Makita MLS100
Pros
- Easy to store
- Great customer reviews
- Accurate cuts
- Laser sight
- 110v and 240v available
Cons
- Cheaper Models
- Doesn't cut wider planks
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The Makita MLS100 Review
On this page we are going to have a look the MLS100. This is a well built and compact saw the is handy for to move around and store easily. Built to cope with work on sites as well as any domestic project.
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The Features
This has some good features for a compound mitre saw. It does the basic jobs very well. Below we’ll have a look st some of those.
The Motor
The electric motor is available in a 240 volt model and a 110 volt model which is great if you are working on sites that only allow 110 volts. At 1500 watts it is has plenty of power for cutting some tough lengths of timber as well as metal when needed. Designed to cope with heavy use not just for the odd job.
Cutting Capacity
At 90 degrees the maximum cutting capacity is 75mm (2.9 inches) or 48mm (1.8 inches). This plenty for many cutting jobs. It will not be enough however for some of the larger timbers out there. One thing to remember is that this not a sliding mitre saw so is not going to be able to cut wider planks like some of the sliding models like the Makita LS0815FL.
Cutting Angles
This is a single bevel mitre saw which a left hand bevel range of between 0 and 45 degrees. The mitre angles go from 90 to 45 degrees. These are quite standard angles and sufficient for a lot of jobs. The double bevel saws tend to be quite a bit more expensive.
The Blade
It comes with a TCT blade that will cut wood, aluminium, laminate and other non-ferrous materials. This is really handy as you don’t have to buy a number of blades for various jobs. The blade diameter is 255mm and the bore is 300mm which is pretty standard if you are looking to buy replacement blades at some point.
Portability
One of the big plus sides of the Makita MLS100 255mm mitre saw is the portability. It is easy to transport in the van or car as well as store in the garage or shed. It is not the lightest at just over 14 kilos but is built to withstand heavy use. At 45cm width, 75cm height and 48.3cm height it will be quite easy to carry around. This is a big advantage over the sliding mitre saws which can be very awkward to carry.
Safety
The MLS100 safety features include a blade cover so that the blade is covered when it is not cutting, it opens up as the saw goes down to cut. There are support arms at either end of the table to help hold longer pieces of material in place. There is also a clamp to hold things down while cutting. It may be wise to use it with a Makita mitre saw stand so to keep the saw secure while cutting.
Dust collection
It comes with a dust collection bag to keep the working area safer. However, it is a fairly small dust bag that will need changing pretty often. It could be connected up to a dust removal system if you are using it indoors for long periods of time.
What The Customers Say
The MLS100 Compound mitre saw gets a lot of great reviews and feedback from happy customers. Some have commented on the accuracy of the cut which is really important when using it for finishing work. Easy of use is another common theme, for those of us that are not trained carpenters we need to be able to use it with relatively little knowledge. There are a few very positive comments from carpenters and joiners, they will have used many different saws so give valuable feedback.
Accuracy
The standard laser sight comes with the saw and is great for getting accurate cuts especially where light is a bit low. This not quite up there with the XPS system on the Dewalt’s but it does the job it needs to do.
Value
In terms of cost this is not too expensive but there are cheaper 255mm compound saws on the market from brands like evolution. The Makita’s are built to last and to be used for work so the cost is well justified if you want to use it over a long period of time or very regularly. If you are looking at this for the odd job it may be worth looking around at some of the cheaper brands.
Conclusion
To sum the MLS100 up, this is a great compound mitre saw that will give you accurate cuts and will last. If you are looking for something that will cut wider planks then it is probably not for you. The robust build means it is good for sites and home use. It has a lot of very good customer comments and is reasonably priced for a quality saw. Definitely one to have a look at.
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