So says the blurb in the Metabo brochure for their STA LTX QUICK Li PowerPlus jigsaw. Power tool companies are, let’s face it, known for
their love of hyperbole, throwing out adjectives like “powerful”, “robust” and “mighty” along with claims like “world’s first”, “best in class” and “very special features” as if they were sweeties at a 6 year old’s birthday party.
However, we don’t mind if the product matches the hype and as we’ve already seen from the latest crop of cordless power tools from Metabo (see our post on W 18 LTX PowerExtreme grinder), their 18v range is aiming at the professional, high-end part of the market.
Let’s start with the battery. Metabo are offering a 3 year warranty on the battery. That’s a lot of confidence in a lithium-ion battery. Perhaps the reason for this confidence lies with, among other things, the ESCP (Electronic Single Cell Protection).
ESCP is Metabo’s built-in battery health checker. Although, instead of simply looking at the general health of the whole battery pack, ESCP looks at each individual cell, monitoring it’s condition and status while it’s working and while it’s charging.
Metabo have also built an array of checks and balances into the batteries. For example, deep discharge protection, overcharge protection and monitored overload and overheat shut-off, along with fan cooling the batteries as they charge are processes that will enable the lithium-ion batteries to work harder and longer.
At least that’s Metabo’s claim. However, we’re sure that slapping a 3 year warranty on the batteries amounts to them putting their money where their lithium-ion technology research and development is.
What about how the Metabo STA 18 LTX QUICL Li performs at the sharp end, ie. cutting?
Well, here’s the stats on the tool:
- saw blade stroke: 25mm
- strokes at no load: 0-2400rpm
- cutting depth in wood: 135mm, non-ferrous metal: 35mm and sheet metal: 10mm
- pendulum stroke levels: 4
A key feature is the Metabo QUICK blade change system. Simply put, flick a lever and the blade will eject without you having to touch it. No more burnt fingers.
We were impressed with the ease with which it cut through our piece of wood, particularly the smooth finish we were left with thanks to the 4 levels of pendulum action (see video). Of course, the on/off blowing unit keeps the cutting line clear, and the LED job light does what you’d expect; light up the job piece. Being able to see what you’re working on is, of course, essential if you’re going to do the job right.
Metabo are obviously proud of the STA 18 LTX QUICK Li, and we can understand why. With it’s features, the excellent battery and the versatility of the tool, we can see this one being a hit with joiners, kitchen fitters and anyone who’s already bought into Metabo’s 18v lithium-ion battery range.
We’d love to know your thoughts of it, let us know in the comments, send us a message on Twitter or on Facebook.
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