At a time when brands have started focusing on cordless framing saws, Hitachi has come out with a new 7-1/4″ 15A corded worm drive circular saw.
They came out with a new table saw this year, as well as new corded jig saws. There’s a new miter saw I had not posted about yet, too.
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The new Hitachi worm drive saw, C7WDM, looks competitive on paper.
- 7-1/4″ blade size
- 15A motor
- 5,000 RPM (no load)
- Rafter hook
- Non-slip soft handle grip
- Includes (2) 7-1/4″ 24T VPR blades
Price: $200
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
Assuming the $200 price is accurate and not an inflated “preorder” price, the new Hitachi worm drive saw is positioned among the highest-end pro-grade models. At this price, I would expect to see top performance, durability, longevity, accuracy, and user comfort.
It seems a little unusual for Hitachi to focus on corded tools when most brands have their efforts more or less dedicated to cordless, but it’s nevertheless good to see.
To be frank, if I were in the market for a worm drive saw for heavy duty cutting or framing work, I’d need more convincing. Why spend so much on this Hitachi saw when I could get a Bosch or Skilsaw worm drive for not much more?
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On the other hand, would I want to see greater compromise in favor of lower pricing? No. In that case, it seems Hitachi has made the right call here.
fred
I’m guessing aluminum – not magnesium construction as it weighs in at 14.7 pounds – 1.5 pounds heavier than the Bosch magnesium saw.
It doesn’t seem to have much to set it apart from its competition – other than being bundled with 2 blades.
The yeti
I used to really like Hitachi circular saws , they were very easy to cut a straight line with . Have not handled one in many years . If I was framing I would look at this saw .
John
Oil bath or not? Drive gear made of the same material or did they copy Skilsaw?
fred
The first Skil 77 I bought came with a steel carrying case, a tube of gear grease and a 13896 rip guide. But if I take into account what a dollar is worth today – the saw probably cost more than it does now.
Over the years we added a batch of different things to our 77’s including Big Foot kits – for 10-1/2 and even 12 inch blades for gang cutting. Less useful was a roller cart, water nozzle and GFCI kit that we bought to try out for light-duty masonry cutting. One of my guys also liked this gizmo:
https://www.sawguardpro.com/product/saw-guard-pro/
Blythe
I’ve used their sidewinders for a while now, affordable and durable, they just keep working. I’d be interested potentially, but not at that price for an unproven tool
Duke5572
When I can score Makita mag hypoids for $99 (once a year tool warehouse sale), I’m probably not going to pony up twice that for a Hitachi. Bring that price point down to $150 and I’ll take notice.
johnny framing saw.
This is a serious saw. Framers rejoice, and only two hundred dollars…. Will last and last and no batteries to replace. Looks to be a winner to me. I’m putting her on my wish list….
Jason R
Interesting. I have just started taking note of Hitachi lately. They seem to really be joining the mix with the other big brands moreso than in the past. Ive had my laser miter saw for around 6ish years now. Finished a basement in one of my previous houses with it. Still kicking strong. Was just looking at the 12″ miter saw family yesterday. I have an old skillsaw worm drive saw. Just cut about 60 6×6 posts with it to finish about 500 feet of fence I did couple months ago. They sure don’t make em like they used to. This worm drive saw doesn’t look any better than all the other worm drive saws on the market while being anywhere from $70-30 more expensive than the competition. Is it worth that? Definitely not to me. Makita, Dewalt, Bosch and Skilsaw all have cheaper saws. I don’t believe Hitachi has made it that far into the big brand wrestling match yet.
Raoul
Opposite for me. I was a Hitachi fan since I bought my first roofing nailers in the ’80’s and those suckers still work, despite being dropped multiple stories. I was interested up until they got bought by KKR. Hitachi will serve their new overlords until they are bled dry.
Jason R
Interesting. I have just started taking note of Hitachi lately. They seem to really be joining the mix with the other big brands moreso than in the past. Ive had my laser miter saw for around 6ish years now. Finished a basement in one of my previous houses with it. Still kicking strong. Was just looking at the 12″ miter saw family yesterday. I have an old skillsaw worm drive saw. Just cut about 60 6×6 posts with it to finish about 500 feet of fence I did couple months ago. They sure don’t make em like they used to. This worm drive saw doesn’t look any better than all the other worm drive saws on the market while being anywhere from $70-30 more expensive than the competition. Is it worth that? Definitely not to me. Makita, Dewalt, Bosch and Skilsaw all have cheaper saws. I don’t believe Hitachi has made it that far into the big brand wrestling match yet.
