Hitachi Power Tools

[Pernicious Atavist]

I'm in the market for an affordable plunge router, actually, I'm filling out a Christmas list. I saw a Hitachi at a big box store and it's affordable and has what I need.

So--how's Hitachi quality?

[John Meachen]

Hitachi make excellent portable machines.The only reservation I have about their routers is that the small -M8?-does have rather a large hole in the base for the guide bush.This means that if you are applying a moulding cutter to a work piece with square corners you need to be very careful to avoid having the machine drop,marking the work.You can make an infill to overcome this.

[sandingblock]

I worked in a shop with a TR-8 and a MV-12 (?) and they were both reliable, the MV-12 was a really nice machine.

I see that the new models have been hit with the ugly stick (marketing).

Jonny.

[Scott Rosen]

Don't know about the router, but I have a Hitachi compound miter saw which has given me great service.

[john welsford]

I've not had a Hitachi router, but almost 40 years ago I bought a 3/8 chuck two speed drill . At the time it was the only power tool I owned and and used it for everything including running jigsaw and sander attachments, drilling concrete and structural steel and all sorts of general abuse . After one set of bearings and new brushes about 10 years back I decided to replace it. As the Hitachi had done so well and I had some steel work to do I went and bought another one, same brand, two speed, heavy duty, 12mm chuck, variable speed.
Two days later it was leaking grease from the gearbox seals, there was smoke coming out of it, the chuck was not closing properly due to the jaw slides being distorted so I had to buy a new chuck ( I bought a Metabo one which is working out well) and all in all the tool is not what I expected. The Hitachi people were not at all helpful so no more of that brand for me.

While on the subject of power tools, I was recently given a brand new Ryobi router to test, it lasted less than 6 hours running in a router table before it ran the lower bearings.

John W



I'm in the market for an affordable plunge router, actually, I'm filling out a Christmas list. I saw a Hitachi at a big box store and it's affordable and has what I need.

So--how's Hitachi quality?

[coelacanth2]

Hitachi have had a good rep in the past - see Fine Woodworking and that ilk. That said, when I bought a real router to replace the cheepie Sears mistake, I went with the 2 hp DeWalt for three reasons
1. best (at that time) dust collection
2. reasonable split between the 3.5 hp monsters and the 1.5 hp smaller routers
3. Good plunge features, lots of adjustability and ease of setup
I don't use it all that often, not enough to really comment, but it has never failed to do better work than I do

[Daydreamer]

I have a 3 1/2" electric plane that is 3 years old. It is the first one I've every used so I don't have anything to compare it with. It was the cheapest one at the big box and I have been pleasantly suprised. It is smooth running, the depth adjustment very precise and repeatable, and just feels solid to me. Their newer tools seem cartoonish looking to me and I am skeptical about buying them.

[Gold Rock]

I have a Hitachi router, M12V to be precise. I quite like it. Been using it all day today, as a matter of fact. It's features, item for item, are no better or worse than any others I've used. For instance, the guide fence is only average, though adequate. I've seen spindle lock arrangements that I like better. On the upside, I like the soft start feature of the on/off switch, and the depth stop mechanism is very user friendly. And, oh my, was it ever affordable. Can't actually remember what I paid for it as it was quite a few years ago, but I distinctly remember thinking, "Wow, that's cheap..". Would I buy one again? Absolutely.

[RodB]

Best plunge router is the Dewalt 621... recommended as the best on the market by the routerman for many reasons.... a really good investment for the long haul.

. www.patwarner.com

RB

[Pernicious Atavist]

Great input, just as I expected! Thanks all!

[David G]

I own the DeWalt plunge. No problems, no big complaints. I also own the Bosch, and like it a bit better: ergonomics; quiet; smoothness.