Pros
- Cuts wide planks
- Very Accurate
- Easy set up
- Well priced
Cons
- Motor could be more powerful
- Fairly heavy
The Makita LS0815FL Review
Lets have a look at the new Makita LS0815FL mitre saw. A fantastic all rounder at a good price. This is the perfect saw for many jobs around the home as well as for the a carpenter looking for a nice portable unit that can be taken from job to job. In terms of price it is really good value for a professional quality mitre saw. Sitting in a similar prices bracket to the really popular GCM 8 SJL. Judging by the customer feedback this is looking like it will become a very popular mitre saw indeed, with the DIY users as well as the professionals.
The large cutting capacity and combination of the sliding function as well as a good range of angles mean that this will be good for some smaller construction work as well as the fine work need to finish the job off. A really handy tool to have hanging around for any project. With the reputation of Makita to go with the feature set this will be a good buy.
The Features
Below we’ll run through all of the Makita LS0815FL sliding mitre saw features. There is plenty to talk about, this model covers many of the common needs of a versatile mitre saw. If you are looking for a do it all mitre saw thne have a read below.
The Motor
The motor offers plenty of power to take on some tough jobs. At 1400 watts you won’t struggle with most jobs. There are other models that have a more powerful motor like the Metabo KGS216M for less money. But don’t always judge the models by the power of the motor. With Makita’s reputation for quality and longevity this is still plenty of power for the job. The motor kicks out an rpm of up to 5,000.
Power Source
This model is a mains powered 240 volt machine that will work off a plug socket at home. There is also a 110 volt version available for those working on sites where 240 volt appliances are not allowed.
Cutting Capacity
You are getting a good all round cutting capacity with this model. You can cut up 305 mm (12 inches) at 90 degrees which is plenty for wide flooring planks and cladding. At 45 degrees the maximum cut is 215 mm wide which is still plenty for most jobs. The maximum cutting depth is approximately 65 mm (2.5 inches) which makes it perfect for slicing through plenty of 2 by 4’s.
Cutting Angles
The mitre angles are pretty standard, on the left you can set it from 0 to 50 degrees and on the left you can go from 0 to 60 degrees. Some of the common angles used can be set very easily with preset positive mitre stops. Theses angles are 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6, 45 and 50 degrees on both sides.
The bevel angles are 0 to 48 degrees on the left hand side and 0 to 5 degrees on the right. Again pretty standard and good for most jobs. There are not many angles you won’t be able to cut. The linear ball bearing system inside the body ensures that the cut is angle of the cut is really accurate.
The Blade
The blade that is supplied with this model is a standard Makita 216mm mitre saw TCT blade. This is good for cutting wood and other blades can easily be purchased for other materials. Other models like the Evolution range do come with a more versatile blades that will cut some metals, plastics and wood out of the box. If you need a number of blades make sure you factor this into the cost. The blade bore is 30mm on this model which is an easy size to purchase blades for.
Portability
This is fairly easy to move around. The blade can be locked down when not in use and the grab handle make it pretty easy to move around. However, this is not the lightest mitre saw available. Weighing around 14 kilos you are definitely going to feel this one if you are lugging it to and from jobs. There are lighter models on the market like the Evolution R210SMS+ which weighs approximately 11 kilos. Again, bare in mind that the Makita range is built for hard work so robust build quality is very important and this will often add a little weigh to the saw.
Safety
The safety features are what you would expect on a saw like this. It has a dust bag to minimize dust in the working area, although a proper dust remover would be the best thing if you are cutting a lot indoors. The blade has a cover that automatically covers the spinning blade, this retracts as the saw cuts through the material. There is also two side supports that will help hold the longer pieces of timber in place. A good addition to this model would be a mitre saw bench for safety and ease of use.
Lazer Guide
A built in lazer guide will help you line up you cuts for greater accuracy especially if you are cutting on low light.
What The Customers Say
The Makita LS0815FL mitre saw is very popular mitre saw with many great reviews and positive customer feedback on various sites. Below are some of the common themes we have found whilst reading these reviews.
Easy to set up
A few beginners have commented on how easy it is to set this saw. This is pretty important if you are new to using a mitre saw. Often people buy there first mitre saw when it is needed for a job straight away.
Great accuracy
I have noted that there are many comments from tradesman to beginners that have commented on the accuracy of the LS0815FL. This is really important especially in finishing carpentry where you want your jobs to look the best the possibly can.
Very well priced
For a high quality mitre saw the price is very good on this model. It is slightly more expensive than some other models out there but you are paying for the Makita build quality. If you think you are going to be using it a lot then this is an important consideration.
Conclusion
To sum this one up it is a brilliant mitre saw that is well priced. Many people associate Makita tools with being very expensive and only for trade use. This model however is designed for all. It will do most jobs around the home with ease, unless you are taking on some very serious cutting tasks of large timbers this will take on most things.
The feature set is comprehensive and covers most general tasks from flooring to finishing work. There are more powerful and feature rich mitre saws on the market but you will pay a lot more for them.
For the first time buyers out there we think it is worth spending that little extra to buy a saw that is going to last you a very long time. Highly recomeneded!
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