Just recently bought this saw, as in yesterday. Transitioning over from rigid line since Home Depot will no longer replace in store anymore. That takes the allure of rigid away for me. I have yet to use this saw for more than a couple of hours but noticed no such issue with the blade guard. I can say it blows away my older rigid octane tools. I use a deWalt corded saw at my saw station while building. I can say that I’m very confident this can fully replace my corded saw station.
After using and liking Makita corded saws for decades, I wanted to get on the Makita cordless platform but I didn't like the scrunched up feeling of this saw and the view down the left side of the blade was abysmal which as a carpenter is important , I went with Dewalt Flexvolt and am very pleased.
Love this saw.. I could live with the guard, my 30 plus yr makita corded does the same thing.. can’t stand left side saws being right handed they blow chips right in your face.. right side saws don’t 👍😊
File or grind the end of the blade guard at a closer to 90 degree angle or behind the blade there is a blade guard stop that you can shim by wrapping it with something to back off the guard just slightly allowing it to engage the wood smoothly.
Great video! And I love the attention to detail in this review. I will say, it's not difficult for a right handed person to use a right blade saw. They are not any different than a left blade saw. You can see the blade the same as you can on a left blade saw, because the blade is clearly visible at all times, from either side of the saw. They don't block the view of the blade, just because the blade is on the right side. The reason you use a right blade saw is not because it's supposed to be better. It's because there is no dust with a right blade saw. Also, observe the motor and shoe; it is supported properly on a right blade saw, but not on a left blade saw unless you're using the left blade saw with your left hand. A right blade saw, should be used with your right hand, and the blade should face away from your body--this allows all of the dust to shoot away from your body (see 6:30). A left blade (Worm Drive) saw, operated with your right hand, blows dust in your mouth.
Concur with @Lemony Snicket. It appears the blade depth was at or near maximum. Proper depth adjustment should hopefully alleviate the guard issue you are experiencing.
I agree, I can’t believe that from 19 to all the way to my late twenties, I used a 16 penny nail to hold the guard up! We do crazy things when we’re younger lol.
I noticed that when the blade guard did not retract correctly in your example video, you had the front portion of the shoe above the workpiece and the center of the shoes on the corner of the workpiece. You may want to try placing the shoe squarely (flush) on the upper side of the worpiece, which should improve the geometry of the guard / wood contact, making it retract better?
If all else fails return it. If not just cut a small piece at an angle on the guard. It looks like it is sitting too straight up in the front and therefore it is not starting at an angle it needs to start the back movement. Great review.
I think they must have fixed the guard on these saws. I just bought one and mine looks to have a bit more of a flared end on it. So much so that when I have the base plate all the way down, I can’t sit the saw flat on a surface like you can because the tip of the guard sticks out a bit Oh yeah, and it never hangs up on anything for me
Are you having the blade guard issue with yours? I just bought one a couple weeks ago and the guard hangs up on mine just like in this video. Major flaw to me.
I have this same saw and I love it, the power and the feel. but the guard is finnicky on it, that's for sure. i have no problems getting it started cutting, but pushing through a 4x4 at a certain point the guard like to catch on it
Another awesome review brother! This thing vs the Multivolt 7 1/4 circular saw would be a sweet shoot out. I own the Multivolt one and it’s a bad mamajama
I do have this saw but the one that cames with track base but i have no issue with the guard. The power of the saw is fantastic and and i use very hard wood an it cuts like tomato. This saw is a beast
Yeah, I just picked up the track base version (XSH08Z) as well on a cyber Monday deal for $220. If mine has the gaurd issues, like the one shown in this video, I will definitely send it back.
@@BamaShinesDistillery guards off grinders too. I'd rather waste a second or two and keep all my parts God gave me. I'd never use a circ saw without a guard as clumsy as I am.
I have this circular saw. Same problem with the blade guard. Batteries don't last very long and the guide base it's not my favorite... it's a good saw, indeed. But not good enough to buy it again.
Darn, just bought this Makita yesterday, Home Depot was out of stock, they are delivering it in 2 days. Very concerned about the blade guard. I have mostly Makita tools so I can interchange batteries. To me, Makita tools have always been most dependable. In process of switching from corded to cordless. Paid $349 for saw, blade, 2 x 5 AH batteries + 2 port rapid charger. Price wasn’t my concern, usability is. Did I make a mistake? What do you recommend instead of the Makita? I am farmer/rancher, not a lot of fine finished carpentry...fences, gates, rough carpentry
Ok just bought my at homedepot 2 5.0 Bonus batteries plus 2 5.0 batteries. Double charger a tools bag all just for 245 . Sees like my bled guard doesn’t get stuck so you probably need a adjustment or return it bc it is annoying
I have both versions of this saw (this one and rear handle) and if the saw cut depth is set correctly have ZERO problems with ANYTHING in these saws- they are literally the Ferrari of battery op circ saws! Everything else I own is Red (and I own a TON) but there is NO comparison to these saws! Sorry Red!
