Makita Miter Saw Calibration DLS110/ XSL06 / LS1019 / LS1219

This is the way I set up a my Makita miter saw for accuracy, and check to make sure some of the key components are straight and true.
I am setting up my cordless miter saw, but the adjustments are the same on the corded 10" model and the 12" corded model.
This is an extension of Content from my Instagram page, @stenewoodwork.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Detent Plates are available for order at stenewoodwork.com right now

[@capemaster123]

Just purchased one! Thanks for offering this solution. Makes this saw feel like it's going to last me a lifetime. 👍

[@jeffb321]

Hi, are these still available? My OEM is shot at 0°

[@rustyroller]

This was really helpful, thanks. I wish the manufacturer would put together content like this rather than their awful manuals, and low budget promo films as ads for the equipment. I love my LS1219, btw. This will only help make it even more useful.

[@shubhanggupta8833]

*Great machine for the price! Pretty powerful **MyBest.Tools** and light to carry around the home. I definitely recommend this saw for any homeowner. Also, came with an extra blade. I was very satisfied with the overall quality and price.*

[@kerrywinter2001]

I'm brand new to woodworking, just bought the above saw (big investment, saw intimidates me!) but Steve is very clear, thorough and at ease with his content - appreciate you Steve! Will check other videos.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Great to hear!

[@jelenaerceg3491]

Hi Stene, Great demo and finally I got how to check and adjust the vertical position of the blade!! Also doing some compound cuts today with much better results. Thanks!

[@tatakatakashi]

What a legend thanks for this mate - just got mine and need it wired tight for an important project for the missus 😅 Perfect amount of info without fluff - love it~ Cheers~

[@salvadormurillo2435]

Your video was very useful for setting my makita ls 1019, thanks a lot.

[@SteneWoodwork]

I’m happy to help 👍🏻

[@MadeInGreatBritain]

Got my replacement saw today! What an improvement! It’s spot on! Made in the UK

[@John-gm8ty]

thank you so much, I had no idea how to get my blade square, it was off quite badly out of the box. now it's as perfect as I can get it.

[@untoldhistory2800]

Bought this saw two years ago. Started very happy with it. Once I dropped it on site whilst on the stand on uneven ground. Later I started noticing plumb cuts on skirting were not plumb at all. Had it calibrated by professionals it wasn’t sorted. I saw online many other carpenters had the same issue with it

[@aaronoconnor606]

All miter saws if you drop them they can't be fixed.

[@Rich32262]

Just got mine. Very informative. Thanks for taking the time.

[@telebruce221]

Nice explanation! I'm ready to setup my new saw

[@CB-zp4dd]

Superb Explanation of saw calibration, thank you

[@SteneWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@greghamilton5872]

Hi Steve. Thanks for this informative video. I just bought the LS1019 and I'm struggling to get it correctly calibrated to cut square. I'm fairly new at woodworking, and tools but at the 5:45 mark in your video you say to loosen the detent screws, and check with a trusted square. If the blade touches the front of the square but not the back of the square you need to push the table to the right. Sorry Steve but I think it's the other way. To the left. I certainly don't want to be critical and I appreciate the time you took to help us out. Please correct me if I'm wrong (god knows I'm more wrong than right) bit my limited understanding of physics tells me otherwise. Anyway I'll keep working on getting the new saw calibrated. Again thanks for the video!

[@SteneWoodwork]

If the square is on the left of the blade, and the blade is touching at the front and not at the back, then you need to tap the table to the right to bring it into alignment.

[@CurvedSlightly]

Had to come back to see how you calibrate this, mine is out of whack. My upper fences are leaning back, I thought those set screws pushed it forward! I notched my vacuum attachment out, there's a little piece that looks like it should be knocked out, if you cut it out it fits a lot tighter. Thanks for the calibration vid, dude!

[@SteneWoodwork]

You're welcome! Those upper fences are almost always leaning back unfortunately.

[@robertomarques54]

Very nice video about calibration. Good Job!

[@SteneWoodwork]

Thanks!

