I have a Hitachi finish nailer, 16 ga, and I love the thing. In fact, when I lost it, I went and bought another just like it. But that was before, ‘The Makeover.”
Is it just me, or did some design fool in the Hitachi R&D dept. have a nightmare when they designed some of these things? They look like movie tie-ins to ‘Transformers’.
Maybe I’m a tool snob, but it’s hard to take serious a tool that looks like a Firestorm rip off, I don’t care what name is on the glittery, stuck-on-gel-filled label.
Evertime I walk thru the tool dept and see that Hitachi SCMS monster, I cringe. Maybe it’s a good saw, I’ve never tried one so I can’t say. I do know that I will never, ever, put down the hard earned bucks to buy one.
Just my opinion, but I think they were more appealing in plain green.
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” Invictus, by Henley.
Replies
What?!
Haven't seen the latest reality show on TV?
Pimp My Tools.
Over the top for me, too. Looks like a cross between a toy and a basketball shoe.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Looks like a cross between a toy and a basketball shoe.
Good line, wish I had thought of it."I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Great show. Did you see the episode where they did the 20" 5 spoke upgrade on the DW SCMS? :>)
Or the one where they put hydraulics on a tablesaw and made a "hopper"
Can't touch that!
And wouldn't want to.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Yeah, the hopper was good unless you're doing finish work then the boards come out a little funny looking.
I passed on a new 18ga nailer for the same reason. I liked the weight, the small tip and the balance of the gun but knew I'd never get attached to the style.
The built in air blower on the 16ga hitachi is pretty cool. If I was looking for a 16ga it might tip the scale.
"Perfect is the enemy of Good." Morrison
I have the new Hitachi 18 ga. nailer...it is a great gun.The only thing goofier than a good tool that is goofy looking...is not buying a good tool based on looks.
I don't know. The tool would not only have to be good, it would have to be stunningly great. And aside from some pnematic guns, Hitachi just doesn't strike me as anywhere in the vacinity of that.
My opinion is, they designed that tool to appeal to either the young set, or the homeowner/DIY market. Too much like a B&D to me.
Notice not too many companies have followed their lead? I think, in another year, maybe two, sales will dictate the return to the more conventional design.
But who knows? Maybe it will lead the charge of change.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Nick
I have a couple of Hitachi tools, too, and they have ben very good to me, but I couldn't buy anything that looked like the new Hitachis either.
Until I saw those things I mistakenly thought I was indifferent to the appearance of a tool - concerned only with function. Nope. I just can't get beyond hideous. I'm just shallow, I suppose.
Ron
Those wild looking Hitachi designs have been
popular with Japanese carpenters for a few years
now, particularly the purple and fuschia colored
impacts. Guess y'all are just catching up.
Maybe. Again, I don't see any other tool makers retooling their lines.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
You could alway just wrap them up with black electrical
tape if you don't like the styling. This reminds me that awhile back a friend told me a long
story about his search to rebuild a Hitachi drill that was
over 20 years old. Of course the guy at the parts desk
told him that they no longer stocked parts for that model,
but he had pulled out the brush and brought it in, and
upon comparison with the brushes they had in stock it was
determined that the 20 year old brush was identical with
what they were using today, right down to the part number.
I just saw a new Hitachi nailer or maybe it was a stapler where they went to a much simpler design. Plain silver body with a raised silver "Hitachi" logo on a black square.
I'll have to see if I can find it again.
Go into a Lowes or HD with a 12 year old to look at tools.
Watch which brand they gravitate too.
Go to a hot rod show and see which rod draws the biggest crowd.
It's not the plain black ford or the dull gray nailer in either case.
We're all kids at heart.
Marketing 101
Hitachi's redesign look is a little over the top but the tools are still good. I've got the 18 gauge nailer and an impact driver with the tennis shoe look and they both work great - you get used to the look. I'm actually starting to like it!
Carl
I understand the digital readout on their super-hero scms is not accurate at all. That asside, even if it was the best built saw in the market I'd be embarrassed to bring that contrapty thing to the job site.
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I haven't found too many digital thingys on job site portable tools to be accurate enough to bet my lively hood on.
I agree, that saw is just so wrong.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Ya know, I never much gave it a thought until recently. I founf myself getting more and more Black and Yellow in my collection, most notable was the 6pc set a few winters ago, it helped w/batteries when working with my buddy Dale. Not that I was overly impressed with anything else, but we both also used the sheetmetal shears, that only DW has in cordless.
Then I needed a new Planer..did my homework..and settled on DW cuz it fit my need,$$ and timing. It came w/a free RO sander.
Shortly later..shopping for a Biscut Jointer..seems DW wins again, precise, not overly $$$, and right there at Lowes. I needed it then.
I already had a DW powerplaner, my bosch died on a job and a pawn shop had a like new one..sold.
Now I am noticing a LOT of black and Yellow tool bodies, and Black cases in my truck..confusing almost. A few weeks back the day before a big install, my old Makita router gave up..quick trip to lowes..I shop, I had read reviews, I had a budget..freakiing DW was marked down..so I got not only similar if not better router, I got two bases and a 1/2 " collet ability.
I feel odd pulling up to a job and looking like a pimp for DW, but for what I have, they had merit in my eyes..a good balance of reliability and cost with great performance and ease of use..I think DW nailed it on many tools.
