Is the Makita 8½-in. miter saw worth it?

It suits shoppers who want a sliding compound saw for trim, framing and general woodwork and who can keep it on a bench. The soft start, brake and laser are useful day-to-day features. If you need to carry a saw up ladders often, a lighter 10-in. or cordless model may serve you better.

What size stock can it cut?

At 90° miter it cuts up to 91 x 310 mm, roughly 3½ in. deep. The slide lets it crosscut wider boards than a non-sliding 8½-in. saw.

Does it come with a battery?

No. It is a 110V corded saw, so it runs from mains power and no battery is included or needed.

What blade does it use?

It takes a 260 mm blade with a 30 mm arbor. The included blade is high carbon steel; a carbide-tipped fine-tooth blade gives cleaner trim cuts.

Can it make compound cuts?

Yes. It miters 47° left and 60° right and bevels 45° left and right, so it can combine both for compound angles.

How heavy is it to move around?

It weighs 20.6 kg. That is manageable on a bench or cart but heavy to lift repeatedly, so plan a fixed spot or a rolling stand.

Makita 8½-in. Slide Compound Miter Saw

Last price we saw

$605.82at The Home Depot, last seen Nov 1

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Our take on the Makita 8½-in. Slide Compound Miter Saw

The Makita 8½-in. slide compound miter saw is a corded woodworking saw with a 1,430 W motor turning a 260 mm blade at 4,300 rpm. It slides to cut up to 91 x 310 mm at 90° miter, miters 47° left and 60° right, and bevels 45° both ways. A soft-start motor, electric brake and laser guide are the headline features. It weighs 20.6 kg, so it is best treated as a bench or jobsite saw rather than a portable one.

Best forTrim and molding workFraming and deck cutsShop-based woodworkersJobsites with a stable bench