[@peladoloco]

Super useful video. Thanks a lot mate.

[@nils5986]

Thank you for your vid tutorial. Exacley what I'm looking for.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MadeInGreatBritain]

Just received mine, the detent plate was adjusted all the way to one side and I still can’t get 90 degrees. The vertical fences were appalling. I’ve sent it back for a replacement of the same model. Fingers crossed the next one is a good one

[@akaredcrossbow]

Did you end up getting a good one finally? When I bought mine awhile ago, I had to return 4 times just because of the condition of the boxes like they were being thrown around, crushed and holes. Finally I got a great box, and everything was great. Now I have to replace the miter saw scale plate(detent plate) because of the soft metal or aluminum they used. Also I notice that the saw is not cutting straight anymore from back to front and I believe it might be the rails that need adjustment. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@MadeInGreatBritain]

Yes! I got sent another, it took very little setting up. Personally, I’m so careful with it, I don’t think I’ll wear the detent plate. Make sure the detent plate is set all the way forward! See my video

[@akaredcrossbow]

Darren B I’m definitely going to be easy when I get the new one. I’m going to check out your video now. Thank You👍🏻👍🏻

[@northjerseykevin409]

Welcome to you tube. Great video very informative. Thanks for passing on the knowledge

[@northjerseykevin409]

I’ve been adjusting the back fence by loosening the bolts on the fence. I guess I’ve been doing it the hard way.

[@SteneWoodwork]

I would find that more difficult, mostly because it would be hard to fine tune the saw. But I’ve seen some guys do it really well. How’s you’re results with that method?

[@northjerseykevin409]

Stene Woodwork , it very frustrating and takes a long time to get it just right.

[@SteneWoodwork]

It can, but it’s worth it. I’d rather be frustrated getting the saw right than be frustrated with every piece of trim and crown I cut that isn’t lining up. 👍🏻

[@TheDesertRat31]

I have a Ridgid miter saw. I can't adjust the detent plate. I have to adjust the fence. Yes it's frustrating. I've actually been looking at these new Makita saws. I like the dust collection better. I also hope that mskitas product support is better. Ridgid is terrible.

[@akaredcrossbow]

Great video thank you! Any ideas how to adjust the rails? Or any videos about adjusting the rails? Thank You!

[@SteneWoodwork]

I've never attempted to adjust the rails, so I'm unable to help you with that one.

[@akaredcrossbow]

Stene Woodwork i couldn’t get my Makita to cut straight no matter what I did. The other day I got a new miter scale plate for the saw and it still wasn’t cutting straight, so I loosened up the 2 Allen screws for the rails and moved them around until the saw cut straight at 90 and 45. Adjustments on the rails was my problem the whole time.

[@yeaheddyman]

Brilliant video, very informative and your points at the end are spot on! The dust port is a poor design I’ve just put a dab of glue on the plastic insert then tightened the grub screw right up and it’s hold’ed out since🤞🏻 Thankyou for this video mate

[@SteneWoodwork]

Yeah that dust port screw on the cordless versions are a joke. They don’t hold a thing

[@architekturadrewniana]

good job, thanks for the video, rare to see such details in other videos so was very beneficial for me. I consider this one or the twin one with 40V battery but it seems structure will be exactly the same. The only thing I was worrying is dust extraction , I mean if it’s efficient enough using vacuum. what’s your experience with it?

[@madanielmadaniel]

Thanks for a very elaborated explanation ! 👍

[@SteneWoodwork]

You are welcome!

[@jwschroeder804]

Very helpful, but I am unable to fix the 45 degree you describe after several attempts on ls1019. Out of the box last week. The laser would make an 'x' across my square and pencil mark before adjusting. Any suggestions?

[@SteneWoodwork]

I have a video on this channel explaining how to adjust the 45 degree position, I think you would find it helpful

[@br6145]

Regarding where the hose attaches to the upper part of saw. I wrapped that plastic collar piece with a few layers of electrical tape. Its wedged in there nicely now and can remove the hose/bag without pulling the collar out. I agree, its an amazing saw and super smooth feeling.

