Even before it was announced that Hitachi would be acquiring Metabo, readers reported seeing Metabo power tools at their local Lowes.
Well, it looks like Metabo, before or under the Hitachi umbrella, has also forged a partnership with Lowes. We wrote about the Hitachi and Lowes partnership back in August. Maybe it’s a coincidence, or maybe this is tied into Metabo’s acquisition by Hitachi.
Metabo has come out with a new 18V cordless miter saw, model KGS 18 LTX 216, and it looks like Lowes is the first retailer to carry it in the USA.
The new Metabo 18V cordless miter saw is a sliding miter saw, not unlike the Dewalt cordless miter saw that came out a few months ago, and it’s designed to accommodate a 8-1/2″ blade size.
Features & Specs
- 8-1/2″ blade size, 5/8″ arbor
- 4,200 RPM no-load speed
- Max cutting capacity at 90°: 12″ wide x 2-1/2″ thick
- Weighs 30 pounds with battery
- Can make over 400 cuts in 8-in laminate flooring per battery charge, or over 175 cuts in 2-in x 6-in per charge (with 5.2Ah battery)
- Single bevel design (tilts to the left)
- Laser cutting guide
- LED worklight
- Detachable extensions for material support
- High sliding rear fence
- Included clamps can be secured from top or front
- Dust and chip collection bag
The kit comes with a starter 8-1/2″ carbide saw blade, 6.2Ah battery, and charger.
Price: $579 for the 1-battery kit
Buy Now(via Lowes)
First Thoughts
The blade size is the only part that has me a little concerned. While a 8-1/2″ blade will give you greater cutting capacity, 7-1/4″ blades are more ubiquitous. 8-1/2″ circular saw blades are easily available online, so this really is only a minor hesitation.
I tend to use miter saw blades with framing blades, finish blades, non-ferrous blades, and plywood blades, with the latter 2 being harder to find outside of 7-1/4″, 10″, and 12″ blade sizes.
But if you don’t have specialty blade needs like I do, the higher cutting capacity is a good reason to go with a 8-1/2″ saw.
Metabo is traditionally a metalworking tool company, and it’s great to see them dive deeper into the woodworking tool market.
They’re following a philosophy we’ve heard from other companies as well, such as Milwaukee Tool, and want to create a cordless workplace where battery-powered tools deliver corded-like performance.
What next, a Metabo cordless portable table saw? *wink*
There’s a promo image in this Coptool post that shows what looks to be a Metabo cordless table saw, or at least a proof of concept.