Over at Amazon, this Hitachi 10-inch single bevel compound miter saw recently dropped in price down to $99 with free shipping.
While the saw doesn’t come with many bells and whistles, it seems to be reasonably well recommended, and is probably the best compound miter saw you could find for $100 or less.
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This is an older model, but that just means that there’s been plenty of time for users to weigh in on its quality and performance.
It can cut lumber up to 2-5/16″ thick and 5-21/32″ wide. If you need greater cutting capacity than that, you’ll probably have to step up to a sliding miter saw or even a sliding 12-inch saw.
One of the benefits of a non-sliding miter saw is its smaller footprint and lower weight. This model weighs just a little over 26 pounds. Hitachi says that this is the lightest 10-inch compound miter saw in its class, although we haven’t checked to see if this is still true.
- Comes with a 24T 10-inch blade, blade wrench, dust bag, material support extension
- Features a vise assembly (hold-down clamp)
- Pivoting flip fence
Price: $99 and NOT eligible for Hitachi’s $25 off $100+ promo
Buy Now(via Amazon)
See Also(Same saw with laser, for $122 after discount)
We don’t know how long this sale price will last, but we do know that it will also be $99 as part of Lowes’ Black Friday 2015 deals.
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There’s another version of this saw that has a built-in laser cut guide line, and it is eligible for the Hitachi promo. It’s currently priced at nearly $147.43, or around $122 after discount. If you ask me, I’d just get the non-laser version for $99.
Don’t forget that some brands are offering $25 of $100+ discounts at Amazon, at Acme Tool, and other authorized tool distributors.
fred
Stuart:
I agree with you – spend $99 on the saw and save the extra $23 to help pay for a good 60 tooth trim blade – leaving the stock blade for rough work.
fred
It also seems to be $99 at Lowes – and you might be able to convince a local store to give you 20% off with a Harbor Freight coupon.
Stuart
If it’s not on sale now, it will be for Black Friday.
Ralf
Just picked this saw up after finding out my other saw was out of alignment and not adjustable. Very good saw for the money. It will cut a 4×4 in one pass as long as you’re only trimming it. Was dead on out of of the box. It also has a built in carrying handle which is a nice addition so you’re not picking it up by the wrong knob or whatever.
Diplomatic Immunity
Stupid/not-so-stupid question…. could this work with a metal cutting blade to become a chop saw or would this be a strictly woodworking affair?
fred
Probably OK for aluminum and brass – but for ferrous metals – with its plastic parts I’d be concerned about melting or even possibly a fire hazard. The dust bag would obviously have to go. I’ve seen lots of folks cut metal extrusions (usually aluminum – but sometimes lightweight steel) with their miter saw – but if you need to do a lot of steel cutting – a specialized saw is better. We picked up a Makita LC1230 some years ago for about $350 – when Zoro was having one of their 30% off deals. Of course you could always pick up an abrasive wheel chopper like the Makita 2414NB for about $160 at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LC1230-12-Inch-Metal-Cutting/dp/B00004YOLV
Stuart
Non-ferrous: usually yes.
Make sure the blade has a TCG (triple chip grind) tooth profile, or whatever else might be recommended for your particular material type and thickness.
Steel will require a metal-cutting chop saw, either abrasive or cold-cutting.
Diplomatic Immunity
Thanks for the heads up guys!
logan
not to nitpick, but what you refer to as a “Cold saw” is likely a dry saw or multi-cutter saw.
actual cold saws spin at roughly 44rpm on high (yes, 44rpm)
just an opinion from a guy in the metalworking industry.
http://www.scotchman.com/cold-saws/ for an example.
Stuart
No argument there. I’ve seen the terminology used a lot to describe non-abrasive multi-cutter saws, and I guess it became habit.
fred
Thanks for the elucidation about cold saws and the link for the scotchman saws which look like good equipment.
Funny how we use English to describe processes like “cold cutting” – which for pipe fabricators typically means using a clamshell machine rather than some obviously thermal process like a plasma or other torch cutting.
“Cold” is also a relative thing – since as Count Rumford observed – mechanical metal cutting/abrading/grinding processes (canon barrels in Thompson’s case) – invariably produce heat. I would surmise that even a water jet cutter (with or without the addition of abrasives) produces heat – some of it carried away by the water.
logan
any amount of friction will cause heat production as mechanical energy is transferred from one piece to another.
cold cutting when referring to saws likely refers to the fact that no sparks are produced, and the cut piece is, literally, cold to the touch when the cut is finished.
between extremely low RPMs, a coolant system, and a blade that chips material rather than “grinds” it away as with an abrasive, it is a cold cut.
heat is definitely produced, but it is also transferred from the piece being cut to both chips and coolant that surrounds the kerf.
logan
you’re welcome, and I agree.
cutting steel is definitely interesting. I still have quite a bit to learn on the subject, frankly. never thought about waterjet tables. I’d wager a lot that they do produce heat, but water’s heat absorption results in a cool workpiece and warm water.
Zachary
Bought one a few days ago, it works good but I has the fit and finish of a $99 saw. The casting on top of the housing of the blade is really nasty, looks like someone sneezed all over it. The threads in the base popped out while I was tightening the bolt for the handle. The little plastic piece with the red line does not line up properly with the marks no matter how I adjust it. The thin piece of metal with the angle markings was loose, so I had to glue it down. When adjusting the table for miters, there is some side to side slop when using the detents.
Zachary
Accidentally posted that comment without completing it . Following up in this comment. All of the negatives in the previous comment might make it sound like I dislike the saw. With my use so far, which is not much mind you, I think it is pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised after using it to find out it has a break, which is not needed but nice. Cuts 2x4s pretty quick, takes longer with 2×6 and 4x4s. Besides the issues mentioned, it is very nice, I bought it for doing decking and replacing 4×4’s on my porch since I did not want to deal with using the circular saw for it. Ended up picking a delta stand up on craigslist for $30, for $130 total I am pretty happy. Overall I would recommend it, just make sure not tighten the side handle too much. I don’t think I would have used the handle much so it is not a big deal.
Larry
Menards has it at $99 as well. Looks like it is a “holiday” discount from Hitachi – http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/power-tools-accessories/power-saws-accessories/hitachi-reg-10-in-single-bevel-compound-miter-saw/p-1444432956423-c-9082.htm