Makita 10" SCMS LS1013

[SHADOWFOX]

Anybody attempted to install a laser on this mitre saw?

[RayintheUK]

No, sorry - I just can't see the point on that saw, which is superb as it is.

Because it's a sliding saw, you can "walk" the blade along the cut line before making the cut. If it's a bevel, creep up on it.

Lasers generally throw a 2mm line, I think. I reckon that's more chance of an error there than line-walking!

Ray.

[sweensdv]

This Laser Kerf is supposed to be one of the better lasers out there. Looks like they've lowered the price too.

[LarryG]

Lasers generally throw a 2mm line, I think.

I'd guess that 2mm is about right, but the Delta TwinLaser system is meant to be adjusted so that the blade kerf falls precisely between the inner edges of the two lines. I can split the finest pencil line, first time, every time ...

[Daibach]

Laser Guide

I just installed the Irwin Laser Guide to the Makita LS1013 I bought at the tool show here in Victoria, BC, recently.
It goes on the blade arbour with the light right beside the blade so it shows where the left side of the cut will be. It turns itself on when the blade gets up to speed and off when the blade slows down.
The Irwin fit on the blade arbour with no trouble but I had to file the stop on the blade guard a little so the stop wouldn't rub on the edge of the guide.
I didn't like the idea of having to have the saw running to turn it on but it has turned out to not be a problem. I can align the cut pretty well first then run the saw to see how much to fine tune it, adjust the wood if necessary, turn the saw on again and cut.
As a previous poster said, it's not really necessary but a laser guide was the only thing I liked about the cheap piece of junk the Makita replaced, so I decided to add it.

[eweu]

This Laser Kerf is supposed to be one of the better lasers out there. Looks like they've lowered the price too.

I have the LaserKerf installed on a Makita LS1214F saw. I can't say that I recommend it. When you get it aligned with the blade it's dead-on accurate. The beam width matches the kerf of the saw (you have to specify when ordering).

However... The 3M double sided tape that attaches the mounting block to the saw is just squishy enough to allow it to move out of alignment ever so slightly. If your saw is permanently located, this may not be a problem. I have mine on a movable stand. (The tape has very strong adhesive, so it won't come off without a lot of effort.)

Additionally, the power cable and on/off switch require you to route wire all over your saw. The transformer is one of those bricks that hang right off the wall socket, so that's sometimes a problem.

Again, it works fine once aligned but I don't find that I can trust it to stay aligned for any length of time. If your saw never moves, it might be worth checking out.