Makita 2703 15 Amp 10-Inch Benchtop Table Saw
by Makita
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List Price: Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Makita 2703 15 Amp 10-Inch Benchtop Table Saw
Customer Review: Dependable Workhorse
Summary: 5 Stars
If you want a reasonably priced portable table saw that will not break your back, and keep on working, this is a good choice. This is my second Makita benchtop table saw. The first one never quit working, but the motor started to get weaker, the push button safety was missing and the plastic base was broken in a few places (from years of throwing into the back of my pickup). I used my first one to trim out homes (10 years partime basis). When I decided to remodel my home you know it was an excuse to buy all new power tools. I did not want to pay $500+ for a contractor grade saw, I have a weary back, and I did not want a saw with a lot of nuts and bolts that fall out every time you use it.
If your looking for a lower priced table saw that is dependable and light this saw is for you. If your a contractor look elsewhere. The saw table could be bigger, and the saw more quiet (I'm sure I have some hearing loss due to this saw) but few are lighter. This saw is great if you have back problems and trouble lifting. I found this saw to be much better then the low price Delta's or cheaper big box store table saws.
Large sheets of plywood are difficult to cut, as is a door bottom or side if not assisted. If you have to do a lot of this buy a saw with a larger saw table.
If you keep a good quality, sharp blade on this saw it will outlast you, or at least your desire to keep doing this stuff. This saw will definitely layer your work area with saw dust. You need to wear a mask if you have long cuts, especially if sawing particle board shelving.
Customer Review: terrible saw
Summary: 2 Stars
this saw is good for nothing except maybe ripping rough framming material
too small for ply (easily tipped over)
fence useless (very difficult to square with blade)
weak motor
arbor too short
BUY A BOSCH
Customer Review: lightweight saw with poor fence
Summary: 3 Stars
I've owned several different Makita tools over the years and have been very happy with their durability and performance; that said, the 2703 has performed below expectations. First, the reasons NOT to buy this saw:
1) The most important feature of any table saw in this price range is an easy-to-use fence that is consistently parallel to the blade. For several generations now, the 2703's fence has continued to wiggle this way and that, requiring the user to either measure twice, from the front and rear of the blade to the fence, or, to attempt to keep an even reveal between the fence and the ribs that run longitudinally in the table top. Despite these measures, the fence can still end up slightly skewed, bogging down the motor and giving you an uneven rip. I'm not sure why Makita has neglected to update the fence all these years; perhaps the cheap fence keeps the 2703 under a critical retail price point.
2) Cutting miters on the 2703 is an even more awkward affair, given the sloppy fit in the miter slot and the cheaply-made miter accessory.
3) While touted as powerful, the 2703's motor has bogged down, blown fuses, etc. when ripping 1 x pine stock against its substandard fence. With practice, I have been able to reduce these instances by slightly loosening the fence during the cut and letting the stock push it to a more or less parallel position.
4) The 2703 will NOT accept dado blades; it's arbor is too short. Being able to run quick dados on site for cabinets, bookshelves, etc. is a nice option to have on a table saw.
5) For $429, you can buy a saw that is superior in every way except weight (60 lbs., vs. 40 lbs. for the 2703). The Bosch model in this class
a) comes with a rugged steel stand that is nearly impossible to tip over, even when jamming full sheets of plywood through the saw.
b) will accept dado blades.
c) has an outstanding, easy-to-adjust fence that stays parallel to the blade.
d) has the most powerful motor I have ever seen on a portable table saw.
e) has pull-out wings that increase the table surface for ripping just about anything in the field.
f) will cut miters happily with its excellent miter attachment.
g) is a good enough saw to make cabinets on. Many, many cabinets.
Reasons FOR buying the Makita 2703:
1) It is light enough to carry with one hand.
2) The electronic brake does make for a safer saw.
3) You can drop it into a Rousseau table, which does have a good fence.
4) It is one of the cheaper table saws in its price range and, when coupled with a Rousseau stand, it will rip full sheets of plywood with considerable ease.
5) If you can pick up the original 8" version (with the dark green body and simple twist-handle fence) you will find yourself in possession of an extremely light, compact, and powerful table saw. The 8" has the same lousy miter attachment and the original switch may need replacing, but the fence is of a better design (clean and wax the fence-to-table interface if needed) and motor did not bog down when ripping 2" red oak, 4" fir posts, and other things the 10" version would not be happy about.
6) Since most saws in this range are for on-site work, vs. shop applications, cuts don't have to be nearly as accurate. Homeowners and occassional users might be happy with this saw due to its low price and light weight (about 40 lbs.).
Customer Review: yuke
Summary: 1 Stars
a terrible design with a weak fence that can't stay true, non standard miter slot so shallow that nearly impossible to make a cross cutting sled, dado cutting very limited needs viagra to get wider cuts. Why buy this with a Rousseu Table when it is cheaper to get a good contractor saw for less than $500?Customer Review: bad arbor design
Summary: 1 Stars
Ive used the old 8 1/2 makita for years, and now owned the 10" (and the Bosch) for a few years now. I loved the portability (best part) and the fence is god-awful unless you get the rousseau table. It would be the ideal set-up, but the arbor stinks on this one--with a 100 dollar new blade, it still scores up the cut--meaning I have to joint or sand every finished piece. You can see the wobble as you turn it on. I've heard the same complaint from other contractors, and it has been mentioned on this board. MAKITA WAKE UP! I would never buy this saw again if this weren't fixed--if it were, the saw would tear off the roof!