Makita 2703X1 15 Amp 10-Inch Benchtop Table Saw with Fixed Stand

The Makita portable table saw in one form or another, has been around for about twenty years, and will no doubt continue to be around for quite a few more. It was being thrown into the open bed of a pickup truck on a rainy overcast day long before either DeWalt or Bosch were ever a jobsite presence. It is probably one the most popular but mishandled, abused and poorly maintained tools on any given jobsite. The design has improved and changed over the years on it's way to becoming the 10-inch 2703 but has always been very solid and capable, unlike many of the people I've seen attempting to operate it with satisfactory results. This saw was designed to be a rugged heavy-duty general-purpose portable jobsite table saw for use with or without table legs and as such, excels in this area. I'm not sure a professional woodworker would want to attempt to build their heirloom quality furniture or custom cabinetry with any portable table saw, but I do know that with the proper setup it can been...Read more

I am a contractor and own 2 of these saws. I have had 2 replaced in the last year because of broken blade bevel mechanisms. The reason is that the gears are plastic and packed with grease that subsequently fill with sawdust and jamb when you try to bevel the blade to 45 deg. I still own the old reliable Makita 8 1/4" # 2708, never a problem, except the cord getting a little old and frayed. Makita should have stuck with the tried and true design on the bevel and changed only the blade raising handle to a crank (as in the 2703). It's still a good saw, especially when you drop it in a Rousseau stand, I just wish Makita would get rid of the plastic gears.

I bought this saw based on my expierience with Makita tools in general and was not disappointed. It's not a "shop saw'" for doing precision work but as a job saw, for common rips and quick cuts on the jobsite, you can't beat it. Every time I turn it off I say, "I just love this saw". The quick acting electric brake is a boon when you have to make a quick fence change. The light weight is a plus if you have to move it around to access different job areas. There's even a hole in the table to let you see the power switch without having to squat down or step back from the saw. And while were on the subject of the table, it's heavy cast aluminium. A feature not always avalable in a saw in this price range. There's a nice blade well with a vacuum system fitting on the back for dust free opperation. I cut a hole in a wet vac box and bunjied it to the back of the stand, and the sawdust just shoots right in.
This saw is a good value. Just like all my Makita tools,...Read more