Hitachi Scroll saw at Lowes - Good or Bad? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

bakecm · 11-29-2008, 07:24 PM

Hi-

Does anybody have any experience with the Hitachi scroll saw? I saw one at Lowes the other day and was wondering how it held up? I would really like to hold out for the Dewalt but was just wondering if this does the job. I am new to this and would not like to spend an arm & a leg to get a saw. Are the Dremel 18" saws really pretty good? I could handle paying around $250 for one.

Thanks for your advice

Chad

marshall · 11-29-2008, 08:03 PM

Chad : I've not owned either saw but I'm sure their both good saws , just make sure that you buy the toolless blade change model . I'm sure that some of the others on this site can give you some better insight on these two saws . I started out on a 16" craftsman Varible speed , but I'm not steering you to this brand name . I wore a craftsman out then went to a Dewalt 788 , I would say listen to some of the others on this site and then make your judgement . And also welcome !!! Marshall

greatdane2 · 11-29-2008, 08:16 PM

Just make sure they have a money back return policy, that way you can try it out and if you find it is not good enough you are not stuck with it.
Buying local from stores with this policy is worth a few bucks more than bying stuff on EBay etc.

Gaia · 11-29-2008, 08:49 PM

I've had my Hitachi for a little less than a year now. It's a good saw for the money. My husband built me a stand for it and there is very little vibration now.

My Dad owns a Dewalt, there really is no comparison. If I had the money I would buy a Dewalt in a heartbeat.

If you have never used a scroll saw, I would go ahead and get the Hitachi, you can always upgrade later if you get addicted.

Bobbi

Burdez · 11-29-2008, 11:12 PM

Chad:
[I] own the hitachi cw40 which i bought at lowes about 3 or 4 months ago as my first saw i've had very good luck with it very little vibration and very smooth and quite operation the only problem i've had with it is the lower blade mount is a little tricky and hard to see but i removed the motor cover and it is much easier and thr tricky part after changing a few blades i got the hang of it and no more problems as far as my removing the motor cover i don't know if that will cause me problems down the road but as for now its working well for me. if i remember right i paid about $170 for it with stand encluded hope this helps you
Erssel

bakecm · 11-30-2008, 12:26 AM

Thanks, that really helps. The Hitachi does look pretty solid and goes for around $162 at Lowes. I do a lot of Pyrography (Woodburning) and figured this would just add to the creativity.

Thanks again

elcaminogal · 11-30-2008, 01:23 AM

Chad,
I own a Dremel saw and absolutely love it! Mine is just a 16", though, and I wish it was a little bigger. I would buy the Dremel 18" in a heartbeat.

catslover64 · 11-30-2008, 01:31 AM

Hi Chad,
I have 2 Hitachis. Hold out for the Dewalt. You'll be glad you did. The 1st Hitachi has broken a few times. Just stopped running. I tried the dewalt at a show a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely loved it. Good Luck, Sue

USMC1126 · 11-30-2008, 05:29 AM

I have had two hitachis in about a year. Seems to be a pretty solid saw. On the first one, a blade broke and when it did the arm slapped up and broke a plastic cover by the on/off switch. I took it back to lowes and got a brand new saw no questions. I have had it not turn on once, it just stopped working. I opened up the top cover and blew out the switch and it has worked fine. Very good buy in my opinion.

King

Ghornet54 · 12-11-2008, 03:57 AM

I just bought this saw and I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I'm having a lot of trouble with the blades staying in. When I adjust the tension, the blade jumps out on either the top or bottom blades. I was hoping for a simpler way to change blades. I'm thinking about taking this saw back and waiting for a DeWalt. I bought a Craftsman and just happened to buy the extended warranty. It recently broke and Sears didn't have one to replace it with and gave my back. I bought the CW40 and really don't like it right now.

11-29-2008, 07:24 PM	#1
bakecm New Scroller Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 10	Hitachi Scroll saw at Lowes - Good or Bad? Hi- Does anybody have any experience with the Hitachi scroll saw? I saw one at Lowes the other day and was wondering how it held up? I would really like to hold out for the Dewalt but was just wondering if this does the job. I am new to this and would not like to spend an arm & a leg to get a saw. Are the Dremel 18" saws really pretty good? I could handle paying around $250 for one. Thanks for your advice Chad Last edited by bakecm; 11-29-2008 at 07:28 PM.

