18v is my favourite saw. Light and easy to carry. It could use a little more torque for when you bind the blade. Looks like it’s time for the 18v to get an update.
Finally. I've fallen to the blade left saws and lately only use the 260 mm beast for all things. It is wearing down my wrist one handed though. I would probably attach this tiny monster to my belt semi permanently.
The depth of cut on that new blade-left 40v saw is a huge balls up, I've been using my DHS680 on site for the last 6 years and my only gripes have been the ripping performance (power wise) and the depth of cut at 45 degrees. I'm gutted to see that only one of these issues have been fixed with the new saw.
I have the same saw but I only use mine for stuff at home and it's a great saw. If you been using it for 6 years that's impressive and I agree depth can be improved a bit.
@pauljohnson9326 yeah, my first saw ended up getting a new motherboard after it got very wet in a storm whilst I was cutting in some rafters, I then bought a second DHS680 after 5 years use and use it strictly got demolition work and when it's really wet out. Great little saws!
@lamdog24 the 40v power for ripping is much better than the 18v. But yeah, depth of cut on both isn't great. If you already have makita gear, go for the 40v one. If you're only starting to purchase tools... probably still get the 40v one haha im now using Hikoki 36v stuff and I love it, bit their circular saws aren't as refined as the makita stuff.
@@hamishrhodes5108 Yeah I have heaps of 18v but starting to get some 40v for certain tools that would benefit from the extra power like the circ saw and impact. Just can't decide between HS001G or HS012G. Just don't understand why the HS012G didn't have the same depth of cut.
I came up using mostly Skill 77s, so I'm a blade left guy. For me, the better visibility of the cut line more than offsets the material holding and dust on the user issues. No saw is perfect, but these are pretty amazing. Right or left, go with what works for you.
Yup, I have two of the 18v and I use one for finish work and the other one for rough frame, ripping is the only thing it can’t handle but slow cuts and new blades will do., I’ll save my money for the 40v once is available in the is
Just ordered one in the UK Coming next week My 680 is getting on a bit Spoken to a guy from Makita today a a tool fair. And he said the 40v xgt jigsaw is coming out in July. So will only need the multi tool to complete my set. 😊
I watched this video to see if it's worth selling my 18v and buying the 40v when I move. I'll just keep my 18v. The difference isn't so much for a hobbiest like me. I looove my my 18v
In the US, right and left blade were determined by west or east coast. Right blade saws generally were made east coast. And left hand/worn drive were west coast. I have pretty much only used cordless left blade saws over the last 15 years and that’s what I’m used to. My dad, since the 50’s/60’s has only used right hand blade. He can’t get used to left blade and I can’t get used to right blade(although there’s certain cuts a right blade would be better). I wonder how the rest of the world was introduced to circular saws…
Thanks for the history I always wondered why, but that’s strange so you’re saying out in California the blades for the same brand saw comes on the left-hand side for the 7 inch blades
I think I found the replacement to the Milwaukee M18 165. The Milwaukee is a good saw but one day it just stopped working. It turned out that dust in to the switch. And I found out after changing the switch.🤷
Blade under Left is the most efficient and awesome tool I have ever experienced. I cut moldings trim with that Makita 6 inch and a half blade that’s a change my whole career lol why they don’t make the 7 inch ones with the left-hand blade cause most people are right handed and when you use your speed square, it is way way more better and efficient to cut with.
I wish they had taken the opportunity to improve sight lines. It helps a lot when you bevel cut as a right handed user. It's been my only criticism of that 18v saw.
Can’t understand how people can use a right bladed saw, first time I tried to use one I’m like leaning over the saw trying to see the blade against the line, figured it was for lefties. Little did I know it was the opposite! Totally get that the saw is more supported on the timber. Great review as always thank you!
Prices and product for XGT finally Gett ng close for me to consider more than a few XGT, still have many 18V tools that are great, just wish they were backwards compatible batteries((40V) Just got the Hikoki/MetaboHPT Belt sander-luv it and it's much lighter and powerful and wider base than the Milwaukee and can be used with AC adapter(good option) Maybe a good tool test with cordless sanders Haven't seen one from Makita or DeWalt yet. AEG(Ridgid), Milwaukee, Kobalt, Hikoki ? Have one Maybe a t
I'm still on the brushed 18v but lacking "ripping" power where the 36v tacksaw can't cut. May skip the 18v brushless straight to this one. Love the versatility because of the size and as you say there's a tracksaw for anything requiring accuracy. The efficut blade supplied on the 36v tracksaw as stock gives an amazing finish and cuts so smoothly.
