Makita LS1220 12-Inch Compound Miter saw

by Makita

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Makita's 12-inch compound miter saw is a big, well-balanced saw--perfect for anyone looking for both precision cutting and the capacity to handle large stock. The saw miters to 48 degrees right and left and bevels left 45 degrees. Makita's saw also features an electronic speed control that automatically accelerates the blade up when making a difficult cut (similar to the way a car's cruise control functions when going over hills); as a result, the blade doesn't lag. The pivot fence adjusts for supporting large stock and flips back for bevel cuts. The saw's nine positive stops make it easy to lock in common miters, plus each stop is deep-cast into the body of the saw, so it's hard to imagine the saw would ever develop slop. The miter lock on this saw has a screw handle, a design that's a little more time-consuming than a cam-locking handle. On this 12-inch saw, Makita opted for a more ergonomic D-handle design, which goes easy on a user's wrist, but it's a limitation if you want to operate the saw with your left hand. We really like the soft start and electric brake, though; they're user-friendly features that make a big difference, especially when a job requires a lot of constant, repetitive cuts. And, for home shop users, this saw has the added option of a release safety button that pulls out and locks the saw off. --Jon Groebner

From the Manufacturer

Great for picture framers, furniture makers, and trim carpenters, the pivoting fence on this miter saw will support larger stock while the soft-start feature gives you controlled cutting and smooth start-ups. The electronic speed control maintains constant blade rotation throughout the cut and the high-torque 15 amp motor delivers a strong performance at 3,200 rpm. Its large, easy-to-read miter scale has ultrapositive stops at 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 (left and right), and 0 degrees, and the 12-inch carbide-tipped blade with 1-inch arbor will give you precise cutting every time. Your purchase includes socket wrench, dust bag, triangular rule, and elbow. Includes FREE 12" x 70T carbide blade a $59.99 value!

Product Details

Product Manual [1.44mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 47 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223I7
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: LS1220
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,281 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top-notch saw, April 16, 2000

By 

Wes G. (Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Makita LS1220 12-Inch Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've been a trim carpenter for quite a few years now, and I've used alot of different miter saws. I can say that this saw is without question the best I've used yet.

The soft-start feature is great, as is the electronic speed control. I was concerned when I first bought this saw that it might cut too slowly due to the relatively low blade speed, but it seems that under load the saw cuts as fast as any other saw I've used.

Table operation is very smooth and the stops are positive and reliable. The bevel control handle is easily accessible. And the dust collection is pretty effective, at least it's as effective as on any other saw I've used.

The only complaint I have with this saw is that the included blade is not suitable for fine trim work, but it's fine for rough work. I replaced the included blade with a Forrest Chopmaster and this combination works superbly.

I would highly recommend this saw to anyone in the market for a 12" compound miter saw. In my opinion it's far superior to it's main competition(and my previous saw), the DeWalt DW705.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ACCURACY PLUS!, January 18, 2001

By 

larry antley (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Makita LS1220 12-Inch Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I compared this saw with the DeWalt 705 and the Bosch 3912 at a woodworking show recently. Fortunately they had the saws set up for use at the show and I tried all three. I was looking for a saw that started smoothly and was extremely accurate for my hobby, which is building victorian reproduction furniture. The DeWalt while a nice saw started very hard it is probably the best saw for building decks or for a building contractor. I liked the Bosch but it seemed a little underpowered to me. It did have the nicest holddown clamp of the three though. The Makita was the saw I chose and purchased. It started and ran smoothly. The miter table adjustment was the smoothest of the lot and the stops were positive, accurate and rock solid. This saw uses silk screened plates for the miter table which I didn't care for at first, however, the graduations on the plate are thinner than the embossed castings on the other saws and I think are therefore more accurate. My saw will be permanently mounted in my shop so the plates won't get any abuse. They may get worn or scratched if you are using this saw in the field. This saw comes with a 32 tooth carbide tipped blade which is fine for framing or deck work and I will save it for that purpose. I purchased the 12 inch Forrest Chopmaster for my furniture building and it actually polished the end grain when it cuts. I checked the saw with the new blade for runout with my dial indicator and I found no runout whatsover. This speaks highly for the blade and the alignment and bearings of the arbor shaft on this saw. It was the best saw at the show and I recommend it highly if you are looking for smoothness and accuracy.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough Compound Saw, January 16, 2000

By 

Dennis Beach (Kansas City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Makita LS1220 12-Inch Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I purchased this saw to replace a 13 amp Delta. This saw makes the best finish cuts I've ever seen. It makes cutting crown moulding a snap and it's light weight makes it easy to lug to the jobsite. The only drawback seems to be finding accesories for the darn thing. This saw should be a keeper.