Thread: Dewalt vs Hiikoki

Hi Hodgo,

I have the DW 7491 and am happy with it - the fence rack & pinion works great. I went for portable because of lack of space, otherwise would've preferred induction motor. This thing is LOUD. It's totally fine with ear muffs on, but living in a small lot suburb with neighbours within touching distance, I do get self-conscious using it.

Cheers,
Andy

Hikoke was Hitachi rebranded. It is a japanese brand.


Metabo is a completely different company.


Unless one bought out the other, but the branding would make no sense.


I have some hitachi hand held power tools. They are very good. IMO much better than Dewalt. I have no experience of those type of portable table saws. Some Hitachi was as good as the best makita stuff years ago. Don't know about now.


Good luck.

Originally Posted by damian

Unless one bought out the other, but the branding would make no sense.

Hitachi Koki bought Metabo in 2017. Hitachi Power Tools is Now Metabo HPT | Pro Tool Reviews

Originally Posted by Hodgo

I dont know why its being compared to the metabo

Hikoki.JPG Metabo.JPG

The fences both appear to be R&P, but the locking is different I think.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Hikoki.JPG Metabo.JPG

The fences both appear to be R&P, but the locking is different I think.

the Metabo does NOT have r&p,

the main problem with it is that the fence can be locked with it being out of square due to excess slop

Originally Posted by Hodgo

the Metabo does NOT have r&p,

Yes, that is how I remembered it from some years ago too, but it just looked like a rack in that pic. Anyway...don't buy the Metabo – the fence is no good! There were certainly things I liked about the Metabo, like the built in legs (can't remember how stable they were) and it looks like Hikoki have borrowed that idea. I definitely DON'T like the DW stand (I have one) - it is a giant trip hazard, especially in a small shop....which is where they are destined to be (forgetting site use). The legs stick out from the saw a helluva long way, IIRC.

I think I'd be leaning towards the Hikoki (not having seen it live). Soft start, R&P fence, maybe a useful outfeed extension, and I think you said a coupla hundred cheaper. Perhaps they've combined the best of both saws (DW and Metabo).

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Yes, that is how I remembered it from some years ago, but it just looked like a rack in that pic. Anyway...don't buy the Metabo – the fence is no good! There were certainly things I liked about the Metabo, like the built in legs (can't remember how stable they were) and it looks like Hikoki have borrowed that idea. I definitely DON'T like the DW stand (I have one) - it is a giant trip hazard, especially in a small shop....which is where they are destined to be (forgetting site use). The legs stick out from the saw a helluva long way, IIRC.

I think I'd be leaning towards the Hikoki (not having seen it live). Soft start, R&P fence, maybe a useful outfeed extension, and I think you said a coupla hundred cheaper. Perhaps they've combined the best of both saws (DW and Metabo).

I was never entertaining the idea of the Metabo & never mentioned it in my original post,
I've seen one in the flesh and was less than impressed with the fence ,

the opening topic was Hikoki vs dewalt because of their very similar features,in particular the R&P because it drives the fence to & fro from both sides eliminating any possibility of the fence not being square due to free play or slop

I'm not big on the legs and trolley of the hikoki and wish they would sell it a bit cheaper without as I'd like to incorporate it into my own setup
having said that the splayed legs are very sturdy and a lot more robust that the metabo although as you say,they could be a trip hazard

there are glowing reports on youtube, a lot of which are under the hitachi banner that are worth a look

OK hold the phone!

I saw one too many youtube review (unfavourable) of the Hikoki and opted for the dw7491

I managed to purchase it for the same price that the Hikoki was selling for thanks to some calculated bargaining and price matching

I've got it all assembled ready to test tomorrow

it would seem to be a bit limited for blade selection due to the bore size (16mm)

I'd like a blade that can make a nice fine cross cut and possibly be OK for ripping as well

any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

cheers
Hodgo

Originally Posted by Hodgo

it would seem to be a bit limited for blade selection due to the bore size (16mm)

Are you sure it’s 16mm? Most blades are commonly 5/8” but some companies say 16mm when converting sizes etc. But in saying that, you can buy blades in both those bore sizes.

I’d be measuring the blade that comes with the saw, had a quick look online but couldn’t find specs.

Originally Posted by DJ’s Timber

Are you sure it’s 16mm? Most blades are commonly 5/8” but some companies say 16mm when converting sizes etc. But in saying that, you can buy blades in both those bore sizes.

I’d be measuring the blade that comes with the saw, had a quick look online but couldn’t find specs.

according to the specs supplied by the seller its 16mm, DW dont seem to have the bore size on their specs page

my imperial/metric converter says 5/8" is equivalent to 15.875mm, so its very close

On my 8 1/4 inch blade model - The actual bolt/arbour measures 16mm (as close as I can tell with crude tools) but the supplied blade and redemption blade have 30mm holes. The ‘washer’ that goes on before the nut has a 30mm raised ring that engages the 30mm blade hole.

Originally Posted by Sam

On my 8 1/4 inch blade model - The actual bolt/arbour measures 16mm (as close as I can tell with crude tools) but the supplied blade and redemption blade have 30mm holes. The ‘washer’ that goes on before the nut has a 30mm raised ring that engages the 30mm blade hole.

I'm hoping that is the case with this one too

I remember reading somewhere that DW made it difficult to use adapter rings because of a concave blade flange, hopefully not
I'll investigate further tomorrow

Originally Posted by Bernmc

I don;t have either saw, but my DeWalt tools are for brute force and ignorance, the Hikokis are more refined and nicer to use

I am going to have to disagree with you there. Hikoki are the same as the rest now. I have a brand new boxed up 36V hikoki saw here that is a toy compared to the equal dewalt version.


WRT table saws. I have an older Bosch GTS 10 J and decided it needed to be upgraded last year. Went to look at the table saws, but the fences are the worst. Go to your tool store and check out how flimsy all the fences are. They are all junk now.

There are a whole bunch of 5/8" Freud blades that fit this saw (7491) perfectly. Easy to get on Amazon and a more limited range through Timbecon. I'm pretty sure the American version of the saw says the arbour is 5/8 and I bet they don't make our version different by 0.2mm!

I've pretty much never needed to use an insert ring except for a non ferrous blade which has a 30mm hole.

There are at least two other threads on the forums that discuss this saw and cover some of this stuff - it's worth a search 🙂

Enjoy your new saw!