Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display

by Hitachi

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The award-winning Hitachi C12LSH 12-Inch Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker and Digital Display provides smooth, accurate miters and crosscuts in a variety of workpieces, including wood, plywood, crown molding, decorative panels, soft fiberboard, hard board, and aluminum sashes. A top-of-the-line tool for trim carpenters, framers, and woodworkers who demand precision and reliability, the C12LSH features a compact slide system, an LCD, Hitachi's exclusive Laser Marker System, and more.

C12LSH Compound Miter Saw Tool Specifications Amps 15 No-Load Speed 3,800 RPM Blade Diameter 12" Miter Cutting Range Left 0°-46° Right 0°-57° Bevel Cutting Range (R & L) 0°-45° Tool Dimensions (WxDxH) 23-7/16" x 36-5/8" x 27-15/16" Tool Weight 66.1 lbs 90° Cross Cut 4-3/16" x 12-1/4" or 4-11/16" x 10-3/16" 45° Miter (L/R) 4-3/16" x 8-5/8" or 4-11/16" x 7-1/16" 45° Bevel (L) 2-3/4" x 12-1/4" or 2-15/16" x 10-3/16" Compound Cut 45° x 45° (L/L) 2-3/4"x8-5/8" or 2-15/16"x7-1/16"

Exclusive Laser Marker System ensures precision cuts. View larger.

Dial in precise angles with micro-miter and micro-bevel adjustment knobs.

Backlit LCD displays miter and bevel readings. View larger.

Compound Feature for Precise Miters and Bevels
Hitachi designed the C12LSH for versatile, easy use. The miter scale ranges between zero and 46 degrees to the left and zero and 57 degrees to the right, and a micro-miter knob lets you dial in precise angles. Additionally, positive miter stops allow you to easily change the angle of the cutting blade for creating miters in crown molding and other trim pieces.

The bevel scale ranges from zero to 45 degrees to the left and right, allowing your material to stay in place while you flip the saw head to make opposing cuts. After your major bevel angle is secured, a micro-bevel adjustment knob can be used to dial in a precise angle, while positive stops allow for quick and easy measurements and settings.

The 12-inch TCT saw blade (included) makes easy work of delicate trim and other woodwork, and the pivoting fence raises a height of 4-11/16 inches to allow for accurate vertical cutting of crown molding and other large workpieces.

Compact Slide System Requires Zero Clearance
With its revolutionary compact slide system, the C12LSH requires no rear clearance like other sliding saws. Hitachi's patented fixed rail system allows the saw head to glide smoothly along twin rails, which stay put and do not protrude to the rear of the saw. The result is a sliding saw that can be operated on a small work surface that has minimal rear clearance, such as up against a wall.

This innovative new feature is just one of the reasons that the Hitachi C12LSH was named one of the "Top 10 Innovative Tools for 2006" by Workbench Magazine, February 2006.

Laser Marker Technology and LCD for Perfect Cuts
Hitachi equipped the C12LSH with its exclusive Laser Marker System, which can be activated before the blade is in motion for exact alignment and predictable blade placement. The laser marker is easily adjustable to the left or right of the cut mark to suit your preferences, simply line up the laser with your mark on the workpiece, and the saw blade will make an exact cut along the laser guide. As long as your measurements are right, your cuts will be, too!

The C12LSH also includes an innovative LCD (liquid crystal display) that takes the guesswork out of miter and bevel readings and saves time by eliminating costly mistakes. This top-mounted digital scale swivels to provide clear and accurate miter and bevel readings from any angle.

Chock-Full of User-Friendly Features
The C12LSH has plenty of features to help you make the perfect cut the first time. To start, it has a powerful 15-amp motor that generates a no-load speed of up to 3,800 RPM to smoothly and easily cut through even the toughest hardwoods.

For precise, safe cutting, a fixed splinter guard increases safety and reduces tear-out for clean, finished cuts, and a comfortable vertical handle with a vibration-reducing elastomer grip prevents slippage and keeps you in control at all times.

The C12LSH also includes a dust bag that minimizes accumulation of dust and particles in your both your workspace and the saw's interior components, keeping your jobsite clean and prolonging the life of the tool. An added bonus, easily accessible carbon brushes will help your saw perform for the long term.

The Hitachi C12LSH measures 23-7/16 x 36-5/8 x 27-15/16 inches and weighs 66.1 pounds. Durably built, this tool is backed by an industry-leading five year warranty.

