Amazon.com

Here comes power and efficiency in a great compact size. Before you even press the trigger, you'll love how this tool fits in your hand, how well-balanced it is. The rubberized grip gives you a sure, comfortable hold, even at odd angles. Performance is top-notch, thanks to dual ball bearings, precision balancing and a refined high-grade field magnet. We're really impressed by Makita's exclusive Shift Lock Drive. With a single touch, you shift quickly and easily "drill" to "driver" mode, locking out the clutch for superior drilling. And we love it when manufacturers include two batteries with their tools, because that means no down time. The charger handles multi-volt batteries, too, so it's good for a wide range. Maintenance is simple because the brushes are accessible. A great, hardworking drill/driver.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes side handle, bits, 2-batteries, charger and case
• Powerful 18-Volt Ni-MH batteries for longer run time
• Industrial metal gear housing and "high performance" Makita motor for long lasting durability
• 404 in.lbs. torque with16 torque settings
• Industrial 1/2" keyless chuck and externally accessible brushes for easy replacement

Reviews (7)

shock and awe, in a blue package...
Disregard all unfavorable reviews...this drill is yet another work of art from Makita! Perfect ergonomics and balance, even with a hefty 18V battery you still get incredible control and precision, instead of sweating and straining to keep the darn thing perpendicular to the drilling surface as with cheaper drills. This is my second Makita drill, the first one was a smaller 14.4v which I'll pass on to my wife because it's lighter.

I love America, born and bred, but gotta hand it to the Japanese: when it comes to anything electric (or gasoline-powered, for that matter) they kick our butts left and right! Sony TVs, Toshiba laptops, Lexus autos, Honda motorcycles...anything that doesn't blow up things and kill people, the Japanese simply have perfected.

Have used DeWalt drills before, they were just a little bit better than Black and Decker (the mother company) which doesn't justify the big price jump. Porter Cable has good power but tends to weigh a ton and their chucks are spotty.

Viva Makita!

solid drill with a few caveats
This is my third makita drill so I consider myself biased. I don't use it all day but I need a quality drill for household repairs. The electric makita drill I've had now for fifteen years and it still runs fine. My second, I bought one of those 9 volt drills when the first cordless drills came out. I good drill but it's for light work. The batteries on this I've used all day without a recharge, alot longer than the models a few years ago. I've had problems with the chuck though. On many occasions the drill bit will come loose with smaller bits. The cap has come loose. Still it's put up with all the abuse I've given it.

smoked and croaked
After using the makita for 6 months it smoked and croaked. I was unscrewing deck boards and after a hour and 1/2 I noticed it getting warm then suddenly began to smoke. My work partner was using a Miluakee 18 volt and it kept at it all day.

ALL THE POWER YOU NEED!
The Shift Lock Drive System is the easiest clutch lockout I've ever used. Two 2.6 amp-hour batteries and the quick charger can keep you going with out delays. Balance and the light weight make this easy to use, the 18-volt power makes it a pleasure.

Dissapointed
Transmission broke after three months of use. Had to buy a Porter Cable while I wait three business days for mine to be repaired. Being a diehard Makita guy I should have learned by now that while their saws and such are great, the drills still need alot of work. Too expensive for homeowner use, and kinda weak to rely on for the professional. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

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 slide on linear ball bearings. The horizontal rail design also seems to give this saw some extra stability, a feature we appreciate, especially in a saw that bevels 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 might 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. The saw's table is large, too, giving you plenty of workspace for making wider crosscuts. 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 electric brake, however; they're user-friendly features that make a big difference, especially 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 has 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, this 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 ... Read more

Features

• Dual rails for stability
• Bevels 45 degrees left and right for versatility
• Miters 0 to 47 degrees left, and 0 to 52 degrees right
• Adjustable sliding fence supports larger stock
• 13-amp motor with soft start for smooth performance

Reviews (63)

Best Tool In The Shop!
I have been woodworking for the past 25 years and have a substantial investment in tools. I've used an 8.5" SCMS for 10 years and spent the past year shopping all the new larger sliders on the market. My purchase of the Makita LS1013 was based on precision, quality, ergonomics and value. Of the 30+ top brand power tools in my shop, the 1013 has it all! The one word that comes to mind is "SMOOTH"! The glide of the sliding rails, the ease of the miter table swing and bevel adjustment, the solidity of the saw head and blade guard in the cut and the smooth but powerful and quiet motor all give the feeling of a machine with precision and finesse. Don't get me wrong. This tool is solid and very well built. I know it will last for many years to come. The miter and bevel settings were square right out of the box and the blade run out was a negligible .001". I was ready to purchase a Forrest Chopmaster blade but found the stock 64-tooth carbide blade gave a "glass-like" finished edge with no tear-out on several types of wood. The supplied accessories and the add on accessories are great and give the saw the features to perform all the task I'll ever need. Overall, the saw "feels" right. A lot of thought must have gone into the design and final production of this unit and in my opinion, there's not really any competition out there in the SCMS market!! Although I haven't yet performed any crown molding projects with it, I'm confident that it will be up to the task. Makita has a real winner here. It'll be hard to better it in the future!

very, very picky
I own the LS1013 and it is a great saw. I'm a carpenter and furniture builder with strict tolerances. Out of the box, my saw was set up with no needed adjustments. The angles were dead on, with minimal runout. A couple of bothersome points; the blade guard can get in the way when sliding inwards cutting mouldings and base, also the stops do have some play in them. The dust bag is pretty worthless in my opinion. I like how it has a stop at 31.6 for cutting crown moulding. Many don't offer this feature. The LS1013 slides effortlessly, the soft start is great and doesn't kick hard when you release the trigger. The blade is excellent (makita makes great blades). A friend of mine is a chairmaker who often writes articles for fine woodworking magazine. He also owns an LS1013. Great saw for the money, and haven't had any problems yet. If your looking for an accurate dual bevel sliding saw for $500 this is the best 10" saw on the market.

If I had a second chance ...
I just got the Hitachi C10FSH a week ago, everything is good ecept the noise. I don't know what went wrong in design process,
this saw is only 12amp but the noise is much louder than the DeWALT 708 and MAKITA LS1212 they are both 15amp. My ex boss have 2 MAKITAS they works really good. I stopped at the local store to take a close look at the MAKITA LS1013, it is a good saw,it has everything the Hitachi does, it is Made in America.You'll get a 14.4-volt cordless drill/driver kit free after mail-in rebate when you purchase this miter saw. The reason I didn't give it a 5 star rate because it isn't belt drive which the other reviewer said that the motor touch the work piece when you make right bevel, I don't know it is true or not, you'd better take a look yourself. If I had a second chance , this saw would be my choice.

Doesn't hold up.
I'm a contractor who demands a lot from my tools. I've owned the Makita LS1013 for 3+ years and am in the market for a new saw. I really liked the saw's features when I first purchased it, but I had to bring it in to a Makita repair shop within the first year. Ever since it has been on the road to ruin. I've had it worked on five times having had the miter locking mechanism replaced twice, the safety switch replaced twice (it falls out and gets lost - I now have a screw in its place), the fence replaced once (now needing its second replacement), switch replaced; miter bearing track under the table replaced twice (again the aluminum against steel thing); etc....

