I remember some folks were discussing the Makita 18V cordless sliding miter saw the other day, just curious if anyone has had a chance to use it yet? I’m wondering if it can cut a 2×8 straight or a beveled 2×4. The ebay posts I’ve read have conflicting info on it and google didn’t turn up a detailed review of the saw, Makita’s website didn’t have much info either.
-Ray
Replies
Hi Ray...I got the 18V slider as a bonus with an 18V combo kit and have used it for cutting 2X4's, 2X6's and used it yesterday on a baseboard job to see how it performed. Keep in mind, this saw is not designed to replace a corded tool and I don't think Makita is trying to fool anyone with it.
So far the saw has performed better than I thought (after all, it is a Makita) and is a great compliment to my 12" slider. It does have it's limitations but the one limitation it doesn't have is portability and convenience which is sometimes worth alot.
I believe you can get the specs for this saw from Amazon or one of the previous ebay auctions for this item. I think it might cut a 2X8 at 90 deg and will easily cut 2X6's. Ofcourse the question is....how many 2X4's? Well on a full 18V charge the specs claim over 100 cuts with a 2.6 Ah battery.
Hope this helps...Mike
Ray
IIRC the Makita can cut approx. 7.5" cross cut.
Thanks alot, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. I had a 10inch cheap saw I used for portability and interior wall framing, limited baseboard use, and a good amount of angle aluminum/plexiglass cutting. This saw sounds perfect for those small commercial jobs and punchlist type of work to replace the 10inch that broke. This shows how un-production oriented I am, but I use my wooden miterbox and handsaw for moldings alot, many of the rooms I've been doing recently have so few cuts that it is as quick and as accurate to do it that way.
-Ray
Good luck with your decision. I don't know about your area..but around here in Sask. Canada, there were 2 different 18V combo packs offering this saw as a 'bonus'. One was a 4 piece kit and the one I bought had 6 pieces so it sounds like Makita had some extra stock to blow out. I do agree that the Makita website has no information on this saw - I'm pretty sure the model is #LS711D? Where is the one you are looking at? What type of battery is supplied with it?
Mike
I'm looking to get the 18Volt version of the saw, appreciate the info on the combo pack but it's unlikely I'll go for one of those at this point. I have a DeWalt 12Volt snakelight and hammerdrill that I use as my current cordless system, and beyond that and the corded circular saw, sawzall, and grinder I use very few power tools and try to use those ones as little as possible. I use a wooden miterbox for most of my cuts but I like the power ones for the commercial aluminum/plexiglass work I do and the non-45 angles as the adjustable metal miter boxes with big backsaws have not felt right to me..at least the older Craftsman I've tried. Is the blade on your saw 7.5 inches or 7.25? Just curious if there'll be a good range blades available for it
-Ray
7 1/2" ...what kind of $$ are they charging for just the saw and batteries?