Hitachi C12FSA 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter saw

List Price: $1,000.00

Features:

• Electronic soft start system suppresses sound pressure and recoil during start up
• Internal circuit designed to stop motor before lock-up protecting the motor and Poly-V-Belt
• Electronic feedback control ensures constant blade speed and a smooth cut every time
• Excellent cutting accuracy
• 12 AMP motor gradually progresses to the maximum RPM level

Accessories:
Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80 Tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor	Empire Manufacturing TOOL-6D The Complete ToolSaver System	Hitachi 321373 Miter Saw Crown Right Side Molding Support for C10FSH and C10FSB	Hitachi 321374 Miter Saw Crown Left Side Molding Support for C10FSH and C10FSB	Hitachi Crown Molding Vise Assembly for C10FSH and C10FSB

Customer Reviews:

FINALLY! [Posted on 2002-01-06]
After useing my 8-1/2" for as many years as it has been out and waiting for an Hitichi 12" (been strugling to avoid the urge to go with the Makita 12), I finally spotted the newest and best saw on the market at a Florida tool show...I new immediately, that it wasn't the old Hitachi 10" and was drawn to ogle the beast. It has the smooth engineering of all Hitachi saws, but goes beyond that. My friends 10" was a smooth cutting and quiet saw to use, but that adjustment knob for the bevel fought me at all times...not so with the 12" (smooth and comfortable as my old reliable 8-1/2). Best of all , the new saw has two! bevel gauges, riding on each side of the barrel...looking directly at you when the head is shifted left or right! Their 10" model won't even allow you to see the gauge when beveling on one side. The abilty to mitre 60 degrees left or right, now gives this saw the capacity to exceed my 8-1/2 in more ways than vertical cutting depth...I had to have it, couldn't justify staying with my old saw all the time(even though its still going strong). Best of all, the noise level is so much lower...I don't care about turning my stock end-for-end...been doing it for years! For the demands required in the field (or shop), YOU CAN'T BEAT THIS SAW!

Finally!!! [Posted on 2002-01-09]
Upon seeing this saw at a Florida tool show, I knew that my wait was over...Having owned the 8-1/2 model since its inception and watching Hitachi and other manufacturers try to improve on my old reliable, I finally found a saw that justifies putting my 8-1/2 to the side (even though its still cutting true and strong!)...Hitachi's newest creation has great capacity, accuracy, and is sooo quiet...Best of all, it has all the nice adjustment features of my 8-1/2 (unlike their 10" model)...It includes 60 degree mitre left and right, two bevel scales, looking directly at you when flopping left or right, and unlike Makita still builds in positave detents for common crown molding If this saw has the longevity of its predecessor, and I have no dought it will, you won't be able to beat this one for many years to come.

disappointed [Posted on 2002-04-20]
When looking to buy a 12 inch compound slide I wanted to buy the best. I have used extensively the Hitachi 8 1/4, the Bosch 10 in slide, and the Dewalt 12 inch mitre. In my opinion the Hitachi was the best. The most precise, reliable, and easy to use saw in the group. So when I found out Hitachi made a 12 inch slide I read the other reviews and ordered one from Western Tool believing I was buying the best.

After waiting 3 weeks the saw came and I brought it to the job to use. The saw had a serious arbor problem which I at first thought was the blades I tried, but they were all high dollar blades. The blade wobbled so much you could see it in your cut and feel it in the saw. Also one of the rails were loose so that you could move the head, which is adjustable but you shouldn't have to mess with a brand new [expensive] saw.

A couple of other shortcoming:
The entire head is plastic which doesn't seem to fit together very well.
Hitachis table and fence still need improvement.

I regretfully had to take my saw back and since I needed it yesterday, I could not wait another 3 weeks. So after reading and looking I went with the Makita. I am not disappointed with the Makita but rather impressed. It is a far better saw. Easier to use, more solid, more efficient design, only 5% plastic, it has a great table, superb sliding action, and it comes with a 100 dollar blade. More saw for less money.

In my opinion Hitachi is riding to much on their reputation with this saw. They are not putting the same rescource into competing as Makita or Dewalt. Perhaps after a year or so of getting saws back they will fix some of its problems and re-manufacture it. Until then, I think a person would be far better off going with something else.

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