Metabo HPT C10RJS Portable Jobsite Table Saw (Review)
The Metabo HPT C10RJS is a portable jobsite table saw and stand. Read our review to see if it's the right tool for you!
You’ll see this portable table saw with stand referred to under different names: the Hitachi C10RJ, Metabo HPT C10RJ, Metabo HPT C10RJS, and the Metabo HPT C10RJ(S). Oh, and outside the US and Canada, the tools go by the HiKOKI brand name.
Whew, got all that?
Except for some cosmetic differences, the names all refer to the same basic table saw. Hitachi Power Tools emerged from the Hitachi conglomerate and rebranded as Metabo HPT in 2018.
This Metabo HPT table saw’s large capacity sets it apart from the majority of its competitors. It will appeal to DIYers and hobbyists whose workshop doesn’t have room for a full-size contractor or cabinet saw.
Read my review to see if the Metabo HPT C10RJS is the best jobsite table saw for you!
Features and Benefits of the Metabo HPT C10RJS
Let’s look at the most important factors to consider when buying a table saw and see how the Metabo HPT C10RJS stacks up.
Motor and Power Supply
The motor is a 120-volt, 15-amp unit that will run on a typical residential power outlet. It’s rated at 4500 RPM and has a soft-start feature to bring the blade up to speed without a jarring recoil. Like all portable jobsite table saws, the C10RJS has a direct-drive motor. These are louder than the belt-drive motor on larger saws, but that’s the tradeoff for improved portability.
The motor will automatically shut off if overloaded to prevent damage. And if the saw loses power, a zero-voltage restart lock will keep it from unexpectedly (and dangerously) starting up again once power is restored. That’s a huge safety feature you’ll appreciate if you are prone to blowing circuit breakers or losing power.
The power switch has an emergency-off cover large enough to activate with your knee in case your hands are busy with the workpiece on the saw. Some competing saws have smaller switches that would be tougher to hit accurately in an emergency.
Table and Fence
Its capacity for dealing with larger workpieces helps set the Metabo HPT C10RJS apart.
The table is on the large side for this class of saws, measuring 28 3/4” wide by 22” deep. As is common with portable table saws, the table is aluminum to save weight.
A nice feature of the C10RJS over its competition is an extendable 2” support at the rear of the table. When fully extended, it provides up to 10” of extra outfeed support for longer workpieces. You’ll be able to safely work with larger workpieces without needing a separate roller or table to support them.
The fence moves on a rack-and-pinion track akin to those commonly found on DeWalt portable table saws. You can extend it 27” to the right of the blade in its normal position. And you can detach it and move it to a separate set of mounting points to reach a total rip capacity of 35”! That’s about as large as you’ll find on any jobsite table saw.
Part of the fence flips over to form an L-shaped shelf to help support the workpiece at these larger distances. You can also move the fence to the left side of the blade, where it has a reach of 22”.
Portability: Stand or No Stand?
You can use the C10RJS either on a bench-top or mounted on its included wheeled stand that folds up for storage.
You’ll need to assemble the stand before using it. In the operating position, the stand provides a wide base to guard against tipping over. When folded up, the saw sits straight up vertically, so it can be securely parked for storage.
At 96 lbs including the stand, the CJ10RJS is a bit heavier than some competitors. But the 8” all-terrain wheels make it a snap to navigate, though some customers report that larger wheels would be nice on rough terrain. While reasonably sturdy, the axle has can bend slightly if subjected to too much stress. Neither of these should be problems if you’re primarily using it in a shop setting.
Blades and Cutting
The saw accepts 10” blades and comes packaged with a 40-tooth carbide-tipped general-purpose blade. This blade performs acceptably for both ripping and crosscutting. But you may think about upgrading the blade if you want the best results.
The C10RJS can accept an 8” x 13/16” dado set. That’s important if you are a woodworker, and it sets the C10RJS apart from some competitors geared more toward construction work.
Some customers report needing to align the blade out of the box, which is a good idea in any case. You should ensure that the blade is parallel to the miter slots and fence before operating the saw. One step not actually addressed in the manual: You’ll need to look under the table for a pair of bolts that you’ll need to loosen to make this adjustment. Measure the distances to ensure the blade is parallel and then tighten the bolts.
The blade bevels from 0 to 45 degrees. When vertical, it can make a cut up to 3 1/8” deep, which drops to 2 1/4” at the full 45-degree tilt.
Miter Gauge and Slots
You’ll be using the miter gauge any time you want to make crosscuts on a piece of wood. Portable jobsite table saws (rightly) have a bad reputation for including mediocre miter gauges in the box. But the T-slot miter gauge on the Metabo HPT table saw is a bit of an improvement.
Two 3/4” T-slot miter slots, one on either side of the blade, help keep the miter gauge securely in the track. The miter gauge is of good quality and features a large scale with positive stops at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 degrees to both the left and right. Some customers report the miter gauge does tend to slide out when the saw is folded up for transport. Be sure to secure it so you don’t lose it!
All in all, this miter gauge should work just fine for a variety of DIY or home improvement projects. But for truly precise work, you’ll still want to look at a quality third-party miter gauge.
