Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw Review (Sliding Miter Saw) 2023

The Hitachi C12rsh2 Miter Saw is One of the Best Sliding Saws You’ll Find in the Market

What We Like

45° bevel tilts to the right and left
Sliding fence to increase the fence height by 5⅛ inches
Perfect cutting capacity thanks to the laser marker system
15 AMP motor which offers up to 3,800 RPM
Positive stops make cutting more accurate
Accessible carbon brush and dust collection system
Great for crown molding

What We Don’t Like

Too big for a saw that is meant to be portable
The blade guards may obstruct you when you’re trying to make bevel cuts
Expensive

Bottom Line

As highlighted in our Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw (with laser marker) review, it is a great mid-range saw with strong blades and a powerful motor that allows you to cut through tough materials.

The Hitachi C12RSH2 has an ergonomic vertical handle that makes it easy for you to use the saw comfortably any time of the day without fatigue.

The accuracy of each cut isn’t in question because many features promote cutting precision. Measurements can be read quickly irrespective of what you want to cut.

However, the blade guards might cause obstructions to the blade when you’re trying to make bevel cuts.

Also, the saw is a little too bulky for a sliding miter saw that is supposed to be portable. The price is also on the high side.

The average miter saw costs between $150 to $200 but this one costs between $450 to $500.

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Sliding miter saws are more advanced than compound miter saws.

Among other things, sliding miter saws have rails that can move through the material in upward and backward motions until the desired result is achieved. To understand the difference between sliding and non sliding miter saws read this comparison guide.

Most sliding saws like the Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw have dual bevel settings so you can use them to make angled cuts as you’ll see in this review.

The Hitachi 12″ Sliding Miter Miter Saw is one of a kind because it has many great features that make it ideal for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Sure, the saw has some cons but most of these cons are negligible. Our goal in this Hitachi 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw review is to help you learn everything you need to know about this versatile power tool.

It’s important to note that Hitachi power tools are now called Metabo HPT.

Features of the Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw

Laser Guide System

The Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw has an amazing laser guide system. This isn’t a feature that comes with every miter saw. Only premium saws have laser guards.

The primary purpose of this laser marker is ensuring that every cut you make using the Hitachi C12RSH2 is going to be accurate.

It shines a laser beam on the material you’re trying to cut before the blade gets to it thus boosting accuracy. The laser guiding system also helps you to adjust the saw in case there is an error.

Keep in mind that the laser guides are only useful when you’re trying to cut materials indoors or in a relatively dark place.

This is because the laser beams on the Hitachi C12RSH2 don’t show well when the environment is too bright.

15 AMP Motor and Great Cutting Capacity

The Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw comes with a 15 amp motor that runs on 220 volts. The motor doesn’t have a dual-speed control setting.

However, the motor can produce as much as 3,800 RPM. This is okay for a saw of this size but it would have made more sense if there were two-speed options, say 3,800 RPM and 5,000 RPM.

Two-speed options offer more versatility. The blade that is powered by the motor is about 12″ long and it has durable 80 teeth.

Combined with the power of the motor, the blade can cut through the toughest forms of wood and low-density metal sheets.

If you want your miter saw to cut through denser metals, you will need to go for a more rugged blade. To know more about how your blade length affects your cutting read this article on 10-Inch vs. 12-Inch Miter Saw.

You can get the 90° cut on a material that is 12 ¼ inches and 45° for a material of 8⅝.

Bevel Range and Positive Stops

Two amazing features of the Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw is its bevel range and positive stops.

The dual bevel range allows you to make angled cuts with ease. Some saws tilt to one angle while some other saws tilt 7 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right.

The Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw, on the other hand, tilts 45 degrees to the right and 45 degrees to the right.

The Hitachi C12RSH2 bevel knobs can be easily accessed as they are in front of the miter saw rather than in some hidden corner.

This allows you to change the bevel range swiftly and efficiently. The stops on the Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw are at 0, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees.

The positive stops play a key role in determining the accuracy of each cut. The stops on the Hitachi C12RSH2 go left and right.

This is one of the factors that makes it perfect for crown molding.

Dust Bag, Brakes, and Carbon Brush

All miter saws must come with a dust collection system. However, the size and shape of the dust collector are what determines its efficiency.

The Hitachi C12RSH2 has a great dust bag that collects sawdust automatically when you cut. You can empty the bag after use. The Hitachi C12RSH2 also has brakes for safety purposes.

The electric brake turns the machine off automatically and instantly whether there is an emergency or you just want to stop.

The Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw also comes with a carbon brush that can easily be replaced if it gets damaged.

The carbon brush is a vital part of the miter saw’s electric motor because it conducts current in the Hitachi C12RSH2 saw.

Hitachi C12RSH2 Miter Saw Review The Verdict

The Hitachi 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker article above shows that it is a great option for anyone interested in clean and professional woodworking.

It has many amazing features but it is expensive and bulky. If you don’t mind spending almost $500 on a bulky miter saw, feel free to make the purchase.