MAKITA LS1040 or Hitachi C10FCH Compound Mitre Saw?

Scribbly Gum · #1 5th Nov 2009, 10:07 PM

I know that both of these saws have good reputations and that they are close in price.
Is there anything that would sway the purchase to one or the other?
Note that I am not looking for an SCMS, but a lighter job-site machine.
Thanks in advance
SG

Pops · #2 7th Nov 2009, 12:22 AM

Hi SG,

Asked myself a similar question a year or so ago, and yes I was after a CMS that was easily portable. Read lots of stuff on most of the 255mm machines.

The outcome from memory (and there was not much in it) was that the Makita was the most accurate. So I got the Makita LS1040.

The only thing I was concerned about with picking it up and transporting it about a lot was the potential to snap a foot off if I dropped it too hard. So I bolted a sheet of ply to the bottom, (complete with pine feet) to protect the feet, works a treat, I can drop it down with scant regard and all is safe. A few holes in the ply served to store the outrigger rods too.

So no real big reason to swing the purchase to Makita just a lot happy users and great accuracy. A parquetry floor installer said it was his job site saw of choice, no question, again because of the accuracy. Just one opinion though. I do like my LS1040.

Cheers
Pops

Scribbly Gum · #3 8th Nov 2009, 10:16 AM

Thanks Pops.
It is good to get some feedback. I was guessing from the research that I had done - precious little out there as you said - that there wasn't much between them.
I was leaning towards the Hitachi simply from a price viewpoint.
If, however it isn't as accurate as the Makita, then the extra money would be well spent.
Does the Hitachi give inconsistent cuts, or is it simply a matter of the Makita having a name for accuracy, and the Hitachi the new boy on the block with not a long track record?
I would like to hear feedback from anyone with a Hitachi to help me in my decision.
Your tip about protecting the feet is a good one.
Cheers
SG

#4 8th Nov 2009, 10:22 AM

I have the makita and can't fault it one bit

JillB · #5 8th Nov 2009, 10:24 AM

Waht about the Makita DTX I saw in a store last week? Have not seen that before - cost $1097

namtrak · #6 8th Nov 2009, 10:52 AM

The Makita is about the only SCMS that has a depth gauge - hand for cutting tenons etc

Pops · #7 9th Nov 2009, 09:40 PM

Hi SG,

My research is about 2/3 years old now however there was not much in it between the other saws in the comparison I read. I think that the Makita won out on accuracy out of the box with all the fixed angle cuts, spot on 90, 45 etc. The Hitachi of the time was only a cat's whisker behind and you could fine tune it though, (I think). And how many times are we going to glue up straight off the CMS without some handtool work?

So not really a real big deal. I am just lazy and did not want to muck about checking and fine tuning for 10 minutes. The Hitachi of today may well be every bit as accurate out of the box as the Makitas. I am a bit of a Makita fan myself.

If there is money to be saved I would not pass up the Hitachi. Bottom line, save some $ and spend a bit of time double checking the fence setup etc.

Let us know which way you go.

Cheers
Pops

Bluegum · #8 10th Nov 2009, 09:18 PM

I own the 1040 and I am happy with it as well. great saw and handles everything I have put through it with ease.

Scribbly Gum · #9 12th Nov 2009, 10:47 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback.
I want to see these saws in the flesh so to speak before I make a decision. (Not literally in the flesh - you understand )
Maybe this weekend if the auguries are favourable and the weather fair, I'll get to have a fiddle if I can get to town.
I won't need one for some time so will keep an eye out. If anyone is upgrading let me know.
Cheers
SG

mitre cut · #10 12th Nov 2009, 11:11 PM

I bought a Hitachi about 2 years ago after a lot of talking to different retailers.
I am very happy with it's performance.
Just after purchasing it I had a builder in to do some renos ' on my home. he had just purchased a new saw and after using mine he traded it in on a Hitachi. since then all his crew have purchased and are extremely happy with the Hitachi's performance.
mitre cut

Scribbly Gum · #11 15th Nov 2009, 04:13 PM

OK, went into town on an intelligence mission today, just gathering information you understand, not to buy anything.
Only two places up here to look - Dogologue and Bunnings.
Home Hardware had the LS1040 - best price $409, and the Maktec equivalent for about $300. The Maktec looked cheap beside the Makita (well it was I suppose)
They don't yet have the buying power of Bunnings and I guess that is reflected in their price.
Bunnings had the LS1040 at $349 but the display model had lost all of its knobs and safety button. These had probably walked out the door as spare parts for someone. They said that they had just sold the last one in stock - not sure what the price would be when the next lot came in.
Neither franchise stocked Hitachi so I couldn't inspect it.
I was about to leave when I spied up on a top shelf a box labelled Makita M243 with a 10 inch compound mitre saw in it.
When I asked ....what the...? I was told that there were two left over from a promotion that they had run on Green Makitas. Lots of tradies that bought them up liked them, and these were the last two. (salesman speaking remember)
So got it down, took it out and had a look.
Looked a bit like the Makita LS 1040 but there were differences.
No safety button, 1500 watts instead of 1650 and a simpler fence. Makita rep apparently said that they came off the same Makita line and used the same quality internals. Certainly the blade was identical. It's got an extra 3.7 kg - I'm not sure where that is hiding. Actually looked more like the Maktec but better made. Same warranty as the LS1040.
Price $248

OK says I - I'll take it.
Got it home and gave it a whirl.
Tight as a drum, and after some fence adjustments and nut setting for the 90 and 45 degrees, spot on with the bevel angles. The inscribed angles on the turntable were right from the word go. Perhaps it's only a green Maktec wearing a Makita badge, but it goes great and cuts accurately.
I'll take Perry's advice and make up a plywood base to protect the feet.
I am a happy camper.
SG

Here are the Specs:
Precision machined aluminium base, with full calibration markings

Solid one piece guide fence that keeps a dead straight line to perform true mitres
Bevel cuts 45° left only
Electric brake
Dust extraction to bag or vacuum

Included accessories:
Standard - Wrench, dust bag, Holders x 2, vertical vice, trianagular rule, TCT blade.

Specifications
Blade diameter	255mm
Max. cutting capacities
- at 90°	75mm x 130mm
- at 45°	75mm x 90mm
Continuous rating input	1,500W
No load speed	4,200rpm
Overall dimensions (LxWxH)	610 x 525 x 485mm
Net weight	14.7kg
Power supply cord	2.5m