As I remodel the house, I continue to learn.
I’ve had a ‘homeowner’ quality circular saw for some time. I never liked using it; the base seemed flimsy, the depth stop was unrelaible, it seemed awkward to handle.
I also have a cordless ‘panel saw,’ one of those downsized circular saws. I had thought there was plenty of blade there for cutting most common plywood. Well, there might be enough blade, but there’s neither horsepower or batery life for any but the smallest cuts. Panel saws are limited to 1/4″ panels, which they handle fine.
I’m looking at the occasional cutting of minor framing lumber (2×8 and smaller), as well as cutting into 1-3/4″ of wood flooring. A layer of red oak over a board subfloor. It was time for a new saw.
I chose the Makita Hypoid saw. Think of it as ‘Skilsaw lite.’ Not quite a worm drive, but plenty of power and a solid base. Yesterday was my chance to use it.
There was plenty of power to cut through the flooring. As I started the plunge cuts, the blade might stall- but there was no noticeable kick-back of the saw. The saw cut the flooring without working up a sweat. The baseplate had no trouble following my guide, and the saw progressed through the cuts in a solid, steady manner.
Once I had the rough opening made – I was making an access hatch for the crawl space – I wanted to make another series of cuts around the opening. These cuts would only cut through the red oak flooring, leaving the sub-floor to act as a flange for the new hatch cover to rest on. I found the depth setting to be easy to set and sure.
Cutting plywood, it was exceptionally easy to follow my cut line. The saw just sailed through 3/4″ oak plywood.
The saw comes with a ‘just right’ length of cord. The blade that came with the saw is excellent. My only gripe is that the tool did not come with even a tool bag. That you have to get on your own. There’s a Makita bag that will fit, but you’re not referred to it anywhere.
Now, I’m aware that FHB has repeatedly reviewed this saw, and preferred the SkilSaw ‘worm’ to it. I won’t fault their review. I chose this saw specifically because it was not ‘quite as much saw’ as the SkilSaw, yet more than the usual sidewinder.
A solid ‘thumbs up’ for the tool.
Replies
There was a pro framer who hung around here in the pre-apocalypse days, I forget his name now, but I remember he loved that saw.
My Makita is ??? years old.
Don't remember the model number and will have to go through the snow to my van to check, not now, but my worm drive Makita is amazing and solid!! I bought it because it has an electric brake. High torque and a little heavy, it cuts through wood fast and clean. It is probably 10 years old and still excellent!! It is used hard since I do a lot of demo. I have other saws like an old Saw Cat, and an even older Rockwell, which both stay at the shop and only get moved about when they are in the way! (or if I am framing a roof). 5 stars!!!
I've got a carpenter - a real one, license andf all- making the framiong changes to the house. The other day we made good time, and started on work that we had not planned on.
Well, the blade on his 'worm' was toast, and we had but one cut left. One long cut, through 1-1/8 lumber subfloor covered with 3/4" oak flooring. I broke out the Makita, and he was quite happy with the results. Plenty of power and control - and, as usual, the Makita blade is first-rate.
Just for giggles, I also showed him the Milwaukee 7/16 cordless impact. Using a 1-3/4 "Selfeed" bit, I had him play with it on a scrap of 4x4. He's now a believer; no busted wrist from fighting a Hole Hawg. Even driving in at an angle was done with great control.