Makita DLS714Z
Pros
- Cordless
- Portable
- Brushless Motor
- Good Cutting Capacity
- Build Quality
Cons
- No Batteries Included
- More Expensive Than Mains Powered Models
The Makita DLS714Z Review
There is no doubt about it, our Makita DLS714Z review has discovered a fantastic mitre saw with many benefits. It is built with accuracy and hard work in mind like all Makita power tools. Well priced at the higher end of the DIY models and affordable for the trades.
We think this is a great saw, but should you buy a DLS714Z Cordless mitre saw? Well, do you already have Makita mitre saw batteries for other power tools or are you looking to start building a set of cordless power tools? If the answer is you have other brands of cordless power tools then it would probably be a lot cheaper and easier to stick with them if the batteries are compatible with all of their tools. If, however, you have some Makita batteries already then we would highly recommend adding the DLS714Z to your tool kit.
If you are looking to start collecting a set of cordless power tools, then Makita is a great way to go. They have an extensive range of high quality tools that all run off the same batteries. This would be a great mitre saw to get started with.
The Features
The DLS714Z is packed with high end features that will give quality cuts and will last a long time. As with all Makita power tools, the features are professional quality and are used by many carpenters and builders. Also a great set up for a house renovator or DIY enthusiast with the budget.
The Motor
One stand out feature of this model is the motor. It is a 36 volt DC brush less motor that delivers brilliant power and performance. One thing that you notice with a lot of battery powered saw is that they don’t deliver as much power and can be slower to user. This brushless motor gives similar performance to the main powered mitre saws. As well as great performance, brushless motors are built to last as there is not as much where on them. You are much less likely to burn out this type of motor. For heavy users this is a a great feature, you may be investing a bit more in the initial purchase but in the long run it may be a wise buy.
The 18 Volt Batteries
The motor is powered by two lithium ion batteries. One thing to be careful of is that the batteries are not included with this unit. This price needs to be factored in when considering buying the Makita DLS714Z mitre saw. If you want spare batteries as well then you will need to buy more. A twin pack of Makita 18v 3.0Ah batteries will cost anything from fifty pounds upwards. Run time on these batteries is very dependent on how hard the motor is working and the power of the batteries.
Cutting Capacity
It has a medium cutting capacity that is ideal for most finishing jobs and smaller construction jobs, 52mm (2 inches) by 300mm (11.8 inches) at 90 degrees and 52mm (2 inches) by 212mm (8.3 inches) at 45 degrees. It will cruise through 2 by 4 and wood flooring with ease plus tackle a lot of out door work easily.
Cutting Angles
The mitre angles on this model are great for some tight angles. They are 0 degrees to 47 degrees on the left and 0 degrees to 57 degrees right. There are 5 set angles that easily click into place for accurate standard cuts, the settings are at the following angles; 0, 15, 22.5, 30 and 45 degrees.
The bevel action give you angles on both the left and right of up to 45 degrees on the left side and 5 degrees on the right. This makes it a pretty versatile saw when cutting some awkward angles when trying to get a nice finish.
The Blade
The 190mm blade that comes with this model is a standard TCT blade, other blades can be bought that will cut through other materials. Spare blades are easy to purchase. The bore size is 20mm which again is pretty common.
Portability
This is where the Makita DLS714Z Cordless really comes into it’s own. It folds down into a compact and lightweight, easy to carry package that can easily be carried from job to job. The major advantage of this is that it can be used where there is no power supply. As long as you have charged the batteries you can be working in a building with no power or outside with ease. No more dragging extension leads around. Also great on sites where 240 volts main powered tools are not allowed. Just remember to have spare batteries or you may have to stop work to get another charge!
Storage is nice and easy, the body locks down into a flat position making it easy to slide into a shelf or pack into the van. Weighing in at slightly over 12 kilos, there are lighter corded models out there like the Evolution R210SMS but the difference is negligible.
Safety
The safety features are pretty standard, the handles are well designed to keep you away from the cutting area. The blade cover automatically covers the blade as it is pulled up from a cut. There are extension bars on either side to help manage longer pieces of material, helping to keep the saw stable. A good addition to this would be a good mitre saw stand, but again this would be an extra expense.
Dust Collection
A small dust bag is supplied with this model which may catch some dust but in real working conditions it won’t collect a lot. If you are working inside it would be wise to connect it up to a dust collector that will do a much better job and keep the air clean that you are working in.
What The Customers Say
There are many great customer reviews of the DLS714Z out there on sites such as Power Tool World and Amazon, these are always a good indicator of the quality of the delivered product. Below we have a look at some of the comments made.
Very Portable
Many are surprised at how portable it is whilst still giving out the performance of a corded model. You are paying a bit extra for the brush less motor but it is well worth it when you don’t have to mess around with cables or have no power source.
Robust Build Quality
A common theme is how good the Makita DLS714Z build quality is. Like all Makita tools they are designed to with stand the rigours of day to day life on a building site so there is no surprise!
Don’t Need A Transformer
This is blessing for many trades people. If you have a lot of kit to lug to and from jobs it can be a pain if you need a heavy 100 volt transformer and the cable to go with. Not any more, just a couple of small batteries and you are away.
Conclusion
In summary this is a fantastic mitre saw. It is on the expensive side and you do need to purchase batteries but if you are a regular user then it is worth the investment. Make sure that Makita tools are the brand for you before you start to invest as the batteries are not cheap and you want to be able to share them around between power tools.
In terms of build quality it is fantastic. The state of the art brushless motor is powerful and delivers plenty of power for a cordless mitre saw, you may be disappointed with the power of the cheaper battery mitre saws. I know that cordless saws I have used in the past can run out of battery very quickly if the cuts are tough which is not ideal, so this is a really great feature.
It will tackle most job pretty easily and unless you are working with large roof timbers or similar will probably fit your needs. We recommend the Makita DLS714Z Cordless mitre saw, a fantastic buy!
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