Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw Sets High Standard for Accuracy
The Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw (C3607DRAQ4) is designed for high-accuracy cutting. We’re not talking about typical run-of-the-mill high accuracy. We’re talking about the kind of precision Pros demand when working on fine detail trim and similar applications. In addition to our own thoughts, we brought in some outside perspectives to test these claims.
Pros
- MultiVolt battery or AC powered
- Rigid build
- Super-smooth cutting action
- Smooth zero clearance rail system
- Outstanding accuracy
- Lightweight and easy to carry around the jobsite
Cons
- Smaller blade diameter limits cutting depth
- Price puts it in the realm of high-end Pros
Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw Key Features
Rigid Build
As a highly accurate miter saw, Metabo HPT spent a lot of time focusing on how the build enhances accuracy. We’ll go into more detail about some of these. For now, here’s a quick breakdown of the highlights:
- 4-bearing rails make the sliding action smoother and more stable
- Riveted connection to the rails instead of screws
- Twin Belt Drive System keeps vibration to a minimum and reduces noise
The overall construction itself is very rigid. Compared to most miter saws, there’s very little side-to-side movement. It’s possible to force some, but you have to be intentional about it.
Power Source
As a 36V MultiVolt tool, the Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw can use either a battery or AC adapter for power. The MultiVolt battery is compatible with other 36V MultiVolt tools and 18V tools from Metabo HPT. They also work in any Hitachi 18V tools from before the name change.
Laser and Light Show
When you’re lining up your cut, you have a laser to work with. Just hit the laser button on the top to turn it on. You can adjust it left, right, or dead center to customize it to the way you want to cut.
The LED lights aren’t there to cast a blade shadow—they’re about seeing your cut clearly. Having LEDs on both sides ensures that the shadows there aren’t so dark that they hinder your ability to see. When you hit the button to turn them on, the first click turns both on, the next cycles to the right only, then the left only, and finally back off.
Splinter Guard
Just below the blade and between the fences, you’ll find a splinter guard. Loosen the knob and pull it forward when you need it. Push it back out of the way when you don’t.
Weight
Weight doesn’t usually fall into the “Key Features” section of our miter saw reviews, but it’s worth pointing out with this model. The Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw weighs just 34 pounds (36 with a battery). With the handle on the top, it’s possible to carry it one-handed to wherever you’re setting up. It’s also easy to move around the site as you finish one section and move onto the next.
Additional Features
- Zero clearance rail system—set the saw right up against a wall
- Pitch markings on the left side of the miter scale
- Brushless motor
- Electronically adjusted Constant Speed Control
Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw Performance
Capacity
Considering this is a 7-1/4″ miter saw, Metabo HPT gives you a pretty solid cut capacity. You’re looking at a maximum depth of 2-9/32″ and slide cut of 12-13/64″.
For beveling, you have 45º max to work in both directions. You can miter 45º left and 57º right. You have miter detents at the standard positions: 0º, 15º, 22.5º, 30º, and 45º.
When you move to a 45º bevel, the depth decreases to 1-17/32″ on the left and 5/8″ on the right.
The maximum length of your cut moves to 8-37/64″ at a 45º miter.
The major limitation is the lack of cutting depth compared to a 10″ or 12″ miter saw and that’s an intentional call on Metabo HPT’s part. Even though you might not be able to stand larger crown up against the fence to cut it, the smaller blade has nowhere near the blade wobble of larger saws. Since accuracy is the story of this model, it’s hard to disagree with the call.
So Smoooooooooth
To get an idea of the performance of the Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4, we started by making some test cuts in treated and untreated 2x pine before moving onto more traditional trim materials. The results were eye-opening.
There are very few miter saws I’ve used that reach into the upper tier when it comes to how smoothly they cut. Makita does a great job with their direct drive system and Skilsaw’s worm drive miter saw is a cut above the norm.
Metabo HPT goes for a twin-belt system and it is butter smooth. It’s very close to how smooth Makita’s miter saws are with a couple of advantages over a direct drive. First, it has a slower ramp up, eliminating that upward bump action that accompanies fast blade acceleration.
The bigger advantage is that a direct drive slowly wears down its gears, leading to a loss of accuracy over time. You’ll need to replace the belts in the Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw from time to time, but that’s much easier and less expensive than a gear job.
The system also has plenty of muscle to keep its 4000 RPM no-load speed high through your cut. Most of the time, you’re cutting thinner materials, but when you do have a more challenging hardwood cut, you can still make it with high accuracy and no burning. Just make sure you have a sharp blade and the saw will handle the rest.
Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4 Accuracy
Metabo HPT calibrates each of these saws before they leave for distribution and the quality of the build helps it hold that accuracy longer than other miter saws. Still, you should check the calibration when you get it. On those jobs you need the highest accuracy, go ahead and verify the accuracy each day.
When we checked the alignment across the table and the fences, most of it was perfectly square. Only the right side bottom and top fences had a sliver of light between them—just enough to slide a sheet of paper through.
The Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4 notably includes a micro bevel adjustment knob. That’s something most you typically see on high-end models like the Festool Kapex, though Metabo HPT (as Hitachi) did it before on their 12″ C12LSH.
If you haven’t used one before, just partially loosen the bevel lock until you can move the blade angle but the lock still holds the position. Once you turn the knob to the precise angle you want, lock it back down and cut.
Assuming your calibration is good, this miter saw is capable of perfectly accurate cuts—emphasis on perfect. It’s a saw that relies on being the sum of its parts. The rigid design, smaller blade diameter, and belt system along with the miter and bevel adjustments all work together to achieve consistent and long-lasting accuracy that you don’t see on most other models.
Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4 Price
There’s no getting around the fact that the Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw is expensive. This level of accuracy will set you back $1049 at Acme Tools and other retailers. That price does not include a battery/charger kit or AC adapter.
In terms of value, it’s about time and material savings. This is a miter saw that has the capability of giving you accurate cuts the first time. If you’re in a constant struggle against wasted material and time from recutting or callbacks, it can make up for the cost quickly.
The Bottom Line
The Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw is one of the best-built and most accurate miter saws we’ve had the pleasure of testing. That build comes with a premium price tag, but there are definitely some Pro users it makes sense for.
Buy it if your skill level and reputation are for high-end work. Pass if you don’t need that level of accuracy or you need a deeper cut capacity.
Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ Dual Beveling Miter Saw Specifications
- Model: Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4
- Power Source: Metabo HPT MultiVolt battery or AC adapter
- Blade Diameter: 7-1/4″
- No Load Speed: 4000 RPM
- Bevel Range: 45º left and right
- Miter Range: 45º left, 57º right
- Max Cut Depth: 2-9/32″
- Max Cut Length: 12-13/64″
- Weight: 34.0 pounds bare
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $1049 bare