Has the depth of cut bar been upgraded? I've knocked my 18v off of a table before and bent the black bar with the depth measurements. After that, it just doesn't adjust smoothly at all. Hopefully the new bar is more robust! The right blade 40v (American version) is definitely better than the left blade 18v.
The balance of HS012 is more on the blade side compared to HS680, just picking up the saw from right hand, immediately have to counter the balance by twist clockwise, also the hand is more comfortable on HS680
With the new design to the rafter hook, can you still use it to pin the guard back? I think that’s one of the best “unintentional” features of the 18v saw
Would like to see a comparison between this and the 36 Volt, 7 1/4 inch saw. The one with the rear handle. Thats the one i use daily but now that i have 40v batteries im looking to switch up my daily driver
Total let down on the depth of cut. I wonder if you grind off that back metal would you achieve enough depth. The HS003 also has this on it too. I was guessing its to give the rear of the base something to sit on. So I wouldn't grind it too much. As much as I would like a smaller saw, I cant see myself having to cut 2x for a single 45' miter while framing. Shame because the HS003 is too large. Those extra base adjustments I also am not too sure about, My 18v is perfect for 10 years yet I can see this base always running out somehow
Hello. Love you channel from here over the ditch. I have recently started the swap from Hitachi to Makita. Which model Makita 18V circular saw would you recommend for indoor and outdoor DIY?
Watched a lot of your videos and need a recommendation. Have an old circular saw that need replacing, but doing mainly cabinetry at the moment. Makita plunge saws are so expensive, what would you recommendation be around circular saws either with a track base or the adapter? HS011 looks great, but big. The HS004 maybe, or is the an adapter option more desirable? Wondering if I'm missing something that plunge saws do that circular track saws can't. Seems almost like for like...
40v looks great and is definitely more powerful, though I expected that given the higher voltage and how old the 18v model is. I use the 18v and love it. For plywood and cross cutting lumber it works great and I use it almost exclusively unless I need the depth of cut with the rear handle 7-1/4”. Sure the 6-1/2” could use a little more power for ripping. Maybe Makita will give it a well deserved update?
It would be interesting to try the dewalt powerstack batteries on the 18v makita stuff using a badapter or something and see if it's just the batteries or the old motor technology holding the lxt back
Definitely a great idea to see the difference. though I believe both reasons why it's kinda weak because it's constructed this way, if makita(difficult to believe) would start making powerstack batteries on lxt line, there would be a reason to creat more powerful tools, but now it's all about standard 5ah battery which gives only 700wt unfortunately
I'm a leftie so I love all their blade-right stuff, but I can't imagine why they do so much blade-right stuff considering almost everyone globally is right-handed! Anyone??
It would please only people who own lxt tools🤣, but doesn't make any sense in general. I don't think I'll ever have xgt tools for myself but still glad makita started making more powerful tools to catch up with others. I believe if there will be powerstack batteries on 18v tools(sounds like a dream) makita would be able to significantly update the lxt line because now grinders, saws kinda fell behind.
Its really only the small things. Besides power and run time the 40v tools seem to come with the occasional quality of life improvement (like the base adjustment on this saw) Not intentional but the 18v drill driver is still better than the 40v as it seems to break quite easy
Ik like left more! You don't have to hang over thé machine to see what you are doing. It's so much better. The only have to make thé left hand sided for richt handed! Let the sawdust blow to te richt en not in your face or just to thé richt side so you can always see your blade en where you are cutting. Instead of hanging over thé machine to see wat you are doing.
Example if you are whriting a lettre if you are right handed. You keep you're head to thé left and just whrite so you can see what you do. What if i had to hang over te richt sicht of my richt hand tot see what i am whrite? Because there is a huge blokkage of thé motor in thé saw case and just can not see what i am doing. That is unnattural. So blade left side dust blow richt side and you can see everiting perfect! That's much more logic to me. Sorry for thé English. Gr Christophe from Belgium