Positives of the saw: Tilted Motor (convenient & powerful), self cleaning sliders, wide base.

Negatives: Miter locking mechanism is a threaded steel rod going into aluminum housing which quickly strips (I'm on #3); aluminum fence warps (I'm on #2 and now need #3 - I think this is due to seasonal temperature changes it experiences in the back of my pick-up truck); rear bevel lock requires clearance deeper than the table; slop in the miter angle detents (they wear out).

I would recommend this saw to cabinetmakers, picture framers and those who have a shop set-up. For people like me who need a saw to hold up from job-site to job-site, this isn't your saw. Beware of too many features and too much aluminum, it just means there is more to go wrong. I'd gladly trade in the weight of a cast iron base and fence saw like they used to make because they hold up. For now, I'm going back to the Hitachi (not the version with the laser).

Keep in mind, power tools made today are priced low because they are considered disposable. I suppose 3 years of everyday use might be considered a decent life span against the money it has allowed me to make. Still, I'd prefer fewer features for longevity and toughness.

Simply Put: It is the Best Compound Slider Out There Period
I am annoyed at those who would let 6 different people use a saw that don't have the foggiest notion of how it works, then get critical of it when it breaks. This saw has a dual release on the front to set the miters. One is a lever that is spring loaded and easily moves aside in order to not click into the detents at 90 or 45 degrees for example. (So you can set it at 90.5 and not have it fall into the 90 degree detent) The other release is a large knob that screws in to tighten, and screws out to release. If you leave it tightened in and force the saw to change it's setting, you are for sure scoring, stripping, and breaking the setting mechanism.

Pertaining to the fence; With any tool you use, like a router, or a saw, you have to be careful to start the tool spinning fast before you enter it into the work. Have you ever experienced the run away router that was touching the work when you started it up? Well the same holds true of the Makita saw. Once or twice on my LS1212, I rushed into the cut before the blade was spinning, and the power took the piece and tried to force it through the fence. Spin first, plunge second. After that happened twice, I had to realign the fence. When someone does this on a regular basis, and then has to take the saw back for a replacement fence, it's the operators fault, not the saw. The fence is thick aluminum. Humidity has no effect on it whatsoever.
The adjusting lever for the bevel is located on the back of the slider, and of course it extends beyond the back of the stand.
I guess I am venting, because some have chosen to abuse this stellar piece of equipment, then return it trashed, and then try to convince others that the saw is at fault. I had to say something. So enough of the confusion, let's talk about the beauty of this saw.
The LS1013 is a brute workhorse, while at the same time an unbelievably perfectly accurate fine tool. Consider what Popular Woodworking had to say about it. "We can't recommend this tool enough. It's won every award this magazine gives out, and has earned a permanent place in our shop because it's tough and accurate."
Workbench Magazine gave its brother the LS1212 their editors choice award. Here is some of what they said about it. "Makita LS1212 proved to be the superior saw in this test on almost every count. It is compact, powerful, and dead on accurate. The saw made perfect bevels, miters, and compound cuts using only the factory detents for setup."
In ToolsOfTheTrade.com Tool test for sliding compound miter saws, without going into all of the elaborate criteria they used for each and every aspect of DSCMiters, they said in their Winners section; "Without a doubt, my overall favorite saw is the 10-inch Makita LS1013. The company's engineers really thought the design of this model through.
Personally I own the Makita LS1212 and it is a cornerstone of my shop. I used the Bosch Digital Protractor, which measures in tenths of a degree (equal to 3600 dots in a circle, no matter how small the circle) and measured the results in terms of accuracy right out of the box. This is it: The saw was dead on accurate, whether it was cutting a miter, a bevel or a compound miter-bevel cut, and wasn't off by even one-tenth of a degree. It is so quiet and smooth, I smile every time I use it.
Think of the engineering: Getting a saw to bevel both ways is a problem because when you tilt it to the right to bevel, the motor would normally get in the way. Some manufacturers put the motor at the back of the saw, and run belts to it. What Makita did, was still keep a direct drive by simply tilting the motor upwards at a 45 degree arc. Direct drive gives you the maximum amount of power, and zero vibration.
I could go on for hours about this saw. It comes with a blade that is such high quality, their is no need for an expensive replacement. It creates a glass smooth surface. With the dual bevel capability, and the Bosch digital protractor, you measure the real corner angle of the wall, (they are rarely a perfect 90) and it calculates the miter and bevel settings for cutting crown moldings. You lay the molding FLAT on the Makita, and cut a perfect crown the first time. No having to run up and down the ladder to keep tweaking it in.
Some may complain that the dust bag doesn't work very well. I throw my arms up in frustration hearing that also. How do you get a saw that is cutting forty million different angle combinations, and get it to throw all those shavings into a little throat. Production shops have a large collector behind their saws to catch all of the dust. It is amazing that the bag does the job that it does. Mine fills up with dust, but sure it doesn't get it all, none of them do.
I did a ton of research before buying my saw. I could tell you about the cheap plastic used in some of the competition. I could tell you about the saws that don't cut accurately, even on a simply 90 degree miter. Or the ones that cut the miter accurately, but falls short on the accuracy of the bevels. The ones that throw small pieces of wood flying at a 100 miles per hour, but I would rather just tell you that the Makita sliders are Simply the Best Compound Slider Out There. With the special going on right now, makes this a no brainer. I am so crazy about the Makita sliders that I ordered the LS1013 for portable use, even though I already have the LS1212 on a stand in my shop. Some reviews rate the 1013 higher than the 1212, due to a larger platform-work surface. It also has the crown detent, which the 1212 does not have. I love them both, now that I have been using them. Highly recommended. Triple AAA plus 5 stars. ... Read more

Features

• Dual ball bearing construction for longer tool life.
• Fast controlled driving, fastening and drilling without kickback.
• Built-in shock proof, high output L.E.D. light for increased visibility.
• Compact and lightweight design for both vertical and horizontal applications.
• Rubberized pistol grip for more comfort, control and reduced operator fatigue.

Reviews (4)

Makita 6932FDWDEX 14.4V Impact Driver Kit with L.E.D. Light
This is unlike any other tool out there. Using this impact driver reminds me of my first Makita cordless drill some 20 years ago ( 7.2 volt or something like that). It changed the way I worked, and so does this impact driver. Stripped out screw heads are a thing of the past with this awesome tool. The bonus driver drill is nicely balanced and works like a Makita should, all day long. I've used the impact driver to build decks, put in tech screws, and install lag bolts. I wish I had one of these babies years ago. The LED light is perfect for us old timers.
A must have for any builder/carpenter/auto body mechanic.

Optimal Design
The first thing I noticed about the driver when I snapped the battery in was how much lighter it was than my friend's Dewalt.

Of course, that made me nervous as light = cheap.My paranoia was increased when I pulled the trigger and found that not only was it quieter than the Dewalt, but the reactionary force from the spinning motor felt much diminished as well.

