The Short Answer
The Makita 2705 makes sense when you want a straightforward, shop-leaning table saw and do not want the ownership burden that comes with a bigger cabinet saw. It does not make sense when a small footprint or quick storage matters more than a planted cutting platform.
The middle ground is the important part. This model sits between lightweight portable saws and heavier enclosed saws, so the buyer gets more stability than a compact jobsite unit without taking on the full shop commitment of a cabinet saw.
What that means in practice:
- Good fit: garage shops, part-time woodworking spaces, and buyers who leave the saw set up.
- Trade-off: more sweeping, more checking, and more exposure to dust than an enclosed saw.
- Poor fit: shared garages, cramped basements, and projects that require constant transport.
What This Analysis Is Based On
This is a buyer-fit analysis, not a hands-on verdict. The useful questions here are simple ones: does the saw fit the space, does it ask for too much upkeep, and does the used-market risk stay manageable?
For a table saw, the hidden cost sits in ownership friction. A saw that cuts acceptably on paper still becomes annoying if the fence drifts, the safety pieces are incomplete, or the base and feed area do not match the workspace.
The practical checks that matter most are:
- how much floor space the saw occupies once set up
- whether your shop has room for infeed and outfeed
- how much dust and debris the design leaves behind
- whether replacement parts and accessories are easy to trace
- whether the machine arrives complete, especially on a used listing
Safety belongs in that same list. A table saw demands the manual, proper blade guarding, push sticks, eye protection, hearing protection, and a setup that keeps sheet goods supported. The annoyance cost rises fast when any of those pieces are missing.
Who the Makita 2705 Fits Best
Garage shops that stay put
The Makita 2705 fits a garage shop where the saw stays in roughly the same place and feed support lives nearby. That setup keeps the machine from feeling like a chore every time a board comes out.
The trade-off is space discipline. A contractor-style saw takes more room than a compact portable saw, and that matters the moment the same floor also handles cars, storage, or a workbench that never moves.
Used-tool buyers who inspect before paying
This saw makes sense on the used market when the listing shows a complete machine with the fence, guard system, and key accessories intact. A complete older saw is a tool. A stripped older saw is a parts project.
That difference matters more than the badge name. Missing hardware, worn fence parts, or questionable alignment erase the value of an otherwise solid-looking saw.
Buyers moving up from a lightweight portable saw
The 2705 suits a buyer who is tired of a small portable saw feeling cramped during longer rips or repetitive shop cuts. The larger, more planted format lowers some of the annoyance that comes from tiny tables and lighter support.
The penalty is convenience. A bigger saw brings more cleanup, more setup discipline, and less casual mobility than the smaller saw it replaces.
What this model does not solve:
- tight storage space
- frequent transport
- premium dust containment
Where Makita 2705 Needs More Context
The biggest question is not whether the 2705 works as a table saw. It is whether a specific example is complete enough to own without turning into a service project.
That matters especially with older contractor-style saws. A clean fence and intact safety hardware make the saw feel straightforward. A missing guard, a rough adjustment mechanism, or a fence that does not lock cleanly turns the purchase into a hunt for parts and patience.
Open-frame contractor saws also leave more dust exposed to the room than enclosed cabinet saws. That means more cleanup on the floor and around the stand, which becomes a real ownership burden in a shared garage or a small shop. The annoyance does not show up on day one, it shows up after a few work sessions.
The other point that deserves attention is parts and accessory traceability. Before buying, check Makita parts diagrams, current accessory listings, and any included extras in the sale. A saw that seems cheap at listing time loses its appeal fast if the missing pieces are hard to replace.