[@STV-H4H]

The dust collection ability of this saw is poor at best. As for the dust bag, it's only suitable for filler in the trash can. Regarding the part you wrote about, I've used electrical tape to increase friction so when my vac hose is attached it doesn't so easily fall off. But eventually added a series of carefully positioned zip ties to help support it in a couple positions, using the handle as the primary anchor point. The teensy and very difficult to access (because of the battery mount location) isn't even in the correct place to offer any degree of function. This appears to me to have been a leftover from a previous corded saw design that wasn't remedied when the battery design was implemented, which really makes me lose respect for the Makita brand. I have a solid arsenal of Makitas cordless tools already so changing platforms is a costly concern.

[@T3-Build]

I just ordered your detent plate today and I can’t wait... I realized my saw was cutting horrible and I immediately remembered why from seeing your plates. I also don’t like the dust port attachment..... have you come up with any solutions for that part of the saw?? Thanks!!

[@SteneWoodwork]

Ha! Seems like I could make a full time job just creating products to fix this saw!

[@petertelis8497]

Hi I have a new ls1019l and it seems to be that the saw it’s self is crooked on the rails. Is there a way to get it track strait on the rails.? Or do I need a new one?

[@SteneWoodwork]

If I were you I'd take it back and get a different one. The rails are crooked due to a shipping issue, so it's best to simply get one that isn't damaged

[@covcarpenter9158]

Life save my saw came out of wack from the factory. Thats what you get for trusting makita. I had a dewalt 717xps before for over a decade never needed adjusting this saw is a nightmare. Never again might sell it lol cheer mate couldnt find the manual 👍👍

[@SteneWoodwork]

Yeah I hear you this saw is a calibration headache. The Dewalt s are definitely great choices 👍🏻

[@covcarpenter9158]

In not so sure its pro grade to be honest what are your thoughts

[@wuddude1599]

Doing what you did on the video is a good idea. What is also good is doing some test cuts. Like taking 2 - 3/4 x 4 1/2" boards and cutting them both flat and vertically on each side of the blade and then checking them for 90. It's also good to check your 45° detents. Do some test cuts and check for 45.

[@israelcharo1563]

Very informative.. Thank you! Do you know which adapters are needed to connect the saw to a 4" dust collector flex tubing? That should help with the dust collection...but no info available from Makita. Thanks again!

[@SteneWoodwork]

4"? I've never needed to do that so I'm not sure

[@aurelieneveu9595]

LOL, I like seing your face 🤣 Thx for your video, I'm going for the makita LS1219

[@DRJMF1]

Can the sliding saw cut trench’s or cross mortises by sliding blade repeatedly across a timber ? Is it stable enough to get a flat bottomed mortise trench using its depth gauge ? Great video, thanks.

[@mitchpeterson]

Laser setup would be nice I can't seem to get mine dialed in?

[@SteneWoodwork]

lasers are they're own problem, rarely are they set to be exactly parallel with the blade, and often they aren't set correctly from the manufacturer

[@navel8455]

I do have a problem. I tried it and my fence is still inaccurate. The problem is, that I cannot tap anymore on the loosen screws. There is no more space to go in that direction. What now?

[@stevarino1675]

Hey Steve, Great Vid. Question, At the rear I have two lasers beams which converge into one, How do I fix this? Thanks Steve

[@SteneWoodwork]

There should be a section in your manual that tells you how to adjust the lasers. I never had a laser line model, I find them unreliable

[@jimthorp7417]

Is there any way of greasing the rails

[@markplumb4659]

I have one of these saws. My saw blade is not parallel with the slide. I can square the blade with a good square both sides in the back locked position and open the lock check it at the end of travel it’s quite off. It burns onesies and creates curved cuts on wide material. Is there an adjustment for that?

[@mostlypeacefultv]

im actually having this same issue , ive squared the hell outof the blade to the fence but through the travel to the front its way off, it seems like its not parallel , have you found any adjustments or fix for this? thanks.

