Customer Reviews

Hitachi C10FCH 15 Amp 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although reviews can provide you with a good overview of what's out there, I still like to actually see (and touch) the tools before buying them. So I went down to the local store and checked out their offerings. I was attracted to the Hitachi C10FCH miter saw because of the quality of construction, the ergonomics, the physical size and the price (ordered according to importance).

Quality of construction: nicely machined table, substantial hinge, smooth movement of miter and bevel adjustments.

Ergonomics: horizontal handle with conveniently located on/off switch (pistol grip only makes sense on sliding miter saws). A laser helps with aim.

Physical size: feels light and compact compared to other models in the same class.

Price: is reasonable since the saw comes with an integrated laser.

Performance: Excellent cuts (with the right blade)! With the help of the laser, I routinely cut base board within 1mm (=0.04 inch). Tool feels precise, solid and is easy to use.

Drawbacks that pursuaded me to give only four stars:

Although the price is reasonable, Hitachi was skimping on features: Table extensions are optional and the included blade is very coarse (good enough for 2x4s but you need to invest another $50 for a good blade that does moldings, base board, etc.), no dual compound capability.

Although the laser is extremely (!) useful, ideally one would like to have a dual laser calibrated to either edge of the cut. I find myself recalibrating the laser from one edge to the other edge a lot.

One last thing, the saw dust bag setup is not very efficient. It catches maybe 50%, probably less.

I ordered this saw from Amazon and got a SWEET deal! Yes, the 24 tooth blade that comes with the saw isn't great, [...]

Right out of the box the saw needed no adjustment and was cutting dead on. It has a smooth action, and is very comfortable to use with the "D" handle.

ATTENTION!!!!! REVISED REVIEW after less than a year:
After owning this saw for 11 months, the little design flaws are rearing their little heads. From the little use this saw has had, the wiring for the laser has failed due to continued flexing near the rear of the saw. The design allows the wires to be constantly flexed to the breaking point because there is no strain relief on these very thin wires. If you have purchased this miter saw, take the cover off the back and check your wiring before it breaks! Also, several times I have noticed that the blade brake doesn't work as quickly as it should, and now the table grinds when turning it to make a miter cut. I have contacted Hitachi twice, and have heard NOTHING from them in THREE weeks! When I purchased this miter saw from Amazon, it came with a 5 YEAR warranty. That's a joke, when I cannot even get a response from their warranty department in less than ONE year! This will be my last Hitachi purchase!!!!! Amazon won't allow me to change my star rating from the original five star to a one, but BUYER BEWARE!

I bought this saw in May from the Blue store. Within a few days, the laser began working intermittently. Apparently the wire leads were loose. Took it to the service center nearby, was fixed in about 10 days. But the laser was then off by a few degrees. They apparently left out one of the two springs on the laser unit. Then, one day I went to use it and found a small metal bracket laying on it. I couldn't figure out where it came from, so I set it aside. When I made the first cut, I realized it is a hold-down clip for the little plastic piece on the table behind the blade. The plastic piece (parts diagram calls it a dust divertor or something similar) was destroyed by the blade.

The saw has now been in the shop for 6 weeks waiting on the three parts they ordered. I really think the second problem was caused by the service shop, but six weeks (and counting) for replacement parts is unacceptable. The shop said this is not unusual for Hitachi. This makes me less inclined to purchase Hitachi tool in the future.

I originally purchased for some base boards and some crown. After about a year of usage I think I can post a usefull review. As others have said, a dual laser would be useful, but honestly, once you get the hang of it, a single laser is really not that much of a handicap.

I have put built-up crown in 3 rooms + 1 hall now, baseboards in 4 rooms, chair rail in 2 rooms and 2 hallways, chair rail up stairs (probably over 200-250 linear feet of chair), and 3 rooms + 1 hallway + 1 stair way in wall frames. All of this was used with this saw and the only thing that did not work perfectly was my poor measuring.

Add to that, my neighbor borrowed my saw and put in chair and base board in two of his rooms as well.

Now I am building some cabinets and am using this to cut exact lengths for my face frames. I recommend this w/o reservation for a great beginner's - Intermediate saw (I now consider myself an intermediate). It has a good amount of power and spins a decent finish blad fast enough to put a razor sharp edge on MDF molding. (NICE).

