If you’re searching for a nice jigsaw that won’t break the bank, the Hitachi CJ90VST is a great saw at an affordable price.
While it doesn’t have all the features you might need at the job site, it’s still a great option for those who do woodworking as a hobby or for those who might need it for a professional project here and there.
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Hitachi Jigsaw CJ90VST Review Main Features
This Hitachi jigsaw is a great saw for cutting straight lines or for making different shapes. If you need a saw for light work and for cutting wood, plastic, and metals, you can check out this review and decide if the CJ90VST jigsaw is right for you.
Knowing the main features and specifications of the Hitachi jigsaw is always important because it can give you a baseline idea of if the saw will be suitable for you or not.
- Only 4.9 pounds so it’s extremely portable and easy to maneuver without getting tired and overworked.
- Cuts 3 ½ inches in wood
- Cuts 5/16 inch in steel
- 4-mode orbital action increases the cutting efficiency through a wide variety of materials
- Dust blower is very powerful and keeps debris from getting into the cutting path
- Absorbing grip gives you a secure and comfortable hold
- Aluminum nickel plate base offers better support and also fewer scratches on the wood surface
- The blade changing system does not require any tools so it’s easy to go from one blade to another
- Use the lock on variable speed trigger to keep the set where you need it during an operation.
Best Features Highlighted
As you can see from the list of features above, the Hitachi jigsaw gives you a secure and lightweight saw that you carry with you to different jobs and projects. Here are some of the best features in more detail:

- Portability: Not all jigsaws are portable because they might be heavy or unable to be moved around easily. This isn’t a huge deal if you aren’t using it for work or if you keep all your projects at home. The Hitachi CJ90VST is less than 5 pounds, so if you need to bring it places, you have the option. It’s also easier to use because of its lightweight quality and makes it a good choice for first-time jigsaw users.
- Overall Performance: The Hitachi jigsaw has many features that make it perform well. One of them is that the speed can be easily set by twisting the knob on the front of the machine. This allows you to work as fast or as slow as you want.
- Power: With 705 watts, you have more than enough power to get through any common sawing job you might be doing for home projects or for work-related tasks.
Other Features
One of the best features is the simple saw change capabilities. Changing the blades in other jigsaws can be a pain because you have to hold the screwdriver at the top of the saw blade very straight while also trying to tighten it.
With the Hitachi power lock system, you can change saw blades without any tools or problems. If you want to remove a saw blade, all you have to do is push a lever and then the blade will pop out for you.
The soft-grip handle is also work noting. This allows you to fully grip without the saw comfortably and without feeling like it might slide or slip from your hand. It also keeps your hand comfortable so you aren’t sore by the end of the day.
The saw also comes with a case that fits the saw and all its parts. This might not seem like a big deal, but it helps with storage and with portability. It also keeps the saw safe from damage because it will always have a protective case around it.
Hitachi Jigsaw Review Pendulum Positions
When talking about jigsaws, the pendulum is the movement of the direction that the saw can move. In this case, there are 3 different positions.

The jigsaw can move up and down as well as forward and backward. This allows for sawdust to be unloaded and not to clog the motor. It also allows you to make faster cuts.
If you use the downward movement, you will feel less pressure and can focus more on steering the saw rather than feeling like you have to get a good solid grip. It also doesn’t come into direct contact with the wood in the downward movement.
Using the Jigsaw as a Miter Saw
With the Hitachi jigsaw, you also have the option of using the saw to saw in miter. The saw already has an Allen bold and comes with an Allen wrench, so you can unscrew the bolt at the base of the jigsaw and get started.
A Few Cons
Since the Hitachi CJ90VST is a smaller jigsaw, there are some features that are missing that might lead people to buy another jigsaw instead.
One of the main drawbacks is that there are no blow or suction functions. Any time you saw wood, there will be chips and dust that come off. Since there is no dust extraction or blower on this model, you might find the cleanup process much harder. Having too much sawdust can also make it harder to see where you are cutting.
The jigsaw also doesn’t have a laser to help you with accurate and precise cutting. Some other popular brands, like Bosch, also don’t have a laser, so it’s not uncommon.
Other jigsaws have other tools though, such as a transparent image that allows you to see where you are cutting. The Hitachi, unfortunately, doesn’t have anything similar.
Final Thoughts
For a basic and affordable jigsaw, you can’t go wrong with the Hitachi CJ90VST. It gives you all the power and portability you need for basic home and work projects. For more precision cutting though, this choice isn’t the best as there is no dust blower or laser.