Hitachi Reviews

Have a Plasti Tacker Pro and it is great for drying in a roof but have found it to be unreliable. The plastic caps hang up just before dropping into place and jam. Thus driveing a nail without a cap. And sometimes resulting in wasting several plastic caps. It also leaks air at the trigger if held open for repetitive driving. I did have the O-rings replaced in the trigger valves but it still leaks air just like before. For the last couple of days I have been searching for a web site that provides professional technical advise but I don't speak German and that is the only thing I could find except for the places to buy something, they were in English.

This tool seemed to be a godsend so I went for it. Unfortunately it sounded much better than it is. Like the previous review, my gun hangs up after maybe shooting 10 good caps. After that I have to pull EVERY single cap into place MANUALLY. The instructions are just an add on sheet which don't give you ANY indication if there might be an adjustment to correct the problem. When I'm on a roof trying to beat an incoming rain storm I don't want to hear about bringing it to a service center. I need to take care of things right then and there or lose money!!!
The gun comes with NOTHING, not even the air connect nipple!
This gun is extremely expensive and shouldn't be a source of frustration and monitary loss to me.

Since this review I have spent some time tracking why the gun wouldn't perform as expected. The problem with the hung up caps was/is invariably the flimsy paper roll that holds the caps. If it's just slighly deformed/wavey it hangs up the caps. Now that I am aware of this, I pay attention when reloading and I am actually pretty happy with the gun now. Still hangs up at times, that's why I gave the gun 4 stars now instead or 5.

Although I don't own this newer model, I purchased an almost identical older version several years ago. The only real difference
between the two models is that this "newer" one shoots plastic AND metal head nails. Let me tell you without hesitation this gun is absolutely great. Yes the nails cost a bit more than the hand-driven ones, and it does take using it in a certain way to insure the nails are fully driven, and once in a while you need to fully set the heads with a hammer {as in all other guns}and once in a while you might "lose" a few caps here and there, but using this gun is at least 7-10 times faster than hand driving the plasticap nails. It's alo durable as mine is used constantly. In fact I ordered a secong one last week. Looking forward to using the new one in my flat roof installations. "Don't know what I'd do" if Hitachi ever stopped making the nails for this gun. And there's no camparison between plastic-headed nails holding down felt in winds, and staples. Forget the staples or reguler EG roofing nails. Plastic caps all the way and the felt will survive even 80 MPH winds!

I haven't purchased a cordless tool in almost 15 years because the Makita 9.6v 6012HD would not die! However, I've started a kitchen renovation project and now was the time to upgrade. I purchased the Hitachi KC 18 DVF because of the overall value of the items included. The drill and the circulating saw have been used the most since this project started and have performed admirably. After several drain and recharge cycles, the NiCad batteries are performing better then expected in spite of the less then glowing assessments printed here. NiCad batteries do require a "breaking in" period when new and if you follow proper charging etiquette, you will get good performance from them. I would recommend this kit to any serious, home DIY that needs a good quality cordless tool with a budget in mind.

My Hitachi set surprised me with it's power to weight ratio. I've owned just about every Brand of cordless tools. Although it has only been a few weeks, I've tested each tool thoroughly.
1. The drill: Awesome power and torque with excellent battery time. The one down-side I have found is the comfort of the grip. After several hours of use the top of the grip seems to wear on the spot right between my index finger and thumb more than any other drill. I would still buy this drill again.
2. Circular saw: Cuts through everything. Solid Doors, P/T Wood, Vinyl window frames and solid oak flooring. The saw itself is lightweight and quiet. The noise produced is almost similar to my son's toy saw.
3. Tiger saw: Plenty of power and a decent battery life. I haven't had any problems with the quick-change blade release. After 30 or so blade changes, the adapter seems to be holding up well. The safety lock is a little annoying at first, but once I was used to it I stopped squeezing the trigger and checking the battery connection.
4. The lantern: As described, it's a lantern. It is not a flashlight or spot light. The unit's shape is a little awkward and it does provide general room lighting, I do not carry it around to Job sites. I would bring it camping though.

Overall, I was impressed with the set. Several other contractors I work with have tried the tools and they are already looking to purchase the same set.

I am a remodeling contractor and own toold from virtually every major manufacturer. This was my first multi-tool kit purchase, and it has been worth every penny.
The drill is an excellent workhorse that has plenty of power. The circular saw has amazed me with its power and quiet operation. The recip saw does such a good job that I have almost completely retired my Dewalt corded model.
The only complaint I have about the entire kit is the light. It does a poor job of general illumination and spotlight mode. The flashlight Hitachi includes in some of their other drill kits is far better.

