Mitre saw - Rutland V Makita

[Jackie H]

Hi all,
I have recently been looking at a new mitre saw and fancied the Makita L1019L @ circa £650. A few days ago Rutland announced a new mitre saw with a pre-order price of £150.
The Makita is a 260 mm blade and the Rutland is 210 mm. However when I compared the specs the cutting capacities appear surprisingly similar given the difference in blade sizes. The motor rating for the Rutland is 1800W v Makita @ 1510W.
Obviously Makita has a great quality reputation, Rutland perhaps less so. The price difference is massive though and for myself as a hobbyist I cant help but think about the Rutland as a viable option.

I am equally thinking that maybe and I am comparing apples and oranges and have missed something. I am therefore keen to hear comments/thoughts from other members.

https://www.rutlands.com/products/sliding-mitre-saw-210mm

https://www.makitauk.com/product/ls1019l.html

Thanks, Jackie

 

[Jameshow]

Same saw but cheaper....

https://tools4trade.co.uk/products/...yM5NUHZL5KbaMz_xrbbFLg_on4df4MwxoCAewQAvD_BwE

 

[Spectric]

What are you looking to make because that will determine what saw you will need, you are looking at saws with a wide price range, £150 to £650 but do not expect the same results and when looking at the power rating look at output power and not input to get a fair comparison. There are other saws with prices between the ones you are looking at so why not get something in the middle ? Personally I would look at Bosch, Makita, Dewalt & maybe Metabo as better options than the cheap end of the market.

https://www.toolstop.co.uk/dewalt-dws777-mitre-saw-with-xps-216mm-240v-p73503/

https://www.manomano.co.uk/p/makita-ls0815fl-slide-compound-mitre-saw-240v-172861?product_id=1301410

The other thing to bear in mind is space, when the rails stick out the back you need clearance to the wall behind but with some saws they are out the front like

https://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/makita-ls1219l-305mm-compound-mitre-saw-with-laser-guide

but this does add some cost and depends on your needs and budget.

 

[AJB Temple]

Jackie, a great deal depends on the work you do. If all you are doing is cutting say CLS softwood (which I do a lot to make studwork), then a cheap saw like the £89 one linked above will be good enough. It would probably be improved a lot by good set up and a new blade eventually. Generally it is better to spend money on good wood rather than cheap power tools. A sliding mitre saw is a pretty simple tool really and will not do anything that you can't do by hand.

My first was an Elu (which I still have) but my main saw is a Bosch GCM 12" compound sliding mitre saw. It's an expensive tool and I bought it because I wanted high levels of repeatable accuracy cutting hardwoods (roof work on timber framing at the time I acquired it) and I needed the depth of cut and the ability to tilt. Unless you are going to do a lot of work with the saw, it is perfectly OK to go for a cheaper tool and accept that it has compromises. You can get over many of the compromises with a shooting board and trim plane.

 

[recipio]

People have gravitated from the table saw to the miter saw for all crosscutting nowadays so I would try and buy one with maximum capacity. That means a minimum of a 10 " blade and preferably a 12 ". The quality of the cut is also important. A cheap saw is fine for 2 x4 carpentry but if you are into cutting say miters then a premium saw is better.
However the big saws are not exactly portable and having to keep them away from a back wall is a real inconvenience. They throw dust all over the place as well and my next project is to build a box around my Milwaukee 12 " for extraction.
A last consideration is noise - the brush motors are very noisy on starting and the induction powered saws are worth considering if this bothers you.

 

[Distinterior]

I'm selling a Dewalt 708 mitre saw that may suit your needs...?

Here's the link.....
Thread 'Dewalt DW 708 Mitre Saw + Folding Stand.' https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/dewalt-dw-708-mitre-saw-folding-stand.146390/

 

[Spectric]

@Jackie H not just a saw but also on a stand and it looks like new so you want a mitre saw then this could be it.

 

[Paddy Roxburgh]

We used to have a Festool mitre saw, but the owner selfishly took it with him when he moved. I replaced it with a makita, and while the cuts are the same as the Festool, the dust collection is truly awful, so much so I wouldn’t buy another one. Idk what the dust collection is like on the Rutlands, or other mid range saws, but I would definitely research that aspect if I were buying a new one.

 

[alex robinson]

Hi all,
I have recently been looking at a new mitre saw and fancied the Makita L1019L @ circa £650. A few days ago Rutland announced a new mitre saw with a pre-order price of £150.
The Makita is a 260 mm blade and the Rutland is 210 mm. However when I compared the specs the cutting capacities appear surprisingly similar given the difference in blade sizes. The motor rating for the Rutland is 1800W v Makita @ 1510W.
Obviously Makita has a great quality reputation, Rutland perhaps less so. The price difference is massive though and for myself as a hobbyist I cant help but think about the Rutland as a viable option.

I am equally thinking that maybe and I am comparing apples and oranges and have missed something. I am therefore keen to hear comments/thoughts from other members.

https://www.rutlands.com/products/sliding-mitre-saw-210mm

https://www.makitauk.com/product/ls1019l.html

Thanks, Jackie

I recently treated myself to the ls1019 and it is lovely. Never tried a festool, so cannot say how it compares to something really top end but it is brilliant compared with the cheap evolution I used to have. Oddly similar on paper, but just so much more refined and precise. Dust extraction also way better.

Unsure if it is "worth" it though. 3 x the price for something that essentially does the same job. No brainer for a professional, a big luxury for an amateur like me.

Not a lot of forward sliders out there. A few at the cheaper end. The Rutland, a Hyundai, a Hikoki, none of which seems to have many reviews. Then a big jump and the Makita, and a Metabo. Finally off in the distance, the Festools.

