Customer Reviews

Hitachi CR13V 10 Amp Reciprocating Saw

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am at a point in my tool-buying career where I don't always think I have to have the very best, and buying this tool is a good example. I got tired of borrowing my friend Allen's Milwaukee, and made the plunge when I needed a recip saw for a bathroom remodeling project. Sure its not a Super Sawzall, and it doesn't have orbital action or a speed dial, but for what I will use it for it is just fine. The extra features you pay for on the Milwaukee make it a little faster and more precise in certain materials, and if I were using one to make my living every day, I would shell out the two hundred bucks for the Sawzall, but in my semi-skilled hands, (And thats being generous), this little Hitachi will do every thing I need it to. I looked at the comparably priced Bosch and DeWalt models but felt the Hitachi was more solidly built, plus it came with a five year warranty. Its a little heavier than those other saws, which can actually be a plus in helping dampen some of the vibration inherent to any recip saw. It has plenty of power and a nice, chunky, rubberized, front grip. Plus I just liked the way it looked, (Any guy who says the looks of a tool aren't important is lying!). I am happy to report that the case, while not perfect, has obviously been upgraded to address concerns about its poor design. All in all, this is a fine, servicable tool that should serve me well for many years.

On a separate warranty card in the box:
"Hitachi Products (except for Gas Driven Nailers, ... and Driver Blades) are warranted to the original purchaser for a period of five (5) years from the original purchase date for products purchased after October 1, 2003. ... Warranty coverage is conditioned upon purchaser furnishing Hitachi or its Authorized Services Center with adequate written proof of the original purchase date. ... The return of the Owner's Registration Card by the original purchaser within ten (10) days after the original purchase date is not a condition precedent to coverage under the warranty. ... Other than the purchase and insurance requirement, no charge shall be made for repairs covered by the warranty."

Mine is a good tool with an exceptional warranty after all.

I am redoing my basement and wanted a easy way to cut the old stud partitions. After looking and reading about all the recip saws, I chose the CR13V. This saw did the job really well. The best part was that I didn't have to shell out mega bucks for a good saw. The only complaint I have is that it is a little heavy, but I did notice that when cutting the vibration was less than the Milwaukee I rented from the rental store before I bought the Hitachi CR13V. It comes with 1 blade, an allen wrench along and the case. It could have come with more blades.

After looking at all the other saws I got this one based on the performance of the other Hitachi tools I own that have taken a lot of abuse and still run. I am useing this saw to remodel my house built in the 1940s it has plaster over lath board and very solid old wood studs with lots of huge nails. This saw is doing the job with no problem but I do recomend buying the dewalt blade set as the blade that comes for free with the saw wont last long.
This saw DOES have a 5 yr warranty. You proably will not need it as none of my other Hitachi tools I own have ever failed.

I love tools. I have more than I will ever live to wear out! I saw this little gem on clearance at a big box store ($65 but don't bother looking those are long gone, Amazon has the best price now) and just had to have it. I have a Porter Cable Tiger saw and a Craftsman industrial reciprocating saw. The Porter Cable is wonderful with a great speed control, as is the Craftsman but they are very large and heavy for overhead work. This tool is a lightweight by comparison. I am removing the exterior plaster over plasterboard walls in an old house to facilitate installing insulation and updated wiring. This requires cutting through the steel mesh corner reinforcing along with 1 inch of rock hard plaster and plaster board. To remove a 20 foot wall requires 36 foot of this brutal cutting, the ceiling joint and vertical corners. This is the best tool I own for the overhead task. The speed control isn't as nice as the P.C. but it gets the job done and has plenty of power. I recommend Milwaukee blades in this saw. There is nothing they won't cut. If you want a strong saw that doesn't weigh a ton and don't want to spend a fortune this is the tool for you.
I also like the shape of the hand grip areas. You don't need large hands to control this saw.

I bought this when Amazon had it listed for a price I couldn't refuse. I'm used to Milwaukee's Sawzall lineup but didn't need that much tool for light home use. I decided to give this one a try...I'm very glad I did. I was surprised at how quiet and balanced the tool felt. I read about the bearings/brushes sounding loud and poor speed control from the variable speed trigger but did not notice those shortcomings on the one I got. I even checked out the warranty card carefully and it DOES come with a 5 year warranty. I'm not sure how easy warranty service would be if needed but still it is covered by Hitachi service for 5 years. If I was a contractor I would stick with Milwaukee but for me this is perfect. I do however recommend the Milwaukee bi-metal blades, their performance is hard to beat.

like everyone else, i would hate for my hard earned money to go to waste on a bad tool. i was considering between dewalt, milwaukee and hitachi for couple months and saw this item on sale at lowe's so i decided to give it a try.
This tool is a 10amp and has plenty of power. For those of you who are average home owners who need a "sawz-all", the 10 amp is plenty. Compared to the 12 amp the two amp difference can be offset by newer blades and few more seconds of cutting. Besides, all three of them were made in china yet only hitachi offered 5 years warranty. I'm extremely satisfied with this machine.

Love the saw. Smooth, well balanced and has more power than any other I've tried! Now about a month of work on re-construction work and I really think Hitachi did a great job....I'm sold on their engineering and user knowledge, so my next tool (miter) will be a Hitachi. (Nov 2010)