[@louiesworkshop2023]

Hi, have you noticed any cupping, and what I mean by cupping is if you cut a very wide board full capacity of the saw have you noticed the cut entering and leaving the cut but cupping or going of true at the mid point of cut? Thankyou regards Louie Ulster Workshops

[@gr8mangiacake]

Hey. Great walk through for setting up the saw. I have a problem you didnt touch on. If you put the triangle perpendicular to the blae/parallel to the fence, i can get 90' square, but putting the triangle on the other side of the blade its out by a degree or two. I can only conclude that the deck is tilted. If this makes sense, do you have a suggestion to rectify that? And yes, i know if its tilted it should probably be out equally on both sides, but im at a loss on this one. Thanks.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Well the first thing I would do is check the tool that is doing the referencing. If it is out of square, that difference will compound on one side when showing true on the other. Second thing I would do is check to see if the deck is flat. If it is, that probably means the head of the saw is out of whack(mounted crooked). Before I make a judgement on anything I like to make sure my reference tools(square, straight edge, etc) are true, then I go from there.

[@gr8mangiacake]

@@SteneWoodwork Are you saying my beaten up speed square that usually rattles around the back of the truck is not square? I just face palmed myself as i read your advice. Lol. Thanks for taking the time to reply. 👍

[@gr8mangiacake]

@@SteneWoodwork you were right on the money. One corner of my speed square was out of wack. Thanks again.

[@chadrichardson8507]

Great video . Just received my new saw and everything is set up perfect except the upper fence on both sides . I can’t get them at a good 90 degrees . Any suggestions?

[@SteneWoodwork]

theres really no way to adjust this unfortunately, not without doing major adjustments to the saw

[@kik1rik1]

thank you for the video

[@bobkoss280]

Don't see detent plate on your amazon page. Still available?

[@SteneWoodwork]

Hopefully soon

[@creativetag1]

So how do you adjust the table?

[@chrise202]

No matter how much you fiddle with the square it will be a guess, especially. There is a better way, by making repeatable cuts and moving the base plate using gap fillers, then measuring the cut with an angle. Just need to make sure the angle is spot on.

[@SteneWoodwork]

This method gets you close so there is less fiddling with it when it comes to the 5 cut test

[@danchilds6915]

Very helpful video thanks you

[@SteneWoodwork]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hankbour]

My LS1019L has progressively become very difficult to swivel, do you know how I could correct the problem? I clean the saw with an air compressor after each use. Any ideas?

[@SteneWoodwork]

There is a center bolt underneath the blue inserts on the cutting bed, remove the inserts and SLIGHTLY loosen the bolt. Loosen until it swings nicely then put the inserts back on and your good.

[@syldrum54]

Thanks for the video. Did you bought or built that Zero clearance Kerf board???

[@SteneWoodwork]

I made it, but a company called colliflower makes one that has easily replaced ones for when the insert wears out, and I think those might be better

[@heavenknowsheavenknows3747]

Calibrating the LS1216 which is the previous version of the LS1219 is something that I do regularly. It is part of the process.

[@hendrikk.1724]

Hi Stene, thanks for this very helpful Video. Greetings from Germany

[@SteneWoodwork]

Hey thank you! Hello from Canada!

[@hendrikk.1724]

@@SteneWoodwork do you know how to adjust the parallelism of the laser to the blade? I adjusted the distance between the laser and the blade but i can't find a way to adjust the parallelism.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Hendrik K. I don’t have the Saw with a laser so unfortunately I have no idea 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@michaelh5532]

I like mine also, but it's a beast to carry around a job site. Do you know if there's an adjustment to move the bed of the saw across the miter path? Mine seems to require way too much force to push. Should the pivot bolt be oiled, or is there another way? Thanks.

