Customer Reviews

Makita LS1220 12-Inch Compound Miter saw

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Extremely smooth operation. As a contractor I can say that this is the most accurate miter saw I have used. The quality of this product is outstanding.

I,ve spent the last four nights researching and comparing all of the 12 inch compound saws on the market. My research led me to the Makita ls1220, the Bosch 3912b amd the DeWalt 705. Through rigorous comparison I choose the Bosch, but some advice from a few of my contractor buddies made me change my mind about the Bosch. The DeWalt was one that everyone seemed to recomend so my choice was made. I went to Sears to buy the saw and was turned down by the lack of goodies that didn't come with the saw. So I opted for the more expensive(at least in our part of the country)saw. So I went to purchase the Makita ls1220 and found it was on sale. Everything about the saw is awsome. The quiet start is a must, I can't believe that all saws on the market don't come with that feature. The accuracy is unbelievable and there is more than enough power to chop through any type of stock. When shopping for this replacement saw(replaces a piece of junk Crafstman 10in.)the D handle trigger was a must. So to anyone who is trying to make up there mind on what to buy may I suggest the Makita ls1220.

I had always used delta because of price but after three saws in 5 years I was not saving any money I talked to a guy at the tool hospital he said that very few makita saws have come in for repair. I am very pleased with the way the saw cuts runs and at the weight. The best saw that I have run in the last 10 years.

The soft start is a great feature, the handle design is easier to use than most. Easy to adjust and quiet when operating is a plus. Accuracy and construction is top notch. Exceptional quality and design is what I have come to expect from Makita.

After researching 12" compound miter saws on the internet for several months, I found the NEW Makita LS 1221 Model and purchased it. I sold my old craftman's 10" miter saw which I had to install shims on the fence to ture it up. I can honestly say Makita built a QUALITY MITER SAW. It was accurate right out of the box. All adjustment are easy to use. Accuracy is the KEY to quality wood working and this saw fits the bill. I realized the need for a larger saw and found positive reviews for the LS 1220. But I found the model 1221 is almost the exact same saw. I love the soft start feature and the electric braking. The clamp does ok as well as the extensions. All miter adjustment are easy and smooth to work and the preset angles are very accurate " a must in my book". This 12" miter saw with a Quality carbide miter saw blade (neg 5 degree hoook angle), makes for a Quality wood working package. Would highly recommend this saw. Mkita has done a GREAT JOB in this model.

I took alot of time in searching for a miter saw and thought I found it.I bought it..and fortunatly had a 30 day return policy.At first I was really impressed with this and thought Makita had done their homework in making this. I was particularly impressed with the smooth down action of the blade and its guard.Truly felt as if it had been European engineered.The fence is unbelievably accurate and made to stay that way.Another great thing is its soft start-excellent.! Now the bad stuff-I had problems with the switch from the start. Seems your hand must be perfectly aligned with it in order to depress it and and was also very sloppy.Sounds like a small thing but when you are hoding wood and mitering it at the same time-makes a very big difference.At best that had to have been engineered by [other] engineers.How they could do such an awesome job on most all of the saw and fell asleep on this part. So any way I ret'd it and bought a Bosch 12" and after 2 mths. find it to be far above Makita.Almost like comparing a home use model to an industrial model.

I bought this saw after reading several reviews, and so far I am happy with it for the kind of hobby woodworking I do. The soft start is great for me, but for a contractor I think it would be too slow. Most of the contractor's I know have the blade through the material as soon as they hit the switch, where as this saw takes a second or two to come up to speed (although smoothly). It does have a lot of power. The construction is first rate, but the 32 tooth blade that comes with it is terrible. Spend the money on a good blade.