Review
My father was a tool guy. He wasn’t lucky enough to have access to the plethora of tools crowding my workshop, but just the same he could do some amazing things with just a Skil Circular Saw and a pencil. We built shelves, renovated rooms, installed cabinets, framed doors and windows- you name it, he could draw an effortless straight line and zip a straight cut.
He’s gone now, but I can still hear feel him looking over my shoulder every time I build something that comes out perfectly. Unfortunately for me I didn’t inherit his gift to make that perfect cut every time, but with quality tools I can get that precision through precise placement and technology. I stripped the worm gear in a Skil drill so now I only buy the best- just Makita of course. The LS1214FL Compund Miter Saw is a piece of very intelligent engineering that allows even those of us who aren’t carpenters to produce outstanding results. The 15 amp motor comes up to speed instantly, stays at speed under load (through electronic control), and then the blade brake brings it to a quick stop when you let off the trigger.
This beast will handle boards up to 4-1/2”, and makes short work of anything smaller. I don’t know about you, but it irritates me when I spend hundreds of dollars on a equipment and the manufacturer saves a couple of bucks by taking shortcuts. Makita didn’t do that, the factory included carbide tipped saw blade is actually quite good and has handled a variety of cutting tasks for me including shelves for bookcases, 2×4’s for support and crown molding. Speaking of crown molding, the LS1214 features precision bevel cutting up to 45° left and right with a new positive stop at 33.9° left. It can also miter cut using nine positive stops at 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, 45° left or right and at 0° . It weighs in at 50lbs, so I wouldn’t take it to the beach, but it’s fine for quick loading in the truck to the job site.
Put a Little Light on the Subject
The compound slider also comes with a fluorescent light (vibration proof, of course) on an adjustable arm, and the killer feature as far as I’m concerned- a laser. Flip a switch and the red line shows you exactly where the cut will be. Not within 1/8″- exactly. No more short boards, wobbly table legs, etc. If you measure it precisely you can cut it precisely. My only complaint is under full sunlight it’s not that easy to see, although it’s easily remedied by leaning over a bit to throw the stock into shadow. Stock is held firmly by the included vertical vise. There’s a dust collection bag, but let’s face it, if you’ve worked with wood you know unless you’re dealing with a vacuum system there’s going to be dust everywhere. Every time I take it off it’s full, but I still have to do some sweeping after a long day cutting, which isn’t unreasonable. All in all Makiata put out a great saw in the LS1214FL, I’m very pleased with it.
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MAKITA 12" slide compound miter saw ls1214FL ls1214 W/W US $470.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 19:40:00 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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MAKITA 12" slide compound miter saw ls1214FL ls1214 W/W US $470.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Jan-10-2009 18:57:41 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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MAKITA 12" slide compound miter saw ls1214FL ls1214 W/W US $470.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Jan-11-2009 18:32:56 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Tags: 12-Inch blade, 15 Amp, Compound, Dual Bevel, Fluorescent Light, Laser, LS1214FL, Makita Reviews, Miter, Saw, Sliding