I ordered this framer around the 20th of October 2003, expecting a little bit of a wait on delivery. However here it is November 7th and I was told it might be in around December 1st. Amazon / tool crib get your delivery system fixed.

While framing houses for 8 years, this Hitachi framing gun has out lasted and out performed every other framing gun on the market. They are the heaviest duty, and strongest framing guns I have came across in all my years of framing. Day in and day out they last and withstand the use and abuse.

This is the Mercedes of framing nailers. Astounding and intimidating power even with the compressor at only 90 PSI. Easy to use load mechanism and depth adjustment. This nailer is very precisely balanced and has a high class feel and finish. Have had no jams after driving thousands of nails. Two annoyances though, a nailer of this price ought to come with a case, also for this price it ought to come with the single trip tip. On occasion it has fired two nails, it did however, countersink both 3.5 inch stainless steel ring shank nails:)

When looking to buy a 12 inch compound slide I wanted to buy the best. I have used extensively the Hitachi 8 1/4, the Bosch 10 in slide, and the Dewalt 12 inch mitre. In my opinion the Hitachi was the best. The most precise, reliable, and easy to use saw in the group. So when I found out Hitachi made a 12 inch slide I read the other reviews and ordered one from Western Tool believing I was buying the best.

After waiting 3 weeks the saw came and I brought it to the job to use. The saw had a serious arbor problem which I at first thought was the blades I tried, but they were all high dollar blades. The blade wobbled so much you could see it in your cut and feel it in the saw. Also one of the rails were loose so that you could move the head, which is adjustable but you shouldn't have to mess with a brand new [expensive] saw.

A couple of other shortcoming:
The entire head is plastic which doesn't seem to fit together very well.
Hitachis table and fence still need improvement.

I regretfully had to take my saw back and since I needed it yesterday, I could not wait another 3 weeks. So after reading and looking I went with the Makita. I am not disappointed with the Makita but rather impressed. It is a far better saw. Easier to use, more solid, more efficient design, only 5% plastic, it has a great table, superb sliding action, and it comes with a 100 dollar blade. More saw for less money.

In my opinion Hitachi is riding to much on their reputation with this saw. They are not putting the same rescource into competing as Makita or Dewalt. Perhaps after a year or so of getting saws back they will fix some of its problems and re-manufacture it. Until then, I think a person would be far better off going with something else.

Upon seeing this saw at a Florida tool show, I knew that my wait was over...Having owned the 8-1/2 model since its inception and watching Hitachi and other manufacturers try to improve on my old reliable, I finally found a saw that justifies putting my 8-1/2 to the side (even though its still cutting true and strong!)...Hitachi's newest creation has great capacity, accuracy, and is sooo quiet...Best of all, it has all the nice adjustment features of my 8-1/2 (unlike their 10" model)...It includes 60 degree mitre left and right, two bevel scales, looking directly at you when flopping left or right, and unlike Makita still builds in positave detents for common crown molding If this saw has the longevity of its predecessor, and I have no dought it will, you won't be able to beat this one for many years to come.

After useing my 8-1/2" for as many years as it has been out and waiting for an Hitichi 12" (been strugling to avoid the urge to go with the Makita 12), I finally spotted the newest and best saw on the market at a Florida tool show...I new immediately, that it wasn't the old Hitachi 10" and was drawn to ogle the beast. It has the smooth engineering of all Hitachi saws, but goes beyond that. My friends 10" was a smooth cutting and quiet saw to use, but that adjustment knob for the bevel fought me at all times...not so with the 12" (smooth and comfortable as my old reliable 8-1/2). Best of all , the new saw has two! bevel gauges, riding on each side of the barrel...looking directly at you when the head is shifted left or right! Their 10" model won't even allow you to see the gauge when beveling on one side. The abilty to mitre 60 degrees left or right, now gives this saw the capacity to exceed my 8-1/2 in more ways than vertical cutting depth...I had to have it, couldn't justify staying with my old saw all the time(even though its still going strong). Best of all, the noise level is so much lower...I don't care about turning my stock end-for-end...been doing it for years! For the demands required in the field (or shop), YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS SAW!

The EC10 arrived with the high pressure guage not working. One call to Hitachi support and a new guage arrived within days. 15 Minutes later I had the new guage installed and working. Since then it has worked well for various applications including an impact wrench. I recommend it for low-medium volume tools.

Light and somewhat quite, it suits my small shop needs just fine. An added bonus to this compresser is that it now has two hp instead of one and a-half and the purchase price is the same. Seems well built.

I use this compressor with a brad nailer and it has all the capacity I need. It is light and easy to move, but is vulnerable to damage from bumps and rough treatment. A protective cage would be helpful if it is going to be transported a lot, but this would add to its weight and bulk. It is not excessively noisy, and is compact and easy to store when not in use. All this for a reasonable price.

