Makita 1016L... hard to resist

[Iwood75]

The Makita 10" Sliding Miter Saw #1016L price has been slashed at Home Depot. Two weeks ago, it was reduced from $549 to $399 and today it's down to $349. From all I've heard from FOG, I'm sure I'd prefer the Kapex, but for 1/4 the cost...? Do any of you have experience with this particular Makita? For this past year, nothing has stopped my steady slide down the green slippery slope (TS55, MFT, 3 Guide Rails, ETS150, RO90, Domino + accessories, consumables, etc.) but this HD deal sure has slowed it a bit.

They only have a few left at my local HD so I hope you can help me decide quickly. Home Depot's return policy is even more generous than Festool's.  Ninety days – use it... don't like it... get a full refund. Wow!

Portability is not of concern to me as my miter saw stays in my shop. I know Makita would lose out to the Kapex in the DC competition, but that isn't a big deal to me either.  I'd like to hear reviews on quality of cut and accuracy and how easily and consistently they're achieved. How true and flat are the table and fence, etc.? Runout? Deflection?

Thanks in advance for your helpful input!

Joel

 

[JeromeM]

I've got an LS 1212 and would replace it with the same saw.

 

[duburban]

Get it for sure. I'd buy it right now if I had that offer. We're all hard pressed for money but if you could use a new saw get it and shoot for the kapex later.

 

[joiner1970]

Just buy and stop rubbing the noses of us poor non US residents in the dirt

That same saw in the UK is the equivalent of $1250 so I would love to get one for $350

 

[Dan Clark]

I bought an LS1016.  While it had some nice features, the laser was a joke and dust collection was abysmal.  But the biggest problem was runout.  So I took it back and got a second one.  Same runout.  So I took it back and bought a Kapex.  Great dust collection and NO runout.

$349?!?  Hmmm...  I wonder why.

Dan.

 

[Claimdude]

I have the model that preceded the 1016L and love it. No run out. Accurate cuts. After a slight mod the dust collection is good. Great price too, I'd jump on it!

Jack

 

[tbellemare]

$349?!?  Hmmm...  I wonder why.

It's possible they're closing them out. When they have a close out at the BORG, they slash prices until they get to next to nothing and then throw them out.

Tom

 

[Jalvis]

The HD in my area have them down to $425, but I already have the previous Makita model(ls1013fl).  Great saw but I just bought the Kapex so I'm thinking about selling the Makita 10 inch for the Makita 7 1/2" blade saw.....I think its around 28 Lbs and from what I've heard extremely accurate.  I get tired of caring large stuff around and like the idea of something small and light.

Tom:
Home Depot and Lowes do the same thing.  They will cut prices until they get tired of looking at the items and then through whatever is left in the dumpster.  That includes tools, lighting, tile, etc.

 

[Dogwood]

Nowadays I'd say a previous model has as little to do the the saw as comparing a different brand...different manufacturing companies, standards, and price points etc.

 

[skids]

I hear the previous model was alot better. If I were in the market I would get the Hitachi or the Kapex. The current Makita design is not what it used to be.

 

[Dan Clark]

The previous model was a lot better.  Don't compare the LS1013 with the LS1016.  Very different machines.

Dan.

 

[duburban]

I have the model that preceded the 1016L and love it. No run out. Accurate cuts. After a slight mod the dust collection is good. Great price too, I'd jump on it!

Jack

I have the same saw, Can I see your dust mod?

 

[andvari]

I bought an LS1016.  While it had some nice features, the laser was a joke and dust collection was abysmal.   But the biggest problem was runout.   So I took it back and got a second one.   Same runout.   So I took it back and bought a Kapex.   Great dust collection and NO runout.

$349?!?   Hmmm...   I wonder why.

Dan.

I have one of these also. I made the mistake of buying it before I found out about Festool. Still it's better than the crummy Delta I used to have. But I'm not going to be putting in crown with it.

 

[bevans]

I bought one 2 years ago. I could never get it aligned correctly. If you don't care about accurate cuts get it. If you need a more accurate saw you may be wasting your money. I regret the purchase and the saw is relegated to rough cuts only.

 

[GregBradley]

STOP !!!!

I have had 3 Makita Miter saws and currently have just one left, the LS0714

5-6 Years ago I bought the LS1214L. It was a wonderful saw except for horrible dust collection and needing a deep work area. When I finally decided to sell it, I sold it for almost what I paid for it new: $550. I sold it to someone that had recently bought the 1216 and hated it.

He had a LS1214FL but it had been stolen so he bought the current version, LS1216, just 4 months before. It had been returned and replaced with another, which had all the problems of the first one. He was taking the loss on it and upgrading to my 5-6 year old used one of the previous version. He paid $550 for it, MORE than he had paid for the new LS1216.

I'm a big Makita fan in general but DON'T buy a 1016 or 1216.

 

[mastercabman]

I bought an LS1016.  While it had some nice features, the laser was a joke and dust collection was abysmal.   But the biggest problem was runout.   So I took it back and got a second one.   Same runout.   So I took it back and bought a Kapex.   Great dust collection and NO runout.

