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Hitachi Table Saw

Ryan1 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on June 6, 2005 08:41am

Has anyone here had any experience with a Hitachi contractors saw?  Lowes has it (Hitachi model number C10FL) for $500 and I’m considering buying it.  I have friends that love Hitachi miter saws, but I haven’t heard that much about their table saws. 

Lowes is a factor here because I have a 10% off coupon and would like to use it on this purchase.  My local Lowes also has a Jet 10″ contractor saw, but it’s $100 more expensive than the Hitachi.  I would not hesitate to drop an extra $100 on a better saw, so what’s your opinion? 

Hitachi or Jet, or neither?   Thanks

 

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  1. Nails | Jun 07, 2005 01:21am | #1

    I have experience with neither saw, but I bet you'll get at least 10 to 1 votes for the Jet. FHB I believe has that Hitachi in their latest review, it didn't do so well.

     I recently had similar scenario with the Porter Cable bench saw 10% off coupon for HD. Lot of people were directing me towards Delta or jet saws among some others. But for me portabilty was a big factor. In the end I was able to get HD's main local competitor to meet and beat a sale price for the Bosch 4000, that the local tool store had going. I liked the Bosch better because it has a much nicer table extension and is rated for an 8" dado which I have. Only thing I regret not having is the nice miter gauge that came with the PC

    1. OverKnight | Jun 07, 2005 08:32pm | #5

      Not to hijack this thread, but the Bosch 4000 is rated for an 8" dado? I haven't tried a dado on my 4000 yet, but I'm wondering if the arbor is long enough to accept it. Also, while the power is fine for its intended purposes, I'm not sure if it could swing an 8" dado. How does it work for you, Nails2?

      1. Nails | Jun 08, 2005 12:36am | #8

        Yup it is. I got that staright from Bosch, and I double asked them. They said yes - it is rated for an 8" (13/16" wide). I haven't thrown in the dado yet, as I've had the saw less than a week, and so far I've only made a few cuts on it. I'll be putting the saw thru its paces in a few months once I get started on some built ins.

        but now you got me curious, maybe I'll throw it on tonight and give it a test run.

         

         

         

         

      2. Nails | Jun 08, 2005 09:30am | #10

        well..I tried mounting the 8" dado, and the arbor lengh does seem a problem in being not long enough to get up to 13/16" width. I looked on line and read bout one guy who got the trick to gettting it beyond 1/2" from Bosch tech support. But he didn't say how, so guess I'll have to contact them myself.

        Incedently, it also said on the online specs that it's rated for 8" dado @ 13/16" width.

        1. OverKnight | Jun 08, 2005 12:08pm | #11

          Thanks, nails2. I'd be interested to hear what you learn; please keep me posted.

          Edited 6/8/2005 8:43 pm ET by OVERKNIGHT

          1. Nails | Jun 08, 2005 06:22pm | #12

            will do....

            : ok I spoke to the sr technician at Bosch and here is what he told me. remove the inside washer, place the ouside washer on , then put in the dado blade, then install the arbor nut. the wide inside washer will be set aside and not be used.

            i set it up and it fits and spins fine but, i'm in the middle of making an insert then I'll actually be able to test er out.

            Edited 6/8/2005 5:02 pm ET by nails2

          2. OverKnight | Jun 09, 2005 03:47am | #13

            I wouldn't call it a problem, but one "problem" I have with the Bosch 4000 is changing blades. It seems that I have to almost wedge the blade into the lower shroud to get it onto the arbor. Although you're using an 8" dado and I'm talking about a 10" blade, I wonder if the added thickness of the dado blade will exacerbate this.Thanks again for the info.

          3. Nails | Jun 09, 2005 05:50am | #14

            Hmmm.....well, I did notice that as you drop the blade in it helps if you tilt it a bit. So I kinda know what you're talking about. But it doesn't really bother me. I'm so enthrawled with the arbor lock that I don't think I even realized that I needed to work the blade in a bit.

