It looks Metabo HPT has a new 12-inch compound miter saw, model C12FDHB.
This is a non-sliding miter saw with miter range of 52° left and right, and double bevel range of 48° to the left and right.
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The new Metabo HPT C12FDHB has a different design compared to their other 12-inch miter saws, with the motor on the right side and angled to the rear, and there is also a big new feature – an Xact Cut LED Shadow Line System.
In case you’re not yet familiar with LED shadow line systems, there are usually LED emitters that shine a light along both sides of a blade. As the blade is brought closer to the work material that’s to be cut, the blade casts a shadow of exact width of its kerf. This allows for accurate cut line positioning. Unlike lasers, there is nothing to ever calibrate, and the cut line indicator should always match the width of the blade.
If you need help visualizing this, imagine that you’re standing outside with the sun overhead. Your body might be casting a shadow of different sizes in different directions, but what about your foot? Raise you foot just off the ground, and the size of the shadow should perfectly match your footwear.
This looks to be Metabo HPT’s first corded or cordless miter saw with an Xact Cut LED shadow cutline guidance system.
Metabo HPT C12FDHB Miter Saw Features & Specs
- 15A motor
- 12-inch blade size
- 4,300 RPM
- 7-3/32″ cutting depth
- 7″ sliding fence
- Miter range of 52° left and right
- Bevel range of 0-48° left and right
- Weighs 44 lbs
Price: $350
Buy Now via Amazon
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Discussion
Metabo HPT also has an older 12-inch double bevel model ($249 via Amazon at the time of this posting), and a 12-inch sliding miter saw ($369 via Amazon), both equipped with laser cut line positioning systems.
The new miter saw looks similar in styling to Metabo HPT’s 10-inch model (C10FCGS, $102 via Amazon), but there are many differences, such as with the sliding fences, miter adjustment lock, and motor design, to say the least.
This looks to be an interesting new offering, and I’m happy to see Metabo HPT come out with a new shadow cut line guidance system. Hopefully a similar feature is added to their future miter saw redesigns.
Clay
Did Dewalt have a patent that expired?
Stuart
Other brands, such as Milwaukee and Ridgid, have had similar systems as well, and so I don’t think Dewalt’s LED system was covered by any patents. Or, maybe there were licensing agreements?
Nathan
as far as I know dewalt wasn’t the the first with the shadow cut line – as I think the first setup for that was not an LED and was an add on.
Dewalt might have been the first to built in incorporate one. probably unpatentable.
anywho competition is good – Price of this is nice – hope fully the rails are solid and the saw cuts well like the previous Hitachi devices.
Stuart
Dewalt had the first LED add-on and built-in modules for shadow cut line positioning. Milwaukee had LED lights earlier, but for illumination purposes.
It took a few years for other brands to offer LED shadow cutline systems, and such features are still not available on many models.
This is not a slider – no rails.
Nathan
I am blind apparently. or my desire and hope warped my sense of sight.
Stuart
It’s the latter – I too had to take a double-look. Sliders have become extremely popular to the point of being almost-standard, but non-sliders have their benefits, such as greater rigidity and lower weight.
Brandon B.
Awesome! A shadow line indicator was my only must-have feature when evaluating a new miter saw, I’ll add this one to the list to evaluate when it comes time.
Hoser
Hitac. . . . . Errrr. . . . Metabo HPT has had some decent saws in the past, and at first glance this one looks pretty solid. I’m very excited to see a non slider. I’m so sick of everyone thinking they need a giant sliding saw to cut a couple 2x4s a few times a year, but they “might” cut something wide in the future 🙄. What surprises me, and excites me, is the blade speed, that’s pretty fast for a 12” saw. All the other specs look pretty decent too. Still not a fan of the solid plastic blade guard though.
As far as the Cutline system, I highly doubt it’s something that could be patented, I mean it’s a light. Can you patent putting a light on a tool? Unlikely. If you just happen to put that light in a safe place above the blade, well, looky there, an exact shadow of the blade kerf. Highly doubt physics is patentable.
Jeremy Moore
I’d rather have an 8″ saw with a slider than a 12″ saw without. Average Joe more likely to cut a board that’s 10″ wide than a 4×4. I have a slider and a fixed miter saw. I almost never use my fixed miter saw and just lend it to whoever wants to borrow it. Unless the money and space is the difference maker, it makes no sense to lot get a sliding saw
Peter
I’ve got one through Costco. Solid, but the light went out after three weeks. I really miss it. Huge hassel for me as I’m two hours from Costco or Metabo service. BTW, yes, I did make trip to exchange but no longer in stock to allow exchange, so kept saw anyway. Now I can’t find parts to fix! Maybe you’ll fare better.