Introduction
A miter saw lets you cut your workpiece to make miters, molding and more. It lets you make multiple cuts on a workpiece as well. A miter saw has a working table or area where the workpiece is placed and clamped as the blade of the saw chops it accordingly. I love working with miter saws because it makes woodworking fun and easy. I can make accurate cuts too and save on materials as well. I have recently replaced my miter saw with an updated model. It was kind of tough for me to choose between a Metabo Miter Saw and a Makita Miter Saw. Both miter saws have good qualities and the most updated features.
The Metabo and Makita brands are among the most popular with high-quality power tools and the latest cutting-edge technologies to help new woodworkers like me. I have a lot to learn and I just know that I am on the right track with the best miter saw by my side.
It was a hard choice between the two. The updated Metabo is a dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw used for crosscutting materials up to 12 – ½ inches wide and 4 – ¾ inches high. This miter saw has a strong 15-amp motor which lets you cut a variety of materials like wood, aluminum, wood panels, acrylic metal, and tile.
On the other hand, the Makita a Dual Compound Miter Saw is equipped with a laser to guide you in making straight cuts. It has a powerful 15-amp motor that requires less maintenance. It has 6 linear ball bearings that can provide you with dead-on results. The Makita miter saw is designed to increase cutting capacity.
Metabo Miter Saw vs Makita Miter Saw
| Product | Metabo Miter Saw Metabo Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Makita Miter Saw Makita Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw with Laser |
| Product Dimensions | 35.5 x 23.2 x 22 inches | 28.3 x 25.2 x 26.4 inches |
| Weight | 76.8 pounds | 52.2 pounds |
| Motor Power | 120 volts | 120 volts |
| Accessories | Wrench | Saw blade, vertical vise, dust bag, triangular ruler, socket wrench and hex wrench |
| Ratings | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Price | Check Lowest Price | Check Lowest Price |
Buying Guide
Shopping for the ideal miter saw for your needs is crucial so you can purchase the ideal one for your type of project or woodworking needs. And to get the best one for your needs, here are a few parameters to follow.
Is a 10-inch or 12-inch miter saw right for you?
In general, miter saws come in 10 or 12-inch sizes and this is according to the diameter of the saw blade. The right size depends on what you want to do cut with your miter saw. However, if you are new to using a miter saw, a good tool to start with is a 10-inch saw. A 10-inch power saw can be easily purchased in any local store. A 10-inch blade has fewer teeth, are lighter and less costly to sharpen. Because of the smaller blade radius, the blades spin faster and therefore this uses less electricity. On the other hand, a 12-inch saw is for cutting material to be used to build decks and flooring or for projects that need larger or thicker materials.
A sliding miter saw vs a compound miter saw
Find out whether you need a sliding miter saw or a compound miter saw. If you need to make angled cuts in two planes just like making cuts for a picture frame or crown molding then a compound miter saw is what you need. This saw can pivot left to right and can make a compound cut in just one pass. If you want to make general cuts on large materials like logs, lumber or boards then a sliding miter saw is for you. This can move forward and backward so you can increase the length of a cut.
Your miter saw’s improved features
Updated miter saws come with improved features and one of the most popular is a laser guide. This is a good idea if you need to make accurate cuts. Lasers will shine guide marks on the material where the blades will move into when the saw is lowered. With a laser guide, you will be able to make more accurate cuts and will even prevent wastage of materials.
Check for complete accessories
You must use miter saws with complete accessories. The most common accessories that you should expect when buying miter saws are a bevel or miter guide, blades, wrenches, guards and a carrying case to keep the miter saw when not in use.
How do we compare the two miter saws?
Quality
What makes a miter saw top quality? No, it’s not the brand but rather the saw’s great qualities. For instance, the latest Metabo miter saw is a dual-bevel saw that will let you work on a variety of woodworking projects and applications. The bevel angle adjusts quickly and easily and the results are precise cuts every time. The Makita Compound Miter Saw can cut through any material with its powerful motor and improved capacity. It has a laser marking system so there’s no room for error. All-in-all, these great features have made these miter saws perfect for professionals as well as beginner woodworkers as well.
Price
Both the Makita and the Metabo miter saws belong to the high-end class of miter saws. Take note that updated models are usually more expensive while old models could be very affordable. Same goes with the brand. Popular brands may be more expensive whereas less popular ones are very affordable.
Blade Size
The Makita miter saw has a 10-inch circular blade while the Metabo has a 12-inch blade. Blades are replaceable and are available for sale from local shops and from online stores.
