Makita LS1219L 12″ Miter Saw Review

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The Makita LS1219L is a miter saw, so you might be worried about the price since miter saws tend to be the job site tool you need that might break the bank. The good news is that the Makita company aims to make their tools affordable and still top quality.

If you’re looking for a Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, you should check the features and best parts of the Makita LS1219L in this review.

Makita LS1219L Review Main Features

While the saw will be detailed further in the article, here are the main features to keep in mind as you research saws and try to decide which one to buy:

  • 12 inch blade
  • 2 steel rail sliding system which allows reduced saw footprint and operation flush
  • 8 inch crown molding vertically nested
  • 15 inch crosscuts at a 90-degree angle
  • Comes with dual dust collection ports which make for better dust extraction
  • In front level lock is more convenient
  • Increased vertical cutting capacity with the direct-drive motor and guard system
  • 6 ¾ inch vertical cutting

Let’s review the various features that distinguish this saw, and then I’ll discuss the pros and cons.

Best Features Highlighted

Now that you have a list of some of the main features of the Makita LS1219L, you might be wondering what they mean or how they stack up against other miter saws. Here is some explanation of the best features and how they make this saw one of the best on the market:

  • Direct Drive Motor: If you’re worried about cutting speed, the Makita LS1219L can take all those worries away.  The high-power motor has 1,450 watts and 110 voltages. You also get a 15-amp motor with 3,200 RPM. Cutting with high power is extremely easy and effective.
  • Rotating Capacity: If you have jobs or projects where you need different cutting techniques, the Makita LS1219L is a great option because it allows you to do compound, cross, bevel, and miter cuts. The saw miter cuts can rotate up to 60 degrees and have left and right stoppage points of 0, 15, 22.5. 31.6. 45, and 60 degrees. The bevel cut also has a pretty high range of between 0-48 degrees.
  • Front Bevel Lock: Some saws have the bevel lock towards the back or the side, but the Makita LS1219L has it on the front. This doesn’t affect the performance of the saw, but it does add some nice safety features that might be good for first-time users or those who might be nervous to use a miter saw for the first time. It also allows you to lock the bevel into position easier while you are working. The convenience of being able to customize the saw is unmatched.

Makita LS1219L Review Cut Capacity

The Makita LS1219L miter saw has 17 inches of cut capacity, which is more than the industry standard. This allows for deeper cuts and allows you to cut thicker materials much quicker and efficiently.

Along with the deeper cut capacity, you also get a see-through blade so you can always see the materials you are cutting.

If you have ever owned a see-through blade, you know how much it can make your work much easier. It also allows you to control the blade better because you can see what you are doing with greater precision. 

The Makita LS1219L has with two types of fences, an upper and lower. The upper fence, or wall, could slide forward for cut, and the lower fence is suitable for small-sized woods. 

Direct Drive Motor

The Makita LS1219L has a 15 AMP Direct Drive Motor to ease and simplify handling wood. The motor has high power and is of 1,450 watts & 110 voltage. Hence, the product requires low maintenance.

This motor gives 3,200 RPM of speed to finish your cuts super fast and without any load on the machine. Also, this high power motor allows you for vertical cutting.

Bevel Lock in Front

The miter saw has a bevel lock in front. This feature is essential from a safety point of view. Also, one can fix the machine according to their convenience and complete their work without being worried. Moreover, it has a speed control system.

Dual Dust Collection Nozzles

While it may not seem like a big deal, the dust collection removal apparatus can break or break a miter saw. If you are new to using saws, it can be hard to understand the need for a good dust collection nozzle.

If you have owned a saw where the dust blower or nozzles don’t work though, you know how frustrating it can be to work and see on a dusty workspace.

The rubber dust removal part easily removes all sawdust and debris from your workspace. It allows you to cut wood more efficiently without a big mess. Better dust removal also allows you to more accurately cut wood.

Other Features

While the most important features are noted above, there are some other ones to keep in mind that make the saw more effective and precise when cutting.

For one, I love the aluminum base. It gives the saw more stability and better durability, which means you don’t have to worry about this Makita saw breaking, even if you handle it roughly or use it every day.

The electronic speed controller lets you easily change the speed at which you are cutting depending on what type of wood or material you are working on. You can also increase it up to 15 amp for the most powerful cutting or when you need to cut through thicker wood like maple.

This 12 inch Makita LS1219L is equipped with a laser light LED to help with precision cutting. Moreover, it is compact and has a forward-facing rail system, allowing users to use it more comfortably.

A Few Cons

Any miter saw is going to have a few drawbacks and they are always worth mentioning to readers so you know the full situation of the saw and what to expect from it if you choose to buy it.

Although the saw boasts that it can make many different types of cuts, you only get one blade with the purchase price. Some blades work better for different types of woods and projects.

This isn’t a big deal if you are only using the blade sometimes or are an amateur and don’t have the need for different blades. More experienced users might want to get extra blades though for more precise and accurate cutting.

Some people also don’t like the aluminum measurement scale as it’s less sturdy than other Makita models where the scale is made from magnesium or stainless steel. Aluminum also stretches easier, so you might find that the arc on the scale becomes bigger over time and is harder to use.

You might want to consider the Makita LS1018 Compound Miter Saw or the Makita XSL08PT Miter Saw. The LS1018 is only 10″ but the XSL08PT has a 12″ blade.

How to Use a Miter Saw - Shop Class Basics

Final Thoughts

The Makita LS1219L Miter Saw is easily one of the top choices for miter saws. With a 15 amp and a voltage of 110V, you get a powerful saw that is ready to cut through any wood or materials. The high motor speed of 3,200 rpm and the speed control system also makes the saw easy to use even for first-time saw users.

Raised with a fix-it and improvement mindset, my wife and I completely restored our Craftsman-style home. Learning how to DIY a variety of home improvement projects, I started SawsHub with my father. He's the fine woodworker, I'm the DIYer!