The Makita LS1016L compound miter saw with laser provides a large vertical cutting capacity, a precise miter and a compact design. This is a great miter saw for woodworkers that need a large vertical cutting capacity in a 10″ saw.

Makita LS1016L Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw

The Makita LS1016L miter saw is ideal for job site use due to it’s compact design and easy portability, as well as home or shop use. It’s a very flexible design that will fit many types of needs and workloads.

In this review, we take a look at the smooth power of the motor, the cutting capabilities and specs, and the compact design features.

The Power & Motor

Let’s first take a look at how much power this miter saw will provide. Makita has done some pretty nice things to make this saw provide lots of “smooth power”.

Quick specs:

  • 15 amps of power
  • No-load speed of 3,200 rpm
  • Electronic Speed Control
  • Soft starting
  • Direct drive motor

First of all, have you ever been frustrated with saws that feel like they “slip”? This won’t happen with the Makita LS1016L, it uses a direct drive motor, not a belt drive. This gives the saw blade direct power, and you can feel the difference.

Another feature that adds to the “smooth power” feeling of this saw is that it incorporates a soft start to the way the motor is operated. When you activate the saw, the blade smoothly goes from sitting still to full speed. This is better than going directly to full speed, as it will not cause the unit to jump or feel like it “grabs” each time you start the saw.

There is also an Electronic Speed Control that helps to maintain the motor speeds while the saw is running at full speed. This control helps adjust the torque of the saw while cutting to keep the power consistent.

The end result of all these features is a saw that is powerful and direct, yet it feels very smooth in operation.

Did we mention that this motor is also quiet? You may find that this saw is considerably more quiet than the saws of yesterday. Some people say they can even run this saw without feeling the need for ear protection.

The Cutting Specs

Before we get into the details, let’s take a quick look at the cutting specs. This is what you will really want to take a look at when determining if this saw is a good fit for you.

  • Blade diameter: 10″
  • Arbor: 5/8″
  • Crown molding (nested): 6-5/8″
  • Baseboard (vertical): 4-3/4″
  • Maximum cutting capacity (45 degrees left/right): 2-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

The crown molding cutting capacity is what immediately jumps out, it’s pretty generous considering this class of miter saw.

Makita LS1016L Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw

How far can you make adjustments?

  • The saw can miter 0-52 degrees left and 0-60 degrees right
  • There are stops in both directions at 0, 15, 22.5, 31.6 and 45 degrees

There is also a 4-3/4″ tall sliding fence system. This will allow you to make both upper and lower fence adjustments to make sure that all your bevel cuts are accurate.

Many people that have bought this miter saw have reported that the bearings on the top rail feel a little rough when this saw is first used. There is nothing wrong with the saw, this is a normal thing for this model. This will go away over time after use, so if you get one of these miter saws and notice this, don’t be alarmed. It will go away and get better eventually.

The Laser Guide

The laser that this saw offers is a neat feature that will help you get more accurate cuts. The laser is switched on and off independently of the rest of the saw features, so you only need to turn it on when you need it. It can be adjusted to be on the left or right side of the blade, so depending on your cutting applications, you’ll be able to position the laser where needed.

The Design is Compact

This is a pretty common buzz word these days, “compact”. But it accurately describes the Makita LS1016L miter saw. It’s not awkward by any means, in terms of miter saws. Because it is more compact and lightweight by design than other comparable saws, it is quite portable.

Makita LS1016L Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw

The way that the sliding rails are designed on this saw allows it to save a couple inches on the back, the end result being that it may require less space on your workbench than other competing saws.

The handle? Of course, the part that you have to grab onto all the time to make cuts is pretty important too. The handle on this saw is an ergonomic D-shape that is padded and rubberized. It also uses a larger trigger switch for better feel during operation.

Safety

Of course, safety is always an issue. This miter saw is designed to be easy to use and safe, all at the same time.

Makita LS1016L Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw

The blade guard system is designed to be see-through, so you will be able to get an easy view of the cutting action while the blade is safely covered by the guard shield.

Another safety benefit to consider is the way the power is implemented into this tool. Remember how we mentioned how this saw has very “smooth power”? The direct drive system and Electronic Speed Control help to reduce binding, bogging and other issues that you may run into with less-than-polished miter saws. This can enhance safety by quite a bit, just by providing smooth and confident cutting prowess to the woodworker who uses this saw.

Who Is This Saw Intended For?

What types of work is the Makita LS1016L miter saw a good choice for?

  • Crown molding cutting and other finishing/trim work
  • Home remodeling
  • Furniture making

These are just a few samples of the types of jobs you can tackle with a compact miter saw, but should give you a good idea of what specific uses this saw is intended for. This saw would be a good choice for:

  • Woodworkers (both professional and hobbyist)
  • Finish carpenters
  • Cabinet manufacturers and installers
  • Deck and floor builders
  • Siding installers
  • Stair installers

Of course there are many other trades that would benefit from a saw of this caliber, but we want to make sure that are aware of what industries this saw is intended for.

What’s In The Box?

Of course we always want to know what is included in addition to the saw. There’s other stuff in the box too. The whole package includes:

  • The Makita LS1016L miter saw
  • A 60T TCT saw blade
  • A vertical vise
  • A dust bag
  • A triangular ruler
  • A socket wrench
  • A hex wrench

In addition to these accessories, you also get a one year Makita warranty, that protects you from defective workmanship and materials.

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