This Grinder has the power, but lacks other features found on the less expensive Dewalt. The power switch is over size, but it is still hard to control.

I have owned my G12SA for more than five years now. In all that time I've never had any problems with it and it has done the work I asked of it with out one complaint. Now, bear in mind, I'm not a professional welder or a tradesman that would require the use of a grinder a lot. On the positive side, I like the light weight, over-sized side handle and easy to get to on/off button. The motor has plenty of power at 6.9 amps and its replacement, the G12SA2 at 7.7 amps seems unnecessary. However, if I were a welder or anyone using a grinder constantly....only one choice is open to you in my opinion. And, that is METABO. They make the finest grinders in the world as anyone who uses grinders a lot will tell you.

The best grinder I've ever owned! Out does black & deckers by a 3 to 1 margin. I will buy Hitachi again and again, Quality product. Thank You!

I bought this stapler new, and I must saw the thing is beautiful to use. I use it for framing so the thing gets a lot of use every day. The only issue I have with it is the magazine for the staples is made of plastic. I did not think it was a big deal until one of my employees let it slide off the roof we were sheating. The magazine broke cleanly in two. The rest of the stapler is very well built, but I think that the magazine should be made of some sort of metal, say magnesium or aluminum. This would make a good stapler, the best stapler in my opinion.

product is light weight and balanced, which makes for ease of use during longer periods of use. It is easy to load or change size of staples. I have not had any jambs or misfires since purchasing tool.

I have worked with lot's of stapler's this is the best of the best. buy one and you will agree . I have had no problem's.

If you like to go back and set every nail by hand, buy this gun and leave the no-mar tip on. If you don't mind going back and "Bondoing" all the snakebite dimples on either side of every neatly set nail, buy this gun and take the no-mar tip off. If you like going back over your work to wipe up the lube oil vented through the uni-directional top cover exhaust vent, buy this gun, get yourself a rag, and get used to the smell of solvent. Don't get me wrong, I really like the other four hitachi products I use on a daily basis and there are several hitachi products that I look forward to purchasing in the future. Maybe my expectations are unrealistic.... Nah! Hitachi erred egregiously in omitting an adjustable vent port and a variable depth adjustment push lever (nose or tip) from this model. Both features appear on other guns that cost half as much. So what if these other guns last half as long, buy two and improve the quality of your work while saving yourself some aggravation. (What I have referred to as a 'no-mar tip' is actually a "nose cap". While it protects most materials from damaging dents, it will leave a marring skidmark.)

I use these guns daily as a trim carpenter. Have not found
any other gun that matches the Hitachi in durability and
reliability. Seem to have a little more power than all the
Taiwanese guns out there. These things are bulletproof!

Great buy for me. I originally did not want to purchase this tool, however, the salesperson convinced me to a 30 day trial. So, what the heck let's test Hitachi (free gun for awhile). I never looked back. This gun is great! Power, lightweight, new quick clear, close spots, etc... I am very happy as you can tell.

Believe it or not collated nails ARE fragile. When these arrived the outer box was fine but the inner box was broken open. More than half the clips were broken, many into small pieces of 3 or 4 nails. These things cost as much as a digital camera, an i-pod, or fine china and are nearly as delicate. They should pack them the same way, WITH CARE. I'm sure the nails will work but I'm in for alot of reloading and jamming I'm sure.

Product worked great!

Consumer Reports (August 2005 Issue) reviewed this saw and recommended it as a Best Buy. If your budget allows, I would recommend going with the Hitachi C7BD2 (also a CR Best Buy). The C7BD2 includes an electric brake for much quicker stopping of the blade and therefore better safety. Like the C7BD2 this saw has a powerful 15 Amp motor and a sturdy alumimum base.

I also wish both saws had better depth adjustment (there are no measurement markings to approximate the depth of cut). Lastly a Laser guide would have also been nice.

I compared the Hitachi C7SB2 to several other saws in its price range and chose the C7SB2 for the following reasons:
* Lever locks used for blade height and angle adjustment instead of wing nuts or knobs. My old saw used wing nuts that are difficult to tighten and loosen.
* Aluminum saw base makes the saw lighter and feels more solid than pressed steel bases.
* Blade lock makes it easy to change saw blades.
* Replaceable brushes for easy maintenance.
* Carrying case included.
* Carbide blade included.
* Priced below $100.

This saw would have received a 5 with the exception of two issues:
1) The blade guard retracting lever is made of plastic (most saw manufacturers use plastic) that could break in time.
2) The Hitachi information label is lifting at the edges and will probably come off at some point.