Ease of Use: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Service: 4/5
Overall Value: 5/5
Right miter: 60°
Left miter: 52°
Blade size: 10“
Motor: 15 AMPs
RPMs: 3,200
Weight: 52.2 lbs
Makita is a well know brand who are by no means new to making quality power tools. With the LS1016L Makita is answering the increased demand for unique approaches to advanced accuracy improving designs. And you could definitely call this miter saw unique.
With its patented 4-Steel Rail Sliding System, 6 linear ball bearings, and built in but adjustable laser, this saw leaves little to be desired and lots for your friends to be jealous of.
Our Makita LS1016L Review
Cut Quality
This saw was designed with precision and accuracy in mind. Thankfully the LS1016L matches it’s precision with versatility and an impressive cut range.
This Makita will max out at 12” crosscuts, which is rather generous for such a portable saw. Vertically this saw can handle anything up to 6 ⅝” crown molding, or 4 ¾” baseboards. This is more than enough capacity for a D.I.Y enthusiast around the home, or even a contractor working around residential properties. The accuracy of this saw is pretty spot on, and the laser helps to guide your cuts. The laser is a bit dim in the daylight, but for the price of the saw, you couldn’t ask for too much more.
Ease of Use
This SCMS is about as user friendly as you could expect for such a high powered miter saw. There are a few things such as the bevel gauges, which are really easy to read (some saws are tiny and hard to read) and the single touch miter lock that make this saw a beautiful tool to operate.
It cuts effortlessly without sounding like it strains, while being comparatively quiet compared to some of the competitors. The only complaint about this saw is that the fence isn’t perfect. The lower part of the fence seems like it could bend easily if you forced the saw too hard or hit a rough spot and got some kick back. The big potential issue that this can cause is bent blades. That being said, it’s certainly more than functional and would probably work fine for years to come—still, ramming wood into the saw is not recommended. However, this is something you can replace if anything went wrong, especially under the warranty.
Makita has gone out on a limb to ensure that this saw is comfortable, ergonomic and well designed to meet the needs of the guys doing the cutting. It weighs under 60 pounds, and isn’t as wide as some other table saws due to the Four Steel Rail system, which saves a bit of room at the back. This gives the saw great portability and means it can be set up almost anywhere. The horizontal “D” shaped handle is made of rubber and feels comfortable to bring down when cutting, and the transparent blade guard is handy so that you can double check your cuts visually before the blade hits the wood.
One minor area where Makita leaves something to be desired is the instructions. The pictures are tiny and so is the writing, but nonetheless countless folks have gotten the saw together and operating without too much effort. Still, this saw is a beauty but hopefully Makita makes their instructions easier to read in the future, or at least includes a magnifying glass!
Durability
Makita is known for innovative, well made, and long lasting products. This saw stands up to Makita standards, and some of the design even pushes the envelope.
One thing that you will notice with miter saws is that a direct drive system is far superior to belt driven—unless it is a seriously high-quality belt driven saw. The Makita LS1016 sports a belt driven gearbox that won’t slip or jump, and requires next to no maintenance. These motors also have a feature called Electronic Speed Control, which means that it maintains a constant speed even when cutting. If you were wondering why this saw has a slower no-load RPM, this is why. Makita has a reputation for building quality motors, so you can trust that your hardware will keep on running when you need it most.
Service
Makita is known as a powerful force in the power tool market, and they stand by their miter saws too. They offer a one year warranty if anything breaks or malfunctions. With service centers scattered across the United States (and the world), finding a good mechanic to fix your machine shouldn’t be a hassle at all.
Included in the box:
- 60T Carbide tipped saw blade
- Vertical vice
- Dust bag
- Triangular ruler
- Socket wrench
- Hex wrench
Overall Value
It’s hard to argue that this compact and highly accurate miter saw isn’t worth buying. The Makita LS1016L does have a considerable price tag, but once you consider the quality of the product and the endless use you can get out of it, the price starts to look like a deal.
See questions other shoppers have asked about this saw.
Our Verdict
Nothing is perfect, but this miter saw is great. First off, it is a bargain price for such high quality. You can trust the Makita brand to uphold their solid reputation. Secondly, if you are looking for a smooth operating miter saw that is quiet and precise you can’t go wrong with the LS1016L.
Finishing work and interior work such as staircases, flooring and joinery would all be great applications for this saw. If you were looking to fix the foundations on your house however, this wouldn’t be the ideal saw. It would do the job, but it would take a lot longer. If you are toying with the idea of a miter saw for interior work or outdoors projects such as decking, re-cladding or a small extension, this would be the tool for the job. Check out Amazons price if you’re thinking of making a purchase.
Or compare and contrast some of the best miter saws available with our comparison chart.