If you had told me 10 years ago we'd have battery-operated saws with long run times that in many cases outperform their corded counterparts, I would have probably told you to keep dreaming. Even a few years ago when companies started offering these big-battery tools, I was still a skeptic. I saw them as a gimmick that likely performed nowhere near the claims they were making. It took running a substantial amount of oak through a buddy’s DeWalt FlexVolt table saw for me to realize it is actually a viable option.

The Metabo HPT C3610DRJ 36V MultiVolt Brushless 10-inch table saw has a lot to like about it.
The Metabo HPT C3610DRJ 36V MultiVolt Brushless 10-inch table saw has a lot to like about it.
The author cuts lots of 3/4-inch hardwood and plywood for his trim-carpentry business. Not only did the Metabo HPT power through it all—with the included blade—but the table surface is much larger than that of other cordless units on the market.
The author cuts lots of 3/4-inch hardwood and plywood for his trim-carpentry business. Not only did the Metabo HPT power through it all—with the included blade—but the table surface is much larger than that of other cordless units on the market.

Fast forward about a year or so and I was forking over close to $700 for a cordless miter saw and its sold-separately batteries. It’s a heavier price tag but let me tell you folks who are still on the fence: These saws are worth the money. They perform incredibly well. I can cut all day with that miter saw and still have half a charge left. These aren't the toys I erroneously assumed they were.

But, those are miter saw cuts. Short cuts, by and large, compared with long rips with a table saw. The draw on the battery is different. So, disclaimer aside, I wanted to see how a full-on 10-inch table saw played out.

The bolt-on stand works. The fold-down, ball-sockets form a stable platform. Are they the toughest steel in the world? Maybe not. But the author has no complaints so far.
The bolt-on stand works. The fold-down, ball-sockets form a stable platform. Are they the toughest steel in the world? Maybe not. But the author has no complaints so far.
The author loved the end-of-table outfeed support. Editor Mark Clement, who cuts different lumber—heavier PT stuff—than he does noticed that it changes the balance point of the tool, enabling, in some cases, too much weight to get out in front of the saw.
The author loved the end-of-table outfeed support. Editor Mark Clement, who cuts different lumber—heavier PT stuff—than he does noticed that it changes the balance point of the tool, enabling, in some cases, too much weight to get out in front of the saw.

FULL-ON 10-INCH TABLE SAW

Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi) has been making waves with its MultiVolt platform (read more about Metabo HPT’s battery technology here). One of the newest, and arguably most anticipated, additions to the lineup is the C3610DRJ 10-inch table saw.

You read that right: 10-inch, as in full-on 3 1/8-inch depth of cut at 90 degrees versus 2 1/2 inches at 90 degrees on smaller saws. And a nice, big table surface that works for me and the work I do.

While other manufactures are offering blade diameters of 8 1/4 inches with rip capacities at or under 25 inches, Metabo HPT went all in with the 10-inch blade and a whopping 35-inches of rip capacity to the right and 22-inches to the left—more than any other cordless or corded jobsite saw save Metabo HPT's corded version of this saw.

Add to that a motor that has a no-load speed of 5,000 rpm (about 1,400 more than my corded jo site saw and 500 more than the corded saw Metabo HPT sells) and the ability to use an optional AC adapter for plugging in to a receptacle.

That amounts to what might very well be the ultimate jobsite table saw.

On-board storage for the kickback pawls, push stick, auxiliary fence, and miter gauge is excellent underneath the saw.
On-board storage for the kickback pawls, push stick, auxiliary fence, and miter gauge is excellent underneath the saw.

POWER

The first question on most people’s minds is power. Metabo HPT says its batteries will last four hours of continued use. I have used this saw under moderate use for full workdays without even getting under 50%.