$349?!?   Hmmm...   I wonder why.

Dan.

I almost got one but when i checked the saw head,it had a lot of play side to side.And i was not putting a whole lot of pressure.
I went back to Woodcraft and got the Kapex,              again! [laughing]

 

[Claimdude]

I bought an LS1016.  While it had some nice features, the laser was a joke and dust collection was abysmal.   But the biggest problem was runout.   So I took it back and got a second one.   Same runout.   So I took it back and bought a Kapex.   Great dust collection and NO runout.

$349?!?   Hmmm...   I wonder why.

Dan.

I have one of these also. I made the mistake of buying it before I found out about Festool. Still it's better than the crummy Delta I used to have. But I'm not going to be putting in crown with it.

Dan,

Here ya go. I used instant glue to attach the rubber flap to the sides of the metal housing. There is a Rigid vac in the cabinet below with a delay switch so it sucks pretty hard and would suck the rubber flap together. After gluing the flap sides it works like a champ. No Kapex to be sure but serves me well.

Jack

 

[Iwood75]

Well, I bought the Makita 1016L from HD for $348.00. Took it out of the box to set it up and do some testing, but I didn't get that far.

First thing I noted were deep scratches on the table top. Couldn't have happened in shipping because all the contents were secured in their rightful places and there was nothing remotely near the table area to have caused it. Was the saw used and repackaged? But, I rationalized that I'd probably scratch it soon enough anyway, so I continued. However, what I noted next really bothered me. The saw glided very smoothly on it's bottom rails but was quite "rough" sliding on the top rails. Without even plugging it in, I knew this always bug me so I returned it to HD the next day.

I checked out the Hitachi 12" Slider at Lowe's ($399) but it looks and feels SO cheaply made. Rough, crude castings... too much plastic... way too massive. I could never live happily with it.

Now I'm thinking Bosch Axial Glide 12" GCM12SD. Looking for a live demo. Wish it had a laser. I'm very much the perfectionist and am concerned about deflection with it's new "arm" system. I know it's not a Kapex – but at half the price, I think it deserves serious consideration. Being just a hobbyist now, it's hard to justify spending $1,350 for the Kapex. In my past life, I founded and ran a 22 person graphic design/photography business for 50 years. We always "invested" in the finest computer and camera gear – at whatever the cost – because cost were recouped and then some. Of course, that spoiled the hell out of me. So, it's been extremely difficult trying to make the "maybe second best will do" adjustment.

Thank you for your very insightful, helpful comments. If you can chime in about the Bosch, please do. It will be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks again.  Joel

 

[mastercabman]

However, what I noted next really bothered me. The saw glided very smoothly on it's bottom rails but was quite "rough" sliding on the top rails. Without even plugging it in, I knew this always bug me so I returned it to HD the next day.
Many people complain about that,but did say that it got better after breaking in.But don't know how much better

Now I'm thinking Bosch Axial Glide 12" GCM12SD. Looking for a live demo. Wish it had a laser. I'm very much the perfectionist and am concerned about deflection with it's new "arm" system. I know it's not a Kapex – but at half the price, I think it deserves serious consideration. Being just a hobbyist now, it's hard to justify spending $1,350 for the Kapex. In my past life, I founded and ran a 22 person graphic design/photography business for 50 years. We always "invested" in the finest computer and camera gear – at whatever the cost – because cost were recouped and then some. Of course, that spoiled the heck out of me. So, it's been extremely difficult trying to make the "maybe second best will do" adjustment.

Thank you for your very insightful, helpful comments. If you can chime in about the Bosch, please do. It will be greatly appreciated too.
The Bosch is nice,but make sure you know about the weight,pretty heavy machine.

Thanks again.  Joel

 

[Jaybolishes]

The reviews on the 1016l no matter where you go are not good.  I went with the Bosch axial and this saw is just fantastic.  I find it hilarious at my local Lowes they have over ten saws you can look at and get your hands on them to see them work, but the Bosch axial sits above shoulder height way up on a shelf by itself where you can only look at it.  I put a $20 oshlun laser on it and can't believe how perfect the laser lines up with a tiny mark.  Its so accurate with the washer style laser that i want to kick myself for not always having one on my previous saws.  This saw just has to be the best saw other than maybe a kapex, every carpenter or person who has gotten to try my axial out have all been very impressed.  It glides so smooth it's scary and the bevel being up front is a real step above my dewalt which forced you to reach to the back. It can't really be beat and I've used and owned many brands.  Don't listen to detractors, just get it and see for yourself.  I was so close to getting the kapex but I always want a 12" blade. As for the weight of the axial, I'm 5'11 165 pounds and I move it all the time no problem.  But if you do have a bad back I could see it being tough because this sucker is big.  Personally I love the heavy duty nature of it, it's fallen and tumbled down stairs and off my trailers shelf during transport and it didn't phase it, so the durability is well worth the weight IMHO.