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Makita XSH01 36v Circular Saw

woodstockva

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Hey everybody :)

I just posted my review of the Makita 36v Circular Saw, and I have to say....this thing is impressive. The power and run time are unreal, and anyone could easily go all day on just one charge.

I did extensive run time testing on it using 2x4s and OSB, and coupled with various projects, have put in over 1,000 cuts with it so far. It has not overheated or stalled one time. It feels very smooth, and doesnt get bogged down if you push it through the wood quickly.

The 36v rating is made by using two of the 18v LXT batteries....and they are compatible with over 100 tools in the LXT lineup.

For anyone looking at switching over to cordless, this is going to be on the top of the list as far as run time/work completed will go.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VLrDFdr08IM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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ADSR

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I'm not watching this video for the simple fact that this saw is better than the 7 1/4 fuel. But i don't think the Chinese will let the Japanese beat them.

Your move, China.
 

Ign

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I'm not watching this video for the simple fact that this saw is better than the 7 1/4 fuel. But i don't think the Chinese will let the Japanese beat them.

Your move, China.

It just depends on your definition of better. It's got more run-time at the expense of more weight and cost (I don't know what MSRP is but 2 batteries are always more expensive than one). Are you swapping batteries in a DAY with the Fuel? Seems to me the Fuel will last most guys on a jobsite the entire day, am I wrong? If I'm right, you charge batteries at night so I don't see an advantage to the Makita.

edit: plus w the Makita you GOTTA have 4 batteries minimum to make what I'd consider a viable kit for real-world hot swapping of batteries. Generally a useful kit is tool plus 2 batteries: one on the tool, one charged in reserve. You can't run the Makita to dead and then say sorry boss, my saw went forever but now I gotta stop while both batteries charge. And if you're pulling both at night to charge BUT the Fuel will get you to night also, where's the advantage?
 
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chrisexv6

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It just depends on your definition of better. It's got more run-time at the expense of more weight and cost (I don't know what MSRP is but 2 batteries are always more expensive than one). Are you swapping batteries in a DAY with the Fuel? Seems to me the Fuel will last most guys on a jobsite the entire day, am I wrong? If I'm right, you charge batteries at night so I don't see an advantage to the Makita.

edit: plus w the Makita you GOTTA have 4 batteries minimum to make what I'd consider a viable kit for real-world hot swapping of batteries. Generally a useful kit is tool plus 2 batteries: one on the tool, one charged in reserve. You can't run the Makita to dead and then say sorry boss, my saw went forever but now I gotta stop while both batteries charge. And if you're pulling both at night to charge BUT the Fuel will get you to night also, where's the advantage?

This.

4 batteries is an awful lot to have just for a circ saw. I went through 8 years of a NiCD set with 3 batteries across 9 different tools.

It would have been nice if the saw could run on a single battery as well (not even sure if "multi voltage" is a possibility or not), just at the expense of power and runtime.

While Im not a pro, Id think most work that requires this much saw would be better off done with a corded worm drive.
 

ADSR

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Seriously. WTH is wrong with these companies!? :headscrat

Most people are right handed. I want the M18 7-1/4", but same dumb **** with that one.

all sidewinders are like that. Worms are on the other side, which i find odd.
 

ADSR

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It just depends on your definition of better. It's got more run-time at the expense of more weight and cost (I don't know what MSRP is but 2 batteries are always more expensive than one). Are you swapping batteries in a DAY with the Fuel? Seems to me the Fuel will last most guys on a jobsite the entire day, am I wrong? If I'm right, you charge batteries at night so I don't see an advantage to the Makita.


On the jobsite, i'd use 4 4.0 batteries a day in my 6 1/2 fuel. My 36v Dewalt 7 1/4 would use 2 and has much more power, and was only 1.5lbs heavier.
 

Ign

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On the jobsite, i'd use 4 4.0 batteries a day in my 6 1/2 fuel. My 36v Dewalt 7 1/4 would use 2 and has much more power, and was only 1.5lbs heavier.

