I have always used Makita saws, mainly because most builders around here do, so parts and service are readily available. About 4 years ago I decided to take FHB’s advice and bought their well recommended Porter Cable. Maybe I’m rough on tools, but the dust port went pretty quickly, followed by the depth and bevel adjustment. Last week was smoke and sparks, so I am in the the market for a replacement.
I know there have been discussions on this before and everyone has their favorites, but I am specifically interested in:
The Makita 5007MG which has nice lever adjustments, the benefits of local service and a strong base.
The Bosch CS20 which also has nice adjustments, a bit suspect composite base, and has no cord – you plug an extension cord into it. This is a big feature for me as I have regularly severe the wires ( no lectures please…)
I’d really appreciate imput from anyone who has used these saws.
Replies
Get a Milwaukee so you don't need to worry about parts and service.
But it does sound like you are darn hard on a saw.
I like my PC, but I did crack the plastic top handle dropping it on concrete from a stepladder.
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I've always been a Makita guy too. Recently bought the MG and while I'm happy overall, there's definitely a learning curve.
The 5007NB's I used for 2 decades feel like an extension of my arm. With the MG, I now feel like I'm wearing a very thick glove.
The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Thanks for the heads up. I was hoping the MG was just a better NB. The thick glove thing sounds a bit off-putting. Once you get used to it is it ok?
Yea, but I still like the originals better.
Funny thing, I always thought the first gen. Dewalt saws were Makita copies.
The Mag feels like a damn Dewalt copy!The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
I have always used Makita saws, mainly because most builders around here do, so parts and service are readily available.
@@@
Would you be on the right coast or middle, where the saw blades are on the right side?
On the left coast it's the Skill 77, blade left. Have that and the Bosch version with direct connect. Bosch has more features. Skill has better feel.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Whichever you choose, stay away from the CS20's. I bought three of them a couple years ago when they first came out for my crew. It took six months to have all of them out of service. Way too much plastic on them... the was the biggest problem... parts falling off of them.
No one seems to have a much good to say about either of my choices. What are you using now?
I must tell you I'm supprised about the PC. I have used it commercially on and off for 10 years and it is still one of my favorites. Durable, accurate and light. I recently boutght the bosch wormdrive. Nice saw. I am careful with the tools I use so I don't beat the death out of them but I build custom homes in the Phoenix market and the guys working for me grab my saw over any other on the sight. if I let them.
"
It may have been an individual thing. I dropped it off a roof and in return it chewed the end off a couple of my fingers. For some reason we never warmed to each other.
Perhaps a Milwaukee with quick loc cord would help with the cord issue- I have read some people here do not seem to think much of the Bosch cord system.
had the old makita for years and hated it for just as long...
swore I would never by anouther makita circular saw...
time came to buy anouther, was thinking Milwaukee or Bosch...
ended up with the makita mg...
much better than the old one....
angle detents are a nice touch ,as well as the levers for angle/depth
have good ergonomics...
regards
I used Makita for years. Good saw for sure, But I hated the base plates. The saws were a dream to use when new, but as soon as the soft base plates got bent out of shape ( which was inevitable) they were just never the same.
I've got sereral Dewalt saws I prefer over the old makitas. The New Makitas look pretty nice though. View Image View Image
I ended up getting the new Makita too, which after the few cuts I've made seems really nice. I think the heavy glove feel DavidHawks mentioned might just be the difference in weight. The MG is 10 lbs and the old ones were 7 1/2 lbs.
Couldn't even find the Bosch with cord management. Two stores told me it was discontinued. I guess the smart thing would be to stop cutting it. We'll see.
Thanks to everyone for their advice.
Have you figured out why the left-rear corner of the base-plate is clipped off at an angle? If so, please enlighten me.
Enjoy your new saw. My glove is getting thinner every day <G>.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
For good visibility when sawing backwards?
