Customer Reviews

Hitachi C12FCH 15 Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this saw from Lowe's. About 3 days after purchasing the saw the scale that shows the bevel angle fell off. I must have swept it up with sawdust and threw it away because I never found it. I e-mailed Hitachi, told them what happened, and asked them for a replacement. This was over a year ago. No reply. It's really unbelievable that this little scale is simply glued onto the saw and not scribed onto the frame.

I purchased the 90 tooth blade and I don't know if it's the saw or the blade but there is quite a bit of wobble in the blade. No matter how securely you hold the stock down, every now and this due to blade wobble it will jam. I know how to use a miter saw so it's not user error.

Finally I found it impossible to get this thing calibrated properly. The set up mechanism is badly designed and the fences are not straight! That's right. I don't know if it's the constant jamming or the manufacturing but the fences are both curved a bit. I've never been able to get this thing calibrated from day one.

Just so you know I own the jobsite Hitachi table saw and love it. No problems. I also own a Makita orbital sander and belt sander. Love them as well. I also own the Makita LXT cordless kit. Love it. This is the ONLY tool I've ever had major problems.

I purchased this saw a few days ago to build some shelves and a work bench. I did a lot of shopping around to find the best value 12" saw. This Hitachi was competitively priced with similar saws from Craftsman, Ryobi but seemed a little better built and had a 5 year warranty.

Unlike the previous reviewer, mine came aligned perfectly right out of the box. The fences and blade were square, and the laser was even accurate (it's also quite easy to align should it ever need it later). Wary of the previous review, I specifically looked into how the bevel guage was attached before purchase, and can't for the life of me see how it would ever fall off.

So far it's cut through plenty 2x4 and 4x4 lumber with ease, producing nice clean cuts. The included blade (44 tooth IIRC) seems perfectly adequate for framing. I'll be getting a second higher tooth-count blade when I get around to doing floors and molding.

Pros:
- Competitively priced
- Reasonably light-weight (but still solid feeling) for a 12" saw
- Can cut through 4x4 and miter 2x6 lumber
- Powerful motor doesn't bog down
- 5-year warranty

Cons:
- Off-set miter scale is a little odd, but perfectly functional
- Included saw blade is good for framing, but not well suited for molding or finer work.
- Instruction manual includes many poorly translated statements (but they're rather funny)

I am a contractor of 30 years and I had been using a old 10 inch Delta chop box when doing trim work. One day before starting a full house trim out including full wood floors and ceilings I decided to get a new chop box. I looked at all of them and settled on this one. I am now almost finished with this big job and I couldn't be happier with this saw. I have probably made a 1000 cuts. It came perfect right out of the box! I bought a 90 tooth blade thinking I would need it to make clean cuts but havn't taken it out of it's package yet! One thing I love about this 12 inch saw is being able to stand a 6 inch board against the fence to cut a notch out. I use to have to use the table saw and that took alot of extra time. I should have picked one of these up 20 years ago but didn't want to spend $700. Only drawback is having single bevel but I am use to it. I wish it was made is the USA too.

Haven't actually used the saw yet as the blade that came with it has 3 missing carbide teeth, 4 teeth that are cracked and about to come off and a few others that seem questionable. No signs of damage to box or saw though, just the blade. Definitely a quality control error. Please inspect blade as this can cause you to loose an eye if not caught prior to use. Granted, who would use a 32 tooth 12" blade anyway, but very disconcerting when you pay $275. I guess that's the quality of goods made in China. I will update this once I talk to Hitachi about this and actually get to use the saw. Fortunately I ordered a 60 & 90 tooth blade but they haven't gotten to me yet.
**Update**
Hitachi sent out a new blade without any problems and even upgraded to more teeth, 60, once I explained the problem in getting a new blade living where I do in Alaska. A 32 tooth blade is pretty much useless and I can't believe Hitachi doesn't package the 60 tooth to begin with on this saw. I have used the saw minimally so far but seems like a nice saw. I had a 10" Ridgid prior and like the extra 2" on the blade. I like the turn on by switch laser that the Hitachi has but coming from the back by the arm, it gets obstructed sometimes. Ridgid is cast down from the blade arbor but only when the blade is spinning. Do not get the Hitachi table as it is rather simple for the price. I suggest the Ridgid MS-UV.
** Update**
I've used it for 2 years now and really like this saw. Don't have too much negative to say.

This Miter saw is power packed. If one is thinking of getting a professional miter saw one should consider buying one of these Hitachi's. You'll be thankful you went with the 12" blade as this helps in cutting 4x4's in a snap. It really shines when beveling. The most cool feature of all is the laser. No more pencil lines. The laser works very well in sunlight too. Dust collection is also very well taken care of with the dust collection bag provided. However if you're allergic to wood dust then use a mask. The standard saw blade that comes with the saw is more than adequate. I've built a 24x24 deck using this saw and buying this tool was money well spent. Also look into getting other Hitachi tools. I did get the drill set combo with a flash light. The impact drill saved a whole bunch of time drilling through 2x4's.

I first got the saw and did have to do some minor fine toon adjustments to it. I bought the tool reconditioned for a great price. I like the laser feature, but wish it had the ability to not only adjust left to right, but adjust the angle of the laser. It could have had just another adjustment screw on the front of the laser and an adjustment screw on the back of the laser.

Dear Amazon- I just bought this same saw from lowes home improvement for $250.00. I dont know why your price is so high. Normaly Amazon has the best price offered anywhere. So why the high price?