Hitachi C10FSH 10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser

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.
Cached date: AWS Called=true

Customer Reviews

Just Reviewed In Woodworker's Journal JUne 2008 Edition

2008-04-30
Woodworker's Journal (part of Rockler) evaluated six 10" Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saws in the June 2008 issue. The top rated by a good bit was a Festool saw. Festool is European in origin and a VERY good saw. However it costs more than three times as much as this one.

The reviewer says if you are gifted in the money department, buy the Festool because it excels in every test done. Kind of expected for the Germans...

This saw came in third and the separation between number two, a Makita, and this one is minimal. For the price and it's accuracy in cutting it will be a very good buy for yawl looking for a new chop saw...

Would buy again

2008-04-29
I've owned this saw for over 2 years and use it almost daily. It works great, I'm glad I bought it. The long throw makes building bookcases and other shallow cabinets easier.

I have 3 complaints though: 1) The handle is vertical, not horizontal, and is for right-handed use (its difficult to use the trigger release with the left hand); 2) This saw is screaming for a dual laser setup and I have yet to find one (haven't looked recently though); & 3) Its extremely difficult to set it up for a perfect cut, especially at the far end of it slide (but that is a common complaint for sliding miter saws).

But none of these are deal-breakers for me and I would buy it again.

Reccomended, but here are the flaws:

2008-04-18
I've been trimming custom homes with this saw for several years and I'm generally happy with it. It is powerful without being a brute (think: Dewalt) and simple enough to let you do the thinking (contrast: Bosch). However, there are several flaws that I have noticed, probably irrelevant for the homeowner but important for the finish carpenter who needs dependability and precision from their saw.

The most glaring flaw is the denet mechanism, which consists of a STEEL pin (probably costs $3 to replace) which fits into the ALUMINUM denets that are cut into the underside of the main table (a couple hundred to replace). Obviously the aluminum wears out faster than the steel, creating slop in the denets and thereby rendering them useless. Mine became problematic after about a year of use (I could have been gentler with it).

A second and related problem concerns the fence. Because there isn't an adjustable denet plate (as with the Dewalt), the only way to ensure that your 0 degree denet puts the blade at a 90 degree angle to the fence is to adjust the fence itself, which is a huge headache. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that there are actually two fences, left and right, which aren't connected, so you have to do this adjustment twice. The Dewalt system is much easier to adjust. (That's not an endorsement of the Dewalt, which is an inaccurate brute suitable only for framing or trimming track homes.)

Another problem with the fence is that it warps easily - especially the one on the right side which is secured to the table by two bolts far to the right side of the fence itself, leaving the part closer to the blade unsupported. The result is that if your material ever binds up against the blade (admit it, it happens) you wind up with a banana shaped fence, which of course renders the thing useless. I've taken to carrying around replacements and find that I need one every six months or so.

The left side of the fence has another sort of problem:
if you forget to flip the adjustable fence out of the way when the bevel is set around 22 degrees left, there's nothing to stop you from cutting into the fence itself - not a tragedy, but you'll ruin your blade (don't ask how I know). The saw would benefit from some idiot-proofing here. Really though, I probably know ten guys with this saw and every one of them has done this.

Less important but also noteworthy is the lack of a second laser for the other side of the kerf mark, and the tendency of the single laser to break - not surprising, but annoying and prohibitively expensive to replace.

I don't mean this to be a negative review - I'm about to buy another C10FSH to replace the worn one that I've got - but the saw's good points are obvious while these flaws don't tend to make themselves felt until you've had the saw a while. Overall this is the best saw in its price range for high quality finish work.

First impressions

2008-04-16
I can't speak to longevity as I just installed this saw. However, I can say it cuts very accurately and cleanly with the blade provided. The sliding action is important to me as the saw replaces a radial arm and this allows a wider cut. I added the right side fence and believe it will be very useful. The only complaint I have is the thumb safety button is not well located for my use. I like the fact that you move the cutting blade from front to rear which is the opposite of the action of a typical radial arm saw.

woodworker

2008-02-14
I am happy with the saw. It runs well and cuts acurately. As far the finish it has a rough spot on the base but not really anything to complain about.

I am in agreement with many that rated the saw in the view that the laser is worthless. It needs to be on when the saw is cutting and it dosent and it needs to indicate the side of the blade (Preferebly the left side of the blade for me) and the best I could adjust it was the right hand side of the blade or the center of the blade. It wouldnt adjust far enough to the left to show the left side of the blade.

The way the motor is arranged it apperars to be belt driven which is a plus.

I really like the saw and would buy another one but not the laser option.

PHM

As good as it gets!

2008-01-07
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

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.

best slider 2007-12-30
I am carpenter by trade and I have owned this saw for about five years now it is the most accurate slider I have used miters are straight bevels also are excellent it does not have a lot of upright capacity but once you get used to cutting on the flat its wonderful highly recommended I rarely if ever use the laser If I had to buy another one I would buy the non-laser model.Most laser are not that accurate anyway I know some will tell you differently but in my experince I have not had much luck with them .Also love the compactness of the saw I can move it around the jobsite with ease and I do not mind setting it up for punchout because of its light weight .I have also looked at the Makita but I do not like the miter scale setup also the hitachi goes a cople more degrees wich might not sound like a lot but makes a big difference when needed .

Stairs Top 20 2007-12-18
I am a prossional trim carpenter and I have bought 4 of these Hitachi Sliding Compound Miter saws over the a 15 year period. (2 as gifts) They cut perfect out of the box and give you years of service. AT 38 lbs. they are the best miter saw on the planet.

Everything I Expected...and MORE 2007-10-27
After reading virtually all the reviews on all the sliding compound miter saws, I settled on the Hitachi C10FSH because it was the only one that didn't have a single negative comment posted.

It arrived a few days after I ordered it, in great condition. The only adjustments necessary were those associated with unpacking it. It cut dead on right out of the box. The laser was dead on. (I particularly like that the laser has an on/off switch; no need to start the saw to turn on the laser.) No wobble in the head or slide. Easy to change angles. Very smooth starts and stops, and very quiet (compared to my Makita chop saw).

I haven't used any other sliding compound saws, so I can't compare objectively; but I can't imagine how one could be any better.

Good chop saw 2007-08-13
Its pretty nice, but the laser does not align with the saw cut and NO instructions on how to adjust!!
I have a Craftsman 10 Radial arm saw using the same 60 tooth Freud blade and it (craftsman) saw cut is rough compared with the Hitachi cut.

Miter's join very well!!