I have this saw almost ten years it works great.I really like that you can see the blade spinning while cutting though the little window. My only complaints are that it is very heavy and there are a small amount of 15" blades to choose from.

I purchased this machine about 10 years ago and it has been a truly exceptional machine. While its not that easy to lug around, I often stick it in my truck to take to a job site when I need to cut larger stock than normal. It has been flawless.

This saw is designed for trim. You'll need to add wood backplates along the fence to be able to cut tall baseboard and crown. A very smooth cutter! I have used this model for 15 or so years. Worth every penny and a very good price at amazon! Expect to pay $150.00 for high performance blade.

I have owned this saw for almost 15 years without incident although I have encountered the brake problem noted by solraiz7. I routinely cut 5 1/2" crown using the supplied vise to maintain the cutting relationship with the supplied fence. Unlike the newer and more popular sliding compound saws, you just set it on 45 degrees and cut to length for a perfect joint (outside corner or coped inside corner). I have mine mounted on a Rousseau mobile cart with folding supports which makes it very versatile. As for blades, I have been happy with the Freud 108 tooth blade. A little expensive to buy or sharpen, it gives long life and a clean cut. If you are cutting a lot of pressure treated wood, you probably want something in 10 in size with a ready supply of throw-away blades.

I have been using several of the Hitachi 15in. saws for many years. There is no substitute for cutting tall baseboard and crown. The only drawback is that the blade brake on my saws has worn after years of use and rarely kicks in without some coaxing. I have to flip the switch several times to get it to kick in. Changing the brushes has helped but the large blade wears down brakes much faster than on any other saw.

If you are looking for a precision saw this is not the one to buy if you are looking for a saw that will cut timber then this one will do the job all day long.
br /We bought our first one 6 years ago. We cut aluminum extrusions as well as wood on the saw, cutting a 3" diameter aluminum bar is a tough go but this saw does it.
br /The faults that I can make on the saw are
br /The electric brake could be stronger. We run a 15" carbide blade that weighs about 5lbs so the blade does not stop as fast as we like.
br /It would great if they added a laser line to it.
br /The clamps are no good. You have to screw them in or out to adjust them. We adapted a set from a BD saw.
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I guess maybe I'm lucky but I've had this saw for about 10 years and of all the tools I own, I'd say it was the most worthwhile tool I've ever bought. I used it, abused it and put it through a lot of work for a few years and then used it to build a custom oak log home. Yes, a totally solid milled OAK log home where every log was 5-1/2" x 7-1/2" and you can imagine how many cuts I had to make building a log home throough thick hard oak. And then came the basement, interior walls, and outside landscaping. And then tons more work and then a lot of custom fence work. I have probably pulled that trigger a million times. I noticed the brake not engaging a few times, maybe less than 10 times over about a million trigger pulls. It's been truly a magnificent saw and would rate it as high as a scale would go. Heavy? Well if you're really slight of build, maybe, but then again, just don't try and take it on the roof! I find the weight just right for the job it is capable of doing, it doesn't bother me and I weigh 190. I've never had any problems or replaced any parts, it just keeps on working whenever I need it to. I just used the stock blade as a backup when the carbide blade I bought got dull from all the oak cutting. The carbide blade I got would leave a glass like finish across the oak cut, it looked like a laser cut it. The best thing to remember is that the blade is big and like a tire, it needs to get up to speed to get a true spin and then cut started. If it wobbles, then you need to get the blade balanced at a professional saw sharpening shop. Trying to slam the blade through heavy stuff before the blade gets up to speed or if the blade is unbalanced will get you a cut that goes (to the)right usually. Keep your blades sharp and make that first 1" cut slow and easy and then it will cut straight and leave that killer finish on hardwoods. All in all, I wouldn't ever consider a "normal" 12" blade after owning this saw unless I had to make sliding compound cuts. Yeah, it also rocks on trim too. But don't forget this is the saw you want when sawing through Pergo or any of that flooring out there. If you're looking for the Arnold of saws, this is it.

I have been using the Hitachi C15FB for about 5 years now. I have found it most usefull for cutting trim including large crown, casing, and baseboard. Although transportation and set-up of the saw can be somewhat difficult if you don't have it mounted to a stand, it performs better than any other miter saw I've used. including (other Hitachi saws, DeWalt, Delta, and Jet)
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br /Pros:
br /clean, crisp cuts
br /extremely accurate miters
br /can't beat a 15" blade
br /15 amp motor
br /affordable
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br /Cons:
br /Heavy
br /Brake doesn't always engage after trigger release causing the blade to dive.(be carefull!)
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br /as to "dukemans" remark on the plexi guard sticking. I have completely removed the guard which makes lining up the blade to the desired cut line much easier. However, I don't reccomend for an untrained carpenter to do such acts.
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br /The pros definately outweigh the cons, and I would highly recommend this saw to any professional trim carpenter.

OK, far from great. Blade brake never really did work properly and motor burned out in about two weeks of use (maybe around 10 hours of actual run time) Plexi blade guard would jam up into the housing and not come back down. When it was running it did good work. Based on above I can't recommend it to anyone. In shop now for warranty repair.

I've used these saws before so I now what they can do. Hitachi is the only company that makes this size saw to cut the log stock that I use to build log homes. It does all that I ask of it and them some. I am very satisfied with its performance. I am also satisfied with amazon's service. The saw was delivered just like they said it would be and the box was directly from the manufacurer with no damage.

Saw is very versital and is very powerful. Carbide blades seem to work better than factory blade which can deflect and cut crooked when shaving the ends of materials. If purchasing this saw one should consider the following: 1. The saw weight is heavy. This is not a saw that goes up scaffolding easily. 2. Cost and sources for 15" blades. (can be high)Despite these considerations, this saw can earn you a ton of money.

I have used the Hitachi C15FB for over 10 years and have gotten excellent service from it. My one and only complaint is that is used to come with a 15" combination saw blade, part number 974651Z. The blade is no longer available for re-order, so I am told. I would like very much to see this blade resurrected and made available. I cannot and will not use carbide blades because tips have come off every blade I have used. My next purchase will be a saw that has non-carbide teeth replacement blades if this blade is not made available.