Makita LS1040F

[poolhound]

does anyboy have any experience with the Makita LS1040F CMS or any other model?

I have a bunch of "points" on my visa card and they have various tools that I can get for "free". This seems to be the best of the bunch (at least that I dont already have) , however, is it worth even owning or not?

The price is right but if its no good I would rather part with cash.

Jon

[RayintheUK]

You asked about other models and I have the Makita LS1013 sliding CMS, which is excellent. It was spot on right out of the box and remains so after several years of hard use. Soft start, good braking, beautifully constructed and a real pleasure to use.

Although I've not tried the LS1040F, if it's made to the same high standards as my model, you won't go far wrong. It's specification includes:

260mm Blade diameter.
1650 watts
4600rpm No load speed
Bevel cuts up to 45° to the left
Miter cuts 0-45° left and 0-52° right
Cutting capacity at 90°/90° 69 x 130mm
Cutting capacity at 45°/45° 35 x 92mm
Weight - 11Kg

The differences to mine are, therefore, that it only bevel cuts to the left (no big deal, but means that you have to invert the workpiece on some cuts, which can be confusing and lead to errors)
45 degree mitre left / 52 degree right, as opposed to 47 degree left / 52 degree right (depending on use, could be a slight disadvantage)
69 x 130mm instead of 91x305mm at 90°
35 x 92mm instead of 50x215mm at compound 45° left
Smaller cutting capacity, as expected, as the 1013 is a slider. Depends what your requirements to capacity are, as to whether this is a deal-breaker.

If you don't have a CMS at the moment, then you can't go wrong with this one as a "starter" - especially at the price! However, only you know whether you need a larger model, which will considerably increase the investment required. My LS1013 was my third mitre saw and knowing what I know now, I should have waited and made it my first.

Ray.