tom,
We've had a large power tool shipped to us from the UK. We had an acquaintance buy it and ship it to us. Usually you have to pay customs on it (I forget how much but I think it's around 15-20%). We got lucky. You would need to be prepared to pay the customs duty on it. Other than that, there's nothing really to it. If you buy from the UK, make sure you aren't paying VAT, which is 17%. Items leaving the country are exempt.

I agree with everyone that Makita should offer these tools to the North American market. The alleged reasoning for not offering them here is B.S. True, the average carpenter has no use for a 14" saw, but the ones who do expect quality.

I doubt Makita will ever re-release the older style 13" saw here as it's not double insulated. I think they should just get on the ball and sell us the European tools. Until then, I will just have to pick mine up "in country" and bring them back.

gh

Gabel, I don't think that the 16"saw, 10 1/4"saw or the chain morticer are double insulated and they are selling them here ? If it has a 110v three prong plug it's not double insulated. I have a lot of Makita tools (30+) all the double insulated ones only have two prong plugs. So that is not a good enough excuse. Tom

I agree it's not a good excuse, but the fact is you can't use any of those old Makitas and be within OSHA's regs. That's not good and they know it.

They have a better, modern, saw with all the safety bells and whistles and they won't sell it here -- for no good reason. At least if they sell it in Canada, it will be easier to get.

Isn't the new 16 double insulated? I don't have one, but I thought it is. I know it has a brake.

Gabel

Hey you Makita fanatics,

can anybody please explain what the advantage of the chisel mortiser is and if there is a pictureof one? I have googled it but without success. Only thing I found was an attachment for a drill press which can hardly be of much use for timbers.
And what was Makita thinking when they designed their version of the chain mortiser? Is there an advantage with cutting cross grain? It seems time consuming to do any adjustments on it just looking at the picture. Thanks

E.H. Carpentry I believe you will find that Holzher tools are sold in the US as Protool, but I could be wrong.

I also googled "Makita chisel mortiser" and all I found were references to the chain mortiser.

I haven't used either, but your Mafell looks like a much handier machine.

Dave

Dave,

looks like you are right about Protool. They must have changed the name in the last few years. Now they are offering their handheld tools under the Protool banner and are using the HolzHer brand for their CNC machinery.
The Protool saws and mortisers look exactly like the Holzher used to.
Having used both, HolzHer/Protool and Mafell I prefer Mafell. I did like the Holzher Beam saw though. But again the Mafell is easier to adjust. Pricing is about the same for both.

I still would like to see a chisel mortiser and know its advantages if there are any. Same for the Makita chain mortiser.

I would be interested in the 13" saw as well. As stated before the smaller saws don't do what we need and the bigger saws don't allow us to do it the way we would like.
Does anyone know where you can get replacement blades for these or similar sized saws. I have a Hitachi 13" and can not find replacement blades. I really like the saw but without blades it is just a large door stop.

Didn't I see a topic where someone was going to Japan for some reason. Maybe he would be willing to "be the hero," take our orders, buy the saws, and have them shipped back. I know there are a lot of what if's with this idea, but if someone doesn't take a little bit of initative it's not going to happen.

Yes,That would be me.
E.H. & others who are interested,e-mail me at edgewrks@gtec.com I have old Makita tool pictures and information, I can send you a copy.

Gable, my 16"saw (newer blue & silver model) is not double insulated. Tom

The original intent of this post was to encourage and provide reasons for Makita USA to bring more of their product line into the country.
That way we would have tools with warranties, parts etc.