[@ThisTall]

Michael H I would say nothin* on this saw could possibly need oil, but that’s just because every one I see on the store shelf is covered in oil everywhere lol like pools of it

[@ThekiBoran]

I know a finish guy who lugs around a 12" Bosch glide. Up stairs, over landscape crap out to the pool house, down stairs to the basement.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Hey Michael, that bolt just needs to be slightly loosened, enough that the bed slides better but it doesn’t get sloppy

[@SteneWoodwork]

I’ve heard many things of the Bosch glide, and not many of them good. It slides super smooth but the sliding mechanism doesn’t hold the head steady enough, there is a lot of head deflection. And if I have my numbers right it’s 10lbs heavier than the makita

[@NikitaMekh]

Did you check that saw blade is parallel to liner? I bought a new saw 1219L and it had this problem. Makita service told my, that this problem CAN NOT BE FIXED! Only full device raplacement. But when i got a new device (from 2019.10) it was the same problem! Please be very carefully with that model.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Yeah I’ve check mine for the issue with the rails and it’s good, but I’ve heard some people fixing that problem by slightly and carefully bending the rails until they’re straight

[@eaglecot]

I just got my 1219. 1. The blade isn't parallell to the rails. 2. The rails have a slight sad face bend to them = (( However I had read reviews and was expecting that. The bend is not that big of a deal. Maybe +- 0,2 mm. But the fact that you either need to calibrate it for chopping OR for sliding, feels stupid on an otherwise well made saw. It's almost 1 mm off on a chop cut (160 mm)

[@neilmckinlay]

Good video. Great muscles. I subscribed 👌🏻

[@SteneWoodwork]

Neil McKinlay thank you sir, it’s all photoshopped lol

[@twilocki]

Thank you for this

[@SteneWoodwork]

My pleasure!

[@jacobecorder]

Do you have issues with the saw blade not being aligned with the rail? Cut without sliding. Measure the cut piece for square, then cut the same board with sliding it. Mine seems to create bowed board when sliding it and is not flat not square

[@SteneWoodwork]

I don’t have that problem, but I know of the problem. I guess that issue came about drone poor shipping from the factory to the states, and should be a warranty thing. Take it to your closest Makita service center and see what they say

[@justkiddin1980]

Rails out of alignment?? Seems to be a common issue

[@SteneWoodwork]

Yeah they had a problem with packaging and shipping, and during transit a lot of the saws were damaged, resulting in the rail problem

[@adamandlorraine]

Yes Jacob Corder I had that curved cut problem on 4 machines UK (ls1019) thought I had it fixed but really the only good cut I can perform is a straight up 90. Anything else goes out of square. Fences aren't true. Base isn't flat. Wish I sent it back. Get out of it if you still can.

[@wuddude1599]

LOL, I sold my kapex and am waiting on the LS1219L.

[@SteneWoodwork]

That’s awesome!

[@saiiiiiii1]

Why though?

[@Eyehearttravels]

@@saiiiiiii1 festools overated ! That’s why

[@hhprogressiveconstruction1140]

Great tip’s thanks for sharing .

[@SteneWoodwork]

You bet!

[@ious22]

My left bevel doesn't go to 45. Right bevel is spot on, but left bevel only goes to about 38. Any idea how to fix that?

[@SteneWoodwork]

You may need to adjust the 45° stop, it’s probably waaaaay off

[@ious22]

@@SteneWoodwork how? left 0 stop is spot on, right 0 and 45 stops are spot on. The only one missing is the left 45

[@SteneWoodwork]

@@ious22 There are bevel stops on for each of those locations on the Makita saw, left and right bevel stops are completely different parts

[@tonygwiz]

Validation initiated... looking forward to more fun!

[@SteneWoodwork]

Thanks Tony, so am I!

[@davidfox2906]

Where did you get the z-clearance plate?

[@SteneWoodwork]

I made it

[@garrettisaacson6408]

Thank you, nows it's all square

[@CurvedSlightly]

Dude, is it worth paying the extra for the 12"?

[@SteneWoodwork]

I don’t really know, I haven’t used the 12” saw. You have to remember that’s it’s not just the initial cost to buy the 12”, the cost of blades is higher after the face also, so that’s good to keep in mind

[@CurvedSlightly]

@@SteneWoodwork I went for the 12" in the end. It's not going to see endless action so the blade will last ages. I had a smaller version which I found useful, in terms of cutting but it always lacked the ability to cut larger pieces, the 12" means I can cut anything! Also went for the laser version, it's not particularly accurate but for an extra few £££ it's well worth it!

