Woodworking & Power Tools Forum - Festool Owners Group > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Other Tool Reviews > Hitachi KC18DKL/JA 18v 4.0 Ah Combi and Impact Driver Video Review
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Peter Parfitt
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Location: England
Member Since: Apr 2011
Posts: 964
« on: August 09, 2012, 04:05 AM »
Hello Everyone

My editor asked me to do a review of some new Hitachi kit that came across his desk and so whilst I had it in the workshop I did this video review.

I have been using Hitachi cordless kit since 1987 and have 3 quite reasonable machines although the NiCads are getting tired. This new 18 volt 4.0 Ah Lithium Ion range has an amazing amount of power. Hitachi are now standardising their battery fittings to be a slide on arrangement. This will ensure interchangeability across the brand for the same voltage battery.

They reckon batteries should go on for 1500 plus charging cycles which, even for a busy tradesman, means 6 or more years service. Their charger seems quite clever as it has a fan that blows air through the battery whilst it is on charge and, of course, there are thermal sensors to be on the safe side. Sensors in the batteries protect them from overloads and overheating.

The set consists of a Combi Drill (DV18DSDL) and an Impact Driver (WH18DSAL) and comes with a charger and 2 batteries. There is an offer enabling you to get a third battery free if you do the proof of purchase thing and send in a sticker before some date in November. Like Festool they offer a free extended warranty of 3 years provided that you register the purchase early on. This covers the batteries as well.

I reckon my machines have at least another year left in them so I will not be buying just yet but the kit sounds good value. In the UK expect to pay no more than £360 including VAT.

I enjoyed doing the review - I have been offered $20k for my screw block artwork but I am hanging on for a better offer!

Here is the link...

Hitachi 18 Volt 4 Ah Combi Drill and Impact Driver Kit


Peter
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Kapex 120, OF 2200, OF1400, TS55, TS55R, CMS-TS55R, PSC420, Domino 500, MFT3, Rotex 90, Rotex 150, CTL26, 1400 & 2700 Guide Rails and a lovely watch
Wish List: C15, HL850, BS75, DF700, Second Extractor, new secretary
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Kev

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Location: Australia
Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 2440
« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2012, 06:16 AM »
My first Hitachi cordless would date back a couple of decades ... got a lot of Hitachi stuff back then ... 9" & 7" circular saws, corded hammer drill, planer, 2000W router, etc. Apart from the drill batteries the only Hitachi that's given up on me is the CFM8 compound mitre saw. Ironically it was that very saw failing that started me on my Festool spree late last year.

A recent Hitachi purchase has been the little cordless circular saw. I got this because there was nothing Festool suitable for a quick in attic job and it was a cheap buy as a "tool only" in a cardboard box (I have some 18V Hitachi nicads). Here's the rub - I had a choice of buying post or slide on battery compatibility with the saw and went for the older post style as it matched what I had ... all of which is seemingly being phased out Sad

With a sharp high quality blade and the oomph of a 4AH lithium battery the little saw could be useful, but it's not good for much on a nicad. It also seems cheap and mostly plastic (something I don't like in any kind of saw).

Metabo have gone 4AH recently ... it'll be interesting to see if Festool come to the party one day soon.
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Peter Parfitt
Magazine/Blog Author

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Location: England
Member Since: Apr 2011
Posts: 964
« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2012, 06:44 AM »
Hi Kev

I saw your other post.

My 3 Hitachi machines are a 12v combi drill (about 11 years old), a 12v impact driver (about 10 years old) and a 12v drill-driver (about 7 years old). I killed the 3 batteries that came with the impact driver building my barn - each were being charged about 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Only one of the 3 batteries from the combi drill survives and I bought the drill-driver because its batteries would fit the other two machines.

NiCad batteries are a pain but the tools themselves have never let me down and do what Hitachi say they should do. I am going to let my machines soldier on until the batteries become useless and then I will look for a Lithium Ion replacement. I have no reason to stray from Hitachi as they are good value.

Peter
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Kapex 120, OF 2200, OF1400, TS55, TS55R, CMS-TS55R, PSC420, Domino 500, MFT3, Rotex 90, Rotex 150, CTL26, 1400 & 2700 Guide Rails and a lovely watch
Wish List: C15, HL850, BS75, DF700, Second Extractor, new secretary
Kev

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Location: Australia
Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 2440
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2012, 06:54 AM »
Quote from: Stone Message on August 09, 2012, 06:44 AM
Hi Kev

I saw your other post.

My 3 Hitachi machines are a 12v combi drill (about 11 years old), a 12v impact driver (about 10 years old) and a 12v drill-driver (about 7 years old). I killed the 3 batteries that came with the impact driver building my barn - each were being charged about 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Only one of the 3 batteries from the combi drill survives and I bought the drill-driver because its batteries would fit the other two machines.

NiCad batteries are a pain but the tools themselves have never let me down and do what Hitachi say they should do. I am going to let my machines soldier on until the batteries become useless and then I will look for a Lithium Ion replacement. I have no reason to stray from Hitachi as they are good value.

Peter

You're right Peter - the cordless drills themselves are solid.

Getting REAL replacement batteries locally was a challenge and I've ended up with duds unfortunately.

Mine are both drill/drivers 12V and 18V. They're chunky great things compared to my Festools though.

There's a local Metabo deal at the moment that gives you 4 x 4AH batteries and any five 18V cordless tools for $AU1300 (which is quite a bargain here) ... cheaper than buying cordless recipro and angle grinder individually, so I've been tempted that way too.

Too many temptations.

Kev.
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