Makita LS1016L Review

Five Star

Well just thought id give some honest first impressions!

I have been in the market for a good quality trim and Mainly cabinets installation miter saw! i decided that my 12" dewalt slider DW718 was barely good enough for paint grade work, so i had it on craigslist for the past 3 months and this past weekend someone bought it for $400.

i was under the impression that my only right choice for what im looking for was the Festool Kapex! With the saw starting at $1300 + Accessories and pakage deals i was gonna spend just under 2K( with the kapex table,crown stops,extra blade.) Keep in mind i already have the vac .

Then i came across a thread here and some one metioned makita ls1016 and a little video! looked nice,so i decided to wait and just a tuesday was @ the depot and there it was, checked it out theres a 30 day guaratee so i said what the heck, and bought it

used it today for the first time and as with all my miter saws i get rained on, but I MUST SAY, Right out of the box this saw felt GREAT the finish of the milling and casting is superb, the Tall fences are a must for me since i cut 90% of my cabinet crown nested,the dust collection i did not hook up my vac yet but for the most part the bag seamed to fill up!

today i was thinking and came to the conclusion,
1. How often do i cut trim in a finished house?
2. How often do i put my saw right against the wall?
3. How often do i bring a vac and set it up At my saw?

1.NEVER
2.Hardly
3.Once in a blue MOON

If this was in my personal garage or shop for the dust collection,Then i will buy the Kapex when the price drops or some better promotions!!

and for now the makita seams to fit my needs It very smooth running with soft start,and i like the fact that i can control the guard,trigger,and safety all with one hand and hold the material with the other! thats i big + for me as a trimmer for notching material and not needing other tools for fast notches!

Only time will tell but im gonna ride this saw hard for 30 days and if i decided to keep it, i will exchange it anyway for a brand new one to baby!(gotta love the depots return policy) or get a kapex

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Five Star

a couple of trim shots, Not use to cutting base on the flat, but this door way took about 30 min to trim out and the crown was nested in the saw 4 5/8 crown.

i really like the soft start and the feel of the saw. i like the groove cut out in the guard for sighting the material!

so far my only complaint is that they could of made a notch so it could be possible to cut 5 1/4 or 5 /1/2" base standing against the fence, it only needs about 1/2" clearance or so! but im sure it can cut 4 1/2 cabinet base standing up!

and the fences need to come off when tilting the saw to cut on the flat!

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genecarp

Nice looking saw, good luck with it. G

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Chris G

Looks like the fixed/changed all the things that bug me about my Makita...low fence, mitre numbers on the side, vertical handle.... Nice saw you got there. I doubt you'll return it.

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"Neek...Neek...yoo-a-moronna Neek. Getta-da-fookin-a-jacka-ham!"

http://www.vicporch.ca
Deck Fence Porch Builder Toronto

Five Star

I doubt i,ll return it too!! it a very smOOOOth operating saw and motor is super quiet!

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BCConstruction

Chris what makita do you have? They make a sub fence for some models to increase the size of the fence when needed.

WarnerConstInc.

So, I see 4 rails. Do they all slide, the bottom two and then the top 2? That looks kind of wierd.

Five Star

yes all the rails lock and slide independantly, the lower rail slides enough to cut crown nested for more accuracy, and the top rail extends for further extension for cutting shelves.

Actually pretty clever if you think about it, why extend the saw all the way forward when all is needed is to extend 6" or so!

im not 100% sold on this saw yet, so im going tomorrow to bring it to the festool place and see if they,ll let me put these 2 saws together for a head to head comparison!

i may be walking out with a KAPEX and KEEPING THE MAKITA.

HMMM on second thought maybe id better stay home tomorrow

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WarnerConstInc.

I had the last version for about 4 months, then the top literaly fell off the bottom where they mounted together.

So you have to rely on 4 rails instead of 2? That seems it might be the only bad part of the whole thing. Does the saw motor still hit the fence on the right side?

BCConstruction

I think that one allows 45 in both directions without hitting the fence.

Five Star

No didnt have any issues hitting the fence making regular cuts!

tilting the saw though the fences need to be moved far and they do not lock out of the way, so its easier to pull them off completely!

the locks on the fences are pretty sweet lever type that can be repositioned out of the way and cranked tight!

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WarnerConstInc.

I'll have to buzz over to the creepo, I saw the boxes the other day, so I know they are there now. I also know you can buy the old one for under 350 bucks. I use and abuse a saw for that money.

Five Star

the old one LS1013 was $299 but i dont like the low fences so for me its not an option!

i had redeemed my hd mastercard pionts so i had $300 in Hd gift cards!..this saw really cost me nothing but a trade for my old heeping yellow nightmare they call DEWALT DW718 ( Just getting rid of that thing i can sleep better at night..LOL)

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J F

Very cool, I like it.

WarnerConstInc.

I really dont like the old one either but, for 3 benny's I could use it to cut whatever and not worry about it.

No, no more tools. Need to stock up on the green, not the blue.

Stop it with all this tool ****.


P.S. I think they need a new light and are there flamingo's etched into that glass on the left of the door?

J F

Five Star

J F hows your kapex doing..? i saw all those green goodies


Warner i think there flowers etched in the glass!! the guy owns a glass shop!

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J F

The saw's doin' better than me (carpel tunnel surg.)

Five Star

i remember reading about some surgery you had! your not recovered yet..?

corpal tunnel or arthritis..LOL be honest

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J F

fvkr ...so far just hernia, and carp tun....arsehole