Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

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Onniscal
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Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#1 Post by Onniscal »

I'm looking to get a cordless circular saw, and since I've already committed to the Makita LXT system I'm obviously looking at the Makita saws. Wondering if anyone has used the 36v 7.25 saw and if I should go with that over the 28v brushless 6.5 saw? Pros and cons of both saws?
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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#2 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

I can't speak to either from personal experience. For cutting plywood I use an 18v Porter-Cable, and it's fine. The blade is more important than the saw. I wouldn't go with something that uses a different battery than what I already have.

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Rune Bivrin
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#3 Post by Rune Bivrin »

Do you in fact mean 18 volt, rather than 28 volt?

Anyway, I second Bill's opinion. 18 volt will be ample for cutting 1/2" plywood. Brushless gives you more per Ah, so that will make up a bit of the lower voltage.
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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#4 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Looking at the Makita site it looks like maybe the 36v uses two 18v batteries. If that's the case it would have more cutting power, which would be useful if used for thicker lumber. I've got a table saw and sliding compound miter saw for that, so my corded circular saws seldom see the light of day.

ketoet
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#5 Post by ketoet »

The 7.25 saw is more suited for cutting solid lumber like 2x4. It has a lot more torque and a bit more cutting depth. It's a bit heavier to because of that. The 6.5 saw is enough for cutting plywood or osb or ...
I personally have the Milwaukee versions so i can't speak of quality difference.

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Seth
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#6 Post by Seth »

They have adapters to use pretty much any brand battery on any other brand tools.

Could be helpful. Mention worthy.

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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#7 Post by jimbo7 »

Just to toss my 2 cents in, I just sold my Milwaukee 18v 6.5" (2630) circular saw for a Fuel 7.25" (2732) and couldn't be happier. The 6.5 couldn't cut balsa wood without bogging down, where as the 7.25 cut a 2x4 like it was made of butter. Even twisting the cut it didn't bog at all. Yeah it has more rpm and is brushless and a bigger blade, but it was night and day difference. Same battery, too. I was so disappointed in that saw. Now I'm just gonna go for the Fuel line.

I've only used Makita 1/2" impact at work, but they are some nut-busting power tools. We hammer on nuts till it stops turning and it'll still keep trying. And they 5ah battery lasts a long time doing it, too.
I see the circular saws are about the same spec wise, but why the need for 2 batteries? It would be tiring picking that up all day.

Whatever you choose just make sure it's brushless.
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Rune Bivrin
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#8 Post by Rune Bivrin »

A lot of the 36 volt tools will run on 18 volts with one battery, which keeps the weight down, albeit with less gusto. I recently purchased a Festool TSC 55 tracksaw which does just that. Yeah, it's pricey, but lovely. The included dust collection bag really works well, and that in combination with no mains cable is a beautiful thing. My previous tracksaw was a Makita SP6000, and I always seemed to snag the cable or the vacuum hose on the track. 18 volts is ample for 18 mm (3/4") Baltic birch plywood.

Just to re-iterate: The blade makes all the difference! Sharp and clean is a must!
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Chris_Allen
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#9 Post by Chris_Allen »

I have an 18v Makita and like it a lot, though, I've never cut ply with it as I have a table saw.

My mower and chainsaw are both 36v Makita and work well but aren't anywhere close to petrol.
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Re: Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

#10 Post by Bruce Weldy »

I use a table saw for almost all plywood cuts, but my cheap 18v Ryobi circular saw does just fine for 1/2" BB when I'm cutting down sheet goods to manageable size.

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