For some reason, all of these things gave me a foreboding until I started working with it.The impacting action was the same and the screws flew into the deck I was building almost as fast as the Dewalt.I slowly began to realize that the lighter weight made the work much more tolerable, even though I never considered the Dewalt as "heavy."

Both the drill and the driver also have handy do-dads that probably should have been included in cordless drills since their invention, such as the drill-bit holders on the base of the drill, and the LED on the driver.I thought the light was a bit superfluous, but there I was tacking-in posts for a front porch and was glad it was there to light up the dark corners.

As I said before, the Dewalt is a little faster, but it's also heavier, the batteries don't last nearly as long, the handle isn't nearly as comfortable to hold while operating, and it doesn't have the LED, which will of course seem preposterous until you need it.

five stars, all the way.

kicks butt!
What an incredible tool- This thing drives lags and long screws without the effort or stripping of a drill.The free drill bonus made it a no brainer.The 2 NIMH batteries last for extremely long periods even under extreme duty. The compact size, light weight and worklight all add up to making this the go to tool for all your driving needs!

Very compact, battery lasts a long time
I use this driver every month to fabricate wood handicap ramps, 3" deck screws into treated lumber. No need to push it hard, just enough to keep the bit engaged. Far fewer stripped screw heads than with regular drills, corded or cordless. The battery has plenty of charge; I have not had to wait for the second battery to finish charging before swapping it in.
This is a very strong driver - there is NOT a clutch as you find on drill drivers. In soft wood, the screw head just keeps sinking further into the wood. In hard wood, the screw head will twist off if driven too far. It IS somewhat noisy when the impact feature engages, so you may want to consider ear plugs for continuous use. ... Read more

Product Description

Fastest Impact Driver in its Class (0 - 2,300 RPM), 64% Faster, 210% More Powerful than Driver-Drills The ultimate power tool for fastening applications. Makita Cordless Impact Drivers provide a level of power and performance unmatched by cordless drills. Discover for yourself why professionals are making Makita cordless impacts their new tool of choice for driving, fastening and drilling. ... Read more

Features

• Maximum tightening torque of 887 in.lbs.
• Complete with charger, (2) batteries, case.
• Powerful 12 Volt (2.6Ah) Ni-MH Batteries and built-in L.E.D. Light.
• Compact design with an overall length of only 6-5/8".
• High performance Makita motor outlasts the competition.

Features

• Equipped with a Fluorescent Light for greater visibility
• Powerful 15 amp motor that handles every job easily.
• Electronic Speed Control monitors and maintains rpm under load.
• Soft Start feature for smoother and safer start-ups.
• Large turn base ensures a more stable work area.

Features

• 11 positive stops for improved cutting of crown molding.
• Powerful 15 amp motor that handles every job easily.
• Electronic Speed Control monitors and maintains rpm under load.
• Soft Start feature for smoother and safer start-ups.
• Large turn base ensures a more stable work area.

Features

• Features 3-Mode operation; "Rotation Only", "Hammer Only" or "Hammering with Rotation"
• Powerful 7.0 AMP motor yet weighs only 6.0lbs
• Impact Energy (2.0ft. Lbs.); Power-to-Weight Ratio (.32)
• Positive Lock ensures that the bit is securely fastened
• 0-1,100 RPM and 0-4,500 BPM (2.7 joules of impact energy) for demanding applications

Features

• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load for smooth cutting
• Built in flexible, fluorescent job light illuminates cutting edge
• Dual rails each supported by linear ball bearings for smooth, accurate cuts
• Dual position depth adjusting arm for presetting crosscuts
• No Load Speed of 3,700 RPM

Reviews (12)

Too many problems with the Makita LS1013
As a builder I'm very disappointed with Makita's LS1013.This saw is a good saw straight out of the box but it starts developing its design problems quickly. First, the miter table grinds against the base when turned- My LS1013 grinds so badly it leaves metal shavings on my cut table!! The same applies when using the bevel, minus the metal shavings. Three friends of mine with the same saw have the same design complaints with the LS1013. You can't cut a 2x10 or a 2x12 all the way through on a right-sided 45 degree bevel because the saw's motor hits the wood, preventing the blade to cut all the way down. This saw also struggles through 45 degree bevel cuts on 2x material.You will notice the "positive stops" quit working fairly soon as well. The under-powered motor makes this a good saw for trim work only! This is not a rugged saw! I do like the smooth running motor! I recommend calling Makita and asking them if they have fixed the table-grinding problem, they know this is a problem.

Best of the bunch!!
I did quite abit of research of different model and makes of sliding compound duel bevel miter saws and finally picked the Makita LS1013. It was very accurate right out of the box. I checked all the settings and they were right on! I didn't go only by reviews or ads. I went and talk to people in shops that used these saws. I have as yet heard no bad comments on this model. In fact one cabinet shop owner inform me he was getting rid of all his old saws and replacing with the Makita LS1013.

Great saw!!

Excellent Saw
I recently purchased this saw (the model w/o the light). Excellent quality and cut precision. Easy to use and powerful. No complaints! My first miter saw, and I'm so glad I purchased this one. The sliding feature is so handy, can cut boards up to 12" long!

Stop now and buy this saw
I was looking to purchase a 10" sliding dual compound miter saw and I figured if I was gonna pay I might as well buy the best one out there. One big thing I was looking for was a saw that held it's angles. I'm tired of constantly checking my miter angles on my table saw and it was worth paying an extra $100 or $200 for a saw that was good.

I narrowed the best two saws down to the Hitachi C10FSH and the Makita LS1013F.

I went to Lowes and saw that they had the Hitachi C10FSH which let me check it out first hand. The plastic felt cheap and the base was very small. So small infact that the saw can fall over unless its bolted down. This wasn't for me since I need my saw to be portable and sometimes it'll find itself on a flat table and not bolted down. Since it was small it would also not hold wood very well for being cut.

I decided to purchase the Makita after talking with woodworkers. They told me that working on the hitachi was a nightmare.

This saw is GREAT. It is quiet. It is about half as noisy as a 7.5" circular saw. You can use it in a closed garage without ear protection. The dust collection gets about 85% of the saw dust into the bag. The unit feels very sturdy unlike the Hitachi. There are three main adjustment knobs. One to unlock the sliding arm, one to adjust the miter, and one to adjust the bevel. The Makita is silky smooth in all adjustments and is very well balanced. Adjustments are not awkward with this saw. There are many positive stops which are controlled by a front lever.

The saw has a built in handle on top of the unit to allow you to carry it.

All in all I love this saw. I cant find any faults. It's simple to use and adjust and feels strong and sturdy.

Some people say this saw is expensive but you get what you pay for. Get a cheap saw and you'll be checking your adjustments all the time and pieces will fly off. Who wants to bother with stuff like that? You'll have this saw for 30 years.

