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Originally Posted by ZoranC Accumulator: Thank you, I too hope I will like it. Considering I have no experience with any rotary it will take me while to be able to form competent opinion on this one and even then I still won't have reference point with Makita. Could you please elaborate your cons and pros of Metabo vs. Makita? |
Speaking of "competent opinions", note that I am *NOT* one of Autopia's resident rotary-meisters
So take the following in the proper context:
I bought the Metabo in part because I simply don't like using the Makita all that much. It's not something I look forward to the way I can enjoy using my Cyclo. So I thought I'd treat myself to a supposedly more user-friendly rotary; TOL sells the Metabo and Irene thought I'd like it so ka-ching goes the cash register at TOL and I don't regret the purchase.
The Metabo *is* better balanced and a bit lighter and easier to handle. Not a huge difference but yeah, it handles better (note that I do *not* use the side handle on any of these machines, just a personal preference). These seemingly minor benefits could be *much* more significant to somebody else; I first used a Milwaukee (way) back in the day and anything is light and handy compared to that.
Two things I prefer about the Makita- the trigger and the position of the speed-control dial.
The Makita's trigger allows the user to feather the power on/off and to control the speed via the trigger as well as by the speed-control. And the trigger is (sensibly enough) positioned right where you'd expect it to be- underneath the machine where your index finger is naturally. The Metabo has a simple (binary) on/off switch with a "gentle start/stop" characteristic. It's positioned on top of the machine similar to the switch on the PC and I just don't like it being there; I have to change my hand position (from where I have it when polishing) to operate the switch which is a bit inconvenient and it's easier for me to have an "oops" when doing this.
Similar criticism of the speed-control: it's located on the end of the machine similar to the one on the PC. I occasionally like to adjust the speed while I'm working (remember, the Metabo's on/off switch won't effect speed adjustment like the Makita's trigger) and I have to reposition my hand to operate the control and I can't see it while doing this. The speed control on the Makita is on top of the machine where I find it easy to reach with my thumb (no repositioning of that hand) and it's easy to see.
Note that these are entirely personal-preference issues and that I tend to be set in my ways. I never liked the ergonomics of the PC and the Metabo is, to me, sorta like a rotary version of the PC. I certainly don't intend to get you (or anybody else) second-guessing their decision to buy the thing, and I was cognizant of these "issues" before I ordered mine. As I work (now and then, on and off) on rotarying the M3, there are times I reach for the Metabo and times when I reach for the Makita.
Oh, one genuine criticism of the Metabo- it has a two-prong plug (the Makita has a three-prong) and for the life of me I can't get it to stay connected to my extension cords without using one of those gizmos that hold such things together. Can't remember the last time something vexed me like this, but the plastic gizmo that holds things in place solves the problem.
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