting. We evaluated these saws in a no-load capacity; nevertheless, when the saws are loaded, the noise level increases and the cutting material dictates the noise level.

The saw that was the quietest was the HILTI Nuron at 87 dBs. The second quietest saw was the Metabo at 92.0 decibels. The loudest reciprocating saw we tested was the Hart at 102.8 decibels.

Best Reciprocating Saw Price | Winner – Porter Cable

Price is always a consideration when deciding which saw is best for a user. For each of the saws “as-tested,” we’ve given the current bare tool pricing discovered online at the time of writing.

The price of a tool can sometimes be the deciding factor in whether or not to buy it. We can all agree that price is an essential factor to consider when purchasing tools, especially for those of you who are just getting started in the trades. We also understand that most contractors are brand loyal and will prefer to stick with their current battery platform rather than branch out and build a new line of cordless instruments.

The reciprocating saw that cost the least was the Porter Cable coming in at $62.00 bare tool. The second cheapest-priced saw was the Skil at $89.99 [this is the kit price]. Both of these saws fall into the DIY category for saws.

The most expensive saw we tested was the Hilti Nuron which came in at $299.00 bare tool.

We did not include the price in our overall score as we felt the lesser-priced DIY saws would penalize the higher-priced, better-performing Pro-rated saws. We have pricing in its own section for you to use as you need to. Most of these saws may be found at your local big box stores, and almost all of them can be found online like ACME Tools or Amazon.

Best Value Reciprocating Saw | Winner – Kobalt KRS 224B-03

This category winner often resonates with almost everyone, because shines on the tool that performs well in our tests, while not breaking the bank. The best value reciprocating saw is the Kobalt KRS 224B-03, which came fifth place overall [out of 17 tools] and is the fifth least expensive saw, priced at $129.00 [bare tool].  This saw came in 4th place in Features, top 10 in the nail-embedded cutting test, second place in gas pipe testing, and fifth in the uni-strut cut test. It’s a solid-performing, well-priced tool and one that anyone would be happy using.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw | Winner – FLEX

It’s evident to the team that Flex is pushing hard on the gas pedal to enter the Pro market. This imposing saw is fantastic!

The Flex reciprocating saw was a clear winner in our testing process, with 37 awe-inspiring points. Flex shined in our performance testing, coming in 1st place in the gas pipe testing, 1st in uni-strut testing, and 2nd in nail-embedded wood.

It came in third in ergonomics and fourth in features. It is a large, stunningly powerful saw with low vibration; the team feels Flex has room to improve the blade change [collet] mechanism.

Second place was the Milwaukee One-key coming in with 44-points. A stand-out winner in ergonomics, with robust features and performance that never dipped below 5 in any cutting speed tests. The Milwaukee is a feature-rich, comfortable, robust saw. If the Flex is a suped-up, hyper-fast, and smooth-riding Chevy, the M18 Sawzall is clearly a Mercedes. Its only flaw was the hard-to-see controls in direct sunlight.

Third place goes to the Metabo 602267850. The Metabo performed held its own in every category, and their smaller footprint and lower decibel ratings propelled them to score higher in the ranks. This saw could use some improvement on vibration and the team was not a fan of the battery eject button, which is not easy to manipulate.

The MOST Comprehensive Information Available

Our ALL Pro contractor team put some serious time and effort into our Best Reciprocating Saw Head-to-Head evaluations to provide you with the most comprehensive information available.

These tests and evaluations are tough, take a lot of time, but are limited in scope. We cannot do long-term ROI testing that would determine longevity. However, the team does see a few of these tools “punch above their weight,” in our testing only to smoke out or leave us with questions about their longevity down the road. Many of those tools are also not considered pro brands.

We get lots of comments about how we make the final rankings. There are dozens of ways to compare tools; we share ALL the data from our tests, so you can re-rank the tools however you want. If you don’t care about an item we ranked? No problem. Remove that from the matrix above and re-rank them.

