Dan:

I agree that the lock seems like a bad idea. But what is the criterion for deciding if it's crazy for any tool to have such a lock? The lock seems to make perfect sense for a 3HP router or an electric drill to allow them to be used in modes other than hand held. To me, the reason it seems so dumb is that these big Makitas are so underpowered to begin with that they'd make a pretty lousy table saw. --- 16 inch blade with a 13 amp. motor is OK when you are feeding the saw into the work, but not vise versa.