The Hitachi and Bosch routers were in comp. when I was shopping, but a DW won..and the looks of the tool was not a factor, but I understand how it COULD be, I'd hate to have a HO see me setting up some of those "glamor and glitz" tools. Esp when they are not tool saavy like us. They just LOOK like toys.
Sometimes I have no choice in buying something online and spending for "the best" so for me, I'll keep accumulating what is going to fit my neeed when I need it..no matter what it looks like..and it just so happens, DW wins out most of the time.
Can't tell anyone " Yeah, in the black DW case, in the van" anymore..it's always " Oh? Which one?" LOL
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I see a lot of contractors around here packing Skill, B&D, Ryobi, whatever. The bottom line is, you have to buy the tools that you need, within the constraints that you have. And we all have different constraints, different needs, different priorities.
I'd be a fool to knock somone because of the color of their tools. I can only speak for myself.
And for the forseeable future, THERE IS NO FREAKING WAY IN GOD'S GREEN EARTH I'M BUYING ONE OF THOSE HITACHI TENNIS SHOES!!!!!"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
LOL, I hear ya.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Bad things happen to those who click themselves
I picked up that Hitachi 18g 2" pinner cause it was 75 bucks, and my old bostich had been boosted... it's a great gun... and, I never noticed what it looks like til you brought it up. Thanks a lot <G> If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
Always happy to make the most annoying things obvious. Now every time you pick that sucker up, you're gonna think of me. If only you knew who I was : )
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley I know who you are- My stalker!
Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
It matters not how staight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the Master of My Fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William E., I believe. For a dog bone, what's the E. stand for? (No Googling, now. Arrrgh, matey, that's a cheaters lair, you dare...)"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Yup stalker.PS Can I Google now?
Ernest. Or Ernst, I forget which. Sure, go ahead"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
No, I'll take your word for it.
Sounds like we're a lot alike in buying tools. I'm not loyal to any one brand either... not by any stretch. But when you look in my truck/trailer, there's an awful lot of yellow and black in there lately. Quite a bit of Makita too now that I think about it... especially the newer Makita stuff. All in all... on an awful lot of tools... you get pretty good value out of Dewalt stuff. Love their miter saws, love thier framing saws, my guys love their Sawcats, and I get thier 13amp recips reconditioned for around $100. We go through about one or two recips a year; the ones I get have some nice features, a lot of power, and the price is right.View Image
When I needed a roto hammer the other week, I was glad the Bosch was there and cheaper than the DW..now I have a new BLUE case..LOL. i seriously was getting confused. I grabbed a case from the shop thinking it was my RO sander, at the job boy was I surprised and little pizzed when it was my baby power planer.
I dont always keep the junk cases, but recent site conditions means I am doing all sorts of things, and too many cords in tha van start to look like Medusa.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Click away from here
Do not click here what ever ya do
Bad things happen to those who click themselves
If it's Yellow, we save it for the other fellow! Not a big fan of the DW! Ever since they wrecked Emglo!
but you didn't want to use thaose older than dirt Sencos
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Hitachi cordless are a bit bizzare but,
Hitachi nailers ain't that bad,
Kinda cute compared to the DW.
Yellow one is just plain ugly,
couldn't get a date,
had to tie a pork chop around it's neck to get the dog to play with it.
Yew EL Gee Why.....UGLY!
View ImageView Image
"Perfect is the enemy of Good." Morrison
I've been happy with all my DW tools, from the 14.4 V drill I bought some 8 years ago, to the 18 V combo kit, to the 12" dual slider I had a couple of years ago. Given the choice I prefer Bosch - a little more innovative, maybe a little more power and longevity, but DeWalt makes some good tools that don't cost a fortune.
When I was building stairs, the guy I worked with had mostly Ryobi, B&D and other homeowner tools. He thought they were pretty much the same till I let him compare my 18V DW drill to his 18 V Ryobi, driving some 1/4" lag bolts into solid walnut (predrilled of course). That next week he showed up to work with a shiny new, 18 V DW drill.
Then I let him try out the impact driver. HA!--------------------------------------------------------
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There's a special place in hell for people like you! LOL!Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
He got me back by boasting how much money he's not spending on tools.
Hmm... That gives me an idea for a new thread. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
I too have the makeover blues. I have both a hitachi 18guage nailer and 14.4 cordless and both are very experienced in working.I've had the non pleasure of using the new versions of the nailer and 14.4 drill and I would travel back in time if I could to re-purchase both my tools .They might look like the right hand of an alien contractor but they dont perform like mine do.Also since I have been using the newer style 14.4 I have developed a callus between my thumb and pointer finger that I never had before.Besides that I dont think the tool is as tough as previous generations of tools by hitachi.
Ha! A witness!! I rest my case, whatever it was."I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Last fall my cordless died after one too many falls. Had to buy a new one pronto and the green Hitachi 18v was on sale. After a few months of using it on the job, I can't wait for it to die so I can replace it. Batteries aren't what I'd excpect from an 18v and the chuck is quite useless. It won't tighten down hard enough to prevent bits from slipping and then sometimes I have to use a slip wrench to undo it. Yuck!
So what you're saying is, it's useless and ugly to boot. Sad.
Sorry, man. Makita Li Ion, don't look back. And it DOES NOT look like Michael Jordan's sneakers, either.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.