Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita: Making the Sliding Compound Mitre Saw Decision
$500 is a lot of money. Laying WAY upwards of half-a-grand for a 12″ sliding compound miter saw is not something you should do every time a wild hare bites you. But if the SMCS bug has bitten you maybe you should at least read this post… and some of the forum threads we link to.
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(Here’s a more updated version of this article: Most Used Sliding Compound Miter Saw: the SMCS Showdown)
We had a ToolCrib visitor write in recently asking about sliding compound miter saws. He said:
“I am trying to decide between buying a 12″ hatachi sliding miter saw or the bosch. any tips?”
Here’s the Hitachi C12RSH 12″ sliding compound miter saw:
And here’s the 5412L Bosch 12-Inch Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw
We rounded up the usual suspects over at WoodNet and FamilyWoodworking to offer their expert opinions.
So here’s what your friendly WoodNetters had to say.
In reading through that thread I get the overall impression that the Hitachi is in fact a better choice, though most folks mentioned getting the 10 incher instead of the 12:
This thread from WoodNet turns out to be in pretty strong favor of the Hitachi.
There were a couple of proponents in WoodNet of the Makita too, which our questioner didn’t ask about at first:
Now take a look at what the Family had to say.
Again, strong support for the Hitachi… but the 10″ Hitachi scms because as Tod notes, and this is just one man’s opinion, “i’d advise against a 12″ saw unless he actually needs the extra deapth of cut for trim work…..10″ saws will usually give a better cut…”
Thanks to everyone who helped out in the forums to make sure our visitors make the best decisions with their hard earned cash!
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ToolCrib.com Blog» Blog Archive » 54% off Makita LS1013F 10″ Compound Miter Saw Deal Ends Feb 12th! Says:
February 9th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
[…] (…and be sure to check out this guide to buying a Mitre Saw…) By toolcrib | RSS | permalink | trackback […]
Price Drop + $50 Gift Card! Hitachi C12LSH 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw - ToolCrib.com Blog Says:
February 18th, 2007 at 11:29 am
[…] If you’ve been following the Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita miter saw debate you know that the Hitachi is a well respected miter saw at FamilyWoodworking.org and especially WoodNet.net. Amazon list price (lol): $1,319.58 The high end price: $750.42 Most recent low price: $610.01 Lowest Price: $549.99 […]
Robb Covey Says:
February 20th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I have used the makita for 4 years straight and I Love it! It is a very smooth saw that allows you to cut higher angles. I have cut through a 4×4 post with no problem. It has lots of power, it’s a safe saw, with very little kickback when the motor shuts off. when im doing trim work this is the saw thats set up, especially when building cabinets.
Tony Bonaparte Says:
February 20th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Tony, 42 year old from Huntington Beach california
I like Hitachi, always have, always will….My friends have the Dewalt, Makita, Bosch, Yadda yadda yadda.
I can hands down run circles arounbd them with my 15″ traditional Hitachi (ols school) saw. Thats right, the 15″, Its the best saw on Gods great earth.
How often do you gut over 7″ crown? Well, when you do, break out any of the Hitachi Compound saws and do you thing but again, The 15″ Hitachi compares to none for speed and quality.
Respectfully
Tony
Tony Bonaparte Says:
February 20th, 2007 at 9:39 am
sorry about my typos, im typing in the dark and like you, im a woodworker, lol
Toolcrib.com Power Tool Deals» Blog Archive » Price Drop + $50 Gift Card! Hitachi C12LSH 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw Says:
February 20th, 2007 at 10:29 am
[…] If you’ve been following the Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita miter saw debate you know that the Hitachi is a well respected miter saw at FamilyWoodworking.org and especially WoodNet.net. Amazon list price (lol): $1,319.58 The high end price: $750.42 Most recent low price: $610.01 Lowest Price we’ve seen on this saw: $549.99 […]
Dan Breslaw Says:
February 20th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Hey, what about the Dewalt 12″”? Am I alone in preferring it to the others?
Toolcrib.com Power Tool Deals» Blog Archive » 54% off Makita LS1013F 10″ Compound Miter Saw Deal Ends Feb 12th! Says:
February 20th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
[…] (…and be sure to check out this guide to buying a Mitre Saw…) Email This Post By aschultz | RSS | permalink | trackback […]
Jeff Banman Says:
September 28th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
On the basis of warranty alone…
My Bosch cordless drill went out (after about 60 1.25″ holes into solid walnut) and they sent out a new replacement priority overnight the next day at no cost.
My Hitachi table saw had a bearing go out and while it was completely covered under warranty, it took 4 weeks just to get the part in. I guess that’s why it has a 3 yr warranty!!
Both saws are great, I just always had great sucess with Bosch in general.
