A review of Makita Table saws

Superduty 5 days ago

I just bought the Makita 2705x1 with stand and both extension tables.

The stand:

Pros - 8" solid rubber tires,

- Multiple height adjustment, effortlessly (lift and lower)

- Powder coated frame, nice

- Even with the tires inside the frame, it is very stable.

- For climbing stairs and curbs this stand is superior too any.

Cons - The stand is made of sheet metal, they should have used aluminum and saved 8 pounds easy.

- The bumper that you tip and park the saw on has no rubber, so the first time you park the saw you will scratch the bar (or like me, when you're putting it together). The Dewalt's round bumper tire things are superior.

The Saw:

Pros - If you want more power you will have to spend several $1000, double the power of Dewalt

- The plastic body is double re-enforced front and back with box/X bracing, the sides are triple re-enforced with the same box/X bracing, making it solid as a rock but adding 2-3 pounds over Dewalt's flimsy four sided plastic box with no re-enforcement.

- The angle of the blade is adjusted by a dial, superior than Dewalt.

- The saw has storage for everything, but not better than Dewalt (the same)

- When you open the table the rails are 30% stronger than Dewalt's rack and pinion rails.

- The vacuum duct sucks 99% of the saw dust, superior too any.

- The saw is dead on accurate out of the box, but you have to use the double table lock levers to adjust the table first. And every time you move the side table you have re-align it...The Fence is accurate and very strong after you align the side table. The Dewalt fence is stronger and once aligned, you never have to do it again...

- The electric brake allows twice the production in a day.

- This saw will cut anything and everything for 20 hours per day and last 20 years easy. (Dewalt 20 hours per day 2-3 years, and that's not cutting anything and everything).

Cons - The new guard system on the Dewalt is superior, the Makita's new guard falls off rather easily (very unsafe).

- The saw weighs 64 lbs, Dewalt comes in at 57 lbs, not the end of the world but wait...

- Makita has put two lock leavers for a single table, they are aware that when the table is moved, you have to re-align it, every-time. The Dewalt rack and pinion is superior.

- The bade guide, you'll have to find a good #2 Phillips screw driver to take it off (no it doesn't come with the saw), to install the blade. The Dewalt finger knob lock is superior too all.

The optional rear extension table:

I was impressed, it pulls out 20" (guessing), one could not want more (for a portable saw). It has C washers that keep the table from falling off and there are two butterfly wing nuts to lock it where you want it. The table (bar) is perfectly level with the saw table. Superior too any.

The optional left side extension table:

It extends about 8", the rod holders that you screw to the saw table mount slightly crook-id. Well it's not impressive, but better than nothing and better than the Dewalt. The left table is about 1/16" - 1/8" lower than the saw table (it shouldn't cause a problem).

(Keep in mind these extensions tables will take you over 2 hours to install. You'll need a special Allen key [about 1.5" long that you can spin with your finger tips]. You should screw the butterfly nuts all the way into the rod holders before you mount them. And don't do like I did, mount the extension tables before you mount the saw to the stand [you'll have to flip the saw end for end and side to side to get the screws in strait]).

Conclusion:

If you need a somewhat portable table saw with the power and accuracy to do any job, The Makita 2705X1 is for you.

If you have to throw the table saw in the back of your truck every 5 minutes and you don't need 8 brake horsepower but want excellent fast accuracy than get the Dewalt.

This saw is not much lighter (about 15 lbs with stand) but the saw and stand are half the size of the Makita (Makita with stand 29" X 43"). Unless you're the size of the Undertaker you'll have trouble loading the Makita. It's not the weight of the Makita, it's the size, "The Makita is a Giant!".

Other notes:

I wanted to get the Rigid at $450, but making small cuts in a hurry, I figured I would spend more time tripping over the stupid stand. The Makita and Dewalt were both $620.

I looked at the Bosch, but after 5 hours of cutting hardwood the motors start running backwards, (cheap motors). I wasn't impressed with all the plastic or the weight and the price $680 or more. And the same stupid stand as the Rigid.