Makita 2704

[Bauldy]

hello,

has anyone out there had any experience of the makita 2704 table saw, this is makitas top of te range job site table saw which retails for about £650-£700,

any information will be appreciated.

[Job and Knock]

Yes, several times. It's about what you can expect, i.e. a bit plasticky and noisy (universal motor, not induction), but on a 10 in (actually 260mm) blade it manages about 75mm with the guard on and up to 90mm with it off (not that you would, would you..... ). Rise and fall and tilt are accurate, but feel a bit flimsy, although I've yet to see one busted so pronbably OK. Crown guard is definitely a bit fragile and does crack/break if whacked hard, but is par for the course on saws like this (i.e. the DW and Bosch saws are no better). I have to say I don't like the fence much - it's a fore-and-aft clamping through type and the supplied add-on ripping plate (to allow for reaction timber spring away) isn't thick enough IMHO - and it almost invariably goes missing. I think the cheaper MLT100 has a better rip fence design. Pull-out back support rail is useful if a bit flimsy, but then for long stuff you either need a saw helper or a run off bench in any case. Similarly the pull-out RH side is handy. Mitre fence is plastic rubbish and should be thrown away - a cheap £100 chop saw is a more accurate tool. Reasonable dust extraction if attached to a dust extractor. Power a bit on the low side for thick hardwoods, but good enough for 1in stuff or 2in softwoods, especially if used with a thin kerf low tooth count blade. This saw works better if fitted on top of the collapsible mobile base, but that adds £100 to the price:

Makita 2704.jpg (229.55 KiB) Viewed 14505 times

If you want another choice I think you might want to consider the Makita MLT100X:

Makita MLT100X 1.jpg (36.49 KiB) Viewed 14505 times

Makita MLT100X 2.jpg (41.74 KiB) Viewed 14505 times

Very similar design BUT short position rip fence, better (!) mitre fence and small sliding table which works quite well. The rip fence still isn't much cop, but no worse than other saws I've suffered in the past. Somewhat heavier than the 2704 and not quite as well assembled (made in China, the 2704 is Japanese I think), but circa £250 cheaper. Being a tight arris it's the one I went for and it's been OK, although I don't let anyone else use it. Once again the "X" option (collapsible mobile base) is worth the extra dosh.

If I were installing either in a workshop I'd build a decent sized run-off table, a right hand extension and I'd fit an aftermarket fence linke a MuleCab with a Euro plate. If you think I'm being negative, I'd say the Maks were no worse than current offerings in this size class by DW, Bosch or Metabo. They are useable, but they are no Wadkins!