Editorial Review
If you're in the market for a miter saw, we always recommend considering a compound model. A compound miter saw is one on which the blade both tilts (bevels) and rotates (miters) to make miter cuts, allowing you to make compound-angle cuts essential for installing crown molding. This professional-duty machine tilts 45 degrees left and right, allowing you to make bevel cuts at both ends of a board without having to flip the board piece around. Its oversized aluminum worktable rotates 45 degrees to the left and 52 degrees to the right.
The saw has a built-in laser that clearly highlights cut line for quick, safe, accurate cuts. However, unlike most miter saws, the laser on this Makita model is mounted above the blade, not to the arbor. That means you don’t have to turn on the saw to activate the laser. Another nice feature is that the laser is independently switched, so you can turn it on or off whenever you’d like.
The saw carriage slides on two precision-ground steel rails that are fitted with ball bearing guides. The result is a vibration-free smooth-rolling saw that produces precise, consistent cuts, even at the outer limits of the slide mechanism. By the way, this 49-pound tool can crosscut a 2-by-12 and bevel-cut boards up to 3-5/8 inch thick. The LS1013L has a souped-up 15-amp, 3,700-rpm direct-drive motor that transfers cutting power to the blade much more efficiently than typical belt-driven saws.
One unique feature of the "FL" line of Makita saws is the built-in fluorescent work light. It illuminates the cut line exactly where you want it, and it’s always right at your fingertips. Makita says the bulb will last some 2,000 hours. Take care, though, as the bulb does get quite warm.
This versatile saw can handle a wide range of carpentry jobs from house framing and deck building to cabinetmaking and interior trim work. .-- Joseph Truini
What's in the box: The saw comes with a dust-collection bag, hold-down vise, two extension wings, 70-tooth carbide-tipped saw blade and blade wrench
Cached date: AWS Called=true
Customer Reviews
Results are fantastik 
2008-05-10
First off, let me give you some background. I have been making fine furniture for over 30 years so when my old Sears radial arm motor finally went I decided to look at both radial arm saws and miter saws. After considerable research I decided that a sliding compound miter saw was the best choice.
Again more research to determine which saw to get. After many reviews I narrowed my choice to either the Festool Kapex or the Makita ls1013fl.
Now I am a big fan of Festool products as they are all top notch quality and are great shop tools because they are virtually dust-free. But the best reason to own Festools is the superb quality they produce. Many people are turned off by Festools due to the high cost but I have always found them to be worth the investment.
So with that in mind, I decided that I would try the Makita first and then the Kapex. I was going to order the Makita through Amazon but their were some complaints over the poor packing and damages resulting from shipping, so I decided to go to Home Depot and purchase the one with the best looking box.
Results, Results, Results
So to cut to the chase, let me tell you that I will not be revisiting the Kapex. After plugging in the saw and getting ready to make all of the adjustments to fine tune it I was pleasantly suprised. First off, the quality of the cut is the best I have ever seen. I had fully planned on getting a Forest 10" blade to replace the stock Makita blade but after making several cuts I was amazed at the finish of the cut. I have a Denali digital protractor that measures to 1 tenth of a degree. The cut was exactly 90.0 degrees. Then for some thick stock to check for tilt. Again 90.0 degrees. The edge of the cut had no visable chipout and the endgrain looked absuolutely shiney. I viewed the edges using a magnifying glass as well as the end grain. This sample looked like it was cut with a scalpul. Absolutely flawless.
I was so amazed at the quality of the cut that I finally realized that something was missing. As I marveled at the cut I looked over at the saw and to my suprise noticed that there was absolutely no dust around the saw. When I hooked up the saw I had connected it to my Fein turbo II dust vac (the kind that powers on when the tool starts). This arangement allowed the tool to perform right up there with the Festools as far as dust control. I then tried the laser line. I marked a scrap piece with my marking knife (more accurate than a pencil line). and centered the laser on the knife cut. I then cut the stock and immediately went to the magnifying glass. Wow, I could clearly see 1/2 of a knife mark on the edge line.
Needless to say, this saw will be a keeper for me. I cannot speak to longevity as I have just purchased this but I will state that from one person that purchases fine quality tools I would highly recommend this tool.
