Hitachi Cordless Tools...your take? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Kastoria · 05-05-2008, 12:48 AM

Like most Ive always stuck with the DeWalt brand, even bought a Ryobi 18V set once to beat the hell out of it just for fun - that set actually kept up better than expected and is still around. But just recently been turned on to Hitachi thanks to a Lowes opening up FINALLY near my house.

So I bought a new 18V lithium drill to give it a run and have had no problems. Then I picked up an 18V lithium impact driver and again works better than expected. But since buying these new tools they really havent been put through the test that my older ones have. Im am getting ready to upgrade all my old cordless tools soon and would like to have a complete line rather than mismatched brands and batteries not being compatable.

So before I dump a grand into new tools...has anyone been using Hitachi cordless tools more on a hard core basis and how have they held up? Hows the power, the construction of the tool, etc? Also any info on the Hitachi gas powered framing nailer (clipped or round?) will also be helpful.

Thanks for the help.

chippy uk · 05-05-2008, 05:30 AM

had my lith-ion hitachi cordless combi drill for 12months now and it was well worth the money, so much power with hole saws, augers, speed bits and drill massonory. highly recomend it when my ryobi impact driver brakes im going for the hitchi impact. Ive heard the trim saw is good for 1/2" ply etc

liltrainerboy · 05-05-2008, 07:29 AM

i have been using the 18 volt cordlesss kit, drill sawzall, light, circluar saw , for almost two years... i use the drill every day and never really had a prob. i bought it when there was a mail in rebate for a free battery and i sent in two form and they sent me two batteries. then i returned it and bought it again and they sent me another battery to0...

def good stuff but you cant go wrong with dewalt either.

the black and decker seems cool. they have like 50 tools.

jiffy · 05-05-2008, 12:52 PM

I have not been impressed with the tools. The batteries are large and the tools seem bulky. They also look like alien transformers of some kind, but that is more of a personal opinion.

MR.WRENCH · 05-05-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiffy

I have not been impressed with the tools. The batteries are large and the tools seem bulky. They also look like alien transformers of some kind, but that is more of a personal opinion.

thought i was the only one who thought that. their drill looks like it's suppose to drive screws/shot plasma lazer, like in between working on the jobsite, you're suppose to be hunting down aliens, or something. makes me wonder who they market these tools for. i never heard anything bad about them though.

NYBuilder · 05-06-2008, 07:17 PM

I picked up a recond. Hitachi 18v kit from abetools for 152.00 couldnt pass up the deal .The drill drill worked great untill I dropped it off a 8' latter and the damn clips that hold the battery broke off,But untill that point I was really happy with it great torque and battery life. The SS works good for a cordless but eats batterys. The circ I used a few times cut like a charm untill it puffed smoke and died LOL seriously.
I really thing there is nothing better than the bs skils or ryobi cause the even if they are you personal tools. After a while someone on the job site is going to bust one of them. However if it is going to be your personal ur use only stuff you cant get a better drill than a panasonic as for a full cordless kit Ridgid 24v would be my only choice

Kastoria · 05-06-2008, 09:16 PM

Everyone either loves them or hates them I guess. I personally hate the color but I can get past what things look like if its a good quality tool. Which at this point...I still have no idea. Speaking of dropping things off ladders - that was the first thing I noticed about the drill that worried me a little was the tabs. Not that anything has happend to mine but it did cross my mind. I dropped my DeWalt off a ladder and busted the handle clean off. Now that shocked the crap out of me. Cant explain it, just going with it was a defect for now. Guess I wont really know until I put these Hitachis through some of my own work on a daily basis and really work them to see how they hold up.

Kastoria

samthedog · 05-07-2008, 12:32 AM

I have used hitachi tools and own a hitachi sds max drill and it seems to be well made. I have used their cordless impact driver and would say it's comparable to dewalt or makita. They don't seem popular because of their LSD inspired color scheme but I think they are a well kept secret personally. Just like most things from Japan, the quality control and general quality of the tools is high.

TempestV · 05-07-2008, 01:52 PM

I'm working with a guy that has an 18v Hitachi drill, and he hates it. He says the batteries are crap. I don't know that he has any problems other than the batteries, but every time he uses the drill he cusses about them. Overall he has stated that he regrets buying it.

Kastoria · 05-07-2008, 10:48 PM

Yeah I definately have issues with the color. Ive heard good and bad about them. But most of the bad has been batteries (not sure if that is for lithium and nicad) and color. I have 2 drills, impact drive, circular saw and table saw. So far so good with everything I want them to do...but really need to see how they perform on bigger jobs that demand good performance. Since I got these tools I just havnt had the really big job to see for myself. Which is good for the tool but bad for my pocket

Kastoria · 05-07-2008, 10:51 PM

Is he using a lithium or nicad? Ive know the nicads suck and most of the lithiums even if they are 18V they are only 1.5 amp hours. I have several 18V lithiums but they are 3.0 amp hours and so far so good...so far

chippy uk · 05-08-2008, 11:37 AM

mines 3ah 18v lith-ion and is a good drill in my experience with it

TempestV · 05-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kastoria

Is he using a lithium or nicad? Ive know the nicads suck and most of the lithiums even if they are 18V they are only 1.5 amp hours. I have several 18V lithiums but they are 3.0 amp hours and so far so good...so far

I think you are talking to me

His batteries are Ni-cad, and they last about 5 minutes. I don't know how long he has had them, but this guy knows his way around tools, and thinks they are junk.

barnbuilder1 · 12-07-2008, 03:54 AM

yeah I bought the 4 tool kit, comes with a tool bag for 169 at Lowes. EB 1820 battery 2.0 Ah 18v makes a good paper weight. The whole set was crap, lite don't work. I used to swear by Makita. Now I like Dewalt XRP drill and impact driver, also come with a bag. That hitachi is a nicad and they don't hold a charge, replacement is about $70.

woodworkbykirk · 12-07-2008, 09:36 AM

a former coworker had the 4 pc kit. drill, recip, circ saw and flashlight,

the handle on the drill was uncomfortable but had a good clutch setting on it
the circ saw was annoying to use
the recip blade eject broke trying to take a blade out on him

worst thing was you needed the jaws of life to take a battery out

unless your getting a really good deal id stick to makita or milwaukee