Customer Reviews
A got to have tool 
2007-08-26
In addition to a general contracting (remodel and restoration) I do intricate detailed finish carpentry. I've owned this tool for at least five years now and like Timex - It takes a lickin and keps on tickin. But paired with the Rousseau 2700XLK 3 Piece Table Saw Stand System, this saw becomes a truly professional work station. Since initial set-up no adjustments have been required - just drop it in the hole and it is dead on. It will produce < 1/16 veneer off an eight inch board (flipping the board) with out a burn and that's after ripping 80 ft. of cement board at a 45 miter. I've seen trimmers and framers blown away in unbelief. On the serious side: the brake, the power, the Rousseau fence and the ease of mobility are the pluses. Also, drop a bag under it and hook up a vac. and it's about 97% dust free (as long as your not running MDF). Blade changes are a snap as long as you don't forget the Mikita supplied tools. Makita makes a 1/2 inch dado for this saw that is reasonibly priced if you are in to such. There is that one con that you'll read about in any review. If I have to do a cross cut I use a framing square or run a line. I trashed that miter thing a log time ago.
Great product at an unbelievable price 
2007-06-07
I bought the table saw for my husband for his birthday and he loves it. He's a carpenter and uses it daily. For me the price was the best. I saved alot of money using Amazon.com
Dependable Workhorse 2007-05-17
If you want a reasonably priced portable table saw that will not break your back, and keep on working, this is a good choice. This is my second Makita benchtop table saw. The first one never quit working, but the motor started to get weaker, the push button safety was missing and the plastic base was broken in a few places (from years of throwing into the back of my pickup). I used my first one to trim out homes (10 years partime basis). When I decided to remodel my home you know it was an excuse to buy all new power tools. I did not want to pay $500+ for a contractor grade saw, I have a weary back, and I did not want a saw with a lot of nuts and bolts that fall out every time you use it.
If your looking for a lower priced table saw that is dependable and light this saw is for you. If your a contractor look elsewhere. The saw table could be bigger, and the saw more quiet (I'm sure I have some hearing loss due to this saw) but few are lighter. This saw is great if you have back problems and trouble lifting. I found this saw to be much better then the low price Delta's or cheaper big box store table saws.
Large sheets of plywood are difficult to cut, as is a door bottom or side if not assisted. If you have to do a lot of this buy a saw with a larger saw table.
If you keep a good quality, sharp blade on this saw it will outlast you, or at least your desire to keep doing this stuff. This saw will definitely layer your work area with saw dust. You need to wear a mask if you have long cuts, especially if sawing particle board shelving.
terrible saw 
2007-05-12
this saw is good for nothing except maybe ripping rough framming material
too small for ply (easily tipped over)
fence useless (very difficult to square with blade)
weak motor
arbor too short
BUY A BOSCH
lightweight saw with poor fence 
2007-03-25
I've owned several different Makita tools over the years and have been very happy with their durability and performance; that said, the 2703 has performed below expectations. First, the reasons NOT to buy this saw:
1) The most important feature of any table saw in this price range is an easy-to-use fence that is consistently parallel to the blade. For several generations now, the 2703's fence has continued to wiggle this way and that, requiring the user to either measure twice, from the front and rear of the blade to the fence, or, to attempt to keep an even reveal between the fence and the ribs that run longitudinally in the table top. Despite these measures, the fence can still end up slightly skewed, bogging down the motor and giving you an uneven rip. I'm not sure why Makita has neglected to update the fence all these years; perhaps the cheap fence keeps the 2703 under a critical retail price point.
2) Cutting miters on the 2703 is an even more awkward affair, given the sloppy fit in the miter slot and the cheaply-made miter accessory.
3) While touted as powerful, the 2703's motor has bogged down, blown fuses, etc. when ripping 1 x pine stock against its substandard fence. With practice, I have been able to reduce these instances by slightly loosening the fence during the cut and letting the stock push it to a more or less parallel position.
4) The 2703 will NOT accept dado blades; it's arbor is too short. Being able to run quick dados on site for cabinets, bookshelves, etc. is a nice option to have on a table saw.
5) For $429, you can buy a saw that is superior in every way except weight (60 lbs., vs. 40 lbs. for the 2703). The Bosch model in this class
a) comes with a rugged steel stand that is nearly impossible to tip over, even when jamming full sheets of plywood through the saw.
b) will accept dado blades.
c) has an outstanding, easy-to-adjust fence that stays parallel to the blade.
d) has the most powerful motor I have ever seen on a portable table saw.
e) has pull-out wings that increase the table surface for ripping just about anything in the field.
f) will cut miters happily with its excellent miter attachment.
g) is a good enough saw to make cabinets on. Many, many cabinets.