There is a slight drop in rpm when I am running 3/4-inch materials; typical for a jobsite table saw. It’s less noticeable when the saw is plugged in to the AC adapter. Nonetheless, it powers through whatever material I throw at it—hardwood, framing, plywood, PT lumber—and that is the bottom line. I remember having cordless circ saws that would die at least three times a day and always in the middle of an important cut. Ripping with them was often an exercise in frustration as a newly charged battery wouldn't even make it through a sheet of 3/4 plywood.

Metabo HPT, on the other hand, is taking full advantage of new super-cell battery tech and packs an incredible 21,700 cells in each 36-volt battery that will deliver a continuous 1,440 watts of raw power.

This saw is more than ample for any task you want to throw at it. It will even spin an 8-inch dado stack at up to 13/16 inch. If that's not a wonder of modern tool tech I don't know what is.

Rack-and-pinion fences are the best. Release, adjust, lock, cut.
Rack-and-pinion fences are the best. Release, adjust, lock, cut.

BUILD

This saw appears to be well made with features that I'd say show a great deal of forethought in the design. For starters, the onboard storage is second to none. It holds the blade-guard assembly, small parts, auxillary fence, included push stick, miter gauge, and the anti-kickback pawls all within easy reach. The large table surface (28 3/4 by 22 inches) is backed up with an indispensable adjustable out-feed support bar that you will wish you had on every saw you own. [Editor’s Note: For heavier stock like 2-by PT, this support can work against you because it extends the balance point of the saw out in front of the table. If too much weight gets in front of the saw, it can tip. This is important to know if your work requires ripping heavier, longer stock; personal experience—MC]

The rack-and-pinion-style fence is the most easily adjustable fence system I've used. A simple release lever unlocks the dial, which in turn can fine-tune for a cut with relative ease. The fence also has a secondary narrow fence that, when flipped into the horizontal position, is used as a work support for pieces wider than the table top.

The built-in wheel kit on the stand was great for rougher terrain like coarse gravel and it made load-in/load-out much easier than lugging a saw body.
The built-in wheel kit on the stand was great for rougher terrain like coarse gravel and it made load-in/load-out much easier than lugging a saw body.
The stand deploys and breaks down easily. Boom!
The stand deploys and breaks down easily. Boom!

OPTIONAL STAND

The optional stand features a design that makes one-person transport much easier. Wheels that have no trouble going through gravel and other terrain make the tasks of pack-in and pack-out a bit easier. The legs operate much the same as my miter-saw stand; with a spring-loaded ball catch. They both unfold and collapse them easily. The metal used isn't what I'd call heavy duty, but it does the job. No problems so far.

Pro? Con? One thing that could be seen as either a pro or a con, the saw must be mounted to the stand with bolts. Some would prefer a quick release to separate the two and would see this as a con. Others find it makes setup faster and simpler to carry the saw and stand together. One thing worth noting, the saw and stand together have a fairly large footprint. You aren't going to throw this in the backseat of your Honda Civic by any means. Transporting this saw is best left to those with a van, truck, or trailer.

The included blade was nice, soft start, electric brake, nice push stick and included dado plate. A LOT of saw for the money.
The included blade was nice, soft start, electric brake, nice push stick and included dado plate. A LOT of saw for the money.

CONCLUSION

If you have been on the fence about buying a cordless table saw, I assure you that the Metabo HPT is a stellar option in the field. For me, the battery power is a lifesaver in so many situations: working in new construction where there is only one outlet in a house and four trades on site; the occasional time I need to make a single cut and I can pull it out wherever my van is parked and make the cut right there rather than having to bring it to power or vice versa; working remotely as a framer; working on a dock (common here; I work mainly on Lake of the Ozarks); and obviously working anywhere that doesn't have power.

For these reasons, I consider cordless saws an excellent addition to a carpenter’s arsenal, and having used both cordless table and miter saws for some time now, I will say I’d never go back to plugging in again—unless I had to, and I can with the MultiVolt system.

Add a nice included blade, soft start, electric brake, an included dado plate, and a charger with a USB port … It makes this great saw even better.

$599, Bare Tool, but prices—when you can find the tool—seem to vary.

Photos by Nathan Rinne