Ok, thank you!

So you'd have to have the same number of batteries but only do one swap per day, theoretically.
 

ADSR

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Ok, thank you!

So you'd have to have the same number of batteries but only do one swap per day, theoretically.

yeah pretty much. But the torque of the 36v lets me cut much quicker. And this dewalt 36v is pretty old technology.
 

amac70

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all sidewinders are like that. Worms are on the other side, which i find odd.

this is not true, makitas 6 1/2" cordless 18v saw the blade is on "right" side the left. Im not a homeowner i want to be able to see what im cutting. Its weird to me that they would change blade side on bigger saw. And my 61/2 will not run all day. i currently rotate through 5 batteries.
 
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ADSR

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this is not true, makitas 6 1/2" cordless 18v saw the blade is on "right" side the left. Im not a homeowner i want to be able to see what im cutting. Its weird to me that they would change blade side on bigger saw. And my 61/2 will not run all day. i currently rotate through 5 batteries.

Been a framer for 12 years. I don't use makita. Right side blade is all we get up here. No one uses worms. I have 10 4.0 batteries for my rotation. :beer:
 

Todd.Brock

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Do you frame strictly with cordless saw? I suppose so if you have 10 in the rotation? I had a ryobi 18v 6" circ saw that was a total POS. ( I know it's not a Fuel... Bless his name) I have been somewhat gun shy to even consider it a viable tool for the cost /usefulness. I agree burnin 2 batts at a time is going to keep your charger in peak condition!
 

ADSR

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Do you frame strictly with cordless saw? I suppose so if you have 10 in the rotation?


Depends where i am. Working up on scaffolding and being able to move around without a cord is a blessing. I can move from one set of frames to another set without having to reconfigure my cut station. Also, on new construction, sparky usually only gives you a couple plugs and you have to fight with other trades for them.

That being said, i've build cabins where there is no power at all. Running a genset all day long is noisey and other trades are using it as well. I love all my fuel tools, but the fuel 6.5 isn't as good as i thought it was in the beginning. The 36v dewalt still gets a workout.
 

dutchgray

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The main advantage of this twin battery system is you get 36v grunt with the 18v batteries you already have loads of if your a Makita user. It makes the most sense to someone who needs a big cordless saw, but isn't using it a lot, if you use one all day you may as well have a straight 36v and dedicated batteries for it.
 

ADSR

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You mean all corded sidewinders are on the right? They're not.

Sal, i own saws with blades on both sides. Corded and cordless. I'm saying the majority of sidewinders have the blade on the right hand side from the users perspective. I'm right handed, like most of the world. And when building houses i like to work within 1/16. So if i need to take a hair off a stud, the bigger part of the table rests on the lumber. If you have a left blade saw, when you try and take a hair off, you only have 1 1/2 of table on the lumber.

I'm not saying either way is wrong, i'm just stating what i prefer. And from what's coming out in the way of cordless saws, looks like my way is the prefered way.
 

sam.coll

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Sal, i own saws with blades on both sides. Corded and cordless. I'm saying the majority of sidewinders have the blade on the right hand side from the users perspective. I'm right handed, like most of the world. And when building houses i like to work within 1/16. So if i need to take a hair off a stud, the bigger part of the table rests on the lumber. If you have a left blade saw, when you try and take a hair off, you only have 1 1/2 of table on the lumber.

I'm not saying either way is wrong, i'm just stating what i prefer. And from what's coming out in the way of cordless saws, looks like my way is the prefered way.


Agree 100%, all the saws I have seen here in NZ have always had blade on right hand side, except Milwaukee 18v.
 

FMC1959

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From the cutter's perspective, all the worm/hypoid I've ever seen, blade is on the right. Most traditional sidewinders, blade is on the right. Most cordless, blade is on the left.

Pros & cons to both, I can't pick one as the overall best (IMO).
 
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