Reasons FOR buying the Makita 2703:
1) It is light enough to carry with one hand.
2) The electronic brake does make for a safer saw.
3) You can drop it into a Rousseau table, which does have a good fence.
4) It is one of the cheaper table saws in its price range and, when coupled with a Rousseau stand, it will rip full sheets of plywood with considerable ease.
5) If you can pick up the original 8" version (with the dark green body and simple twist-handle fence) you will find yourself in possession of an extremely light, compact, and powerful table saw. The 8" has the same lousy miter attachment and the original switch may need replacing, but the fence is of a better design (clean and wax the fence-to-table interface if needed) and motor did not bog down when ripping 2" red oak, 4" fir posts, and other things the 10" version would not be happy about.
6) Since most saws in this range are for on-site work, vs. shop applications, cuts don't have to be nearly as accurate. Homeowners and occassional users might be happy with this saw due to its low price and light weight (about 40 lbs.).
plenty of power 2008-03-21
I've owned this saw for seven years now and couldn't be happier. I use it with the Rousseau stand and one wing extension which in my opinion is a must have for the professional contractor. Forget the lousy miter slot, that's what a good cabinet saw in the shop is for. On the job I assume most have a good chop saw with them for crosscuts. The fence is ok I guess for a quick cut when you need to pull the saw out in a hurry and don't feel like dropping it in the stand. For the most part I use the fence with the Rousseau stand which also is less than perfect if your trying to cut to the nearest 64th. This saw has flawlessly cut through some of the thickest lumber (even wet) that I've pushed through it (as long as it's not twisted)
My saw has been left out in the rain more times than I care to admit and still works as good as day one. A thorough cleaning of the mechanics with Paslode's cordless gun cleaner and a good spray lubricant has kept the raising and lowering gears running smooth. The brake system is a must have and still works great after all these years.
A buddy of mine was set up next to me with his brand new Bosch table saw and couldn't get it to cut through a wet 2x6 in one pass without bogging down the motor...He pushed it through mine effortlessly and to say the least was a little unhappy. To be fair with the Bosch, he was running a higher tooth blade more suited to finishing, but so was I...To make him feel better I told him "But yours looks really cool"...
Nice job Makita, don't ruin a good thing.
Not Precise Enough for Woodworking, Flimsy Fence 2007-11-26
I had this for my first table saw when I started woodworking. No matter how long I spent adjusting it, I couldn't get the rear of the fence to lock solid, or to lock in the same place every time. VERY frustrating when you're trying to make pieces of plywood with square corners.
This is not the same caliber tool as Makita's hand tools.
It may work OK for carpenters, but compared to woodworking, they don't need any kind of precision. For that, a good contractor saw like a Jet would be good. But do spend the money for the upgraded fence. The stock fences on those are garbage too. If you really need a lightweight, compact saw, look at the DeWalt and the Bosch.
Makita fan 2007-11-03
Great saw. I haved owned two of the 81/4 makitas and the dark army green one gave up after 12 yrs of hard service and the current green/blue still working.This saw is more powerful and I like the bevel wheel however sawdust gt into the mechanism and kept it from going to 45 after clearing it it has been good.I have the roussou set up the fatory fence is a joke for finish accuracy.with the roussou table this is a really good saw for small shop and portable situations.25 yr exp woodworker.
Makita 2703 bench saw 2007-09-11
I purchased this saw with to use with the Rousseau 2750 portable saw stand. Thus far this duo has given me the results I was looking for in a portable unit. The only knock on the Makita saw is that the table top is only able to use the Makita T-slot mitre guage.
The old workhorse 2007-08-31
Not the best table saw, but for 212 dollars after shipping it was by far the best for me. Motor is great, solid construction, lighter than a Bosch or the newest Makita. The fence is lame, you have to parralel it to the blade front and back every time you reset it to make a different width rip. The blade arbor has some play in it which is evident if the fence is not prefectly parrelel and you are ripping PT stock or whatever. I allready knew this.The addition of a Rousseau table for 300 bucks gives it 32" rip capacity, a great fence and a table to set things on, I've used that combo before. I will buy it in the near future. If you are building cabinets furniture, it's not for you but if you are doing framing, remodels, trim, siding, it's a good saw but be aware of it's faults before buying it and then crying about them.
