Power, precision, productivity and portability are what this thoroughbred workhorse is all about. Whether you’re crosscutting 1/4-inch ply or ripping 2x oak, this direct-drive saw delivers consistently and sans vibration. Drawing 15 amps, the saw’s 10-inch blade hits 4,000 rpm easily. On top, the smooth-as-glass oversized aluminum table and awesome extension give you 24-1/2 inches of rip capacity to the right and 10 inches to the left. A coat of paste wax and a buffing is all you have to do to reach perfection. The blade height hand wheel also conveniently serves as the bevel adjustment, at least for large changes, but the folks at Hitachi incorporated a fine-tune feature, accessible just by pushing in the wheel. Just remember to lock down the bevel handle. Action is smooth on the height, bevel and fine adjustments. Be aware, though, that when you tilt the blade to 45 degrees and you’re using the miter gauge, the gauge’s handle will bump into the blade guard. It doesn’t cause a problem, but users should just be forewarned. We like the self-aligning metal rip fence for its stability, the quick-lock feature and how cleanly it slides. Should you need to realign, the process is fast and simple. The miter gauge is rock-solid and runs without play in the slots, and both pieces store neatly on the saw base along with the wrench, push-stick, power cord, dado insert and blade for transport and keeps them in easy reach for use. The saw comes with a surprisingly good 10-inch 36-tooth carbide tipped blade to get you working right out of the box. And as with most saws in its class, the arbor lock feature allows the blade to be changed out using a single wrench. The stand is rugged, sturdy and not even a bear to assemble, and it folds down for good storage. What sets this stand apart from the others is the adjustable foot on the front right, letting you stabilize the saw on rough ground at the job site or perhaps an uneven concrete floor in the shop. To keep mess to a minimum, hook up your shop vacuum to the port on the rear of the saw base. There are lots of saws with similar features, and with any well-known brand name, you really can’t make a mistake. But this Hitachi really is a great contractor saw for the price with features that some of the spendier saws don’t have.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste Amazon.com Product Description
A powerful 15-amp direct drive, universal motor produces 4,000 rpm to power through the toughest ripping applications. The oversized aluminum table top offers extra support, and the telescoping extension table can extend 24-1/2 inches to the right to support larger material. A self-aligning metal rip fence with quick-lock slides easily along the table for reliable, consistent and easy set up. A centralized knob mounted on the front of the saw base allows the user to quickly and easily adjust the blade height and bevel using only one hand, and the arbor lock feature allows the blade to be changed out using a single wrench for convenience. The sturdy metal stand supports the base and can be removed and folded away for easy portability, and the stand itself offers an adjustable foot on the front right leg to help stabilize the saw on uneven ground. Storage capacity is integrated into the base to keep the standard accessories securely on board during transport. A 2 1/2-inch dust collection port located at the rear of the base connects to a shop vac or dust collection system for a cleaner work environment. The saw comes equipped with a 10-inch 36-tooth carbide tipped saw blade for better cutting quality. Technical Details
Blade size, 10 inches; full load current: 15 amps with a no-load speed of 4,000 rpm. Capacity: table size, 30-5/32 inches x 21 3/4 inches; rip capacity right, 24 1/2 inches; Rip capacity left, 10 inches; max cut depth at 90 degrees, 3 1/8 inches; max cut depth at 45 degrees, 2-1/4 inches; max width of dado: 13/16 inches. Weight: tool w/stand: 70.4 lbs.; tool w/out stand: 55.4 lbs. Dust collection port: yes. What's in the Box
Saw, 10" 36-tooth carbide-tipped blade, miter gauge, rip fence, dado insert, wrench, push stick, folding stand. |
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 Hitachi C10FR - similar green product Dec 10, 2009
I have the smaller version to this saw that is portable with wheels and a telescoping handle. When i first got this saw I really loved it. I owned it for a total of 6-7 weeks. I did two primary jobs. I ripped some MDF 7/11 baseboard around 400b/f and later resawed around 600-800 b/f of old growth VG (vertical grain) Doug Fir which i had salvaged from my house during the demo process. It had been in the workshop for 8 years. The wood is around 80+ years old. On the second job the Hitachi started showing it's age. The table top made out of aluminum started developing wear marks across the soft aluminum from dragging the rough 2x4 (actual) across the top. It had slight depressions and and obvious excessive wear for only 6 weeks out of the box. I would assume that the C10RB is similar. Also, the miter guage was 5/8" slotted T track, so no aftermarket miter gauges could be used or jigs for that matter that would run in the slot. Any magnetic jigs would also not work due to the aluminum top verses cast iron. the throat plate was below depth and caused the the wood 3/4" DG Fir that i was milling to pitch down on occasions. No such luck if you want to upgrade the saw. The stand with the fifth leg was nice and the wheels and portability was great for loading into the Ford pickup (blue dog). The fence would not line up with the blade, it's simply a poor design and marginal build quality. I own several Hatachi tools: their double tank air compressor (it's great - 10 y.o.) i reroofed my house around 8 square, Hatachi chop saw, really good for the $ but marginal dust collection and a 16g finish gun (all steel) about 10 years old. So if figured the saw would be a good complement. if you do decide to get the saw you should get an extended purchase plan or put it on a credit card that gives an extended warranty. it will let you down. I upgraded from a very old Makita and a sears Crapsman saw. I would say that this saw is good for a beginner - to low intermediate, someone who wants to get their feet wet. expect to upgrade the saw in the very near future. I intend to get a Dewalt 746 hybrid or the Delta contractor saw. They are heavy 260lb plus, but they will deliver. I went back to Lowes and returned the saw and they were nice enough to return the saw. They only offer a 30 day MBG but they still gave me credit once i walked into the store and pleaded my case with one of the sales people. I would look at the Bosh with the anti gravity stand if you need portability, it is the better of the bunch compared to the other portables, but for a few hundred $ more you can move into a professional table saw, so I don't intend to buy the Bosh. Also look at the Festool or other brands of track saws if you need a zero clearance cut and are ripping large sheet goods. then you don't need a fancy table saw.
