We're having a look at the big dogs first, so the first tool we're featuring in our series of miter saw reviews is the Hitachi C12LSH 12 inch slider.
This saw is an absolute beast, and it looks like one too...I can't decide whether it looks more like a 68-pound BMX decal, or the slime-green Seahawks jerseys. Anyway, someone at Hitachi thought this Predator-styling was cool, and I don't mind as long as they keep making 'em like this one...In the interest of full disclosure, I have always been a big fan of Hitachi saws, and this one doesn't disappoint.
Makita Saw Blade
If you've read the miter saw reviews in a magazine like Fine Homebuilding, you know that a saw this size has plenty of power to spare. This model boasts a 15 amp belt driven motor with a soft start and smooth operation, with virtually no blade wobble. I have to say that I hated the blade that came with a saw, but once I switched it for a 12" Forrest Chopmaster the cut was glass-smooth (for half the price of the Forrest blade, I think the Ridgid titanium blades available at the Depot do a nice job).
The new feature on the C12LSH model is the LCD dispay screen mounted on a flexible arm above the blade, which gives you a digital readout of the miter and bevel settings. I guess this is a nice feature, but I don't think I will use it as much as the laser guide, which is super-accurate once you dial it in. Hitachi was the first manufacturer to put these on all their saws, and for my money this one is the easiest to adjust and to see in daylight if you're working outside. Just remember that the laser lines up with the left side of the blade if you're cutting off to the right.
Another cool feature is the a micro-adjustment wheels for both the miter and bevel settings, which allow you to literally "dial in" a half a degree without moving the saw.
Here's something that you may not have discovered if you've seen any other miter saw reviews of this tool: the feature that sets this tool apart apart from the rest is the zero-clearance dual rail system. This lets you set the saw up flush against a wall, without banging the back of the rails into the wall to finish the cut.
This isn't the easiest tool to haul out of your truck and up a ladder...At 68 pounds, I think it's even heavier than the Bosch 12" slider. For this reason, this saw would be right at home set up in a cabinet shop. However, I would sure miss it on the job installing those cabinets, and would have to bring it along.
Watch out...this tool might spoil you for any other saw in it's class!
If you liked this article, have a look at all of my miter saw reviews on my blog at http://www.squidoo.com/miter-saw-reviews.