Lightweight

The Makita is the lightest of the machines reviewed. Its plunge mechanism is tight and smooth with zero play. Like the Lamellos and the other Makita, it uses a fixedheight main fence, with an auxiliary fence that adjusts in height. The 90° stop on the fixed fence is inexact, and it’s easy to lock it a degree or two past 90°. When attached, the auxiliary fence had a bit of lateral play in it, so you have to be careful to check that the fence remains parallel to the base.

Fence-angle detents: 45, 90
Cutting-depth indexes: 0, 10, 20, S, D, Max
Weight: 5.8 lb.

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