Hitachi B13F 10-Inch Benchtop Drill Press with Laser

View The Website

Product Description

Everything about the Hitachi B13F 10-Inch Benchtop Drill Press with Laser, from the square cast-iron table to the induction motor, is built to deliver satisfaction and convenience to woodworkers. The company has aimed to deliver an tool that will be a dream to work with.

The compact, easy to store, and portable drill press features an X-Y laser for precision drilling. The laser adjustment knobs on the B13F help in its easy calibration. In addition, the 5-speed settings take care of a variety of materials, giving you the freedom to work on virtually anything.

The Hitachi B13F drill press comes with a thoughtfully designed table that operates on a rack-and-pinion gearing system. It works smoothly and locks in place, providing dependable support while you work.

In case you wish to perform angle drilling, you’ll find that the table can adjust 45 degrees to the left or right. Finally, the B13F also allows you the luxury of locking in depths without special tools, thereby facilitating greater accuracy.

Technical Details

• Powerful induction motor, 1/3 HP, 3.5 amp, 120v, 60 Hz, delivering continuous duty
• 5 Speeds (680, 1160, 1780, 2380, 3000 rpm); easily changeable with pulleys and V-belt.
• Chuck size 1/16 to 1/2 in. drill bit range
• Drilling Capacity 1/2 inch in cast iron;
• Table 7.75 x 7.75 in; to spindle 10.75 in; L-R tilt 45 deg; Base to spindle 15.75 in
• X-Y axis laser and a locking depth-scale included for extreme precision
• Accurate drilling facilitated by fully adjustable features
• Lightweight drill press, easy to store and portable
• Backed by Hitachi’s two-year warranty.

Hitachi B13F Review

For long Hitachi has stood for reliability and long-lasting performance; however, the Hitachi B13F 10-Inch Benchtop Drill Press with Laser has failed to gather support for itself in the market as a overwhelming majority of users have expressed their disappointment in the product. People who relied on the brand to produce solid and precise tools have begun to look rather wary of giving Hitachi a second chance after their experience with the B13F.

Buy from Amazon

One user pointed out the work table did not line up with the base. While this did not affect the functioning of the machine in any way, it did affect his perception and consequently the accuracy of the drilling. He couldn’t find the stops for drilling consistent hole-depth and the flimsy laser did not live up to his expectations either. Adjusting the belt was a chore and spindle produced a disconcerting grinding noise after a while.

Another woodworker commented on the motor and its lack of power. He had a lot of trouble drilling thru 1/4″ steel at which time the press would stall, unable to bear the overload. As a result, he had to work really slowly to ensure the drill press didn’t stall too often. Obviously, he hadn’t bargained on the drilling process becoming so long and tedious.

The feedback for the Hitachi B13F drill press hasn’t all been negative and a few people have found that it met their needs. However, the common denominator among all users seems to be desire for a more robust performance from the B13F. In the end, while the reviews may not all be black, there are too many complaints to ignore. The Hitachi B13F 10-Inch Benchtop Drill Press with Laser doesn’t come highly recommended. Buy it at your own risk.

Home | Hitachi Drill Press