Makita Miter
Saw
A Well Designed Line Of
Miter Saws
Why
a Makita Miter Saw?
Well...for starters they have several different
and varying Makita miter saw models to choose from.
How many you ask?
Looking at the official Makita power tool website
you can count a total of eleven current miter saws.
And what is the difference
between all those models?
Lets start with the varying blade sizes on Makita
miter saws, you have:
Then you have the different
cutting variations:
- The basic miter saw gives you the ability to
make only a miter (angle) cut.
- Next you have the compound miter saw that adds
the versatility of a bevel cut and an angle cut at the same time
- Finally you have the sliding compound miter saw
which has a motor and blade assembly that slides on rails or arms so
you can accommodate longer or wider work pieces.
All three have their place in a workshop based on
the type of cuts that you require...and of course the amount of money
you want to spend.
Now Makita adds several other features to their
miter saws as well. Some are standard and some are additional
features to their other models.
Some of these are:
- Electric brake: This
reverses the flow of electricity when the saw's trigger is released and
assists in slowing the blade faster
- Blade guard: This is a
standard safety feature on most miter saws
- Laser guide: Projects a
visual line where your cut will occur on your workpiece.
- A built-in high output fluorescent
light: Illuminates the work area...nice feature...but not on
all models
- Dust bag: Helps collect
sawdust to keep the work area cleaner
- Shaft lock: Usually it's
some type of push button that locks the shaft and blade for quicker,
easier blade changes...standard on all Makita brand miter saws
- Table extensions: Mounted on
both sides of the saws table to help in cutting longer workpieces
- Ergonomic rubberized horizontal
D-handle design: For better fit and added comfort...again
this feature isn't standard on all Makita models
LS1214FL
Makita Miter Saw
Here is where the rubber meets
the road.
We have selected one the newest and top of the
line Makita miter saws and organized all the information into a quick
rating/review for your reference.
you will see the saws specifications, features,
included accessories and a price broken down by vendor/retailer.
Prices are as current as possible and change often
as you well know. So do your comparison shopping.
Specifications
- 12 inch blade diameter
- 1 inch arbor size
- 3,200 no load RPM
- 15 amp
- 52lbs net weight
Included
Accessories
- 12"x70 tooth carbide-tipped blade
- Vertical vise for holding material
- Dust bag
- 2 table extension wings
- Triangular rule
- Socket Wrench #13
- Right side sub-fence
Some
Great Features
- Laser line-of-cut indicator with on/off switch
and micro-adjustments
- Built-in high output fluorescent light
- Electronic speed control to maintain constant
speed under load
- Powerful 15 amp direct drive motor
- Dual steel rail sliding system for rigidity and
very precise cuts
- 9 positive stops at 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45° left
or right and at 0° for most common miter cuts
- Bevel positive stops at 33.9° and 45° left with
45° right
Price
Ranges
- Amazon.com - $602.25
- NorthernTool.com - $699.99
- CPOMakita.com - $689.99
- TylerTool.com - $619.95
- Drillspot.com - $594.00
Makita
Miter Saw Model LS1214FL Review
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 |
 |
- plenty of power
- Lots of great features
- Very smooth angle adjustment
- Dual function adjustment knob (locks unit
on rails and locks angle adjustment)
- Strong and wide table extensions
- Left side fence conveniently flips out of
the way
|
- Right side fence has to be unscrewed and
removed instead of sliding out of the way
- Table extensions are fixed and don't
slide in and out
|
What's
Our Conclusion?
It can be difficult to shop for a miter saw these
days. With so many different choices and features involved it's tough
to compare apples to apples.
What I've found when selecting any tool is to
evaluate what features and accessories each one has that fit YOUR
particular needs and go from there.
Can you give up this feature to have the other, or
are you a have it all or nothing kind of power tool owner.
Then it sometimes just becomes a price war.
As a whole this miter saw, as well as all the
models that Makita makes, seem to be very well built,
long lasting and functional. I don't think you can go wrong here.
Their prices are competitive with other brands
such as Dewalt, Bosch, and Ridgid and they seem to incorporate the same
set of features and accessories as the competitors do.
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