Thread: Metabo KSE-55 plunge and circular saw

Hi Esck,

AWR #66 has a positive review of it. The article focused on it's features and quality more so than discussing whether or not the saw is useful in both modes though.

I couldnt see myself getting a beautiful smooth edge on a sheet of MDF one day and then cutting a rough sleeper with it outside the next.

Just get the Festool ! We all want to.

Sam

I'm looking a buying a track/plunge saw and although I'd like to buy a Festool, the budget won't quite stretch that far. So I'm tossing up between the Makita and the Metabo. I've had a play with the Makita but haven't actually been able to lay my hands on the Metabo yet.

So has anyone actually used the Metabo KSE55 and if so, would you recommend it? I've always found Metabo tools to be excellent but I'm concerned that this one might suffer from the old "Jack of all trades" syndrome by being designed to be used as both a plunge saw and a normal circular saw.

Cheers,

Steve

Our vote would be the metabo over the makita, it comes with 3 years warranty as aposed to 1 year makita warranty. Also the makita is not as precise, not sure what your budget is but you might be able to pick up some superseded Festool saws at the moment at a saving as the new model is now out

A word of warning.
I had a Metabo screw gun about 5 years old, the clutch started slipping so I took it for repair and was told by two repair shops that parts were unavailable.
Our friend from VEK tools might be able to shed some more light on this but I wasn't happy at all and won't buy any Metabo tools in future.

Thanks VEK Tools and Doken for your responses. Unfortunately each response kind of cancels out the other, but never mind, I've gone ahead and ordered the Metabo saw anyway. I've got a few other Metabo tools and always been happy with them so I thought it was worth having a go. Once I actually take delivery and put it through it's paces I'll do a bit of a review of its performance.

Cheers,

Steve

Originally Posted by Doken

A word of warning.
I had a Metabo screw gun about 5 years old, the clutch started slipping so I took it for repair and was told by two repair shops that parts were unavailable.
Our friend from VEK tools might be able to shed some more light on this but I wasn't happy at all and won't buy any Metabo tools in future.

Did you try calling metabo 1800metabo they are based in Vic, we have a lot of old parts instock as our service dept has bought out 5 others, what was the screw guns model number so I can try sort out for you

Steve you should be right with it, don't forget to register on metabo website if it's a Aussie model to get your warranty extension, make sure you print certificate

Originally Posted by VEK TOOLS

Did you try calling metabo 1800metabo they are based in Vic, we have a lot of old parts instock as our service dept has bought out 5 others, what was the screw guns model number so I can try sort out for you

I can't remember the model number, I threw it out when I couldn't get it repaired.
It was a long skinny machine with a "D" handle at the back, slow revving but heaps of torque, it was good to use and did a great job for it's 5 years.
I took it to Alltools who told me they couldn't get parts, I found it hard to understand so I rang Power Tool Specialists in Carlton and they told me the same thing, I also tried the internet, then I gave up and tossed it.
I've got a Metabo jig saw going on 15 years old that hasn't missed a beat, I've got no doubt that their quality is good but I was very cheesed off throwing a $400, 5 year old screw gun away.
I won't buy from a company that doesn't support 5 year old products.

They normally do, I think the law is they have to supply parts for 5-7 years after model is discontinued or replacement warranty for 2years if they don't supply parts

"We guarantee that we can deliver spare parts for your Metabo machine up to 8 years after the final production run, i.e. after being discontinued. To provide such a wide range of services is possible thanks to well trained employees, a strict quality control management system, innovative technologies and one more crucial factor – the production of Metabo mostly in Germany. Metabo. work. Don’t play."

A direct quote from a Metabo's current tool catalogue.

I have one of those little saws myself. It's a gem. Small, light and versatile, I've used it, with appropriate blades, for ripping hardwood scantling, cabinet work, and even sheet steel cutting! Jobs probably outside its design brief.

Sure, it's no Mafell, but I nevertheless think that it's sheer versatility makes it the current pick of the crop. It makes the current offerings from Festool et. al. look a bit primitive. Normally I wouldnt've considered a Metabo saw, despite having one of their Jigsaws for a number of years (15?).

But after getting a "feel" of the current offerings from Festool, Makita, Bosch and DeWalt I chose Metabo firstly on it's superior versatility, secondly on its superb ergonomics and convenience, thirdly on superior build (magnesium, not cheap alloy), and last on price and warranty. It ticked all the right boxes for me. Somebody else may of course have differing priorities.

Metabo is usually my first choice in Drills and Grinders. They are, to me, without peer. Unlike most of their German peers, almost all of their production is made "in house", rather than outsourced. It shows.

Makita these days seem to be built to a price point. Festool, at least in my experience, make brilliant sanders, with everything else being a little crude, fragile, unreliable and unconscionably expensive. DeWalt make great routers, with most else a bit agricultural. Bosch make excellent Swiss and German tools, and some fairly ordinary Asian ones.

I earn my living from my tools and need to feel confident in their ability and reliability on site. My Metabo tools have yet to let me down, whereas I've had failures from my Makitas, Bosch and Festools.

Thanks Ratbag,

That's some excellent feedback, and exactly what I was hoping for.

Thanks,

Steve

I don't know about the Metabo, but the riving knife on the Makita does not retract, so this really limits (prevents) its ability to plunge cut unless you remove it. The one on the Festool and its clones does retract as you plunge cut, then drops back into place when there is room. Its a feature to look for.

thats interesting, My makita doesnt have a riving knife on it.

Originally Posted by GCP310

thats interesting, My makita doesnt have a riving knife on it.

99.9% sure makita doesn't have a roving knife

Originally Posted by VEK TOOLS

99.9% sure makita doesn't have a roving knife

yep, i will add the other .1% to say there is no provisions for one either.

That said, for $625.00 with 1.4m track, it does everything i ask of it, very well.