Over the years Metabo has really stepped out as the leader in high performance grinders. While grinders from Milwaukee, Dewalt, Bosch and Makita have continued to get better performance from their grinders the need to hit certain price points for the home centers or match each other has led to a balancing act of lower price vs performance. Metabo Professional Series of grinders has taken a little different approach to basically build the best possible grinder for the trades with all the feature options they might need. The result as you’d expect is a slightly higher price but offers the best performance and extended tool life. In the long run this can more than make up the initial investment, especially for those that rely on these tools for continuous use.
A little over a month ago, to mild fanfare, the completely overhauled Metabo Professional Series of 4-1/2” to 6” grinders started hitting shelves. Making what was already the industry leader, 20+% more powerful with an even longer tool life. Check out the above video for some additional info how these grinders were upgraded. Below is a video that best demonstrates the higher torque vs 3 top grinder competitors.
For those that have used Metabo grinders in the past and become familiar with their model numbers they have made some changed but use the same general structure. To break down what’s in the model, a WEPBA 17-150 Quick means W = Grinder, E = internal electronics (avoid if using AC/DC), P = Paddle (if no P it’s a thumb switch), B = Safety Break, A = Autobalancer, 17 = 1700 watt output rating (14.5 amps), 150 = 150mm or 6”, Quick = includes quick locking nut. So if you used the more basic W8-115 (800W / switch / 4.5″) grinders in the past now with the power output changes from 800 watts to 900 watts the new model is a W9-115, pretty strait forward. See the full chart below for all the conversions.
When it comes to the identifying the features on the Metabo grinder instead of remembering the alphabet soup in the model numbers they added some nice large visual ques on the handles.
Safety is really a big focus of the latest improvements with Safety Break (easily identified with Red Ring) on several models and more options of auto-balancing to reduce user fatigue. Of course each additional safety features adds a little more to the price but this is a daily user might be worth considering. See both options demonstrated in the short videos below.
Metabo Safety Break Video
Metabo Autobalancing Vibration Reduction Video
Metabo S-Automatic Safety Clutch
If you have any questions on Metabo Grinders, comparing grinders, applications or grinding accessories give the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 a call and they would be more than happy to help you find the right tool for the job.
