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Makita cordless circular saw (36v?)

King Nothing

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Aug 7, 2016
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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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usa#1

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Jul 30, 2008
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I have the 36 volt (2 battery) saw. The one with the blade on the right side. It has a lot of power and cuts like a corded model. I don't like the blade on the right saws, so I'm getting ready to buy the newly released 36 volt model with the blade on the left. I also have the 18v 6.5 brushless saw. Its a very good saw in my opinion.
 

mike93lx

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I'd get the lighter one then. No real need for the extra power and 6.5" will cut 2x material in one pass no problem.
 

tgb

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Southeast Iowa
I have the 6.5 saw and it is excellent, can't frame a house with it but for homeowner duty it is all you really need
 
OP
K

King Nothing

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I just kind of wondered for basically the same price if I wouldn't be better off with the heavier duty tool


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KnurledNut

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I have the 6.5 saw and it is excellent, can't frame a house with it but for homeowner duty it is all you really need

Do you have the new brushless version?

It is night and day difference over the previous models.

With a few 5ah/6ah batteries in rotation and a dual charger, one could easily cut up a whole house package.

To the OP, the 6-1/2 would probably be your best bet. If it was a professional setting, i would say get the new BL rear handle 7-1/4.
 
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Voi

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Oct 10, 2010
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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 18v brushless 6.5 saw? Pros and cons of both saws?

In the same boat OP - just bought into the LXT system and would like a circular saw.

I've seen 5.5" thick Douglas Fir glulams cut with the 6.5" brushed Dewalt saw. Obviously didn't get through in one pass or even four passes and had to finish the cut with a reciprocating saw but it handled it fine. The brushless Makita should be at least that good.

I don't want the rear handle arrangement of the newly released Makita X2 so I'll will decide between the two saws you're considering.

Despite the fact that I've done most of my cutting over the years with the typical right blade CS I think I'll get the 6.5" saw for convenient quick cuts and for better sight line of the blade.

Have you used both right and left blade saws?

I do like the sight line of a left blade saw but I have gotten used to how the wide part of the shoe of a right blade saw is supported by the "keep side" when making the typical cut. I also like a right blade for some overhead work and for cutting up against an edge guide.

I would focus more on that than blade size or total voltage. If you were unaware of the newly released X2 left blade saw it's basically the same setup of the typical worm drive saw.
 

CGT80

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Aug 29, 2014
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Do you have the new brushless version?

It is night and day difference over the previous models.

With a few 5ah/6ah batteries in rotation and a dual charger, one could easily cut up a whole house package.

To the OP, the 6-1/2 would probably be your best bet. If it was a professional setting, i would say get the new BL rear handle 7-1/4.

The cordless saws can be very capable. I have the Milwaukee V28 6.5" and used it for 8+ years as a pro and did small framing jobs with it. A full time framer might not like it, but I did many types of jobs at many locations, often without power right where I would have needed it.

The new brushless tools should be even better than the old V28 stuff, but mine are still kicking. The blade on the left is priceless and light weight is good, especially for someone who may not be used to slinging around a heavy saw or using one all the time. In my case, lighter is almost always better and the same goes for my competition guns.......then again I have some neck and back issues that can really slow me down.
 

IndyGarage

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Apr 29, 2010
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I read some reviews of the 36V saw that weren't really complimentary. Most of them said it was really heavy and bulky.

I use the normal 18V saw with a 6.5 inch blade - works great for me. I cut a bunch of treated 2x6's with it the other day - it struggled a bit when I tilted the blade to 45 degrees, but it still cut the lumber. I can't imagine needing more for home use.
 

engineer2

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Dec 13, 2009
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Chicago burbs
I have the 18v 6.5 brushless saw. Very nice because it is light and portable. Rugged too. Dropped it off a ladder to no ill-effect. Perfect saw to grab if you just need to cut a few pieces of lumber. For bigger jobs use a 5 Ahr battery. Built my shed using this saw (among other tools). I haven't used my worm-drive since getting this saw.
 

icecold13

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Jan 23, 2017
Messages
7
I like my 6.5 hasn't let me down yet. Even used it for some light demo work. I initially had mixed feelings on the power and the blade on the left compared to my corded models but it's my go to saw now.
 

usdemt

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Nov 1, 2010
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South Dakota
When I bought my house most of my tools where packed into a trailer but I had all of my cordless stuff. I sheeted the whole garage with my non brushless 18v Makita 6.5 saw. Mind you it was a 3 stall garage that I was sheeting the entire interior with 7/16 OSB. The ceiling was also way out of square so I was ripping 4 or 8 ft at a time and using my Makita impact to drive the screws. I have 5 or 6 batteries but I only really used 3 as the charger kept up with both the saw and the impact. Occasionally both would die close together and I would grab another but I only had one charger with that set.

I consider myself a very heavy user of my cordless tools for a hobbyist and I see no reason for myself to get the 36v. Hell even when I did construction full time I didnt run corded saws any harder then I was running those two tools that day.
 
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