MAKITA LSO714L - poor quality control

[RogerS]

I will keep this short and sweet.

I now have three new Makita LS0714's sitting in my kitchen waiting to go back. Two are the L (for laser) version.

All three have the same fundamental problem in that the sliders - particularly the top slider - are rough. As you push it in, it jams slightly and you then have to push harder. Then it sticks again and you push a bit more. Horrible to use.

These are sleeved bearings and one would expect them to be silky smooth. Speaking to others who have this model, they say that theirs' are, indeed, silky smooth. The slider on my DW707 is also silky smooth. So it would seem to be a Quality Control issue at Makita.

I've not bothered to check anything else out as to do so would be pointless.

Not recommended.

 

[RussianRouter]

I take it the locking screw is fully undone to stop the guid rail from moving in transit?

In your pic in tother thread,what is that t bar attached to the rail for?

 

[RogerS]

I take it the locking screw is fully undone to stop the guid rail from moving in transit?

In your pic in tother thread,what is that t bar attached to the rail for?

Yes.

It's a locking spanner, if that's what I think you are referring to.

 

[RussianRouter]

I get the feeling someones telling you not to get one of these SMS.

ie its a warning sign.

 

[chippy1970]

I will second that are you sure the locking screws are all fully loosened there are a few locking screws on that saw. I know a couple of people who have these saws and im very impressed with them not noticed any problems with theirs regarding stiff sliding. I have the big ls1013 which is great but heavy. These are much smaller easier to carry to site only thing im not too keen on is the fast kick start on the motor where as my ls1013 starts smoothly.

 

[RogerS]

Yes I am sure.

 

[RussianRouter]

Roger

If you still have one out the box? lift the handle slightly and push and pull the carriage,if it glides with ease then you know for certain that the bearings are misaligned.

 

[RogerS]

George - I don't really see the point in spending any more time on them. So I lift the handle and it glides freely. It's still duff.

 

[RogerS]

OK...Screwfix sent me a second one by mistake and I just had to open it up and try it out. Same problem. Then I did what George suggested and pulled up the saw, the bearings improved ...not perfect but not graunchy.

So my verdict remains...poor quality control.

 

[busy builder]

I've had one of these for past few years, mine has a silky smooth action and have had no issues with it what soever. There's always one, but 3 ??

 

[Russ]

I'm sure Makita know about this problem, personally I'd ask for a full refund and go and buy a proper saw.. I stopped buying their tools years ago due to bad experiences and dreadful customers service. Still got a pile of their crap that they can't seem to fix, also their spare parts are very expensive.

Rather use a pair of rusty garden shears...

Russ

 

[chippy1970]

I'm sure Makita know about this problem, personally I'd ask for a full refund and go and buy a proper saw.. I stopped buying their tools years ago due to bad experiences and dreadful customers service. Still got a pile of their crap that they can't seem to fix, also their spare parts are very expensive.

Rather use a pair of rusty garden shears...

Russ

Thats weird becuase I have had quiet the opposite when my 2 year old Makita li-ion drill packed up they collected it by courier from me and had it back about 2 or 3 days later with a new gear box and a few other bits. This was a whole year after the warranty had run out so I didnt think they would do anything. Another one was when the case broke I complained thinking most companies dont cover cases under warranty but they sent me a new one the next day.

I am sure all companies have their bad moments but Makita have been pretty good with me so far. I have the LS1013 chopsaw and that is a classic its been around for years with no complaints.

 

[RogerS]

It's possible that they've shipped production of this particular saw to China.

 

[Mike.C]

It's possible that they've shipped production of this particular saw to China.

Roger why not go for a Dewalt. I have the DW718 12" double bevel (max crosscut 14") which has never let me down. It costs a fair bit more then the Makita but you could try one of their reconditioned models. Mailee has happily used one for a few years.
This company has a recon DW717XPS which is the 10" version and at £399 is a good buy. It has never been used with only the original packaging missing. It also has the new type of laser.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DEWALT-DW717-XPS- ... 2c559971ff

I have only put the DW717 because it is nearer to your Makita price.

Cheers

Mike

 

[RogerS]

The trouble with any recommendations is that I have no way of knowing whether or not it will fit into my existing infeed/outfeed table arrangements.

 

[Mike.C]

The trouble with any recommendations is that I have no way of knowing whether or not it will fit into my existing infeed/outfeed table arrangements.

Depth 541 mm
Length 718 mm
Height 442 mm

Any good? Or simply go to the nearest dealer.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Russ]

I'm sure Makita know about this problem, personally I'd ask for a full refund and go and buy a proper saw.. I stopped buying their tools years ago due to bad experiences and dreadful customers service. Still got a pile of their crap that they can't seem to fix, also their spare parts are very expensive.

Rather use a pair of rusty garden shears...

Russ

Thats weird becuase I have had quiet the opposite when my 2 year old Makita li-ion drill packed up they collected it by courier from me and had it back about 2 or 3 days later with a new gear box and a few other bits. This was a whole year after the warranty had run out so I didnt think they would do anything. Another one was when the case broke I complained thinking most companies dont cover cases under warranty but they sent me a new one the next day.

I am sure all companies have their bad moments but Makita have been pretty good with me so far. I have the LS1013 chopsaw and that is a classic its been around for years with no complaints.

That is weird cause I've had a BO6040 returned from their workshop 7 times and on each occasion still didn't work, told it was due to the sanding pad so I coughed-up for a new one thinking it was me all along only to find it wasn't... I prefer tools that work and if I'm going to invest my hard earned cash then I'd rather splash-out on tools that do the job and not fall to pieces like a cheap plastic toy...

 

[RogerS]

The trouble with any recommendations is that I have no way of knowing whether or not it will fit into my existing infeed/outfeed table arrangements.

Depth 541 mm
Length 718 mm
Height 442 mm

Any good? Or simply go to the nearest dealer.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks Mike but those aren't the dimensions that are critical..it's the room needed at the rear and the height of the bed above whatever surface the saw is sitting in.

Dealer? Local ? With stock? You must be joking!

 

[Mike.C]

The trouble with any recommendations is that I have no way of knowing whether or not it will fit into my existing infeed/outfeed table arrangements.

Depth 541 mm
Length 718 mm
Height 442 mm

Any good? Or simply go to the nearest dealer.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks Mike but those aren't the dimensions that are critical..it's the room needed at the rear and the height of the bed above whatever surface the saw is sitting in.

Dealer? Local ? With stock? You must be joking!

In that case Roger only you know the sizes you need, so a hint might help.
One of the reasons I personally went for the Dewalt was the small footprint needed at the rear.

Dealer??? Local??? With Stock??? No not joking, even out in the sticks up here in Scotland. It maybe a few miles round trip, but if you do not want to end up with 3 crap SCMS in your house it's the only way to go

If I can be of any help (rear measurements) just give me a shout.

Cheers

Mike

 

[big soft moose]

if room at the back is a problem, get a front slider like tom did - that also simplifies th choice as you are then basically looking at a hitachi or a kapex