I found the bars not projecting out the back made a huge difference. I have a small workshop and I would never consider one that stuck out behind having seen how much more convenient it is.

 

[Jfw2708]

I ordered the Rutlands saw yesterday. Due for delivery in a couple of weeks. Was attracted to the relatively compact size of a sliding saw and the £150 piece tag for a hobbyist user. Will post after its been delivered with some views.

 

[Bingy man]

I have the dw 708 and while it’s heavey , as said a little noisy on start up and dust extraction not brilliant but it will cope with everything small and large , left and right bevel cuts including compound mitres , once set up it’s as accurate as as most diy and hobbyist and professionals will need , had mine over 2o years and it’s been looked after. The one in the link from @Distinterior looks absolutely mint ..

 

[Jackie H]

Hi all,
Thanks for all your comments and advice. I think I will take my time on this. I have an old Evolution and get by on that. I would usually err on quality and my go to would normally be a Makita. However the Rutland piqued my interest. I will be happy to wait and see what 'Jfw' thinks of it when received. I noted the cheaper version too.
I am wanting something that is compact and hence looking at the design where you can operate flush against the wall. I looked at a Lumberjack at the MWS, 305mm blade and it was huge. Way too big for my shop. I have been trying to get some dimensions for the Makita L1019L but so far nothing detailed has come to hand.
The thing that struck me about the Rutland when I compared it with the Makita was that it appeared to give nearly the same cutting capacities even though it sported a 210 blade as opposed to the Makita's 260mm blade. I am thinking this may be more about working out which blade size I am comfortable with and then taking it from there. This does assume that the cutting capacities are similar across different makes for a given saw size??

Jackie

 

[Spectric]

this may be more about working out which blade size I am comfortable with and then taking it from there.

The larger 305mm saws also have the ability to cut a wider board as well as larger sized timber at 45 degree's but at the same time need more space behind the saw unless it has forward rails like the Makita or the Bosch glide system with it's unusual hinge arrangement. I also find Rutlands to be a bit hit and miss when it comes to quality and on larger machines only buy the bigger brands as you don't get any surprises.

 

[Jfw2708]

Well I’ve finally got around to using the Rutlands saw in anger….been working on finishing my new workshop shed so have been busy for a while. In summary not overly impressed, think it was a mistake. A few thoughts:
1. boy is it loud
2. The base is very unstable when you use the glide system. If you don’t clamp it down in basically keels over when you try to use it. I guess that is probably a concern on all sliding saws but I haven’t used one before so only have a sample size of 1 to go on
3. The whole guide rail seems to be quite square but is just a bit flimsy and rattly, not convinced on its longevity
4. The saw blade measured pretty true using by square….but it cuts slightly off. Likewise when i tried to do 45 degree mitre cuts they more like 46 or 47 and were bowed, not straight cuts. So had to rig up an angled shooting board jig to get them sorted, which i was actually pretty pleased with so there was a benefit there! The problem could be the blade i guess so may try one of my festool circular saw blades and see if that improves things
5. Dust extraction is rubbish
6. It is ‘relatively’ compact and the glide rails all being forward is defo a space saver in my new shed

So all in all i think buy cheap buy twice is the order of the day here. Interested in anyone else’s experience.

 

[Spectric]

When thinking of a mitre saw I think Bosch, Makita, Dewalt but never Rutlands. Unfortunately you have found out that buying cheap is buying at least twice so spending that bit more for something that will give years of service is really the way to go.

 

[Jameshow]

As you say, it works but crudely.
Ideal for outside joinery or first fix, but not great for 2 fix or cabinet making?
It's just an update on the big shed saws tbh.

 

[Bingy man]

Experience over the years has taught me to buy the best I can afford and if can’t afford brand new then a well cared for 2nd hand machine will outperform a cheaper inferior brand. Something about rutlands power tools says don’t buy me I’m cheap and ugly and I won’t last long before breaking down. Sorry to be blunt but such is life , I seem to recall when I purchased my dw 708 it was one of the few saws with the left hand + r/hand bevel and also allowed compound angles and once I set it up it’s accurate so I can forgive it for being a bit noisy and a lot messy but over 20 years of on and off work , never had parts ( excluding blades ) and never let me down the £800 or so I paid for it was well worth it .. I’ll never forget the large almost coffin sized box it came in . Seriously though get rid or use it until you can get something better and as per others dewalt Bosch makita are all good brands and should meet your needs .

 

[Doug71]

@Jfw2708 you say the saw is unstable, in the photos there is a small foot/bolt at the front which should rest on the surface you are using to support the saw, is this in place and actually resting on something? It looks like you can push the saw back to the wall but need bench space in front to support it.

I'm surprised you aren't happy with the saw, on the Rutlands website it gets mainly five star reviews with lots of positive comments about it's accuracy and build quality..................

 

[duke]

The Dewalt DWS780 12' compound sliding mitre saw is what I use on job sites, and also have the same in the shop. Model number might not line up with same in UK. Very good rugged and dependable saw. The shop saw is about 20 yrs and site saw is about 13 yrs.

 

[Mike Fletcher]

I have a Makita LS1019L, front rails, compound cuts, excellent thin kerf blade, accurate and repeatable cuts, very, very solid. I modified the fence to improve the dust collection and now it captures (I'm guessing) 90% of the dust. It has a rather large table, good for cutting wide boards. I bought a horizontal vice and the mitre cuts are now accurate and clean. The best £570.00 I have ever spent. I have bought some items from Rutlands but the quality is far from what I was expecting. I haven't bought anything from them for years.