I just picked up one of my guys saws yesterday and saw that new baseplate detail. I was in the middle of conversation and didn't think too hard about it. Now that I'm thinking about it, without seeing it again, I think I can offer one guess. Thinking back to my saws and how beat up they used to get, I remembered that the rear back corner was always bent up. Most likely from dropping the saw from a somewhat standing position. There may be other reasons why it got bent upwards. It might have something to do with eliminating unecessary drag. The friction of the plate often makes the saw feel like it has a dull blade. Spraying the baseplate with a lubricant or wax often makes the blade feel sharper. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I just picked up one of my guys saws yesterday and saw that new baseplate detail.
Come-on Blue, tell the truth, you were thinking about cutting that damn thing off weren't you?
Old habits die hard
Doug
No, I didn't have to cut it off because Frank already did. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
My thought as well Jim. Pick up any of my old demo saws (especially the Makitas), and that corner of the base is curled up slightly--or more.
It's the largest portion of unsupported base on any saw so it would stand to reason that it's gonna be the first to give.
I noticed it wasn't just the Makita saws that were sporting that "feature".
Thanks for your .02The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
I'm thinking that the engineers tried to beef the plate up enough to keep it from curling and had to add too much bulk or weight. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
If that's the case, they picked a good spot to "shave" weight.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Atrer reading your response, I looked at my old Porter Cable and sure enough the back left corner is bent.
"The MG is 10 lbs and the old ones were 7 1/2 lbs."
the 5740NB weighs 7.7 lbs but is only a 10.5 amp saw. Which is only one of many of the "old" models. The 15 amp saws weigh in a couple pounds more. View Image View Image
I did wonder. A 7 lbs saw would feel like a toy. It does feel heavier than my Porter Cable though, but my bathroom scales aren't sensitive enough to measure the difference.
Makita had/has saws both 13 and 15 amp range, I don't know if the weight is much different between the two. I've heard people boast how light the makitas are, but if you find the specs you will see that it is not the lightest saw. But the difference is that the saw is well balanced, which makes a difference. View Image View Image
Fingers
I have had 2 Makita 5007. 1st one had a steel base and was very light weight. I wish it still worked.
The 2nd one had a aluminum base that was always getting bent. I couldn't trust the angle guide. I would always have to use a square to get it back to 90 degrees. and the both angle and height adjustments were very sticky. I used my hammer butt alot. Still runs and we use it for rough work.
3rd saw was the new version of the 5007 with the nice rubber tips on the adjustment levers and went past 45 degrees. Same aluminum plate, same problems. I ended up putting a shim under the motor to keep it square. Still runs.
But Makitas have the best smoothest motors, bar none.
The I bought a PC. Took it back the same day.
Then a Dewalt that we still use. It'sangle and depth adjustments are smooth and reliable but the motor sounds like bad bearing after you turn it off.
Then I found a Bosch for $100. After the aluminum base I like the composite. The motor is fine and the adjustments work well. I put a 15 ft cord on it and I like that because I can run power out to the work station and then slit off under the sawhorses. With a 15 ft cord I can work on all the way around without binding.
I have looked at the Milwaukee but they feel heavy. Other Milwaukee tools I have run forever.
Rich
fin...............Seriously look for a Milwaukee "Tilt Lok"...
Ever consider going over to the dark side and getting a worm drive? I grew up in New England and never even heard of or laid eyes on a worm drive. Got a Bosch 1677MD worm drive a few years ago .......... love it. Still have my PC 347 and 345 sidewinders. They'll get pulled out if dust collection is an issue but that's not too often.
Edited 1/13/2008 11:25 am ET by jc21
I did think about it. One of the things I am doing as I push through my mid-forties is trying to reduce the weight of all my tools. No more Fat Max tapes or big Eastwings in my belt. I imagined cutting overhead with a worm drive and thought again.
Worm drives seem to be big in certain areas. I have never seen one in a store or on a site here. Funny, as everyone like you who uses one raves about them.
Milwaukee has been good to me. I owned a Bosch for one day and returned it. I thought the composite base was a bit to cheesy, it actually flexed when I pressed against it.