Need a lightweight – but incredibly durable – 10 inch miter saw that performs well for the price? Then you need to consider the Hitachi C10FCH2 10-inch Miter Saw with Laser.
First things first, this is a beginner miter saw that comes at a very affordable price point.
Don’t expect it to compete with the top rated miter saws on the market that come at 4 or 5 times the price.
Having said that, just because it is cheap, doesn’t mean it has to be a bad product. In fact, despite the price being very inexpensive, you’ll be surprised to learn that the C10FCH2 comes with a number of solid accessories.
In fact, this model is only slightly more expensive than the Hitachi C10FCE2 – a 10-inch miter saw that comes with the bare minimum and doesn’t have a laser. In fact, on most miter saws, the laser system is an accessory that you have to pay extra for, so the C10FCH2 is really a good deal.
Another popular accessory is the flip fence, which extends to 4″ – meaning that it will even be accurate on large vertical surfaces.
Luckily, though, all of the accessories don’t weigh this saw down one bit. In fact, the C10FCH2 only weighs 26.5 pounds – making it the lightest miter saw in its class. If you own one of these power saws, you’ll be able to take it from job site to job site, without breaking your back.
Adding to the comfort level, this saw has a horizontal handle with a special vibration-reducing elastomer grip. That way, you have full control over the saw, instead of letting it take control over you. Luckily, this special handle comes standard on all Hitachi miter saws.
As for the technical side of things, here is what you get when you buy the Hitachi C10FCH2 10-inch Miter Saw with Laser:
- A 15-amp, 5,000 RPM motor
- Bevel ranges 45 degrees to the left
- Thumb activated miter stops that make it easy to adjust between 0 and 52 degrees
- A built-in dust collector
- Hitachi’s Laser Marker System
- A 5-year warranty – the longest in the industry
So, what do reviewers think of the C10FCH2?
They love it. Overall, reviewers say that this saw performs very well – especially when you consider the price.
First and foremost, reviewers were impressed with the weight – or, rather, the lack of weight! Several of them mentioned how portable this saw was when paired with miter saw table, along with how easy it was to store when they weren’t using it. Some miter saws are so heavy that you need a special shelf or a ton of space to store them in.
Luckily, the C10FCH2 doesn’t fall into that category.
According to reviewers, another big perk to this saw was the clamps. Several reviewers said that Hitachi’s clamps were better than any other brand. Thanks to the clamps on the C10FCH2, your hands aren’t anywhere near the actual cutting. That way, you won’t fall victim to kick-off pieces. A few reviewers pointed out how nice it was to not get hit with anything – even anything tiny – while they were cutting.
Reviewers also loved the thumb-activated miter stops. They said having the saw designed that way made it easier to use – and made projects move along faster.
There are reviewers who felt like it was tough to get a lot out of this miter saw, but again you need to consider the price you are paying. If you are a heavy user, I would recommend looking at something like the sturdy LS1216L from Makita.
How good is the laser?
According to reviewers, it definitely lives up to the hype and is seen as a good 10 inch miter saw by many users. Most reviewers said that the laser on the C10FCH2 is surprisingly accurate – even right out of the box. In its sales pitch, Hitachi promises, “as long as your measurements are right, your cuts will be, too,” – and reviewers wholeheartedly agree.
Hitachi C10FCH2 Image Gallery
Hitachi C10FCH2 Product Video
Any thing not to like about the Hitachi C10FCH2?
Before I look at consumer reports on the C10FCH2, I feel like I have to highlight that this miter saw is not trying to compete with the likes of the Festool Kapex, or some of the more expensive Dewalt models. It is aimed at newcomers to miter saws who are budget conscious. Keep that in mind when you read about some of the shortcomings of this saw.
According to the user reviews we read, there are a couple of things that owners weren’t totally thrilled with.
The biggest complaint centered around the blade – more precisely, changing it. According to reviewers, the blade that comes with the C10FCH2 is fine for rough cuts. However, several reviewers suggested to replace it right off the bat if you’re planning on doing any super-fine cuts. The only problem is that it’s tough to replace. According to reviewers, the blade guard lock is very tight, and you have to hold the saw awkwardly to remove the existing blade. That being said, though, none of the reviewers we heard from said the problem was big enough to make them regret their purchase.
And, as is the case with most of the miter saws on the market, the dust collector on the C10FCH2 could work a little better. Some reviewers pointed out that they avoided a mess by connecting a shop vac directly to the housing. As an added benefit, it also prevented the port from clogging.
Another slight disappointment? The instruction manual. In what seems to be a Hitachi tradition, the instruction manual for the C10FCH2 is tough to understand. Luckily, this saw doesn’t need a whole lot done to it when you pull it out of the box. Most reviewers were able to figure out how to install the sliding fence and attach the dust collector all by themselves – and it only took them a few minutes to do.
Where to buy at the best price?
We found Amazon to have the best prices on Hitachi miter saws including the Hitachi C10FCH2.
The final verdict
The Hitachi C10FCH2 15-Amp 10-inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker comes with an awful lot of bells and whistles, but doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you buy this saw, you’re going to get a solid, easy-to-use miter saw that you can use for years to come.