I would not plunge that circular saw in there the way you did, looks like you almost had a backlash when you did that. I always lock my depth of cut where I need it then plunge.
I've got the plug-in version and the blade guard does the same exact thing I even tried grinding it down I'm more of an angle it doesn't matter I think I'm just going to velcro it up and leave it up or take it off
Cool tool review buddy! 👍 I haven't used this saw so can't speak to the guard issue. You know Makita isn't gonna send anything! They know what they have and don't feel the need for reviews or promotions I'm guessing. Question: @8:44 did you say "I like left handed saws?" Misspoke, im sure. 🤣 Thanks and God bless!😁 He did bless you with a Makita to test! 👍
@@ToolReviewZone you feeling okay? Normally there's a 🤣 or a haha in your replies. Your voice sounded a little hoarse in the vid. Hope your not sick. ✌
@@meagaindave2049 yeah bro, I actually have the flue. I was having a tough time with this one bro. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be feeling better. Thanks for asking though Dave, I appreciate it my friend
Professional contractor, looking to replace my 18v brushed 6.5 makita, bought this 36v 7.25 saw. I hate it. The guard stops me from making straight cuts, then once engaged it snags on anything and locks up, its absolutely unusable. I went back to my tried and tested 6.25 makita. I can still cut 2x12 laminated lvl with the right blade. Only thing that helped for the 36v saw was adjusting the cutting depth, so then whats the point of the bigger blade if you cut shallower? Too bad because this thing has power. Dont tell me i have to adjust the guard depending on thickness, big waste of time.
@@ToolReviewZone You're correct. Someone needs to write Makita and let them know the blade guard is not shaped correctly or something. I've had mine for about 6months now, and i had to drill a small hole, and put a stop on it. So that it keeps the blade guard back some at all times. Then it's an amazing saw. They need to fix this issue big time.
Thanks for the feedback brother. Unfortunately, Makita does not seem to care when I or others let them know about an issue. That's my main (issue( with them
Most makita circular saws need to be set to the appropriate depth of cut to make the blade guard work well. Also a good safety standard to have your cut depth set for the material at hand.
I have a lot of problems some guards depends on the material cuz sometimes I had to reach over and lift it up on my Ridgid and my D handle Makita and also my sub compact Makita don't feel bad even my skill saw I have problems with that sometimes alright you take care cheers with a beer
You keep saying you prefer a left sided blade because your right handed but I'm right handed and prefer a right sided blade..... I don't think your handiness has anything to do with it.
My boss has an older corded Makita side winder. Does the same damn thing with the guard. I hated using that crappy corded Saw, it’s annoying the way it snags. I have the 36V rear handle, doesn’t snag. Love it. Milwaukee’s new rear handle has finally hit the Depot I might buy it but it’s bare tool for $269. Since I have the Makita and the Dewalt seems like overkill. Anyway, don’t know why Makita can’t figure out the angle on their blade guards but thanks for the vid Clint. Question: I just bought Dewalt new 20V Max heat gun. Have you checked that out yet? I have the Milwaukee and the Rigid and I like the Dewalt over both of them. FYI- the Milwaukee heat gun attachments fit the Dewalt so that’s pretty cool in my book!
Hey Drama, yeah bro I actually have a couple vids on the dewalt heat gun. I have the full review the a comparison video between it, the ridgid and a corded Wagner bro. I really love the dewalt, but I use the ridgid more just because it seems to work better with epoxy
Blade guard on these is rubbish and theyre built very cheap so you'll quickly experience a range of issues. Most common issues the repair shop i use were finding was that the motor is cutting out because its tripping the load switch immediately and the blade not holding alignment.
Hey, thanks for the video. Any idea if I can buy this tool from the US and use it with the makita batteries bought in Europe? I would assume there shouldn't be any difference
Yes! This top-handle Makita Circular Saw spins at 6000 rpms and the Makita Rear-handle only spins at 5100 rpms! Home Depot is now pushing both of these models in the kit form with (2) 5 Ah batteries and a dual Rapid Charger for only $249, AND they are throwing in ANOTHER PAIR of 5 Ah batteries, and the kit comes with a soft case, too! What a great deal! I bought this top-handle one cuz of the extra speed of the blade, instead of the rear-handled Makita! I haven’t even opened the box yet, but will soon!
Nice saw. I know you get 36v from to 18v batteries so you don't have to buy different batteries to go back and forth from 18v to 36v. I just don't like using 2 batteries on a tool. Makita makes good tools and this is no disappointment. Great review. Glad that there was no problem with the darn angry Makita Gnome.
You can see that the "kick" problem is to do with the geometry of the guard. You can see that it is square on to the work piece. It needs to slightly slope down and forwards. And for first contact to be as low as possible (so that it is off-axis, as much as possible, with the centre of the blade). It's a rooky mistake by the designer. Hopefully they will fix this with the next version.
The guard doesn't stand a chance of lifting. I want this saw,, but thats fucked. Maybe theres a diy version to cut the guard back. The makita one doesn't even have a chance because of the angle the guard is pushed into the material rather than away. Not a fucking chance
