The Bottom Line
The Hitachi SV13YA Random Orbit Sander has a 2.4 amp (230-watt motor) providing variable speed (from 7,000-12,000 RPM) that is powerful enough to handle any sanding task. The soft-grip handle is comfortable and not overly large, something that woodworkers with smaller hands may find appealing.
The SV13YA performed admirably and provided a beautiful finish, but I was disappointed by the inability to connect to a dust collection system, and by a strange wobble in the unit's random orbit mechanism that seemed to cause a bit of user-fatigue after extended use.
An adequate choice among sanders, but not my favorite.
The SV13YA performed admirably and provided a beautiful finish, but I was disappointed by the inability to connect to a dust collection system, and by a strange wobble in the unit's random orbit mechanism that seemed to cause a bit of user-fatigue after extended use.
An adequate choice among sanders, but not my favorite.
Pros
- Comfortable grip, I would think particularly for ladies or other woodworkers with smaller hands
- 2.4 amp variable speed motor (7,000-12,000 RPMs) provided a beautiful finish
- Includes dust bag and hard-shell carrying case
- Covered by Hitachi's 5-year warranty
Cons
- Unit seemed to have a bit of a wobble when in use, causing the hand to rock back and forth
- Rectangular-shaped exhaust port can't be connected to dust-collection system
- Slide-style on/off switch not as easy to use as a sealed rocker switch on comparable models
Description
- Using varying grits of 5-inch (8-hole) sanding disks, the SV13YA provided a finish comparable to competing models.
- Although the SV13YA lacks the ability to connect to a dust collection port, the dust bag pickup system performed fairly well.
- The SV13YA uses a dust-sealed slide on/off switch. While it worked fine, I found it wasn't as familiar as a rocker switch.
- Hitachi's 5-year warranty matches the best warranty that I've found on any random orbit sanders available.
Guide Review - Hitachi SV13YA Random Orbit Sander Review
The Hitachi SV13YA random orbit sander is a great example of a very functional, feature laden tool that does a good job, but is just a little bit lacking in a few areas that leaves one wanting a bit more. In particular, there are three areas that, if addressed, would make this a very desirable sander.
First, and probably least, is the switch for the unit. It is a sealed slide switch on the front of the unit, exactly where one would expect to find the switch. However, where competing units have chosen to use a sealed rocker switch, Hitachi chose the slide switch.
Don't get me wrong - the slide switch works fine. It's just not as easy to use as the rocker switch found on other units. I liken it to driving a car that is not familiar - you try to turn on the windshield wipers, and turn on the lights instead. It just takes some time to get used to it before it becomes second nature.
Second, a switch to a more traditional type of exhaust port that would allow one to connect dust collection to the unit would be welcomed. About the only way I could see one could hook a dust collection hose to the SV13YA would be with a considerable amount of duct tape.
Finally, the random orbit mechanism used in the SV13YA seemed to exhibit a strange wobble. In other words, while in use, the unit had a bit of a back-and-forth rocking motion in addition to the random swirling. While it was more of an annoyance than anything, I found that it kept me from feeling as comfortable using the SV13YA as other models tested in the same price range.
Hitachi has some very well-built power tools available (I especially like their line of cordless drills such as the Hitachi DS18DSAL, and as noted above, the Hitachi SV13YA produces great results at a comparable price to other models, but this is one that left me walking away wanting just a little bit more refinement. Not so much of a disappointment as a "what if..."
Disclosure: The manufacturer provided free access to this model for review purposes. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
First, and probably least, is the switch for the unit. It is a sealed slide switch on the front of the unit, exactly where one would expect to find the switch. However, where competing units have chosen to use a sealed rocker switch, Hitachi chose the slide switch.
Don't get me wrong - the slide switch works fine. It's just not as easy to use as the rocker switch found on other units. I liken it to driving a car that is not familiar - you try to turn on the windshield wipers, and turn on the lights instead. It just takes some time to get used to it before it becomes second nature.
Second, a switch to a more traditional type of exhaust port that would allow one to connect dust collection to the unit would be welcomed. About the only way I could see one could hook a dust collection hose to the SV13YA would be with a considerable amount of duct tape.
Finally, the random orbit mechanism used in the SV13YA seemed to exhibit a strange wobble. In other words, while in use, the unit had a bit of a back-and-forth rocking motion in addition to the random swirling. While it was more of an annoyance than anything, I found that it kept me from feeling as comfortable using the SV13YA as other models tested in the same price range.
Hitachi has some very well-built power tools available (I especially like their line of cordless drills such as the Hitachi DS18DSAL, and as noted above, the Hitachi SV13YA produces great results at a comparable price to other models, but this is one that left me walking away wanting just a little bit more refinement. Not so much of a disappointment as a "what if..."
Disclosure: The manufacturer provided free access to this model for review purposes. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
