Makita LS1219L 12" Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
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Last year, I tried DW's 780 model on a small commercial job and it was terrible. Well, it didn't stink in one area: dust collection, which was among the worst I've seen on a modern tool. The dual sliding tubes also had built-in stiction, resulting in a jerky action when pulling or pushing the saw forward or back. I returned it to the leading big box store under their branded credit card return policy because it was terrible in a few other ways as well. I have an older DW 12" miter saw that I've had for about 13 years and it's only marginally better. I'm going to give a Makita a try soon, and I'll see how it compares to the old, inefficient, and troublesome-to-use one. since- new DW. I enjoy their battery-powered tools, but I'm done with their plug-in options. in stuff.
Selected User Reviews For Makita LS1219L 12" Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
I work full-time and have a family. Over the years, as a 20-year builder, I've owned and used a variety of miter saws. I've always owned DeWalt miter saws and have used other contractors' Makita miter saws and liked them, but I wasn't sure how well they'd hold up for my work. I was interested in this saw, as were many others, because it had a smaller footprint in my garage workspace than my DeWalt, and I knew I'd be transporting the Makita to and from the job site for at least half of the month. After doing a lot of research, it came down to this saw or the Bosch axial glide. br>br>I'll be honest, I was hesitant to buy this saw. Based on some of the reviews and photos of unboxing/shipping mishaps on this site, I'm guessing it'll be from Amazon. However, based on other online reviews, it appears that this saw may have a manufacturing issue with regard to zeroing it out and getting accurate cuts when fully extended (apparently due to the slide bars not being coplanar to one another). Despite the fact that the Bosch looks nice and is less expensive as of this writing, I decided to order the Makita anyway (based on my knowledge of Makita's history, I just felt the Makita might be the better bet over time). This decision was aided by Amazon's return policy. And I'm overjoyed that I placed the order. br>br>Perhaps it was just luck, but my saw arrived in perfect condition, with no damage to the box or the saw inside. The packaging was sturdy, with styrofoam and padding where it was supposed to go to protect it from rough shipping and handling. Maybe they changed the packaging system in response to the negative feedback? I'm not sure what I'm saying. The saw fences were perfectly aligned and plumb out of the box, as was the head's/blade's squareness to the fences - I just know mine arrived completely undamaged. br>br>Putting the saw together took all of five minutes, and then checking/adjusting all of the tolerances took another hour or so, with only minor adjustments needed to get it perfect. out to a length of 15" That is incredible! The zero- The degree bevel was a half degree off, but it was easy to adjust (the instructions explain how to do it, and it uses the same Allen key as changing the blade - conveniently tucked away in the tool itself). When the zero-point value has been reached, The angle of each 45-degree bevel was tweaked. In addition, the degree bevels were ideal. I could only just fit a sliver of very thin paper under my straightedge in a few spots on the right side of the table because it was nearly perfectly flat. If you're really interested, you can use feeler gauges. I didn't take the time to think about it. I'm a carpenter and woodworker, not a machinist, so the paper method worked fine for me. br>br>I also tested it outside of the traditional squares and straightedges, using actual 2x and 4x material and checking the material after each cut. Once adjusted, you'll have perfect and precise cuts! br>br>What can I say except that I am extremely pleased with the saw and the manner in which it arrived. br>br>As a result of the negative feedback: Large bevel angles require tall fences that cannot be slid out (only removed). That isn't an issue in my line of work: Large crowns aren't something I do. Because my work entails large pieces of trim, fascia, and hardwood, the tall fences must be removed for large bevel angles, but there is still enough fence for 2x material. In my line of work, the need for tall fences for 4x material could indicate that I need a more precise miter station and/or that I need to better joint and plane the material. Whether or not the fences are a problem depends on your usual material usage. I'm not interested in them. br>br>Some play in the saw head when fully extended was also a common complaint in negative reviews. Well, I figured this Makita would have some play (as did all of my older DeWalt sliders). When the saw extends, however, there is no play in the blade or saw head. Zero. It has a surprising amount of stiffness throughout its range of motion. I'm not sure if this will loosen up over time. When these tolerances are combined with good sawing techniques on my part and proper transportation procedures, I expect this saw to provide excellent cuts for many years. And, as others have pointed out, the detent plate (which is made of aluminum) is a source of concern for me. I'll have to see how this holds up in the long run. I believe that being less aggressive with the angle adjustment of the base will help a lot. The only way to find out is to wait. At the very least, Makita will replace it if it loses accuracy. The new one is then installed and squared up in less than ten minutes. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal. br>br>And, yes, this saw is heavy and will be a minor inconvenience to transport to and from the job site. It's a sliding compound with a diameter of 12 inches. saw miter: Every single one of them is quite heavy. If you're concerned about weight and transportation, and lugging 65 pounds around is a pain, I'd recommend looking for a smaller saw and not dismissing a 12" slider saw for its purpose. What else can I say? br>br>I'm at a loss for words. Despite several online complaints about this saw's packaging and shipping, I got exactly what I wanted and what Makita is known for: This is a high-quality tool that should last for years before needing to be repaired. It's a fantastic tool. Things I needed to see and use to appreciate and distinguish this saw: I really like the detent override switch on the thumb, and the bevel adjustment knob is a great way to avoid reaching behind the saw to make adjustments. My garage, of course, has a very small footprint. It will fit on a 24" miter station with ease. When not in use, angle the saw to 60 degrees and it will not protrude past the station. Makita, you've done a fantastic job! And, of course, Amazon for fulfillment and delivery!.