I finally got the right saw.
I have been a trim carpenter for 4 years, and have used most miter saws out there, from the 8 1/2" Hitachi to the 12" DeWalt, and just about every make of non-sliding saw there is. One guy in my company has been using this saw for several years, and I have always eyed it lovingly. He recently went on vacation, and let me try it out while he was gone. After a couple of days, I had to buy one. I picked it up last night, and let me tell you, it is the smoothest, most accurate saw I have ever owned. Right out of the box, I checked the cut angles, and I have never seen one so true. Not even after screwing around with my old hitachi's fences for way too many hours did I ever get a cut this true. The detents and adjustment knobs are very user friendly, but I have been warned to treat the saw like a new baby. My stair guy has the 1013 and stripped the bevel and miter adjustment knobs. More power would be nice, but I likely will never bog this one down enough to need more. Nice Job, Makita. In the words of Jerry Maguire, "You complete me." ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For the price, Makita's 10-inch portable table saw is a solid choice for the job site. The 15 amp motor packs plenty of power, and with a 3-9/16-cut capacity, this saw will rip four-by material on a single pass. This saw also has an electric brake, so adjustments between cuts are both safer and quicker to make. The table's a good size, too: 27 by 22 inches. We also really like the saw's new cam-lock rip fence, which is much easier to adjust than double-locking designs. The bevel adjust has a pretty good rack-and-pinion design (metal, admittedly, would be better). All in all, this saw strikes a nice balance between weight (only 40 pounds) and vibration (minimal). Simply put, the Makita 2703 is a solid saw, better for the job site (quick, powerful, lightweight) than the home shop. For the shop, we'd recommend a saw with a more accurate fence. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Dead-on cam locking rip fence
• Powerful 15 amp motor for smooth cutting
• Large 27" x 22" table
• Lightweight (40 pounds) and portable for easy transporting to the job site
• Electric brake for maximum productivity

Reviews (8)

Quality Product
My family recently inherited one of these from my Uncle Doug (he didn't die but he left to go buy cigarettes one day and never returned-that's another story). We don't like letting things go to waste, so we try to use it whenever we can even though we don't do any carpentry or anything that would require a tablesaw-we've done little school projects and some tailoring, etc. The saw works well, and it's pretty easy to get a handle on, even for non-experts. However, for small projects like cutting paper or cardboard, scissors really still work the best. Nonetheless, I look forward to working with this saw more, and someday I'd like to saw a little statue that we can keep to remind us of Uncle Doug (Doug "the Mug").

Good but needs improvement.
I am a contractor and own 2 of these saws. I have had 2 replaced in the last year because of broken blade bevel mechanisms. The reason is that the gears are plastic and packet with grease that subsequently fill with sawdust and jamb when you try to bevel the blade to 45 deg. I still own the old reliable Makita 8 1/4 2708, never a problem, except the cord getting a little old and frayed. Makita should have stuck with the tried and true design on the bevel and changed only the blade raising handle to a crank (as in the 2703). It's still a good saw, especially when you drop it in a Rousseau stand, I just wish Makita would get rid of the plastic gears.

Tool Time Tim
I bought this saw based on my expierience with Makita tools in general and was not disappointed. It's not a "shop saw'" for doing precision work but as a job saw, for common rips and quick cuts on the jobsite, you can't beat it. Every time I turn it off I say, "I just love this saw". The quick acting electric brake is a boon when you have to make a quick fence change. The light weight is a plus if you have to move it around to access different job areas. There's even a hole in the table to let you see the power switch without having to squat down or step back from the saw. And while were on the subject of the table, it's heavy cast aluminium. A feature not always avalable in a saw in this price range. There's a nice blade well with a vacuum system fitting on the back for dust free opperation. I cut a hole in a wet vac box and bunjied it to the back of the stand, and the sawdust just shoots right in.
This saw is a good value. Just like all my Makita tools, there's enough power to do the job, with a minimum of noise and vibration.

Makita 2703X1
The Makita portable table saw in one form or another, has been around for about twenty years, and will no doubt continue to be around for quite a few more. It was being thrown into the open bed of a pickup truck on a rainy overcast day long before either DeWalt or Bosch were ever a jobsite presence. It is probably one the most popular but mishandled, abused and poorly maintained tools on any given jobsite. The design has improved and changed over the years on it's way to becoming the 10-inch 2703 but has always been very solid and capable, unlike many of the people I've seen attempting to operate it with satisfactory results. This saw was designed to be a rugged heavy-duty general-purpose portable jobsite table saw for use with or without table legs and as such, excels in this area. I'm not sure a professional woodworker would want to attempt to build their heirloom quality furniture or custom cabinetry with any portable table saw, but I do know that with the proper setup it can been done successfully with this saw.
I have always kept the fence properly adjusted and have it faced with 1 X common stock on both sides, so I haven't experienced the problems with alignment and slippage that some other owners have reported in their reviews.
Although I don't believe it was specifically designed for exacting shop use, precise square hairline "shop saw" accuracy is surprisingly attainable with the 2703X1 but, this is not an "out of the box" saw for precision shop woodworking and you will need to take the extra time and steps to set it up properly for precise results. And of course, as with any table saw, results always depend greatly on user skill combined with patience and common practices such as, using a clean high quality blade matched to the material being cut, precisely set and maintained initial blade square and bevel adjustments, wood facing of the miter gauge for stability during cuts (especially important because of the shallow miter gauge slots in the 2703's table), double sided wood facing of the fence to add stability and maintain a smooth parallel path to the blade (especially because of the short length and hollow tubular construction of the fence), always measuring accurately and using a square to set the fence, (for my own personal preference, this requires the not recommended practice of permanently removing of the blade guard), using a protractor or angle gauge to set the miter gauge or blade bevel position, clean waxed table surfaces, solid mounting of the saw base to the table legs, proper support of the work piece and very slow, controlled stock feed rate. Also because of the lightweight construction of the saw, weighting of the table legs with cement blocks or sand bags on a level concrete floor is beneficial to stability and accuracy.
A 6-inch dado is the only size recommended by Makita for use with the 2703 and as such is the only size I have ever used with it. The table insert for the dado costs about twenty dollars.
As for durability, I believe if you ask anyone who owns and routinely uses one if they have had any real problems with it over the years (except for those caused directly by abuse), the response of the majority of owners would most likely be... No.
Overall, I personally feel that with the combination of price, durability and capability the 2703X1 is easily the best portable table saw value on the market today.

Good table saw, but...
I bought this saw about two years ago and have been pleased with its performance for the most part. Light weight and well built, the Makita performs most cutting jobs with ease. It does have two very frustrating negatives about it, though.

By far the biggest fault with the saw is the rip fence. It is never accurate when it is tightened down on the table. As the locking mechanism grabs the front of the table, the opposite end of the fence loosens and strays from square. I have to use a long Try square to align the fence at the rear of the table while very carefully tightening the lock to the front. More often than not, the mechanism pulls the front of the fence away from the Try square and I'm back to where I started.

The other problem with this saw is Makita's use of a non standard size miter gauge slot. This makes it so one can not use any of the really wonderful attachments available to the woodworker.