Weight
The Metabo miter saw is a whopping 78.8-pound saw and therefore it is impossible to take this to the field. It stays in a workshop or a woodworking station where it can sit on a flat and stable table and make precise cuts. The Makita model is may be lighter at 52 pounds but still, it is very heavy and inappropriate for mobile use. The weights of these miter saws are mainly due to its heavy metal base or table. The table has to be heavy to be able to stabilize the saw body to make accurate cuts each time.
Metabo Miter Saw
The Metabo sliding compound miter saw is for the professional woodworker who wants to make precise cuts each time. This is a stable, heavy and durable miter saw that will give you years of use.
Short Review
This dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw is used for crosscutting material that is up to 12- ½ inches wide and 4- ¾ inches high. This is a versatile miter saw that you can use for a variety of functions and projects. It has a powerful 15-amp 2000 watts motor that can give you quick and accurate cuts each time. It can give you the roof pitch angles on the miter scale for easy and precise cuts. This Metabo miter saw allows you to adjust the bevel angle quickly using a flip stop depth system. It has a 3-year limited warranty giving you more value out of your money.
Main Features
Here are features of the updated Metabo miter saw:
- Uses 12-inch circular saw blades
- For crosscutting materials
- Gives you the roof pitch angles using the miter scale
- With a 15-amp 2000-watt motor
- With a load speed of 3800 rpm
- With an easy to adjust the bevel angle
- Comes with a 3-year limited warranty
Q & As
Where can you purchase replacement blades for the Metabo miter saw?
Replacement blades, as well as a variety of accessories, are available from online shops that sell Metabo power tools as well as from local stores that distribute the Metabo brand of power tools. Remember to settle for nothing but the best and genuine accessories and parts only.
How do you clean the Metabo miter saw?
Check the manufacturer’s instruction on how to take care of the power saw. You must make sure that the blades are sharp as they are clean. If your blades need to be replaced, use the mini wrench that came with it upon purchase. Use a soft and clean cloth to wipe the saw and the table as well.
Do you purchase the Metabo miter saw online or from a local dealer?
There is nothing wrong with purchasing the Metabo from online sites but make sure to purchase only from sites that sell genuine Metabo saws and accessories.
Pros
- Will cut through a variety of materials
- With a powerful motor that can cut through any material.
- Can be used for many applications.
Cons
- Is heavy and will not be easily transportable.
- You need a large area to use this saw.
Makita Miter Saw
The Makita miter saw is a dual slide compound miter saw for professional users. It is for people who want excellent precise cuts to be done quickly. It is for people who want accuracy to prevent wastage of material.
Short Review
You can cut any kind of material with the Makita miter saw’s powerful 15-amp motor at 3200 rpm. This is smaller than other miter saws because it was made to have a compact design. It has a 4-steel rail sliding system that can improve the rigidity of the tool to be able to produce quality precision cuts. This Makita miter saw has improved capacity to cut through crown molding, baseboards and cross cuts at different angles. In fact, this model has the largest crown molding cutting capacity in its class. This miter saw has a direct drive gearbox and guard system to improve vertical cutting capacity and safety. This also comes with a laser marker to guide you as you cut through different materials at different angles.
Main Features
Here are the features of the most updated Makita miter saw:
- With a 15.0 amp direct drive motor
- Motor requires less maintenance
- With a compact design
- Has a patented 4-steel rail sliding system
- With 6 linear ball bearings to provide accurate cuts
- Improved capacity to take on crown molding, baseboard, and crosscuts
- With direct drive gearbox and guard system
- With a laser marker system
Q & As
How do you replace a worn out blade?
Your Makita miter saw comes with a wrench or tool to loosen and remove the screw on the Makita saw. Gently remove the worn out blade and place this aside. Now attach the new replacement blade to the spindle and use the wrench to tighten it. Now you have a miter saw with brand new blades.
How does the laser marker system work?
A laser is a tool in some miter saws and power saws. It creates a line that will lead you to the formation of the cut. It reduces wastage too since it guides you through the cut minus any mistakes.
Where can you purchase accessories for the Makita miter saw?
You will be able to purchase accessories for this Makita miter saw from local shops or dedicated power tool sites online. There are many accessories to choose from but remember, your miter saw will work better when it is used together with genuine parts and accessories.
Pros
- Can cut through a variety of materials.
- With a direct drive motor.
- With a laser marker system for accurate cuts.
Cons
- Very heavy and not a good tool for worksite use.
- Bulky and requires a lot of space in your workshop.
The Final Cut
Both the Makita miter saw and the Metabo miter saws have excellent features and therefore any of these could be a good power saw for your workstation. These saws are both powerful, fast and will be able to help you with any kind of project or application. These saws are also heavy as well so these may only be used indoors or in an indoor workstation and not on the go. Remember to shop smart whether you are shopping online or locally so you will be able to find the best power saw that’s right for your needs.
