Makita 2705X1 Table Saw Review: Is It Still Good?
Makita 2705X1 review: power, rip capacity, fence, dust collection, safety features and stand, and whether this discontinued saw is still worth buying.
The Makita 2705X1 is a 10-inch contractor table saw with its own folding stand. It’s built for job sites, but plenty of people use it in a home shop too. It has a strong 15 amp motor, a wide 25-inch rip capacity, and a fence that most owners are happy with. It’s heavier than most job-site saws, which sounds bad but actually helps it sit still while you cut. The one catch: Makita has discontinued this model, so it’s now a used or leftover-stock buy only, not something you’ll find brand new at a big box store.
In this article
What This Saw Is
The 2705X1 is Makita’s contractor-style table saw. “Contractor saw” just means a saw built to be strong and accurate like a shop saw, but light enough to move around a job site. This one comes with a folding metal stand that rolls, so you can wheel it to your truck and set it up somewhere new in a few minutes.
It’s not a benchtop saw you carry under one arm. At around 115 pounds with the stand, it’s on the heavy side for this type of saw. But that extra weight is part of why people like it: a heavier saw wobbles less when you’re pushing wood through it.
Full Specs
| Spec | Makita 2705X1 |
|---|---|
| Blade size | 10 inches |
| Arbor | 5/8 inch |
| Motor | 15 amp, 120V |
| No-load speed | 4,800 RPM |
| Max cut depth at 90° | 3-5/8 inches |
| Max cut depth at 45° | 2-1/2 inches |
| Bevel range | -0.5° to 45.5°, tilts left |
| Rip capacity | 25 inches to the right with the extension out |
| Table size | 24-5/8″ x 22-1/4″ |
| Max dado width | 13/16 inch (up to 6″ diameter) |
| Miter slots | 3/8″ x 3/4″ T-slot |
| Weight | About 115 lbs with the stand, 65.5 lbs saw only |
| Blade brake | Yes, electric brake |
| What’s included | 32-tooth carbide blade, rip fence, miter gauge, wrenches, folding stand |
Specs are pulled from Makita’s own listings and product manual. Since this saw is discontinued, some retailers list slightly different numbers, so treat these as the reference set.
Power and Cutting
This saw has a 15 amp motor, which is the largest motor size a saw can have on a standard household outlet. It spins the blade at 4,800 RPM, which is fast for this class of saw. In plain terms, that means it can push through thick, hard wood without bogging down. Several reviewers mention it can rip through a 4×4 post in one pass without slowing down, even with a blade that isn’t brand new. That’s a strong showing for a saw this size.
Cut depth is 3-5/8 inches straight up and down, and 2-1/2 inches when the blade is tilted to 45 degrees. That’s enough for almost anything you’d build with a table saw, including most framing lumber and thick hardwood stock.
Rip Capacity
With the fence rail pulled out, you get 25 inches of rip capacity to the right of the blade. That number matters because it’s just over the width of a sheet of plywood. Anything above 24 inches means you can rip a full 4×8 sheet in half. So this saw handles sheet goods just fine, not just narrow boards.
The Fence
A table saw is only as good as its fence, since a fence that isn’t accurate throws off every cut you make. The fence on the 2705X1 gets good marks from most owners. It’s a cam-lock style fence: you push a lever down to lock it in place, and it holds its position well. A few people mention it needed a small adjustment out of the box to line up perfectly, which is a quick fix and not unusual for a new saw.
Dust Collection
This saw collects dust from two spots: below the table and near the blade guard. Having two collection points is better than the single port found on many similar saws, and it noticeably cuts down on the mess left on your work surface. It won’t catch everything, since no table saw does, but it’s a real advantage over cheaper job-site saws with just one dust port.
Safety Features
The saw comes with a riving knife, a blade guard, and anti-kickback pawls, which are the three standard safety pieces you want on any table saw. The riving knife moves to three different positions depending on the type of cut you’re making, and it comes off without tools when you need to switch to a dado blade. It also has an electric brake, which stops the blade spinning in a couple of seconds after you switch it off, instead of letting it coast for a while like most saws do. That’s a genuinely nice safety touch that not every saw in this price range offers.
