EH, after you showed me your Mafell tools, I would definately save up for them. They really are a step (or two ) above the competition. I have used the 16" Makitas, and I feel they are lacking in many ways. The base plate especially, they are too easy to knock out of adjustment, and the thin blades tend to heat up and bind too easy.


Dave

I was surprised to find this post reanimated

Unfortunately I have come to believe that this topic has other resemblances to a zombie....i.e. it's a dead issue.

At the West conference I had a conversation with David Powell of Timberwolf Tools who has been working on Makita for quite a long time about this and other timber tools. They have been invariably intransigent in their position that they have a 10" saw and a 16" saw here and they don't see the need for a tool that falls between. (and before someone posts it...yes I know the 16" has major suckage issues)
Perhaps they see this as too much of a niche market to warrant the UL testing process.
Whatever their reason I wouldn't be expecting to see any here thru official channels anytime soon
Dave also mentioned that Makita aggressively pursues anyone they believe to be bringing these tools in country
Word to the wise.....

John,

why would they pursue someone who is buying their tools elsewhere and then bring them to the US for their one use????

There are other companies with similar procedures and just another reason not to buy their products. Maybe they do not want you to be one of their customers???

Well enough said.

E.H.

Dunno
yep
Dunno
yep

Have recently received both morticer and carpenters chainsaw: cost of a secondhand car but looks worth the price.!......

I would buy a 13" if it was offered again. They aren't easy to come by on the used market these days.

why on earth would Makita not want to make money? Are they just sitting on their hands waiting for everyone in north america to get so hard up for this saw that when they do finally offer it, everybody will go out and buy three. Of course that is probably the case now. it just doesn't make any sense that they wouldn't want to sell their finest tools. it seems that their entire product line is going through some kind of up grade. Why leave this out? The rest of the world has a leg up on us. what gives?

thoroughly confused
Bloveland

It's probaly expesive to add support for a new product. New manuals, spare parts, UL Certification, etc. If the volume looks low, then they probably can;t justify it. Just my $.02

CB.

Has the cause of the 13" saw gone the way of the dodo? do we need to start a petition? organize a sit in? beg? plead? cry???
America is in dire need of a better large saw that doesn't cost you your 1st born (ehem...Mafell)
but seriously, what would it take to persuade Makita to spread the love.
Bloveland

I was looking for a 13" last summer/fall and couldn't find one. I found it easier to handle than the 16" when I tried it. I couldn't find one and I think I even sent an email to Makita. So I ended up buying a used 16" even though it's not my preferred.