Makita 12-Inch Carbide Blade Chop Saw, 15 Amp

Last updated: October 20, 2020


Carbide-tipped blades optimize this saw for slicing tough metals without burrs, and the rest of the saw is as durable as the blade. The large cast-aluminum base provides stability, and the guide plate adjusts to up to 45 degrees for quick and precise angled cuts.

Makita 12-Inch Carbide Blade Chop Saw, 15 Amp

We looked at the top Chop Saws and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Chop Saw you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: When you need a powerful, long-lasting tool for cutting metal quickly, correctly and efficiently, this saw stands out.

In our analysis of 19 expert reviews, the Makita 12-Inch Carbide Blade Chop Saw, 15 Amp placed 2nd when we looked at the top 5 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The Makita Metal Cutting Saw has a powerful 15 Amp motor to handle your most demanding applications, including cutting light pipe, angle iron, tubing, conduit and channels. Featuring long-lasting carbide tipped blades for fast cutting, the D-shaped handle provides easy gripping for comfortable use and the handy lock-off button prevents accidental starts. The guide plate adjusts 0° to 45° for bevel cutting and has a quick release vise for secure stock retention and repetitious cut-offs, while the shaft lock system shaves time off of wheel changes for increased productivity. Durably made for years of reliable use, this saw is suitable for your jobsite or for DIY projects around your home and has a large cast aluminum base for added stability.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

For garage workshops, this saw is a durable, precision-cutting workhouse when working with smaller-diameter metal.
It's rugged enough to withstand frequent use. Making bevel cuts in metal is easy.
Has a quick-release tool-less guide plate that adjusts from 0 to 45 degrees. Its cutting capacities are along the range of 4 ½ inches at 90 degrees to 3 ½ inches at 45 degrees. It has a convenient lever on the left of the base where you can tighten or loosen to change the cutting angle and also to secure the vise stop.
This electric metal chop saw is perfect for small home repair applications, such as cutting pipe and tubing.
The carbide-tipped blade is engineered to cut clean, accurate and visually burr-free. It can lasts up to 50x longer than abrasive wheels. The Makita metal cutting saw has metal cutting applications to make it one of the top metal cutting saws in its category.
Perfect for a wide range of metalworking jobs, this saw lives up to Makita’s reputation of performance, capacity, and power. Its high class quality and innovative technology proves the company’s commitment towards always providing their customers with the best products. This versatile chop saw can cut through various metals, such as angle iron, tubing, and light pipes.

What reviewers didn't like

Chip collector tray doesn't catch everything. Reports of saw blade not being properly centered, cutting into the deck.
One drawback I see is the price of this cold cut chop saw. Not only that, the blades are also expensive so be sure to read the maintenance tips on the manual to make this tool last long.
Poor cutting performance on hard metals. Not suitable for repeatable cuts.
The movement when clamping down and tightening the vise can be slightly tricky for the user.
Has a retaining chain that sometimes hold on to the material being cut.
View our Chop Saw buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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