One small letdown mentioned in an older review: the built-in laser guide is faint and hard to see unless the room is dim. It’s a minor feature, so it shouldn’t be a deciding factor either way.
The Stand
The X1 in the name means this version comes with Makita’s folding stand. It’s spring-loaded, so setting it up and folding it down is quick, and it rolls on wheels for moving it around. The stand adjusts to a few different heights, which is handy if you’re setting it up next to another tool or table. It’s not the lightest stand out there, but it matches the saw’s overall solid, heavy-duty feel.
What We Like
+ Strong 15 amp motor that rips thick stock without slowing down
+ 25-inch rip capacity handles full plywood sheets
+ Fence is accurate and holds its setting well
+ Two dust collection points instead of the usual one
+ Electric brake stops the blade fast
+ Extra weight adds stability during cuts
+ Folding stand sets up and packs down quickly
What Could Be Better
− At about 115 pounds with the stand, it’s heavier to load and unload than most job-site saws
− The laser guide is too faint to see in a bright room
− Makita has discontinued this model, so it’s a secondhand or old-stock purchase now
Who This Saw Is For
This saw makes the most sense for a contractor, remodeler, or serious hobbyist who wants job-site portability without giving up shop-quality accuracy. If you build cabinets, cut framing lumber, or need to rip plywood sheets on site, the power and rip capacity here will cover you. It’s also a solid pick for a home shop, as long as you don’t mind that it’s heavier than a basic benchtop saw.
If you move your saw in and out of a car every single day, and weight is your top concern, a lighter benchtop saw might suit you better, even though it will usually cut with less power and less capacity. And since the 2705X1 is discontinued, anyone shopping today should also compare it against current models before deciding.
Is It Still Worth Buying?
Makita has stopped making the 2705X1, so it’s no longer sold new through normal retail channels. You can still find it used, or occasionally as old, unsold stock at a tool dealer. If you find one in good shape at a fair price, it’s still a strong saw worth buying, since the core design holds up well against newer options. Just check the fence, the blade brake, and the stand’s folding mechanism for wear before you buy a used one. If you’d rather buy something currently in production, our Shop Fox W1888 vs W1837 comparison covers two hybrid saws that are still sold new today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Makita 2705X1 still available to buy?
Makita has discontinued it. You can still find it on the used market or occasionally as leftover new stock through some tool dealers, but it’s no longer made.
Can the Makita 2705X1 cut a 4×4 post?
Yes. Its 15 amp motor and 3-5/8 inch cut depth let it rip through a 4×4 in a single pass, according to multiple hands-on reviews.
Does it come with a stand?
Yes. The X1 in the name means it ships with Makita’s folding, wheeled stand. The 2705 (without the X1) is the same saw sold without a stand.
How heavy is the Makita 2705X1?
About 115 pounds with the stand attached, and about 65.5 pounds for the saw by itself.
Does it have a riving knife?
Yes, along with a blade guard and anti-kickback pawls. The riving knife adjusts to three positions for through cuts, non-through cuts, and dado cuts.
What’s the difference between the 2705 and the 2705X1?
They’re the same saw. The 2705X1 includes Makita’s folding stand, while the plain 2705 does not.
Bottom Line
The Makita 2705X1 is a heavy-duty contractor saw with real power, a wide rip capacity, and a fence you can trust. The electric brake and dual dust collection are nice extras you don’t always get at this level. The only real downside is that it’s discontinued, so buying one today means shopping the used market. If you can find one in good condition, it’s still a saw worth owning.
Finlay Connolly is a woodworking enthusiast and power tool specialist with over a decade of hands-on experience in the workshop. As the founder and lead writer at ProTableSawReviews.com, Finlay combines expert knowledge with real-world testing to help woodworkers, DIYers, and professionals choose the best tools for the job. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for precision, Finlay is committed to providing trustworthy, practical advice backed by years of experience and research in the field. Whether you’re cutting dados or comparing fence systems, you can count on Finlay for honest, reliable reviews that make your next cut your best one.
