Makita LS1040 Review

Though a normal hand saw is cheaper for cutting wood to make various items like cupboards, drawers or even small items like frames, having a miter saw, which enables the user to make parallel cuts accurately surely helps in making the items better. The other benefit of buying miter saws is that it allows the person to make smooth cuts in the exact angles to ensure that the woodwork cutting is proper. While there are a variety of miter saws available in the market to cater to the needs of both professional carpentry and hobbyists, one of the most popular models is the Makita LS1040.

With its 10 inch compound miter blade, the Makita LS1040 makes use of a high powered 15 amp motor and dual post compound pivoting arm. The device is among the more advanced types of saws and comes with an electronic speed control for more usability and aluminum base for added durability. The bevel comes with nine positive stops to ensure that the cuts can be made at the angle of your choice. The sharp blade makes it an ideal cutter for hardwood floors, cabinets and other furniture items. Apart from this, the Makita LS1040 is also among the lightest and the most portable miter saws in its range of cutting ability and power.

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Features of the Makita LS1040:

• This 10-inch compound miter saw comes with a 15-amp motor that moves the blade very fast to provide smooth finishing for even hardwood. This motor can move the blade to an extremely high 4600 RPM without load. The device also comes with an electronic speed control to change the speed of the blade as per the requirements of the cut.
• For more control of cutting, the bevel comes with 9 stops at angles 15, 22.5, 30 and 45 on both left and right, and the 0 degree in the center. Apart from this, the bevel settings can be changed up to 45 degrees on left and 52 degrees on the right to cut the wood in the exact angle that is needed.
• The saw also comes with a thumb-activated safety switch and a paddle trigger so that the holder can use the saw with comfort and ease whether he uses the left or the right hand. Moreover, the Makita LS1040 also comes with an electric brake that helps in quickly stopping the saw if required.
• To help the user in switching the blades safely, the Makita LS1040 also has a shaft lock.
• Since it weighs just 24.2 pounds, the Makita LS1040 is extremely portable.
• Apart from this, the Makita LS1040 not only comes with a bright light that illuminated the work area, but its LS1040L model also has an in-built laser pointer that helps the person holding the saw in making a straight cut.
• The package of Makita LS1040 contains the 10-inch miter saw, a carbide-tipped saw and a dust bag. Apart from this, there are additional tools like extension wings, a triangular rule and a socket wrench for the miter saw.
• The device comes with a one-year warranty, however, the brand name Makita itself is sufficient to suggest that the saw will not be of bad quality.

Get  Makita LS1040 at 39% off the retail price from Amazon

The Makita LS1040 has been one of the best compound miter saws that I have worked with. Its lightweight and ergonomically designed body makes it very easy to operate. The only thing different in the Makita LS1040 is that unlike the other saws it does not offer a soft slower start. While this can be slightly uncomfortable for some users in the beginning, it is overall a very good feature, which allows the saw holder to make smooth cuts very quickly.

Pros of the Makita LS1040

• The very powerful 15-amp motor and 4600 RPM capacity of the blade allows the Makita LS1040 to make very smooth cuts even in hardwood effortlessly.
• The miter of the Makita LS1040 is flawless and with the laser-guiding features, this saw allows the operator to make very accurate cuts. 9 bevel stops and adjustable bevel to 45-degrees on left and 52-degrees right make it extremely useful for making different types of cuts.
• With an electronically controllable blade speed and a brake, the saw can be used to cut different types of wood in optimal ways.
• The aluminum base of the saw makes it much more durable as compared to normal saws.
• Safety has been given a priority in this model and the saw comes with not only a thumb-activated safety switch and paddle trigger, but also a shaft lock for safely switching the blades.
• The Makita LS1040 comes with a dust bag, which ensures that the workshop area remains less strewn with sawdust.
• Being just 24.2 pounds in weight the device is extremely portable. The vertical design also helps the operator to work with it comfortably.

Cons of the Makita LS1040

• Not having a soft slower start may make the saw uncomfortable for newbie users in the beginning.
• The smooth-action swivel takes more time as compared to the new cam-lock designs.
• The Makita LS1040 comes with just one-year warranty as compared to other products, which offer longer cover. However, the name Makita does stand for a good quality product.

Get  Makita LS1040 at 39% off the retail price from Amazon

While it is slightly expensive, the Makita LS1040 is obviously a great choice for people who want a good composite miter saw that is powerful, accurate and portable. The durability and quality of this product can be judged from the review of B. Roy on Amazon, which states, “I have been working with this saw for seven years. It works better than any other 12-inch compound miter that I have used. For baseboard, casing and crown it is a production workhorse. Simple to use, light and easy to set up. Cuts great, strong motor, and accurate. It is great for framing, remodeling, decks, siding and trim. If you have to cut a lot of shelving for closets and cabinets, or build a lot of stairs, then a slider is a better choice. For everyone else this is the saw to get.”

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