If I could do it over, I'd spend the extra money on a DeWalt. ... Read more

Features

• 3-prong plug to prevent static electricity accumulation
• Variable speed (0-3,000 RPM) with pre-set maximum speed dial; ideal for ultra slow polishing
• Pre-set speed setting dial (from 600-3,000 RPM) for maximum control
• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load
• Easily converts from polisher to sander with hook & loop accessories

Features

• Large cutting capacity handles up to 3-7/8"x6" stock
• 4-1/2" tall pivoting fence for cutting up to 5-1/2" Crown Molding
• Powerful 15 amp Makita motor delivers 4,000 rpm
• Horizontal D-handle design for easy and comfortable operation
• Carbide tipped blade for precise cutting

Reviews (1)

Accurate saw with some minor nuisances
I found the Makita LS1221 to be very accurate and powerful. The miter table to the base were near perfect alignment and the fences were very square to the table. The saw is in no way flimsy. Adjusting the bevel and the miter angles are fairly easy. The miter gage is very easy to read. The bevel gage however does not offer enough contrast, especially after the smallest amount of saw dust gathers on it. The lever for locking the bevel gage should be in the front of the saw. The motor makes an annoying sound when it is first started and is positioned directly on the right side of the saw making it difficult to see what you are cutting as the cut proceeds through the wood. Changing the blade is very difficult because there is no way to support the blade fence out of the way to clear the arbor nut.
This however, should not be a problem for anyone who has three hands. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's not much you can't do with a set of tools like this. Frame and drywall and trim a room. Build a deck. Make some gingerbread shelves. All the tools in it are powered by 18-volt nickel-metal hydride batteries, and you won't feel any less power than their corded counterparts. Here's what we like about each of the tools in this kit: The recip saw has a tool-free blade-change system, perfect when you're on the roof and the allen wrench is in the truck. Variable speed offers exact cuts in a wide range of materials, and the electric brake means safety. We like the circular saw's large aluminum wraparound base and the 50-degree bevel capacity, externally accessible brushes and the electric brake that stops the blade almost immediately. It's light, yet powerful. The hammer driver-drill is super tough with a gear housing of industrial metal, and with 16 torque settings, you won't be at a loss. The rubber grip feels good and helps absorb impact. You can change the bits one-handed, too. Like the recip saw, the jigsaw offers tool-free blade changing as well as tool-free base bevel adjustments to 45 degrees left and right. Cutting curves? No problem, thanks to three orbital settings in addition to the straight cut. The trigger switch is nice and big, too, something we always like to see. We like the blower's versatility: Blow your work mess into a corner, then switch to vacuum and clean it all up. It's super light and so portable, it's perfect too for tidying up a vehicle. If you're vacuuming in the dark, just aim the four-position flashlight at your mess. A fantastic combination of tools, both for the professional and the homeowner.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Kit includes charger, 2 batteries, and a tool case
• Lightweight
• Tools include reciprocating saw, circular saw, hammer driver-drill, jigsaw, blower, flashlight
• Comes with two powerful 18-volt batteries, charger, and tool case
• 2.6Ah

Reviews (2)

Good value
First the good news: this is a good value considering all you get for the money. Each of the tools is a decent tool in its own right. I'm glad I bought this and would recommend it to the occassional home improvement enthusiast.

Now the bad news: the blower is nigh useless. As with all multi-pack tools, there is a little skimping here and there on the tools. If you need any of these tools for anything more than occassional use, you might want to buy them separately. When you get a combo deal like this, you get what you pay for.

Nice Box!!
I bought this set in USA and lugged it back to the U.K. so i can say it's a big box. As for the tools... The blower is absolutely useless...well...actually i found a use for it...blowing cobwebs out of the corners of my rooms. The torch i haven't used much..doesn't seem like anything special. However..the main tools of the set i have found excellent. The jigsaw especially seems very powerful for a cordless. The drill is lovely to use..not to heavy and the batteries go on and on. Only one gripe..the chuck has some play in it straight out of the box. I built a large deck in 3 weekends just using these cordless tools and the only sticking point was trying mitres with the circ saw. No Chance...had to drag out the Ls1013 another excellent makita tool. ... Read more

Features

• Low noise level at only 87dB for quiet operation
• Large capacity blade cuts 6-1/4¿ at 90° and 4-3/16¿ at 45°
• Weighs only 28.7 pounds for ease of operation
• Electric brake for maximum productivity
• Powerful motor delivers 1,800 max watts out

Reviews (2)

Big, Big saw
This is THE tool for cutting 4xs and 6" Glu-lams. I was surprised at the smooth opperation of this saw on doug fir glu-lams and SYP 4x8s. The 32 tooth blade is the correct unit for very good cuts while framing. The only thing I do not like about this tool is the thumb safety button. Re-locating it to the forward handle would be a big help and ensure that the operator keeps both hands on the saw when starting it. I found myself using my left index finger to press the "safety" button to start each cut, therby removing my L hand from the saw. My right thumb is too large to work the [safety] button.

Tough Jobs demand tough tools
The 5402na is defintly a powerhouse. It slices through 6x stock
with ease. The electric brake stops the blade on a dime and the blade stablizer is wonderful. I strongly reccomend this saw for anyone who works with 6x or 8x stock on a regular basis. It really saves time and effort. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Arguably the best portable model on the market. To best minimize snipe, Makita came up with an innovative four-column design and fortified it with diagonal cross supports to stabilize the cutterhead while the patented Interna-Lok cutterhead depth adjustment secures the head while cutting. We particularly like how easy it is to adjust the depth scale and gauge. The depth stop makes sure you never overplane multiple pieces. The infeed and outfeed tables are supersized - another little perk we liked. Often, changing planer knives is an ordeal, but Makita's quick-change system and externally accessible brushes minimize your maintenance time and get you back to what you really love doing. The unit is relatively lightweight as these machines go, and at 83 decibels, is among the quietest of its kind. Still, please use ear protection when you're using this little beauty. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Supersize infeed and outfeed tables maximize work support
• Compact and lightweight for easy transporting to the job-site
• 15 amp motor delivers no load speed of 8,500 rpm
• Table size of 13 by 30-3/8 inches
• Patented Interna-Lok automated head clamp minimizes snipe

Reviews (25)

Worth the Money
Much like other reviewers, I have a small shop and make personal furniture and cabinetry. I too agonized over the purchase of a planer. The obvious dilemma is between a floor model 15" and a portable 12". The Makita is more costly than most of the portables, but less than half of the stationary 15" models.

After reading of the trouble others have had with the Delta (and my own negative experiences with Delta) I decided to spring the extra bucks for the Makita quality.

Great decision. This planer performs flawlessly. As long as you keep each pass shallow, snipe is of no concern, and I also agree that you have to cut the ends off the stock anyway. Snipe won't mean a thing if you have a board end check on you after you have completed a project.

I too reserve the other 5th star for longevity, as I have only had the planer for several months. As for the dust hood-I plan to save myself the money and just make my own. Any true woodworker can handle the fabrication necessary for a rectangular plenum with a round outlet-it's held on by a couple of thumb screws.

I say you can't beat this planer.