 Well built portable saw... Dec 05, 2009
I did a lot of shopping around and comparing when I went to buy my table saw. I had a list of requirements:
1) at least 24" of rip capabilities
2) full width 8" dado capable
3) left tilt
4) portable
I wish number 4 wasn't a requirement as I really want a Hitachi or Delta contractor or hybrid saw. However, I just don't have the room for one right now.
With my four requirements there just isn't much on the market. There is a Jet saw but the review were really mixed. I have a 12" Hitachi dual compound miter saw that I am very happy with. So I am comfortable with the Hitachi name for power tools.
There really weren't a whole lot of choices. The say does really well on every thing I have thrown at it. It rips 3/4" ply with ease - It will rip a 4x4 into two 2x4s with ease.
It does have some draw backs:
- It is a portable saw so the work surface is small
- The inserts need some tuning and tweaking - I had to adjust mine and add a little extra support
- You need to check the blade angle and fence distance. Neither set of marks on the saw are overly precise. I always measure and verify
- The combined blade angle and blade height nob is not ideal. It works but two separate ones is much easier to deal with.
**** Note: it took two attempts to ship the saw to me. The first arrived hopelessly damaged. The second was in better shape but has still be knocked around quite a bit.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Good saw for the money Nov 03, 2006
I am a finish carpenter and a experienced woodworker that bought this saw for the purpose of ripping stock on the job site. It works well for all the job site ripping that comes with installing trim, vanities/cabnets, and stairways whitch the saw was designeded for. But in the workshop you really want to stick with a good cabnet saw. the only downside to this saw that I see so far is the fact that the base is a thin injected molded peace of plastic which with all the carting around I could see getting broken, so try to form fit a peace of ply or MDF to the underside of the saw for less likelyhood of future damage. Fence deflection is minimal and the tension can be adjusted right at the front of the fence. The design of the teliscoping fence is cool and allows for 24" of capacity and is quite sturdy. With the saw set up on its stand and a good out feed table like what Ridged makes it is easy to cut sheets of plywood or MDF alike. I would still recomend using a circular saw to rip the ply in half width wise if you have the option though. Like I said this isnt a cabnet saw that has a low center of gravity and weighs 700#.
8 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Buy a Bosch Sep 03, 2006
I was very dissapointed with this saw. The blade was not pararllel to the fence and had to be adjusted. Two of the adjustment bolts for blade alignment were frozen, one moved easily and the other took every bit of effort I had - I couldn't align the blade. The stand is minimal. I sent it back and bought the Bosch. Spend the money for Bosch, you won't be unhappy.
15 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Got what I paid for.... Aug 14, 2006
First I've used the Bosch a little (nice saw but the red folding base is suspect) and I trim several houses per year (part time builder). This is a replacement for an old Craftsman cast iron saw (1970's). The saw does a reasonable job but it does have a few shortcomings and a few pluses.
Out of the box it seems fairly easy to set up and I did not have to perform many adjustments....the table top has a slight deflection from the original casting and there is about a 1/32 difference between the extention and the table (it's not a machined top). The painted top needs to be waxed.
The blade is easy to install (blade lock is nice) but the blade plate (throat plate) has to be adjusted via 4 screws to make it level with the table and it snaps into place (I prefer the kind that screws down).
The base seems well made and is sturdy. The saw attaches via 4 wing nuts and together they form a stable platform from which to work.
The saw does not have a soft start and starts with a loud bang and a jump but the blade seems to run true and seems to have all the power needed or wanted and it stops in a reasonable time when shut off.
The fence seems quite accurate and the miter gage fits in slot but is not very large. The fence markings appear to be about 1/16th off as per spec.
Now the rest ...PLASTIC some gearing, blade housing, saw base, adjustment knob, lever and it has a tape measure mounted on the extention for measuring cuts greater than 13 inches.
My feelings: the saw appears to be a one man saw and may not stand up to much abuse but the price was right at $349. If you are like me, easy on your tools you will probably get reasonable service but this saw does not appear to be a tool you can reef on or abuse.
Other saws to consider in the same price range: The Craftsman (Ryobi 3100 with a portable base) which seems to have better castings and does more "tricks" (cross cuts to 16", includes a router table and cross cuts 3" and 9/16ths depth) but takes up more space both stored and in use at $359 on sale with the Craftsman club.
Either should work fine for a portable "trimmers" saw.
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based on 6 reviews
