Makita LS1221 12-inch Compound Miter saw Kit

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Makita LS1221 12-inch Compound Miter saw Kit

Why buy a compound miter saw? While a standard miter swings left or right at varying angles of the centerline, a compound miter also swings on a bevel, allowing you to cut a bevel and an angle simultaneously. This is invaluable if you are working on projects that require compound cuts, such as crown molding.As compound miters go, it's hard to do better than the Makita. At just over 36 pounds, this is among the lightest of the 12-inch miters, yet it doesn't feel flimsy at all. The swing arm is substantial, and I was able to make accurate cuts easily over and over again. The 4-1/2-inch fence is not as high as other models (fences for 12-inch saws typically average around 5 inches), but is perfectly fine for most applications.This is one quiet machine, which is great if you're going to be using it all day, and the horizontal, D-style handle is comfortable to use right- or left-handed (although, like most compound miters, the LS1221 bevels only in one direction).On the down-side, the miter and bevel scales are a little difficult to read compared to other models. But given the overall quality, portability, accuracy, and the sturdy construction, this is indeed a minor complaint. ...Read more