            As for the dado blade it's about the same, as you slide the blades and chippers on, it helps to tilt them a bit as you slide them onto the arbor. But really, I've found that it's quite easy.

            I also finished my insert and ran some test cuts. I was very happy. I made sure the arbor nut was good and tight. and ran some easy cuts, no problem, very smooth. Then I found a big block of cedar I had laying around. ran it at full height (about 2 1/8") @ 13/16" I had to push it thru slowly as it would strain if I pushed it hard. But it did quite well. That was just a test; and I know cedar is soft. in real life I'd be making more than one pass running with those dimmensions or if I was putting any kinda hard wood thru.

          4. OverKnight | Jun 09, 2005 12:10pm | #15

            I agree; I think the arbor lock is great. Thanks.Ryan1, sorry about hijacking your post. I posted a few days ago, starting off with "Not to hijack this post..." and then did just that. Again, my apologies. It's just something about the Bosch 4000; nails2 and I just got carried away :). Have you decided which saw to get?

            Edited 6/9/2005 5:14 am ET by OVERKNIGHT

          5. Ryan1 | Jun 10, 2005 12:32am | #16

            Hey, no worries about hijacking this thread.  I wouldn't call it hijacking anyway.   At one point I really considered buying that Bosch 4000, but I don't really need a portable saw.  Mine will just sit in the shop.

            But to answer your question, I still haven't made up my mind.  I am going to have to go back to Lowes and just play with both of them when I have some time to spare.   You just can't rush decisions like these.... <g>

            I'll keep you posted though. 

             

  2. User avater
    Gunner | Jun 07, 2005 02:18am | #2

    I have the 10FL and like it alot. It's definatley not a contractors saw. But it does have wheels on it and that's a big bonus. I did a lot of side by side comparison with the jet and the Hitachi seemed more solid. I'm very happy with it.

      I believe the article that Nails is talking about was only comparing light weight portable saws. And there the Hitachi fence is their weak link. But with the 10fl it's pretty darn good.

     

     

    Shout out to Andy C. Namaste my friend.

    http://www.hay98.com/

    1. Nails | Jun 07, 2005 05:03am | #3

      Well there you go...so far 1- 0 Hitachi!

    2. Nails | Jun 07, 2005 07:14am | #4

      By the way, you are completly right....I was way to hasty in reading Ryans post- he does say he is looking at the contractors saw and not portable or bench saw. I just had that article in my mind and was feeling too lazy to see if it was the same saw. Incedently the bench model rated the lowest in 4 out of 6 categories, and not much higher in the other 2, that's why it stuck in my head as not getting a good review.

    3. Ryan1 | Jun 08, 2005 12:28am | #7

      Thanks everyone for the help.  I would really like to buy that General contractors saw that FHB rated the best in the last big Tool Buying Guide.   But I would like to take advantage of the 10% off and possibly the financing deal at Lowes that Barney spoke about.

      So Gunner, is there anything that you don't really like about the Hitachi?  I noticed that the motor is belt driven but located inside the saw case.  Have you noticed any good or bad things about that aspect of it?  The reason I ask is that a lot of saws that size that I have been around have the motor hanging out the back.   Probably makes no difference, but just curious.

       

       

      1. User avater
        Gunner | Jun 08, 2005 12:42am | #9

        The only minor anoyance I have is the start stop switch. It's behind a big plastic flap that obviously is good for keeping you from accidentaly starting it, but you really have to fumble with it to get it to shut off. It just doesn't seem good if your in a hurry to shut down. But that's the only thing I can pick at. The motor mounted underneath is fine.

          I did the same financing thing at Lowes it's pretty cool.

         

         

        Shout out to Andy C. Namaste my friend.

        http://www.hay98.com/

  3. ~~BobL | Jun 07, 2005 09:10pm | #6

    Just read your post.   I saw that you have a 10% coupon for Lowes, I was in there last night (Monday) and the manager gave me a coupon that is coming out on Wednesday that is for 0% interest for 12 months on ANY purchase over $299 on your Lowes Credit card.

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