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Heres a formidable contender in the compound miter saw market with all the features you want in a high-end saw, plus one. We had high expectations for this saw, and we were not disappointed. Cutting is smooth, quiet, accurate and completely free of vibration, and the soft start is a nice feature. The 15-amp motor delivers 3,200 rpm, and electronic speed control maintains consistency under different loads. A common miter saw beef for us is a hard-to-read scale, but this ones large, clear and easy on the eyes, which we really appreciate. There are nine positive stops: 0 degrees, and left and right at 15, 22.5, 31.6 and 45 degrees, and bevels can be set from 0 to 45 degrees left and right. Capacities are great, too in the upright and center position, the saw will cut workpieces up to 4-1/2 inches high and 12-1/8 inches wide. A 45-degree left bevel still lets you cut stock 2-5/8 inches high and 12 inches wide, accommodating even the widest trim and moldings. The only thing wed change on this model is moving the rear bevel lever up front, but its not a big detractor. It does take a little muscle to set a bevel angle, but again, its not much of a mark against a saw that performs so beautifully. We like the vertical clamp on this saw; its quick to adjust and holds like a champ. Even the dust collection system, usually a notch above ineffective on most miter saws, is impressive, keeping the cutting line surprisingly clean. The thing we found coolest about this saw is a small detail, but one you dont see often: a built-in fluorescent light. It illuminates the workpiece cut line exactly where you want it, and its always right at your fingertips. Makita says the bulb will last some 2,000 hours, but we didnt stick around to check that out. Take care, though, as the bulb does get quite warm. There are a lot of compound miters on the market, but this one is definitely at the head of the class. Contractors and exacting woodworkers will love it.
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Technical Details
- 12-inch dual bevel sliding compound saw with fluorescent light and soft start- 15 amp; 3,200 rpm; cuts 52 degrees right and 47 degrees left with 9 positive stops at 0, 15, 22-1/2, 31.6, 45 degrees left or right
- Machined aluminum base; dual aluminum base; dual slide rails; carbide tip blade
- Includes saw, vertical vise, blade, wrench, triangular rule, 2 extension wings
- 20-1/2 by 28-1/2 by 27-1/2 inches; 52-1/2 pounds; 1-year warranty
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By Matthew Abell (Poconos, PA)
My father-in-law has this saw and I have had the chance to put it through its paces (I own a Bosch 5412L -- a wonderful saw for finish carpentry). Unfortunately, this saw disappoints on many levels...
(1) the fence is so low that it does not support the work adequately, especially when cutting baseboards upright or crown molding in position
(2) when making a right-tilt bevel cut on the left side of a piece (a very common task), it is nearly impossible to hold the work safely and securely without your hand getting in the way of the motor housing
(3) the upright handle position can be awkward when making left-end cuts (especially for a righty like me)
(4) the twisting miter lock on the front takes about eight turns to lock securely
(5) weighs a ton, with no side handles to help carry it
(6) having the miter scale on the right makes no sense, as it gets blocked by the piece you're cutting
(7) supplied clamp has too many adjustable parts to set up quickly
(8) no venier micro-adjustment for "tweaking" angles to a 1/4-degree accuracy
Now the good points...
(1) smooth, clean cuts
(2) soft-starting
(3) relatively quiet
For the price, I think you can find a better saw with less compromises, such as the Bosch 5412L. For less money, the DeWalts offer great accuracy without all the bells and whistles. If price is no object, check out the Festool Kapex.
By Bri Bri (Montana)
As usual Makita has a great product. The factory settings are good but always a good idea to double check them. The pre-set bevel angles were good but the pointer arrow was off so a simple adjustment and wa la! The smooth start is a great feature as saws without it cause a little problem keeping the mark in sinc when the saw jumps after you press the trigger, so that's a great plus. Wouldn't own anything but a Makita! Thought about the 10 inch but really no more bulk or weight considering the extra depth capacity. You can't go wrong with this saw.
By E. R. Brant (Clanton, Al.)
Could not believe the quality of the cut.
Wish I had one like this ten years ago!!
By Matt (Indiana)
I definitely would highly rate this saw for the jobsite. The soft start feature is very helpful and the fluorescent light is a must have. There are so may times when I am in a basement with very little light and have to make some cuts to trim something out. The blade it comes with is a surprisingly excellent blade. The way this saw folds up to carry is by far the best of all the sliders we've used (ex: Bosch, Dewalt, Rigid, Hitachi). The only complaints I have is the bevel index in the table, which is easy to get used to, and it seems to hang a little when the blade is fully extended to make a long cut and the fact that you don't get a 60 degree bevel like the belted sliders. That extra bevel cappacity is nice to have doing stairs. I have saws with lasers and feel they are overrated anyone who uses a saw day to day will always use the blade, it's proven to me to be much more accurate. Have also used the Makita with the laser as well and like this one better.
By J. Ruhl (Lancaster, PA USA)
I read the reviews here at Amazon and decided to go with this model sliding compound saw. Unfortunately it wasn't the quality I expected. My saw arrived with a bent blade and bad linear bearings. I was going to send it back to Amazon but decided to opt for warranty work at a local authorized repair center (30 miles away). Amazon, for their part, did make a price adjustment along with a great instant discount at the beginning of the sale. I decided it was worth the hassle to have it fixed under warranty. I'm pleased with how Amazon helped with the post-sale problems. The repair center currently fixing my saw is also a big plus for Makita's reputation. That's why I'm giving this saw a 3-star review, it could have been a lot worse. Will I buy another Makita product? I'm not sure. Time will tell if this saw goes the distance after being fixed. I really believe I just happened to get the one that had problems.
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Buy Makita LS1214F 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Fluorescent Light Now
