I was torn between this and the Festool Kapex. I do woodworking professionally and I need a saw that is dead on accurate. I wanted a saw that had slider bars going forward so I could move it closer to the wall and open up more space in my shop. (My friend has the new Bosch CM10GD glider saw in his shop and it is not very accurate). Another requirement for the saw was for it to have good dust collection. I have been exited about this saw since I got the email from Makita about its upcoming release a couple of months ago.
It was just released and there are limited reviews available. I needed to look at this saw in person because, I was concerned about the other review that said the upper fences need to be removed to do bevel cuts. The lower fences are taller than on the Bosch 4310 I'm replacing so I didn't see it as huge issue.
I decided to buy it locally at Acme Tool for $509 and try it out with the assurance of a 30 day return policy if I didn't like it. I got home and set it up with my best fence system by FastCap. I hooked it up to my shop vac with a dust deputy separator and made a few cuts. Horizontally the saw was impressively square over an 11-1/4" wide board (much better than my Bosch 4310 that can't cut square while using the sliders). The dust collection is very good if you aren't using the sliders... If you use the sliders the fence obscures the second dust collection shroud... The main port on the saw for dust collection is not very large. Since main port for dust collection is not very big and it splits into 2 shrouds it doesn't provide much suction out of each collection port individually, but if you use this saw like a standard non sliding miter saw and utilize both at once the dust collection is pretty darn impressive.
The reason I am returning the saw is that it cannot cut square vertically. Most of the board has a great 90 degree bevel, but as you reach the end of the travel (by the fence) the saw produces a small bevel. This might be acceptable for use in general carpentry but not for highly accurate woodworking. I also had 2 major kickbacks on the saw which are rare on miter saws. It may be due to this bevel issue or that the saw cuts in a slight curve instead of straight. It over cuts in the middle of the board as you can see in the attached picture. On the right side of the blade it burns at the beginning of the cut and the blade rubs and leaves a noticeable step in the board toward the fence between that is 1/32" and 1/64" deep.
I could have gotten a lemon but I am returning it.
I decided bite the bullet and spend 3X as much on a Festool Kapex that came with lasers that are not accurate... maybe I just have bad luck. :(
I certainly hope the motor doesn't burn out on the Festool, there are a lot of accounts of motor failure online and the out of warranty repair is more than I paid for this Makita but the Kapex is a real pleasure to use.
Other problems:
The upper fences are set back 1/64" from the main fences. (I noticed this on the floor model as well).
The rear screws for the throat plate are obscured by the fence and you need to use a flat head screw driver to turn them instead of a Phillips.
It comes with big gobs of grease on it that attract dust on the sliding surfaces.
The dust collection port faces downward toward the rear of the saw so you have to keep it away from the wall to allow space for the vacuum hose which takes away some advantage of the forward sliding design. You cannot put the saw right up against the wall especially if you want the hose to move and allow for miter cuts.
The bevel lock may look like a Festool Kapex, but it is just a knob to lock and unlock the bevel function that needs plenty of unscrewing. It doesn't actually adjust the angle of bevel like a Kapex (The bevel lock on my Bosch is just a lever on the front that is much faster and easier.)
It's made in China.
The laser is only on left side of the blade.
The safety trigger is awkward to use left handed, but you can get used to it.
Kickbacks...
It is selling for more on Amazon than at a brick and Mortar store (even with tax included) and I wouldn't want to risk having to pay return shipping for something this large and heavy. I'm sure it wouldn't ship with an outer box and could be damaged during shipment and uses cardboard instead of styrofoam to protect it.
good things:
I like the direct drive motor (no belts to slip or replace).
The motor is surprisingly quiet.
It seems solidly built.
It's not too heavy.
It is reasonably priced
It has a nice appearance.
The upper fences are easy to remove and they clip on to the outfeed rails so you don't lose them.
Dust collection is quite good if you are using it as a basic chop saw. Dust collection is acceptable if you use the sliders but not amazing.
The stock blade makes great cuts.
The hold down can released and clamped fairly quickly even though it isn't a quick release.
It has space saving forward sliding rails.
Laser was accurate.
It cuts very square (if you don't take into account the curve)
It might be great as a contractor saw, but if you are using it for that purpose you may want to wait for the cordless version that comes out in the fall.
If I wasn't concerned about dust collection or forward facing rails I would buy a Dewalt DW717. The led light instead of lasers is supposed to be awesome and never need calibration. I use a Dewalt without the LED light at work and it performs flawlessly but throws dust everywhere. The Milwalkee slider is also excellent. We had 2 at school, they have a digital miter read out which is really nice and they were super accurate. Unfortunately it only comes with 12" blades and has a dust collection port that doesn't work with vacuums. The Dewalt FLEXVOLT slider seems like the best option for something cordless at the moment, I haven't used one personally but I want a 10" blade for less deflection and the FLEXVOLT is only 12" at the moment.
| Manufacturer | Makita |
|---|---|
| Part Number | LS1019L |
| Item Weight | 72.8 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 22.05 x 32.68 x 21.65 inches |
| Item model number | LS1019L |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Wattage | 1800 watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Included Components | Vertical Vise (122854-6), Hex Wrench 6 (781044-6), Triangular Rule (762001-3), Dust Bag (122852-0), 10" x 5/8" 60T Micro-Polished Miter Saw Blade |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
