Makita LS1016L 10” Compound Miter Saw: QUICK OVERVIEW
Review of: Makita LS1016L 10” Compound Miter Saw
Category: Miter Saw
Durability
Accessories
Affordability
Warranty
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
You need a compact and portable compound miter saw. But, you don’t want to sacrifice performance and quality. Finding the light version of a heavy power saw may seem daunting.
However, there is one saw considered to be the lightest in the industry for its class. And, this saw may be the best miter saw for you.
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Quick NavigationWho is this product for?What’s included?Overview of featuresGet the Most out of ItAlternativesConclusion
Makita LS1016L 10” Compound Miter Saw Review
Makita is a known and trusted provider of power tools and saws. Their designs are innovative, and their products last for a long time. This newer line of saws are loaded with patented features that increase cutting capacity, decrease physical design, and are more accurate.
Who is this product for?
The LS1016L compound miter saw by Makita is best for anyone looking for a lighter version of the workhorse miter saws on the market. It is best for light load wood work.
This miter saw may be more appealing to woodworking hobbyists, or someone who likes to do repairs on their homes. It has a lot of non-standard features, however, which may confuse newbies to the miter saw world.
Performance dips a little when working on hard woods, too. So, anyone who was planning on using primarily hard woods with their miter saw may want to look elsewhere. This wouldn’t be the best miter saw for them.
What’s included?
In the box, you will find the LS1016L miter saw as well as various accessories. This includes the dust bag attachment, a vertical clamp, wrench, and triangle. You will also receive a blade that comes pre-installed on your miter saw.
Overview of features
One of the biggest draws for Makita’s LS1016L model is the saw’s lightness and portability. But, it is also solid. So, you don’t feel like it will break as you move it from one place to another.
This is a sliding compound miter saw, so you automatically get more cutting capacity than you would from one that doesn’t have a slide feature. The special four-rail system is designed to decrease deflection. And, the four-rail system makes the miter saw more compact than other saws on the market.
Capacity-wise, it has very high fences, so it can cut up to 6 5/8” of crown molding when it is nested vertically. If you are doing baseboards, the maximum capacity when vertical is 4 ¾”. Some other miter saws on the market offer higher capacities, but for the blade size and slide this is a respectable number.
The LS1016L also has a built-in laser to increase the accuracy of your cuts. And, the blades don’t have to be turning to see the projected line. People either love or are indifferent to laser guides, but it is there for peace of mind if you want it.
This model also has a direct motor that delivers a no-load speed of 3200 rpms. This is more than enough power for most general jobs. And, the direct motor gives you a soft start when you start your blade spinning.
The soft start is a feature that many wish all miters saws incorporated. Soft starts don’t have the kickback that other belt-driven motors have. In addition, if you have a soft start saw you aren’t overtaxing your power outlets.
There is a dust collection system on the miter saw as well. It is not as good as some saws, but it could be worse. Just expect a fair amount of dust and debris when you work with miter saws.
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Alternatives
If you were planning on working mainly with hard woods, or doing heavy jobs, you may want to research the DeWalt DWS780 miter saw instead. The DWS780 model from DeWalt also features an integrated laser guide system, the XPS, but it is slightly more expensive and heavier. The good news is that this model is a powerhouse for heavier jobs. It features a 12” blade and a 15-amp motor.
The bad news is that it is bulkier in comparison to the Makita LS1016L, but it is more than capable of cutting all your hard wood projects. And, cutting capacity is like the Makita with high fences and a sliding system.
Another alternative if you absolutely need a light miter saw is the Hitachi C10FCH2 10” compound miter saw. Unlike the Makita and DeWalt models, however, it is only a single bevel miter saw. This means that the head only tilts one way.
It does have a 15-amp motor just like the DeWalt, however, as well as a laser marker. The cutting capacity is slightly reduced, though, because it is not a sliding miter saw like the other two. It also has a smaller work platform.
So, the best miter saw for you really depends on what features are essential. And, what you are willing to compromise on.
Conclusion
If you are looking to get the most for your money, the Makita LS1016L is the best miter saw for you. Especially if compactness and portability are priorities. The LS1016L model has all the features of bigger saws, like sliding capabilities, dual bevel, and a laser guide without physically being a bigger saw.