Hitachi C12LCH 15 Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser and Miter Bevel Digital Display

by Hitachi

Product Description

Amazon.com

The tool gauntlet has been thrown, and sawmongers — us included -- couldn’t be happier. When we saw the specs on this beauty, we couldn’t wait to give it a run.

First off, expect to make adjustments out of the box to the fence as well as the tilt LCD reading, but adjustments are simple and then you’re ready to go. We absolutely love the LCD readout! It computes your miter and bevel angles for you, without your having to do the hunch-and-squint over a hard-to-read gauge. It’s about time someone came up with this, and it doesn’t surprise us that it was Hitachi.

Laser cutting guides aren’t the novelty they were a few years ago, but it’s still a nifty feature, and this one’s clear and bright. One caveat: If you’re cutting molding vertically, your workpiece can actually block the laser because of where it’s positioned. We mention this only because the large pivoting fence raises your fence height to 5-1/8 inches specifically for cutting crown molding vertically. It’s not a huge drawback, we don’t think, but something you should be aware of. Aside from that, we found the laser to be dead-on accurate. We’re partial to a horizontal handle, and this one’s exceedingly nice to grasp because of a soft, comfortable grip. The table’s plenty big and offers great stock support, and unlike other saws in its class, this one has a neatly geared tilt mechanism to take the strain off the user.

This is a great, accurate saw perfect for the job site, the professional’s shop and especially the home woodworker, who will especially enjoy the LCD bevel and miter display. We bet you’ll be seeing more of these on the market, but remember you saw it here first.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

Hitachi has just raised the bar with the revolutionary new C12LCH 12-inch miter saw. With its patented LCD Miter and Bevel angle LCD display, you can precisely determine any compound angle. The C12LCH also offers a laser cutting guide to ensure perfect blade position on every cut. A powerful 15 amp motor with external brush access delivers maximum power. The comfortable horizontal handle design has a soft elastomer grip and the positive stops are thumb actuated. This tools comes complete with a dust bag, carbide blade and wrench.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 30 inches ; 53 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 60.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002X7VLQ
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: C12LCH
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,768 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Packaging is significantly INFERIOR for shipping., February 13, 2005

By 

Lionheart "Lionheart" (L.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi C12LCH 15 Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser and Miter Bevel Digital Display (Tools & Home Improvement)

Like another reviewer, I had to go through 2 orders before getting a machine that wasn't broke. The first order, which comes by ground (free shipping route), delivered a saw that had a section of the base metal completely busted off from the rest of the frame. Specifically, a triangular section on the bottom which houses one of the angle stops. (Also, two of the tools were missing as well). After having to explain to Amazon that a "replacement part could not be ordered," they finally overnighted me a replacement. I did get a chance to use the first saw because I had wood to cut and I wasn't going to wait. And, I definitely was NOT impressed with the laser. I could hardly see it in broad daylight or in the shade. Nonetheless, I decided to give the replacement a benefit of the doubt--thinking that when the package got dropped, it did something to the laser as well.

So, with a working saw now in my possession, I'm glad I stuck with it. Because the laser is bold, bright, straight and easily seen in the shade as well as broad daylight. My only complaint about the laser is there should be a vertical/angle adjustment of some sort available to the consumer. The only adjustment you can do to the laser (as per the instructions, anyway), refers to horizontal adjustment--left or right side of the blade. I would like the opportunity to adjust the laser from its position on its mount to the wood itself. I would find this very convenient.

The miter digital readout is NOT accurate out of the box. It wasn't for my first saw or the second. It will have to be adjusted. However, other reviewers claim the opposite.

The fences definitely need to be adjusted. They are not true to the blade. For 2X4's or smaller, you'll be fine right out of the box. That's the degree of adjustment we're talking about here. It's not much, but, it is noticeable for wider stock.

Blade changing is a pain in the butt, to be candid. When it comes to saws, there are some things I don't want to spend time on. Changing blades is definitely one of them.

Blade stop. Does it exist? If you're expecting a quick cease in blade rotation after your cut, this isn't the saw for you. Speaking of blade cessation, when you do release the trigger, the saw has an upward kick to it. I find this aggravating. But, I'm sure I'll become accustomed to this idiosyncracy after enough cuts.

The digital readout for bevel cuts is actually the primary reason I bought this saw. And, as it stands, I'm definitely impressed with it. I also like the engineering on the power to the laser and digital meters--each is controlled by its own individual switch. What does this mean to you? You don't have to keep your laser on at all times.

Base rotation and lock are quite smooth and dependable. No complaints whatsoever. The locking knob is plenty big--something I'm happy about.

Conclusion. If you're getting this saw shipped to you, it's a 50/50 chance on whether or not the first one will come in one piece. That is how poor the packaging is. The worst I've seen with a tool--and I order many tools each year. The digital readouts for miter and bevel cuts are without a doubt a trend setter. They will definitely be mocked. {Now... it would be nice is someone invented a compound sliding 12" saw with the laser and the miter/bevel digi-readouts.} The laser is sharp and easily adjustable. The swing open extension fence is a bonus. Not supplying extension rods (from the saw's base) for the price we're paying, I think, is a non-impressive, cheap quality that most of these manufacturers emulate. Hitachi, for the most part, likes to be different. I was very surprised that it did not include the extensions with the saw.

