Powerful 10-inch sliding dual compound miter saw with adjustable laser marker, electronic speed control, and soft start to reduce noise and recoil
12 amp motor; 3,800 rpm; 10 positive stops for quick settings; pivoting fence to support the work piece
Stainless steel detent plate; carbide blade
Includes saw, TCT saw blade, 10-millimeter box wrench, dust bag
Editorial Review:
Hitachi's redo of the well-built C10FS took a great saw and made it better. Laser cutting line? Done. Taller fence? Done. More legible scales? Done. The soft-start, belt-driven, 12-amp motor reduces vibration, and you get the same impeccably smooth ride on the slide that its predecessor offered, thanks to Hitachi's linear ball-bearing system. At a mere 44 pounds, it's a great contractor saw for job site work, trimming studs, crown molding, plywood, decorative veneer and hardboard, even aluminum sash materials--and unlike other saws, it bevels left and right. This Hitachi is dead-on accurate every time, with a smooth action and comfortable, secure grip. Our favorite update to this saw is undoubtedly the laser cutting line--who wouldn't want that? It's a little spendy for the average home woodworking hobbyist, but with tools, you really do get what you pay for.-- Kris Jensen-Van Heste
Choosing a Miter Saw Miter saws are versatile tools that have become a mainstay of workshops everywhere. These powerful saws make angled cuts by pulling a circular blade down onto a workpiece with a short, controlled plunge. It might appear that miter saws are infinitely complex and varied, but there are only three general types. The type you choose will depend on your woodworking needs.
Basic Miter Saws Basic miter saws are the least versatile off the three major variations, but they're a great starting point for novice do-it-yourselfers. These models typically adjust for miter cuts only, so consider upgrading if you need to do more than that.
Compound Miter Saws Compound miter saws are easier to use than basic miter saws because you can place your stock flat for cutting, and they adjust simultaneously for miter and bevel cuts. A compound miter saw is great for jobs that feature stock that's not very tall or wide, such as door and window trim or picture frames.
Sliding Compound Miter Saws Sliding compound miter saws are the most versatile of the available models. They have a motor and blade assembly that's mounted on a moveable arm to accommodate longer, wider workpieces. For smaller pieces, the saw performs like an ordinary fixed-head model. On some models, the blade can only pivot in one direction, but on a dual sliding compound miter saw, the blade can tilt to the right or left.
Important Features at a Glance Though models will vary by manufacturer and design, these are a few of the more commonly found features that you might want to keep in mind.
Electric brake: Reverses the flow of electricity when the saw's trigger is released. This is an important safety feature that slows the blade quickly in case of emergency.
Blade guard: Most miter saws have self-retracting guards that withdraw when the saw is lowered for use, and reappear when it is raised.
Laser guide: Gives a precise visual line where the cut will occur on your workpiece.
Dust bag: Helps collect sawdust for a clearer, more tidy cutting area.
Shaft lock: Immobilizes the shaft and blade for quicker, easier blade changes.
Table extensions: Mount on either side of the saw to help balance longer workpieces.
Miter Saw Blades Miter saw blades come in a variety of different sizes, grades, and materials, but there are three main types: steel, high-speed steel, and carbide-tipped blades.
Steel: Inexpensive and good for cutting soft woods or plywoods. Sharpness diminishes quickly in tougher materials.
High-Speed Steel: More rugged than steel blades, and great for cutting harder woods.
Carbide-Tipped: More expensive than other blades but much more durable. Maintain sharpness over a longer period.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
reasonable for the price:
I've owned this saw (minus the laser) for a year and a half, and have used it for some fairly extensive remodelling tasks. Everything from finicky hardwood trim work, to cutting doug fir 4x8s. It does the job, but there are some caveats: - definitely hard to use with the left hand due to the location of the safety switch
- hard to set the mitre a half or quarter of a degree from the detents
- depth adjustment is difficult to set precisely, and you'll need to offset your work from the fence... more info
Great saw, but...:
I agree with the positive reviews for this saw, in fact that is why I bought it. However now having used it for 4 years I have some issues.
First gripe: The LASER has burned out. $99.95 to replace... Yikes. Be sure you turn it off EVERY time.
Also it would be much handier if the laser was on both sides of the blade as you can only mark rights (or lefts depending on your preference).
Second: While this saw was perfectly accurate when I got it, after it had a harsh kick from a knot... more info
Bought it and returned it:
Overall this was a pretty good saw but I just couldn't get use to the large, uncomfortable handle. I mean, who did they design this handle for, Andre the Giant? Might seem like a small issue, but when this is the thing you hold onto every time you make a cut, it's pretty significant. I do not have particularly small hands, and am surprised there isn't more mention of the oversized, uncomfortable handle in other reviews.
The best $400 you'll spend on a tool...:
Despite the occasional negative review from professionals (I'm an amateur pretending to be one) I have nothing but raves for this saw. My experience: I've trimmed out two homes, an office and assorted small furniture projects. I started out with a hand miter box, graduated to a $99 Sears miter saw, and then splurged on this saw several years ago for Christmas. I was impressed by the fact that this saw cut square (I checked with a machinists square and with cut blocks) out of the box. The laser is VERY... more info
