Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I researched 12" sliders for several weeks.I read the reviews from several web sites, borrowed a saw to test, went to the stores to see them in person, asked my friends who are brand loyal.Each saw had their strong points, but it comes down to this - What will you primarily us the saw for?I do mostly finish work, custom trim, occasionally larger construction.I need precision and portability.
For comparison, I have a Hitachi 10FCH, a straight forward compound miter saw with laser.The laser is mounted on the lower part of the saw arm, and works extremely well.The saw is light enough to carry up several flights of stairs without too much grief, and it has proven to be very accurate for trim and crown.I've used it outside in the Florida summer and New York winter, never skipped a beat, never bogged down.The dust bag catches about 85% of the saw dust.
I needed a saw to do bigger moldings, nested crown, finish cabinetry work, as well as rough construction tasks.I preferred the larger base of the Makita, versus the DeWalt's mini swivel.Delicate trim, wider nested crown - much easier to work with on a broader base.The slide out table extensions are a nice plus (they only adjust about 3"), extra handles for carrying as well.It's worth noting that the swivel action is the smoothest of them all.The slide action is ridiculously smooth as well, and rock steady.
I need to carry it in and out of customer's homes.Not going to happen with the Rigid or Hitachi (although they may make excellent jobsite saws - large base, front controls, and massive - like tying to carry a buffalo).The soft start feature is really nice, it doesn't jump the material off your mark.The direct drive motor is bull-strong, and very quiet compared to the screaming howl of the DeWalt.A customer friendly attribute.
It needs to work outside occasionally.The only non-mandatory thing on this saw is the laser.To be perfectly honest, I'm not that impressed with it.(My Hitachi is dead nuts on, no matter where the blade is).To set a standard measure point, the blade must be in the raised position - that puts the laser module more than 14" from the work surface, so as you bring the blade down 6-plus inches of travel- the laser line moves a touch to the left. A little frustrating when working with stupid expensive hardwood molding that I'm trying to trim a 16th off of.Sort of eliminates the point of having it in the first place.It does work, it just takes getting used to.It is well constructed, very durable all around.I feel comfortable that it will last out in the unexpected rain and around new construction sites.No bells and whistles or cheesy plastic knobs to break off.My dad has the 10" slider version, 5 years old and it's as accurate as the day he got it.Although I am a big fan and user of Bosch tools, on their 5412L it just seemed that I would break something.
The dust bag gets about 50% on a good day, depending on the blade type and material being cut.The blade that comes with the saw - a 70 tooth crosscut - is really nice.I use a 96 tooth Diablo blade for really fine miter cuts, and it basically makes powder, so only a vacuum can help there.The fence is tall and sturdy enough, although I do like the DeWalt sliding design better.
All in all, a great saw.Durable, very smooth, not extremely heavy, quieter than most saws, and capable of handling everything that I throw at it.I use it on a TracRac T3 stand, which I'm thrilled with as well. The laser just takes getting used to.It could use front controls for the bevel, but the current design works and has durability on its side.I had no quality control issues, it came shipped in an intact box.Being assembled in the USA is a nice plus.
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Product Description:
Step up in class to theMakita LS1214L 12-Inch Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw with Laser Guide, and enjoy the rewards: unparalleled power, superior cutting capacity, and a host of user-friendly features. Driven by a high-performance 15-amp, 3,200-rpm direct-drive (not belt drive) motor, this heavy-duty slide-compound saw is engineered to meet the unyielding demands of professional contractors. This reliable workhorse is versatile enough to handle everything from rough-cutting landscaping timbers and framing lumber, to fine furniture making and precise trim work.
Unlike some compound saws that only tilt in one direction, the LS1214L is a dual-bevel saw; it tilts 45 degrees to the left and to the right, which lets you execute bevel cuts without having to reposition the board to accommodate the blade angle. For making miter cuts, the machine's large aluminum turntable rotates 45 degrees to the left and 52 degrees to the right. There are 10 positive stops that lock the blade at commonly used miter angles. There's also a unique pivoting fence supports large, tall workpieces.
To help ensure safe, accurate cuts, the saw is equipped with a built-in laser that clearly indicates cut line. The laser can be activated without turning on the saw. (Note that the laser is tough to see in bright sunlight.) The saw carriage glides on two rock-solid steel rails, which are equipped with ball bearings. The motor has a soft-start feature that produces smooth, quiet start-ups that won't jar the board out of position. Slow starts also reduce wear and tear on the motor. The 53-pound saw comes with a dust-collection bag, hold-down vise, two extension wings, 12-inch-diameter, 70-tooth carbide-tipped saw blade and blade wrench. -- Joseph Truini
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