Well worth the price !!!
I recently read an article in one of the Popular woodworking comparing many of the 12" bench top planers. I had my heart set on a Delta, since my experience so far had been good. Boy did that article change my mind in a hurry. They has only good things to say about this planer. The only downside was the price. They said that they loved the planer, just couldn't justify the price. Well, I could. I'm sick of getting exacty what you pay for. I'm willing to spend a little more and get top quality. If you are too, this is the planer for you. Got it (from the tool-crib BTW) on Sat and spent the next day planing some 4/4 red oak. Beautiful finish !! A fine sanding is all that's required. Also, the stop remembers what your last, final, thick- ness was, which came in handy as I needed another 3/4 board and had already put the planer away. Snipe was a minimum, maybe 2-3 inches on the feed end and, as long as you're careful, none on the back end. Take some advice, get yourself a nice pair or dial calipers. I got a 6" Starrett from the tool crib here and it, in conjunction with the planer will give you the _exact_ thickness that you need. I'm sick of going to the lumber yard and ordering 1/2", and some are a little strong of 1/2" and some a little shy and none of your dados are fit like the test cut did. Another cool feature is the thickness dial on the crank. Using the calipers, you find that you need another 1/32" off the side. Set the 1/32" mark on the thickness dial, turn the crank until the '0' matches up with the mark and it takes off the required amount, no more, no less.

Makita 2012NB 12" Portable Planer
A joy to use. Simple, straight forward and without all the marketing hype of some of the other machines. Stock feeding is a very easy task. Transport is positive without the bother of a lock each time you make a pass. Crank adjustment is very easy to adjust for the smallest of stock removal. The depth stop is easy to use. The unit worked perfectly right out of the box. Read the instructions, plug it in, turn it on and your good to go. Fit and finish is top drawer and it's hard to imagine how it could be better. Unit produced just the smallest amount of snipe at about 1 1/2 inch from the ends. No big deal, a few passes of 220 grit sandpaper and it's gone or , I perfer to just cut it off. I only mention the snipe because it's there, not because it's a problem. Again, not worth taking a star away. This has fast become my favorite power machine, and I have them all. Go buy it. Simple , straight forward and rugged. It's a winner.

Great planer!!!
I am glad that I had bought this planer. I have planned some 10ft long 8/4 mahogany boards with it and the finish was excellent. Sniping was minimal and in most cases nonexistent if I support the board correctly while feeding it in and as it comes out. I did buy it new from Amazon and used it without any need for adjustment. I think the quality is very good and the planer is very quiet comparing to an old portable Delta planner that I had.

A Fine Planer
I bought this planer based on several factors. In no particular order they were: Makita's reputation, the reviews I read at this site, and its claim as being one of the quieter planers. I have never used another planer so I can't give a first-hand comparison. I can say, however, that I have been very happy with this tool. I used it quite heavily for building a workbench from hard maple. It is quiet, as advertised. I found it very easy on the ears. I had no problems with snipe, though I agree with other comments on this site that problems with snipe are overblown. Just trim your boards to finished length after planing. But as I said, I never had any problems. The blades were easy to change, and in general I found the tool accurate and easy to use.

For the most part, the finish was ready for sanding. However, when planing some of the heavily figured maple there was some tear out. I have since found out that this is to be expected and one should not expect a final finish from a planer on figured wood. In fact there is whole time-honored regimen for surfacing figured wood involving high-angled planes and scrapers. Just thought I'd pass that along.

If you've never had a planer before you will probably be surprised at how much of a mess they make. You will most likely want to add dust collection at some point in the future, so if you don't buy the dusthood now plan on buying it at some point down the road. ... Read more

Features

• Includes (2) Ni-MH batteries, multi-voltage charger and case
• Two piece D-31 motor for easy serviceability
• All metal gear transmission for smooth, efficient power
• Shift lock drive instantly changes from drill to driver
• 2.6 Ah Ni-MH batteries for greater capacity and longer run time

Reviews (2)

Excellent drill!
I was recently forced into the market for a new drill when my old 14 volt Dewalt drill/driver finally ended its long career. I needed a drill that could be used for work every day and also came with batteries that would not run out of juice multiple times in one project. I have always believed in Dewalt, but with all the reviews in magazines (and friends) being negative on the new line of drills, I decided to do my research. I ended up choosing between Makita and the new Ridgid brands of drills. I bought a Ridgid drill from my local home center due to the fact that they did not carry the 18v Makita. After one day of use, I noticed a spark coming out the side of the drill due to the brushes in the engine. The drill performed very well even with the sparks but still had two additional flaws: battery life and weight. I went on Amazon as soon as I returned home to look into Makita drills. All of my saws and screw guns are Makita and I have never once had a problem. To my delight, Amazon not only had the drill on sale but it also came with a quality tool belt, work gloves, Amazon discount and a Makita rebate!
The bottom line is simply that this Makita is better made than the other drills. It has externally removable brushes that no other drill, at least that I know of offers. The drill is much lighter than others and the batteries can't be matched by anyone but Panasonic. This drill is just an amazing value, especially on Amazon. I would recommend this drill to anyone who is indecisive on what brand to buy for professional use.

Excellent Drill for the professional or DIY guy
This is one of the Best Drills I have ever used...HEAVY DUTY...WELL BALANCED...STONG MOTOR....AWSOME BATTERIES...and to top it off...AMAZON HAD THE BEST DEAL in town on this model.
For $174.99...I got the 18V Mforce Drill,Case,Charger,2 batteries, a $75.00 Tool Belt, $40.00 Work Gloves, a $20.00 coupon on my next Makita purchase.

WHAT A DEAL....I highly recommend this drill to any Professional or DIY GUY. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For the price, Makita's 10-inch portable table saw is a solid choice for the job site. The 15 amp motor packs plenty of power, and with a 3-9/16-cut capacity, this saw will rip four-by material on a single pass. This saw also has an electric brake, so adjustments between cuts are both safer and quicker to make. The table's a good size, too: 27 by 22 inches. We also really like the saw's new cam-lock rip fence, which is much easier to adjust than double-locking designs. The bevel adjust has a pretty good rack-and-pinion design (metal, admittedly, would be better). All in all, this saw strikes a nice balance between weight (only 40 pounds) and vibration (minimal). Simply put, the Makita 2703 is a solid saw, better for the job site (quick, powerful, lightweight) than the home shop. For the shop, we'd recommend a saw with a more accurate fence. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• Powerful 15-amp motor handles any material
• 27-by-22-inch table provides large support surface for work pieces
• Cam-locking rip fence sets quickly
• Lightweight at only 40 pounds--easily portable

Reviews (30)

depends what you want to do with it
This is not a bad saw...depending what you want to do with it. i struggled using it in my shop as my woodworking saw, for several reasons:1, what is the deal with the miter slot? it is undersized and basically useless. 2, the fence is lacking. it is ok for rough cutting, but hard(or impossible) to get any kind of accuracy out of. 3, i wish it had soft start like the 10" sliding compound miter. the saw practically jumps off the stand when you start it.
Now, if you want a lightweight, powerhouse to carry on the jobsite, this is a great choice. ripping 2X and plywood is what this saw is for. the table is too small for full sheets and lacks the capacity to rip 24". .... but man it hawgs through the 2X material.
i chose not to spend the money on a rosseau stand to increase the capacity. instead i just got a delta contractors for my shop and will use this makita for the job site. i thought about selling it, but it will be alot easier to haul the mak to the jobsite instead of my 300lb contractors saw.
so there you have it. if it meets your needs go with it. if you want a saw that will do a little of both, i recommend the porter cable.

