I’m thinking of buying a 10″ sidewinder. I’ve used the bigfoot,,and for some reason find it a bit hard to use. I’m leaning towards the new makita:http://www.makita.ca/index.php?event=tool&id=633&catid=24
I have the new 8 1/4 and apart from grinding back the motor mount not to go further than the baseplate in the lowest (3″) position,, find it a great saw. I love the LED light!
Anyone have the 10″ makita newer model? I’m doing timberframing,, but acutally am finding the bigger saws handy in renos,, but only sometimes!
dave
Replies
I've never seen that Makita 10" saw.
It looks alot better than either the Bigfoot or the Milwaukee.
Nice base, nice grips, same amps, and great price.
I say go for it.
I don't have a 10" circular saw. I want one, but just cannot fully justify it yet. Still I always keep my eyes open for what is available so that I know what to get when the need arises. That said, I would get the Makita.
DC
I like that it looks like the front handle is part of the base plate!
I'd be looking at whether it comes with soft-start.
Back in my condo framing days in Colorado, I spent a winter once using Makita's big 16" ( I think that was the size) for timbers on stairs and porches.
it was hard to control the torque on start-up with that powerful motor jump-starting that large heavy blade in a fairly light-weight saw. so after three months I ended up with some pretty terrible tendonitis in my right elbow and wrist.
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The newest version of that Makita (green version, not the brown one...) doesn't have that bad of a kickback at startup.I had a new one for a while and it suprised me how smooth it was. Not at all like a Mag77 worm 7 1/4 saw.Not sure if it had sofstart though...JT
The MAKITA 5103R has soft start, not sure if it available in the US, I am based in the UK and thinking of buying one.I have just put in a tender on a barn conversion, if i get the job I will be buying the saw.
Edited 6/15/2009 4:07 pm ET by UKchippie
I have the 5104 10 1/4 it has been used only a few times ,but like most of my Makita tools has perfoormed quite admirably. It is an 1800 watt tool they make another I think slightly less powerful model.
The 5103R has a 2100 watt motor
".....has a 2100 watt motor."what does that mean in real numbers? ;-)Funny how UK and others use watts, but americans use amps. So is that 2100W / 120V = 17.5AThis side of the lake, that'd be pretty extreme; you'd have to be careful where you plug it in.DC
We use 240v in our homes and all power tools are available in 240v, for site work 110v is the norm but does mean carrying round a transformer to drop the voltage down. i made a choice a few years ago to stick to 240v as i run my own business and only work on smaller scale projects such as house renovation, extension and conversion and do not work on large sites for other contractors
.
So 2100w / 240v = 8.75A
Have not seen that for sale here, will have to check further in to upgrading, thanks!
Ah the 16" beam cutter. As a young guy back in the day, I couldn't what to use that makita monster. It was awsome and terrifying at the same time!
Thanks for the feedback! I just realized that the 10" is more than twice the price of the 8 1/4,, which was a pretty good deal at 210 or so cnd.
We have a 16 1/4 on site also. It is very well behaved. its new last summer. I've used an old porter cable same size and it made me put a lump in my pants!
dave