My New Saw

shed-n-deck

I went and bought a Makita Hypoid circular saw yesterday morning. They had them at Home Depot for $129, and Lowes for $139, so I bought it at Lowes and had them do a price match, so I got it for $116. I couldn't pass it up at that price, and I'm glad I didn't. I've been a Skil fan for years, but I've never used a saw that eats through lumber nearly as easy as the Hypoid saw does. I don't know, maybe the stock blade it came with has something to do with it, but I've used good blades before, and nothing like this saw.

I had to rip a 2x4 into 2, and this saw didn't even slow down. I resheeted a roof today, stacked 6 sheets of OSB and ripped 'em down the middle, saw didn't hesitate a bit. Anyhow, I'm quite impressed with this saw. I don't know what the difference between Hypoid and worm drive are, but they say that Hypoid gears will outlast worm gears. I'm a fan.

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Shed

A W Smith

In a true worm drive the drive or motor gear is a simple spiral which engages the driven gear which has radial teeth like in a clock or watch. In a hypoid drive the drive gear is a 45 degree cone shaped pinion with the teeth engaging the driven ring gear at a 45 degree angle. An automotive differential ring and pinion is a hypoid gear configuration.

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Al Smith
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dougger222

I just picked up a Mikita for $99 at Menards on sale from $129. I showed it to my Dad and he quickly pointed to the Mikita Japan, made in China and said to bring it back. Luckily I didn't open it and he said he found my Milwaukee saw.

I mean the logo says Mikita Japan and the stupid thing isn't even made there it's made in China, pretty crazy!!! Let me guess the saw was 25 cents cheaper to make in China than in Japan?

Greg Di

My Bosch 1677 got a bent foot plate and rather than waiting for a new plate to arrive, I bought the new Makita Hypoid (not the one one HD has in stock).

Excellent fit and finish, much smoother motor sound than the Bosch. I have to cut a bunch of rafters tomorrow, so it'll get a work out.

I might get a bigfoot kit for the Bosch since the plate is shot and that's 9/10 of the Bigfoot system.

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ApgarNJ

did you buy the magnesium hypoid. i have an older dewalt corded saw that i have had for about 8 years and cut so much with it, and it won't die. lol. i really don't like it. it may just have to become my backup because those new makitas are a slick setup. i saw it a few weeks ago at my lumber yard.
i love my bigfoot 10 incher but it's not practical for most common cutting

Timuhler

I've got the Makita mag hypoid and only use it on rafters, stairs or exterior trim. I want that saw to last. I like it. It has a smooth motor, but I wish it had a diamond arbor.

shed-n-deck

I didn't know that it didn't have the diamond arbor. I haven't had to change the blade yet. The Makita I purchased isn't a mag, it's a bit on the heavy side, but I don't do enough cutting to fatigue my hands. I'd say it's roughly the same weight as the Skil sidewinder, maybe a few ounces heavier. As far as where it's made, I don't really care...There isn't much of anything anymore that you can buy that isn't made in China. Besides that, even if it says that it's made in America, that doesn't mean that it's made by Americans.

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Shed

PA woodbutcher

How is the "twist" on that saw? I have a Makita hyphoid that I got soomewhere in the 1988/89 range. Great saw and still cuts good, but has a a terrible twist on start up. I built a deck this last summer that I ended up cutting like 65 - 5 step stair stringers in one day. First time in a long time that I ended up with a blister on the palm of my hand from running a saw.

Greg Di

Yep, the magnesium one. I cut a small roof the other day with it and it's amazingly smooth. It's a pleasure to use because it's lighter and has a few more creature comforts on it compared to the Bosch. Don't get me wrong, I love my Bosch, but the Makita is a little more refined. I don't think it has "the balls" of the Bosch, but it still didn't hesitate cutting steep bevels in VERY wet doug fir. I paid $169 and it came with a free toolbelt that will get ebayed.

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Greg Di

The Bosch definitely has some serious motor reaction. The Makita Mag has some reaction, but not as much as the Bosch.

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shed-n-deck

There is no "twist" that is noticeable on the model that I purchased. When you start the saw, it's almost amazing at how smooth and silent it is. It screams like any other saw once the blade hits the wood, but until that point, it's nice and quiet.

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Shed

boman47k

I know this an old thread, but I am thinking of buying one of these saws. I was at HD getting rope and saw this saw, and it really caught my eye. I am needing to update some of my tools. Price 112.00 I think they claim the normal price is 199.00.

Comments?

Warren

I dont know what thickness of osb they use in Colorado but how could a 7 1/4 saw cut through 6 sheets? Thats probably 3 inches right?

hughjazz

up here we use 3/8" to sheath walls. I've done 6 myself.

rojigga

I mean the logo says Milwaukee and the stupid thing isn't even made there it's made in China, pretty crazy!!! Let me guess the saw was 25 cents cheaper to make in China than in Milwaukee?