What to Compare the Makita 2705 Against
The Makita 2705 sits in the middle of the table-saw spectrum. A newer folding jobsite saw beats it for portability and storage. A cabinet saw beats it for dust control, rigidity, and a more permanent shop feel.
| Alternative | Where it wins | Where the Makita 2705 wins | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newer folding jobsite saw | Stores faster, moves easier, works better in shared spaces | Feels more planted, suits a more permanent workspace | Users who pack up after each session |
| Cabinet saw | Better dust control, stronger shop permanence, less cleanup exposure | Smaller footprint and lighter ownership burden | Dedicated shops with space to spare |
| Compact portable saw | Lowest storage burden and easiest carry | More comfortable for repeat shop work and larger support needs | Very small spaces and occasional use |
The simplest comparison anchor is a newer folding jobsite saw. That option wins whenever the saw has to disappear after use. The Makita 2705 wins when the saw stays out and the buyer wants fewer compromises in working posture and support.
Makita 2705 Buying Checklist
Use this as the final screen before buying:
- The saw will live in one main workspace.
- There is room for infeed and outfeed, not just the saw itself.
- You accept more cleanup than a cabinet saw leaves behind.
- You are buying a complete example, not a stripped one.
- Fence condition and safety hardware are part of the inspection.
- Frequent transport is not part of the plan.
- You want a straightforward contractor-style saw more than a convenience-heavy portable one.
If three or more of those answers are no, move on. The 2705 is not the easiest ownership path, and it rewards buyers who match the machine to the shop before they buy.
Final Verdict
Buy the Makita 2705 if you want a contractor-style table saw for a garage or semi-permanent shop and you value a more planted setup over maximum portability. It fits buyers who are willing to inspect a used example carefully and keep up with the normal upkeep that comes with an open, shop-oriented saw.
Skip it if you need a saw that folds away quickly, stores in a tight corner, or keeps dust and cleanup burden at the absolute minimum. A newer folding jobsite saw fits that buyer better. A cabinet saw fits a buyer who wants a permanent machine and accepts the extra footprint.
The clear recommendation is simple: choose the Makita 2705 for a shop that leaves the saw in place. Pass on it for a space that changes shape every session.
What to Check for makita 2705 table saw review
| Check | Why it matters | What changes the advice |
|---|---|---|
| Main constraint | Keeps the guidance tied to the actual decision instead of generic tips | Size, timing, compatibility, policy, budget, or skill level |
| Wrong-fit signal | Shows when the default advice is likely to disappoint | The reader cannot meet the setup, maintenance, storage, or follow-through requirement |
| Next step | Turns the guide into an action plan | Measure, compare, test, verify, or choose the lower-risk path before committing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Makita 2705 a good used table saw?
Yes, if the example is complete and the moving parts, fence, and safety hardware check out cleanly. A used 2705 with missing pieces or obvious wear turns into a parts-and-adjustment project, not a straightforward buy.
What is the biggest drawback of this saw?
The biggest drawback is ownership friction, not raw cutting identity. It asks for more cleanup and more setup attention than an enclosed cabinet saw, and that burden shows up quickly in a shared garage or small shop.
Does the Makita 2705 fit a small garage?
It fits a small garage only if the saw stays positioned for use and you have room for feed support. If the garage also handles parking, storage, or other projects, a folding jobsite saw fits the space better.
What should be inspected before buying one?
Inspect the fence lock, safety hardware, throat plate, miter gauge, visible wear, and the condition of any included stand or mobile base. A complete saw with ordinary cosmetic wear belongs ahead of a cleaner-looking listing with missing parts.
Is a cabinet saw a better choice than the Makita 2705?
Yes, if dust control, rigidity, and permanence matter more than portability or footprint. No, if the shop space is limited and you want a simpler ownership burden without moving up to a full cabinet-saw setup.
See Also
If you are weighing this model, also compare it with Bahco Pruning Saw Review: What to Know Before You Buy, Cat Cordless Drill Review: Power, Runtime, and Trade-Offs for Workshop, and Husqvarna Battery Chainsaw Review: Buyer Fit and Trade-Offs.
For broader context before you decide, SawStop Contractor Saw Review: Buyer Fit and Trade-Offs and Best Portable Power Stations for Power Tools in 2026 help round out the trade-offs.