Makita LH1040F Review

Space is the one resource no workshop ever has enough of. Every tool that earns a spot on the bench has to justify its footprint, and two of the most space-hungry machines in any woodworking setup are the mitre saw and the table saw. The mitre saw dominates the back wall with its rails and extensions; the table saw claims the centre of the floor. For anyone working out of a single garage, a garden shed, or a van, fitting both is often impossible. A 2-in-1 machine that combines a sliding compound mitre saw with a compact table saw in a single unit offers a clever answer. One tool, one footprint, two essential functions. You get accurate crosscuts, mitres, and bevels from the top, and the ability to rip boards and cut sheet material from the table. While no combination machine matches the capacity of two dedicated standalone tools, the convenience of switching between modes in seconds — without clearing the bench or rolling another machine into position — makes a well-designed 2-in-1 saw a genuinely practical solution for the space-constrained workshop.

Combination saws are all about compromise done well. You are trading the unlimited rip capacity of a full-size table saw and the deep crosscut reach of a dedicated sliding mitre saw for a single machine that does both — adequately. The key question when evaluating a 2-in-1 saw is whether the compromises are in the right places. Blade size is a good indicator: a 260 mm (roughly 10 inch) blade gives useful cutting depth in both modes, handling most framing lumber, skirting, and sheet goods. Motor power matters too — 1,650 watts drives a 260 mm blade through hardwood without protest. Look at the mechanism for switching between modes: it should be quick, positive, and not require tools, because if switching is a faff you will end up using only one mode. Safety features are especially important on a machine that operates in two configurations — an electric brake, soft start, and anti-restart function protect you in both modes. Finally, check the mitre and bevel detents: positive stops at the common angles (15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°) save time and improve accuracy on repeat cuts.

This review examines the Makita LH1040F, a 2-in-1 machine that combines a compound mitre saw with a table saw in a single compact unit. We will cover its 1,650-watt motor, 260 mm blade, cutting capacity in both modes, safety features, dust extraction, and what it is like to live with on real projects — from flooring and skirting to ripping sheet material. We will also give an honest breakdown of its pros and cons, so you can decide if trading two separate saws for this clever space-saver is the right move for your workshop.

The Makita LH1040F is a unique 2-in-1 power tool that functions as both a compound mitre saw and a compact table saw. At its heart is a 1,650-watt motor driving a 260 mm tungsten-carbide-tipped blade with 60 teeth, spinning at up to 4,800 RPM. In mitre-saw mode, it delivers a cutting capacity of 91 × 95 mm at 90 degrees and 69 × 130 mm for wider stock, with a lining capacity of 40 × 130 mm — ample for skirting, architrave, flooring, and framing lumber. In table-saw mode, it handles rip cuts and sheet-material work with the same blade. The machine weighs 14.3 kg and measures 47.6 × 53.0 × 53.5 cm, so it is genuinely portable between workbench and van — far lighter than a standalone table saw of comparable blade size.

Switching between modes is the make-or-break feature of any combination saw, and Makita have designed the LH1040F to transition cleanly. In mitre-saw configuration, the head tilts left and right to 45 degrees with positive stops at 15°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° — the angles you actually use day to day. An integrated work light illuminates the cut line with its own separate switch, which is genuinely useful in a dim garage or when working in the shadow of the saw itself. The table-saw mode repurposes the blade and motor into a compact bench-top configuration with a rip fence for straight cuts. The electric brake stops the blade quickly when you release the trigger, and the soft-start feature ramps the motor up smoothly rather than jerking the saw on startup.

In daily use, the LH1040F earns its place in a small workshop. For a flooring installation, you can mitre-cut dozens of laminate planks to length in mitre-saw mode with the angle stops making repeat cuts fast and consistent, then switch to table-saw mode to rip the last row of planks to width against the fence — all without moving to a different machine. The cutting capacity in both modes covers the vast majority of DIY and light trade work, though it will struggle with very large-section timber or full 2.4-metre sheet goods better suited to a full-size panel saw. The anti-restart function is a thoughtful safety addition: if the power cuts out mid-cut, the saw will not restart when power returns until you deliberately switch it off and on again.

Makita have paid attention to the practical details that make a difference over months of ownership. The carbon brushes are positioned for easy access, so inspecting and replacing them — routine maintenance on any brushed motor — does not require disassembling the machine. The dust extraction port connects to a vacuum extractor, and while onboard dust management is reasonable, adding a shop vacuum noticeably improves air quality in an enclosed workshop. The saw is compatible with Makita's WST05 workbench for a mobile workstation setup, and an optional saw guide extends its rip capacity. The blade-change system uses an axle lock for tool-free swaps, and the blade guard operates automatically in both modes.

With 4.6 out of 5 stars from 193 reviews, the LH1040F is well-regarded by its user base, though its sales rank of #52 in Power Mitre Saws reflects its niche position as a combination machine. At around £515 it is priced above a basic mitre saw — but you are buying two machines in one, and compared to purchasing a separate mitre saw and table saw of equivalent quality, the value proposition becomes clearer. It is CE-certified, manufactured in China to Makita's standards, and backed by Makita's limited warranty. For the space-conscious woodworker, flooring fitter, or serious DIY renovator, the LH1040F solves a genuine workshop problem that no single-function saw can address.

A space-saving 2-in-1 combination mitre and table saw for DIY renovators, flooring fitters, and small-workshop woodworkers who need both crosscutting and ripping capability but cannot justify — or fit — two separate machines in their workspace.