Hitachi C12RSH2 Review: Is it a Great Miter Saw?

Photo by Puddin Tain, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I’ve always been a loyal circular saw user. Then I ran into a project where I needed a great deal more accuracy than my trusty Makita could offer and decided to give a sliding miter saw a shot.

After some research, I settled on the Hitachi C12RSH2. I was pleasantly surprised with its performance and wish I’d tried a miter saw sooner.

Note that Hitachi’s power tool business was renamed Metabo HPT in 2018, so this saw is now sold under the Metabo HPT name.

If you’re still fence-sitting about expanding your tool collection, I’ve put together this in-depth Hitachi C12RSH2 review to help you make an informed buying decision.

Presenting… the Hitachi C12RSH2

The Hitachi C12RSH2 is a 15-amp sliding dual bevel compound miter saw with a 12-inch blade. Despite its large blade, it’s fairly compact and weighs 59.5 pounds, according to the C12RSH2 owner's manual.

Its compact design and durable construction are its biggest draws. The base has mounting holes so you can bolt it to a bench. Its fixed-rail slide design needs no rear clearance, so it suits tight spaces.

Hitachi designed the C12RSH2 to perform at a professional level while staying approachable for beginners. It needs little setup, and its positive miter stops and laser marker make accurate cuts easier.

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Features & Benefits

The Hitachi C12RSH2 is also packed full of features that help it stand out from the competition.

Impressive Cut Ranges

As a dual bevel sliding miter saw, the C12RSH2 offers a fantastic cutting range:

Specs

• Bevel left and right 0 to 45 degrees
• Miter right 0 to 57 degrees
• Miter left 0 to 45 degrees
• Crosscuts 45 to 90 degrees
• Positive stops on the left and right at 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 degrees
• Sliding fence height of 5-1/8-inches
• Crosscut capacity at 90 degrees of 12-1/4 inches wide by 4-3/16 inches high

Laser Guide System

The C12RSH2 comes with a built-in laser marker that you can adjust to line up with the left or right side of the blade’s kerf. Once it’s set, it shows your cut line clearly. Never stare into the laser beam.

Powerful Motor

With a 15-amp, 120-volt motor and a no-load speed of 4,000 rpm, the C12RSH2 has the most power you’ll find in a corded 120-volt miter saw. It cuts hardwoods with ease.

It’s a wood-cutting saw: the manual warns never to cut ferrous metals or masonry with it. It’s also not the lightest saw on the market.

Blade Brake System

The C12RSH2 has an electric brake that typically stops the blade within 5 seconds of releasing the trigger. The manual notes the brake can occasionally be delayed or fail to engage, so it’s no substitute for a working lower blade guard. Always wait for the blade to stop before raising the head.

Dust Bag

Miter saw dust collection is usually poor, and the C12RSH2 is about average. It has a dust collection shroud and comes with a dust bag. Connecting a shop vac improves collection, though you may need an adapter to fit the dust port.

General User Impressions

Users generally praise the cutting accuracy, the laser marker and the compact footprint. Many also like the price compared with other 12-inch sliding saws.

On the other hand, some users report quality control issues, such as saws arriving with damaged parts. Inspect yours when it arrives, and check that the blade is installed with its teeth pointing in the direction of the arrow on the guard.

The slide system also requires regular lubrication, or it can get a bit stiff, and the motor is brushed, meaning occasional brush replacement is a must (Hitachi does make brush access easy though).

My Opinion

Overall, I loved my Hitachi, and I didn’t expect to. For those new to miter saws, it’s easy to use and has handy features that improve both cut accuracy and speed.

The cuts are smooth and easy to align. Dust collection is adequate once you connect a shop vac. This saw is a solid choice for a home workshop or even a professional shop.

The only instance where I wouldn’t recommend the C12RSH2 is for those who work on the go. This isn’t a saw you want to be lugging from work site to work site. It’s on the heavy side and awkward to carry. Of course, with built-in mounting points, I don’t believe Hitachi was aiming for portability with this one anyway.

