New Metabo HPT Cordless One-Handed Reciprocating Saw

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Metabo HPT has come out with a new 18V cordless compact reciprocating saw, model CR18DAQ4. The new saw is designed for one-handed operation and can be powered by Metabo HPT’s 18V or MultiVolt Li-ion batteries

Metabo HPT says that their new compact one-handed reciprocating saw wins several “best in class” contests.

Lightweight – best-in-class, weighing 2.9 lbs for the bare tool.

Compact – best-in-class, measuring 13.8″ long.

Speed – best-in-class with 3,200 strokes per minute.

Metabo HPT CR18DAQ4 Compact Reciprocating Saw with Blade and Battery

Here’s an interesting detail I almost missed – Metabo HPT’s new saw works with standard reciprocating saw blades OR t-shank jig saw blades.

While many users might only use this for common demolition, trimming, or rough cutting tasks where reciprocating saws are typically used for speed, accessibility, or convenience, the t-shank blade compatibility opens the tool up to even more applications.

Metabo HPT says that the t-shank jigsaw blade compatibility allows for more detailed cuts, such as cutting arches in plywood, or a 1-1/2″ hole in a cavity just 6″ wide or between studs.

Metabo HPT CR18DAQ4 Compact Reciprocating Saw Cutting PVC

For lighter duty cutting tasks, being able to operate a saw with only one hand means your other hand is free for material support.

Metabo HPT CR18DAQ4 Compact Reciprocating Saw Cutting Tree Branch

Like other one-handed saws, the new Metabo HPT’s is lightweight, which should reduce user fatigue during extended use or in making overhead cuts.

Metabo HPT says that the saw has a power to size and weight ratio that is unmatched in its class.

Press materials describe the new saw being used for tasks I normally wouldn’t associate with reciprocating saws:

  • Cutting PVC pipes all day
  • Cutting metal closet shelf accessories
  • Notching vinyl plank flooring
  • Cutting nail embedded 2x4s
  • Pruning small shrubs around the home

Metabo HPT says that this is the most versatile one-handed recip available today, and it looks like they might be onto something.

Key Features and Specs

  • 18V system (also works with MultiVolt batteries)
  • 17/32″ stroke length
  • 0-3,200 SPM cutting speed
  • Max cutting capacity
    • 2″ mild steel pipe
    • 2″ wood
  • Variable speed control
  • Tool-less blade change
  • Tool-less shoe adjustment
  • LED worklight

Price: $129

Discussion

As soon as I caught on about the t-shank blade compatibility, my eyes lit up.

There are a lot of different applications where I like t-shank jigsaw blade selection and cut quality, but where a jigsaw might not be the best tool to make the cut I need. Cutting plastic or aluminum stock, for instance, is not a good fit for most reciprocating saws unless you want a very rough edge that will need heavy processing. There are a wide range of reciprocating saw blades available, but they’re generally designed for demo or rough cutting tasks.

In their promo video. Metabo HPT shows off the saw cutting tight arcs with a jigsaw blade, and that’s not something you can do with any standard reicprocating saw blade I’ve seen.

With t-shank blade compatibility, this might indeed be the most versatile one-handed reciprocating saw on the market.

Metabo HPT’s best-in-class claims look to check out.

However, whereas the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hackzall is rated at 3,000 SPM, it has a 7/8″ stroke length.

Dewalt’s Atomic series one-handed reciprocating saw is rated at 2,800 SPM and has a stroke length of 5/8″.

Metabo HPT’s recip saw is rated at 3,200 SPM and with a stroke length of 17/32″.

But, the Metabo HPT saw also weighs less than Dewalt’s 12V Max Xtreme Subcompact one-handed saw, at least when comparing bare tool to bare tool.

The lower stroke length spec should also mean less vibration.

It is also worth noting that the Metabo HPT does not mention having a brushless motor, not that brushless motors mean anything anymore given the new breed of low-powered brushless tools some brands have been coming out with.

The fast cutting speed is notable, but so is the shorter stroke length. The stroke length is likely tied to the size of the tool, helping it to be as compact as it is.

Usually, a longer stroke length means faster cutting, while a shorter stroke length can provide more control.

If choosing this reciprocating saw, your primary benefit would be in the blade selection versatility and the saw’s compact size and weight.

I think that Metabo HPT could have made different decisions with this tool, but probably not without making it larger, heavier, and pricier.

Metabo HPT CR18DAQ4 Compact Reciprocating Saw with Blade and Battery

Lastly, the battery interface housing looks to extend beyond the rear of the battery a bit. Is this to prevent users from attempting to rest the tool on its battery? Normally, one-handed drills are designed with drill-like battery interfaces, but not this one. Or might this be to give more support to larger MultiVolt batteries? Hmm.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

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