Photo: Makita
What We Like
- Precision machined die-cast aluminum tabletop
- Right extension table
- Tool-less modular blade guard
- Electric brake
- Onboard storage for accessories
What We Don’t Like
- No stand
- Heavy
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a highly precise table saw for professional woodworking, Makita’s 2705 is the ideal tool to use.
Introduction
For beginner or professional woodworking, precision is a key factor that should not be overlooked. This is especially so for professional carpentry because the final product must have clean-cut lines and very neat joints.
As such, you need very precise power tools for the job and for table saws, Makita’s 2705 stands out as one of the best. To see how it fits this description, let’s dive into the review below.
Makita 2705 Review
Photo: Makita
Performance: High Precision Cutting
Makita’s 2705 is a high precision cutting machine that is built for accurate cutting. This is made possible primarily by a die-cast aluminum tabletop, which is precision machined for perfect flatness. This section remains level through the lifespan of the tool for high accuracy throughout.
That said, the table extends to the right side of the blade and this increases the cutting capacity to 25 inches. This extension holds the rip fence accurately parallel to the blade and enables you to cut up to 4×8-ft sheets of plywood with high precision.
Other than that, the tabletop has grooves that hold 3/8 x 3/4-inch miter gauge slots. These securely hold the gauge with no play so that you can make high precision adjustments when making angled miter cuts.
In my opinion, these high precision capabilities make the tool suitable for finishing work, and according to the manufacturer, it is ideal for remodelers, finish carpenters, cabinet installers, flooring and decking contractors, and furniture makers.
Design: Easy to Use
Another major strength of the Makita 2705 is its ease of use. This is made possible by several features, such as an easy-to-read measurement scale for quick and accurate adjustments.
The scale has large markings with large graduations that are easy to spot. A magnifying lens makes the markings larger for much easier reading as you adjust the fence.
Other than that, a release lever at the side of the table makes it easy to adjust the height of the riving knife while a cam-lock provides tool-less installation/removal of the blade guard assembly.
You get a bevel locking handle that makes it easy to adjust to the required angle while a dead-on cam-locking mechanism on the rip fence makes it easy to set to the required length.
More features include a two-pole sliding system that simplifies and smoothens the blade raising/lowering process for depth adjustment and onboard storage for the included accessories. This conveniently keeps all these components within close reach.
Portability: Ideal for Workshop Use
The Makita 2705 is quite heavy. It weighs 82 lbs. and this is heavy in table saw standards. It is also relatively large because it measures 32 x 36 x 15.3 inches.
As such, the tool is not easily portable and is therefore recommended for workshop use in a stationary position.
However, if you want to move it around to different remote worksites, this is still possible. The saw is not fitted with carrying handles, but you can buy a wheeled stand for easy transportation.
Safety Features: Guard and Electric Brake
This table saw is fitted with two main safety features and these include the modular blade guard assembly and electric brake.
The blade guard assembly consists of three main parts: a riving knife, a transparent plastic blade cover, and anti-kickback pawls.
The riving knife is the main component of this modular system because it holds all the other pieces in place. Additionally, it acts as a material splitter and prevents the cut workpiece from sliding towards the blade, which would cause a kickback.
A transparent plastic blade cover is fixed to the riving knife and it protects you from accidental cuts while allowing you to monitor the cutting process at a glance. This ensures you remain alert enough to turn off the switch almost instantly if you spot any anomaly.
Lastly, the anti-kickback pawls are specifically tasked to prevent kickbacks. They contain sharp teeth that bite into the workpiece, which keeps it grounded in case it is thrown back by the blade.
The other feature is electric braking and it stops the blade a few seconds after releasing the trigger. This reduces the chances of accidental cuts if the blade cover fails to deploy.
That said, it is recommended to wait for the blade to stop spinning before lifting it from the workpiece.
Accessories: Full Set
Makita’s 2705 comes with a full set of accessories and a key one among them is the push stick. This component is very handy when making narrow rip cuts because it ensures you keep your fingers far from the spinning blade for safety purposes.
Two wrenches and a spanner wrench are also included and these help with maintenance work, including switching the blade when it is worn out.
That said, a 32-tooth 10-inch blade is included in the set and this helps you to get straight to work after unpacking and assembling the saw.
Price: Worth its Price
This table saw is not exactly cheap. However, it is worth the money because of its high precision capabilities and easy-to-use design.
Within the Makita lineup, there is no other table saw apart from the 2705 and therefore, it is not possible to do a comparison. There is the Makita 2705X1 though, which is basically the 2705 but with a wheeled stand. This makes it much more expensive than the latter.
Verdict
A high precision workshop table saw that is ideal for professional woodworking.
With its precision-machined tabletop, tight miter gauge grooves, and precise table extension feature, Makita’s 2705 is designed for high precision woodworking.
However, since it is quite costly, the ideal user should be a professional and its heavy structure makes it ideal for stationary workshop placement.
Find Other Options: The Best Table Saws for Small Shop
Specs
- Product Name: Makita 2705
- Product Brand: Makita
- Power: 15 Amps
- Max Speed: 4800 RPM
- Blade: 10-inch 32-tooth carbide-tipped blade
- Max Rip to the Right of the Blade: 25 inches
- Max Depth of Cut at 90º: 3.56 inches
- Max Depth of Cut at 45º: 2.5 inches
- Max Dado Width: 0.8 inches
- Bevel Angle Range: 0º to 45°
- Product Dimensions: 32 x 36 x 15.3 inches
- Weight: 82 lbs.
- Warranty: 1-year limited (30-day money-back guarantee)
Key Features
- Precision-machined die-cast aluminum tabletop.
- Tool-less modular blade guard assembly.
- Onboard storage for most accessories.
- Adjustable dead-on cam locking rip fence.
- Bevel locking handle for quick, easy, and accurate adjustments.
- Smooth and efficient two pole slide system for raising and lowering the blade.
- Large measurement scale markings with magnifying lens for easy reading.