Hitachi C18DL 18 volt Li-Ion Circular Saw Kit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I already own the Hitachi WR18DL and CR18DL, so it was a no-brainer to get the D18DL too. The bare tool is quite reasonable and includes a blade and rip fence. The Hitachi HXP battery is too good to lay unused, so get another tool - right?

The good first. The excellent thin-kerf Hitachi carbide tip blade cuts beautifully in this saw. Fine trim work would require a blade with more teeth, but this is a great general purpose blade.

The Tool seems nose-heavy without the battery attached, but feels great when even the lightweight Li-Ion battery is loaded. Balance is good overall. It's light and fits my short, fat fingers well.

The light is a bit gimmicky in that it cannot illuminate the front edge of the sole plate, but it does turn on with the lock release rather than under power, which is nice. I'll take all the light I can get, so it's all good.

Depth and bevel adjustments are intuitive and just "sticky" enough to be useful. Cutting depth is excellent for a 6 1/2 blade - at least 3".

I have mixed feelings about the left-side blade. It's great for "quick and dirty" cutting like framing, but uncomfortable for fine control. Being right handed makes me biased to the "old standard" right side blade. For years, I thought that having to lean way over to the right to see the cut was dumb, but trying this style has convinced me that the old way is better because I'd rather not use my predominant right hand to merely steer the saw. I would prefer to use it to push and press the button and leave the left to steer. With this saw, that requires the user to cross his left arm over the saw and the work. Awkward. I'm also accustomed to leaning right by now, so it's all academic I suppose. I will have to adjust...

Now the bad. The soleplate on this tool is really thin. It seems solid enough due to good mounting, but I really doubt that it could withstand any serious drop. This is not a toss-around tool. It must be handled with a firm and gentle hand if you expect it to last. The blade guard is also rather toylike. The flip side of this flimsiness is the that the saw is much lighter because of it - especially with the Li-Ion battery. In short, this is really not a professional grade tool. It's great for the DIYer though.

The motor is by necessity light, but the 3.0Ah Li-Ion battery makes it a good cutter. It seems powerful enough if you have a sharp blade and a sure hand. I'm not certain how it would cut heavy, wet pressure-treated lumber. That is the real test and I'll leave that for another reviewer.

Let me finish up by saying that I like this saw and I would buy it again, despite some flaws. I have an big magnesium Makita for the tough stuff, so this is a great cordless supplement.

Recommended with reservations for the professional.

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Product Description:
Hitachi's Lithium Ion Power Cordless Circular Saw (C18DL) comes with two 18V Lithium Ion Batteries. With these batteries you get extended run time, fade free power, 40% less weight and 3 times the power capacity of traditional batteries. This cordless circular saw is perfect for those quick cuts. It even comes with a built in spotlight for improved visibility of your cut line. You can't go wrong with more power!!!Includes:(2) 18V 3.0Ah HXP Lithium Ion Batteries24 Tooth Carbide Tipped BladeQuick ChargerRip GuideCarrying Case

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