Other Head-to-Head Testing

In case you missed it, the crew at Tool Box Buzz has published four Head-To-Heads this year. If you have a moment, please check them out here:  Head-to-Head Tests.

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head Video | 2022

Best Cordless Reciprocating Saw Head-To-Head | 2022 is a post from Tool Box Buzz

Metabo HPT 18V 5-Inch Random Orbital Sander, model SV1813DAQ4

Metabo HPT 18V Random Orbital Sander

4/5

Manufacturer: Metabo HPT
Model number: SV1813DAQ4
Price: 99.00
Power source: 18v
Weight: 2.6 lbs

The 18V Random Orbital Sander is part of the expanding MultiVolt System of 18V and 36V power tools from Metabo HPT.

Metabo HPT 18V Random Orbital Sander | Specifications and Features

• Model: Metabo HPT SV1813DAQ4
• Length: 6.25 in
• Width: 6.25 in
• Height: 6 in
• Weight: 2.6 lbs.
• Voltage: 18V
• Variable Speed 6 settings [ 7,000 to 11,000/min No Load Speed]
• DC Brushless motor Yes
• Electric brake Yes
• 5” Pad [Hook and loop Yes
• Dust Port 1-3/8”
• Vacuum adapters [2] 1-1/2″ & 1-3/4″
• Dust Bag Yes
• Sealed switch Yes
• Warranty 5-Year Tool Warranty

First Impression

My first impression was how comfortable the sander was to grip. I immediately noticed that the power switch was nicely sealed with a rubber cover, and the 6-setting variable speed dial was recessed so as NOT to accidentally change it when gripping the tool.
The other immediate impression was why did Metabo HPT opt to use the archaic dust bag. If you’re not sure what I mean, it’s that plastic clip that holds the back of the dust bag together and was on sanders 20 years ago.

Power | Material Removal

The Metabo HPT 18V Random Orbital Sander has a 5-inch hook and loop pad that is easily changed with 4 screws.

I will say I only have a couple of hours on this sander so far. I found the sander is powerful and I was able to remove mill marks easily and quickly from a face frame I had clued up. To see how the sander performed I additionally tested the sander with pencil marks on various wood species, including some painted trim and rusted metal. The variable speed dial worked well at reducing sanding power when switching between paintwork, bare wood, and metal. Its 6 settings are rated for no-load speeds from 7,000 OPM to 11,000 OPM with an orbit diameter of 3 mm.

Vibration

The Metabo HPT sander did seem to have more vibration than the Milwaukee sander I’m used to, but there is no way for me to measure that.

Dust Collection

The Metabo HPT 18V Random Orbital Sander comes with a dust bag and two vacuum adapters. The dust bag has a rubber O-ring that inserts into the sanders port securely and snugly – no chance of falling out. The dust port on the sander will handle a 1-3/8” [35 mm] dust hose and the adapters allow 1-1/2” [38mm] or 1-3/4 [44mm] hose connections.

Improvements

This sander is great, but I feel like Metabo HPT missed the mark by using the archaic dust bag clip. Experience has shown me that these clips are a pain in the ass to slip on, leak if not on securely, and easily get lost. Metabo HPT should put a YKK zipper on that bag.

As far as the vacuum adapters, I’m glad they include them, but I’d prefer a cordless tool in 2022 to have an integrated multi-sized dust port. Who knows maybe we’ll see these improvements on the Gen 2 tool!

Price

The Metabo HPT Sander sells for $99.00 as a bare tool at ACME Tools. That’s a bargain in anyone’s wallet.

Included with the Orbital Sander

• (2) Sanding Pads
• Dust Bag
• 1-1/2″ & 1-3/4″ Vacuum Adaptor

Overall Impression

I really liked the Metabo HOT sander, it’s powerful, comfortable to use, has great runtime, and only weighs 2.6 lbs. plus whatever battery you clip on it. I’m excited to see Metabo HPT stepping up their game and adding more tools to their brushless lineup and expanding their MultiVolt System of 18V and 36V power tools.

Recommended!

Metabo HPT 18V Random Orbital Sander Review is a post from Tool Box Buzz