Scored some sweet new power tools...

[Hohn]

Hi guys--



I've been blessed to score some sweet new power tools. I didn't do as much research as I'd normally do, but I think they are going to be keepers for sure.



First, my circ saw. I FINALLY have a circ saw! I really wanted to keep most of my tools Milwaukee, and their Tilt-lok circ saw is VERY highly regarded- 15Amps and pretty light for that power.

But I saw a Hitachi 15Amp saw that was $40 less and felt VERY good. The blade lined up EXACTLY with the mark on the base (easy to follow a line), since I checked it with a square in the store. Ive been VERY impressed with the Hitachi so far, but I know nothing about them as far as reputation. I've heard the Hitachi is supposed to be a pretty good brand for an import. It has removable, replaceable brushes that are a universal brush design, so they should be easy to find if I need to. It came with a decent blade, but I swapped it for a Freud when I got home. Forrests will replace these if I ever need new ones.



I was so impressed that I went with Hitachi for a 4 1/2" angle grinder. I wanted a grinder that had the paddle-style swtich (and would LOCK on). The Milwaukees were great and WAY more than I needed. They were also between $30 and $100 more. For my use, 8. 5 amps is plenty. It had great balance and worked great cutting off my overload leaf springs (w/ cutoff wheel). I've learned already to use flap discs and not grinding wheels. The flap discs leave a very nice finish and last a long time. No gouging like a grinding wheel can.



I did give into my Milwaukee fixation when I bought a router, tough. As I don't need a lot of HP, I went with the 1 3/4hp router they have that is the BodyGrip design. I've only uysed small bits so far (3/8" wide 3/4" deep flat cut), but I think this will be plenty even for table mounted duty. Its 11 amps. It made short work routing out pedal locations for my guitar pedalboard that I'm building.



I'm also going to be making a rack case for my new Mesa Boogie preamp and some future gear.



These new tools join my Milwaukee 11 Amp Orbital Super Sawzall (*THE* sawzall), my Milwaukee 1/2" magnum drill (800 rpm crazy powerful, while handling like a 3/8 drill), and my DeWalt DW706 12" double-bevel miter saw (I wanted a 12" and this was the only way to get indirect drive)





I'm pumped and having a great time! Now for more projects!!





Justin

 

[rbattelle]

Hey Hohn, how's the Hitachi stuff holding up?



-Ryan

 

[Flexiheep]

I didn't start this, but I can comment on the Hitachi tools I own.

12 Volt drill, came with drill motor, flashlight, 1 hour charger and 2 batteries for 90 bucks, had it a year now, remodeled my entire house with it and still happy with it. It could be a little smoother at very low speeds, and the chuck could have a little more grip, but it works great for a medium duty 3/8ths drill. Battery life is good, and they hold a charge even when not in use too. I use a keyed 1/2 corded drill for heavy drilling or mortar mixing.

Got the 5 amp 4. 5" grinder a while ago and it does real well (even came with 6 disks), feels good in the hand, has good power. Have not used it extensively yet, but worn down masonry blades for a circ saw fit well and cut clay pipe like butter. I bought the smaller of the 2 4. 5" grinders because I plan to buy the 7" to do heavy work with when I get back into metal fab now the house is done.

10' compound miter saw with laser. bought it to do all the trim and baseboard in my house. Cuts pretty well, I don't have any experience with other saws, so not much to say with this, except I like it.

I bought a Hitachi thin kerf 7 1/4" 24 tooth blade, it was sharp, but binds easily ripping 2*4s. I am probably using the wrong tool for the job but my thinking was this kerf would use less power to cut. I will buy a regular width blade and try again.

They make a grit blade for the sawzall. Workd well, but they are very soft metal and bend very easily, the grit is durable though. They do fill a nitch if you need it.



That is my take on what I have owned in the last year or so.