Dust Collection System
This saw offers a couple of options for dealing with sawdust. A nylon curtain around the blade area helps direct dust down into a chute for gathering in a bag. Or you can attach a shop vacuum to a 2 1/2” port on the rear of the saw. The saw is sealed well enough that the suction from the shop vac removes dust sufficiently for indoor use.
Safety Features
Metabo offers several standard safety features and a couple less common ones on this table saw.
The overload shutoff switch, zero-voltage restart lock, and knee-operable emergency off switch already mentioned above are all important safety features.
The saw features an electric brake to quickly stop the spinning blade when powered off. That reduces the likelihood that you’ll stick a finger into a dangerous spot when retrieving your cut material.
The C10RJS offers three standard safety features:
- A clear plastic blade guard goes over the blade to allow your workpiece to slide under it but keep your fingers out.
- A riving knife behind the blade keeps wood from pinching back shut, which can lead to dangerous kickback.
- Anti-kickback pawls on either side of the blade dig into wood that’s trying to fly back towards you.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Wide stand gives good stability
- Motor is powerful enough to handle thick or dense material
- Quality miter gauge
- 35” rip width is the largest in its class
- Extremely flat table
- All-terrain tread on tires
Cons
- Blade may need aligning out of the box, a process not covered by the manual
- Miter gauge does not store tightly in storage, can fall out during transport
- Axle can bend if not careful when going over obstacles
- Assembly instructions confusing for less experienced users
How Does it Compare?
Before making a final decision, you should compare the Metabo HPT C10RJS to other table saws in its class. Here’s a quick look at some that are worth your attention.
Bosch 4100XC-10
The table on the Bosch 4100XC-10 is slightly wider than the Metabo table saw’s, at 30” by 22 1/2”. The included blade is a 24-tooth model, optimized for ripping wood rather than crosscuts. If you’ll need to make any crosscuts, plan on swapping out the blade or buying a general-purpose blade. The maximum ripping width is 30”, compared to 35” for the C10RJ.
Some customers also report needing to align the blade out of the box, but unlike with the Hitachi, the Bosch instruction manual tells you how. If you’re not an experienced table saw user, the extra help may be welcome.
Compare: Bosch 4100XC-10 vs. Metabo HPT C10RJS
Full review: Bosch 4100XC-10 Portable Table Saw Review
DeWalt DWE7491RS
This DeWalt 10” table saw also has a smaller table (26 3/8” x 21 7/8”), but its rip capacity of 32 1/2” is in the same ballpark as the C10RJ. It features a second dust-collection port attached to the top of the riving knife in addition to a 2 1/2” port in the rear of the blade assembly. If you have the adapters to hook up both ports (or you’re outside and don’t care), this could be a nice feature. But some customers complain that the upper port tends to blow sawdust several feet away if not connected to a hose.
Customers give this DeWalt jobsite table saw pretty high marks, though it also tends to be pricier than the Metabo.
Compare: DeWalt DWE7491RS vs. Metabo HPT C10RJS
Full review: DeWalt DWE7491RS Jobsite Table Saw Review
SawStop JSS-120A60
If safety is your number one priority, SawStop offers a jobsite table saw with their patented blade brake technology. It uses electrical conductivity to detect if flesh (like your finger) is touching the blade, and stops the blade instantly. It can turn a potential emergency room visit into a minor nick.
In most other respects, this is a similar saw feature-wise to the ones we’ve already discussed, with a rip capacity of 25 1/2”. The price jump to the SawStop is pretty significant, but for safety-conscious people the peace of mind it brings is worth it.
Conclusion
If you need to make wide rip cuts and deal with larger sheet goods, the Metabo HPT C10RJS is a great choice. It’s not the smallest or lightest jobsite table saw. If you don’t need the extra rip capacity, some of its competitors may be easier to move about your workshop or load into your vehicle.
Woodworkers will appreciate the ability to use dado blades. And the miter gauge Metabo HPT offers on this table saw is a step-up from the usual.
The soft-start feature makes for smooth operation, and isn’t a common feature on this class of saw. Protection from unexpected restarts after power loss is another nice safety benefit.
While this Metabo HPT table saw gets good marks for quality, customers note that the documentation could be better. You may need to adjust the saw out of the box to ensure the blade is parallel to the fence, and the lack of documentation in the manual might confuse first-timer purchasers. If you’re a first-time table saw user, you might prefer a model with more explicit instructions.
Taken as a whole, I think the Metabo HPT C10RJS is a great product and well worth the price.
Full Specs
| Metabo HPT C10RJS | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Metabo HPT |
| Power Type | corded |
| Power - Voltage | 120 V |
| Power - Amps | 15 A |
| Table Dimensions | 28 3/4” W × 22” D |
| Miter Slot Dimensions | 3/4” W × 3/8” D |
| No-load RPM | 4500 rpm |
| Rip Capacity (Right) | 35” |
| Rip Capacity (Left) | 22” |
| Blade Diameter | 10” |
| Maximum Bevel | 45° |
| Depth of Cut (at 90°) | 3 1/8” |
| Depth of Cut (at 45°) | 2 1/4” |
| Maximum Dado Width | 13/16” |
| Arbor Size | 5/8” |
| Weight | 96 lbs (including stand) |
| Included Accessories |
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