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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Continuing the parade of new benchtops from Hitachi is this 16″ scroll saw complete with a 1/4 hp motor driving the blade at a speed of between 1,400 and 1,600 strokes per minute and a 45-degree bevel table.  It’s also got a die-cast aluminum frame and our favorite feature: a knob that allows micro-adjustment of the table angle.

And guess what?  The steel tool stand in the picture is included as well.  Throw in its built-in dust blower and LED worklight and you’ve got a hell of a deal at an MSRP of $170.

16″ Variable-Speed Scroll Saw, Model CW40 [Hitachi]

Also from yesterday’s Hitachi press release comes this new belt and disc sander.  Besides a standard 4″ x 36″ belt and 8″ disc, its primary features are an integrated basic dust collection system and low price — about $150 according to Hitachi.

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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.

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Hitachi Power Tools recently released their first reciprocating saw to employ User Vibration Protection (UVP) technology — a counterweight mechanism engineered to reduce motor vibration and significantly decrease user fatigue.  Hitachi claims UVP will reduce vibration by over 65%.

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Lowe’s is offering a free $50 gift card when you purchase this Hitachi 12″ dual-bevel compound miter saw with laser.  The saw sells for $319 online, but it may be a little cheaper in your local store.  It features a laser marking system that you can adjust to the left or right side of the blade, a 15 amp, 1,950 watt motor, a zero to 52 degree miter and a a zero to 48 degree bevel scale in both directions, and a tall, pivoting 5-1/8″ aluminum fence.

Hitachi C12FDH [Hitachi]
$50 Gift Card Promotion [Lowes]
Via Amazon [What's this?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I can hear you now.  You’re saying, “Who cares about a free frickin’ screwdriver when I’m spending $300?”  Answer: you!  This isn’t just any run-of-the-mill cordless screwdriver.  It’s Hitachi’s DB3DL 3.6V li-ion model, which I reviewed for Wired a while back.  It wasn’t the best of the test group, but it did drive a whopping 169 screws on a single charge — and it normally retails for around $80.

The bottom line: if you’ve been thinking about picking up a few Hitachi tools – like their great routers or their kick-ass compound miter saw — Amazon’ll throw in a free (and decent) $80 screwdriver to sweeten the deal.  Shop carefully.

My Hitachi DB3DL Review [Wired's Gadget Lab]
Hitachi Tool Via Amazon [What's this?]

Amazon is currently listing this Hitachi six-gallon pancake air compressor for $149 — not a bad deal for a brand-name product.  Other than the six-gallon tank, it has a 2 HP, 13A, oil-free induction motor which delivers 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI with a maximum working pressure of 135 PSI — plenty for a nailer.

Hitachi EC79 [Hitachi Tools]
Via Amazon [What's this?]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

Ever since Hitachi became Halo fans, I’ve had a hard time finding anything interesting on their new products page.  Sure, there’s lots of good stuff there.  It just all looks exactly the same — except this one driver, which seems to have slept through the green party.

I’m not kidding.  You’re reading about this driver because it’s brown-ish.

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Lowe’s is offering Hitachi’s 18V 1/2″ cordless drill/driver kit for $100 right now as part of their Father’s Day sales — about $40-$60 cheaper than we’ve seen it elsewhere.  Its two-speed transmission yeilds zero-load speeds of 0-400 or 0-1,200 RPM, and it features a 22-setting clutch, a soft rubber grip, and a keyless chuck.  Hitachi claims a maximum torque of 400 in-lbs.

Hitachi DS18DVF3 18V Cordless Drill/Driver Kit [Lowe's]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

I recently tested four modern cordless screwdrivers for Wired, and I’m happy to report that (as many Toolmongers have discovered) these once-wimpy tools have finally exited the dark ages.  Three of the four screwdrivers tested were quite usable, and two of them were obviously pro-level tools that I’d be proud to own.

I’ve linked to the individual reviews below, but if you get the chance, check out the full test coverage on page 108 of the current (June, 15.08) issue.

The Bosch PS10 I-Driver [Wired.com]
The Hitachi DB3DL [Wired.com]
The Black & Decker 3.6V Firestorm [Wired.com]
The Craftsman 4.0V [Wired.com]

Hitachi’s press release on the their new 7-1/4″ “pro-grade” circular saw touts the inclusion of “patented Internal Double Insulation (IDI) technology” which they claim reduces vibration and wear to estend the saw’s life by 200%.  The core of IDI is a process that intertwines the saw’s aluminum housing with an injection-molded inner nylon core — but most Toolmongers will stop after reading “aluminum housing.”  All-metal housings are all too rare now-a-days.

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Hitachi claims these new circular saw blades are “the fastest on the market” because of their “hollow-ground tooth design,” which they say makes each tooth act like a “scoop” to rip out wood and extend blade life.

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Amazon is offering this Hitachi SV12SG 1.7 amp orbital 1/4 sheet sander for $44.47 with free shipping.  If features a 200W motor, turns 14,000 orbits per minute, and has a dust collection bag.

Via Amazon [What's this?]
Hitachi SV12SG [Hitachi Tools]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]

Today Hitachi announced they’re adding four new (larger) sizes to their diamond grit core bit line.  The line now consists of nine sizes ranging all the way up to 1″ in diameter.

As you can see from the photo, these are great for creating perfect circular holes in tile, marble, and even glass.  For lots more information, check out our original post on the line back in 2006 when it was initially released.

Another Amazon deal: use the code HITACH20 to knock 20% off the price of Hitachi’s WH18DL 1/4″ impact driver, bringing it down to $231.94 — about $20 less than the next best deal we found.  The WH18DL features two 3.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries and a “cool flow” that delivers a continuous flow of cool air to the motor system, increasing runtime and decreasing heat wear.  The coupon expires May 7th and applies to most Hitachi Tools $200 or more.

The Hitachi WH18DL 1/4″ Impact Driver [Hitachi]
Via Amazon [What's this?]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]

Hitachi launched a new 14.4V li-ion line this week with the announcement of a new drill/driver, hammerdrill, impact driver, and impact wrench.  The best part: Hitachi says the new 14.4V li-ion batteries are backwards-compatible with their 14.4V DMR and DVF3 series tools, so if you pick up one of the new li-ion kits you’d be upgrading your other tools as well.

The new kit’s charger is Hitachi’s “universal” model, which’ll charge any Hitachi battery from 7.2V to 18V including all li-ion, NiCd, and NiMH units.

Other than that, the press release touts standard li-ion benefits such as longer runtime with a lighter battery and extended battery life.

About the new tools:

• The DS1DL Drill/Driver: 460 in-lbs of torque, 0-200/400/850/1750 RPM, MSRP $239
• The DV14DL Hammerdrill: Same as above, MSRP $259
• The WH14DL Impact Driver: 1330 in-lbs of torque, 0-2000/2600 RPM, 1/4″ hex chuck, MSRP $259
• The WR14DL Impact Wrench: 1780 in-lbs of torque, 0-2000/2600 RPM, 1/2″ square drive, MSRP $259

Look for ‘em on the shelves in the next few months.