I played around with the 305mm 36v mitre saw that was fitted with a thin Efficut blade at Makita's Roadshow. Pink SG8 290mm x 45mm was the cutting sample. It handled a combined mitre & bevel cut smoothly without bogging down. No deflection and straight cut. I was really impressed. However, you have to remember it was a nice dry timber. Weight wise, both models are heavy as. The new 305mm model comes with sturdier support bars.