I agree with Duke on that pricepoint.
fred
As Stuart reported a while back, Hitachi Tools was sold to KKR. They with Bain Capital are the folks who bought Toys R Us and just put them into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At the time of the KKR buyout, some Toolguyd readers seemed to wonder what was in the future cards for Hitachi and Metabo (recently acquired by Hitachi) given the KKR buyout – and the track record of many leveraged buyouts milking companies dry. So who knows – but there have been some recently announced Hitachi tools like this saw – and their jobsite saw also seems like its being promoted:
http://www.tools-plus.com/hitachi-c10rj.html
Corey
It would take a lot to part me from my dws535. On the outlook, 200rpm on paper certainly wouldn’t do it. None the less very interested to hear it’s merits once released. Didn’t expect my DeWalt to replace my mag77 as phenomenally as it did, but hey here I am lol
Rami
Stuart, why would you rather buy a Bosch than this Hitachi? What makes Bosch more appealing?
SheLovesMyNutsAndBolt
Why does it seem unusual for them to focus on corded tools? If you ask me, I think all of this focus on cordless is quite unusual. It’s good to see that someone realizes that the latest trends are not necessarily the right way to go. I’m glad to see that someone is making tools for those who want something with unmatched power with some balls behind it, which cordless can’t offer. Don’t get me wrong, I like my cordless tools, but they can’t contend with my corded. It’s really cool to see Hitachi taking the right steps in continuing to make the tools that outperform cordless tools. It’s really uncool that every one else thinks that batteries are just as powerful but costs more.
Stuart
I meant “unusual” in a dictionary-definition sense, and certainly didn’t mean to suggest that such developments are unwelcome. I’d guess that most brands are focusing on cordless advancements based on tool sales and user demand. I agree that there’s definitely a need for better corded tools too.
Part of the issue could be that there are big steps that can be taken with cordless advancements, while there’s not a lot that can be done to make corded tools substantially better.
Corded tools sort of set the bar, with cordless tech only recently matching corded performance. In some cases, very specific cordless tools are said to surpass corded performance. And for others, cordless versions offer beneficial features that you won’t find in corded tools.
Maybe part of it comes down to money. Users can buy corded tools from any brand. But when buying into a cordless power tool platform, many users try to stick with just one brand. Users loyal to a brand might provide a cash stream for a few years, in the form of add-on tools, replacement battery packs, and related accessories.
fred
I’ve heard it opined that the profit margins on batteries is higher than the tools themselves. If true, that add-on stream of the next cordless tool and new batteries – as higher capacity or more compact ones are released – may also translate into higher profits.
glenn
You are welcome to keep your mains powered tools. Just don’t ever turn up on one of our jobsites with them,
Frank D
No right tool for the job then?
Plenty of serious to larger tasks cannot be done efficiently or effectively on just 10-24V battery power … less one wants to swap batteries every five to ten minutes … It makes no sense to ruin a batch of batteries with continued rapid charge discharge cycles.
Smaller odds and ends, limited number of cuts / holes / sure … or where the tool rests more than being used. Anything that will need to sustain, I roll out a cord.
Cjwinl
Skilsaw is trash now, the mag 77 is just not what it used to be. With cordless rear handle saws overtaking corded worm drives in power and speed, I don t see why Hitachi would release another corded skilsaw clone. Same boring specs, maybe even without a magnesium shoe.
fred
I do see that Skilsaw is offering a metal-cutting saw:
http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/skil-spt78mmc-22
Bob
shoe is magnesium, motor housing is aluminum
Ric
Just bought one, framed out a house with it. Very accurate and durable saw, but it’s leaking out of the arbor lock button and can’t use it without getting oil everywhere. There are no visible gaskets, only a retainer clip. Paid a lot of money to have to purchase replacement parts one month into using it.
Connor
I have same problem changed o ring a nd added a mini o ring and it still leaks