Thread: MLT100 Any Good?

Haven't tried one myself but I remember a thread on this forum in which a chippy said he bought one and wasn't happy with it. Apparently the fence moved under stress.

cheers
Don

Yep, I bought one and fence lets go if you push on it with any force. I haven't got around to looking at a fix for it yet. It has also died after only a small amount of work and in under warranty. I don't think there is much wrong with it, maybe just a stuck brush or something but being only a couple of months old I took it back. Waiting, waiting, Gasweld arn't the fastest with there warranty work. I only wanted a small light weight unit but in hindsight I would perhaps go for something a little more sturdy. And with a better fence.

Like several table saws with only a single locking/clamping point for the fence the free end has flex and it can be up to several mm.

There is 3 ways to fix the fence problem all with varying degrees of complexity.

1. Don't buy one in the first place.

2. Most of these fences allow you to have 2 different fence widths. It is possible to get a long section of aluminum channel or a combination of channels to make the correct size and bolt that to the fence support base, ie the bit that runs in/along the ruler channel.
Make this new fence long enough so it passes the end of the table and use a small F Clamp to lock it to the table. The fence will not move.

3. Go chase the maker directly for a longer section of fence channel. One that the free end will reach past the end of the table. This could be the hardest option but worth trying. ALso don't bother going via the store you bought it from you have to go to the label holder, eg makita, etc.

The fence locks in nice and snug and doesn't move with moderate pressure but if you lean on it a little the nylon/plastic key and lock slip off. When I have a spare minute I will find a good solution and modify. It is just so handy and time saving to have the ability to move the fence by a mm or so with a flick of your wrist and not have to fiddle about with clamps etc. It has to fast and easy or it's gone.....

Claw, not disagreeing with you. But so far I have not found a simple solution short of a complete redesign of the ruler,fence support cursor section.
They tend to rely on a single small point of contact on the outside of the fence clamp and that is what allows the fence flex and also the problem you mention.
If you find a solution let me know.

Will do, as soon as I get it back I will have to get it working so will be looking for a simple but reliable fix. I hate things that don't work.
During my warranty return I have had a talk to the service manager from Makita Australia, I didn't think to mention that to him at the time but when I call him back to let him know how Gasweld have gone, I will ask him about the fence issue. Maybe they might be able to come up with something if they haven't already.

From what I can see of the Makita saw the only real fix would be to have the fence run full length and have a lock down at each end. Both could be the same as the current one.
That would just add to the cost unfortunately.
The other option would be for the non ruler end to slide in a rail to provide some form of stability.

The unfortunate problem with these saws is that they are designed for the quick and dirty cut or small time DIY who wants to spend big.

Got my MLT 100 back after its warranty visit, all fixed, new switch. I had a lidwig clamp just cliped to the fence mech and thought I would just unscrew the original handle off out of the way. Either epoxy or bolt the lidwig in place but thought I would do an ortopsy on the original before I did anything too rash. On closer inspection I removed the C pin that limited the movement of the lock down/cam handle so it had full movement, worked like a charm, the cam lock can now swing right down so it gets fully locked in. I did a bit of work on it today and seemed fine. I will see how it goes long term, if it becomes an issue again I will either adjust it again or bolt on the Lidwig or a quick clamp. The fence is fine the track is fine its just the locking mech that is lets it jump out . Anyway working fantasticly at the moment. 2 min fix.

Claw,
Thanks. My problem is more of flex at the fence free end. It locks nicely and that part does not move.
Sounds I am back to the drawing board to fix my problem or just stick to using clamps to hold it in place.

The flex (of which mine is only slight) hasn't been a problem to me yet, as you say a clamp is the quick fix. If you don't have it out too far from the blade you could make up a sliding brace, get some of the track (seems to be a small size) and make a brace with a thumb screw or the like that just presses against the fence. Maybe

I mainly do small cuts but on long lengths.
I clamp the fence as well as brace it especially with small 2 mm cuts.

Though for some cuts I have dropped back to retro saws, GMC 203 mm small table saw. It is accurate and does a brilliant job on these fine cuts.

Found today the fence would still rock or tilt away from 90 deg so I will use the clamp as well untill I come up with something better. I also put in a new ply wood drop in plate. The ply one is less flexible and a neater fit around the blade. Tomorrow if I get time I might make a sled up for it. With a little work I think they can be alright. Untill I can aford and have space for a cast iron machine.
Good luck

I just bought a MLT 100 on friday, First thoughts are that they are considerably heavier then the previous models but this is due to the extending arms that allow you to rip wider things such as ply.
Nice solid steel arms and a solid top and base.
All can be removed which will reduce the weight.

Works well enough, not bad for $490 but was also looking into the Einhell Table saw that comes with a stand for $360.

G'day,

got one of these fellas the other day, but now $518 All I can say after using the old Ryobi rubbish for the last ten years is WOW - and that animal was $300+ at the time.

What a difference. The Makita is a plastic and sheetmetal wonder and will never replace a "real" one, but, crikey, it is undeniably real value for money

The fence is OK if you treat it with a little respect, it's only plastic and aluminium, and a fair representation of a Biesemeyer - no doubt a clever man could make up his own using the same track Only ever had one saw fence that didn't move, in my other life way back when, track was a piece of 32mm heavy gauge water pipe and the fence was steel channel around 4"x 2" - 12" blade driven by an ancient "rip yer bloody arms off" repulsion start Century.

cheers,
Bob