Makita LS1040 10" Compound Miter Saw

A favorite on job sites, Makita's 10-inch compound miter saw has a highly dedicated following. Even though it's extremely portable (at 24.2 pounds), Makita's saw also boasts a super sturdy dual-post pivoting arm. A pivot fence adjusts for supporting large stock and flips back for bevel cuts. The saw bevels left up to 45 degrees and miters 45 degrees left and up to 52 degrees right. There's no lack of power here, either: a 15 amp motor spins the blade, plus there's an electric brake that saves you time between cuts. There's also a shaft lock that makes changing blades quick and easy. The miter has a smooth-action swivel, but the lock is of the older screw-handle design that's a little more time-consuming than the newer (and more expensive) cam-lock designs. This Makita also lacks a soft-start mechanism, so it does jump a bit when the motor first engages; some users swear by a soft start, but we think a saw can still be a high-quality saw without one. Makita's saw has a vertical grip design with a thumb-activated safety switch and a paddle trigger, and while the vertical design might be slightly less ergonomic than the horizontal D-handle, it does allow you to use the saw comfortably with either hand. And the paddle grip makes squeezing the trigger easy no matter how you're holding the handle. Our verdict: it's a solid saw. --Jon Groebner