Makita LS1013 Miter Saw Review – Dual Slide Compound 10-inch Miter Saw Kit
I already own a number of Makita tools and I’ve always been very happy with their performance, so it was a no brainer to see what kind of miter saws they had to offer. The Makita LS1013 is a 10-inch dual slide compound miter saw that’s powered by their heavy duty 15A motor. This model is capable of miter cuts from 0-52˚ and 0-47˚ to the right and left respectively, and bevel cuts from 0-45˚ left and right thanks to the dual bevel design.
This model also features a double rail system for smooth operation and 9 convenient positive stops for quick, repetitive cuts using the most common angles. It also features soft start technology and an electric brake, which helps to prevent accidental cuts to your material. The adjustable pivot fence also makes working with larger stock a cinch.
What to Look For When Buying a Miter Saw
Choosing the wrong miter saw can be a costly mistake, that’s why it’s important to get the right one for your needs and projects from the start. Unfortunately, there are so many different models on the market that making your decisions can be difficult. What I’ve found while doing my research is that it helps to look past the marketing hype and focus on four key criteria that matter the most when selecting a miter saw:
- Type (basic miter, compound miter, sliding compound miter)
- Capacity
- Portability
- Additional Features
What Type Of Miter Saw Do You Need?
There’s nothing more frustrating than spending money on a tool only to find out down the road that it isn’t capable of doing what you need it do. Now your project is on hold and you have to spend more money to upgrade to a better model. When you go with a model like the Makita LS1013, you never have that problem because this type, a dual bevel sliding compound miter saw, is the most flexible of all miter saws. Simply put, if your project can be done on a miter saw, then you’re going to be able to do it on the Makita LS1013, or any other dual bevel sliding compound model.
You could save a little money by going with a basic or standard compound miter, but again you run the risk of finding that your tool is inadequate for your needs. Personally, I prefer to go with the most versatile tool right off the bat.
What Capacity Is Best For Your Needs?
Miter saws generally fall into one of three categories: 8 inches, 10 inches or 12 inches. The Makita LS1013 is a 10 inch miter saw and this is by far the most popular size for most buyers, because it offers a perfect balance between price and capacity. By combining the 10 inch diameter blade with the sliding action of this miter saw, you have a tool that is capable of handling just about any size and thickness material that you’re likely to throw at it. You could get more capacity with a 12 inch model, and Makita does make these as well, but you’re going to pay a premium for that extra capacity, and chances are you aren’t going to need it. I’m a big fan of versatility but in this case, going with a 10 inch makes more sense.
Should You Go Cordless?
Whether or not you should go cordless is an old debate. The problem with cordless miter saws isn’t how powerful they are — they have caught up to corded miter saws in that regard. The problem is that you are almost guaranteed to run out of power on the job site if your saw sees moderate to heavy use. There’s just no way around that. This can be solved by keeping spare rechargeable batteries on hand, but unfortunately they are not cheap, so your cost of ownership is going to be much higher than a similarly equipped corded model.
Realistically, it makes sense to go with a corded model like the Makita LS1013 for the vast majority of users. They are still light and portable and generally having access to an outlet is not an issue in the shop or on most job sites. The only time it would really make sense to go with a portable is for people who spend a lot of time working in remote locations with unreliable access to electricity.
What Other Features Do You Need?
If you go with the Makita LS1013, then the answer is none! Seriously, Makita threw in just about everything you’d like to see in this model, from the self cleaning dual rails, to the soft start technology and electric break. They even throw in two extension wings to give you extra support when working with long materials.
Makita LS1013 Miter Saw – How Much?
Given that this is a high end miter saw with all the bells and whistles, you would expect to pay a ton for this model, but Makita managed to keep the price down, so it’s still very affordable whether you’re a pro or just a weekend do-it-yourselfer.
What’s Included
- Makita LS1013 miter saw
- 10” blade
- Vertical vise
- Wrench
- Triangular rule
- 2 extension wings
Does It Come With A Warranty?
Makita includes a one year warranty on all of their miter saws.
What Others Are Saying about the Makita LS1013 Miter Saw
“I purchased this saw when it first came out on the market 3 years ago. Since then it has never skipped a beat. “
“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.”
“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. “
“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.”
Any Problems or Complaints?
This model has an amazing number of positive reviews, but no product is perfect for everyone. A small number of owners found that the dust collection feature was a little sketchy and could have been better designed.
Where Can You Buy the Makita LS1013?
Hands down the best place to purchase this model is over at Amazon. They have the lowest price online and even throw in free shipping most of the time, which will save you a bundle compared to other retailers.
Where Can You Read More Reviews for the Makita LS1013?
If you’re interested in reading reviews from owners of this miter saw, head on over to Amazon.
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