|
Add to that the speed and ease of use and this thing is pushing my table saw as the most important tool in my arsenal. Handles 10' boards without flexing. I knew the $269 could not be right but they sold it to me anyway. It was marked down from $699 to $399 and then to $269. Ultra clean, repeatable cuts from any angle/compound. Not a bad piece and it came with wheels.
The saw itself is just superb. Where this beats a radial arm is in repeatability. Initially I tried to mount it to a universal saw stand from DeWalt but it turns out the mounting bolt/foot print is not square. This rules out most universal style stands. Solid mounting and as stable as I could hope for. The supplied dust bag isn't too awful but a few plumber's rubber pipe fittings allowed me to hook up my shop-vac. This is a furniture making dream come true. Try that with even the best radial arm and you will be right back to the table saw to clean up those cross cuts.
The 15 amp motor is gutsy and solid. The left fence had to be aligned but that was it. Mahogany, red oak, pine and some rock hard maple have all gone under the blade. This brings a level of precision that would require my table saw as well as a circular and or jig saw to match.
I was lucky in the extreme and found this saw in it's box, unopened and unmolested at a local Lowe's. The key is to keep the blade moving. This prevents burns and saw marks. My hope was that it could stand in for a radial arm saw with the exception of dadoing. Exceptional dust control is now the rule.
Being able to align it left to right means you can have it define the edge of the blade for either side. No, it was NOT a re-built/re-furb. Make cuts at any angle, return the table to zero and the cuts remain perfect. Polished, finish ready cuts are the result. Rips and cross cuts are equally smooth and clean. Thickness up to 4". The motion must be plunge and move forward at the same time. I can't speak to how this would do for a contractor but it is no doubt a lifetime tool for a woodworker.
I am an enthusiastic woodworker, not a contractor so my primary use of this monster will be for furniture building. I'd thought it to be an amusing toy but now I'm hooked. A gentle hand ensures zero blade wander/deflection. I kept waiting for someone from the store to come running out to the parking lot and start wrestling me for it. No control problems or bogging. I immediately replaced the factory blade with a thin kerf carbide 96 tooth Freud Avanti. I returned that and went with the Hitachi recommended stand ordered from Amazon. I am surprised to find that the adjustable laser is both easy to use and dead accurate.
I figured I'd take a chance on a brand new larger model with a nifty digital readout. Dislikes: The blade; Hitachi, shame on you. It's big, it's portable, but I wouldn't want to take it to a job site. The reason I bought this saw was because I am extremely satisfied with with the C10FSH, Hitachi's 10" saw with slide and laser. This saw has a tad more play at full draw than my 10" but no more than any other 12" saw I tested. The more I use the saw, the more I like it. I think you'll be very happy with this saw as long as you make sure it's brand new in an unopened, undamaged box.
The laser is very accurate. I wouldn't say the saw is bulky. Reaction to other reviewer comments; Packaging was good, although I made sure the box was not damaged and unopened before I purchased it. The saw looks beefy and is. I removed it.
I would have purchased another one but I was able to purchase this C12LSH for about the same price. Splinter guard; With it set 2 inches back, I'm not sure what good it does but throw dust in your face. I absolutely love the one trigger operation. Likes: The digital readout is pretty cool and works great. Making adjustments are quick, easy, and precise, especially with the fine tuning knobs.
Blade:There is a significant amount of tear-out on the bottom and back of the cut, if the saw came with a better blade I would have given it five stars. I removed the metal plate over the LASER and replaced the clear cover underneath with the same screws, made the adjustment (2.5mm Allen wrench), then replaced the metal cover. Additionally if the LASER doesn't fully reach the left or right side of the blade with the external adjustment, there is a rubber plug underneath the LASER that provides access to another 2.5mm Allen screw for further adjustment. As others have said the packaging is horrible with just a few pieces of cardboard as filler, but nothing was harmed. It's just upsetting after spending so much money on what is otherwise a fantastic saw, to now need to spend another chunk of money for a new blade. Laser:Initially the LASER line was skewed and the instructions only addressed aligning the LASER with either the right or left side of the blade. The saw does come almost fully assembled and ready to run, if everything is adjusted properly. After poking around I found the alignment screw hidden under a warning sticker.
I hated using my table saw for a simple 12" cross cut but now I can use the Sliding Mitre saw.If I have any complaint it would be about the dust extraction. but this is typical of mitre saws.
The digital display is outstanding and ALL adjustments are easy and work great. but Hitachi SHOULD be able to be better.
This tool gets used more than ANY tool I own or have ever owned.I can cut up to a 12" board at 90 degrees. Even with a good dust collector attached to the port there's junk all around the saw.
BUY THIS SAW. a real time saver.
There MUST be a way to get a better design to grab up more of the dust and chunks.
I tried out the Ridgid and the Craftsman before buying this saw and I could not get either the Rigid or Craftsman to cut a square line and I love Ridgid tools. This one was pretty easy to set up and has stayed setup. I have used this saw for about a year now and I absolutely love it. I don't know if it was the saw blade or the saws or maybe me, but they would not stay set up on square. Great saw, a little pricey but I got mine at Lowes on sale for 30% off. It takes less space behind the saw than any other sliding saw, which in a small shop can make a big difference. The digital read out gives precise angle readouts and the laser is easily adjusted for right or left side cutting.
|