[@SteneWoodwork]

Right on, I’m glad you’re happy with it!

[@ThekiBoran]

The secondary fences on my LS1219L are not coplanar and the adjustment screw didn't help fix it. I kept the saw anyway because it seems many of the new Makita saws have that problem.

[@randypowell4799]

what does that screw behind the angle pointer do, the lower screw by the bevel pointer. 6.50

[@SteneWoodwork]

It’s the adjustment for one of the 45* stops, there’s an identical one on the other side also

[@randypowell4799]

thanks

[@GTL77]

Nice and informative dude

[@SteneWoodwork]

Thanks Glenn, that’s exactly what I’m shooting for 👍🏻

[@fatdogslow8011]

My removable fences are way off. Probably going to have to do a bit of filing to true them up.

[@rubaszarate4902]

Thanks

[@carpenterone3]

Just Subscribed, good video dude. Are you in the states? Keep the videos coming 👍

[@SteneWoodwork]

I’m in Regina, Sk, but I hope to be in the states next year

[@pj2123]

I thought you had solved the problem with my 1019 fence being out of vertical but altering the adjustment screws you mention at kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZSlp3yJptx5itE only reduces the slot gap width for the extension fence and doesn't alter the vertical angle.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Yeah, their fence design leaves no room for calibration unfortunately. One of the biggest issues with this saw IMO

[@dscraft6358]

Nice video. I'll subscribe

[@gregshaw1809]

How much r ur plates

[@SteneWoodwork]

It's all on my website, stenewoodwork.com

[@VanCityViru]

Do you know how to adjust the rails?

[@SteneWoodwork]

I understand the concept but I have never had the need to.

[@tylerpitts3312]

It's a chop saw if you need that kind of accuracy use a table saw

[@SteneWoodwork]

Nope, a well calibrated miter saw can be VERY accurate

[@giuseppecastaldo644]

HELLO, I AM NOT DECIDED BETWEEN MAKITA LS1219 AND FESTOOL KAPEX120. WHICH IS SUPERIOR FOR YOU?

[@SteneWoodwork]

The Dewalt DW 780 is superior to both of those

[@PrinceMannofficial]

Nice

[@briain_odonnghaile]

You missed out the bevel adjustment...just sayin.

[@m0329b]

Bro you didn’t say how to calibrate

[@jayceterry3691]

thanks for showing that your saw was perfectly calibrated. video was very unhelpful

[@anesthesiakea]

👌 Welcome to YT. From @krug_carpentry

[@SteneWoodwork]

anesthesiakea thanks Krug!

[@Crooks103]

You can't accurately set up using the teeth of the blade. Nice try.

[@SteneWoodwork]

You can get it close enough to start the fine tuning though

[@johnbravo7542]

Festool is overated

[@SteneWoodwork]

Ain’t that the truth

[@justkiddin1980]

Maybe better to say...festool is over priced...a lot of people are dumping the kapex because the motor keeps burning out with intense use..

[@Crooks103]

Checking the fence and bed with paper? Complete waste of time. Checking the blade with the square, incorrect.

[@SteneWoodwork]

Thank you for the wisdom 😉

[@fanorvelasco4880]

I think you not right because all miter saw are good so it depends how's using machine. If you use miter saw to make watches you are right. Sorry sir. On my opinion I bought one I never get a problem.

[@markcoffey1052]

why dont you make a video showing the "correct" way since this is wrong?

[@tjhart1011]

I have a XSL07Z and my upper and lower fence are not in alignment. The upper fence sits back from the lower fence about 10 thousandths. I can’t adjust it because it’s where the lower and upper fence meet (lower end of upper fence). Is this within tolerance? I expected more from this saw. My 10 year old rigid saw is almost perfect from the lower and upper fence. 🤷🏼‍♂️