Hitachi just announced the newest edtion to their already extensive nailer lineup with the NT50GS, the gas-powered 18-gauge nailer. You heard right — Hitachi has now made with the cordless gas in a small brad nailer format. We’re guessing it’s to try and slim the lead on those guys in orange.
 
The new NT50GS will hold a 5/8 in. to 2 in. 100-shot magazine-style load and, as you can see from the pictures, is not covered in the alien-skin green that brings such a polarizing cheer or groan from the masses. The system is powered through a “fuel-rod” gas cartridge that Hitachi says will send 1200 rounds home, and the spark that lights up the gas is provided by a rechargeable 3.6v Li-Ion battery.

The same battery will fit in the cordless screwdriver freebie that Hitachi is throwing in the kit along with a spare battery and charger.

The entire rig will run you about $299 retail and be available at the local home center soon.

NT50GS Gas Powered 18-gauge Brad Nailer [Hitachi]

With all the noise from competing brands in the 18V space, we’re guessing Hitachi didn’t want to be left out.  They recently announced their 18V Lithium Ion Compact Pro series (compact pro = slim-pack battery) which includes an Impact Driver and a three-piece combo kit.

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A few days ago Hitachi rolled out their new 10-Year Lithium Ion Tool warranty — it bumps the existing 5-year warranty to 10 years for the original purchaser of tools in the HXP Lithium line.

Word has it that the new warranty will automatically cover all Li-Ion sets purchased since their initial launch back in August of 2006, and owners aren’t required to register or re-register their tools, which is sort of cool.

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Hitachi announced today that they’re following up on their release (earlier this year) of a 10.8V li-ion-powered sub-compact drill/driver with a series of new tools to expand the line: a reciprocating saw, flashlight, and right-angle impact driver. They’ll hit shelves soon in two three-piece kits: one includes the drill/driver and impact driver, the other the drill/driver and recip. Both include the flashlight, two batteries, and a 40-minute charger.

The tools’ specs are as expected:

The CR10DL Micro Reciprocating Saw delivers a no-load speed of 0-2,700 strokes per minute (SPM) and accepts standard recip saw blades. It weighs 2.6 lbs.

The WH10DCL Micro Right Angle Impact Driver spins between 0-2,100 RPM and hammers at 0-3,400 beats per minute to deliver 265 in/lbs of torque.

The UB10DL Micro Flashlight features a 180-degree adjustable head that locks into eight positions. It’s only sold as a bare tool.

Look for these to show up in stores soon, and we’ll follow up with a hands-on down the line.

If there’s any justice in the world, the Hitachi DH25DAL will be stripped bare and painted and will appear in the next sci-fi movie as a plasma sub-machine gun.  Also, it produces 2.1-ft/lbs of impact energy, and it drills at speeds up to 17.3in/minute with a 1/2” diameter bit, whatever floats your boat.  I’m going with the machine gun thing.

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Yesterday Hitachi announced the release of their NR90AF framing nailer.  If you’re asking what the big difference is between the new nailer and the older Hitachi NR90AD, the AF features a 28-degree magazine that’s built for round-head nails, while the AD takes a clipped-head load.

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Hitachi recently announced their latest entry to the miter saw market: the model C8FSHE 8-1/2” sliding compound miter saw.  Of course, they’ve draped it in the funky green color scheme that’s become the trademark look for Hitachi’s power tools — it seems to produce a love-it-or-hate-it vibe in many tool guys, even before they try the saw.

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Planning on doing some finish work out in the boonies? Hitachi now offers a line of 15-gauge and 16-gauge gas finish nailers targeted at you. A 3.6V lithium-ion battery delivers the juice to fire off gas charges which drive the nails — 1,200 shots per cell. And since anyone needing a gas nailer is likely away from power, too, Hitachi includes both AC (read: wall wart) and cigarette-lighter DC charging cables.

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Hitachi recently unveiled the second tool in their micro series, the WH10DL 10.8V Lithium Ion Impact Driver. Hitachi boasts that the alien-skinned driver provides 930 in/lbs of torque — a promising addition to the sub-compact impact class.

The unit weighs around two pounds and measures 5-1/2” long, which will make it super-handy in tight spots that need gobs of power.  The WH10DL also sports modern features such as an LED and the popular quick-change 1/4” hex chuck.