Hope this helps....

Addendum #1. Just finished setting the new saw up. And guess what? The teeth on the blade are damaged! Make sure you check the entire blade over. On mine, I had one tooth missing and 3 that are ready to fall off--sounds like a dental problem. ;0 The fences were poorly aligned. That took about 15 minutes to remedy. How? There are two bolts securing each fence at the rear. Grab your wrench and turn each bolt ONE HALF TURN (is all that's needed). Take your straight edge and place it on the saw base--align both fences to this edge. Then lower your saw, lock it in place, pull up the guard and use a quick grip to lock that up and out of the way as well. Then, take your Square and align one side at a time. When placing the Square against the side of the blade, make certain it is only touch the face of the blade--NO TEETH. After squaring one side, repeat the procedure on the opposing side. Wrap it all up by making a wide cut--measure and validate.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nifty looking saw, but..., December 29, 2004

By 

Jeff Jones (Costa Mesa, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hitachi C12LCH 15 Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser and Miter Bevel Digital Display (Tools & Home Improvement)

I was excited about this saw. The features are ingenious and the reviews of Hitachi products are typically compelling. I seriously considered Delta's 12 Dual Laser, but the LCD readouts and the cool "geared" bevel adjustment won me over. The free 96 tooth blade was a nice incentive as well.
Now the "but"... Hitachi's packaging needs upgrading. The saw is restrained by a couple of flimsy pieces of cardboard. The saw will probably survive shipping if it is not tipped on its side, but when the UPS guy arrived, it was clear that was not the case and naive to think it possible. the D-Handle was broken off and dangling by the wires, no weakness of the saw. I waited a little over a week and now have to wait another two weeks for a replacement and the posibility of similar shipping damage issues is not all that comforting.
I never even got to run the saw, but I did plug it in and switched on the bevel indicator power (seperate switch along with a seperate laser switch which is not momnentary), it was very cool although I was unable to check the accuracy as I did not want to cut the packing tape. I do think this looks like a great tool and eventually I may even get to use it, UPS's rough handling and Hitachi's weak packaging notwithstanding!

Update: I just received an email from Amazon notifying me that my problem has become their problem and they are over-nighting a new saw at no cost to me. I have been in service businesses all my life and these folks "get it"! it would be hard to not go to Amazon's site before even considering somewhere else. When someone treats me fairly, I am fiercely loyal. Thank you Amazon!

Update: digital displays are great and fine adjustment on the bevel is quite helpful. The saw is accurate and well thought out. I like the laser and it's easy to adjust should you change to a different kerf thickness. I also like the laser being seperately switched eliminating running the saw to see the laser, much safer. I looked at a lot of saws and I am comfortable with my choice, both the saw and Amazon.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch and ultra easy to use miter saw, January 25, 2005

By 

Eric Pruss (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi C12LCH 15 Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser and Miter Bevel Digital Display (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have owned numerous Hitachi products in the past and have never had any that I was not 100% happy with... Only one other power tool manufacturer, Bosch, has instilled that sense of superior quality with me. The C12LCH saw is definately a tool that I can honestly say has lived up to the standards I expect of Hitachi.

While I bought my saw from a local source (for the same price as Amazon), I wanted to give my feedback as I consider it the best of the 12" Compound miter saws, with the combination of the two best features in the laser and LCD readout.

Upong first opening the package, I found no problems with the saw and all the parts were in perfect condition, but, as I said, it was picked up at a local store, and can easily see how things could shift aeound if the saw was not handled in an upright fashion and/thrown about by UPS personnel (Only an airport baggage handler could abuse packages more!). Upon removing the saw from the box and placing on my workbench, I immediately took out a combination square and checked the blade and laser for alignment... Spot on!

However, the tilt LCD reading was off 22 degrees, but an insert in the manual showed how to adjust that correctly... Merely tilt the saw fully and then back to the 0 degree mark and press the tilt reset button and it's set. Couldn't be easier! The geared tilt mechanism coupled with the LCD display makes it a breeze to set the tilt angle perfectly, which can be quite iffy with most other compound miter saws.

As for the laser, one other reviewer was concerned that there was no way to align it should it go out of alignment... Not so. In fact, on the side of the saw body is a label that clearly states the procedure for adjusting the laser should it go out of alignment. Perhaps his is missing this label though.

As for the included blade. It appears to be of above average quality and I see no reason to replace it, which is what I tend to do with most included saw blades except those with Bosch tools. It cuts very smoothly and without any visible tear out.

About the only thing I am a little disapointed with is the hold down clamp. I would have preferred one with a racheting motion rather than a screw mechanism, but that is a minor complaint.

Overall, I can very highly recommend this saw though I too caution anyone considering purchasing it about the flimsy packaging. I gave it 5 stars as the product itself deserves such, and I do not let the packaging and abusive shipping company employeer affect my rating. If I could rate the packaging separately from the actual product, it would get it only 1 star.