Defects in Hitachi tools

[Joe Mama]

The C10FR portable saw I bought had a defective switch which failed after about 15 minutes use. Reported this to Hitachi and asked for replacement switch. Recieved no reply. Hitachi does no stand behind this product. Poor design in dust collection system for this saw allows dust to accumulate in base which then blows into the face of user creating potential for lung damage. Hitachi's non-response to this problem contrasts strongly with other companies. Delta in particular has a very good customer service policy and in my case they have done more than I required to stand behind their Uni Saw and bench lathe when I complained about defects. Therefore I highly recommend Delta tools and strongly recommend you stay away from Hitachi. Rabbit P.S. If the above weren't bad enough, I was using a Hitachi framing nailer the other day and it fired while the gun was not in contact with the work and the trigger was not squeezed. The gun was old and well used but still the potential for injury is enormous.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Reported to whom? And by what means? Did you take it to an authorized dealer or service center? Absence of a reply means you did not contact the right party or your "contact" did not get through. This is far different than refusal to service a product under warranty.

Sorry, but no sympathy until we know you took the appropriate steps. .If you left a voice mail and they could not understand the phone number, they cannot help. Email is not 100% reliable. More facts needed here

Chances are, if after that short a time you took it back tot he dealer they would just replace the unit.

[Duane Bozarth]

Probably bought it mail order so he doesn't have a local dealer...gets what one pays for.

That said, I agree if he follows proper procedure for the outlet chain he followed, I strongly suspect he will receive service...

[Joe Mama]

Bought at Lowes and reported via Htiachi Customer Service web page. Bought this because I needed a small saw to throw in the truck for work. Sorry but I can't lift the UniSaw. Also the Hitachi started making horrible noises and smoking while I was ripping a 2X4. The motor was puking up rubber. After it stopped puking shredded rubber it still ran so I'm still using it with an after market switch. Funny how the old delta saw I bought for 69 bucks years ago never had a lick of trouble after being used for years and bounced around in the back of my truck. I thought it was time for something better and the Hitachi had wheels which I liked so I bought it. What a joke. I had to cut the bottom out of the stand with a plasma cutter to avoid choking on the dust it spewed. You guys work for Hitachi do you? Rabbit

[Joe Mama]

BTW, No matter where I bought it, it's still junk. When a small 5 cent clip broke on my UniFence (which was new) and I complained to Delta they sent me a whole new casting complete worth about a hundred bucks. Way above and beyond what I expected. I've been in woodworking and construction since 1975 or so and I've never had so much trouble with a tool as I've had with this one and no, I won't take it back to Lowes. I don't have the time. I work 6 days a week. I leave home at 5 in the morning and get home at 5:30 at night.When I'm done for the day I just don't want to fart around with bull dung. When it dies for good I'll throw it away and buy a Delta. Rabbit

[Edwin Pawlowski]

That explains a lot. Most CS reports on a web site take forever. Call them or take it back.

No I don't work for Hitachi and it may well be a piece of crap, but there are other, more reliable, avenues to get the fix you are entitled to.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

You need to raise your rates and work less hours for the same $$$. No one should have to work 65+ hours a week.

[Leon]

IMHO they should have had that $100 replacement part on the saw before you took delivery. I guess they figured "what the heck" we'll see how many people will make do with out the $100 part that should have been on there in the first place.

Most people would agree as is appears that it is about a 50/50 chance you will get good service out of a Delta dealer. I remember seeing a Unisaw set on a DEALERS show room floor for about 3 months while they waited for the replacement trunion assembly to arrive. Delta of course blamed the shipping company which was apparently singling out Delta in the entire USA to break their saw trunions vs. every one else's. Smell something fishy there? Delta later admitted that the trunions were being assembled incorrectly and many arrived broken due to improper torqueing of the bolts during assembly. No one puts out 100% perfection. It all boils down to personal preference and which problems/inconveniences you are willing to put up with. Trying to pass a 5 cent part instead of a $100 part would have gotten my goat.

[Patrick Conroy]

Joe Mama wrote in news:arabbit- [e-mail]:

Hitachi is a *huge* conglomerate into a gazillion other things beside tools. Getting a response from the web page might take a long, long time.

FWIW - I tried to use a Web Page to report a defect on my Made-In-The- USA-Furnance and *never*, *ever* received a response to the the many requests.

Another FWIW - I've never seen a Hitachi authorized factory service center. Found the Milwaukee, Bosch-Skil, DeWalt/Delta/PC/B&D centers...

I see that you don't want to take it back to Lowes. But that's certainly where I'd start.

What about putting it up on CraigsList or Ebay - toss in the receipt and sell it for a good price. If the price was low enough, heck I'd buy it just to have it repaired myself under warranty.

[CaptMike]

Sounds like you just got a lemon... or maybe a return that was put back on the floor and shouldn't have been there. My only Hitachi is a CSMS which I've had for about 4+ years and it's been totally bulletproof and it has bounced around from job to job with only the tightening handle breaking... and guess who had the part in stock? My local Delta store who also sells Hitachi because they think Hitachi's got some pretty good power tools. I've got another contractor buddy who has the exact same Hitachi as well as a 12" DW CSMS and he calls the Hitachi his trim jewel. Well... he's a little weird anyway.

But I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Hiatchi power tool... maybe not a TS, but something smaller? Why not.

Mike