We’re fairly excited to see competition in the marketplace — we’ll let you know how it stacks up as soon as we get our hands on one.

10.8V Impact Driver [Hitachi]

Recently Hitachi announced the release of their new N5010A 1/2″ Standard Crown Stapler and N5021A 15/16” Wide Crown Stapler. Both lightweight staplers look very different from Hitachi’s alien-skinned power tools. It seems Hitachi’s pneumatics division designed these staplers to be practical for the jobsite — there’s no green rubber, just metal — and we dig it.

These staplers’ll work for a variety of tasks, ranging from light construction sheathing to roofing applications — and you’ll probably need to put the tool to a lot of those tasks, in order to justify the steep asking price. We’ve found spots online offering the new staplers for around $385, which puts them in the higher-end price bracket for staplers.

Pneumatics [Hitachi]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

What do you mean you don’t own a miter saw? Well, it’s hard not to own one now, with this steal/deal over at Amazon on Hitachi’s C10FCE2 10″ compound miter saw: $100 with free shipping. The 15A motor pumps out 1,950 watts of power for a top speed of 5,000 RPM.  Sporting that “aggressive” green Hitachi coloring, the saw features a 4″ tall pivoting fence, rubberized grip for reduced vibration, clamping vice to lock down your material, dust bag, and a carbide blade.

If you want even further savings on this model, check out the refurbed link where you can pick this up for $64 plus shipping.

C10FCE2 10″ Saw [Hitachi]
Via Amazon [What’s This?] (B000V5Z6RG) [What's This?]
C10FCE2 Refurb [Reconditioned Sales]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I’m finally getting into the world of routing, and my entry point is this Hitachi KM12VC plunge and fixed-base router kit, available from Amazon for $130. The router features an 11A, 2-1/4 HP variable speed motor (8,000 to 24,000 RPM), and it includes the plunge base, 1/2″ and 1/4″ collet chucks, template guide adaptor, centering gauge, sub-base plate, three wrenches, and a five-year warranty.

I chose to save a Jackson and a Hamilton and get the refurbished model from the folks at Reconditioned Sales for $102.

KM12VC [Hitachi]
Via Amazon [What's This?]
Hitachi KM12VC Refurb [Reconditioned Sales]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

We love almost any tool that looks like an alien weapon. The new Hitachi DH40MRY and H45MRY hammers fit that description nicely. New this year to the Hitachi lineup, these hammer drills boast some concrete-spanking specs, even if their name does sound like a serial number for an inmate.

According to Hitachi, these new arrivals soften the impact from the hammer and rotary action via a sweet dynamic counterweight and a system of dampers in the switch handle. They also sport a 9.2A motor with 950 watts of input power and a 12-position variable lock mechanism that allows you to easily adjust the bit for an optimal working angle.

Did we mention they look sweet? No pricing info yet, but we hope they won’t be sky-high. We also hope the service life matches the good looks.

DH40MRY And H45MRY Hammers [Hitachi]

This week Hitachi announced their entry into the hotly-contested lithium-ion-powered micro driver market, the DB10DL. Driven by removable 10.8V batteries, it’ll deliver 88 in-lbs of torque — just a little more than that claimed by the ever popular Bosch PS20. Of course, we don’t yet know the speed at which Hitachi measured, but our guess is that they produce similar output.

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Sure, your SDS-Plus rotary hammer offers a demolition mode, but it can’t match the output energy of this corded SDS-Max hammer: a whopping 9.2 ft/lbs. of force.  And Hitachi claims that force goes into your work instead of your arms thanks to a double-insulated housing.

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The last of Hitachi’s latest round of benchtop woodworking tools, their 10″ drill press features — guess what? — a set of two-axis adjustable lasers.  Features that’ll strike home more with Toolmongers include five speed settings, a 1/3 hp motor, and a tilting, adjustable table top.

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A few weeks ago Hitachi announced a new line of “low-vibration” grinders, starting with 7″ and 9″ models, both featuring their “user vibration protection” (UVP) technology — equals a big, puffy handle.  Hitachi claims that UVP reduces “tri-axial vibration” — that’s a big, science-y term for movement in all three directions — by up to 30%.

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