Hitachi has come out with two new corded jig saws, one with a D-handle grip (CJ160V), and another with a barrel grip (CJ160VA). Most interestingly, the new saw feature an auto mode that starts the saw in slow speed – similar to what their new cordless brushless grinder offers.
When engaged in auto mode, both jigs operate a lower no-load speed, 1,400 SPM which means lower vibrations and more control. Once you start a cut and the motor begins to experience a load, the speed kicks up to a full 2,800 strokes per minute.
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Hitachi says that the auto mode will reduce vibrations at the start of a cut by approximately 50%, compared to if you were to instead start a cut at full speed.
In auto mode, once the tool reaches it full operating speed after a cut is started, it maintains that speed until the switch is turned off.
But maybe you don’t want to power through a cut at 2,800 SPM. In that case, you still have control of the speed in manual mode, with 5 settings from 800 to 2,800 SPM.
Both of the new Hitachi D-handle and barrel grip jig saws offer the same features and specs. The choice is a matter of preference, with a lot of woodworkers preferring barrel grips for the lower gripping position and enhanced control.
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This image, grabbed from Hitachi’s product page, shows the new orbital blade path of the new jig saws. They say that orbital operation can be adjusted to suit the work material for smoother cutting.
It looks like the jig saws pull the blade further back, but takes the same bite out of workpieces as before. They say that this new orbital path can be adjusted for smoother cutting, perhaps with the new path facilitating chip clearing?
Features
- Tool-free blade change
- Constant speed control, even under loading
- Low vibration, due to blade position and weight distribution
- One-touch sub base for cutting curves
- Low-friction fluorine base plate
- Dust collection adapter
- Splinter guard
- LED worklight
- Blower function
- 1-1/32″ stroke length
- 800-2,800 SPM
- Wood-cutting capacity of 6-19/64″
- Weighs 5.5 lbs
- 1-inch minimum cutting radius
In addition to the standard (non-marring?) base, the saws come with a sub base that’s meant to be used for cutting curves. The short sub base greatly reduces the contact area between the base plate and workpiece, leaving a gap between the back of the base, which isn’t covered by the sub base, and the workpiece.
Hitachi says that this eliminates any snags that might occur between the rear of the base and work material, which should result in easier curved cutting.
Availability: It looks like both saws will be available in Europe. USA availability is uncertain, or might simply follow the EU launch.
More Info(PDF via Hitachi)
First Thoughts
It has been a while since I was excited about a corded jig saw. While the 2 new Hitachi offerings won’t have me jumping up and down giddily, I do find myself quite enthusiastic about them.
First, there’s that auto speed mode again. They built this into their cordless brushless grinder, and now it’s in these jig saws. And it makes perfect sense. With a tool like this, you start the tool, and then engage a workpiece to start the cut.
It can be a challenge at times, to start a cut with a power tool running at full speed. With the auto mode, the motor starts at half speed, and accelerates to full speed once there’s a load on the motor. You should get approximately 50% less vibrations, which should make it easier to start the cut with greater precision.
And if you don’t like this feature or need a slower cutting speed, simply use the saw at any of its manually-selected speeds.
You get a slew of other user-friendly features, such as the LED worklight, blower function (for clearing debris from the cut line for greater visibility), orbital settings, and a dust collection port.
That dust collection port is the biggest clue that these are European models. Most brands often leave out these things from USA models. When I asked another brand about it, they said something about how it’s not something American users ask for or require. But you know what, I bet more people would use them if it came with their tools. Hopefully, if Hitachi releases these saws here, they’ll supply ’em with the same dust collection port. I’d definitely use it.
Matt
Personally, I’m not seeing much advantage here. I do basically the same thing with the variable speed trigger on my bosch and I have even more control over it. I can see how this would help DIYers, but personally I’d prefer a variable speed control any day.
Travis
That was exactly my thought when reading this. My DeWalt 20v jigsaw has a great variable speed trigger that I use to customize the speed to match the material for starting a cut. I don’t see this helping me. Then again, I am not in the market for another jigsaw as I also have the Bosch 12v barrel grip.
Tim
I agree, I achieve the same with variable speed trigger on my cheap B&D jig saw.
Stuart
I think the feature will be a lot more useful on the barrel grip version.
Matt
I guess that’s a fair point. I’ve yet to acquire a barrel grip jigsaw, with variable speed being one of the reasons I prefer it. I guess a system like this would make me rethink the barrel grip option.
Nathan
variable speed trigger would seem to do the say but do the barrel grip devices have that. I guess I’ve not noticed if they did
the orbit thing – doesn’t dewalt or PC have some varible orbit settings on their device – like a 1 through 4 or something to go from no orbit to full orbit. I swear I saw that somewhere.
either way I like the idea and I like competition in the market – would have to heft them against others and check the balance and use of them all.
Stuart
A lot of other jig saws do offer orbital settings, that’s not unique to these.
julian
Festool and makita cordless jigsaws have had this auto start feature for some time.
Once you get used to a barrel grip, the d-handle’s become too tall and awkward and very UN-ergonomic in use.
For some reason, a lot of barrel grip saws are hard to find in the US; I had to order my Makita LXT Brushless barrel grip from a UK website – not available in the US.
The Makita cordless jigsaws are made in the UK – very high quality; nice piece of goods.
JT
Cody
Hitachi also has the auto speed mode on their 18 volt brushless oscillating tool.
John
Honestly I seldom use the orbital feature as I’m rarely doing such long rough cuts that facilitate the need. Most of the time I have it off, and rather spend the time getting the cut straight and clean. I’d rather see more emphasis on tech keeping the blade straight which like my Bosch JS572EL with its “precision control II” double-roller system which minimizes the blade defection. Its not perfect but its miles better then the previous one I had.
david a
“They say that this new orbital path can be adjusted for smoother cutting, perhaps with the new path facilitating chip clearing?”
I assumed that it’s just a matter of the blade not hitting the work piece on the down stroke (which would push the jigsaw up as a reaction), thereby reducing vibration.
Jonathan
The barrel grip as some have pointed out is far more comfortable than the D-handle. The real benefit to the barrel handle is that you can cut from underneath your material and see exactly the path you are cutting.
When it comes down to features I will always choose the Festool Carvex 420. Minor to major, I start with the carvex has a cord that can pivot straight up to get you closer to the a wall and corners. The next feature is clearly their perfection of dust control. Hands down their dust control has no competition in the states. Then there is their no chip out insert that gives you a real chip out protection no matter what blade yo use. Like the Hitachi they have a auto speed adjust however their speed adjust does seem to be a bit finer tuned as it is not half or full bore. The greatest feature to me has been the strobe led lights that make tracking the location of your bade far easier than any jig saw yet. The best part is that when you flip the jig saw upside down the led lights shut off so they are not right in your face. Along with the blade control that allows you to cut a curve in a 4×4 and it stays nice and square without uneven curves, these features by far make the Cravex the jig saw of choice and at $360ish it is by far their best bang for the buck tool.
While i think Hitachi is one the right path for a lower end jig saw when compared to Festool and Bosch, I still cant see spending even 150-200 less for a lesser jig saw. A few more dollars you get a far superior tool Festool. If you are really rolling in the $$$ spring for a Mafell P1cc as I hear a resounding praise of its speed and quality.