Preview: A New Tilting Band Saw From Hitachi
By Chuck Cage
Hitachi announced a number of new benchtop woodworking tools today, including this interesting band saw. Its head tilts up to 45-degrees to make angled cuts while your workpiece remains flat on the table.
The saw’s motor turns at 1,725 rpm, driving the blade at a wood-normal speed of 3,600 feet per minute. The base and table are cast iron, and the table measures 13-1/2″ x 11-1/2″. It accepts 63.5″ x .014″ blades ranging from 1/4″ to 3/8″ in width. For a benchtop, it can handle some hefty cuts: five full inches at 90-degrees. Other features include an LED work light, and an integrated dust collection system complete with bag.
Hitachi’s MSRP is just shy of $200, and they say it should be available any time now at Lowe’s.
PS: Look for more of Hitachi’s new benchtop gear here on TM soon.
July 12th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I’ve been searching for this damn thing on the interweb, so I could ask what you guys thought about it. Saw it in Lowes about a month ago, and thought it was a novel idea. The saw tilts while the table stays level. Anyone else got thoughts?
July 12th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Aww, I was hoping that they’d release it in the funky alien green colors. That way, nobody would buy them, forcing Lowes to clearance them to a better price!!
I look forward to other posts about Hitachi tools, and would love a few hands-on reviews if possible. I only own one Hitachi tool (a drill) but have played with a few others from time to time. I’ve got to say - most of their consumer-level tools provide a decent balance between price and performance, maybe midway between Black & Decker and Bosch.
July 12th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I wonder how big a pain in the ass the increased airspace footprint is gonna be.
July 12th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Um… whats wrong with tilting tables? well at least it doesn’t look like a ninja turtle