A miter saw is an essential tool in the workshop of any craftsman or woodworker.
It really facilitates the cutting process and makes it faster and more precise.
And one of the best 10-inch single bevel compound miter saws on the market is the Hitachi C10FCH2.
It’s pretty budget-friendly yet efficient and very durable.
Hitachi C10FCH2 In-Depth Review
Cutting Capabilities
The Hitachi C10FCH2 can cut miter angles ranging from 0 degrees up to 52 degrees both left and right while it can cut bevel angles from 0 degrees to 45 degrees left.
The positive miter stops are at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45° both left and right.
This helps you make a lot of flexible and accurate cuts easily.
The Blade
The 24-tooth 10-inch tungsten carbide-tipped (TCT) saw blade on the Hitachi C10FCH2 makes trimming and other woodwork easy while the large.
There’s also an extended flip fence that can be raised up to 4 inches to enable you to accurately cut large workpieces that measure up to 2-5/16 inches high and 5-21/32 inches deep.
Power
The Hitachi C10FCH2 comes with a powerful 15-AMP motor that can spin the blade at a speed that reaches up to 5,000 rotations per minute.
This ensures the smoothness of the cuts on every project that you work on.
Moreover, the blade’s life is extended thanks to the consistent operating speeds of the miter saw. This makes the tool pretty reliable.
Lightweight and portability
At only 26.5 pounds, the Hitachi C10FCH2 is one of the lightest compound miter saws in its class.
This enables you to carry it around with you from one job site to the next with no hassle at all.
Laser Marker Technology
The Hitachi C10FCH2 comes with an exclusive laser market system that the user can simply activate before the blade starts moving to align the motion perfectly and predict the blade’s placement.
By lining up the laser with your mark on the work-piece, you can be sure that the saw blade will make the most accurate cut along the laser guide.
So long as your measurements are correct, your cuts will be as well.
An added bonus is that the laser is precise and ready to use right out of the box.
Ergonomics
To make its use easier, the Hitachi C10FCH2 is equipped with a horizontal handle with a vibration-reducing elastomer grip that ensures your control during the whole cutting process.
A large table provides a stable guide and reliable support while the built-in clamping system secures your workpiece in place.
Dust collection
The Hitachi C10FCH2 comes with a dust collector that reduces the amount of dust, particles, and debris in your workspace and the saw’s interior components.
Durability and warranty
In addition, the carbon brushes of the Hitachi C10FCH2 are quite accessible to extend the miter saw’s longevity and empathize its durability.
Moreover, the fact that the Hitachi C10FCH2 comes with a 5-year warranty should reassure you as to its high quality, performance, and durability.
What are the things included in the box?
When you purchase this miter saw, you’ll find the following in the box:
- The Hitachi C10FCH2 Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw with the Laser Marker System
- 10-inch tungsten carbide tipped saw blade
- An extended fence
- A dusty bag
- A box wrench
- A 4 mm hex bar wrench
- A vise assembly pamphlet
Are there any drawbacks?
Surely, as with everything in life, there are some things not to like about the Hitachi C10FCH2.
First of all, at this price point, you shouldn’t expect a miter saw that’s capable of competing with top-notch, high-end miter saws on the market.
As the user holds down the blade guard with one hand, the blade lock with the other and unscrewing the abor bolt, the blade changes.
This position can feel a little bit uncomfortable.
However, you can solve this by only partially removing the screw when you’re removing the spindle cover. If you unscrew it far enough without moving it from its place completely, the blade guard will be blocked from closing.
Furthermore, even though you get the dust bag included in the box with the miter saw, it does a very poor job at collecting most of the dust.
You can solve this issue by buying a bigger dust collection bag as an extra and fixing its position for the optimum dust collection performance.
What we liked the most
- Powerful enough to tackle any cutting job
- The elastomer grip provides you with control and comfort
- Quick miter adjustments
- Highly accurate laser cuts
- Can fit in with any workstation
- 5-year warranty
- Durable and portable
- Sturdy and well-built
What we Didn’t like
- The dust collection bag’s performance is substandard
- The blade can be a little hard to replace
- The laser needs to be aligned to the left or to the right first
- The blade guard might come out of torque
Final thoughts and verdict
If you’re a carpenter or builder that’s still beginning their career and you’re looking for a machine that will facilitate your job and help you achieve very smooth edges no matter how complicated the cuts are, the Hitachi C10FCH2 is going to serve you quite well.
It’s got the budget-friendly, durability, and compactness combination that strikes the perfect spot.
It delivers amazing value for the low price point that it comes at.
FAQs
If I’m doing rough carpentry such as playhouses and decks, should I still invest the extra money in the Hitachi C10FCH2?
Yes. The Hitachi C10FCH2 combines all the features you need and gives you the freedom to use them however you like. For example, you can turn off the laser if you don’t want to use it.
And even if you begin with rough projects, you’re probably going to upgrade to ones that require more accuracy.
Is the Hitachi C10FCH2 capable of cutting metal? If so, what type of blade should be used?
With the right kind of blade, you can use the Hitachi C10FCH2 to cut metals. Pay a visit to this page and search for a blade that’s designed for the metal you intend to cut.
It depends on the material as some are for steel, some are for softer metals, and some are a combination of both.
Does the blade on the Hitachi C10FCH2 have a brake?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t. After you release the trigger, the blade keeps spinning but rapidly comes to a halt.
Make sure you keep your fingers away from the blade regardless of whether it’s spinning or not.
What’s the warranty that comes with the Hitachi C10FCH2?
The Hitachi C10FCH2 comes with a superb 5-year warranty. This is one of the longest warranty periods on the market.
What’s the maximum thickness I can cut with the Hitachi C10FCH2?
You can cut up to around 4 inches of thickness using your Hitachi C10FCH2. If you’re looking for more, then you would need a bigger and more powerful saw.
How can the clamp level be moved?
By turning the black handle clockwise, you’ll loosen the clamp level.
You can also use a 13 mm wrench after removing the black handle to loosen the clamp lever.
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