Elizabeth Musgrave Says:
December 8th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I am trying to find a mitre saw my boyfriend for christmas but i am not sure what brand or what kind to get. There are so many different ones. Eventually we want to buy our own house and rehab it, but i do not know if we need the bevel feature. I don’t want to spend more than 300.
J. Zeidman Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Depending on what you are doing…the best bang for the buck is the Dewalt, hands down. It is also the only saw I would recommend for outdoor use. The dust collector on the newest version simply does NOT work, however, so indoor users cutting in solid wood take note. It may work for MDF, but I only work in hardwood. I have also owned and used the Makita for years. Unfortunately, the Makita does not weather wear, the bevel and mitre locks both wear quickly, and make for a lot of frustration. Additionally, the ball-bearing detent system exclusive to the Makita on the bevel setting precludes slightly off perpendicular adjustment, the saw wants to lock into perpendicular too much. Back off the ball bearings and you lose the positive lock on perpendicular. The Makita and the old style Hitachi are the best machined, but if you need finesse on the bevel, the Makita is out. The Hitachi fails buy having the long cut mitres on the right. Any right handed user will have their material long to the left of the blade, so your long cuts will be against the grain. For the occasional user this isn’t a problem, but for the professional it is an extraordinary, and mildly unsafe, inconvenience. Again, generally well-machined, but with a critical design flaw. The new Hitachi looks like a spaceship, and I wonder about its durability. I will buy one tomorrow to try it out, but frankly I expect to return it…Haven’t tried the Bosch, but again, too much plastic. A durable tool is metal, not plastic. I have heard only 1 review from another carpenter, and he liked the conveniences of the all forward controls. Can’t say I’d take that over the old-style DeWalt 3handled screw lock on the back. Now that was a positive locking system, and simple durable design. Anyways, I am surprised to say I favour the DeWalt these days, although my lungs and nose can’t believe Dewalt doesn’t know how to design a dust collector. But the Dewalt uses positive stops on the bevel, it actually allows for very accurate cuts and minute adjustments, a very sensible design for the mitre adjustments with the cam lock. I prefer the older models bevel adjustments though. The new one is stiff, and yet doesn’t tighten sufficiently imho. Ridgid, you gotta be kidding me. It’s a poorly machined toy.
J. Zeidman Says:
February 19th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Btw I refer to 12″ saws. In 10″, I want to recommend the Hitachi, I really do. It is beautifully machined, and they should have stuck with that design instead of the spaceship they are now going for. Just cast a new base so the long cut mitre is off to the left, and give me a taller fence pls, and you have the near-perfect 10″ saw.
Most Used Sliding Compound Miter Saw: the SMCS Showdown - ToolCrib.com Blog Says:
May 12th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
[…] Over a year ago I asked my favorite forums for input on sliding compound miter saws… this gave us Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita: Making the Sliding Compound Mitre Saw Decision. Then, Woodnetters mostly recommended the Hitachi, as did the guys over at FamilyWoodworking. […]
jack Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:02 am
I’ve had my Makita for a year and wish I’d have gotten it sooner. I’m sure by now you’ve seen a recent article about miter saws in one of the wood magazines. They loved the new Festool for $1100 . The interesting thing is that the Makita came in second (by 3 points) for hundreds less. You could actually buy 2 Makitas for the price of the Festool and have money left over…
Murtaza/Omar Says:
June 9th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Extuse f…… me!Ihave an objection! you cannot compare bosch with crap. who
so ever made the website should have good knowledge about tools and should know that BOSCH was pioneer of power tools. ill make it easy for you guys say for eg. Son: daddy i’ll teach you biology/reproduction.
DAD/BOSCH: who’s yo daddy !!!!!!!
(electromechanical engineers)
Sir Handsomebod Hotface Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I would only, ONLY, recommmend Bosch, Makita, or Hitachi. Black and Decker…I mean DeWalt…can make an ok tool but they spend more money on advertising and promotions than making a quality tool and keeping their customers happy. If you’re not using it constantly and don’t care about the quality of your cuts then take a look at Craftsman, Rigid, or Delta.
The Hitachi “Deathstar” looking saw is way too top heavy. The base is small and makes it real easy to tip over while using. The Makita is lacking a few features tha make it a truly awesome saw.
The Bosch 10″ has been consistantly rated as the top saw in the market. Up front controls mean no reaching behind your work to adjust your bevel, the base is wide and stable, the miter detents are angled so they never gt loose after years of wear, the angle guide is raised and cast onto the base so it won’t scratch or wear off like a sticker will, and it has a fine adjust setting which can give you 2 degrees of play for any of the miter detents.
If you want to play, buy a toy. If you want to work, buy a Bosch.