Technical Details
- Dual slide compound 10-inch miter saw kit; 15 amp motor
- Cuts 52-degrees right and 47-degrees left with 9 positive stops at 15, 22-1/2, 31.6, 45-degrees left or right and 0-degrees
- Dual steel rails; carbide tip blade
- Includes saw, vertical vise, blade, wrench, triangular rule, 2 extension wings
- 29-7/8 by 20-1/2 by 24-5/8-inches; 46-1/2-pounds; 1-year warranty
Product Description
Riding on a horizontal double-rail system, Makita's 10-inch dual sliding compound miter saw is one smooth operator. Both rails are self-cleaning and sli de on linear ball bearings. The horizontal rail design also seems to give this s aw some extra stability, a feature we appreciate, especially in a saw that bevel s to 45 degrees both ways. Makita's saw has a vertical grip design with a thumb- activated safety switch and a paddle trigger, and while the vertical design migh t be slightly less ergonomic than the horizontal D-handle, it does allow you to use the saw comfortably with either hand. Plus, the paddle grip makes squeezing the trigger easy no matter how you're holding the handle.The saw crosscuts a two-by-twelve at 90 degrees and also has the depth capacity to cut four-by-four material--a feature deck builders, in particular, demand. Th e saw's table is large, too, giving you plenty of workspace for making wider cro sscuts. The saw's nine positive stops make it easy to lock in common miters. The miter lock on this saw has a screw handle that is a little more time-consuming than recently popular cam-lock design. We really like the soft start and electri c brake, however; they're user-friendly features that make a big difference, esp ecially when a job requires a lot of constant, repetitive cuts. The pivot fence adjusts for supporting large stock and flips back for bevel cuts. The saw also h as a well-designed work clamp that lets you make precision cuts on small pieces without having to get your fingers too close to the blade. Like most sliders, th is saw features a depth-stop mechanism in case you have to make a few quick dado cuts on a job site. And, for home shop users, this saw also gives you the added option of a release safety button that pulls out and locks the saw off. --Jon Groebner
Choosing a Miter Saw
Miter saws are versatile tools that have become a mainstay of workshops everywhere. These powerful saws make angled cuts by pulling a circular blade down onto a workpiece with a short, controlled plunge. It might appear that miter saws are infinitely complex and varied, but there are only three general types. The type you choose will depend on your woodworking needs.
Basic Miter Saws
Basic miter saws are the least versatile off the three major variations, but they’re a great starting point for novice do-it-yourselfers. These models typically adjust for miter cuts only, so consider upgrading if you need to do more than that.
Compound miter saws are easier to use than basic miter saws because you can place your stock flat for cutting, and they adjust simultaneously for miter and bevel cuts. A compound miter saw is great for jobs that feature stock that's not very tall or wide, such as door and window trim or picture frames.
Sliding Compound Miter Saws
Sliding compound miter saws are the most versatile of the available models. They have a motor and blade assembly that's mounted on a moveable arm to accommodate longer, wider workpieces. For smaller pieces, the saw performs like an ordinary fixed-head model. On some models, the blade can only pivot in one direction, but on a dual sliding compound miter saw, the blade can tilt to the right or left.
Important Features at a Glance
Though models will vary by manufacturer and design, these are a few of the more commonly found features that you might want to keep in mind.
- Electric brake: Reverses the flow of electricity when the saw's trigger is released. This is an important safety feature that slows the blade quickly in case of emergency.
- Blade guard: Most miter saws have self-retracting guards that withdraw when the saw is lowered for use, and reappear when it is raised.
- Laser guide: Gives a precise visual line where the cut will occur on your workpiece.
- Dust bag: Helps collect sawdust for a clearer, more tidy cutting area.
- Shaft lock: Immobilizes the shaft and blade for quicker, easier blade changes.
- Table extensions: Mount on either side of the saw to help balance longer workpieces.
Miter Saw Blades
Miter saw blades come in a variety of different sizes, grades, and materials, but there are three main types: steel, high-speed steel, and carbide-tipped blades.
- Steel: Inexpensive and good for cutting soft woods or plywoods. Sharpness diminishes quickly in tougher materials.
- High-Speed Steel: More rugged than steel blades, and great for cutting harder woods.
- Carbide-Tipped: More expensive than other blades but much more durable. Maintain sharpness over a longer period.
Similar Products
Customer Reviews
2010-02-17
By Stefan Geissbuhler (Denver, CO USA)
I have had this saw for about 6 years now and I wouldn't give it up! I have used the heck out of it and it is still as precise as it was the first day. Once you fine tune the fence to cut perfect 90 degree angles, you're all set. I also like the cross cutting capacity. It allows me to cut boards up to 12" wide on 90 degrees.2009-07-28
By Mark Waldo (Philadelphia)
I ran all over San Francisco with this saw doing mainly trim work in Victorians for several years. I knocked out a lot of crown moldings, stair rails and base boards with this saw. I love it. It also did a great job of slamming out basic chop cuts in PT when I had to hang decks off the back of the same houses.2009-05-08
By F. Daily (nantucket mass)
This and the bosch are the only two saws worth considering for any type of finish work. The upfront controls of the bosch make it my favorite site saw, but the large table, lower price and less need for the quick bevel adjustments make the makita perfect for my shop. Hitachi saws are great for exterior trim and framing due to their light weight, but don't have the features that make the difference in trim work. (not to mention the fact that i cannot stand the noise they make) Dewalts are good saws, but also lack some features. These are the only saws worth considering; 1 Bosch. 2 makita. 3 DeWalt. 4 Hitachi (unless you are totally loaded then go for the festool kapex!)2007-11-16
By Ted Vandermeuse (Forestville, WI)
I purchased this saw 8 years ago to do a few deck jobs. Not only was it great for doing the decks, it is also an excellent saw for doing finish work! Never before have I been able to do near perfect finish work until I got this saw. I'm now on my 4th carbide blade, and this saw still works flawlessly. Unlike my DeWalt circular saw, where the saw brake no longer works, the brake on this saw still work perfectly even after 8 years of use, and yes I have to admit abuse too. If you are looking for the perfect saw that can do rough work the beginning of the week, and one to do finish work the end of the week, this IS the saw you want. Yes I've used some of the other BIG brands, but they don't compare in the ease of use of this MAKITA Dual Slide Compound Saw. If something ever happened to this saw, I definitely would buy it again!2007-05-15
By Aaron D. Larson (o.c, ca usa)
best buy for a long time. this saw is truely a job site handler. thanks for the quick response.
All Reviews