About Hitachi: A Tradition of Innovation
Hitachi Power Tools (Hitachi Koki USA, Ltd.) provides professional-grade power tools for a variety of applications, including woodwork, metalwork, concrete, drilling, cutting, and fastening. Hitachi is a leader in power tool research and development and has achieved many firsts in the power tool industry, including creating the first-ever sliding compound miter saw to combine the capacity of a radial arm saw and the convenience of a miter saw. Today, Hitachi continues the tradition of innovation and engineering with new features in addition to classic quality.

What's in the Box
C12LSH Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker and Digital Display, 12-inch, 60-tooth TCT saw blade, dust bag, vise assembly, and box wrench.

The C12LSH was named one of the "Top 10 Innovative Tools for 2006" by Workbench Magazine, February 2006.

Amazon.com

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

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 30 x 22 x 28 inches
• Shipping Weight: 90 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0009MGOSG
• Item model number: C12LSH
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,120 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #45 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Saws > Miter Saws

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mother of all Saws, October 31, 2005

By 

Mark N. Beaulieu (Portland, ME) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a physically large and heavy saw. I bought it and the Hitachi miter stand to take to jobs sits to do cabnet grade trim work and I'm afraid I over bought. (I'm gonna end up with a hernia or a broken back). The lazer, while accurate, needs to be adjusted with every change of saw position. Plus, my lazer runs out of adjustment to the left side of the blade but has plenty to the right (there may be another adjustment but nothing in the manual). My biggest disapointment is the digital display. It only reads to .5 degree, but you can move the table between the marks and the saw stays at .5 (I can eye ball a half degree as this saw has a excellent miter scale (And a fair bevel scale). I think this feature (and the reason I bought the saw) to be over rated. I've also noticed a somewhat gritty slide action (may need a cleaning)..That being said I have found this saw to be accurate and powerfull. The soft start is a nice feature, but it takes some getting used to as you have to wait for the saw to get up to speed before contacting to wood.

118 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars problems here, December 1, 2005

By 

Dusty - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display (Tools & Home Improvement)

Things I like- very heavy for stationary use only. 12" blade allows using only one setting for crown molding cuts.Wonderfull!!! Don't waste your money on a 10" unless you must have a portable unit. Excellent machining and repeatabilty. Super smooth and well balanced. Handle located in vertical position.Super easy to set up angles.Superb feel.
The following is just my opinion. You may not agree with me.
Things I didn't like. The saw arrived with a broken laser. The factory gave me the option of taking it to a service center 2 hours away with a 6 week wait or they would send me the part if I would give my warranty.I'm in a hurry so I gave up the warranty. GRRR. This ain't WalMart fellows. Grrr again. Got the laser. It's a worthless one beam unit.You need two beams to locate the blade position guys. Duh. More hype. The digital readout is only .5 degrees. If you can't eyeball .5 degrees your not much of a wood worker.
The design and color scheme looks like a Ninja Turtle on drugs. Ugly, really ugly. Check the mental health of your designer Hitachi. He may have a problem. Now the real biggie- All SCMS have a serious problem with dust control. This saw is the worst I have ever used. The rear post is 5" wide with a sweeping U turn that shoots you directly between the eyes with high velocity sawdust. It even stings. I had to stop and clean my glasses off after 2-3 cuts.I came up with a very radical fix that solved the problem. You may have to live with it.Finally I have read posts that complained of a galling problem between aluminum sliding pieces. Scary since I lost my warranty. End of story. Would I buy again? I found nothing better available so I live with it.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very poor cutting saw, March 21, 2007

By 

Jeff in Nor Cal - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display (Tools & Home Improvement)

I just finished setting up this saw in my cabinetshop tonight and got to cut with it for the first time. Yikes the cuts are bad! I removed the stock blade and put on my Forrest Chopmaster and the cuts were still bad. The left hand fence had a noticable warp along it's length, and the saw will not cut plumb. It is adjusted plumb, but wanders to the side during the cut. Also it seems to wander a good bit on slide cuts, I could not get a cut close to square when crosscutting a 12 inch wide piece of plywood. I thought this saw was a great deal for the $399.99 special, but now I know why it was on special. Sending it back and going back to my old, but dependable Makita 12" slider. This saw is a major disappointment, and I do not see how it would cut the mustard for any professional.