Hitachi C12RSH2 Review
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
Excellent
Hitachi C12RSH2 Saw
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Published on: August 22, 2017
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Review Summary:
Are you looking for a high-quality miter saw?
Many people run into numerous problems while searching for appropriate power tools. The market is flooded with low-quality junk that doesn’t cost much, but it also doesn’t offer nearly as many features as a premium unit. Needless to say, it’s always better to spend a few dollars more and get a reliable machine instead of buying cheap junk every six months.
If you don’t know where to start or what to look for, don’t worry. We are here to offer as many details as we can about particular models we consider worth investing in. Therefore, all you have to do in order to find a suitable sliding saw for yourself is to take a moment and read our reviews. In case you don’t find anything of interest, at least you’ll know what to pay attention to when you continue your search.
Specifications:
- Weight – 59 pounds
- Dimensions – 25 x 35 x 28 inches
- Power source – Corded
- Voltage – 120V
- Wattage – 1520W
Hitachi C12RSH2 – The Basics
Most Hitachi power tools are famous for being easy to use. The C12RSH2 model isn’t an exception. Apart from its ease of use, people also like the versatility and precision of this particular model. Although it may not be the best possible solution for devoted professionals, it’s definitely bliss for hobbyists due to its excellent price-to-quality ratio.
When it comes to accuracy, this unit is great. The Laser Marker System allows you to make precise cuts regardless of the wood density or size. The powerful 15-amp motor delivers enough power for a ton of different applications. As you can tell, it’s a good investment if you want a quality piece of equipment in your garage.

The Features
The design
The design is pretty sturdy and reliable. However, the aesthetic aspect could have been done better, to say the least. Even though we don’t pay too much attention to the aesthetics because it’s more of a personal preference, we have to acknowledge the lack of it. The unit is capable of tilting 57 degrees to the right, and 45 degrees to the left. Therefore, you don’t have to worry much about flexibility; the C12RSH2 has plenty of it.
The sliding fence is pretty neat. It raises fence height to 5-1/8 inches to cut up to 7-1/2 inch crown molding vertically. As you can tell, large pieces of wood aren’t a problem for this particular compound saw at all. The miter and bevel scales are designed well, and the positive stops are excellent for saving time and effort. The vertical handle is cushioned meaning that there aren’t any massive vibrations going on during work.
Safety
Safety features are okay, but not impressive. Apart from a transparent blade guard, there aren’t many other premium safety features. However, that doesn’t mean the unit isn’t safe for work. In fact, it’s one of the safer ones on the market if you follow the instructions and set it up accordingly.
Dust collection
We cannot say it has amazing dust-collecting capabilities. As far as we are concerned, it’s quite similar to some other models from the same category. While it does offer the ability to collect dust, we wouldn’t count on it much. Also, the manufacturer didn’t state how much dust it’s actually capable of extracting.


Pros:
Laser system for accuracy
Affordable
Good quality
Cons:
Underwhelming aesthetics
Subpar dust collecting
Things we liked about it
The first thing we noticed is the laser system. Although other models may be compatible with various accessories, none of them includes an integrated laser. Therefore, the laser system is a huge advantage in comparison to other models within the same category.
The other thing many people like is the affordability. It’s significantly cheaper than some of its competitors due to the brand popularity. In simpler words, Hitachi is well-known for being extremely affordable and accessible to people that are on a tight budget.
Its ease of use is also a neat advantage. It doesn’t require any expertise whatsoever. Therefore, even people who never had experience with miter saws before can use it without being worried about injuries and misuse. However, if you’re one of those people, make sure you read the manual first.
Things we didn’t like
As we already said, the aesthetics aren’t the best around. One cannot say it’s an ugly piece of equipment, but it isn’t particularly beautiful either. However, it’s a matter of personal preference. Other than that, we didn’t find any significant downsides.
Some people complained about getting their machines delivered with missing parts, but it’s mainly a matter of shipping companies. Hitachi has a pretty good quality control department, and the chances of you getting an incomplete unit are at a bare minimum.
General user impressions
The C12RSH2 has a ton of positive reviews all over the Internet. It goes to show that people are generally happy with the overall performance of this machine. As far as the efficiency goes, it’s probably a good idea to keep looking for something else if you’re a devoted professional who deals with wood on a daily basis. On the other hand, if you need a decent miter saw for occasional projects, don’t hesitate to check this one out, it has everything you’ll need.

Conclusion
This particular machine is a great solution for many hobbyists and professionals. It offers decent features for an affordable price. It also has an innovative laser system which allows you to make precise cuts at all times without having to recalibrate the unit. Projects like crown molding, flooring, and even roofing are a piece of cake for this powerful miter saw. Its 15-amp motor will cut through anything as long as you have the proper blade mounted. Safety is at a decent level meaning you don’t have to worry about suddenly injuring yourself. However, don’t forget to take all the precautionary measures before you plug it in for the first time.
As far as we are concerned, it can be a worthy investment if it meets your requirements. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more features, check our other reviews out.