Intro
Space in a workshop or on a job site is always at a premium. Every square metre occupied by a stationary tool is a square metre you cannot use for assembly, finishing, or simply moving around. Two of the most essential stationary saws — the mitre saw for cross-cutting and angle work, and the table saw for ripping and sheet material breakdown — typically demand their own dedicated benches or stands. A flip-over combination saw solves this by housing both functions in a single machine: rotate the saw head and it becomes a sliding compound mitre saw; flip it back and it transforms into a benchtop table saw with a rip fence, mitre gauge, and a flat cast table. For carpenters, joiners, and serious DIYers working from a garage, van, or compact workshop, this dual capability means professional-grade cutting versatility without double the footprint. While the price of a quality flip-over saw reflects the engineering required to make two tools share one motor and chassis, the space saved and the elimination of a second tool purchase can make it a financially and practically sound investment.
Generalities
Flip-over saws are a niche but enduring category dominated by a small number of manufacturers, with Makita's LH1201FL being one of the most established models on the market. It combines a 305 mm sliding compound mitre saw with a benchtop table saw, powered by a 1650W motor driving an 80-tooth carbide-tipped blade at 3800 RPM. In mitre mode, it delivers the sliding capacity, angle stops, and laser guidance expected of a dedicated mitre saw. In table saw mode, it provides a flat aluminium table surface with a rip fence for straight-line ripping and sheet material work. At 20.7 kg, it is a substantial machine that rewards permanent or semi-permanent setup on a dedicated stand — it is not a grab-and-go tool. With a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from 183 Amazon reviews and a #29 ranking in Power Mitre Saws, it has earned credible feedback from users who have lived with its dual-function design.
This review evaluates the Makita LH1201FL across both of its operating modes. We assess mitre saw accuracy and sliding capacity, table saw rip performance and fence quality, the time and effort required to switch between modes, and whether the compromises inherent in a dual-function design are outweighed by the space and cost savings. By the end, you will know if this flip-over saw is the right solution for your workshop.
Description
The Makita LH1201FL is a corded 240V flip-over combination saw powered by a 1650-watt motor spinning a 305 mm diameter, 80-tooth tungsten carbide-tipped blade at 3800 RPM. In mitre saw mode, the saw head slides on twin rails and tilts for compound angle cuts, providing a cross-cut capacity of approximately 310 × 65 mm and a mitre range of 45 degrees left and right with positive stops at common angles. In table saw mode — accessed by flipping the entire motor and blade assembly through 180 degrees beneath the cast aluminium table — it becomes a benchtop table saw with a rip capacity of approximately 400 mm to the right of the blade, guided by an adjustable rip fence and a mitre gauge for angled cross-cuts. The blade retracts below the table surface when not in use, and the table saw mode includes a riving knife and blade guard for safe operation.
The flip-over mechanism is the defining engineering challenge of this saw, and Makita has refined it over multiple generations. A large locking lever at the front of the machine releases the motor and blade assembly, which pivots smoothly on a central axis. In mitre mode, the saw head sits above the table and operates as a conventional sliding compound mitre saw, with the laser guide, sliding rails, mitre scale, and bevel adjustment all functioning as they would on a standalone mitre saw. In table saw mode, the same motor and blade are positioned beneath the aluminium table, with the blade protruding through a slot. The transformation takes less than a minute once familiar with the process. The aluminium table surface is machined flat and provides a stable reference for sheet material and board work. The included rip fence locks securely and slides smoothly, and the mitre gauge runs in a standard T-slot for angled cross-cuts in the table saw configuration.
In mitre saw mode, the LH1201FL behaves like a full-size sliding compound saw. The 305 mm blade and sliding rails provide ample capacity for cross-cutting wide boards, stair treads, and laminated panels. The laser cut-line indicator projects onto the workpiece for accurate alignment, and the positive mitre stops at 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° enable fast, repeatable angle changes. The saw head glides smoothly on the rails with no detectable side-to-side play, and the soft-start motor spools up without jerking — important when the blade first contacts the workpiece. The dust extraction port at the rear connects to a vacuum cleaner, though as with all mitre saws, capture is partial. In table saw mode, the 1650W motor drives the same blade through the aluminium table, providing enough power to rip softwood and plywood up to approximately 40 mm thick. The rip fence extends to around 400 mm from the blade, sufficient for breaking down sheet goods into manageable strips.