Light, powerful, imprecise, non-standard
Strong saw, and light, and with the Porta Table has a nice fence and will cut very wide. However, the arbor is too short for dado work as large as I'd like and the non-standard miter slots limit the amount of after market stuff you can use with the saw. I'm looking to sell mine and upgrade to a more versatile saw.

If the fence were better . . .
This is a great saw in many ways. It's light, but sturdy. It's set up perfectly right out of the box, and offers easy adjustments to fine tune its performance. It's perfect to haul to jobsites, or just pull out of the garage on weekends. No other lightweight table saw is so solid, durable, and powerful.

So the fence really is a pity. It's easy to adjust and lock, but it doesn't square automatically. You have to realign it every time you reset it. And it doesn't even hold a setting, unless you clamp it in place with huge c-clamps. So it's not really suitable for any kind of fine work unless you replace the fence. Which isn't easy, because it's not a standard size, and you have to fabricate brackets. Which isn't really that difficult, but for about the same money, Ryobe makes a saw with a great fence. It's not as powerful or durable as the Makita, but since if I were doing it all again, I don't think I would have bought this saw.

Terribly inaccurate waste of money
I have been using this saw for 2 years as an on site stair builder after my employer purchased this saw against my, and my coworkers, recomendations. This saw is cheaper than the DeWalt and the Bosch, and it shows. The miter gauge was used once and found to be useless. The fence is a joke, getting it square to the blade requires a measurement from both ends of the blade, keeping it square requires no pressure against the fence. For cuts that require accuracy, more often than not, I resort to clamping a guide board to the table to ensure that it will slide, or flex, halfway through the cut. If you are looking for quality and accuracy spend the extra dough and buy a DeWalt or Bosch, the time and aggravation saved is well worth the money spent.

upsetting
Ive been a self employed for 10 years and been in construction since 1987, most of my work is custom trim,mantels and cabinets. my father bought a 8 1/4" makita saw in 1986 and i still use it today with a rousseau table,, i cant tell you how many LF has gone through that saw..well i thought it might be time for a new one , a bigger one . so i went with the makita 10" because of the deep 3 9/16" cut and the good luck a had with the last saw (as far as wear and tear, any makita table saw is useless to me with out the Roussseau table)in the past years.I also like the crank to lower and raise the blade,after years of hand turning the blade up and down this was really nice,,well when i got the saw i first took note to all the plastic parts that use to be metal, all the important parts , the gears,the crank, the lock. ive used the saw for four jobs now and the hand lock has all ready snaped off.. its very upsetting to see good long lasting tools get cheaper and cheaper..ive beaten the heck out of the last makita i had for the last 16 years, ive had this new one for 4 weeks and its already broken,,i do not recomend this saw to anyone that has to rely on it every day for work, it will not last..spend the money and buy a Dewalt... ... Read more

Features

• All ball bearing construction for long tool life and shaft lock for quick and easy bit changes
• Variable speed selection knob (9,000 - 23,000 rpm) for more precise routing and an electronic speed control that maintains constant speed even under load
• Top handle depth adjustment sets desired routing depth and chip deflector keeps chips away from the operator
• Soft start feature for smoother start-ups

Features

• No load speed of 0-2,400 RPM
• Built in LED Light illuminates the workpiece for superior visibility
• Compact design and lightweight for tight quarters work
• Variable paddle switch with dial stopper for pre-setting desired speed
• Side grip handle can be installed for better leverage

Reviews (7)

The Compact Performer
This angle drill was bought to put cabinets in & where needed. I looked at the other brands but chose this one. It has an adjustable turn dial on the paddle, an LED light to help see in enclosed places, a reverse,( unlike the Dewalt), and comes with an extra handle. The power on this drill is more than enough for me. The dial turn knob on the paddle gives you the advantage of choosing the speed & power you desire for the job. It fits in tight places with a compact head & a regular key type chuck. If I need to change bits quickly, I can use the Craftsman SpeedLock system. Sometimes I have had the keyless chucks to work loose. I ordered my Makita & got a free pair of Makita M-Force gloves & a $25.00 discount through Tool Crib on a special deal. I wish I would have had an angle drill like this along time ago. I have a Makita 7 1/2" circular saw with great results also. I chose the electric over the cordless models since you never need to worry about buying new batteries or recharging alot if used to drill through framing studs & the adjustable dial made alot of sense; for me it is almost like a clutch on a cordless drill. So far, I have never had any problems with any Makita power tool. My next cordless drill might very well be the new Makita M-Force 14.4 volt kit with the flashlight.

Quality personified
I looked hard at these drills before I picked this one. The head height and variable speed is what sold me on this one. None of the others had this minimum clearance.

One cautionary note, the paddle switch is large, which makes it easy to run the drill, but also easy to accidentially switch it on. So when changing out drill bits UNPLUG IT! Also you need to be a little careful when you put it down, as you could put it down so that the switch kicks on. It's not easy to do, but more possible than with your more regular style drill.

That said, I love it. It does the job I bought it for. Tight space holes. And I use it as a second drill so I don't have to switch bits as often when I need to drill a pilot hole and then the full sized one.

It's even sweeter when you get your hands on it !
I just reported on this drill based on specifications, compared to some of the forerunners in the competition. In addition to that review, I have to say, I just received the drill, and it is truly a well built machine.
It addresses all of the other concerns reviewers were stating with the competition. The paddle on-off switch is conveniently located. The variable speed is so exact, that you can set it for off, and up a little from that, it takes 32 seconds for the chuck to turn one revolution. Not that you need that kind of crawl, but it let's you know that you can go from anywhere from a dead stop to full speed, and anywhere in between. Important when driving screw heads in delicate furniture, or cabinet making situations.
The forward-reverse switch is conveniently buried in the handle, at the tip of your fingers, but recessed enough that you will not accidentally trip it.
The 2 1/2" (approx) drill head height, is the same for the entire body of the drill. We are talking maximum clearance for those cramped quarter jobs.
The sound of the drill while it is running, smacks quality. It has that fine bearing sound.
The included removable side handle is large enough, that you might want to consider buying a buffing attachment, and using it for fine polising panels.
I'm crazy about tools that make you feel good when you use them. Nothing is worse than fighting an ill engineered tool. Quality tools equal quality work, and this tool will make you shine. Highly recommended.