11-29-2008, 08:03 PM	#2
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro AR Posts: 2,106	Scroll saws ???? Chad : I've not owned either saw but I'm sure their both good saws , just make sure that you buy the toolless blade change model . I'm sure that some of the others on this site can give you some better insight on these two saws . I started out on a 16" craftsman Varible speed , but I'm not steering you to this brand name . I wore a craftsman out then went to a Dewalt 788 , I would say listen to some of the others on this site and then make your judgement . And also welcome !!! Marshall __________________ Usually busier than a cat in a sandbox !!!!!!!!!!! { Dewalt 788 only }

11-29-2008, 08:16 PM	#3
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	Just make sure they have a money back return policy, that way you can try it out and if you find it is not good enough you are not stuck with it. Buying local from stores with this policy is worth a few bucks more than bying stuff on EBay etc. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog! UNLESS its a puppy. And the puppy is getting huge. 8 months old and 32" at the shoulders.

11-30-2008, 01:23 AM	#7
elcaminogal Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fancy Gap, Va Posts: 61	Chad, I own a Dremel saw and absolutely love it! Mine is just a 16", though, and I wish it was a little bigger. I would buy the Dremel 18" in a heartbeat. __________________ What was the best thing BEFORE sliced bread??!!!!!!

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11-29-2008, 08:49 PM	#4
Gaia Sawdust Maker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 173	I've had my Hitachi for a little less than a year now. It's a good saw for the money. My husband built me a stand for it and there is very little vibration now. My Dad owns a Dewalt, there really is no comparison. If I had the money I would buy a Dewalt in a heartbeat. If you have never used a scroll saw, I would go ahead and get the Hitachi, you can always upgrade later if you get addicted. Bobbi

11-29-2008, 11:12 PM	#5
Burdez Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: I'm an American living in San Miguel De Allende Mexico Posts: 1,124	Chad: [I] own the hitachi cw40 which i bought at lowes about 3 or 4 months ago as my first saw i've had very good luck with it very little vibration and very smooth and quite operation the only problem i've had with it is the lower blade mount is a little tricky and hard to see but i removed the motor cover and it is much easier and thr tricky part after changing a few blades i got the hang of it and no more problems as far as my removing the motor cover i don't know if that will cause me problems down the road but as for now its working well for me. if i remember right i paid about $170 for it with stand encluded hope this helps you Erssel

11-30-2008, 12:26 AM	#6
bakecm New Scroller Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 10	Thanks, that really helps. The Hitachi does look pretty solid and goes for around $162 at Lowes. I do a lot of Pyrography (Woodburning) and figured this would just add to the creativity. Thanks again

11-30-2008, 01:31 AM	#8
catslover64 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: York, PA Posts: 122	Hi Chad, I have 2 Hitachis. Hold out for the Dewalt. You'll be glad you did. The 1st Hitachi has broken a few times. Just stopped running. I tried the dewalt at a show a couple of weeks ago. Absolutely loved it. Good Luck, Sue

11-30-2008, 05:29 AM	#9
USMC1126 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montgomery, NY Posts: 126	I have had two hitachis in about a year. Seems to be a pretty solid saw. On the first one, a blade broke and when it did the arm slapped up and broke a plastic cover by the on/off switch. I took it back to lowes and got a brand new saw no questions. I have had it not turn on once, it just stopped working. I opened up the top cover and blew out the switch and it has worked fine. Very good buy in my opinion. King

12-11-2008, 03:57 AM	#10
Ghornet54 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 50	I just bought this saw and I'm not sure I'm going to keep it. I'm having a lot of trouble with the blades staying in. When I adjust the tension, the blade jumps out on either the top or bottom blades. I was hoping for a simpler way to change blades. I'm thinking about taking this saw back and waiting for a DeWalt. I bought a Craftsman and just happened to buy the extended warranty. It recently broke and Sears didn't have one to replace it with and gave my back. I bought the CW40 and really don't like it right now.