Half of the reviews are unrelated to the saw, and the other is a comparison of a $1500-$2000 saw. This one required a $2000 saw. br>br>From framing to fine carpentry, I use this saw. There are a couple of flaws, but they're minor. Advantages: br>br> br>Clean, smooth cutbr>Easy to adjustbr>Can be placed directly against a wall due to design (no sliding rail coming out the back)br>Decent dust collectionbr>Laser is a little dated but works well for quickly lining upbr>Blade it comes with is very goodbr>Miter detentes feel solid compared to competitionbr>br>br>Cons: br>Heavybr>Bulky in frontbr>Laser is outdatedbr>Mine was slightly out of adjustment, but it was tolerable for quick, imprecise use.
Makita is known for being dependable and excellent, but that is not the case here. My first order was damaged when it arrived. The replacement looked like it was dropped out of a 10 store build and landed at my front door twice, not just the box but the product as well, and I've come to realize that this product is extremely fragile and not worth your money.
PS. In each of the three orders, the same part was broken.
What a knucklehead. Even after it was destroyed during delivery, I thought I'd give this saw a shot. However, after a few weeks of use, this saw's features stopped working. This saw should not be purchased, particularly from this seller.
The unannounced base extension improvement was a pleasant surprise. The first image of my 20-year-old Makita LS1013 10 inch saw, which is still in perfect working order, is the primary reason I chose this new Makita 12 inch model. I figured that because the old 10 inch saw had been so reliable over the years, this saw would be the least likely to let me down. It cuts precisely right out of the box and performs exactly as I had hoped. br> That said, the shipping packaging is terrible, and I consider myself fortunate that my saw arrived in good condition. The box was collapsing, and the UPS driver was having trouble delivering it to my front porch. Fortunately, it's mounted on a thick styrofoam base, which shielded the saw from damage. br> You'll also notice, as with the battery-operated model, that it has newer extensions than those shown in any of the ad or display photos. These are a huge improvement over the old base extensions, which would never work properly on my LS1013. br> Although it weighs 9 pounds more than the Dewalt 12", the Makita makes the Dewalt look like a toy when compared. br> The laser is useless in direct sunlight, but I don't need it for cutting, and it is useful in the shop's light. br> Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase. It's best to buy it when it's on sale. This is a saw that I strongly suggest.
Makita does not take any care when packaging this saw. The only thing holding this nearly 100-pound saw in place and protecting it is a couple of pieces of cardboard. The dust collection tube had been broken. When the motor was running, it made an odd oscillating noise and vibrated wildly while cutting. Aside from the damage caused by shipping, the "system" of fencing is useless. The inserts that were taller were not co-ordinated with the shorter inserts. The main lower fence is in the vertical position on the planer. You can adjust it with a small screw, but that only aligns the top of the fence with the bottom fence, leaving a gap where the two pieces meet. Not to mention the fact that tightening that screw prevents the upper wing from being removed. This is a terrible design. I like Makita as a company and have other Makita tools, but this saw was a huge disappointment.
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