Hitachi Grinder Opinions?

[Lanse]

Hey guys!!

So, back last spring when I was building that BBQ, I probably would have killed for a good 7" grinder. Then, when I sold it a week or two ago, I decided I'd go and buy one.

My first thought was to go with the $149 Makita from HD... Looked it over, looked nice, not too heavy, feels well made, etc.

Then the other day I happened to be in Lowes and I checked out their 7" Hitachi. Looks almost identical to the Makita, same 15 amps, just a little heavier. Quite beastly and its currently on sale for $89.

Seems kind of hard to beat. Keep in mind that this isnt something Im going to be using every day, its just one of those things that when you need it, you need it.

Granted I'd rather have the pretty blue than lime green, the only difference I can see is in the weight, the Hitachi is noticeably much heavier than the Makita. Im actually thinking this might be a good thing, if it's heavier duty, Im all for the added weight.

Thing is, I have zero experience with Hitachi tools.

Whats you guy's opinion of them? Is it a good brand? Do they last? Or is this a rebadged Harbor Freight Grinder for twice the price and I should quit being cheap and buy the Makita?

Random question I know, but thanks in advance.
Hitachi Website.

 

[RodinNS]

I don't know what their quality is today... but the 15 year old one I have has been a good grinder. It's getting to need new brushes in it now but those are easy to change... from the outside. I would not hesitate to buy another identical to this one.
The smaller ones... never really impressed me much tho. This one generally needs a 20 amp outlet if you intend to lean on it because it will throw the breaker.

Rod
 

[RodinNS]

Just looked at the website... that's the same one I have. You will NOT kill this grinder.

Rod
 

[S.Crum]

I have a Hitachi hammer drill that turned out to be pretty decent once I took it all apart and resoldered all the wires inside that came apart. I expect a hammer drill would be tough on it's internal wiring. The best performance in a 4 1/2" grinder I've had is with Milwaukee's. I've killed at least a dozen grinders of all colors, but haven't killed a Milwaukee yet. Two of my Milwaukee's I bought used off fleabay and they've still lasted longer than the last Craftsman Industrial grinder I bought new. The stainless business is abusive on grinders.
 

[Dick2]

I have Hitachi electric drill, cordless driver and cordless impact tool. All are excellant products.

For me, they are all well balanced and comfortable to hold.

Your mileage may vary.
 

[Grampy]

Had some limited experience with Hitatchi, performed as good as a Makita, seemed to hold up to the wear and tear just as well. Was a down side however, that was parts. Might want to check that out. I have two dealers fairly close that stock common use Makita parts like switches, brushes & etc. Ken
 

[State of Jefferson]

I've had a 4" Hitachi for about 10 years now. Runs just like when it was new. Only problem is the switch doesn't stay on very well, but I'd rather have that- than not stayin OFF well.
I'll buy another if it ever croaks.

Ben
 

[david - or]

I"ve owned one of these for 12 years. It is has never missed a beat and is an immensely strong grinding machine.

The downside is that it is very heavy and bulky, and because of this is one of those tools you may love for its functionality, but cringe a little when you have to pull out it of the tool box.

In those respects its in the same class as the Hole-Hawg and Sawzall.

A 4 inch grinder is a lot handier for most jobs.
 

[Dalex]

Since these are so sturdy and dependable , why not take a look for a used one in a pawn shop or C/L ? might pick one up for under $50.... Better still , get 2 , Wire wheel on one and grinding disc on the other...that's what I did .
 

[Stick welding]

Hitachi are very good grinders but I'd get a 6" instead of a 7" because they are almost the same amps but lighter and less bulky. A 7" Hitachi for $89 is a really good deal though.
 

[JDseller]

Lanse: You are a young man that is planning a career in welding. So I would recommend to adjust your thinking just a little. You should be saving and buying quality tools that will last a long time in serious work conditions. The construction welding I have done required me to have a lot of my own tools. One of them was a good 7-9 inch angle grinder. I have bought two in my life, 62 years. The first was the Old good Black & Decker steel framed one. I still have it yet to day and bought it in 1967 before I went into the service. The Black and Decker line does not have this grinder anymore.

