EmailBest Reviewed
Compound Miter Saws
- Budget miter saw Craftsman 21231 *Est. $120
- 10-inch miter saw Ridgid MS1065LZA *Est. $200
- 12-inch miter saw Hitachi C12LDH *Est. $370
- 10-inch sliding miter saw Makita LS1013FL *Est. $500
- 12-inch sliding compound miter saw Ridgid MS1290LZA *Est. $500
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12-inch miter saw
- Excellent laser guide
- Digital readout
- Up to two-by-eight crosscuts
- Five-year warranty
- Motor not soft-start
- No electric brake
- Packaging for shipment
- Requires shim to bevel beyond 45 degrees
Reviews praise the Hitachi C12LDH miter saw for accuracy and ease of setting up cuts. Digital readouts and a micro-adjustment knob make it easy to set miter and bevel angles. The accurate laser guide is not only adjustable, but also has a separate switch so you can set up the work without the blade spinning. The 12-inch blade can crosscut up to a nominal two-by-eight, and you can cut molding vertically as high as 5.125 inches against the fence. The warranty is for five years. If you need even bigger capacity, the DeWalt DW716 (*est. $400) is less convenient but cuts a two-by-10.
We found an excellent recent comparison review of the dual-bevel Hitachi C12LDH at Tools of the Trade magazine, where it's tested on the job along with seven other 12-inch miter saws. About two-dozen owners rate the Hitachi C12LDH at Lowes.com, with specific ratings for features, design, quality, ease of use and value. The similar but single-bevel Hitachi C12LCH (*est. $340) is tested in two earlier comparison reviews at Wood magazine and Taunton's 2006 Tool Guide, and a few owners review both models at Amazon.com. Woodworker's Journal tests the similar Hitachi C12FCH (*est. $270), which lacks the digital readouts.
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This review gives first ranking to the Hitachi C12LDH after testing it in comparison with seven other 12-inch compound miter saws, using them on finish carpentry jobs. Londos finds the Hitachi easiest to set up (thanks partly to digital readouts and the design of its laser guide), and praises it for power and dual-bevel capacity.
Review: Tool Test: 12-Inch Miter Saws, Greg Londos, July/Aug. 2008
2. Lowes.com
The Hitachi C12FDH is the top-rated miter saw here, with about two-dozen owners giving it near-perfect ratings on all counts -- including features, design, quality, ease of use and value.
Review: Hitachi 12" Dual Bevel Compound Miter Saw, Contributors to Lowes.com
3. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe
This review compares the similar but single-bevel Hitachi C12LCH, with six other 12-inch compound miter saws, with detailed ratings of each miter saw on 16 separate factors, based on well-documented testing. The Hitachi earns praise for its accurate and adjustable laser, fine-adjustment knob and accurate digital readouts, but doesn't earn top ranking here.
Review: 12" Mitersaws Tool Review, Editors of Wood magazine, Sept. 2007
4. Taunton's 2006 Tool GuideDetails/Subscribe
This review of 10, 12-inch miter saws includes the single-bevel Hitachi C12LCH, finding its laser accurate but not as convenient as the twin laser guide on the now-discontinued Delta. The reviewers mention no faults on the Hitachi, but prefer the front controls on the Bosch miter saws.
Review: 12-in. Compound-Miter Saws, Rick Arnold and Mike Guertin, Sept. 2005
5. Amazon.com
A handful of owners give the Hitachi C12LDH miter saw mostly praise here, especially for the laser and digital readouts, but wish it had a soft-start motor, electric brake and better packaging for shipment. The single-bevel Hitachi C12LCH is reviewed by a dozen owners, who offer similar comments.
Review: Hitachi C12LDH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Miter Saw Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
6. Woodworker's JournalDetails/Subscribe
This review compares the single-bevel Hitachi C12FCH, which lacks digital readouts, with seven other 12-inch miter saws, recommending the Hitachi for its accurate laser guide, readable scales, excellent bevel-setting mechanism and good dust collection. A minor drawback is a blade slot wide enough to catch slivers.
Review: Bargain-priced Miter Saws: Eight Great Picks, Chris Marshall, July/Aug. 2006
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Hitachi C10FSH 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
 from Amazon.com New: $1,015.00 $420.00 In Stock.
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DEWALT DW716 15 Amp 12-Inch Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
from Amazon.com New: $724.59 $359.00 In Stock.
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DEWALT DW713 Heavy-Duty 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw
from Amazon.com New: $415.52 $209.99 In Stock.
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Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display
from Amazon.com New: $1,319.58 $549.99 In Stock.
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DEWALT DW715 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter saw
from Amazon.com New: $559.78 $249.99 In Stock.
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Bosch 5412L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw with Laser Tracking
from Amazon.com New: $1,408.00 $700.00 In Stock.
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Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp
from Amazon.com New: $649.00 $357.98 In Stock.
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