Makita LS1216L 12-Inch Miter Saw Review
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Review Summary
Rating:
Makita LS1216L Review: Overall, the Makita LS1216L12-Inch Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw is a practical buy for people looking for a powerful and handy miter saw for their carpenter shops or home renovation projects.
It’s smooth action and different lock out options make this a top performer for specialty projects. The 60T blade that comes with the saw will cut through lumber like butter.
Features and Benefits
- 3200rpm motor – Powered by a 15amp, 3200rpm motor
- Micro-fine laser – Cuts are more accurate with the help of the laser system of the device.
- Constant Speed – The miter saw also cuts through wood at a constant pressure, which allows for cleaner and more even cuts and moldings.
- Four-steel rail sliding system – The smoothness of the operation is great, easy transitioning to different angle cuts.
- Dual sliding fence – The large cutting capacity of this saw has been commended as well.
- Durable – All of the major components are machined from metal which should make this machine more durable.
- Easy setup – It’s easy to set the miter and bevel angles.
- Six linear ball bearings – Cuts pieces smoothly and quickly in all directions.
Overview and Design
The Makita LS1216Lis a miter saw powered by a 15amp, 3200rpm motor. This gives the saw enough power to easily cut through 8-inch crown molding and 15-inch crosscut at a 90◦ angle. Constant speed is held in order to offer cleaner and smoother results.
The LS1216L will crosscut wide boards up to 15″ wide at 90°, right out of the box with no special setup required. And the patented retractable guard system engineered for increased vertical cutting capacity the largest crown molding cutting capacity in its class.
The four steel rail sliding system of the saw, along with the six linear ball bearings, offer additional support and rigidity to the overall device. The bearings also assure users of adjustment-free and solid cuts.
The unique 5-1/2 inch tall dual sliding fence system of the saw comes equipped with both flexible upper and lower fence adjustments. Precision adjustments are made easier with dual front bevel scales for improved visibility. This provides for a more precise miter and a more accurate bevel cut.
The Makita LS1216L comes with an independent micro-fine laser feature with its own on and off switch. This laser indicates the line of cut, regardless if the blade is turned on or not. This allows a user to make fine adjustments to the blade cutting process. This miter saw comes with a one year warranty.
User Opinions and Reviews
Overall, most customers are happy with the Makita LS1216L 12-Inch Miter Saw. The saw cuts wood and other material in a manner that is both quick and easy. This saw is easy to handle, and can be used by nearly anybody.
The features of this saw, such as the laser and the dual sliding fence system, have been deemed useful. Some users however, have had problems with the saw’s alignment. Read some of those user reviews below.
…it’s 100% accurate, and the price was the best ever!Lorri, Amazon Customer Review
“I’m not using this saw, but I bought it for my son. He’s thrilled and found he had features he didn’t know was included. He says it’s 100% accurate, and the price was the best ever!”
This saw cuts very accurate
Joseph Pulliam, Amazon Customer Review
“This saw cuts very accurate and the large cutting capacity has come in handy. many boards i would of used my table saw sled now i just set on the chop saw to easy.”
This Saw is amazing. The things you can do with it is unlimited
Ronnie L. Snoderly, Amazon Customer Review
“This Saw is amazing. The things you can do with it is unlimited. The smoothness of the operation is great. The material used to construct this saw is top of the line. A little heavy so please if possible buy a stand with WHEELS so getting it to the job site is no problem. Great Product !!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Verdict
The LS1216L is perfect for a homeowner or a general contractor. It comes with a powerful 15 amp direct drive motor that produces smooth cuts so there are no belts to wear out. The unit slides smoothly with ease. The available adjustments are plentiful allowing cuts for all sorts of angles. The unit is well built and sturdy.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use.
- Soft starting is great, especially for more delicate cuts.
- The large 12 inch blade makes cutting large molding a dream.
- The 4 slide rails ensure this saw is sturdy and accurate saw.
- A direct drive means there are no belts to wear out.
- The motor never loses power.
Cons
- Some users commented on the weight of the saw as they found it heavy to move around.
Related: Makita LS1040 Miter Saw Review