Solid Performer 
2008-05-09
I have had mine for over a year now, still have my old Makita 1020, I have found only 2 issues with the LS1013FL. The first was I had to remove the fence and redrill all 4 holes a touch bigger to be able to square the saw up, This is the second Makita I had this issue with. The second is in order to move the laser from the left to the right of the cutline takes a lot of tweaking to get it accurate. Other saws out there are a flip of a switch and you are done, hence I leave mine set to the left all the time. Poweriwse the saw is more than ample and would recommend it.
Woodworker's Journal evaluated six 10" CMSs 2008-04-30
Woodworker's Journal (part of Rockler) evaluated six 10" Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saws in the June 2008 issue. The top rated by a good bit was a Festool saw. Festool is European in origin and a VERY good saw. However it costs more than three times as much as this one. The reviewer says if you are gifted in the money department, buy the Festool because it excels in every test done. Kind of expected for the Germans...
This saw came in second, only three points behind the Festool and actually excelled in cutting power. For the price, power, and accuracy it will be a very good buy for yawl looking for a new chop saw...
Mighty Makita! 2008-01-09
The Makita LS 1013FL has great lineage! I bought the original LS 1013 (no laser, no fluorescent light) years ago and it has been a rock solid performer, cutting everything from trim to deck framing. Through it all, that saw never needed one day in a repair shop. The 1013 series has been consistently at the top of ratings in professional magazines and in online reviews by professionals. No wonder two thirds of all buyers on Amazon pick the Makita slider. Nothing else is even close.
The laser and light are nice upgrades, but what makes the saw special was there from the start: a bed that's light to carry, but solid for work, bearings that stay true year after year, a smooth slider action, a soft start, direct drive motor, a good price, and it's made in the USA! This last point grows more and more important as jobs continue going overseas.
This is a great saw! A slider costs more, but it does everything, and does it well!
A Wonderful, Versatile Saw 2007-12-31
I have a 10" LS 1013 in last year's reincarnation without the fluorescent light, but with the laser. It is a beautiful saw --- I also looked at the Bosch (most of my tools are Bosch), but luckily I didn't go for it. I agonized over whether I needed to spend the money for a sliding miter saw and didn't think much about the laser. My advice to anyone in a similar position is do not think twice about spending the extra money for the slider, and the laser is a wonderful help when making multiple cuts. I have used it to cut wood, metals, plastics and it has always performed very well. One caution. When cutting metals the kerf guide is made out of plastic and will melt unless protected from the metal stock.
Great saw! 2008-07-14
I've used this saw quite a few times over the month I've had it and like it very much. It seems to have most of the features needed in a saw of this level. It cuts very nicely, great blade for finish work and the light and laser are perfect. The first one that was delivered was damaged by UPS. I reported it to Amazon and they immediately sent me a new one. Very good customer service from Amazon.
Makita is good to me 2008-06-18
This is a wondeful saw! Having used a Delta M350 for the past 4 years this is a dream to use. Easy to set up and easy to use. The laser light is good as a guide but i still prefer to line up the blade.
Get one and you wont regret it!
Excellent tool 2008-06-10
So far, after a couple of weeks of ownership, I am very happy with the tool. Cuts through 12" TJI 560HD I-Joists with no problem. Smooth operation, quiet (relatively, as far as saws go), and powerful. Only minor issues: 1. Extremely heavy. I am not sure how other sliders are, as I have never owned one before, but this is much heavier than my 10" non-sliding saw. 2. There is a safety button (located on top of D-handle) that must be pressed with your thumb prior to activating the trigger. That in-and-of-itself is not an issue. What is the issue is the fact that I found the button on the floor in my car without knowing what it was. Luckily I didn't throw it away, because I went to operate the saw and couldn't, until I recalled finding the (then unknown) button. Otherwise, perfect!
10'' makita sliding chop saw 2008-06-09
The first reconditioned saw was returned due to damage in shipment.
The second saw was a new one and arrived fully operational.
My experience with Workshop Tools at first was not a positive one.Once we made contact on the phone, things were quickly turned around.
As a hobbyist, I'm enjoying my new saw very much.
I'm greatful to have gotten in touch with somebody at Worksop Tools who was able to "turn lemons into lemonade"
price change is insane 
2008-05-19
I researched this over the weekend and came in Monday morning to execute my purchase, only to find the price had gone up $100 overnight!
It was a good deal at $399 but at $499, I'll look elsewhere.