Hitachi C12RSH2 Review Summary

Pros

• Compact sliding system
• Easy to use and set up
• Adjustable laser guidance system
• Positive stops for common angles
• Dust removal bag

Cons

• Not portable
• Heavy and loud
• The blade guard is tricky to adjust while cutting
• Dust collection shroud can sometimes block your view

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Things to Consider Before Buying a Sliding Miter Saw

Are you a professional carpenter or a hobbyist like me who likes to experiment with building furniture? A miter saw offers excellent accuracy for crosscuts and is a must-have if you’ll be doing a good deal of trim work.

However, miter saws are definitely specialty tools. They don’t have the all-round use you’ll get from a circular saw. If the types of projects you do don’t require a fair level of angled cuts or precision, a miter saw might end up being a dust magnet for you.

Here’s everything you need to know before you shop.

Miter Saw Types

The Hitachi C12RSH2 is a sliding dual bevel miter saw, but what does that mean? There are three primary types of miter saws: non-sliding, sliding, and sliding dual bevel compound.

A non-sliding compound miter saw pivots from side to side and tilts in one direction. A sliding miter saw adds rails so the blade can travel forward and back for wider cuts. A sliding dual bevel saw does all of that and tilts in both directions.

A compound slider is going to offer the most versatility but also cost the most.

Power

Miter saws are rated in amps. Higher amperage ratings are better for power-intensive projects, such as cutting thick hardwood. Most 10- and 12-inch corded miter saws use 15-amp motors, the most a standard 120-volt household circuit is meant to supply.

Blade Size

The most common miter saw blade sizes are 10 and 12 inches, but you can also find models with 7-1/4-, 8-1/2- or 8-1/4-inch blades. The larger the blade, the wider and deeper the cuts you can make, but larger blades make for a heavier tool.

Miter saws are designed for a particular blade size. The C12RSH2 manual, for example, calls for blades between 11-9/16 and 12 inches in diameter, with a speed rating at least as high as the saw’s.

Extra Features

Beyond type, power, and blade size, miter saws also differ in the features they offer. The most common of which include:

Specs

• Electric brakes stop the blade within seconds
• Blade guards are an essential safety measure
• Positive stops are preset angles for quick, repeatable cuts
• Laser guides help you to keep your cuts straight
• Dust chutes, bags, or blowers make clean up easier by directing or catching sawdust
• Digital displays make checking your settings fast and easy

Product FAQs

What Is The Difference Between A Miter Saw And A Circular Saw?

Circular saws usually have a 7-1/4-inch blade and are handheld. They are versatile and can rip sheet goods, but freehand angled cuts are harder to make precise. That’s where a miter saw comes in.

Miter saws sit on a bench or stand and typically have 10- or 12-inch blades. They make crosscuts, miters and bevels with high accuracy.

What Wood Sizes Can I Cut With The C12RSH2?

At 90 degrees, it cuts stock up to 12-1/4 inches wide and 4-3/16 inches high, per the manual. That covers 2 x 12s and 4 x 4s in one pass, but a 6 x 6 (5-1/2 inches actual) is too tall for a single cut.

Does It Require Batteries?

No. The Hitachi C12RSH2 is a corded 120-volt saw, and the laser marker runs off the saw’s power. Cordless miter saws do exist, including Metabo HPT’s 36V MultiVolt models.

How Much Space Does The Hitachi C12RSH2 Take Up?

Thanks to its fixed-rail slide, this saw needs no rear clearance, so you can place it close to a wall. It weighs 59.5 pounds, so mount it on a sturdy workbench or stand.

Does It Come With A Warranty?

Hitachi and Metabo HPT have backed their sliding miter saws with a five-year warranty; the newer Metabo HPT C12RSH3, which swaps the laser for an LED light, lists 5 years on the tool body. Keep your proof of purchase and check Metabo HPT’s current terms.

Final Thoughts

Miter saws are limited in use. Whether you’ll get your monies worth out of the C12RSH2, or any miter saw for that matter, really depends on the type of projects you need a saw for. If you need high accuracy and make a good deal of cross, bevel, or angled cuts, a miter saw is a massive time saver, and the Hitachi C12RSH2 is an excellent miter saw.

It offers a wide cutting range, a compact footprint and useful extras like the laser marker and electric brake. Hitachi C12RSH2 reviews are mostly positive, including this one.

Sources

• C12RSH2 Slide Compound Miter Saw Owner's Manual, Metabo HPT
• C12RSH3 12" Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw, Metabo HPT