Metabo HPT Cordless Trim Router

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Trim Router M1808DA

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The Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Trim Router is the latest tool offering. It follows the footsteps of the larger plunge base – the Metabo HPT –
that we reviewed last month.

It’s impressive to note that Metabo HPT is the only tool company I’m aware of that allows you to power ALL of their cordless tools in three different ways:

1. Lightweight 18V battery
2. 18V/36V MultiVolt battery.
3. Plugged into an AC adapter power cord. [ET36A]

As long as you have one AC adapter, as a carpenter, you’ll never have to worry about dead batteries at the end of the day. You can just plugin! It’s simply cheap insurance – and something no other company has done so far.

Trim Router Features
• Variable speed dial: 10,000 – 30,000
• Accepts 1/4-in and 3/8-in router bits
• Soft start motor & quick brake
• Weighs 2.5 lbs
• 2 LED lights

You do notice the 2.5 lbs., this brushless router is light in your hands and pretty compact. I used it with a larger battery but it will run with the Metabo HPT 1.5 Ah battery.

The router has a two-button power safety switch. The first “power button” turns on the power of the tool and the second “switch button” turns the router on. There is a 10-second timeout allowed.

The power button felt thin, and not that high of quality. I would prefer to see a more robust switch on a Pro router.

The router comes with both a ¼” and 3/8” collet inserts. I can imagine these small collet inserts getting lost easily and would have like to see solid collets offered.

The router also comes with a ball-bearing trimmer guide, straight guide, template, dust collection port, and a bit changing wrench. I used the straight guide to cut some rabbits into a board and really liked its adjustments.

The Metabo HPT router has plenty of power. I used it to make handrails for an outside staircase, and a half-round pvc window surround. The router easily plowed through Mahogany with a round-over bit.

Like all of the other trim routers I’ve used, I had to remove the sub-base in order to use my round-over bit. The Metabo HPT router square base removes and there is enough sub-base to still use the router with larger bits – I like that!

While routing, I accidentally turned the router off with my hand placement – this happened twice. This is probably due to a learning curve, but a recessed switch would solve this issue.

This router also has two bright LED lights that illuminate the work area

Improvements:

Usually when I use a trim router I let the dust fly, but I know many of you use dust collection. The Metabo HPT router has a clear plastic dust shroud that indexes into the base and is held in place with a thumb screw

I connected a vacuum to the dust collection port but was disappointed that it continually disconnected at the thumbscrew knob. It does this when pressure is applied with the vac hose opposite the thumb screw.

I added a washer for added pressure and it still happened. Metabo HPT needs to make this connection stronger.

Cost:

The MultiVolt System sells as a bare tool with accessories for approximately $150 at Lowe's, Menards, Amazon and select independent dealers online.

Includes:

1/4" Collet Cone (377118)
3/8" Collet Cone (377134)
Trimmer Guide (377127)
Straight Guide Set (377126)

Overall Impression:

The Metabo HPT trim router has the power to handle pro applications. I’ve now used it to make window sills, Mahogany hand rails, champers in pvc and rabbits Pine boards.

Its compact, powerful, comes with great accessories and is priced right. #metabohpt #router #cordlessrouter