The LH1201FL ships with the saw, the 80-tooth carbide blade, a rip fence, a mitre gauge, a blade guard and riving knife for table saw mode, a guide ruler, and a dust extraction adapter. Setup out of the box involves mounting the saw to a dedicated stand (not included — Makita offers compatible stands separately) or a sturdy workbench. The 20.7 kg weight and large footprint (610 × 535 × 692 mm) mean this is fundamentally a stationary or semi-stationary machine. It is not designed to be transported between job sites daily, though it can be moved when necessary with two people. The build quality is consistent with Makita's professional tool standards: cast aluminium structural components, smooth-operating adjustment mechanisms, and a robust motor that handles sustained use without overheating.
The saw weighs 20.7 kg and measures 610 × 535 × 692 mm. It carries a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating from 183 customer reviews on Amazon.fr, ranking #29 in Power Mitre Saws. Makita manufactures the LH1201FL in China under its global quality control system and backs it with a limited warranty. For carpenters, joiners, and committed DIYers with limited workshop space who need both a sliding mitre saw for cross-cutting and a table saw for ripping — and who value having one high-quality machine rather than two budget ones — the LH1201FL represents a proven, long-standing solution in a niche category where few alternatives exist.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuine dual-function design — a full sliding compound mitre saw and a benchtop table saw in one machine, eliminating the need for two separate tools and their associated footprint.
- 1650W motor with 305 mm 80-tooth carbide blade at 3800 RPM — ample power for cross-cutting wide hardwood boards and ripping plywood and softwood up to 40 mm thick.
- Flip-over mechanism is well-engineered and quick to operate — switching between mitre and table saw modes takes under a minute once familiar, making it practical to use both functions in the same project session.
- Cast aluminium table provides a flat, stable surface for table saw work — far superior to the pressed steel tables on budget benchtop saws that can warp and deflect under load.
- Laser cut-line guide and positive mitre stops in mitre mode — the accuracy and convenience features of a dedicated mitre saw are fully present, not compromised by the dual-function design.
- 4.5 out of 5 stars from 183 reviews — solid real-world feedback from users who have lived with the flip-over mechanism and confirmed its long-term practicality.
Cons
- At €702 and 20.7 kg, this is a significant investment in both money and workshop space — it is not a casual purchase and demands a dedicated bench or stand for safe operation.
- Table saw mode has a limited rip capacity of approximately 400 mm — cutting a full 1220 × 2440 mm sheet of plywood requires breaking it down with a circular saw first, as the table is too small for full-sheet handling.
- Switching modes, while engineered to be quick, is still more involved than walking from one dedicated saw to another — for production environments where both saws are used constantly, two separate machines may be more efficient.
- The saw stand is not included — at this price point, a compatible stand in the box would be a reasonable expectation, and purchasing one separately adds €100-€200.
- Manufactured in China rather than Japan — some users seeking Japanese-made Makita tools may be disappointed, though the build quality meets Makita's global standards.
Use cases
The Makita LH1201FL is ideal for carpenters, joiners, and serious home workshop users who need both a sliding mitre saw and a table saw but have limited space, and who value having one high-quality dual-function machine over two separate budget tools.
Compact Workshop and Garage Setup
For a home workshop or single garage where every square metre counts, the LH1201FL provides mitre and table saw capability in the footprint of one machine. Mount it on a mobile stand and roll it against the wall when not in use, then position it in the centre of the workshop when you need full sheet capacity. The space saved can be used for an assembly table, storage, or simply room to move around large projects.
Flooring, Skirting, and Trim Carpentry
Laying laminate flooring and installing skirting, architrave, and door casings requires hundreds of repetitive cross-cuts and angle cuts — the mitre saw mode's domain. When you also need to rip the final row of flooring planks to width or cut filler strips, switch to table saw mode without leaving the work area. Having both functions on one machine keeps the workflow contained and efficient.
Joinery and Furniture Making
Building cabinets, bookshelves, and furniture involves both cross-cutting components to length and ripping boards to width. The LH1201FL handles both operations with the same blade and motor. The 80-tooth blade produces a clean, glue-ready edge in both modes — reducing the sanding and edge-jointing needed before assembly.
Mobile Carpentry and Site Work
For carpenters working from a van who set up on site each day, the LH1201FL on a folding stand provides a complete cutting station that deploys and packs away quickly. While heavy, the ability to bring both saw functions in a single machine rather than two reduces van clutter and setup time on site — one trip from the van instead of two.
Renovation Cutting Station
During a whole-house renovation, you need a reliable cutting station that handles the variety of materials — framing timber, floorboards, trim, sheet goods — that flow through the project. The LH1201FL set up in a garage or spare room becomes the project's cutting hub, handling cross-cuts, mitres, and rips without switching between different tools or workstations.