Amazon.com Review
Till now, getting more cutting capacity from a sliding compound miter saw meant giving up more floor space in your shop to allow for the slide rails. We’re not at all surprised it was Hitachi who came up with the innovation that keeps the capacity yet needs no clearance behind the saw –- after all, it was Hitachi who came up with the slide in the first place.
The C12LSH is packed with high-end features and Hitachi precision, garnering it the title of one of the Top 10 Innovative Tools for 2006 by Workbench Magazine. Aside from the inspired zero-clearance design, its most impressive facet might well be its capacity. Combining the slide with the 12-inch blade, you get an awesome 12-1/4-inch max width and an impressive depth of 4-3/16 inches. Even at a 45-degree right bevel and a 45-degree right miter, the max width is still a generous 8-5/8 inches and a max depth of 1-3/4 inches. And even if that stock is oak or hard maple, this saw is not intimidated and cuts beautifully without hesitation, with a 15-amp motor behind it. The large pivoting fence supports your stock up to 4-11/16 inches, plenty to cut most crown moldings vertically.
We love the LCD digital readout of the miter and bevel angles, relieving us of having to hunch and squint at the gauges. Keep in mind that this LCD reads out in half-degree increments, which may not be specific enough for the most excruciatingly detailed work, but for most of us, it’s more than adequate. Another nice feature is the ability to fine-tune your setting, whether bevel or miter, with the micro adjustment knobs that put absolute precision at your fingertips.
Whether you’re a fan of the laser cutline or not, we still think it’s a great, useful innovation, because a little extra accuracy insurance is always a good thing. Hitachi’s laser design is patented, controlled by a micro-dial that lets you adjust the line to the right or left of the cut. And unlike those on other saw brands, the laser isn’t mounted to the arbor and projects even when the blade is not moving. Sounds too good to be true? Okay, there are two downsides, as we see it. First is something you already expect with a miter saw – the dust collection is minimal. The second item in the column is this saw’s considerable weight – nearly 70 pounds – that might make it cumbersome to tote to job sites. If you’re planning to keep in it your shop, we don’t think you can do better than this saw for accuracy, features, adjustability, capacity and power. It’s a joy to use. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste
What’s in the Box
Saw, 12-inch TCT blade, dust bag, vice assembly, box wrench
From the Manufacturer
The Cl2LSH eliminates the need for large work areas that a conventional slide saw would occupy. Its innovative compact slide system is unlike traditional models that require over 12-inches of clearance behind the tool to accommodate the extension of the sliding rails. Now, with the C12LSH, the sliding arm moves along fixed rails, enabling the saw to sit nearly flush against a wall on a bench top without compromising the range of movement. The top-mounted LCD scale digitally displays miter and bevel readings allowing the user to quickly and accurately set both the bevel and miter angles. Hitachi's patented laser marker accurately indicates where the blade will cut on the material. The C12LSH is powered by a 15 amp, belt driven motor with 1,850-watts of Max Output Power to smoothly cut through hardwoods saving time and blade wear. A dual aluminum flip fence stands at a height of 4-11/16-inches to allow crown molding to be cut vertically for convenience. To save time and eliminate costly mistakes, Hitachi incorporated micro bevel and micro miter adjustment capability into the C12LSH. The main bevel and miter handles are used for big adjustments, and then the micro adjustment knobs are used to dial-in to precise angles. The C12LSH is the top of the line sliding dual compound miter saw ideal for trim carpenters, framers and woodworkers who demand precision and reliability.