I am giving the saw 5 stars for the dollar-performance ratio as it does a TON for how much it costs.

Negatives:
- The Bevel scale is a sticker and mine is beginning to come off.
- After a years worth of usage, the miter angle was getting a little tight. It seems that the fine dust was getting into the cracks and was binding up. I took it apart and cleaned it out in about 15-20 minutes. Lubed it up with Silicone and worked like new. I tried blowing it out with compressed air, but no dice. I assume this is an issue with all saws of this sort, but have nothing to compare it to since this is my first compound miter.
- Singe laser... said before, but for the beginner, knowing where both kerfs are is a big help.
- No saftey. Actually I really LIKE this feature. I don't like setting up my cut only to have to fumble with a safety switch. Some may think the lack of a saftey is bad, I think it is just fine.

Overall great purchase. This thing has paid for itself after the first project, now as I see it, I am making money off this thing! Buy it, you won't regret it.

For the price this is probably the best laser-guided compound miter saw on the market. It ain't perfect, but it's definitely cost-effective. I do remodeling, so I'm cutting everything from 2x12 to fine molding. The cross-cut blade that comes with the saw is fine for #2 lumber, but any woodworker knows to buy a finer blade for finish material. I bought the 70-tooth Hitachi blade for $38 at the same time I bought the saw, and have never taken it off, cutting everything from MDF trim to quarter-round cove molding to 2x material. Couldn't ask for a cleaner cut. Everytime I pull that chop handle down I feel great for making this purchase. That said, be prepared for some little glitches: The miter guide needs to be glued down (if you want it to stay put), but you have positive stops at the major angles, including 22.5 degrees, so it's not a huge issue. My laser works fine, but has begun to drift slightly. It has not affected the precision cut; I'm still within a 64th of measured, but the bright red line is a hair skewed. This may be a result of trying to calibrate it. When I tried to calibrate the laser so I could put the saw blade on the left instead of the right of the line, the adjustment screw gave out and the light wouldn't move. After reading some other reviewers I might take a shot at opening up the enclosure. Finally, I've decided it would be really nice to have double compound miter capability, but then again I don't think it's worth the extra money. Just flip the material.

I need a miter saw when I was building a deck in my backyard. I purchased this Miter saw because the rating for the product is high.

I am happy with excellent performace. Laser is very nice and helpful feature. I save me a lot of time. Of course, it is very weak in bright day light. That's normal.

However, the blade came with the saw seems to me is not that high quality. I have bosch table saw. The same piece of wood, when I used bosch, it was very smooth cuting edge, and this miter saw blade is not that smooth. But for the deck or outdoor project, it is fine. for any indoor stuff, you may have to get better saw blade.

Overall, it is very good product.

I bought the C10FCH about 6mos ago. It is a fantastic saw for the price. It cuts effortlessly and is dead on every time. The blade provided is good for rough cuts so for finish work I would recommend a better blade. The best thing for me is that for the price the Hitachi is head and shoulders above both Delta and Porter Cable. Which is important to me since my business is less than a year old. I would recommend this saw to anyone.

The vernier is large and easy to read. Totally accurate cuts, especially with the laser beam. In bright sunlight it can be hard to see the laser beam, but if you bend down and look at it in the horizontal position you can usually see it. GREAT SAW for a great price!

The miter was off on the postive stop settings. 0 degrees was off
about 3/4 of a degree. There is no way, that I could determine,
how to correct this problem. So I had to send it back. Apparently
this is not an isolated issue. In the owner's manual was an insert
that states if this happens with the digital readout model, then
reset the miter read out. Of course the positive stops still exits
with the incorrect settings so I don't know what you are suppose to
do. I guess the positive stops become not usable.

I purchased my C10FCH about a year ago from Lowe's. Out of the box it has been great, though I give it pretty light jobs. I overstressed the vise assembly arm (pot metal) and broke it. I don't blame Hitachi for this, but getting any help to purchase a replacement part is impossible. The C10FCH is made for the US/Canadian market. The manual list no parts dealers/phone numbers or e-mail addresses. Calls and e-mails to Hitachi USA found on Google seem to be quickly discarded. So, keep it working the best you can--there will be no back-up from Hitachi to fix something for you. Charles Beattie