So I bought another one here about ten years ago as I was doing a lot of heavy welding on some old bridge beams. It is a Milwaukee 7-9 inch model 6088-30. I wanted two people to be able to grind the vees for the butt welds. I am talking 36 inch tall one inch thick "H" beams. I am six foot tall and go 280 lbs. Either one of these you can put your shoulder into and they just bark and throw sparks. Then they last too. Parts are easy to get. I replace the brushes about every 4-5 years.

So for just a little more than the first choice you made you can get one that will last you for many years. You will need a good one if you get into heavy welding for a full time job. Most well paying welding jobs require you to have the basic tools needed for the job. So this would just be an investment in that direction.

Don't go cheap on this, instead start building your tools to make a living with after your welding school.

Some thing to remember in a heavy duty 7-9 inch grinder is weight. You don't want a light grinder. You want one with some bulk/weight as it will help absorb some of the vibration while using it. You are going to be grinding flat and vertical most of the time. Very rarely over head. So in the flat position the weight is very helpful. You can lay the grinder on the work and let it do a lot of the work. A light grinder will bounce around a lot more and fatigue your arms a lot faster.

Here is neat comparison page to look at different models. Like I stated I have the Milwaukee. My second choice would be Bosch and then Dewalt. All of these are good grinders I just like some of the features better on some. You may like some of the others. An example of this is I like a trigger lock on mine. Some guys hate them. This Milwaukee you can buy either way.

http://www.mytoolstore.com/compare/cpgrind2.html#m6088-30

Milwaukee 3088 30 angle grinder 155.24

 

[RodinNS]

I think if you tried that Hitachi you would find it very comparable... I've had that exact grinder now for more than 15 years and it's never let me down other than for a stuck brush once. I'm in the 250# range and I can lean on it all I want. It will trip a breaker eventually but it doesn't hurt the grinder...

Rod
 

[dave2]

Compared to 50+ buck prices at HF, I don't think you are hurting yourself with the hitache... Supposed to be good tools... However... if you don't have your heart set on sumpin shiney and new, you may do yourself better in pawn shops or ebay and get a good solid milwaukee or (??) that you'll always find parts for... Personally, I'd go with the new hitachi. Makita done tore it with me...
 

[Billy NY]

If they are anything like their chipping hammers, larger hammer drill, should be durable, or at least judging from those tools, which may or may not be a good way to determine if a another in their line is well built to provide long service life.

I had 2 laborers run 2 Hitachi chipping hammers about the same size as my old Hilti TE-52, for comparison, can't find a link or image of one, but its a larger hammer drill that takes SDS bits and small core bits, as well as chisel and wider scaling bits.

They prepped 9 floors 100x100 or so, concrete plank, after grout, for another final level coat, without any trouble, concrete cutting outfit used them exclusively, they worked well.

I would lean towards JD Sellers philosophy, buy the best you can afford, or the best you can eventually afford, save for, earn or what have you, never a bad investment, of course, take down serial numbers, photos of tags etc. and see if you can get what you have insured, buddy of mine just got robbed of 2K out of his company owned work van, next to his front steps, renters insurance only paid $500, he since pulled all his tools, set up his own van, leaves the company one in their yard, he had a lot of stuff too, years worth and some very recent upgrades, most of which they got, just a word of advice, those who work hard and have nice tools always attract thieves, forewarned is forearmed LOL !
 

[scotc]

Or, get the new one for the grinder, and look for a second for the wire wheel.



Dewalt is proud of their tools, and for good reason. Hard to go wrong with a Dewalt.

I like Milwaukee as well. My uncle and I used 1/2 inch "magnum holeshooter" drill to lift a silo unloader one time, had it smoking, and once it cooled down it came back alive, still used it for several more years.