Opinions on Hitachi miter saw? Recon?

[LCHIEN]

Anyone have a Hitachi 12" miter saw?

Anyone have any experience with Big Sky the hitachi reconditioned reseller?

Opinions?

[JimD]

I did not buy it from Blue Sky but I have a reconditioned Hitachi 12 inch CMS. Mine bevels to both sides and I got it for about $150 several years ago. The laser has stopped working but I didn't use it anyway. There is a noticable bit of runout on the blade, that bothers me more. I don't know if it is the blade or what. Cuts are smooth but I have to set my stop a little oversize and then insert business cards up against the stop to get to final dimension when I have to be really precise. The blade is also by Hitachi. I really should figure out what is causing the runout but so far I've just lived with it.

I would not be happy with the saw if I'd paid another $100 or more but for what I paid, I am content.

Jim

[sweensdv]

No experience with the Hitachi 12" CMS but I can highly recommend Big Sky. I purchased a recon. Hitachi hand held belt sander and a recon. Hitachi drill/driver from them and both arrived in like new condition. They were also very prompt with the delivery of both items which were ordered at different times. I also own a Hitachi belt/disc sander that I like very much.

[cabinetman]

I haven't heard anything bad about them. Reconditioned doesn't always mean rebuilt. Unused returned tools can be checked out and then called "reconditioned". It's also possible that "reconditioned" could produce a better than new tool.

.

[greenacres2]

+1 on Big Sky, the few things i've gotten from them were better than i'd expected. Not "brand new", but great deals.

earl

[skillybob]

I have the Hitachi c12lsh model and have been quite pleased with its performance. I used the saw to completely trim out my present house and also built a deck with my son this summer. I changed out the factory blade with a Diablo 96 tooth - needless to say , cuts like butter.
I have a few minor quibbles with the saw. The laser is not very useful when used outside as I found out on the deck job. But this would be a problem with just about any laser setup. When I trimmed out the house I had the saw set up in the garage and the laser was bright and accurate. For the amount of money the saw cost, I would of liked to have seen a dual laser for each side of the cut line. The only thing else is the hold down system. Did not seem to be engineered properly. A metal pin is slid down and secured with a knob but it would vibrate out quite a few times. Securing your work piece is important with a miter saw to get a proper cut and for safety. For the money, I would of liked to of seen two hold downs supplied with the saw.

[woodturner]

Anyone have any experience with Big Sky the hitachi reconditioned reseller?

I have an Hitachi corded drill I bought from Big Sky, and am happy with the service and the tool.

[Knottscott]

I've got a lot of stuff from Big Sky (formerly Reconditioned Sales)......router, 2 drill/flashlight kits, Li-Ion impact driver, 2 Nicad impact drivers, and most recently an air compressor. No issues with them at all, and even some good service on two occasions. Highly recommended.

[Cochese]

If you're looking at the non-slider, it's currently $229 new at my Lowe's. Might want to weigh your options new vs recon.

I've been tempted many a time to upgrade to the 12" slider. Trick design.

[LCHIEN]

If you're looking at the non-slider, it's currently $229 new at my Lowe's. Might want to weigh your options new vs recon.

I've been tempted many a time to upgrade to the 12" slider. Trick design.

yeah shows $299 at my lowes, $188 recon at Big sky.

[JimD]

$100+ in savings isn't bad. The normal price for the recon when I was in the market was about the level you note now. I got lucky and it dipped and I bought one.

The only practical difference I see with a recon is that there was a problem that wasn't addressed and is now being passed on to you. They have a warranty and anything I've found on several recon tools has been very minor. I don't baby my tools and they're going to look worse after a few months of my use. My Hitachi CMS with the runout is the closest thing to a problem I've had and that may just be a "bad" blade. Wobble is actually a better term for it since the shaft is not moving, the teeth are just moving a little in and out parallel to the motor arbor.

Jim

[dbhost]

FWIW, it's a ways off budget wise, as I have other financial plans before upgrading, but a Hitachi 12" dual bevel slider is on my wish list...

[liftoff621@hotmail.com]

12" Slider Owner

Sorry for the late reply.

I have a Hitachi C12RSH big slider. Bought it new at Lowes during a sale. It was cheaper than Amazon or Big Sky. It replaced my Ridgid 12" non slider. I'm very happy with it.

I have purchased 2 nailers and several other tools from Big Sky. Delivery was as promised and the refurbished tools were in like new condition. I recommend them.