This is the sweet combination
I looked at a lot of right angle drills before choosing this one. My needs are to be able to drill holes for wiring etc, in floor joists, and also being able to access cramped quarters in building cabinetry. Additionally, I needed to have a drill that would not be too powerful for mounting screws. Well this drill uniquely fills that bill exactly. Not only does it have a larger amperage motor than the competition, in medium duty, moderately priced drills, but also it has an adjustable setting for the level of power, so it achieves a certain level of resistance. No stripping or overinserting screw heads. So combining the variable speed feature, with an adjustable default setting, makes it unique in the industry for a medium duty right angle drill. All this while maintaining enough torque according to the owner's manual, to drill a one inch hole in wood. I don't need to drill holes larger than that, if I did, and on a regular basis, I would look into the Hole Hawg.
Personally, I am relieved to not be using an overtorqued drill for working in cramped quarters, using spade bits. I have the Milwaukee 110 volt hammer drill, and am always concerned about breaking a wrist when it catches a bit. The Hole Hawg is even more of a concern in that regard. Of course the ultimate is to have both. Back to the Makita: This drill reverses, unlike the Dewalt for a little less money, which also has a lower amperage motor, and other anomalies as reported in the reviews. The Makita having a work light built into it, that they claim will never burn out for the life of the drill, is a nice feature, for those cramped, less than well lit locations. I feel confident with the Makita name.
I also looked at the Porter Cable air driven right angle drill, for less than half the price, but I know that air tools do not have the torque of a 110-volt ac model, unless you are buying a monster impact wrench, but it does reverse.
I also opted for a corded 110-volt angle drill, since I would be using that for drilling holes in floor joists, and I know that can drain a cordless drill battery fast.
One more item is that I like the keyed chuck. My cordless drills have the keyless chuck, and that is convenient for the cordless type applications. Keyed chucks are shorter in distance, than the keyless, which gives you even less head length for extra clearance, and they give you a one-time insertion step. Many times my keyless, needs to be retorqued, because it can come loose. If I need to have the quick speed change of the keyless, I can use one of the popular quick-change bit sets.
Their are some very nice heavy-duty right angle drills. Porter Cable makes a heavy duty one, that is larger, and they make the air driven model I mentioned eariler. Milwaukee makes right angle drills with lots of torque, large motors and weight. In a day-to-day heavy-duty construction situation, I would be opting for one of them. But for my needs this Makita can't be beat. It costs a little more but I don't want to have to live without all of the different features it has.
So there you have it, this drill is the ultimate niche for my needs. Hope this information is pertinent to yours as well.

JUST AWESOME!!!
This is the #1 right angle drill you could ever buy for small to medium drilling job. The variable speed control is absolutely great...you can actually set the max desired speed so you can not over speed on some material. The LED light is fantastic for undersink work where thing might be dark and hard to see. The drill can rip up to max RPM very fast...and still feel very solid in your hand. No doubt...! First rate top notch equipment. PERIOD!!!

PS: Would be a lot better if it comes with a impact resistance case...but that is not as important as the tool itself. ... Read more

Features

• Shaft lock for easy blade change
• Factory reconditioned to perform like new! Limit 1 per order.
• 13 amp motor
• Dual position depth adj. knob
• Bevels up to 45 feet left/ miters 0-47 left and up to 52 right

Reviews (2)

Makita 10" Dual Compound Slide Saw
Nothing less than what you'd expect in quality and performance in a Makita product. Well made and easy to use. The one design flaw is in the short fence which makes it difficult to cut large or tall molding. Reconditioned tools from Makita are a bargain, coming with a factory warranty - hard to loose.

Great Job Saw
I have Owned My saw for over 10 Years & being a carpenter by trade it has done a terrific job & still is going strong ... Read more

Features

• Double insulated
• Powerful Makita inline motor with direct drive
• Automatic oiler for steady bar oiling
• Large trigger switch lever for operation with gloves on
• Ergonomically designed

Reviews (7)

UC4000 What A Find!
I finally gave up the ghost on a gas powered chain saw. Too messy, won't start after sitting for 3 months, etc.. Then I looked at electric chain saws, read many reviews and finally bit the bullet and ordered the UC4000 Makita chain saw. Why didn't I do this earlier? I can't say enough about this product! It is large enough at 16 inches, it is powerful enough at 13 Amps and 3.5 horses to do just about any job around the house. I don't mind dragging the power cord because the saw is a blessing in disguise ..easy to handle, quick to cut, light enough so you can keep going for a long time. the only issue may be with the small oil resovoir,but that doesn't overshadow the usefulness of this saw. I highly recommend this product to anyone but a logger! Great going Makita!!

Electric enough torque???
I fugured an electric chain saw would not have enough torque to do "manly" work so I didn't even consider this tool--but to be sure I rented one from Home Depot for 4 hours yesterday... WOW-- as an alumni user of several gas-powered chain saws--I'm hooked... I just ordered one after that 4-hour experience of taking down 17 trees from 6" to 15" in diameter and turning them all into firewood... my gas powered saws are goign in the next garage sale!

Keith Drury

One of the Best Tools I've Ever Owned
Most people don't take electric chainsaws seriously. That's a mistake where this tool is concerned. In the six months or so that I've owned mine I have used it several hours a week to thin out the back yard, taking down trees as much as 24" in diameter with no problems at all.

The saw is very light considering how powerful it is. You also avoid most of the maintenance headaches that gas saws are known for. Of course, you do have to put up with the one major hassle that electric saws do have - you have to drag around an extension cord, and its pretty easy to snag the cord on something and unplug the saw.

As another reviewer pointed out, it does go through bar oil pretty quickly, but the window for the reservoir is very clear and easy to see, so one can tell when its time to fill up some more.

Rented fro Home Depot
Got tired of always repairing gasoline chainsaw, decided to rent Makita 16" electric at Home Depot for $40 a day. Had five trees to remove, two quite large. Did a great job. Removed approximately 2 - 2 1/2 tons of limbs, trunk, etc in one day (approximately 5 hours of work). Check oil frequently as it does consume a bit but extremely well-balanced. Adjust blade after first 15 minutes of use. Adjust again as needed, mine needed adjusting during 5 hours of use about three times. My next purchase!

Works great at school - planning to buy one
I'm a sculpture student at an art school and we use these chainsaws for carving, for making kerf cuts to carve with hand tools, and I've also used it for kerf cutting pine logs to hew with a hatchet and chisel. I don't have much to compare them to but they work great. We have a Stihl that I didn't like as much, so that's probably a good review for the Makita. The Makita is heavier, but it seems to be balanced better. The chains were a little loose when we got them. The hand guard safety thing seems backward but that's not a big deal. The cord is a little inconvient sometimes since it's got a rubber housing around the plug so you can't use some extension cords. The chain adjustment is not as well placed as our Stihl. The only complaint I have (and maybe it's the same with other saws) is that it guzzles oil! I have to fill it up about every 15 minutes. Also, when I use it at certain angles (like pointed downward) it likes to spray oil. The floor and the wood get oil spray on them. This is a neat tool for woodcarving and the timber-framing type stuff I've been trying, though, and I'd like to have one. Oh yeah, the school bought these based on the fact that a lot of hard-core timber-framers buy this same saw. ... Read more