Makita 2703 10-inch Table Saw
Tool: Makita Model 2703 10″ Table Saw
A while back, my older Makita 8″ Table Saw up and died. There’s no functioning without a table saw on my job so I ran down to the store and bought the newer 2703 with the 10″ blade. I’ve been through quite a few ‘contractor grade’ table saws. These portable saws for use by professionals run almost 8 hours of the day; day after day. The Makita 2703 has long outlasted other saws I’ve owned and still rips all my jobsite material today.
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Experience:
Well, like I said I ran down to the store and picked up the 10″ 2703 only to find out that it wouldn’t fit in my Rousseau 2700 Table Saw Stand. One of the reasons you find Amazon.com links on this site is because it’s where I buy lots of my tools including a new Rousseau Saw Stand
The 2703 is not what a fine woodworker thinks of when deciding on a shop tool but my shop has always been limited in size, from apartment to garage to rental space to basement, etc. Believe it or not I have used this 40lb. Makita contractor saw for beautiful and finely crafted furniture. Sure I’d love a giant Delta with a Biesemeyer fence but I don’t have the money nor the feasability for such a monster in my shop and make due with this Makita.
Comments:
It’s not the smoothest of the bunch but it’s a real performer. In a few minutes I will rip out some Mahogany pieces for a Frank Lloyd Wright reproduction lamp consisting of 1/4″ boards. Instead of using my band saw, since the pieces are only 3″ wide, I will use the 10″ Makita 2703 and then send them through my thickness planer. I’ve created at least a half-dozen jigs for use with the Rousseau fence, including a tenoning jig which I use frequently. After ripping the pieces I will use this Makita to cut a 45º bevel instead of using a 45º router bit. (True, I might have to hit the edge with a plane before assembly but what I am saying is, I trust the accuracy of this saw for fine cabinetry work and I use it for just that.) I’ve mentioned before that using a tool requires a bit of ‘craftsmanship’. I’ve seen the same material passed through the same tool by two separate people with totally unique results. Take care, set up properly, use jigs, feather boards, push-sticks and be precise. As with just about any tool, beside Festool, you can’t just shove the material in and expect it will come out perfectly. I am skilled. I don’t need a billion dollar set-up to make an accurate cut. By day this saw sits in my client’s driveway or yard and thousands of feet of every kind and length material is cut. Stack upon stack of Pine, Azek, Fir, Mahogany, plywood and more… and then it comes home and rips beautiful little pieces for my shop work. Bubinga, Ebony, Walnut, Cherry… Excellent saw.
Only one part has ever broken and that is due to inept employees who couldn’t figure to turn on this table saw; push down on the switch before pulling. They just broke it clean off. After five years with no maintenance my Makita saw needed some cleaning and WD-40 on the threaded rods that raise and lower the blade and motor. I like the bevel and height adjustment and dread the older Makita twist design. My friend just bought the Ridgid table saw, which comes with wheels and stands on it’s own. I wouldn’t trade for a day. My Makita sitting in the Rousseau stand is superior by my estimation, regardless of wheels, smoothness and additional features.
My table saw is in use every single day, including weekend projects. I rate this machine highly. In today’s market I don’t know what I will do when it’s time is up… but I will consider the fact that this one has served me far longer than previous saws and never failed me on the job.
Links:
Makita 2703 15 Amp 10-Inch Benchtop Table Saw at Amazon.com
Makita 2703 at Makita.com (Product Data)
Filed under: Table Saws | Tagged: Makita, Table Saw